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nminications and Exchan es intended for the Club
' should be addressed mia tie | Monorary Secretary,
Port-of- = on Trinidal, BIW.L,
dey lei ae Lah
eri. 6d. Aaa ents Ghiseription, 3}.
Vol. 2. Sime 1894. No. I.
Frengage donc tous a éviter dans leurs écrits toute personnalité,
toute allusion dépassant les limites de la discussion la plus
sincére et la ae 5 couvioise—ILABOULBENE
Mubtteation Comrittes :
H. CARACCIOLO, F.E.S., President.
P. CARMODY, F.LC.,F.C.S.; .SYL: DEVENISH, M.A.
B. N. RAKE, M.D, R. R. MOLE,
F. W. URICH, F-.E.S., Hon. Secretary.
ere II
CONTENTS: ae
Report of Club Meetings—
February ... aie ne a a3 I
March ... a oe + si 2
Gotpney Prize Competition—Remaining Papers—
Notes by the Wayside oa ses 4
A Ramble on « Cocoa Estate ves 17
Protection of Wild Birds “a a ie ie 20
_In Memoriam—-Mr. George Vahl... see maw 24
“* MIRROR”
Office, Port-of-Spain.
#2 All Communications and Exchanges intended for the Club
should be addressed to the Honorary Secretary, Port-of-
Spain, Trinidad, b.W.T.
JOURNAL
OF THE
Field Naturaligts’ Club.
Worn 2. APRIL, 1894. No. 1.
REPORT OF CLUB MEETINGS.
2np Fepruary, 1894.
PRESENT: Mr. H. Caracciolo, President; Messrs. W. E.
Broadway, Charles Libert, T. I. Potter, J. Russell Murray,
H. J. Baldamus, T. W. Carr, Henry Tate, R. R. Mole, and F. W.
Urich, Hon. Sec. and Treasurer. The following gentlemen were
elected Town Members of the Club: Hon. Dr. Lovell, C.M.G.,
Messrs. J. Graham Taylor, P. Taaffe O'Connor and H. A.
Aleazar. Mr. Mole read a paper on “ A Visit to the High-woods
of Caparo,” which described lappe, agouti and quenk hunting as
carried on in the forests of Trinidad. The President showed
specimens of a mealy bug, Dactylopius sp. affecting coffee, and
a peculiar Mantis. He also made some remarks on a tick found
on cattle in the neighbourhood of Port-of-Spain which had been
determined as Rhipicephalus americanus (Marx).. Messrs. Mole
and Urich laid on the table a Preliminary List of Trinidad
reptiles showing a total of 73 species viz:
Tortoises
res ee Jet 7 species
Alligators oe a - ] -
Lizards bi: a an 2] ~
Snakes eR: iS AG: 34 BS
Frogs and toads ... Bs: see 10
73 species
The compilation of this list had been the work of the last
four years and there were still a great many mere species to he
added, Mr. Urich stated that the list was drawn up in the
2 JOURNAL OF THE TRINIDAD
same style and with the same intention as the Preliminary list of
the Mammals published by Mr. Oldfield Thomas sometime ago.
The Reptile list had been compiled from all accessible literature
and records based upon many specimens collected by Mr. Mole
and himself and it would be found that a great many of them
were thus recorded for the first time from Trinidad. The total
number of species at present was only 73 but there was every
probability that when certain specimens, recently despatched to
Europe, were identified that this figure would be considerably
increased. On the other hand there were in the list the names
of certain snakes recorded from Trinidad at the British Museum,
and elsewhere, the occurrence here of which appeared
to be exceedingly doubtful. They had refrained from giving any
decision in this list as their experience in Reptiles was a very
short one—and new species were turning up now and again.
It was exceedingly difficult to say positively that such and
such a species did not occur in a certain country and as an
illustration of this. he would mention that it took 50 years of
careful record to establish the fact that Vip2rus berws, the common
English viper, did not occur in a certain district in Germany.
The list was long and as it only consisted of a number of
names it was unnecessary to read it. It would be published
in the Journal when it would be better understood. In
answer to certain recent criticisms he would point out that it
was the duty of the Club to obtain correct lists as far as possible
of the fauna of the Island and that such lists were of much value
scientifically.—Mr. Tate presented some copies of the Annual
Report of the Belfast Naturalists’ Field Club and the Irish
Naturalist and said during his recent absence from the Island
he had seen several members of the Belfast Field Club and
they would be glad to exchange proceedings. The Jrish
Naturalist would prove very useful to any members who sub-
scribed to it.—The question whether the Club should subscribe
was referred to the Business Committee.—After deciding that
members should be asked to send in proposals for excursions to
be considered at the next nonthly meeting the Club adjourned at
9.30 p.m. The additions to the Club collection since last meeting
are: A banded tree snake locally called ‘“ Lora”—Ahetulla
liocercus—presented by the Rev. Father Clunes, Princes Town,
and an “American Barn owl” Strix pratinicola from River
Estate, Diego Martin, presented by Mr. E. West Lack.
Marcu 2np, 1894.
PRESENT - Mr. H. Caracciolo, President ; Sir John Tankerville
Goldney, Professor Carmody, Dr. Rake, Messrs. T. I. Potter,
T, W. Carr, A. B. Carr, W. 8. Tucker, W. E, Broadway, John
>
FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB. 3
Hoadley, 8. A. Cumberland, Alfred Taitt, Henry Tate, R. R.
Mole and F. W. Urich, Hon. Secretary. Mr. Ponsonby (London)
Rev. E. D. Wright (late Jamaica), Mr. G. A. Urich and Master
Rake were the visitors present. The following elections took
place: Honorary member: Professor C, V. Riley, Washington ;
Town members: Hon. G. L. Garcia, Drs. G. 8. Seecombe and E.
Prada, Rev. J. Williams, B.A., Messrs. E. C. Wilson, Leon
Agostini, J. T. Rousseau, V. L. Wehekind, Carl Saurmann, Jules
Anduze, J. R. Llafitios.— Notes from the Jamaica Institute were
read by the Secretary.—Dr. Rake read a paper upon ‘“ The
Schizomycetes” and illustrated it with a number of cultures of
bacteria and slides; amougst them one of leprosy bacilli by
Mr. Andrew Pringle was conspicuous ; these were shown under
microscopes and lent additional interest to a highly instructive
paper, which the author explained with many drawings on the
blackboard. At the conclusion a unanimous vote of thanks was
accorded to Dr. Rake for his paper.—_Mr. Potter read a few notes
on, and exhibited specimens of, a borer found destroying cacao
trees at St. Ann’s.— Mr. A. B. Carr also showed some borers from
Caparo ; one iooking very much like the Xyleborus perforans had
killed five cacao trees. The other was found in a dead tree but
it was doubtful whether it was the cause of the tree dying. Mr.
Carr also placed on the table horns of two species of Trinidad
deer—one being of Cariacus nemorivagus, (F. Cuy.) and the other
undetermined ; also the skull of a quenk (peccary— Dicotyles
labiatus Cuv.)—Dr. Rake exhibited a young tree porcupine,
Synetheres prehensilis (Linn.) also a species of Lycopodium found
growing at Carenage.—The President showed a specimen of lantern
fly from Maracas and made some remarks on the light these insects
are supposed to emit.—A species of bat Chiroderma villosum
(Peters) was also exhibited.—Mr. Urich laid on the table, on
behalf of Mr. J. Guilbert, a nest of the corn bird Ostinops
decumanus (Pall) and a locust said to be injurious to young
cacao.—The President mentioned that mole crickets were
injurious to cacao nurseries by eating away the tap roots.—The
Rey. E. D. Wright made some remarks on //ypolimnas
misippus and pointed out differences in the females of this
butterfly found here and in Jamaica.—Mr. 8. A. Cumberland
showed a young alligator caught by himself on the Caroni after
a terrific struggle in which he received many and very serious
wounds, and read a few humorous notes thereon.—The additions
to the Club collection since last meeting are: A Sphinx Moth,
presented by the Rev. Father Clunes, Princes Town; three
caterpillars and a beetle presented by the Rey. C. H. Stoker,
Tunapuna ; a caterpillar presented by the Rev. E. F. Tree, Couva,
—The meeting closed at 10.15 p.m,
4 JOURNAL OF THE TRINIDAD
CLUB PAPERS.
THE GOLDNEY PRIZE COMPETITION.
NOTES BY THE WAYSIDE.
HER Eis perhaps no locality in the neighbourhood of Port-of-
Spain which is more easily accessible or more likely to yield good
results to lovers of Natural History than the vicinity of St. Ann’s
Valley. It was here that the writer of the following notes, and
another member of the Club, elected to spend an off day in the
early part of last year. A pleasant ride by one of the morning
trams brought us very close to the scene of our day’s work and
pleasure, for Natural History means both to those who are
really interested in it. Passing rapidly along over the first few
hundred yards of the well kept road, bordered by grassy Savannas
in which graze the ugly Indian buffaloes and sleepy but graceful
young zebus, the off-spring of a stock which a paternal government
has successfully introduced to improve the breed of ‘Trinidad
cattle, we could not but admire the clumps of bamboo* which
adorn the banks of the Dry River and the high ground behind,
still crowned by the ruins of the residence of the old Spanish
Governors. Near the back of the Lunatic Asylum we crossed
the fence separating the Savanna from the road and then the
bed of the river, which was as dry as possible, though, probably,
a week before the course of a raging torrent of storm-water, as
perhaps it would be again to-morrow. The wire fence which
divides the Savanna from the thick brush-wood covering the
North-eastern part of the hillside, first attracted our notice.
Several large black antst were on the wires and _ uprights, busily
running backwards and forwards in quest of food but what that
food consisted of we could not then spare the time to discover.
A little further along upon one of the wooden posts of the fence
we founda small centipede.t His great length and enormous
number of legs, extraordinary even in a centipede, attracted
more than usual attention. He appeared to be in trouble, for
strange to say, even centipedes have their trials and do not
always find the world “all beer and skittles’—perhaps it would
be more correct to say ‘all cockroaches and rotten wood.”
*Bambusa vulgaris SCHRAD.
|Cryptocerus atratus.
}Geophilus sp.
FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB. 5
Really, when one enquires into the life-history of the centipede,
he is after all not nearly the desperate ruffian which mankind
makes him out to be. His is a very inoffensive life and one
which is devoted to doing good service to the human race, in that
he makes constant war upon the cockroaches which devour our
clothing and contaminate with their filthy smell our food. True
the centipede boasts a pair of sharp claws which nature has
endowed with poisonous properties, but he rarely uses them, except
in self-defence, just as we should use our fists if we were hurt or
molested when about the duties of daily life and no Policeman
is athand. Like many other things the poor centipede, because
of an uncanny appearance (his numerous legs and segmented
body) has only to show himself and he is greeted with cries
of “Centipede ! St. Peter !! St. Paul!!!” for popular superstition
believes that the invocation of these Saints has a paralyzing
effect upon his poor hundred legs as they hurry him over the
floor in search of the seclusion of a dark hole, and so give his
arch-enemy, Man, time to get a weapon with which to despatch
him. But centipedes have other foes besides mankind—the fowls,
the ants and the toads, and, as we have said before, this poor fellow
was in the greatest trouble. A long thin white worm nearly as
longagain as its victim, was inserting itself into the poor arthroped,
which did not seem able to defend itself at all. We watched the
struggle afew moments and then both centipede and parasite were
consigned to spirits for examination at some more convenient time.
Before we leave centipedes, however, it is interesting to note that
the popular superstition in Trinidad with regard to centipedes
and scorpions, is that the former “stings” with the two large
claws in the last segment of the body, and the scorpion “ bites”
with the pincer claws. As it happens the facts are just the
reverse, the centipede bites with the poison claws directly under
its head, and the scorpion “stings” with the sharp sting on the
final joint of the tail.
There was a bare chance of finding out what the black ants
were after and where their nest was, so we ascended the hill a
few yards further and finally found the rotten remnants of a tree
trunk. Rotten logs are oftentimes rich harvest fields to entemo-
logical collectors, and forthwith we began to turn over, to cut up,
and otherwise examine them. Our first find was one of those
small short-tailed ground snakes,* which are said to prey exclu-
sively on insects, but which always seem to have empty stomachs
whenever they are examined, so that it is somewhat of a puzzle
how they do get their living, though their jaws appear to be fit
for nothing else but the capture of minute worms, molusks, or
* Geophis lineatus,
6 JOURNAL OF THE TRINIDAD
insects. One thing however is well known about them, and that
is they are a favourite article in the diet of the coral snakes.*
The specimen was bagged as a matter of course, for no doubt he
would be welcomed, only too warmly, by the Elaps in the glass
box at home. These logs appeared to be rather the reverse of
rich in insect life, however, for with the exception of one or two
cockroaches—has it ever occurred to a member of the Club what
@ number of species there are in this Island ?—and one or two
spirally shaped snails+ there was little else. But stricter search
revealed the horny elytra of a beetle, which probably came to an
untimely end, also one or two of the ants locally known as
tick-tackst from the snapping noise they make with their jaws.
My companion wished to obtain some males and females of this
species and so we persevered and presently, turning over another
fragment of the trunk, we came upon the whole nest. At
the risk of many a bite we picked up the winged individuals—
wings are one of the distinguishing features of the males
and females—the workers or neuters being destitute of
these appendages. Although we looked carefully we were
not able to find the Queen-ant needed to complete the series
in my companion’s collection. While taking the ants we noticed
a peculiar habit in them, which we have not hitherto seen
recorded—when threatened with a stick, or the point of a cutlass
they have a trick of jumping backwards with a sharp jerky
movement. A little further on we found, on the under side of a
piece of bamboo, a land planaria, a slug-like-looking animal, which
preys on land snails and whose methods of dealing with these
unfortunate molusks has been so ably described by Dr. von
Kennel in his Biological and Faunistic notes on Trinidad. The
extract was reprinted in a recent number of the Journal. But
we had stayed long enough on the hill-side and we felt we must
get on to Fonds Amandes to begin our excursion in real earnest,
so we quickly regained the road and hurrying past the little
hamlet and over the tiny stream crossing the road, we stopped to
look for a moment at the shoals of small fish$ swimming merril
in the still waters on either side of our path; and tried to find
an eel, but without success, though they are oftentimes to be
seen there. All Communications and Exchanges intended for the Club
should be addressed to the Honorary Secretary, Port-of-
Spain, Trinidad, B.W.1.
OU RNGEL
OF THE
Field Naturalists’ Club.
VEE. Er. JUNE, 1894. No. 2.
REPORT OF CLUB MEETINGS.
6TH ApRIL, 1894.
RESENT: Mr. Henry Caracciolo (President), Lieut.-Colonel
Wilson, C.M.G., Sir John Goldney, Messrs. R. J. L. Guppy,
T. I. Potter, C. J. Thavenot, T. W. Carr, J. R. Llanos, Sy).
Devenish, M.A., J. Hoadley, J. Russell Murray, C. W. Scott,
W. E. Broadway, R. R. Mole, and F. W. Urich, Hon. Secretary.
The following elections took place: Rev. E. D. Wright, Corres-
ponding Member; Rev. E. J. Holt, Messrs. James Miller and
Arthur Gaywood, Town Members.—Lieut.-Colonel Wilson read
some ‘‘ Notes on Camping Out, Fishing and Cariboo Shooting in
New Brunswick,” in the course of which the author gave a
graphic account of birch bark canoeing upon Canadian rivers,
lynx and bear hunting, trout and salmon fishing, beaver trapping
and cariboo shoo‘ing. The notes also contained descriptions of
the dress, the snow shoes and the sleighs of hunters in the
Canadian wilds, and the severity of the cold was also commented
upon. Sir John Goldney proposed a vote of thanks to Colonel
Wilson, which was seconded by Mr. Devenish.-—Mr. J. Russell
Murray made some remarks upon the larvee of some lepidop-
terous insect he found destroying the bark of cocoa trees,
but owing to an accident was unable to show the insect,
which he had succeeded in breeding.—The President pointed
out how the opinion expressed by the Club’s Borer Com-
mittee had been borne out by the subsequent investigations
of Mr. Hopkins (published in Insect Life, Vol. vi., No. 2),
26 JOURNAL OF THE TRINIDAD
and Mr. Massee of Kew.—Mr. Urich made some remarks
about his recent stay at Caparo with Messrs. Brewster and
Chapman.— A large number of bats as well as some feeti of various
mammals were exhibited by the President.—Mr. Urich said in
a recent excursion he managed to find two specimens of the only
sweet water bivalve found in Trinidad, viz., Anodon leotaudi,
Guppy, in a small brook in the far interior. Of this shell Mr.
Lechmere Guppy wrote in a paper on the moluska of Trinidad,
published some time ago, “I have never been able to obtain
more than two or three specimens.”—-The meeting adjourned at
10.15 p.m.
4rH May, 1894.
Peete Mr. H. Caracciolo (President), Sir John Goldney,
Dr. Rrke, Messrs. Syl. Devenish, M.A., T. I. Potter, Charles
Libert, Arthur Gaywood, G. J. Reed, H. J. Baldamus, 8. A.
Cumberland, T. W. Carr, W. E. Broadway, and F. W. Urich,
Hon. Secretary. Mr. William Brewster, of Cambridge, Mass.,
was elected an Honorary Member of the Club.—The President
read a few ‘ Notes on some Trinidad Bats” which contained
much original observation on the habits of some of our species.
A large number of stuffed specimens were shown to illustrate
the paper. At its conclusion a hearty vote of thanks was
accorded to Mr. Caracciolo and an animated discussion ensued
in which all the members present took part.—Sir John Goldney
gave a graphic account of the habits of the large fruit-eating
bats of the Straits Settlements, which served for interesting
comparisons with our species.—Mr, Cumberland read some notes
on a large Boa constrictor he had poisoned. This reptile resisted
a dose of prussic acid and it was a dose of strychnine that put an
end tc it. The specimen, which was shown, measured alive 10
feet more or less, but skinned it was 13 feet long—Mr. Potter
made some observations on Trinidad orchids, of which several
species were exhibited.—Mr. Cumberland made some remarks
upon a live specimen of the two toed sloth, Cholepus didactylus,
Linn., from Venezuela, which he had brought to the meeting.
This mammal is in Mr. Oldfield Thomas’s list as having been
recorded in Trinidad by Ledru in 1810, but it certainly does not
occur in the Island, and no doubt the specimen recorded came
from Venezuela.—Mr. Potter drew attention to the nests of the
caterpillars of a Hydrias sp. found at Monos.—The meeting
closed at 9.30 p.m.
FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB. oT
CLUB PAPERS.
THE SCHIZOMYCETES.
By Braven Rake, M.D. (Lonp.)
UR knowledge of bacteria has advanced so rapidly during the
last twenty years, that there is a danger that in this as in all
good movements enthusiasts may claim too much, and that
over-zeal on the part of some may bring bacteriology into dis-
repute. I refer to a tendency which exists to immediately
discover a specific germ for every known disease. That this is
premature will appear in the course of this paper, but there is no
doubt that an intelligent study of bacteria is of the greatest
importance to the physician, the surgeon, the farmer, the manu-
facturer, and indeed to all who are concerned with the lives of
animals or vegetables. It therefore seemed that the subject was
not unsuitable for the consideration of the Field Naturalists’
Club.
The discovery of micro-organisms is no new thing. In 1683
the Dutch observer Leeuwenhoeck described organisms in saliva
and putrid water, probably corresponding with what are now
recognized as vibrio and leptothrix. For the next two centuries
these organisms were the subject of much controversy. At one
time they were regarded as animals, at another time as vegetables,
while some observers doubted whether they were alive.
In 1773 Muller suggested a classification and others followed
his example during the first half of this century. To Cohn,
however, belongs the credit of first satisfactorily classifying the
bacteria in 1872 and recognizing their position in the vegetable
kingdom. But the twenty years which have elapsed since Cchn’s
researches have brought about a further change of opinion as to
the position and classification of bacteria.
They are now regarded as belonging to the Schizomycetes or
fission-fungi which come under the achlorophyllous division of
the class protophyta of the group thallophytes. In other words
bacteria are minute cellular plants, which increase chiefly by
division and are without chlorophyll.
Owing to this absence of chlorophyll bacteria are unable to
split up carbon dioxide into its elements, like the higher vegetable
cells, but on the other hand they differ from animal cells by being
able to obtain their nitrogen from ammonia compounds. Nencki
28 JOURNAL OF THE TRINIDAD
has shown that active bacteria contain 83.42 per cent. of water,
while in the dried state they consist of
A nitrogenous body called mycoprotein ... 84.20
Pat..é ss va Sy a
Ash ee : oe .. se
Undetermined substances ae en OB
In structure bacteria consist of a cell wall which can be
shown by the action of iodine to consist of cellulose, and cell
contents which yield mycoprotein. In some species this is homo-
geneous, in others granular. Sometimes the power of retaining
certain aniline stains is present, but not always. This is of great
importance in determining the nature of some bacilli, for example,
those of tuberculosis and leprosy.
In some bacteria the cell protoplasm contains starch granules
as in Clostridium butyricum; in others, such as Beggiatoa,
sulphur is present. In the latter organism the cells also contain
a special pigment bacterio-purpurin. In other cases the pigment
granules are outside the cells as in Bacterium prodigiosum, while
in Bacillus pyocyaneus the pigment is partly within and partly
outside the cells.
Many species of bacteria are provided with a gelatinous
envelope, the result of either secretion from the cell or absorption
of moisture and swelling of the outer layer of the celi wall.
When this gelatinous material forms a matrix in which numbers
of bacteria are congregated it is called a zooglea. This zooglea
condition is a resting stage of the organism.
The forms of bacteria as will be shown presently are very
various and have given rise to no little controversy.
With regard to the reproduction of bacteria, though, as
implied by the name Schizomycetes, the characteristic mode of
increase is by fission, there are other processes which resemble
fructification. These are divided into two groups distinguished
- by the formation of endospores and arthrospores.
In endospore formation the protoplasm becomes granular,
and at certain points in the chain of rods specks appear which
gradually develop into highly refractive circular or oval bodies.
After a time the cell walls and protoplasm disappear and the
spores are set free. This is well seen in Bacillus subtilis and
Bacillus anthracis.
In arthrospore formation as seen in Lewconostoc mesenteroides
certain elements in the chain of cocci, apparently not differing
from the rest, enlarge, and the walls become tougher and more
refractive. The remaining cells die, and these enlarged cells are
set free as spores capable of reproducing the growth in suitable
soil,
FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB. 29
Spore formation has net yet been observed in all bacteria,
hence one of the chief difficulties in the way of a scientific
classification.
Spores are invested with a thick membrane and are far more
resistent to the action of chemical reagents and heat than the
parent cells. They also retain their vitality when dried. This is
a point of great practical importance. ‘To destroy spores, infected
articles such as clothes must be raised to a much higher
temperature than that necessary to destroy bacteria. Again, in
the preparation of sterilized media, the test tubes must be heated
onseveralconsecutive days in order to kill successive crops of spores.
It is probable that spore formation is not due to exhaustion
of the nourishing soil and consequent provision for the perpetuation
of the species as has been supposed by some. It is more likely
that it is a result of free access of oxygen.
Anthrax bacilli have been found in the soil where bodies of
animals dead of anthrax have been buried, and thus a real danger
to the community arises. Klein, however, has pointed out that
if mice and guinea pigs which have died of anthrax are kept
unopened, the bacilli degenerate and disappear. Infection of a:
burial ground must therefore result from the interment of bodies
of animals in which necropsies have been made, or in which the ~
hides have been soiled with excretions or blood. The practical
lesson to be learned is the same in either case, that all animals
dead of any suspicious disease should be at once cremated.
T may state here that a series of observations which I made
on the earth over the graves of lepers or where pieces of leprous
tissue had been interred gave negative results.
The classification of bacteria like that of many other groups
of plants and animals is still in a transition state, but pro-
visionally the classification suggested by Zopf may be accepted as
a good one for working purposes.
He divides the Schizomycetes as follows :
Groupe I.— Coccacee. —Cocci and 3. Vibrio.
thread-forms resulting from jux- 4. Leuconostoc.
taposition of cocci. Fission in 5. Bacillus.
one or more directions. 6. Clostridium.
Genus 1. Streptococcus. Group IIL. — Lepiotrichee. — Cocci,
2. Micrococcus. rods and thread forms. Dis-
3. Merismopedia. tinction between base and apex
4. Sarcina. in latter.
5. Ascococcus. GENUS I. Leptothrix.
Group II. — Lacteriacee. — Cocci, 2. Beggiatoa.
rods andthread-forms. No dis- | 3. Crenothrix.
tinction between base and apex) 4. Phragmidiothrix.
in latter. Fission in one direc-| Group IV. —Cladstrichcec. — Cocci,
tion. rods, spirals andthread forms. The
Genus 1. Bacterium. latter with false branchings.
2. Spirillum. Genus 1. Cladsthrix,
30 JOURNAL OF THE TRINIDAD
Before noticing the genera mentioned in this table a few
remarks may be made on some practical points connected with
bacteria.
One of the most interesting and important of these is the
question of pleomorphism.
In Cohn’s first classification mentioned above he divided
bacteria into four groups :
1. Sphero-bacteria ; globules (micrococcus. )
2. Micro-bacteria ; short rods (bacterium. )
3. Desmo-bacteria ; long rods (bacillus and vibrio. )
4, Spiro-bacteria ; spirals (spvrocheete and spirillum.)
Billroth in 1874 opposed this division and went to the other
extreme. He regarded all Cohn’s forms as developmental forms
of one micro-organism which he called Coccobacteria septica.
In 1875 Cohn answered Billroth, still maintaining that
distinct genera and species existed. He produced a second
classification, placing the bacteria under a new group, the
Schizophytes, and adding several genera.
Our present knowledge admits a mean between the extreme
views of Cohn and Billroth. We now accept the doctrine of
pleomorphism which was to some extent anticipated by Lister in
1873 after observations on a bacterium in milk, but was first
definitely formulated by Lankester in the same year after his
researches on beggiatoa to be referred to later. He says: “The
existence of true species of bacteria must be characterized, not
by the simple form features used by Cohn, but by the ensemble
of their morphological and physiological properties, as exhibited
in their complete life-histories.”
This theory of pleomorphism has since been abundantly
confirmed by the researches of Neelsen and Cienkowski on the
bicillus of blue milk, of Zopf on beggiatoa and cladsthrix, of
Van Tieghem on clostridium, and of others. It has the merit of
being simp’e and at the same time rational. We should not
think of separating a fern into two species because the young
fronds differ in shape from those of the fully grown plant, nor
should we suppose that the common holly contains two species,
because the leaves at the base are prickly for purposes of defence,
while those at the top of the tree are plain. Neither would
anyone imagine that the ewly cotyledons of a plant just emerging
from the soil represent a species distinct from the fully developed
plant, because the latter shows totally different leaves and stem.
And yet, to compare small things with great, those who made the
above gross mistakes would not be much more ridiculous than
those who tr'ed to divide bacteria by absolute morphological
characters. Science is always slow to give names, and provi-
FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB. 31
sionally we must accept Zopf’s classification which is based on the
theory of pleomorphism.
We must, however, clearly recognise that while a bacterium
can change its form it cannot change its nature, and be converted
from a harmless into a pathogenic form, as was asserted by
Buchner. This theory has been disproved by Koch and Klein.
The most important practical question which arises with
reference to any micro-organism is whether it is pathogenic or
capable of invading and multiplying in living tissues, thus pro-
ducing disease in man or animals, or whether it is non-pathogenic
or saprophytic, i.e., only able to develop on dead tissue, and
therefore found in sloughs and discharges. To determine this
point Koch has laid down the following four postulates :—
1. The micro-organism must be found in the blood, lymph or
tissues of the diseased man or animal.
2. The micro-organisms must be isolated from the blood,
lymph or tissues, and cultivated on suitable media outside the
body. These cultivations must be carried on through successive
generations.
3. A pure cultivation thus obtained must when introduced
into the body of a healthy animal produce the disease in question.
4. In the inoculated animal the same micro-organism must
again be found.
These postulates have been fulfilled in the case of certain
diseases which attack animals, such as anthrax, glanders, tuber-
culosis and malignant cedema. In human diseases there is an
obvious difficulty in the last two postulates which involve inocu-
lation of a healthy human subject. In such cases we have to be
content with experiments on animals, but here we are faced by
the difficulty that certain diseases such as leprosy are not found
in the lower animals.
Lastly a few words may be said on the distribution of
bacteria outside the animal body. They are found in earth, air,
and water.
Portions of garden mould taken from the surface and dropped
into sterilized culture fluid always infect it, producing a culture
of cocci and bacilli. In winter Koch has found that all organisms
are absent at a depth of one metre, in soil which has not been
recently disturbed, which does not consist largely of decomposing
material, and into which there is no unusual soakage of water.
Recent researches have shown that bacteria play an important
part in the nitrification of soil. As these bacteria are chiefly
found near the surface, the necessity at once becomes apparent,
in agricultural operations, of frequently forking over the soil
round the roots of trees or plants.
In air bacteria usually occur attached to particles of dust.
32 JOURNAL OF THE TRINIDAD
Perfectly still air becomes pure by subsidence of these particles.
Bacteriological examination of air over the surface of the liquid
in main sewers has shown an absence of bacteria.
All water except from great depths contains bacteria. Rain
water becomes contaminated from the dust which it carries down,
while surface water is infected from the ground through which it
soaks. The risk of contamination of well water and river water
by bacteria derived from sewage is obvious. Even sea-water is
not free. Dr. Bassenge of the Stosch shewed me cultivations
which he had made from water taken at various depths in the
Atlantic Ocean.
From the above considerations it is evident that the bodies
of man and the lower animals are always exposed to the danger
of infection, and that many bacteria enter every day in food or
water, or attached to dust are swallowed, inhaled, or brought in
eontact with open wounds or sores on the surface of the body.
The aim of preventive medicine therefore should be not only to
destroy bacteria whenever possible, but also by attention to the
ordinary rules of health, to diminish the receptivity of the in-
dividual. For we cannot but believe that bacteria will continue
to exist in spite of all our eiforts to exterminate them.
I propese now very briefly to examine the various groups
and genera set forth in the classification of Zopf. I have for
the most yart followed Crookshank’s descriptions,
Group 1.—Coccacee.
This possesses only cocci and thread-forms resulting from the
juxtaposition of cocci. Fission may occur in one or more direc-
tions. Five genera are included in this group :—
1.—Streptococceus.—These are known as chain-cocci, because
the individuals always or occasionally remain united together to
form chains. Division is in one direction only.
Numerous species of streptococcus are described, many of
which are associated with disease in man or animals, though to
what extent this relation is pathogenic has yet to be determined.
In this family occur the many forms of streptococcus pyogenes so
frequently found in the pus of abscesses. Many of them are
readily recognizable by the naked eye from the resemblance of
the colonies which grow in glycerine agar to drops or streaks of
o'l paint of various colours. Other species have been described
in connection with erysipelas, diphtheria, puerperal fever, endo-
cirditis and several other human diseases, and also in many dis-
eases of the lower animals such as swine erysipelas, cattle-plague,
foot and mouth disease, disease of grey parrots, and the ‘“‘flacherie,”
of silk worms
FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB. 313)
2. Merismopedia. These are also called plate cocci from the
fact that they divide in two directions forming lamelle or plates.
Most of the members of this genus are saprophytic. One
species, Micrococcus tetragonus, found in tubercular cavities and
sputum is saprophytic in man, but pathogenic in the lower
animals, causing death in guinea pigs and mice in from two to
ten days.
3. Sarcina. The genus Sarcina is characterized by division
in three directions forming colonies in cubes or packets. Hence
these are called packet-cocci.
They are all unassociated with disease. The best known is
the Sarecina ventriculi described by Goodsir of Edinburgh in
1842. These cocci occur in groups of four or multiples of four
producing packets with rounded off corners like bales of cotton.
They are found in the stomach of man and animals in health and
disease.
4, Micrococcus. This genus is characterized by division in
one direction. The cocci after division may remain aggregated
in irregular heaps, and are therefore called mass cocci. They
never form chains.
There are several species of micrococcus and some of them
are found associated with scarlet fever, measles, whooping cough
and other diseases in man, but none of them have ever been
proved to be the cause of these diseases. Koch however, has
shown that certain micrococci produce septicemia, pyemia and
progressive suppuration in rabbits, and Klein has described a
coccus which gives rise to pyzemia in mice,
5. Ascococcus. The individual cocci are like micrococci, but
they grow in characteristic gelatinous pellicles, and are hence
called pellicle-cocci.
Only one species is known, Ascococcus billrothii. On the
surface of nutrient media these cocci form a cream-like skin,
made up of an enormous number of globular or oval families,
each of which is surrounded by a thick capsule of cartilaginous
consistency.
Groupe Il. Bacteriacee.
This group possesses mostly cocci, straight or bent rods, and
straight or spiral thread-forms. The cocci may be absent. The
thread-forms present no difference between base and apex.
Fission occurs only in one direction.
There are six genera in the group,
1. Bacterium. This genus is characterized by cocci and rods
or only rods, which are joined together to form threads. Spcre
formation is absent or unknown. ‘The absence of spore formation
is now used to distinguish bacteria from bacilli, The arbitrary
34 JOURNAL OF THE TRINIDAD
division according to the length of the rods was found to be
impossible, for a rod at one stage of its growth or under certain
conditions might be a bacterium, while at another time it might
be long enough to be considered a bacillus.
There are many species of bacterium associated with disease,
but not one has been absolutely proved to be pathogenic in man.
The bacterium of pneumonia discovered by Friedlander has been
considered by some to be the cause of pneumonia, but inoculations
of animals with cultivations of the bacteria have only succeeded
in some cases.
In animals many pathogenic bacteria have been described,
such as the bacterium of diphtheria of pigeons, the bacterium of
fowl-cholera, the bacterium of septicemia in rabbits, and the
panhistophytum ovatum which has been proved to be the cause
of pébrine in silk worms.
Other bacteria are chromogenic, producing yellow, red,
brown, violet and other colours. The best known of these is
bacterium prodigiosum which occurs on bread, boiled rice, and
starch paste, and has been known as the bleeding host.
In this genus also occur the zymogenic saprophyte which
gives rise to the ammoniacal fermentation of urine, and also that
which oxidises alcohol in wine and other fruit-juices into vinegar.
2. Spirillum. This genus contains threads which are in the
form of screws, and are made up of long or short rods only, or of
rods and cocci. Spore formation is absent or unknown.
One of the best known examples:is the spirillum of relapsing
fever which was described in 1873 by Obermeier. It occurs in
the blood of patients suffering from relapsing fever. The spirilla
are absent from the blood during the non-febrile intervals.
Carter in Bombay inoculated monkeys successfully from the
human subject.
Another member of this genus which has attracted much
attention of late years is the comma bacillus which Koch claims
as the cause of cholera. His opponents, however, say that comma
bacilli are not found in all cases of cholera. There are also
possible sources of error in the inoculations of animals which
have been carried out.
Since writing the above I see in the Lancet of February 10,
1894, that Prof. Cunningham of Calcutta has had certain distinct
forms of comma bacilli obtained from cases of cholera, in con-
tinuous cultivation for nearly four years, all being under precisely
the same conditions of environment. These bacilli have continued
to present well marked differences, and Prof. Cunningham regards
them as distinct species. If this is so, cholera cannot be regarded
as due to the presence of any particular species of comma bacillus
in the intestine,
FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB. 35
Other comma bacilli are found in cholera nostras, in saliva
and in old cheese. These were formerly believed to be identical
with Koch’s cholera bacillus, but many now regard them as
distinct species.
3. Leuconostoc. This genus consists of cocci and rods.
Spore formation is present in the cocci.
One species is described, Leuconostoc mesenteroids, well
known as frog-spawn fungus or gomme de sucrerie, a formidable
enemy to sugar manufacturers. So rapid is the growth of this
organism that forty-nine hectolitres of molasses, containing ten
per cent. of sugar, were converted within twelve hours into a
gelatinous mass.
The cells occur singly, in chains, and in zooglcea, surrounded
by a thick gelatinous envelope, so firm that sections can be cut
with a razor. In addition to increase by division, leuconostoc is
also reproduced by the formation of arthrospores as already
described.
4. Bacillus. This is a genus containing cocci and rods or
rods only, forming straight or twisted threads. Spore formation
is present either in the rods or cocci.
This genus contains several most important species. Fore-
most among these is the Baci/lus anthracis. This is the cause of
splenic fever in animals, and of charbon, malignant pustule or
woolsorter’s disease in man. The morphology and life history of
this bacillus have been very fully worked out, and as it completely
fulfils the four postulates of Koch the bacillus anthracis is
accepted as a type from which to study the various bacteriological
methods.
As was stated earlier in this paper anthrax bacilli have been
found in soil in which animals which have died of the disease
have been buried. A more common mode of dissemination,
however, is by the excreta, and blood and discharges from the
nose and mouth of moribund animals. The bacilli find a
nourishing soil in decaying animal and vegetable matter; spore
formation goes on rapidly, there being free access of oxygen, and
the grass is extensively contaminated. Floods may carry these
spores over adjacent meadows.
Animals may be directly infected through wounds in the
mouth caused by siliceous sedges or grasses, or by wounds of
insects. It is also probable that they may be infected through
the intestinal and pulmonary mucous membranes.
In man the disease is met with in those who have to handle
the woo] or hides of animals which have died of anthrax. Infec-
tion takes place either through a wound or abrasion of the skin,
or by inhalation of the spores attached to dust, which then
develop in the respiratory and a.iuentary tracts, The disease
36 JOURNAL OF THE TRINIDAD
most frequently occurs in certain manufacturing centres where
the hides of animals are treated after being imported from abroad,
or brought up from the country, such as Bermondsey in the south of
London, and Bradford in Yorkshire. It is commonly known as
woolsorter’s disease. The stringent regulations now in force in
England, as to cattle infected with splenic fever will doubtless
diminish the frequency of the disease, but there is still a serious
danger to be apprehended from hides imported from abroad.
In the British Medical Journal of January 20, 1894, I see that
a case of malignant pustule occurred in Paris recently, the source
of infection being goat-skins imported from China. The skins
were found to contain the dermestes vulpinus in two stages of
development. The bodies of these insects and their excrement
contained the bacillus anthracis, and guinea pigs inoculated with
these insects or their excrement reduced to powder, died of
charbon.
Pasteur by cultivating the anthrax bacillus succeeded in
producing a protective vaccine for animals. This protection,
however, only lasts for a time.
If the bacillus is passed through different species of animals
its virulence is altered. Bacilli from sheep or cattle are fatal if
re-inoculated into these animals, but if inoculated into mice, the
bacilli thus obtained lose their virulence for sheep or cattle, and
the latter are protected for a time against virulent anthrax.
Also a culture that is vaccine for sheep kills a guinea pig and
then yields bacilli fatal to sheep.
The Bacillus tuberculosis is another member of this genus
which has been constantly in evidence since its discovery by
Kochin 1882. Muchattention has been given to its life history,
though not with the same success as in the case of the anthrax
bacillus, for spore formation though described by some observers
has not been satisfactorily made out. Koch’s four postulates are
fulfilled in the case of animals, though it is obvious that the last
experiment of the chain cannot be applied in the case of man.
There is, however, little doubt that tubercle bacilli blown about
with dust constitute a real danger to the community. In the
British Medical Journal of January 13, 1894, Dr. Miller records
the discovery of tubercle bacilli in dust from a house in which
three people had died of phthisis at varying intervals, and two
others had shown physical signs of the disease.
The Bacillus lepre is very closely allied to the bacillus
tuberculosis in size and form, but especially in its behaviour to
staining reagents. These two bacilli are separated from all others
by the fact that they retain certain aniline dyes when treated
with nitric or sulphuric acid, while other bacilli are decolorized.
We have, however, advanced very little in our knowledge of the
FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB. 37
life history of the bacillus leprae, for it is by no means certain
that it has yet been cultivated, though many have claimed
success. Inoculations of animals have failed, though the bacillus
is very resistant. In a fowl which I inoculated with a piece of
leprous nodule, I found leprosy bacilli more than two years after
inoculation, though there had been no development of the disease.
Time will not allow me to do more than mention a few of
the many other interesting members of this genus. The Bacillus
mallet has been fully worked out, and is now generally accepted
as the cause of glanders. The Bacillus alvet has been shown to
produce foul-brood in bee-hives. The- bacillus of malignant
cedema, of septiczemia of mice, of swine typhoid, of swine erysipelas
are also accepted as pathogenic in animals.
It has been shown that the inoculation of garden earth in
mice and rabbits induces fatal tetanus. At the point of inocu-
lation abscesses form and from these abscesses bacilli mixed with
other organisms have been obtained and cultivated. A culture of
this mixture produces the same disease. Recent researches by
Kitasato and others have added much to our knowledge of the
bacillus of tetanus.
Among the saprophytic bacilli I can only refer to the Bacillus
subtilis or hay bacillus, a very common and widely distributed
organism, and a frequent intruder in other cultivations.
5. Vibrio. This is a a genus containing screw shaped threads
in long or short links. Spore formation is present.
One species is described, Vibrio rugula. It occurs in veget-
able infusions causing fermentation of cellulose. The rods are
curved or with one shallow spiral. They form swarms and grow
out into threads curved in a screw like manner. Endospores are
formed at one extremity, which then becomes enlarged giving the
rod the appearance of a pin.
6. Clostridium. This genus resembles bacillus except that
spore formation takes place in characteristically enlarged rods
One species is pathogenic, causing a disease in cattle which is
variously known as blackleg, quarter-evil, rausch-brand or symp-
tomatic anthrax.
A common speciesis Clostridium butyricum which converts lac-
ticacid in milk into butyric acid and produces the ripening of cheese.
Group III.—Leptotrichee.
This group possesses cocci, rods and thread-forms which shew
a distinction between base and apex. The threads are straight
or spiral.
The group is divided into four genera.
1. Crenothrix. In this genus the threads are articulated ;
the cells are without sulphur ; the habitat is water.
38 JOURNAL OF THE TRINIDAD
One species is known, Crenothria kuhniana. It occurs as
little whitish or brownish tufts in wells and drain-pipes. It fouls
the water and may stop up the narrower pipes.
2. Beggiatoa. In this genus the threads are not articulated ;
the cells contain sulphur granules ; the habitat is water.
Three species are described, the best known of which is
Beggiatoa roseo-persicina, which has been already mentioned as
furnishing the material from a study of which Lankester formu-
lated his doctrine of pleomorphism.
The cocci form at first solid families bound together by
gelatinous substance. Then they become larger, ovoid or globular
and hollow, containing watery fluid. These hollow families are
often perforated, presenting a reticulated appearance. Finally
they may become broken up into irregular structures. In the
cocci of the older vesicles dark granules of sulphur occur. These
micro-organisms occur sometimes in such quantity that whole
marshes or ponds may be coloured red by them.
3. Phragmidiothriz. In this genus the threads are without
joints ; successive sub-division of cells is continuous ; the cells are
without sulphur ; the habitat is water.
One species is known, Phragmidiothrix multiseptata. It
consists of cocci and threads. The latter are separated by
transverse partitions into discs. Repeated transverse and longitu-
dinal division takes place in these discs, resulting in the formation
of cocci. These cocci develop in situ into slender threads.
Phragmidiothrix is especially characterized by this constant
sub-division, but it also differs from beggiatoa in the absence of
sulphur and from crenothrix by the absence of a sheath. It
occurs in sea water attached to crabs.
4. Leptothrix. In this genus the threads are articulated or
not articulated ; successive sub-division of cells is not continuous ;
the cells are without sulphur.
The threads are composed of long rods, short rods, and cocci.
The threads may break up into spiral, vibrio, and spirochete
forms. ‘They occur in large numbers in the mouth in man and
animals, and are believed to be connected with dental caries.
Two species are described.
Group I1V.—Cladstrichee.
This group possesses cocci, rods, threads and spirals, The
thread forms have false branchings.
The group contains only one genus.
1. Cladsthrix. ‘This has already been mentioned as the
micro-organism on which Zopf worked when establishing his
classification of bacteria founded on the theory of pleomorphism.
Its development can be traced from cocci to rods and threads.
FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB. 39
These threads form false branches by single rods turning aside.
Thus in Cladsthrix we find every form of the Schizomycetes
represented.
Two species are described. One is very common in still and
running water ; the other occurs in the lachrymal canals of the
human eye.
In the above short account of the Schizomycetes I have en-
deavoured to approach the subject mainly from the standpoint of
the naturalist. Time would fail me were I to notice the many
other points connected with this group of organisms. I must be
content to hope that the few remarks I have made may not be
wholly uninteresting to this Society.
March 2, 1894.
A DAY’S INSECT HUNTING AT CAPARO.
By R. R. Mote.
SWEET April morning, with a dewy softness about the
atmosphere, the very feel of which brings back forcibly to
the memory a showery spring morning in old England. Above,
a cloudy sky with here and there streaks of azure blue; a heavy
bank of white cloud lying over to the Westward above the lofty
line of verdant forest, which stretches mile upon mile, into the
interior. But it is only the freshness of the morning and the
clouds which remind us of home, for look where we will we have
evidence that we are in the tropics. The palm leaf* roofs of
one or two houses peep here and there out of the surrounding
gardens, which are full of gigantic broad-leafed plantain and
banana plants, resplendent with the crystals of the showery night
which has just passed away. Here are orange and mango trees—
none of any size, however, for we are in quite a new locality,
where four years ago stately balatast and majestic ceibast reared
their haughty heads among a myriad other, lesser, but no less
beautiful forest trees, the aerial play-grounds of long-bearded
howling monkeys,§ who morning and evening roared out their
welcomes and farewells to the sun with the regularity with which
he rose and set. Graceful little capuchins||\—or matchins as they
are called here—sprang from bough to branch, or swung by their
* Carat—Sabal glaucescens.
+ Mimusops dissecta, R. Br.
{ Eriodendron anfractuosum.
§ Mycetes seniculus.
|| Cebus sp.
40, JOURNAL OF THE TRINIDAD
prehensile tails from the arms of trees at giddy heights, playing
the while, elfish tricks upon each other, accompanied by many a
queer grimace and frolicsome antic. The clanging clamour of the
toucan* and busy tap-tapping of the woodpeckerst were to be
heard all round, while birds of every kind sang anthems of
thankfulness to the Great Creator for having bestowed on them
the Gift of Life. Here, where we stand, looking forth upon well-
cultivated cocoa, kola and plantain, roamed by day bands of fierce
little quenks,{ grunting and digging up suculent roots and
rubbing their hairy backs and flanks against the trees, ever and
anon disturbing the gentle, great-eyed Gouazoupita deer$ with its
timid fawn from the covert which it had chosen wherein to ruminate
upon the memories of the preceding evening’s raid on the sugar-
cane or corn patches of the small holder living on the verge of
the forest, and driving them away to more secluded retreats.
The timid agoutil|| with nervous step stole under the forest trees
and picked up his living with now and again a joyous frisk and
curious antic, for the agouti, though surrounded by many foes, is
in a quiet way a merry little fellow, especially when gun and
hound are far away. His great cousin, the lappe or paca,{] in
glossy spotted coat, foraged here and roamed about at will, ready
to take to flight at a second’s notice and seek the refuge of the
friendly but sluggish stream which meanders between its deep
banks only a stone’s throw off. Then when night fell and the
great fire beetles** flitted through the trees and the ‘‘ moping owl
did to the moon complain,” strange uncouth forms stole out of
hollow trees, nooks and crannies in boughs and branches, or
burrowsintheearth. Thematapel,tj with his long preternaturally
solemn nose, small ears, rough fawn-coloured coat, with his pre-
hensile tail curled round some stick or branch as a point @apput,
with his enormously powerful claws began tearing up rotting
wood and inserting into the orifices so made his worm-like tongue,
drawing in, each time he retracted it, scores of the white ants or
termites which constitute his swummum bonwm. Near him too one
might have seen sundry unrecognizable shapes, busy scratching
and rooting, which if they would have allowed us to have taken
a closer look we should have found to be armadillos,{t or, to use
the creole name, tatous, busy with earth-worms and other crea-
* Ramphastos vitellinus, Licht.
+ Dendrornis susurrans, Jard.
t Dicotyles tajacu, L.—Collared Peccary.
§ Cariacus nemorivagus,
|| Dasyprocta aguti, L.
"| Coelogenys ‘paca, L.
** Elateride.
++ Tamandua tetradactyla.
{ Tatusia novemcincta, L.
FIELD NATURALISTS CLUB. 4]
tures, the catching and devouring of which constitute their
nightly occupation. Above in the trees, dancing and flinging
himself about in the queerest attitudes, his presence perhaps
invisible to the eye, yet making itself known by a certain subtile,
all-penetrating, mean, disgusting, horribly effusive scent, would
have been the porcupine. ve There, on yonder rising ground,
cautiously dragging his heavy body about in the shade, ever and
anon throwing himself into his position of defence, and sharply
tapping on the dried leaves with rapid strokes of his horn-tipped
tail, might have been found—he is found there yet—-the deadly
Mapepire zannana,}—the Silent Death of the Black Night as
someone has rendered it, the worst member of the Crotal idee, the
Mapepire, on the look-out for rats and the other small deer which
constitute his sustenance. Having struck and gorged his victim
he frequently chose—as he does, even now—some spot where the
rising sun would warm his rough scaly coils before he retreated to
his hole, often too the sanctuary of hard-hunted agouti or arma-
dillo, to sleep off the effects of his midnight repast. Over there,
in yonder thicket too is often met his congener—M apepire- barcint
either on a convenient spot close to the water's edge, or else oiled
in the forks of some low bush, ready to strike his death-dealing
fangs into the trembling body of the unlucky bird or small mam-
mal which incautiously ventures within his reach. But now the
scene has changed ; the woods have been felled and cocoa, coffee,
kola, plantains, and bananas have been planted in their place
and most of these wild creatures have been driven from this spot ;
but nightly they pursue their gambols, hunt and are hunted, live
their lives and perpetuate their species within a quarter of a
mile of where we stand. There are others which have not so re-
treated before the encroachments of man. They are the frisky
little squirrels§ and the field rats|| and mice which levy tribute
on the cocoa pods, the feathered tribes, including the gorgeous
parrots] and gaily dressed cornbirds** the flashing humming
* Synetheres prehensilis.
+ The Creole name (meaning pine apple Mapepire) for Lachesis muta
Dr. de Verteuil thinks Mapepire is a Carib or Gallibi word.
t 1 have seen it spelt barcin and valsin and have been told these
words meant “ striped,’’ and ‘‘ dancing.” But both Mapepires are striped
and all vipers dance, 7.e. circle round, “with the head ready for launching at
an expected aggressor. Dr. de Verteuil informs me that ‘ barcin" is
derived from the Guarahaon and means faint or blurred stripes. The
scientific name of this snake is Bothrops atrox.
§ Sciurus estuans, L.
|| Nectomys palmipes, All. & Chpm.; Heteromys anomalus, Thompson ;
Echimys trinitatis, All. & Chpm. (Piloree).
§| Pionus menstruus, L.
** Cassicus persicus, L.
492 JOURNAL OF THE TRINIDAD
birds.* Gay butterflies seem to exult in the open space provided
for them in which to display their gaudy colours. At night the
opossum, or manicouy as she is commonly called, often laden with
seven or eight clinging little ones, revenges herself for the inva-
sion of her domains by raiding the fowl roosts or stealing plan-
tains. Heavy boas creep forth from drains and thickets on the
watch for any living thing which can be stowed away in their
capacious stomachs. But although these creatures have not been
driven from their old haunts and have profited rather than lost
by man’s invasion and destruction of their sylvan fanes, there are
others who wage persistent, unrelenting, never ceasing warfare
upon the products of his labour and who organize great invading
armies into his territory, in token of their never relinquished
claim to that which he has wrested from them by right of superior
force, a right to which all other wild things have acquiesced.
These stern but tiny opponents are members of the insect world,
and it is to the parasol ants and ants and insects in general that
we intend to devote ourselves this fine but showery morning
With this object then we three, members of this Club—Mr.
Albert Carr, the owner of the plantation Jtcarrdonum, Mr. F.
W. Urich and myself took our cutlasses, knives, tweezers, a
plentiful supply of pill boxes, tobacco tins, and small bottles,
chloroform, &c., and sallied forth through the little pasture and
across the felled tree which constitutes the somewhat slippery
bridge over the sluggish stream, reduced to almost its lowest
point, but after heavy rains a boiling rushing river which under-
mines banks and sweeps away all before it. Then through the
well-kept promising young cocoa amongst which we noted many
kola plants ; then skirting the bank of the river again, keeping a
wary look-out for the snake so well described, if its name applies
only to his poisonous powers “the atrocious one”—but perhaps
it is a misnomer—this lovely morning disposes us to regard kindly
even the Mapepire barcin, for he only uses his dread powers in
obtaining his livelihood, or in self-defence. Fortunately, we did
not tread on one—unfortunately we did not see one, although
they are to be met here sometimes. Mr. Carr pointed out a
place where an iguana? had been seen scooping out a hole in the
bank in which to lay her eggs ; also where not so very long ago
he and his brothers, who are the mighty Nimrods of the quarter,
had surprised a school—one hardly knows what to call a litter of
baby alligators$—fierce little things ready to fight to the last.
* Of humming birds Iere possesses no less than seventeen species ;
probably there are several more.
+ Didelphys marsupialis, L.
+ Probably Iguana tuberculata.
§ Alligator sclerops.
FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB. 43
From thence we reached a spot where some enterprizing parasol
ants had started a nest. The nest was soon dug out of its recess
in the earth near a drain and looked not unlike a very mouldy
dutch cheese in size and shape. It was broken up and one or
two specimens taken including the big-headed fellows, who with
fiercely snapping jaws always come to the front when their home
is attacked. One of them cut through a piece of stick presented
to it, which in size was at least half the thickness of its own
body. But this nest did not contain what Mr. Carr desired so
much to shew us, and after duly destroying it and scattering the
fungus beds and digging in the soil around it, we proceeded to
another. Here we were more successful, and Mr. Carr, at the
risk of the severe bites of the enraged insects, boldly took up the
nest with his bare hands. In its centre was a big helpless-
looking ant, a very Goliath amongst the others, rather larger
than a bee, which so far as we could see was covered with parasol
ants of the very smallest size, and whose red bodies contrasted
strongly with the dark brown one on which they looked almost
like parasites. The insect’s helpless appearance and its sur-
roundings decided the question in our minds that this was
undoubtedly the queen of Atta cephalotes and not Atta fervens.
In this nest we observed several ants engaged in busily removing
the white shroud in which the young ones pass their chrysalis
stage, and which was so ably described in the Jowrnal recently
by our greatest local authority on parasol ants—Mr. Tanner.
Several other small nests were visited—never a large one, for
Mr. Carr takes care to destroy them as fast as they form, and
several more of the large helpless ants were found—each one
with smaller ones clinging to it—and only one in each nest.
The trees were also examined, and several species taken—among
them a reddish-looking fellow* with a buckler-like shield over
the head and thorax. This ant was found principally upon
a Bucare-Immortelle, although they were also present on
several other trees. Mr. Urich, who was the entomologist
of the party, identified these ants as belonging to the
cryptocerus genus. After awhile we came to another part
of the river, which here presented a dark and unhealthy appear-
ance. All Communications and Exchanges intended for the Club
should be addressed ‘to the Honorary Secretary, Port-of-
Spain, Trinidad, B. W-T.
JOURNAL
OF THE
Field Naturalists’ Club.
VoL. U. OCTOBER, 1894. No. 4.
REPORT OF CLUB MEETINGS.
ee
3rp Avaust, 1894.
HE Annual Business Meeting of the Club took place at the
Victoria Institute on the 3rd August. Present Mr. H.
Caracciolo, F. E. 8., President ; the Hon. Lieut. Colonel Wilson,
C.M.G., Dr. Rake, Messrs. Syl. Devenish, M.A., J. G. Taylor,
J. R. Llafios, R. J. L. Guppy, C.M.Z.S., W. 8. Tucker, J. T.
Rousseau, B.A., Henry Tate, B.A., Alfred Taitt, John Thomson,
C. W. Scott, J. Hoadley, L. Guppy, jr., T. W. Carr, T. I. Potter,
F. V. H. Spooner, Arthur Gaywood, R. R. Mole and F. W.
Urich, F.E.S., Hon. Secretary & Treasurer. The minutes of the
last monthly meeting having been read and confirmed the Secre-
tary presented his Annual Report upon the work of the Club
during the past year. It read as follows :—
SECRETARY’S REPORT.
CCORDING to Rule 6 I beg to submit to the Members of
the Club the Third Annual Report of the Club’s transac-
tions for the year 1893-4.
In the course of the past year I was away in the country for
a month, during which time Mr. R. R. Mole kindly performed
the duties of Secretary.
The number of members on the list at the close of the yeir
1892-3 was 88. There have been elected during the one just
closed 5 Honorary, 2 Corresponding, 34 Town and 4 Country
92 JOURNAL OF THE TRINIDAD
members, making a total of 124 members. The losses through
death, resignation and other causes have been nine.
Amongst the working members the Club has lost, specia
mention must be made of two: Mr. G. W. Hewlett, who was
one of the first members and who recently went to South Africa and
Mr. W. E. Broadway, who has been appointed Curator of
the Botanic Gardens, Grenada. The latter is one of the founders
of the Club and since its formation has never missed a meet-
ing of any kind. He devoted considerable time to its affairs
and his interesting exhibits at the monthly meetings will
be much missed in the future. I am sure all the members
of the Club will join me in wishing Mr. Broadway every success
in his new sphere and thanking him for the services he has
rendered this Society. A list of members is appended.
Although the balance in hand is only $26.60 as compared
with $103.54 of last year I may state that the Club is ona
sound financial basis. There are advertisements to be collected
which will bring up the receipts from the journal to very near
$240.00 besides the next half-year’s members’ subscriptions
amounting to about $175.00 both of which may be looked upon
as valuable assets. Our collections are absorbing much of our
funds and will do so for the next year or two, but when once
these are completed, we shall have funds to improve the Jowrnal
and increase the Library which, at present, depends only on
donations and exchanges. The usual statement of finances is
appended.
During the year there have been twelve Ordinary Meetings
and one Ladies’ Evening. The Second Annual Meeting was held,
at our usual place of meeting, the Victoria Institute on the 18th of
August 1893. The Ladies’ Evening was held on the 6th December
1893 and, thanks to the patronage of Lady Broome, who takes a
lively interest in the Club and its doings, was a success in every
way. ‘The Ladies’ Evening was more of a social nature and on
that occasion the accommodation at the Victoria Institute proved
inadequate for the company who did us the honour of being
present. The increased attendance at the Ordinary Monthly
Meetings mentioned in my last Report has been fully maintained
during the past year, and the papers and communications read
have quite equalled if not surpassed those of previous years.
The exhibition of specimens of interest has been fully kept up
and the Club’s thanks are due to the gentlemen who thus helped to
make the meetings attractive.
The Journal is published as usual; for details I refer
members to the Report of the Publication Committee. Most of
the numbers of Volume I are now out of print.
Through the generosity of Sir John Goldney the nucleus of
a Library has been formed and on behalf of the Club I tender
FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB. 93
sincere thanks to Sir John for his handsome present. The fol-
lowing is a list of the additions to the Library during the year
1893-4.
PRESENTED By SIR JOHN TANKERVILLE GOLDNEY.
Kirby,—Text Book of Entomology.
Bates,—Naturalist on the Amazon.
Wood,—Homes without Hands.
Hudson,—Naturalist in La Plata.
Cassel's Natural History—6 Volumes.
Beale—On the Microscope.
PRESENTED BY Dr. B. N. RAKE.
Transactions of the Bombay Natural History Society—three numbers
PRESENTED BY THE AUTHORS.
Thirty-two Papers on Ornithology by W. Brewster.
On a collection of Mammals from the Island of Trinidad, with des-
criptions of New species by J. A. Allen and Frank M. Chapman.
On the Birds of the Island of Trinidad by Frank M. Chapman. .
On two new Neotropical Mammals by Oldfield Thomas.
Miscellaneous pamphlets on Economic Entomology by F. M. Webster.
Trinidad Botanic Gardens—Bulletin of Misc. Information No. 18-22.
The Land & Freshwater Mollusca of T’dadby R. J. Lechmere Guppy.
Report of the Supt. of the Botanic Gardens, Trinidad, for 1893.
In EXCHANGE.
Bulletin of the Botanical Department, Jamaica by W. Fawcett.
Notes from the Museum of the Institute of Jamaica.
Journal of the Institute of Jamaica.
Bulletin of the American Museum, (New York) Vol. V. 1893.
Canadian Entomologist.
Annual Report of the Smithsonian Institution for 1891 (Washingten’.
American Museum (New York), Annual Report for 1893.
Belfast Naturalists’ Field Club Annual Report & Procs. 1892-3.
Proceedings of the Rochester Academy of Science Vol II Parts 1 and 2.
Manchester Microscopical Society Annual Report 1892.
Trans. of the Hertfordshire Nat. His. Society Vol VII Parts 8 and 9.
The United States of Venezuela in 1893 by Toledo & Ernst.
Field Club.
Bull. des Séances et Bull. bibliographique de la Société Ent. de France.
PRESENTED By THE U. S. Dept. or Aart, Div. oF Ent.
Insect Life Vol V No 5 Vol VI Nos. 1 2 2,
PURCHASED.
Science Gossip.
Flower—Osteology of the Mammalia.
Parker and Bettany—Morpholozy of the skull.
The Club collection has progressed very favourably during
the year, although. it is far from complete. All the funds and
energy are now centred in the Mammal Collection. The cost of
this amounts to $205.61 which is rather high as compared with
$19.69 devoted to other departments, but I think the Club is to
be congratulated on having formed a collection, which now con-
stitutes the chief (with the exception of the Leotaud Collection
-
94 JOURNAL OF THE TRINIDAD
of Birds and the Keate Collection of Shells) and oniy attraction
to the Victoria Institute and the one to which the Institute
owes its numerous visitors. There is yet much work to be done
—the Reptile and Insect Collections especially are not complete
but ‘ Rome was not built in one day,” and the Members of the
Club who contribute are all amateurs, who are always busily
engaged in professional or mercantile duties, with few leisure
moments for Natural History. Amongst the contributors to the
collections special mention is to be made of Mr. H. Caracciolo,
(President) Mr. A. B. Carr, and Mr. W. E. Broadway. The
following is a list of the specimens in the collection.
MAMMALIA.
Red Howlers, Mycetes seniculus, L.
Ocelot, Felis pardalis, L.
Wood-dog, Galictis barbara, L.
Mangrove dogs, Procyon cancrivorus, Cuv.
Squirrels, Sciwrus aestuaus hoffmani, Peters.
Spiny rat, Loncheres guianeg, Thos.
Pilorees, Echimys trinitatis, All. Chpm.
Agoutis, Dasyprocta aguti, L.
Albino Aguti.
Peccary, Dicotyles tajacu, L.
Tamanduas, Tamandua tetradactyla, Linn.
Little Ant-eater, Cyclothurus didactylus.
Armadillo, Tatusia novemcincta, L.
Manicou, Didelphis marsupialis L.
Manicou gros yeux, Philander trinitatis, Thos.
HHHHNHHAHNNHNN RAHN
AVES.
t Hawk.
1 Soldado bird (from Venezuela).
REPTILIA.
2 Caiman sclerops, Schneid.
Polychrus marmoratus, Linn.
Ameiva suvinamensis, Laur.
Amphisbena fuliginosa Linn.
Amphisbena alba, Linn.
Mabuia agilis, Raddi.
Epicrates cenchris, L.
Corallus cookii, var vuschenbergit, Gray.
Eunectes murinus, L. South America.
Geophis lineatus, D. and B.
Liophis cobella, Linn.
Liophis regine, L.
Liophis melanotus, Shaw.
Coluber covais, Cuv.
Coluber variabilis. Wied.
Coluber bodd@rti, Seetz.
Herpetodryas carinatus, L.
Leptophis liocercus, Wied.
Homalocranium melanocephalum, oR
Dipsas cenchoa, L.
Oxybelis acuminatus, Wied,
FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB. 95
Scytale covonatum, Schneid.
Elaps lemniscatus, Linn.
Elaps riisei, Jan.
Leptognathus nebulatus, L.
Crotalus horridus L. (South America).
Bothrops lanceolatus, L. (St. Lucia).
PISCEs.
Pristis antiquorum Lath, young specimen, stuffed.
Carcharias terve-nove ? Richards stufted.
INSECTA.
12 Cases of different orders.
During the past year no official Club rambles have taken
place, although one futile effort was made to inaugurate one at
Easter. What the reason is, I cannot say but no doubt, the
difficulties in travelling and the limited time of many of the
members form two of the causes of our laches in this respect.
Nevertheless individual members are constantly making excur-
sions which always result in a rich harvest of specimens, all of
which are duly recorded in the pages of the Journal. The fol-
lowing is a list of some of the excursions undertaken by mem-
bers and the number of days spent in each.
_ Mayaro—East coast 14 days. High woods of Caparo—3 weeks and 1
week. Caura—Northern range of hills, 3 days. Maraval, Blue Basin,
Carenage, Santa Cruz, Maracas, St. Anns,—1 day excursions being valleys
and places near town.
The following is a list of donations and the names of their
donors for the year 1893-4. The thanks of the Club are due to
those who have thus contributed to the collection.
MAMMALIA.
1 Wood-dog skin Galictis barbara, Linn, presented by Mr. A. B. Carr.
1 Otter skin Lutra insularis, F.Cuv. presented by Mr. C. J. Thavenot.
1 Albino agouti (stuffed) Dasyprocta aguti, L. presented by Mr. P.
Gonzales.
A Cavy from Venezuela (stuffed) presented by Mr. A. M. Sucre.
A Peccary Dicotyles tajacu, Linn. presented by Mr. J. Shine Wilson.
A Peccary skin presented by Mr. A. B. Carr.
A Little Ant-eater Cyclothurus didactylus, L. presented by Mr. M.
Harding-Finlayson.
A Little Ant-eater with a young one presented by Mr. J. Russell
Murray.
A Manicou gros yeux Philander trinitatis presented by Mr. J
Guilbert.
AVES.
Nest of a Corn bird Ostinops decumanus presented by Mr. J. Guilbert.
A horned Owl Megascops brasilianus presented by Mr. J. Guilbert.
A small Owl Glaucidium phalanoides presented by Master J. O.
Urich.
An American barn ow] Sirix pratinicola presented by Mr. E. W. Lack
An American barn owl presented by Rev. Father Allgeyer.
96
JOURNAL OF THE TRINIDAD
REPTILIA.
Alligators Caiman sclevops presented by Mr. N. A. St. Hilaire.
A two-headed snake Amphisbena fuliginosa presented by Mr. G.
Fitzwilliam, Princes Town.
Young Epicrates cenchvis presented by Mr. J. H. Hart.
A Corallus cookii var vuschenbergi presented by Mr. E. Lange, junior.
A Mangrove snake Liophis cobella presented by Mr. A. Devenish.
A Lora Leptophis liocercus presented by Rev. Father Clunes.
Coral Snakes from Venezuela Elaps covallinus presented by Mr.
H. J. Baldamus.
A clouded snake Leptognathus nebulatus presented by Mr. E.
Lange, junior.
PISCES.
A young saw fish Pristis antiguorum presented by Mr. H. Caracciolo
A sweet water Eel, presented by Mr. J. Graham Taylor.
INSECTA.
A fine collection of butterflies numbering 17 species, named, pre-
sented by Mr. W: E. Broadway.
A collection of beetles presented by Mr. A. Lamy.
Caterpillars were presented by Revd. C. H. Stoker, Tunapuna.
Revd. E. F. Tree, Couva. Lance Corporal Wilkinson, Couva.
Moths were presented by Mr. M. J. Leotaud, Mr. E. Lazare, Revd.
Father Clunes, Princes Town.
Beetles were presented by Mr. Edward Chase, Tacarigua. Revd.
E F. Tree, Couva. Mr. Luizon. Mr: L. Libert, Couva. Mr.
J. Guilbert, Couva. Mr. C.A.-Meltz. Revd. C. H. Stoker.
A Wasp’s nest from Venezuela presented by Mr. H. Caracciolo.
Male & female Parasol Ants Atta cephalotes presented by Mr. J. J.
Hobson.
A giant Locust presented by Master Dick Kernahan.
MIscELLANEOUS.
Giant centipedes Scolopendva sp. presented by Mr. J. de la Sauva-
gere.
A Mygale spider presented by the Hon. G. T. Fenwick.
Stem of a Gorgonia presented by Mr. W. Scott Kernahan.
Eggs of Bulimus oblongus, Garden snail, presented by Mr. W.
J. L. Kernahan.
Head ornaments made of the elytra of Buprestide beetles from
Venezuela presented by Mr. E, St. Vraz
Tn conclusion I may congratulate the Members upon the
continued success and the marked progress of the Trinidad Field
Naturalists’ Club.
fF. W. URICH,
Hon. Sec. and Treasurer.
Trinidad,
3rd August 1894.
FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB.
TRINIDAD FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB.
Oificers and Committees for the year 1894-95.
Patron :
His Excellency Sir F. Napier Broome, K.C.M.G.
President :
Dr. B. N. Rake.
Vice-Presidents :
H. Caracciolo; Sir John T. Goldney, Kt.
Hon. Secretary & Treasurer :
F. W. Urich.
FINANCE COMMITTEE.
DrivRake; 2: P. E. Guppy, jr.
Ee @aracciolo, Vor. F. W. Urich.
‘ie le ee OLter.
BuSINESS COMMITTEE.
Dr. Rake, P.
H. Caracciolo, V.P.
Syl. Devenish,
Rk. R. Mole,
Hon. Lieut Col. Wilson,
W.S. Tucker,
T. I. Potter,
F. W. Urich.
PUBLICATION COMMITTEE.
Dr. Rake, P.
Ee Garacciolo® Vuk.
Syl. Devenish,
Prof. Carmody,
R. R. Mole,
F. W. Urich.
97
C.M.G.
MEMBERS OF THE TRINIDAD FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB.
Honorary Members.
Date of
Election
Boettger, Professor Dr. O. 6 1093
Brewster, William 4594
Buen, AG. P.S,, PsE.o. 1.71/92
Crowfoot, W.M., M.B.,
BSR Gas: 3393
Gatty, S.H. 19 8 92
Gunther, Dr.A., F.R.S.ete 17 92
Hamilton, Hon C.B. EzO2
Howard, L.O. 6 7 94
iKarby, W-E., EL-S., B.E.S: 2.992
Mitchell, P. Chalmers 21292
Morris, D.,.M.A.,C.M.G. 61093
Riley, Prot, ©.Ve, Ph. D:
Smith, G. Whitfield
sii Wate Dy
Stone; sit by, Fb.Ss,
F.R.G.S. etc.
Thomas, Oldfield, F.Z.S.
Vogt, Professor C.,M.D.
Warming, E., Professor
Wilson, H.F.
Wells, S.
Whitehead, C.E,
Corresponding Members.
Bock, E. 2 6 93
Chapman, F.M. 5593
Cockerell, T.D.A., F.E.S.,
EZ. S: 5593
Deyrolle, E. 7 10 92
Elliot, H.V., Lieut R.N. 33°93
Ganteaume, Harris 8 8 gI
Jeffreys, W.]J.
Lassen
Leomsen
Rodriguez, Dr. en Med
Terry, John, F.R.G.S. etc.
Wright, Rev. E. Douglas
Date of
Election
2394
I3 II gt
8 891
7793
6 3.92
3 3:93
4 12 91
I 792
2992
7 10 92
98 JOURNAL
OF THE TRINIDAD
Town Members.
Date of
Election
Broome, H.E, Sir F. N.,
K.C.M.G. 65 92
Agostini, Edgar 4 II 92
Agostini, J. L. 2394
Alcazar, Hon. H. A. 2294
Anduze, Jules 2394
Archer, Julian H. 77 03
Arnott, T. D. 77 Oa
Bain, F. M. Thea pe)s
Baldamus, H. J. 5194
Borberg, A. 7793
Broadway, W. E. 10 7 QI
Broome, L. E. 7493
Caracciolo, H., F.E.S. Io 7 QI
Carmody nb be. §.C.s. 8 192
Garr, to | “the Be Secretary,
Port-of-Spai Prinidad, B. Jt Fe Fe
Price 6d.
Vol. 2.
a. HEW Y( ‘themed ‘Sb ser iption, ae
SRBBRY ARES 1896. No. G6.
song
Ppa
Fengage donc tous a éviter ion leurs écvits toute personnalité,
toute allusion dépassant les limetes de la discussion la plus
sincere et la plus courioise—LABOULBENE
Publication Corwirittee :
President.
HH CARACCIOLO}.E.S.,-V.P: > (P:. CARMODY-E:T.C.7 E.Cis,
SYL. DEVENISH, M.A., R. R. MOLE,
F. W. URICH, F.E.S., How. Secretary.
CONTENTS :—
Report of Club Meetings :
November, 1894 oc ai ee 139
December wn in “Ae By 142
anuary is ne ey es 142
The Race Abhorred rr is nie a 143
In Memoriam—Hon. R. Guppy es op Ps 144
Tobago Herpetological Fauna ae Be as 145
Banana Disease ned os et 146
Visit to High Woods of Caparo ie aye ae 147
Lappe Hunting ies Sp ab ose I51
Agouti “ oat os BS ny 154
Quenk . se ie 7 a 158
}
} Notes on Ticks oa se re ss 161
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JOURNAL
OF THE
Field Naturalists’ Club.
VOL. II. FEBRUARY, 1895, No. 6.
REPORT OF CLUB MEETINGS.
9TH NoveMBER, 1894.
RESENT: Sir John T. Goldney, V.P., in the Chair, Professor
Carmody, Messrs. Syl. Devenish, M.A., Lechmere Guppy,
jnr., R. R. Mole, C. J. Thavenot, T. I. Potter, S. A. Cumberland,
is eer Baldamus, 1 Spooner, T. W. Carr, F. Eagle, and
F, W. Urich, Hon. Secretary. Mr. William Lunt was present
as a visitor. The following gentlemen were elected members
of the club: Mr. G. Brown Goode (Washington), Honorary
Member, and Mr. D. Munro, Town Member.—Letters were read
from ihe Director of the British Museum and the Secretary
of the Institute of Jamaica, thanking the club for copies of
the Journal. "
of Griy deseri ption against logs by [ire do
ee “ONION
ene aft t
woe N ATS as By str ne a
Read sake London and Noraeie
DIR B C iy ORS.
President > HS. Patterson, Esq.,
Puce President: Major-General Jaines Cockburn; — Major I)
Astley Cubitt; SG urney Buxton, Esq ; PF. vin Watson, B
Niiliags Foster’ Bart: 1. B. Coaks, Esy; R.A, Gorell,
Pane Horrester, sq; William Birkbeck, Esq 5 Ka
alerave & Simpson, Esq ;G. Hunter, Esq Duck, a4 ;
He CLES PROEPTLY AED* LIBER ae ¥ SETTLED.
Trinidad Agent,
et:
= PR fan eB RP Aten Ne IRAE RI He vc
* CENTRAL PARK, @ \\
NEWYORK A -J
cat 4
RAL Mee
nl
= All Communications and Exchanges intended for the Club
should be addressed to the Honorary Secretary, Port-of-
Spain, Trinidad, B.W.I.
oll ren Ae
OF THE
Field Naturaligty’ Club.
VOL. I. APRIL, 1895. INON 7:
REPORT OF CLUB MEETINGS.
15tH Frpruary, 1895.
RESENT: Sir John Goldney, V.P. (in the Chair), Messrs.
H. Caracciolo, V.P., F. de Labastide, R. R. Mole, A. T.
Reoch, John Hoadley, T. I. Potter and F. W. Urich, Hon.
Secretary. Mr. John Ponsonby (London) and Mr. H. C. Bourne
were the visitors present. Mr. R. 8. Reid was elected a Town
Member. A letter was read from Dr. G. Brown Goode (Wash-
ington) thanking the Club for his election to Honorary
Membership. Mr. Caracciolo described an excursion to
Macqueripe Bay. Mr. Mole read some additional notes on
“The Caudal Appendage in Crotalus horridus.” The Secretary
exhibited an abnormal egg from Guanapo presented by Mr.
Albert Lucien. The egg, laid by an ordinary hen, was unusually
large, it contained another perfect egg inside. Size of egg :—34
ins. long, 2} ins. broad. Inner egg ordinary size.
157TH Marcu, 1895.
RESENT: Mr. H. Caracciolo, V.P. (in the Chair), Professor
Carmody, Messrs. Syl. Devenish, T. I. Potter, T. W. Carr,
R. R. Mole, John Barclay, A. T. Reoch, H. J. Baldamus, J. H.
Collens, E. D. Ewen, A. Taitt and F. W. Urich, Hon. Secretary.
The Secretary read on behalf of Mr. C. W. Meaden a paper on
“A Cattle fly” giving a description of the fly, the damages it
does and the remedies to be applied to infected animals. Mr.
Mole read a note on “The Dimensions of Animals.” Mr.
Caracciolo exhibited a large collared owl (Pulsatria torquata
Daud.) and a Mygale spider. Mr. Urich showed some bats
Chilonycteris rubiginosa, Wagn from the Oropouche caves, which,
14554
164 JOURNAL OF THE TRINIDAD
according to Mr. Oldfield Thomas, were rather uncommon and
only represented in the national collection by one specimen from
Trinidad. A number of specimens of Peripatus trinitatis from
St. Anns were also on view and the Secretary informed the meet-
ing that he had recently secured large numbers of specimens which
evidently represented at least two species. The reason why these
comparatively rare creatures had been recently found in such
abundance was the exceptional dryness of the season which had
caused them to congregate in the ravines for the sake of the
little moisture to be found in them. Upwards of 100 specimens
had been secured in this manner. The specimens were compared
with the illustrations in a splendid Monograph (Sedgwick) of
the Peripati with a considerable degree of interest.
CLUB PAPERS.
BATES.
By Henry Caraccioto, F.E.S., M.S.Enr. DE FraANcE, &c.
Y recent systematists bats have been divided into two groups,
viz.: Megachiroptera or fruit eaters and Microchiroptera or
insect devourers. Amongst the former we have the larger bats,
the insectivorous ones being generally small. According to Dobson’s
Catalogue (1878) there are onan average about 100 fruit-eaters
known, whilst 300, more or less, are recognized as insectivores.
These have been arranged in 80 genera and six families, but
since 1878 many species have been added and the number now
described must be very nearly 500. These creatures at one
time were supposed by some naturalists to have evolved from
terrestrial mammals, which gradually developed wings to
adapt themselves to circumstances, but remains of bats have
been found in the Eocene deposits and even further back,
which proves that they are a distinct class, though closely allied to
the insectivorous mammals, and, more wonderful still, the sloths.
The distinctions between the insectivorous and frugivorous species
are as follows. The former have their teeth cusped or sharp in the
form of a W and the molars are divided transversely, whilst the
teeth of the fruit eaters are flat and longitudinally grooved.
The index finger of the insect eaters never has more than
two joints, but usually only one, and it never terminates in
a claw as it frequently does in the fruit bats. Then again the
two margins of the conch of the ear arise from separate points
instead of being joined together and the tail is joined to the
membrane and appears always on the upper surface. Though
there are many other distinctive marks characterising the two
FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB. 165
groups, those I have given are sufficient to identify them.
The wings of bats consist of a membrane which has its origin
on the sides of the neck. It was once believed that this mem-
brane is of a callous nature but experiments made by Spal-
lanzanni and others have proved that it is a very sensitive
organ. I had an Artibeus alive for some time in a large cage,
the bat being apparently asleep, I took a thread and merely
touched this membrane, this excited nervous movements and the
animal was evidently uneasy for some time. The fingers in bats
are developed to an extraordinary degree and they thus serve
to stretch the flying membranes,*when in use, just as the ribs of
an umbrella keep its covering open. The hinder limbs can scarcely
be called organs of locomotion for the creature is exceedingly
awkward when placed on the ground, walking or creeping very
much like a sloth when in similar circumstances. In regard to
their geographical distribution bats are found almost all over the
world but principally in the tropical zone, where the largest
number of species are known, in fact they are supposed to be the
characteristic type of mammals in the tropics, only a few species
inhabiting northern climes. The distinctive appearance of the
two groups, as given above, enables us to decide off hand to which
of the two great sub-orders any particular individual may belong,
yet the observations made by naturalists show that a few species
deviate in their habits from the rule indicated by these distinctive
characteristics. For instance, in the case of Voctilio leporinus the
food has varied considerably, probably owing to a gradual adapta-
tion of habits to altered conditions of life. The species, which is
widely distributed in Central and South America aud is rather
common in Trinidad, lives under roofs of houses but principally in
eaves. This bat is stated by no less an authority than Linnzeus to
be a fruit-eating bat, and is referred to by him as Victilaus fructibus
arborum though its characteristic dentition and other peculiarities
place it among the insect eaters. Dobson found some fruit seeds
in the stomach of a specimen sent to the British Museum,
apparently the seed of Morus tinctoria. But other naturalists
(Gosse and von Tschudi) remarked that it lived in hollow
trees and feeds on beetles; I have examined many stomachs my-
self and often found the tibiz of beetlesin them. But now, strange
to say, the species has shown a still more remarkable deviation
from its original habits. It has given up its diet of fruit and beetles
and has taken to fishing in salt and fresh water. The first account
of this new custom is that of Mr. Fraser who observed it in
Ecuador. There he saw the bats skimming the bank of the
river at Esmeralda, every now and then making a dash along
and actually striking the water, catching in their swift career
minute fish which were incautiously swimming near the sur-
face. Some time in January 1892 I accompanied the late Mr,
166 JOURNAL OF THE TRINIDAD
McCarthy to the Caves at Gasparillo, where these bats live in
great numbers, for the purpose of ascertaining whether this
fishing habit was a fact and the precise manner in which the
bats went about it. We arrived late, after 7 p.m., on a beautiful
moonlight nigat and we observed the bats leaving their caves
and performing their fishing operations. They generally flew
near shore, say about ten feet from the rocks and one foot above
the surface of the water, going to and fro, until they perceived a
fish, then suddenly they made a swoop, striking the water
with a swish and off again. At times this manceuvre is made
very quickly and at others the animal seems to be checked
a little, no doubt the prey in this instance giving a little
more trouble. I could see the interfemoral emia i.e. the
membrane between the thighs, close in the form of a bag, but
this I believe is done to check their flight which is very rapid,
and not in my opinion for the purpose of collecting fish.
I have also examined their deposits collected from the caves
at Gasparillo and from an old gateway, which once faced
the wharf, and all the deposits contained remains of fish
and beetles. These bats are also to be seen fishing in the
drains and gutters in Tranquillity and may be observed in
this interesting operation at dusk any evening and also on moon-
light nights. Mr. McCarthy suggested at the time that the feet
might be used for capturing their prey but my opinion is that there
is no reason for believing so. The claws are only used to hang by,
which is the reason for their great development. This bat
has a large expanse of wing. The specimen before you measures,
64 inches from tip of nose to the end of the extended inter-
femoral membrane ; the length of head and body is 33 inches ;
‘ength of fore arm 3 inches; hind foot 1} inches and expanse of
wing 23 inches. The colour is orange red. I have found it living
in company with a smaller species Mormops megalophylla, the
first specimen of which was sent to England by Sir William
Robinson in 1889. The bats of Trinidad belong to three families,
viz.: Vespertilionide, Emballoneuridee and Phyllostomatide. Of
the first family we have up to now only discovered two species—
Vespertilio nigricans and Thyroptera tricolor though it is very
probable, according to Mr. Oldfield Thomas, that there are more.
These are distinguished by having no exfoliations or nose leaves
on the muzzle and by having the tail contained in the inter-
femoral membrane, the tip slightly projecting beyond it.
Thyroptera tricolor is by no means common; it is a small bat
with a spread of wing of about 9 inches. It is chiefly remark-
able on account of an adhesive circular pad at the base of the
thumb and on the foot, by which it adheres, to the various
objects on which it may settle; it is an insect eater. In the
next family Emballoneuride the members are characterized by the
FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB. 167
absence of a nose leaf, and as a rule they have a small tragus
in the ear and only a single pair of upper incisor teeth which
incline towards one another. The tail is partially free and_per-
forates the interfemoral membrane, appearing on the upper
surface or produced far beyond the posterior margin. This fa-
mily is largely represented in the Neo-Tropical Region in which
Trinidad is situated, and contains fruit eaters, insect eaters as
well as salt and fresh water fishers. Moctilio leporinus be-
longs to this family. They are also commonly called mastiff
bats on account of the supposed resemblance of their broad,
wide-mouthed muzzle, to the head of a mastiff and are the
first representatives of the above family. They are characterized
by the thickness of their tails which are prolonged beyond the
outer margin of the interfemoral membrane. Of all our bats
they are the ones that can best crawl, on account of a
peculiar corn-like callosity at the base of the thumb. The
hind legs are free from the wing membrane and their wings
are long and slender. This great length and narrowness
of the wings indicates as Dr. Dobson observes, rapid
flight, and since they have the power of varying the
great length of the membrane between the legs by a sort of
reefing process they must have great dexterity in suddenly
changing their direction. It is curious to note Molossus (rufus
and “obscuius) flying at dusk between the Zamand trees in
Queen’s Park, catching i insects. They fly high and very much like
swallows, their flight is exceedingly rapid and it is interesting to
note them in the act of capturing their prey, their power of
sight must be intensely developed for, notwithstanding the
rapidity of their flight every now and then they will dart side
ways, and sometimes swoop down a distance of at least 15 feet
to pick up an insect which flies about one foot from the surface of
the savannah. Molossus obscurus is not so common in town,
though I have captured them in the roofs of houses. They are
smaller than their ally Jf. rufus and insinuate themselves
between the galvanized sheeting and the wood-work of roofs,
their deposits often collect in the gutterings and is a source of
danger to those who use rain water for drinking purposes as
they pollute the water and it may become injurious.
This bat however is more often found in the outskirts of the
town and lives in decayed stumps of trees. An interesting
little bat is the Saccopteryx bilineata, a pretty little creature of a
brownish colour with two longitudinal white lines running down
the back. We possess three members of this genus S. bilineata
S. leptura and S. canina which are remarkable for their pouched
wings and have derived their name from this peculiarity. The
number of incisors is 1-3 and the cheek teeth 5-5 on each side.
These pouches are well developed in the males and almost
168 JOURNAL OF THE TRINIDAD
rudimentary in the females, and are supposed to be a means of
sexual attraction on account of a red coloured strong smelling
substance contained therein. In WSaccopteryx leptura the
pouches are very much larger than in the others. A curious
little bat of this family is Rhynchonycteris naso Wied.
They are often met with on the banks of the Caroni, in groups,
resting on stumps and trunks of trees, especially those over-
hanging the water. This is our smallest species and has a
spread of wing of about 8 to 9 inches. Its colour is brownish gray,
very closely imitating the tree trunks, they are also very often
found under the loose bark, which no doubt they seek for
protection against the hawks and other birds which feed on
them. The muzzle is rather elongated and fine, the tail perforates
the interfemoral membrane and appears on its surface. The
next and last family of Trinidad bats is the Phyllostomatidae—
largely represented hereandin America, and differing considerably
in size though all agreeing in the possession of the nose leaf,
which in some instances is longer than the head. They are
collectively styled Vampires and are exclusively confined to
Central and South America and the West Indies. We have up
to the present discovered 17 species in this island and may probably,
very shortly add several new ones to thelist. They are characterized
by the presence of three bony joints in the third or middle
finger. A very curious species inhabiting this island is
Glossophaga soricina and represents with Anowra geoffroyit a
group of bats characterized by their long tongues which project
considerably from their mouths and can be pulled out twice the
length of the head. The tongue ends in a mass of papille and
in shape somewhat resembles a tooth brush. This peculiar
modification it was once thought was used for abrading the skin
of animals, previously to sucking their blood, but it is now known
to be used for licking up the pulpy substance of fruit. The
lower lip is deeply channelled, the incisors enlarged, the
medians larger than the laterals and projecting with a fine
cutting edge. This small and harmless bat is thought by many
persons to be the blood sucker, no doubt owing to the length
of its tongue, in the very same way that 99 out of 100 persons
not only in Town but in the country (where the people have the
facility of acquiring better information) believe that snakes sting
with the filamentous process which they project from their
mouths and which is nothing else but their tongues. These
bats simply use their remarkable tongues for licking up the
pulp of fruits and the honey of flowers. Again we possess in this
family the largest bat of the New World, in fact the largest in
the world, except the great fox bat of India. The specimen on
view, Vampyrus spectrum, with the skull attached will show you
what a formidable creature it apparently is. It belongs to a
FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB 169
group of this family in which the tail, when present, perforates
the membrane between the legs ; the nose leaf is spear-shaped.
It is a most horror-striking animal when viewed from in front, with
its ears standing erect from the sides and the top of the head,
its spear-shaped nose-leaf and its powerful canines. No wonder
it was imagined that this animal must be the terrible blood
sucking vampire, but such is not the case, for it is a most
harmless bat and is reported to feed principally on fruits. This
species has no tail. Chilonycteris davyi is a small bat closely
allied to Chlonycteris rubiginosa. I have caught them both
in the gardens. The former is characterized by its wings
being attached to the centre of the back instead of the
sides of the body and its back is entirely naked, a peculiarity
not yet accounted for. This genus differs from the other
members of the family in the absence of a nose leaf the function
of which is performed by folds of skin depending from the
chin. It is usually of a dull brown colour. Of the fruit
eating species belonging to this family, Artibeus, four species
of which up to date have been discovered, the most con-
spicuous are A. perspicillatus, A. planirostris, A.quadrivittatus and
A hart. They are easily recognizable by their blunt faces and
the interfemoral membrane, concave behind, no tail being
present. The largest species, A. planirostris, has a large and
fleshy nose leaf, the sides of the process being rounded and not
produced upward into lobes. They are particularly fond of
sapodillas, mangoes, pomme-malac and guavas and begin to fly
very early in the evening, They seem to be very strong and
muscular, often making several darts at a fruit but eventually
picking it, however difficult it may be ; after picking the fruit the
bat resorts to another tree, sometimes a long distance off, there
hangs by its hind feet and clasping the fruit with its thumbs eats
it leisurely ; they do notseem to be always able to discriminate
between ripe and unripe fruits, and often pick green ones
which they drop ; this accounts for the quantity of fruit one
finds under these trees. A. perspicil/atus is very little smaller and
can be at once recognized by the two longitudinal white lines on its
head ; these two species are often found under the eaves of houses.
A. lilobatus is smaller yet and is distinguished by the edges
of the basal part of the nose leaf being produced upwards into
lobes ; it is much less common and more often found in the
country districts than in Town. Its habits are identical with
A. planirostris. I may here add that the latter was supposed
by Charles Waterton to be the blood-sucking bat. We come
now to the true blood-sucker, Desmodus rufus. The canines
are as sharp and pointed as needles, it has no true molars
and no spur on the ankle for the support of the membrane
between the legs. Darwin, up to date was the only person
170 JOURNAL OF THE TRINIDAD
said to have had the good fortune of seeing one caught in
the act of sucking the blood of its victim, but Mr. Libert
a zealous member of the club reports having personally vaught
one in the act. I had heard it said that some persons are
proof against bat-bites and having been several times exposed
to their attacks without being bitten I very nearly believed
it, until one night I determined to give them all facility. I slept
in a hammock at Gasparee exposing my foot, next morning
I was qu‘te surprised to find myself bathed in blood, the result
of a bat-bite. They seem to delight in poultry and attack their
birds in the neck. I once saw an unfortunate hen which had
been bitten in the night so weak she could not stand and in
nine cases out of ten the feathered victim dies. Some
country people pretend that these hats go out twice a night
in search of prey. It may be they are misled by the fruit eating
species who appear at dusk and late during moonlight nights ;
but since we have had electric lighting the insectivores have
quite a good time of it and feast greedily up to early morning.
4th May, 1894.
NOTES ON SOME TRINIDAD BUTTERFLIES.
By Lecumere Guppy, Jr.
HE following notes give an account of the striking resemblance
between some members of the genus Danais in one or more
of their three stages; at the same time showing the strong
difference between them in other stages; as for instance while
the larvee are very much alike, the pupe differ very much, and
then the imagos are again alike and vice versa.
Drawings and specimens of the undermentioned are shown.
I have also added some notes on Ageronia feronia, and
Gynaecia dirce.
Tithorea flavescens and Sais ewrymedia.—The eggs of these
butterflies are laid singly on the underside of the leat of a very
well-known creeper here, Echites sp., which is very common in
Queen’s Park (referred to later). The former species 7’. flavescens,
often chooses those vines which are in open situations while the
latter only deposit on the small ones in the depths of woods,
or in very shady, obscure, moist and protected places suited to the
frail imago; these vines are extremely pretty when sheltered
from the sun, and the venation of the leaves is beautifully
developed, showing up clearly against the dark green; they
seldom, however, grow in such situations to a height of more
FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB. La
than 1 to 2 feet and the supply of leaves is only sufficient to
support one or two larve, more often than not only one is found
on each plant under a leaf.
In the open, exposed to the sun, like the vines in the
Queen’s Park, so much frequented by metallic tinted wasps, the
leaves lose their beauty completely, but whereas the plants that
grow in the open are luxuriant in foliage, the others that grow
in the shade are deficient in this respect.
I have found several larvae of 7’. jflavescens on some creepers
and they are very easy to rear in captivity.
In the larval stage 7’. flavescens and S. eurymedia are
almost identical.
The larvee of the former are black and white with about
eleven latitudinal bands or belts, marked with black and white,
regularly, like a chequer-work pattern, on close examination,
appearing like so many links of a chain, as in S. eurymedia,
except that the latter are reddish about the feet and under
the body, and when mature are just about half the size of
7. flavescens—remarkable, thin, tapering horns rise from the
second segment, and are slightly curved at the tips and are
vibrated rapidly when disturbed—the movement is not so rapid
as that in the larve of Lycorea sp. mentioned later on.
The pupe of both are again similar, the splendid burnished
golden appearance, except where the thorax, eyes, wings, and
a few specks, marked in black indicating the venation and other
parts mentioned, most distinctly and clearly. In some of the
pupz the dorsal depression on the ridge between the head and
abdomen is more developed than others but it is always con-
spicuous, which seems to cause the protuberance of the thorax
as in Callidryas. The resemblance to Mechanitis sp. in this
stage is marked and I refer to it later on. The imago of
T. flavescens described by Kirby, (see F. N. C. Journal) No. 3,
August 1892) and S. ewrymedia are very different, but in the
early stages these insects are very much alike. The delicate,
frail, Sais eurymedia with its soft, transparent, pale greenish
yellow wings, margined with black, the fore and hind wings
rounded at the tips, flies low and slowly along, while 7’. flavescens
is tawny yellow and black, strong, and jerky in its flight, has
pointed forewings and is very different in this stage.
There are two types of larve of this insect which, however,
produce very little variety in the imago,—that is, some few of
them are much darker than the usual type met with. They are
almost black, the white marks showing very faintly, the pupa
is more marked with black in the venation of the thorax, ete.,
but this species is liable to such changes, and not constant in its
markings, though according to Kirby more so than some other
members of the group.
172 JOURNAL OF THE TRINIDAD
A ccmparison of the above with Jycorea is interesting ;
the eggs are deposited in the same manner on the plant which
is a species of Oleander, and the larve very much alike,
merely the markings being different, it is striped with broad
white and black kelts, (with the exception of the first four
segments which are black and pale yellow), the white belts are,
however, curved up and pointed just above the feet, resembling
hooks. The horns are longer and vibrate most rapidly whenever
the insect is disturbed, the pupa is however quite diflerent, being
yellow almost transparent and with no marked dorsal depression,
there are black spots on the thorax and a stigmatal and dorsal
row, otherwise it is simply smooth, without the striking
appearance of 7’. flavescens.
The imago is again so different, resembling more the style of
Mechanitis, which however, differs from it in every other respect,
as the following account shows :—The eggs of A/echanitis egansis
are laid in clusters on the upperside of the leaves of the
cockroach plant—(Solanwm sp.) they are white conical ribbed
longitudinally, the larvee are gregarious—in these respects
dittering quite from 7ithorea, Lycorea and Sais, although so
similar to the last mentioned in its perfect state.
The pura is very much like 7. flavescens and S. eurymedia
and has the same beautiful appearance, but the dorsal depression
is not so pronounced. In the imago the likeness to Lycorea
appears and this is the only stage in which there is any
resemblance, this is striking enough to lead one to suppose there
would be some characteristics in the two previous stages, both
in the habits of the larva and form of pupa which would give
one some clue to the relationship to Lycorea sp.
These insects may all be procured near the same spot and
are usually seen together. ‘They are protected in the same
manner as J//eliconius by a peculiarly offensive edor very much
like the smell of the oil in the cashew-nut. A/echanitis eyaensis
is one of the most easily captured butterflies, from its fondness
for a certain weed, (I am hoping to find out its name) which
grows to about five feet in height, with clusters of small white
flowers, somewhat like a thistle in shape, and very commun in
some localities. As many as thirty or forty of them may be
captured with the fingers, when these plants are in flower.
From a good sized plant I have picked them off in this manner,
one by one for my amusement. When liberated they will fly
round and return again; so great is their fondness for the
flowers. Apparently there is no external difference between
the male and female, but the sex may be at once discovered
by lifting the fore wing a little, and if there is any hair on the
costal nervure or vein of the hind wing we know at once that it
is a male specimen. The same distinction of sex is noticeable in
FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB. 173
Tithorea flavescens and Sais eurymedia. Specimens may be
captured all the year round and their metamorphoses are under-
gone in the short period of about a month.
Notes on ‘“‘Ageronia Feronia? AND “Gynecia Dirce.”
g Y
The larve of the former are solitary and at first they are
green. Head in proportion, body blackish covered with branched
spines, there are two horns on the head (which is minutely
spined) slightly curved, black, and clubbed at the tips with
a few small spines. On the first segment a pair of long spines
branched at the top and covered with minute spines to the root.
On all other segments these spines are branched but there ave
no minute spines at their sides, and they are slightly shorter.
There is a lateral row of spines, small and finely branched
rising from lilac spaces with three intermediate white spots.
On close examination there are dark and light brown spaces,
not sufficiently prominent to be noticed otherwise. JI have
found the larve in October. The imagos appeared on the 27th.
The pup are remarkable, the two horn-like projections on
the head are flat and slightly waved. From a side view
there are to be seen two dorsal humps, the upper one rounded,
and the lower more angular, sloping down gradually, and
forming a depression which again slopes up causing a slight
thickening at the end of the abdomen ; the color is dark green
with lighter tints of the same hue, suffused here and there
with yellowish tints, and marked with brown. The manner in
which the crackling noise is produced by the perfect insects,
and the peculiar manner in which they stick close against the
trunks of trees afford a great deal of interest, and deserve
attention as striking peculiarities ; the former habit was noticed
by Darwin in his book “The Naturalist’s Voyage,” page 33,
in which work they are called Papilio feronia. ‘ This is the only
butterfly I have seen which uses its legs for running. They are
very active, flying round and round in chase of one another and
crackling loudly when at close quarters, frequently choosing the
Palmiste, on the side of which they rest, about ten or twelve
feet from the ground, against the trunk, and they may be passed
by withcut being noticed, protected by their striking resemblance
to the discoloured spots where some fungus growth or whitish
portion conceals them. They stick close against the trunk in
the invariable position, head downwards, except when about
to lay their eggs, on the low creeping vines ; then they may be
seen flying alone, with a series of sharp, regular, jerks, gliding
along, and at this period, I suppose it is about the only time
they ever alight on anything green against which they would
offer a striking mark.” According to Mr. Doubleday the noise
they make is produced as follows :—‘‘ They are remarkable for
174 JOURNAL OF THE TRINIDAD
having a sort of drum at the base of the fore wings, between
the costal nervure and the sub-costal. The two nervures
moreover, have a peculiar screw-like diaphragm or vessel in
the interior.” Darwin describes the noise as similar to that
produced by a toothed wheel passing under a spring catch.
Gynecia dirce is somewhat similar in its habits to Ageronia
Jeronia. The female lays her eggs on the Trumpet tree under the
fresh leaves of the very young Plants ; ; strange to say, they never
seem to choose the full grown trees, I have only found them on
trees two, three, or four feet high. I can at once always detect
when there are any larvee on the plant, by the appearance of
the leaf they are on, which has the principal veins cut
so that it forms a tent, the palmate portions drooping around ;
they can thus feed securely from their enemies (except those
that know it) although already protected by the formidable
spines with which they are covered. Sometimes as many. as
three or four may be found under a leaf, however, more often,
only one is found. They are not active, but remain under
one leaf as long as the supply of food is sufficient, and when
disturbed they “keep perfectly still, in the manner of the
larvee of Ayeronia feronia. “The larvee are formidable in their
appearance which is as follows :—Their general colour is black,
covered with white and yellow branched spines. Head and
body velvety black. There are six branched spines on every
segment. From the second segment the spines have four
branches as finely pointed as a needle, pale yellow and white.
On the first segment the spines are simple. On the head are a
pair of projections like horns, slightly curved back, and clubbed
at the tips, spined and irregularly notched. There is a lateral
row of yellow spaces or spots, which show up very prominently
against the black ground. They remain in the pupe state for about
ten days ; in August 1893 they were plentiful at San Fernando,
when I found a ‘great many larve. The pupa is remarkable
in appearance (and can be best judged by the imperfect illus-
tration), it may with some reason be said to closely resemble
a bit of decayed wood, being the same dull brown colour with
paler patches of the same. The dorsal ridge is covered with
notches and pointed prominences which are most highly
developed on the abdomen, there is a noticeable rounded hump
on the thoracic portion and the head terminates in two points
like a V. There are just faint indications of the presence of
wings on the thorax. The imago is very lively in its movements,
alighting in the same manner as A. feronia, except that the
wings are closed vertically, and it confines itself to shady
places. The marking of the under wings has gained for it the
popular name of “Zebra,”
6th July, 1894,
FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB. Va
NOTES ON SOME FUNGUS GROWING ANTS
OF TRINIDAD.
By F. W. Unica, F. E.S.
N his second paper on the Qeodoma cephalotes, Mr. Tanner
stated that there were two distinet species of Parasol Ants: in
Trinidad and he was inclined to believe that there was also a
third. That he was not wrong the results of my collecting have
fully proved. During the past eighteen months I have collected
seven distinct species, of fungus growing ants, of which no less
than four belong to the genus Aféa or “ Parasol Ants.” The
specimens have been named by Prof. Dr. A Forel whom I desire
to thank for the readiness with which he helped me in studying
the species referred to. These fungus or mushroom growing
ants are already well known, so far as their ravages on cultivated
plants are concerned, but until lately no one seemed to know
exactly what they did with the leaves they carried into their
nests. Our late member, Mr. Tanner, was the first to give us an
insight into their domestic economy, but Belt was the first to
suggest the existence of a fungus by the passage “I believe
that they are in reality mushroom growers and eaters.” That
this careful observer was not wrong Dr. Moller has ably proved
in his “ Pilzgirten einiger Siidamerikanischer Ameisen ” on the
fungus of the Brazilian species of Atta and Apterostigna, a
most fascinating work, teeming with interesting information for
the Mycologist as well as the Ant student. As I shall have to
refer frequently to this valuable work in the course these notes, all
quatations not otherwise indicated are taken from it. As Mr.
Tanner has so ably given us a description of the manner in which
the Ants prepare leaves for their “mushroom gardens ” and the
time of their development, I shall confine myself to deseribing
the Ants themselves, their nests and the parts of the gardens
they make use of.
Genus: Atta, Fabr
== Cephalotes, Latr
= (€odoma, Latr
1, Sub-genus : Atta, sens strict, Fabr.
A, sexdens, Linn.
This species is very much like the following one, A. Cepha-
lotes, but does not seem to be socommon, I only found it once
on the Tucuché and perhaps it may be confined to the higher
parts of the island.
A. cephalotes, Linn.
This species is very common all over the Island, on flat lands
as well as on the heights. Its ravages are well known to the cocoa
176 JOURNAL OF THE TRINIDAD
proprietors who spend large sums of money to get rid of it. The
nests of these ants vary in size, a single colony occupying not more
than about a cubic foot of space and externally is not very conspi-
cuous in the long grass of the cocoa estates, but in the woods I have
seen nests covering an area of about 2,500 square feet and the
earth and used parts of plants, brought up from the interior, formed
regular little hillocks fully 4 to 5 feet high. These large nests
consist of hundreds of colonies each of about | cubic foot, all
are connected with each other by subterranean passages, but as a
rule each colony has an exit hole to itself which seems to be
exclusively used for carrying out the refuse of the garden and
other waste products. The nests are made in soft clayey soil,
and the reason why these large nests are divided into several
smaller ones is perhaps because the ants are taught by nature
the danger of constructing a large nest which may cave in or be
destroyed by man or animals and the colony exterminated
entirely The fact of there being several cavities, each with its
garden, increase the chances of one or two nests escaping the
general disaster and thus the ants have a greater facility for
perpetuating their species. But whatever the reason be the
ants prefer to make another cavity a little way off instead of
enlarging the original nest to a size corresponding with the
increase of the fungus gardens and number of the inhabitants.
Tn an artificial nest of this species when all the available space had
been filled I noticed that the workers carried fungus, eggs,
and larvee to a dark corner of the room and proceeded to found
another nest. ‘The mushroom gardens consist of a gray spongy
“mass full of chambers like a coarse sponge, containing the
“larvee, pups and workers. This mass never touches the sides of
“the cavity, and there is always a clear space of about a
“finger’s width between the garden and the wall of the cavity.
“The older part is differently coloured, but not very sharply
“marked off from more recent growth. The older part is
“yellowish red in colour; newly built portions, forming the
“surface of the garden are of a blue black colour. The round
“particles are penetrated by and enveloped in white fungus
‘“‘hyphe which hold the particles together. Strewn thickly
“upon the surface of the garden are seen round white bodies
“about 0° 25 m.m. in diameter ; they always occur in the nests
“except in the very young portion of the gardens. They consist
“of aggregatons of peculiar swollen hyphe and are termed by
“ Moller the ‘“Kohlrabbi” clump.” ‘These form the principal
food of the Ants. On the authority of Kew the fungus culti-
vated by these ants is the same as that found by Moller in Brazil
viz: Rozites gongylophora Moller. What plants are used by the
ants would be hard to tell as they use so many, but they seem
to have a special liking for intreduced cnes, and are particularly
FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB. 1/7
fond of our cultivated Cocoa. On some nests I have seen a large
quantity of freshly cut leaves while on others there is no such
deposit. In an artificial colony the ants deposited leaves outside
the nest, as long as there was not any available room inside, and
used them by degrees. Some weeks later the nest diminished con-
siderably and the ants no longer left leaves outside, as there
Was room in the interior, where they were deposited and used
up by degrees. The roads these ants make in the woods are well
known and have been ably described by Bates, Belt and otber
travellers in Tropical America. Now as to the inhabitants of
the gardens; there are six distinct kinds of workers or neuters
the smallest being 2 m.m. in length and the largest, or soldiers,
15mm. The smallest workers perfor m the duties of nurses to
the larvee and also weed the garden “and this is so well done
“that a portion of it removed and grown in a nutrient solution
“gives a perfectly pure culture, not even containing bacteria ;”
they also go out with the leaf cutting gangs and are carried
home on the pieces of leaves. They do not seem to take any
part in cutting the leaves and I cannot find out why they go,
unless it is because the ant doctor orders the nurses sometimes
to leave their troublesome charges and take the ant equivalent of
carriage or equestrian exercise. Those varying from three to
six mm. are the foragers which do us the damage by cutting the
leaves. Those from six to fifteen mm. are the soldiers or fight-
ing ants. Their only use is the defence of the nest, and for this
purpose they have strongly developed pairs of mandibles and a
very large head. They cannnot sting, but draw blood at each bite.
They accompany the foragers or leaf cutters, marching on the
flanks of the column. Their mandibles close like scissors and are
toothed, but these teeth, when viewed under a high power do not
appear to be pointed but are more like the edge of the new
fashioned bread knives which are so largely advertised just now.
The tips of the mandibles overlap when closed. Of all the Atta
species in Trinidad cephalotes is the most energetic and in the
woods work day and night, but in the cocoa groves they only
sally out after dark. W inged forms are found in the nest from
May to July and this is the best time for killing them.
Subgenus : Acromyruex, Forel
A, octospinosa, Reich.
= A. Giinthert, Forel.
In the same way that Atta cephalotes is the terror of the
country people this species is a regular plague to gardens, even
those situated in the heart of thetown. They also oecur in the
country districts. They do not forin such Wes colonies as do
the preceding ones, but they form small nests from 4 to l
cubic foot in clayey soil which they excavate, but they readily
178 JOURNAL OF THE TRINIDAD
avail themselves of any suitable crevices in the masonry of
buildings, under woodwork and when once lodged there are very
difficult to get rid of. Their mushroom garden is constructed in
the same way as A. cephalotes, but presents a more compact
appearance. The “kohlrabbi” clumps are identical with those
of cephalotes, and are found in the gardens in the same way.
This species attack many garden plants, but seem to be very fond
of roses, which suffer very much from their forays. The workers
vary from 2} to 8 mm. The smaller ones acting as nurses
in the nest and not cutting leaves. The large ones seem capable
of laying eggs, as an artificial nest I have containing no queen
or female ant, contains newly hatched larvee although they were
separated from the mother nest, six months ago. This is the
species referred to by Mr. Tanner, who has made the same
observation on the egg laying capacity of these large workers.
Dr. Fritz Miller ascertained, many years ago, that the workers of
species belonging to this genus, are capable of producing at least
one fertile egg. Another curious thing about this ant is that on
two occasions at different places I have seen fertilized females
working just as hard and engaged in the same occupation as_ the
neuters, viz: cutting leaves and carrying them to the nest.
They all issued from the same nest and therefore could not
have been mothers of new colonies. Any one who studies ants
knows that queens will not work if they can help it and this
proceeding is interesting especially as there were workers in the
nests who could do the work. I also noticed that several
females lost their wings in nests without any marital flight,
although a few weeks later the winged ones swarmed out in the
usual way on a damp evening. The larvee of these ants are
covered by a white shining skin, studded over with short
stiff hairs which, at their ends, are shaped like ananchor. When
a nest is disturbed small workers can be seen carrying larvee much
larger than themselves. And as it is quite impossible for these
to open their mandibles wide enough to grasp the large larve
firmly, they probably take hold of these hairs and it would seem
that they are there for this purpose. Moller also records these
hairs on the larve of Acromyrmex discigera from Brazil.
4, Subgenus: TracHymMyrRMEX, Forel.
T. Urichi, Forel, n. sp.
The nest of this species is excavated in clayey soils and
never anywhere else. It consists of one chamber at about the
depth of a foot and is never directly under the entrance hole,
but always on one side at right angles and about 9 inches away
from it. It has a habit of carrying the particles of earth which
result from it’s mining operations a little way from the entrance
FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB. 179
hole, say about a foot, and deposits them in a small conical heap.
This seems to be a protective measure, for other ants always
have their rubbish heaps and middens immediately near the
entrance and naturally anyone in search of the ants would look
near the heap of débris. I was at first deceived in this way,
until I noticed their dodge in a clear piece of ground. These
ants also cultivate a fungus and if it is not Rozites gongylophora
it is very much like it. As in the two preceding species their
“kohlrabbi” clumps consist of an aggregate of hyphe with large
spherical swellings on their ends. Any roots of plants going
through the ants chamber are not cut away, but are made use of
to suspend their mushroom garden to which are in their case
regular hanging gardens. Unlike the other species mentioned
there is only one class of worker in these nests, measuring between
4 and 4} mm., and of a brownish colour with a hairy pubescence.
They are nocturnal in their habits and when disturbed sham death.
T have often found them on lawns in gardens and they seem to
be rather common about St. Anns. They are not so dis-
tructive as the preceeding species, und seem to like small
fallen flowers and the fruit of various kinds of plants to be found
in gardens, but at the same time they do not despise rose plants
especially the young and tender shoots. They are not at all
energetic and are very slow in their movements.
Genus : SERICOMYRMEX, Mayr.
S. opacus, Mayr.
The nests of this species are constructed in clayey soil with
raised entrances, consising of a narrow cylinder composed of the
particles of earth resulting from their mining operations and used
up portions of the mushroom garden. Internally the nest con-
sists of a sort of antechamber in which I have often found
flowers, leaves &c., brought in for use. Small entrances leading
into the excavated cell open on this antechamber. They are
about two to three cubic inches in size and like the preceding
species they readily make use of any roots growing through their
chambers to hang their gardens on, which is exactly like the
T. urichi with the same kind of “kohlrabbi.” The larve are
white and when viewed under the microscope are sparsely
covered with long tapering hairs. There is only one kind of
worker, never exceeding 4mm. in length. Unlike 7. wrichi
they work during the day and it seems to me more so than
decibe the night, “judging from observation of an artificial nest.
They also sham death when disturbed, but on the whole are
moreactive. They are quite harmless and like fallen fruit better
than anything else, small flowers are also readily used for their
mushroom gardens.
180 JOURNAL OF THE TRINIDAD
Genus: ApTeErosTicMA, Mayr.
A, urichii, Forel, n. sp.
Méller suggests the name of ‘Hairy Ants” for this genus
on account. of the long hairs covering their bodies. Unlike
Atta this species does not excavate its nests but builds them in
rotten trunks of trees in any dark crevice it can find. I sue-
ceeded in securing several nests intact without destroying their
structure. They are built ina hanging position 7.e¢. the ants start
working from the top, but never let the nest touch the bottom
of the cavity. Unless the garden is quite recent and small, it is
always enclosed in a delicate white covering, which on first sight
looks like fine cobweb, with an exit hole at the bottom. The
nests therefore look like a more or less round ball and are never
larger than an apple. On breaking away this delicate covering
a small mushroom garden is found consisting of irregular cells
in which the ants, larve and pup, are scattered. It is at once
apparent that the inhabitants are also mushroom growers and
eaters, and a microscopical examination reveals the fact that
they have a fungus like Atta, belonging apparently, according to
Moller, to a different genus of Jozites. The chief point of
interest however is that they have not cultivated and selected the
“kohlrabbi” to the same degree as Atta. Their “kohlrabbi” is of
lower type, the hyphe being only slightly swollen into a club
shape instead of being large and spherical, and they are not aggre-
gated into groups. An examination of the covering shows it to
be a fabric woven with the mycelium of the same fungus which
holds the cells together. The ants, no doubt, arrange and regulate
the growth of this covering, with their legs and antenne. As I
said before the gardens are always found under rotten wood and
the ants invariably use the excrementa of wood-boring insects as
a medium for growing their fungus on. I have kept these ants
in captivity, but never with much success as they will not
touch fruit, flowers or leaves. They took excrementa of wood-
boring insects readily and cassava farine sparingly. From an
economic point of view, they are therefore quite harmless. The
colonies of these ants are small, not numbering more than 20 or
30 dark brown workers, all of about the same size viz. 6-6 mm.
and with abnormally long legs which measure 7-74 mm. without
the hip. They are of nocturnal habits.
A, mayrt, Forel, n. sp.
This species can be readily recognized from A. wrichit
by its smaller size. The workers measure 34 32 mm., but
are of the same colour and also covered with hairs. They
are mushroom growers and eaters and construct hanging gardens,
FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB. 181
not only under rotten wood but also under large stones in
suitable dark cavities. They also have a covering to their
garden like A. wrichii, though I have not found it in such perfec-
tion as with that species, but they have the same kind of fungus
and their “ kohlrabbi” seems to be of a finer quality, the hyphe
are swollen into a club shape like A. wrichiz, but they are aggre-
gated into regular groups, which are plainly visible. It would
thus appear that mayri is more advanced than wrichii in the
cultivation of the fungus. Like the preceding species it takes the
excrementa of wood-boring insects to construct its garden with,
but is also fond of fruits and even parts of flowers. They would
not take czssava farine when I offered it to them. They are
of nocturnal habits, and when disturbed sham death for many
seconds.
Genus : CypHomMyRMEX, Mayr.
C. rimosus, Spinola.
This is a common little brown ant found under the bark of
trees and in damp spots about walls. It does not cultivate any
fungus, but two species of the same genus found in Brazil are
mushroom growers and eaters, as Moller has undoubtedly provec.
Economic Notes.
Of the eight species mentioned above, the last five may be
considered harmless, at least the Apterostigma and Cyphomyrmex
species are quite so anda TVrachymyrmex are a pest in a very
slight degree, but as the nests they make are not large they can
very easily be disposed of. Of the remaining species Atta
cephalotes is very destructive in the country and A. octospinosa
destructive in gardens in town. Cephalotes is always engaging
the attention of cultivators and a few years ago an ordinance
was drafted to help the planters against their tiny foes, by
giving them power to enter their neighbours’ lands, to destroy
nests, if the owners or occupiers would not do so themselves.
Cephalotes do not seem to have any natural enemies through
whose agency they could be considerably diminished, and this
is not to be wondered at as they maintain a complete military
department and a huge standing army of veritable giants who,
like all soldiers, are remarkable for their prowess in the feeding
and fighting lines. Unlike the armies of European powers they
are composed, as is the army of Dahomey, of ferocious females,
Their courage and daring are indomitable, for they rush on the
foe without a moment’s hesitation in huge swarms and grasping
any portion of him they can lay hold of never let go until their
mandibles have met. If they can then release themselves they
immediately make another bite and this they continue to do
until their bodies have been torn from their terrible heads.
182 JOURNAL OF THE TRINIDAD
These armies are of great service to the community, making its
existence pretty safe. Those ferocious hunting ants Zeiton
forelit, Mayr, which are so common in the forests and render
the Trinidad Agriculturist such good services by destruying
much vermin on the Cocoa estates, are powerless against Atta,
whose nests they seem to take no notice of, although they
do not spare some other species of ants suchas Campanotus and
Dolichoderus. Even if they invade the nests, they are soon
repulsed (as my friend Mr. Albert Carr has seen in the woods).
The Superintendent of the Botanic Gardens in a recent Bulletin
calls attention to Amphisbene and Typhlops as natural enemies
to parasol ants, and recommends preserving them. But these
reptiles do not seem to do the ants any harm at all. As
a rule Amphisbene are not found in every nest dug up, they
only turn up now and then and many of them are very badly
bitten and show numerous marks of the soldiers’ mandibles.
It seems pretty certain that their occurrence in the nests is
accidental and this also applies to the smaller 7'yphlops, which
are also found there. Neither Zyphlops (nor his congener
Glauconia) would be much use if he encountered a Parasol
Amazon, for the formidable jaws would speedily shear him
clean in two. What seems to attract these two reptiles is
the number of worms in the loose soil brought up by the
ants which contains much vegetable matter rejected from the
mushroom garden and which is always infested by worms and
insects. This of course only applies to very large nests, and
the country people all say that ‘“ Two-headed snakes” as the
Amphisbene are called, are only found in very large nests.
The only way to deal with these ants is to poison them. Many
substances have been suggested, such as Cyanide of Potassium,
Bisulphide of Carbon, Coal-tar, but none of these have proved
very successful. The method in general use all over the Island
is that known as puddling, but it is very expensive, especially in
districts where there isa want of water. Mr. Ewen patented
a process a few years ago, the principle of which is driving into
the nest a poisonous fume which acts instantaneously on all the
ants and larve, with which it comes into contact. This
process was very successful at some experimental trials, but does
not seem to have been universally adopted, and agriculturists
are still trying to find out something which would rid them of
their chief enemy in a cheap and effectual manner. With regard
to A. octospinosa in gardens, it is easy to dispose of nests
built in the ground with cyanide, coal-tar or very little puddling,
but when they are in masonry as is often the case, or in the
roots of trees, the task of disposing of them is difficult, and
some poisonous gas must be driven in with a suitable apparatus,
6th October, 1894,
FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB. 183
NOTES ON TICKS.
(Coneluded. )
O much for the naming. The apparent complete localisation of
the Gold Tick in Antigua is a very curious circumstance ; and
would seem incredible considering the interchange in cattle which
has taken place since the parasite has been known here. For
many reasons it is desirable to learn if it has spread to other
islands of the group—in particular as bearing on the possible con-
nection between it and the Antigua cattle disease. Similar large
ticks are well known in Jamaica, the mainland, besides South
Africa and different parts of Asia, but they would appear to belong
to different species. While collecting the specimens for Mr.
Michael, I instituted a series of experiments on the Gold Tick with
a view to determining its fertility, its early life, and what became
of it during the winter months. It is a matter of common experi-
ence that these ticks cease to be troublesome about September, and
reappear in the following May: what becomes of them in the
interval? This is amatter of great importance, when it is con-
sidered that any really effective action must be taken before the
parasites appear upon the Cattle.
It is generally acknowledged that ticks in their earlier stages
are dwellers on plants. It would appear further from the accounts
of explorers, who invariably seem to suffer from their attacks, that
great multitudes pass their entire existence in regions where it is
next to impossible for them to meet with the animal host which
they so readily attack. Sir Joseph Hooker in a well known
passage in his Himalayan Journals, writes as follows :—
“The path was soon obstructed, and we had to tear and cut
our way from 6,000 to 10,000 feet, which took two days very hard
work. Ticks swarmed in the small bamboo jungle, and my body
was covered with these loathsome insects, which got into my bed
and hair, and even attached themselves to my eyelids during the
night when the constant annoyance and irritation completely
banished sleep. In the day-time they penetrated my trousers,
piercing to my body in many places, so that I repeatedly took off
as many as twelve at one time. It is indeed marvellous how so
large an insect can painlessly insert a stout barbed proboscis, which
requires great force to extract it, and causes severe smarting in the
operation, Whai the ticks feed upon in these humid forests is a
perfect mystery to me, for from 6,000 to 9,000 feet they literally
swarmed, where there was neither path nor animal life.”
It should not then be regarded as improbable that the ticks
spend their winter months upon the pastures, either in the
protective egg-shell or in a semi-dormant youthful condition. To
this I shall return directly, indicating that the latter is probably
the case,
184 JOURNAL OF THE TRINIDAD
I obtained several well-filled female ticks, and placed them
in glass boxes. The largest of these weighed “17 oz. and was
nearly an inch in length. All soon began to Jay their eggs.
These were deposited in a heap as large or larger than the parent
tick, immediately in front of the mouth. In reality the genital
opening is situated very far forward, and each egg, as laid, is
passed on under the proboscis. I calculated the number of eggs
in several cases. It was so large as to render it almost impossi-
ble to count them directly ; and I accordingly adopted the plan
of weighing them. First of all I selected a small portion of the
heap and counted them carefully—usually about 600. I then
weighed these accurately on a delicate chemical balance. The
whole mass of eggs was then weighed and the numbers easily
calculated. For two of the ticks the results were 17,000 and
over 20,000 respectively (the latter from the large tick referred
to above.)
I was not surprised to learn that the time taken in depos-
iting all these eggs is considerable, especially as the oviposition
is a rather complicated act in these creatures. The targer tick
commenced to lay onJuly 30. By August 30 it had laid 13,000 ;
and by September 10, when it finished laying, a further 7,000
had been deposited. In this case then the total period of laying
was exactly six weeks. At the commencement the tick was
fully distended, but as the time proceeded a gradual shrivelling
took place, so that at the end the animal would not have been
recognised but for the legs which stood out more prominently
every day. All the female ticks died shortly after the deposition
of the last eggs.
Almost the whole of the 20,000 eggs hatched. To deter-
mine the period of incubation was difficult, and the results varied
a good deal. In two cases I noted the day on which the first
eggs were laid and that on which the first young tick emerged.
The intervals were 51 and 23 days respectively. In one case
again the date on which the last egg was laid was noted and com-
pared with that on which the last ticks were hatched. The
period in this case was 32 days. From this it would appear that
the time spent in the egg varies, possibly according to the condi-
tion of the female at the time of removal from the animal. Inno
case was there any indication that the ticks passed the winter in
in the egg condition, Those eggs which were not hatched
shrivelled up.
With regard to the remaining experiments, they were
rendered dithcult by constant absences from the laboratory. On
one occasion the pots were left untended for 6 weeks, and on
another for two months. A series of closed glass vessels were
placed over flower pots in which plants were growing. These
were in the form, of large lamp chimneys whose bases were sunk
FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB. 185
in the earth, while their tops were sealed by plates of glass lined
with cotton wool. It was found that the young ticks had
extraordinary powers of insinuating themselves through the
cotton wool, and heavy weights had to be placed on the glass
plates before the chambers were properly secured. From the
causes already mentioned, and the absence of anyone in charge
of my laboratory, all the plants died long before the conclusion
of the experiments ; but this seemed to make little difference to
the life of the young ticks.
Having preparea the chambers, small lots of eggs were
inserted in test-tubes so that the date of emergence could he
observed. Control lots of eggs were placed in test-tubes and
plugged with cotton-wool. The length of life of the young ticks
in these latter tubes was usually about a fortnight, after which
they died and shrivelled up. In the closed chambers the ticks,
upon hatching, immediately emerged from the open test-tubes,
spread in all directions, and the cotton-wool seemed to have
a special attraction for them. After a while however they
congregated in small crowds, usus!ly in the axil of a leaf or
some place where they were not likely to be disturbed. One
of these groups contained I suppose about 200 ticks in a
state of rest, immediately moving if molested. They remained
thus huddled together on the leaf of a 7'radescantia for weeks.
The iast ticks emerged from the eggs on October 3, and on
March 4 following, or just five months later there were still
some ticks living. No appreciable growth had taken place in
these ; they seem merely to have been quiescent during the time,
probably imbibing small quantities of vegetable matter from the
surrounding grass debris in which they had wintered. The
living ticks were found in dried up Bahamas grass.
From these and other observations, interrupted as they
were, I am led to conclude.
(1). That the common, Creole or blue tick is probably the
Lhipicephalus concinna of Koch, and widely distributed
in these islands.
(2). That the Gold Tick of Antigua, wrongly called the
St. Kitts Tick, is the Hyalomma venustum of Koch.
(3.) That it is not indigenous in this Island, but was in-
troduced about thirty years ago from the West Coast
of Africa.
(4). That its young are first noted in quantities upon
the cattle about May, and that the ticks cause great
inconvenience till about the month of September after
which they disappear.
(5) That the full females lay from 15,000 to 20,000 eggs,
all of which may he fertile.
186
(6).
(7)
FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB
The time of oviposition varies with the number laid.
In one case it was six weeks, the number of eggs being
very large.
The period of incubation varies. In cases noted it
may be put down as between 23 and 51 days.
All the good eggs are hatched by about October,
but the young do not increase greatly in size at first.
The period of vitality of the eggs is short, and any
remaining unhatched speedily dry up.
The young ticks born in the autumn spend the winter
months huddled together in the vegetation of the
pasture, probably at the roots of the old dead grass.
It will naturally follow that the keeping of the pastures
clean, either by burning or, much better, by cutting or feeding,
will aim a severe blow at the young ticks, but a consideration
of remedies I propose to leave, fur want of space, to a later
number of this journal, when the very similar large ticks of
the Cape, South America, India and elsewhere will be referred
to.—C. A. Barser, M.A., in Leeward Islands’ Agricultural
Journal, July, 1894.
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Publication Conimittee :
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_#. CARACCIOLO, F.E.S., V.P.: P. CARMODY, F.I.C.; F.C.S-
coh BE DEVENISH, M. A. R. R. MOLE,
F. W. URICH, FES., Hon. Secretary.
LOL DLO LOLOL ONO LLL Iams
‘ CONTENTS :—
Report of Club Meetings :
April Fe
Caudal Appendage in C. Horridus
Bees Dimensions of Animals... ...
New Scale Insect from Grenada
New Mealy-Bug on Sugar Cane
New Trinidad Flounder ‘aka
Ticks, epi effect on eae
—
eR a ie ,
Som a -
i
7
;
ACCIDENTS WILL, HAPP
Sry fP De APRA My yA RAR ARa gE Re AR rah TMU A Rape APRA PRR QAR GE Mie
Insure Your Houses and Property
of every description against loss by Fire in the
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Vice-President: Major-General James Cockburn; Major F.
Astley Cubitt ;S. Gurney Buxton, Esq ; F. Elwin Watson, Esq ;
William Foster Bart: I. B. Coaks, Esq; R. A, Gorell, Esq;
George Forrester, Esq; William Birkbeck, Esq; Edward
Palgrave Simpson, Esq ; G. Hunter, Esq ; ——— Tuck, Esq.
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Trinidad Agent,
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i ae a |e aa Res Benen eh Co dae ty GMMR Lee She baw te
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\ ~ CENTRAL FARK, “© )
Q |
> #
vs
should be addressed to the Honorary Secretary, Port-of-
Spain, Trinidad, B.W.I. ;
JOU BNAL
OF THE
Field Naturaligts’ Club.
VOL. II. JUNE, 1895. No. 8.
REPORT OF CLUB MEETINGS,
19TH APRIL.
RESENT: His Honour Sir John Goldney, V.P. (in the
chair), Hon. Lieut. Col. D. Wilson, C.M.G., V.D., Professor
Carmody, Messrs. W. S. Tucker, T. W. Carr, J. Barclay, Thos.
I. Potter, E. D. Ewen, J. H. Collens and F. W. Urich, Hon.
Secretary. The Secretary was directed to send a letter condoling
with Mr. H. Caracciolo in his recent bereavement.-—The Secretary
stated that the Victoria Institute authorities had, subsequently
to the failure of the negociations for the amalgamation of the
Club with the Institute in January, met and elected all the
members of the Club to membership in the Victoria Institute,
without exacting any membership fees and subscriptions and it
would now be necessary to rearrange the meetings. He would
propose that they should alternate their meetings with those of
the Victoria Institute. It was decided that the meetings of
the Club should take place on the second Tuesday evening of
every alternate month.—Mr. Urich read a paper on a recent
visit he had made to the Guacharo Caves of Oropouche and
described the road, the caves and the animals he saw. Colonel
Wilson, who has always been a pioneer to the opening up of
some of the most fertile districts of the Island, supplemented
Mr. Urich’s paper by some valuable information, he having pre-
viously visited the district a short time before. The gallant Colonel
referred to the rich cocoa soil to be had there, the healthiness
of the district, the beauty of the scenery, the beautiful rivers,
which he said, by the way, were not correctly given in the map
of Trinidad. He then went on to describe how General Mendoza
p97 ©
188 JOURNAL OF THE TRINIDAD
came to settle on this spot and finally said that he was sure that
if the place were opened up it would become one of the impor-
tant cocoa districts of the Island.—Mr. Ewen said : About a fort-
night ago, in the Port-of-Spain Gazette there appeared a small
extract from some English paper (the name of which I don’t think
was given) referring to an efticacious fever medicine given to the
members of Sir Walter Raleigh’s expedition, 300 years ago, by the
Indians “out of hatred to the Spaniards;” when many of them
were down with fever on the Caroni. The extract goes on to say
that if anyone now-a-days could discover those efficacious roots
and leaves, there would be many people in certain yellow fever
haunted localities, disposed to barter rather more than their
weight in dollars for them. I have pleasure in stating that I
think I have discovered them, and if the Club can, and is
inclined to barter them for dollars, I wish it all possible luck in
that line. The plant is a sedge called Adrue (in Jamaica English)
and Cyperus articulatus L., botanically. I am not prepared
to say that that particular sedge is to be found on the Caroni,
but I have no hesitation in stating—and our friend Mr. Carr,
can no doubt corroborate me,—that there are many members
of that genus to be found here, while it is quite reasonable to
infer that the reputed curative properties by the Articulatus
exist in several of them.—Professor Carmody exhibited a young
ant-eater Oyclothwrus didactylus, which he had obtained from
an adult female which he had been trying to keep alive, but
without success.—A letter was read from Mr. Caracciolo
expressing his regret at not been able to attend the meeting
and forwarding a monstrosity presented by the Hon. W.
Howatson and a Peripatus trinitatis found in the Botanic
Gardens.—A letter was also read from Mr. Oldfield Thomas,
thanking Mr. Caracciolo for some rodents he had sent to the
British Museum. They were in all twelve specimens of the
following species: Echimys trinitatis, Heteromys anomalus,
Holochilus palmipes, Oryzomes brevicauda and Mus rattus
and Mr. Thomas added that they were the first he
had seen of the new species found by Mr. Chapman.—In
another letter Professor Riley gave the determination of two
Hemiptera Homoptera found by Mr. Caracciolo, one belonging
to the family Membracide of the genus Publilia, the other
to the South American genus Darnis. These were found on
cocoa trees and the Professor added: “In case they are
numerous the best thing is spraying the trees with kerosine
emulsion, at the season when the young ones are hatched out.”
There was also a communication read from Mr. Henry Prestoe,
late Government Botanist.—The Secretary showed on behalf of
Mr. R. R. Mole a land Planaria, a genus of worms found com-
monly about the island, which prey on the contents of land-
FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB 189
shells. Mr. Potter showed an insect he found in a decayed
gru-gru palm on the heights of Santa Cruz, which he said
resembled the Scwtigera Lamarck. Mr. Urich showed a spider
belonging to the Attéide which almost exactly resembled an ant,
specimens of which were also shown for comparison, At 9.30 a
most interesting meeting came to a conclusion.
CLUB PAPERS.
ON THE FORMATION AND DISINTEGRATION OF
SEGMENTS OF CAUDAL APPENDAGE IN (C.
HORRIDUS.
By R. R. Mote.
N the Journal of February 1894, Mr. Urich and myself
published a short paper embodying our observations on a South
American Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus). A great deal more
importance kas been attached to that article in Europe than ever
we ourselves credited it with and it has been translated into
many German scientific papers and magazines solely because of
certain references te the formation of the caudal appendage.
The paper in question was dated the 15th of February
1894, just a year ago. The snake had then eight (8)
segments to the rattle having lost three on April 2lst,
1893, when sloughing. At the present date he has eleven
(11) and the remains of the one which was number eight on Fe-
bruary 15th, last year. During the year the snake has cast his
skin on several occasions but a precise record has not been kept.
It has been noticed, however, that the portion (from an inch to
half an inch long) nearest the rattle does not come away so
readily as formerly and is only cast after a time—although turned
back (reversed) like the rest of the skin, the point of attachment
being the juncture of the tail with the rattle. At the moment
of writing there is still a ring of sloughed skin round the
base of the rattle left from the last sloughing, about a
fortnight ago. The snake is confined in a box with glass
sides and top which are protected from breakage on
the outside by galvanized wire netting. The ends are perforated
zine. The wooden frames in which the glass is set have
squared and not rounded corners; the bottom of the cage is
rough unplaned wood with two planed cross bars. There is
consequently very little to give rise to friction in the rattle, yet
the segment which was number eight on February 15 (1894) has
worn almost completely away, only the edges remain and in the
190 JOURNAL OF THE TRINIDAD
centre can be seen the terminal portion of the seventh segment
which will eventually become the last one. It has also been
observed that great holes have been formed in several of the
rattles within the last few months; especially is this the case
on the under surface and there are general symptoms of
disintegration in that the older pieces and those furthest
removed from the tail are much looser than those which are
the result of recent exuviations. The snake has a splendid
appetite and gets plenty of food, consequently observations on
the growth and decay of the rattle are conducted under most
favourable conditions. It is noticeable that as the period of
sloughing draws near the new segment which is of a_ bluish
bla¢k colour, can be seen growing out from underneath the
scales and pushing the last formed rattle out. In this con-
nection it mi: ay be interesting to note that a fortnight ago I
received a specimen of another crotaline—Lachesis muta. This
snake is now about to change her skin and I observe that the
base of the caudal] spine is dark coloured just as it is in the basal
segment of the rattle of C. horridus. As the time approaches when
the snake becomes temporarily blind the new rattle is pushed right
out and the scales which covered it can be seen attached to. it,
presenting a withered, yellowy-whitish appearance, their free points
being somewhat raised. These disappear in time and on the last
occasion I searched the false bottom of the box in order to recover
them if they had dropped. TI only found two portions of scales and
I could not say positively whether these had fallen from the new
segment of the rattle or not. After the skin is cast the new
segment gradually assumes a pale, yellow colour which subse-
quently changes into the general hue of the majority of the
segments. About the 20th October last the snake appeared to be
going to change, and the eyes became pale blue as they always
do at this period, but no sloughing took place. Again at Christ-
mas time were similar indications observed, but were followed by
no exuviation. The change, however, was efiected about
the first of the present month and now there is not only the new
segment but another one which is forming and pushing the new
one out. The box is kept near a window and people are con-
stantly passing, but it is very rarely that the snake springs his
rattle, in fact it is only after considerable teasing that he can be
induced to do so at all. The time when he ane uses it, is when
he is swallowing a large rat, when, if disturbed, he keeps up a
continuous and very loud whirring noise. The reason for this,
T imagine, is that when the rat is half swallowed the snake
feels that he is in a defenceless position as he could not readily
either disgorge or swallow the rat and while his mouth is so full
he would be utterly unable to use his fangs. He therefore
springs his rattle as much to say :; “look here, you know I am a
FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB. 191
terrible fellow and I am very cross to-day, so don’t come near
me or youll repent it.” He blusters because he is helpless.
Some time ago a very small snake with about two segments of a
rattle was brought to me, I put it in a box which I placed on
top of the large snake’s cage. The tiny snakeling made a very
weak (almost inaudible) sound with his puny rattle. The result
was that the large snake at once sounded his and kept it up for
some minutes. I cannot, however, say that he has since then given
any further indication of recognition of a fellow prisoner.
Although it has no direct connection with the subject I may
mention that when I received the Lachesis I referred to a few
minutes ago I had no suitable cage to put her in and conse-
quently I was obliged to get her to chum in with the rattle
snake. The latter at once gave undoubted evidences of great
excitement but it was very noticeable that in paying his
attentions to the visitor (who so far as I am aware disaproved
of them) he did not once use his rattle. The snake almost
invariably sounds his alarm when one suddenly approaches his
box in the dark. The sudden flash of a lamp will often
produce a warning note. With reference to the material
of which the rattle is composed it appears to me to be simply
thin horn very much like the material composing one’s finger
nails. As the various pieces become detached from the end of the
snake’s tail they are naturally cut off from vital sources and
simply become dead horny segments, attached to each other by a
purely mechanical arrangement, the older ones at the extremity
are therefore constantly wearing out and the rattle is as con-
stantly being renewed from the base.
15th February, 1895,
AppitionaL Nore.—Since the above was written this snake
has lost eight segments of his rattle and has now (having
added one) only four. The portion broken off in sloughing has
several turned back scales attached to it in fact seven of the
segments have each one, and there is a large one to the third.
The process of gradual disintegration by friction is well exem-
plified in this rattle.
THE DIMENSIONS OF ANIMALS.
By R. R. Mote.
HE object of these few notes is simply to point out how
exceedingly unreliable are the statements which the majority
of people make about animals with which they are not familiar,
of which they only obtain a glimpse, or have seen dead. As
a rule no attempt is made at arriving at the correct dimensions
of a dead animal until the skin is removed and then it is
192 JOURNAL OF THE TRINIDAD
the skin and not the animal itself which is measured, and the
consequence is we are, in after years, asked to believe the most
astonishing tales as to the size of these wonderful creatures.
Old men tell us frequently that in their young days the deer
were much larger and the peccaries fiercer than they are in
these degenerate times and it seems as if in the majority of cases
time has not only mellowed but exaggvrated their reminiscences.
Probably, if the real facts could be ascertained, we should find
that the tremendous animals which were kiiled by our fore-
fathers were very ordinary brutes after all. Jt is my intention
to record a few examples of this tendency to exaggeration which
I have come across, not only in books but under my own
observation. One of the first instances of this was the remark-
able story told me by some school fellows of the repulse of a
fierce yellow animal with gleaming teeth and arched back, of the
dimensions of a small donkey, which attacked them in a country
road. " “
eae. eee Gate ae
fi Publication Committee's Report eb
"Four Oncidiums of Trinidad «1 ee ess see 243
+ ‘Means of Freeing Cattle of Ticks... seat TE ar
* on Tricttad P* eS ae sf
A eee FS eee Poona > eS Senee
>.
_
eS
ACCIDENTS WILL HAPPEN
big) dal del ical deh Lala t al Tle Lest i ote an dks tale tla lot de I tile | tale
Insure Your Houses and Property
of every description against loss by Fire in the jf ~
NORWICH -UNION
Fire tnsuranee sitll
one of the Oldest EXinglish Compania RY
ESPTABLISMED 1797.
Head Offices: London and Norwich. |
DIRECTORS.
President: H. 8. Patterson, Esq.,
Vice-President: Major-General James Cockburn; Mayon
Astley Cubitt ; 8. Gurney Buxton, Esq ; F. Eiwin Watson, Esq.
William Foster Bart: J. B. Coaks, Esq; R. A, Gorell, Esq;.
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Palgrave Simpson, Esq ; G. Hunter, Esq ; —— Tuck, Esq. — pace i
RS CLAIMS PROMPTLY AND LIBERALLY SeOTLED,
Tr inidad Agent,
E= All Communications and Exchanges intended for the Club
should be addressed to the Honorary Secretary, Port-of-
Spain, Trinidad, B.W.TI.
TOURNAL
OF THE
Field Naturalists’ Club.
VOL. I. OCTOBER, 1895. No. Io.
REPORT OF CLUB MEETING:
13rn Avucust 1895.
Se a. Mr. H. Caracciolo V. P., in the Chair, Dr.
Rodriguez, Dr. Ince, Messrs. H. J. Baldamus, W. S. Tucker,
J. R. Llafios, John Barclay, J. T. Rousseau, J. B. Inniss, Charles
Libert, Thos. I. Potter, L. Guppy, jnr., R. R. Mole and F. W.
Urich, Hon Secretary and Treasurer. Mr. Frank E. Beddard,
F.R.S., was elected an Honorary Member of the Club.—The
Secretary presented the following reports. ;
Secretary's Report for 1894-95.
CCORDING to Rule 7, I beg to lay before the Members of
the Club, the Honorary Secretary’s Fourth Annual Report.
It is a resumé of the Club transactions for the year 1894-95,
The number of Members on the list at the close of the year
1893-94 was 124. We have elected during this year two
Honorary and nine Town Members and after deducting the
losses through death, resignation and other causes the total
number of Members on the Roll is 118.
Amongst the Town and Country Members of the Club who
have passed over to the majority are Dr. Beaven Rake, who was
elected President at the last Annual Meeting, Messrs. Henry
Tate, B.A., and Arthur Gaywood and the Honble. Robert
Guppy, M.A., and of the Honorary Members lost through death
Professor Carl Vogt, who always took a lively interest in our
doings and helped us in many ways, The usual list of Members
is appended,
Ene
936 JOURNAL OF THE TRINIDAD
The balance of $26.60 of last year has been raised to
$110.95. The total receipts do not amount to those of last year,
owing to the fact that the advertisements have not yet been
collected, but when this is done the receipts will be more than
those of 1893-94. There are also many Members’ subscriptions
still to come in. The usual statement of finances is appended.
During the year there have been nine Ordinary Meetings,
at which the attendance has been on the average better than in
former years, and the papers read have maintained a high
standard of excellence. On the 26th October 1894, under the
auspices of the Club, Mr. Mole delivered at the Victoria Insti-
tute, a lecture on Snakes which was well attended.
The Journal is published as usual, details of which will be
found in the Publication Committee’s Report.
The following is a list of the additions to the Library during
the year 1894-95.
PRESENTED BY THE AUTHORS
Materials for a history of the Mackerel Fishery by G. Brown Goode
and J. W. Collins.
Contributions to the Natural History of the Bermudas by J. Mathew
Jones and G. Brown Goode.
Materials for a history of the Sword fishes by G. Brown Goode.
The Colour of fishes by G. Brown Goode.
A preliminary catalogue of the Reptiles, Fishes and Leptocardians of
the Bermudas by G. Brown Goode.
Do Snakes swallow their young ?—by G. Brown Goode.
The Museum of the future by G. Brown Goode.
A short biography of the Menhaden by G. Brown Goode.
The A Brae of the United States Fish Commission by G. Brown
Goode.
The Status of the United States Fish Commission in 1884 by G.
Brown Goode.
The Genesis of the United States National Museum by G. Brown
Goode.
The Origin of the National Scientific and Educational Institutions of
the United States by G. Brown Goode.
American Fishes by G. Brown Goode.
Miscellaneous Papers on Economic Entomology by F. M. Webster.
A Manual for the study of Insects by J. H. Comstock.
Descriptive Catalogue of the Butterflies found within fifty miles of
New York by W. Beutemuller.
Descriptive Catalogue of the Orthoptera found within fifty miles of
New York by W. Beutemuller.
PRESENTED.
By The Trustees of the British Museum Natural History :
Guide books to the collections (Twelve in number).
By Mr. F. A. Ganteaume:
Girad, Entomologie 2 volumes.
By Mr. William Brewster :
J. B. Smith, Catalogue of the Lepidopterous super family Noctuidae
found in Boreal America, ~
FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB. 237
By United States National Museum :
8 Manuals of directions for collecting and preserving the following
Mammal skins, Rough skeletons, Birds, Birds eggs and nests,
Reptiles and Batrachians, Insects, Mollusks, Receat and fossil
plants.
By Mr. C. A. Barber, M.A. :
Miscellaneous Papers on Cane disease.
By United States Department of Agriculture, Division of Entomology :
Reports of observations and experiments in the practical work of the
Division.
Experiment Station Record Vol. VI Nos. 8-10.
By Supt. Botanic Gardens, Trinidad :
Annual Report for 1894, Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information and
Circular Notes.
In ExCHANGE.
Smithsonian Reports for 1891, 1892 and 1893.
Report of the United States National Museum for 1892.
Proceedings of the United States National Museum Vol. 16—1893.
Transactions and Annual Report of the Manchester Microscopical
Society for 1893.
Bulletin du Muséum d'histoire naturelle No. 1-3.
Bulletin of the American Museum, Natural History, (New York) Vol.
lV. V. and VI.
Agricultural Journal of the Leeward Islands Nos. 1-3.
Insect Life Vol. VI Nos. 4 and 5 Vol. VII Nos. 1 and 4.
Annual Report of the Entomological Society of Ontario for 1894.
Canadian Entomologist.
Tuft’s College Studies Nos. 1, 2 and 3.
Journal of the Institute of Jamaica Vol. II No tr.
Agricultural Lectures of the Institute of Jamaica.
Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington Vol. II
Nos. 1-4.
PuRCHASED.
Science Gossip.—Vol. 1.
The Club collection has progressed favourably during the
year, although it does not show up so wellapparently. The reason
is that mostly insects were collected and owing to the quantity
and difficulty in naming, these have not yet been placed on
exhibition, but it is hoped that this may be done in the course of
the ensuing twelve months. Through the exertions of Mr.
A. B. Carr a fine specimen of Galictis barbara was added to
the Mammals to which Mr. Caracciolo added 8 new ones vViz.:
6 Muride, 1 Didelphys trinitatis and 1 Cyclothurus didactylus.
238 JOURNAL OF TIE TRINIDAD
The following is a list of the donations and the names of
their donors for the year. The thanks of the Club are due to
those who have thus contributed to the collection.
MamMMALIA.
6 Specimens of Muridae,
1 Cyclothuvus didactylus, presented by Mr. H. Caracciolo.
1 Didelphys trinitatis,
1 Cyclothurus didactylus, presented by Dr. A. W. Wight.
A Bat presented by Mr. J. Graham Taylor.
REPTILIA AND BATRACHIA.
A collection of Snakes containing some rare types presented by
Mr. J. F. Wallen, Valencia.
A Glauconia albifrons presented by Mr, A. B. Carr.
A crowned Snake, Scytale coronatum; a mangrove Snake, Liophis
cobella presented by Mr. H. Payne.
A clouded Snake, Leptognathus nebulatus presented by Mr. T. I.
Potter.
A Beh belle chemin, Liophis melanotus presented by Mr. J. T.
Rousseau.
A Boa constrictor presented by Mr. L. de Verteuil.
A coral Snake, Elaps riiset presented by Mr, P. Maingot.
Two young Mapepires, Lachesis muta presented by Mr. H. Hutton.
A Tree frog, Hyla crepitans presented by Mr. J. Graham Taylor.
INSECTA.
Electric Bugs, Nefa grandis presented by Mr. Syl. Devenish, Mr,
H. K. Collens, Mr. W. Norton, Mr. J. O. Urich.
Several Coleoptera presented by Mr. J. O. Urich.
A giant Locust presented by Master H. Kernahan.
Praying Mantis presented by Miss Fenwick and Mr. E. C.
Purcell.
A chrysalis of Tithorea flavescens presented by Mr. W. Le Gall.
A Hag moth caterpillar presented by Mr. W. A. Ghent.
A silk moth, Attacus hesperus presented by Inspector A. D. P. Owen.
A butterfly, Helicops cupido presented by Dr. S. M. Lawrence.
MISCELLANEOUS.
A Hermit crab presented by Mr. D. Hart.
A small centipede, Geofhilus species presented by Mr. D. F. King.
A Scorpion presented by Mr. W. J, L. Kernahan.
An abnormal egg presented by Mr. A. Lucien.
An abnormal chicken presented by Hon, W. Howatson.
In conclusion I can only congratulate the Members on the
success which has attended the efforts of the Club during the past
year, in spite of the heavy losses sustained at the opening of
the twelve months in the deaths of Dr. Rake and Mr. Tate and
the departure of Mr, Broadway, all of whom were hard workers.
F, W. Uricu,
Hon. Sec, and Treasurer,
FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB.
TRINIDAD FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB.
Officers and Committees elected for the year 1895-96.
President ;
Sir John T, Goldney.
Vice-Presidents :
Prof. Carmody,,F.1.G., F.C:s8;
Syl. Devenish, M.A.
FINANCE COMMITTEE.
Sir John Goldney, P.
al, Potter;
P. L. Guppy, jr.
BusINESS COMMITTEE.
Sir John Goldney, P
Lieut.-Colonel D. Wilson,
H. Caracciolo,
Syl. Devenish,
R. R. Mole,
W. S. Tucker,
peaks Potter:
F. W. Urich.
PUBLICATION COMMITTEE.
Sir John Goldney, P
Syl. Devenish, V.P.
Prof. Carmody, V. P.
H. Caracciolo,
R. R. Mole,
F. W. Urich.
39
LisT OF MEMBERS OF THE TRINIDAD FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB.
Honorary Members,
Date of
Election.
Boettger, Prof. Dr. O. 6 10 93
Brewster, William 4 594
Broadway, W. E. 10) 7 91
Brown-Goode, Dr. G Q II 94
Crowfoot, W.M., M.B.,
F.R.CS. 3. 393
Gatty, S. H. 1g 8 92
Gunther, Dr. A., F.R.S.&c.1 7 92
Hamilton, Hon. C. B. 2 O2
Howard, L. O. 6 7 94
Kirby, W. F. 2280) 92
Mitchell, P. Chalmers Zrli2) OZ
Corresponding
Bock, E. 2 693
Chapman, F. M. 5 5 93
Cockerell, T. D, A., F.E.S.,
1 ANS Be 5.03
Deyrolle, E, 7 10 92
Date of
Election.
Morris, D., M.A., Ph. D. 6 10 93
Riley, Ga Vb 20304
Smith, G. Whitfield 13 Il o4
St. Vraz, E. 8 §& gt
Stone, Sir J. B., F.L.S.,
EKGS:, cc: 7. “FG3
Thomas, Oldfield, F.Z.S. 6 3 92
Warming, Prof. Eug. 4 12 gt
Wilson, H. F. 7202
Wells, S. 2 O92
Whitehead, C. E. 7 10 92
Members.
Elliot, H. V., Lieut, R.N. 3 3 93
Ganteaume, Harris 8 8 or
Jefferys, W. J. 3.) 19:03
Terry, John, F.R.G.S. &c. 5 1 94
Wright, Rev. E. Douglas 6 4 94
240
JOURNAL OF THE TRINIDAD
Town Members.
Broome, H. E. Sir. F.N.,
K.C.M G.
Agostini, Edgar
Agostini, J. L.
Alcazar, Hon. H. A.
Anduze, Jules
Archer, Julian H.
Arnott, T. D.
Bain, F. M.
Baldamus, H. J.
Barclay, John
Borberg, A.
Caracciolo, H., F.E.S.
Carmody, P., F.1L.C.,¥F.G:S.
Carr) Lew.
Collens, J. H.
Creagh-Creagh, G.
Cumberland, S. A.
al
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93
Devenish, Syl., M.A. 92
Dickson, J. R., M.B., C.M. 94
Dumoret, R.
de Labastide, F. IO 94
Eagle, F. 92
Eagle, S. g2
Ewen, E.D. g2
Garcia, Hon. G. L. 94
Gerold, E. 92
Goldney, Sir J. T.
Gordon, Hon. W. G.
Guppy, P. L.
Harding-Finlayson, M.
Hernandez, F.
Hoadley, John
Holt; Revs Ey)
Ince sWeell. whl Goh hnr
Inniss, J. B. II
Koch, W. V. M., M.D. 7
Knaggs, R.H.E.,M.R.C.S. 5
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Llafios, J. R.
Libert, C.
Lovell, Hon. Dr. F. H.,
CUMnG
Lota, A., M.D.
Maingot, F. J., F.G.S.
Meaden, C. W.
Miller, J.
Mole, R. R.
Munro, D.
Murray, J. R., F.B.S.S.
Potter, aie
Prada, Eo MER Gro:
Reid, R. S.
Reoch, A. T.
Rodriguez, F. A., M.B.,
C.M. II
Rousseau, J. T., M.A. 2
Saurmann, C. es
Scott, C. W.
Seccombe, GaSe LRCP. :
Smith tes:
Smyth, Hon. J. Bell
Sorzano, Til
Spooner, F. V. H.
Taitt, Alfred
Taylor, J. (G:
Tripp, E
Tucker, W.S.
Unich, FW, bes
Walker, C. W.,
Warner, A., B.A.
Wilson, Hon. Lieut-Col. D.
C.M.G., V.D. 7
Wilson, Edwin C. 2
Wilson, James (Tertius) 3
NDNU
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MUOanonwood ANNN SND
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Mm eon Anooneur
Country Members.
CarryA.) B: Ig 8 g2
deVerteuil, L. 7 692
deVerteuil, F.A., M.R.C.S.6 10 93
Eakin, J. W., M.B. 5 I 94
Goode, John 6 I 93
Guilbert, J. 19g 8 92
Greenidge, J. S. 259) G2
Hobson, J. J. Ami 291
Kernahan, G. J. 6 10 93
Laing, Alex. S.
Mahoney, F. J.
Mitchell, J. W. L.
©’ Connor, P. A. T.
Thavenot, C. J.
Wight, A. W., M.R.C.S.
Wilson, J. S.
Woodlock, A., L.R.C,S.
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241
FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB.
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242 JOURNAL OF THE TRINIDAD
Publication Committee's Report.
N accordance with Rule 29, the Publication Committee have
the honour to make their Annual Report on their transactions
for the year 1894-95,
During the year the Committee have issued six numbers of
the Jowrnal containing 144 pages of Reports of Proceedings,
original papers and extracts from the publications of societies
engaged in Zoological research, a decrease of 34 pages upon the
previous year. The Reports of Meetings are up to date and the
great efforts of the Committee have been successful in reducing
the number of original papers in arrear from eleven to six.
During the past 12 months 24 original papers have appeared
in the Journal, and whereas last year the Committee were dis-
posed to take a desponding view of the gradually accumulating
mass of manuscript they are now seriously alarmed at an antici-
pated dearth of material—the next two Journals will exhaust
their stock completely and the Committee therefore take this
opportunity of appealing to the members, and the country mem-
bers especially, to help forward the Society’s work by placing
their observations on record. The simplest facts in Natural
History, and especially economic Natural History should be noted
and forwarded to the Committee and will always find a place in
the Journal where they cannot fail to be of service to other
members. It has been strongly felt for sometime past that the
members do not fully appreciate the value of the opportunities
afforded them in this respect, and in this connection it is interest-
ing to note that only 12 of the 24 papers above referred to have
a distinct value as dealing with questions of economic Natural
History. What a vast scope for improvement is there here!
The Committee would be glad to see the Club making more use
of the pages of the Jowrnal and cordially invite it to do so,
The death roll of the Club has been exceptionally long
during the past year and it has been the melancholy duty of the
Publication Committee to compile a corresponding number of
obituary notices. The most important of these was one which
the Committee feels was a very inadequate attempt to place on
record in the annals of the Club the services of our late
President, Dr. Rake. The capital portrait which accompanied
it was obtained through the kind instrumentality of an eminent
scientist who is also one of our Honorary members, Professor Dr.
Boettger of Frankfurt, who has done good work for us in this and
other ways and to whom our grateful acknowledgments are due.
FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB. 243
The Committee again tender their thanks to the Editors of
the daily Press for the liberality with which they have published
matters in connection with the affairs of the Club.
Signed on behalf of the Committee.
Henry CARACCIOLO.
On the motion of Mr. Potter seconded by Dr. Rodriguez the
reports were unanimously adopted. The meeting then proceeded
to the election of officers for the ensuing year. A ballot being
taken the following was the result: President: Sir John T.
Goldney ; Vice-Presidents: Professor Carmody, F.LC., F.C.S8.,
Mr. Syl. Devenish, M.A.
Mr. F. W. Urich was unanimously re-elected Honorary
Secretary and Treasurer. ‘The Finance, Business and Publica-
tion Committees were elected. A special vote of thanks was
recorded to Mr. R. R. Molefor services rendered to the Publication
Committee during the past year.
At 9 p.m. the meeting adjourned.
CLUB PAPER:
FOUR ONCIDIUMS OF TRINIDAD.
By T. I. Porrer.
F all the numerous genera of orchids to be found in the
Island of Trinidad there are none to compare with the four
representatives of the genus Oncidium which form the subject
of this paper.
Among our native orchids we have many beautiful species,
but for beauty of bloom and duration of flowers in perfect
condition none to surpass these four species, a fact which is proved
by the demand for them from abroad.
There is the beautiful Diaerum bicornutum (known locally
as the “ Virgin” from a fancied resemblance in the shape of the
column to a statue of The Holy Mother) with its almost white
sweetly scented blossoms which in the dry season adorns the
rugged and waterworn rocks of the Bocas and North Coast.
Then again the curious white waxy slipper shaped pair of flowers
of Stanhopea grandiflora relieves the gloom of the dense forest
and attracts the solitary bees in large numbers by its rich
244 JOURNAL OF THE TRINIDAD
aromatic perfume; and besides these two lovely species there
are very many beautiful and fascinating orchids adorning our
forest trees with their spikes and racemes of curious or res-
plendent flowers, but none are so keenly sought for nor more
universally admired than the four Oncidiums I am abuut to
attempt to describe.
Their botanical names are Oncidium ampliatum, Oncidiwm
lanceanum, Oncidium luridum, and Oncidiwm papilio, but to
the unscientific horticulturist they are known as ‘“ The Yellow
Bee”, “The Cedros Bee”, “The common or brown Bee” and
“The Butterfly orchid,” these names being given on account of a
fancied resemblance in the shape of the flowers to the insects
whose name they bear.
I will deal with them in the order in which they stand
above, and will therefore begin with Oncidium ampliatum—The
Yellow Bee.
Of this species there are two representatives, viz. the type
and a larger variety known as O. ampliatum majus. The type is
an epiphytal orchid with roundish pseudo-bulbs somewhat com-
pressed, pale green, striped and spotted with reddish brown, and
bearing on each pseudo-bulb a pair of shiny rich green, oblong
divaricate leaves. From the base of the pseudo-bulb, when it is fully
matured, springs a bright green flower spike which terminates in
an ample raceme of bright yellow flowers, almost white on the
under side, minutely spotted at the base of the broad lip and on
the sepals and petals with reddish brown.
The flowers last a very long time in beauty if protected
from the weather and the garden syringe. It flowers in the
dry season (January to May).
When in full bloom a large mass of this Oncid is a grand
sight, the bright yellow colour predominating in the blossoms
being beautifully relieved by the shiny dark green of the leaves.
I have had two large plants, growing in baskets, in bloom
for seven weeks, and they were admired by all who saw them.
This species grows well either on the bark of living trees
or ina basket with good drainage. For the latter method peat
may be use as compost, but it decomposes so very rapidly ina
warm climate that I have found thoroughly dried coconut husk
with the outer skin peeled off and cut up in pieces of the size
of a hen’s egg a very good substitute if similar sized pieces of
charcoal be intermixed with it. For large masses the basket
treatment is preferable to blocks. In fact Oncidium ampliatum
takes a very long time to develop into a fine plant when grown
on a block or a tree, although it grows and flowers well, but the
growth is slow and the flowers are generally produced from one
pseudo-bulb at a time, while under the basket treatment the
plant sends leads from several sides, and these when
FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB. 945
mature generally produce one, and sometimes two flower spikes
which are often more vigorous than those produced by plants
grown on blocks.
The flowers of O. ampliatum are visited by a number of
yellow bodied wasps (Polistes sp) which with the co-operation of
a small ant seem to affect the fertilisation of the flowers, as this
Oncidium goes to seed very readily, and can be easily propagated
from its seeds. The writer has two nice little plants raised trom
seeds sown naturally from an older plant in his possession. One
of these seedlings will bloom next year for the first time.
To those who have the patience necessary to take an interest
in raising orchids from seed, a method which requires much of
this virtue and of care, the writer recommends the top of an
orchid basket or pot, the top of an old block, preferably of
Calabash wood, or the rough bark of a living tree as a suitable
place for sowing the very fine seeds. Some time, perhaps weeks
and months will elapse before the seedling makes its appearance
but once it has taken a start it will, with ordinary care, soon
grow into a fine little plant and in three or four years will reward
its cultivator with its first bloom.
The next Oncidium with which I propose to deal is the well
known, beautiful, and much desired Oncidiwm lanceanum or
*Cedros Bee.”
This orchid has not yet been recorded from any other part
of the Island but the South western extremity known as the
Cedros Ward, but it is also a native of Venezuela and
British Guiana, which countries can boast of all our native species
and many more besides.
This Oncidium belongs to the section which makes no
pseudo bulbs, the large, thick, somewhat oval acute green leaves
spring from a short knotty rootstock, which throws out a vast
number of cordlike roots greyish white with an orange coloured
growing point ; the leaves when exposed to sunlight are much
spotted with brown and from the base of the new leaf there
springs a raceme spike bearing a number of beautiful and
sweetly scented flowers of which the sepals and petals are pale
olive green thickly blotched or spotted with reddish brown the
broad somewhat spathulate lip being of lovely violet purple at its
extremity (more or less intense according to the variety) and
gradually shading off to a deeper purple at the base. The column
and tubercles are of a purple shade also.
The flowers measure about 2 inches in diameter when fully
espanded, though in some varieties I have found flowers which
measured two and a half inches across.
Although found only in one quarter of the Island, this
orchid flourishes everywhere else under cultivation, but to grow
it to perfection it should be put in a wooden basket, I have
246 JOURNAL OF THE TRINIDAD
ound that light baskets made with rods of cedar, with plenty of
charcoal for drainage and peat or coconut fibre as potting
material answer extremely well, but it will also grow and
flower fairly well on wooden blocks or tree fern root.
Oncidium lanceanum in its native state grows on the upper
branches of very large forest trees, and an equal amount of light
and shade is indispensable for its healthy existence. Too much
of either will certainly do harm in the long run, either by
scorching the leaves or by producing rot and blind buds, which
latter is also caused by over watering.
O. lanceanum being accustomed to stand long periods of
drought in its flowering season should never be watered more
than once a day, or once every other day, when the flower spike
is appearing. When the flowers have opened it will require the
usual supply of water to maintain them in bloom, but by no
means should the water, wherever it may come from, be allowed
to fall on the flowers or they will soon fade and decay,
Of this beautiful orchid there are several varieties, as is
easily seen when a number of them is put together, In some the
flowers are large and are borne singly on the spike ; in others the
flowers are of the typical size but the colour of the lip is nearly
white, while in others again the sepals and petals are blotched
and spotted with reddish brown and these parts of the flower
are somewhat acute, wavy and more incurved than in the type.
I venture to classify them as follows :—
1. O. lanceanum, type.
Leaves broad, compact erect growth, flower spike erect and flowers,
borne in clusters, sepals and petals spotted with brown lip violet purple.
2. O. lanceanum majus (1?) variety.
Leaves longer than type, straggling growth, flower spike long, rather
drooping, flowers very large, borne alternately on the spike, sepals and
petals, much spotted with reddish brown lip &c., deep violet purple, divi-
sions of flower very much separated from each other.
3. O. lanceanum, blotched sepals and petals.
Leaves almost eliptically erect, compact growth, smaller than type,
flower spike erect, flowers borne in cluster on short spike, division of
flower close together, sepals and petals heavily blotched with reddish
brown in confluent patches, lip violet, rather pale.
4. O. lanceanum, almost white lip.
Leaves a little channelled horizontally spread, growth inclined to be
straggling, flower spike erect, bearing asa rule, a few flowers lip pale white
at tip the violet shade being more pronounced towards the base of the
lip, sepals and petals, pale olive green spotted with reddish brown.
There may be other varieties besides these, but I have not
been able to note them as carefully as those given above.
It is much to be regretted that this beautiful Oncidium is
gradually and surely becoming scarce in the locality in this
FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB. 247
Island where it formerly abounded. Many reasons have been given
for its increasing scarcity, but there is good ground to believe
that the alienation of Crown Lands and their cultivation is the
chief, and perhaps the only cause of the rapid disappearance of
O. lanceanum. When the lands are cleared by the small
proprietor or planter the forest growth is cut down and burnt,
and in this way hundreds of orchids of all sizes and of various
species perish with their natural supports.
In this way O. lanceanum is being rapidly exterminated and
with it another and much rarer Oncid with regard to which
latter I shall make some observations later on.
Some persons are of opinion that the great demand from
abroad for this Oncidium and the ruthless manner in which it
is collected is the chief cause of its increasing scarcity but I beg
to differ from this opinion, for from actual experience I know
that unless the forest where an orchid is indigenous is destroyed
it is next to impossible to exterminate it. You must annihilate
its habitat in order to prevent the minute seed from springing
up in a genial climate, and no amount of mere collecting can do
this, as it is illegal to fell trees on Crown Lands, without a
wood-cutter’s license and this the orchid collector if he be only an
orchid collector does not require.
It is to be hoped, however, that such plants as may be
protected from destruction by having established themselves on
trees on Government reserves may in the course of time dissemi-
nate their seeds around so that the larger trees of the cultiva-
tion which replaces the virgin forest, may in a few years be
covered with a new generation of this lovely species and thus
save this orchid from complete extermination.
Oncidium luridum, ‘The common or brown bee”
The next Oncidium of Trinidad with which my paper
proposes to deal, is the well known, and much admired O. luridum
better known to residents as the “‘Common or brown bee.”
This orchid may be said to be almost ubiquitous in this
Island, and is rather common on the Continent of South America
also. But there is no doubt that it is a very beautiful orchid
and were it scarcer would be as eagerly sought for as are many
less beautiful but rarer orchids.
Like O. lanceanum (which I may call its first cousin) it
belongs to the bulbless section of Oncidiums, and the long some-
what channelled acute leathery leaves of green colour sometimes
finely dotted with brown, spring from a knotty rootstock not
unlike that of Oncidiwm lanceanum. The roots are similar in
shape and colour to those of this latter orchid except that the
growing point is more of a yellow colour, and the long flower
spike which springs from the front of the base of the almost
248 JOURNAL OF THE TRINIDAD
matured leaf is of a reddish brown sometimes greenish brown
colour, drooping, much branched and racemose.
The flowers borne in clusters on the various branches are
small, perhaps about an inch in diameter, sepals, petals and lip of
an olive green sometimes of a brownish green colour, mottled
with a darker shade of brown, the column and tubercular process
being of a pink white colour with a slight touch of yellow.
There are very many varieties of this great old orchid and
in the more desirable ones the spikes are about five to six feet in
length, proportionately broad, and bearing hundreds of the small
but curious flowers in clusters on the several branches of thespike.
This orchid grows very well in or on anything: in fact it is
very hardy indeed, but it must be treated like O. lanceanum to
grow it to perfection.
When grown on a living tree in a favourable situation it
often goes to seed and ina few years will cover the adjacent
limbs of its support with its seedlings.
On account of its being found nearly everywhere in this
Island it is undeservedly despised, and it is looked down upon by
many, but to the true lover of flowers it is a very charming
species, and a well grown plant with its flowers and spikes in
full bloom is really an object of admiration.
Small ants are very fond of visiting the flowers which
possess a peculiar aromatic odour.
Before leaving the bulbless Oncids it is necessary to notice
the rare and most beautiful Oncidiwm hematochilum which has
hitherto been considered a distinct species, but which certainly
bears out the idea that it is a natural hybrid or cross between
the two orchids last described. In a letter to the Orchid
Review of No. 30, 1895, I gave my reasons for thinking that
this native was a natural hybrid and the Editor of that Journal
seemed to think that I was right (vide Orchid Review 1895).
This extremely rare orchid is a native of Trinidad, possibly
it may occur in Venezuela and British Guiana also, in fact
wherever O. lanceanum and O. luridwm grow near to one another.
It has, however, not yet been recorded from any part of the
Island but Cedros, where O, lanceanum also only occurs and
where O. duridum is often found growing upon the same bough
and sometimes entangled with the former orchid.
The parent plants flower about the same time of the year.
They are visited by the same insects. There are two distinct
kinds of O hematochilum.
It was these facts which led me to believe that O.
hematochilum, a bulbless Oncid with leathery green and brown
spotted leaves sometimes like those of 0. dwridwm and at other
times resembling those of O. lanceanuwm, with a reddish brown
spike of medium length somewhat drooping, bearing a considerable
FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB 249
number of flowers, in shape like those of O. Zwridum, in size like
those of O. lanceanum, and in colour, olive green or yellowish
green, spotted with chocolate brown, or reddish brown, as regards
the sepals and petals, but blood red and bright yellow as regards the
lip, with purplish violet tubercular processes and column, was the
result of a natural cross between the two species above mentioned.
In one of the two kinds, the lip is blood red with a narrow
border of yellow in which a few dots and dashes of blood
red appear.
In the other, and perhaps the more beautiful kind, the
blood red blotch is very smal], and the yellow border predomi-
nates, the column and operculum with the rather pronounced
tubercular processes being of a violet or purplish violet colour.
This natural hybrid, grows easily and to perfection if
treated similarly to O. lanceanum. It is very free flowering if
exposed to strong diffused daylight, and the flowers last about
three weeks in beauty.
It is, however, extremely rare, and as it closely resembles
both O. luridum and O. lanceanum, it is very difficult, for
an inexperienced person to distinguish it from them when
it is out of bloom, and hence many amateurs have met with
sad disappointments in attempting to obtain a_ specimen.
The advice I would therefore give is: never buy a_ plant
out of bloom, unless guaranteed by a respectable person.
The three Oncidiums just described though very easily
grown in this their native colony with ordinary care are never-
theless subject to the ravages of an insect, a species of Capsus,
one of the plant bugs, which if not speedily exterminated, raises
a large family on the under sides of the leaves and by sucking
the sap from these parts they dessicate the leaves and thus
destroy the healthiest plant.
This Capsus is particularly fond of thick or coriaceous leaved
orchids and affects not only these Oncidiums but Lpidendrums
also including the Cattleya genus and last year it nearly
destroyed a very fine plant of Diacriwm bicornutum in my
collection, just as the plant was sending forth its flower spikes.
Through the kind assistance of Prof. Howard of the United
States’ Department of Agriculture, an honorary member of
our Club, I was able to get the genus of this orchid
pest determined, and he suggests the application of a dilute solu-
tion of kerosine emulsion as an effective remedy. My own
method of getting rid of them was to seek them out and destroy
the whole brood, and this I did with such good results that on
the receipt of Prof. Howard’s remedy I was not able to find a
single plant in my fairly large collection with Capsus on it, and
therefore I am not able to say what effect it has on them, though
I feel certain it is an excellent remedy,
250 JOURNAL OF THE TRINIDAD
Oncidium papilio, “The butterfly.”
This old and exquisite orchid is almost world-renowned. It
occurs in many parts of Trinidad and has been found in great
quantities at the North Western extremity.
It is an Oncidium with pseudo-bulbs. These are almost
circular, rather compressed and somewhat wrinkled, and bearing
a short elliptical tough leaf with a well-defined midrib or nerve
down its centre. In colour, the leaves are sometimes dull
green, but where the plant grows in a good light, they are of a
green colour prettily marked with marbling of reddish brown.
The roots are rather fine, of a brown colour, fleshy, with a green
growing point.
The flower spike springs, as is usual with orchids of this
genus, from the base of the last matured pseudo-bulb, and is
about 30 inches in length, jointed, and bearing small bracts at the
joints. It is somewhat compressed or flattened, as it were, and
from its apex the single flower is produced, to be succeeded by
another as soon as it fades, the plant continuing to flower in this
manner for as many years as it is kept in health.
The flowers are large and spreading, too well known
to need description; the three sepals are narrow, erect, and
reddish brown in colour, the petals are broader, drooping, tapered,
wavy, and barred with yellow and cinnamon brown, the large,
spreading, almost circular lip is yellow with a border of cinnamon
brown, the depth of this border varying with the variety of the
species. In the best variety it is very deep, the yellow centre
being small in comparison. Of the varieties of this orchid there
are many, but the most desirable is O. papilio majus. In this
the flowers are nearly double the size of the type, and the lip is
conspicuous by its brown border and yellow centre.
There is said to be another and exceedingly rare variety of
O. papilio for the possesion of which fortunes have been offered
and vigorous attempts have been made to find it, but in vain.
This variety is described as O. papilio albiflorum, having
pure white flowers, and it is said that a specimen was once found
at Caracas, Venezuela.
There is no doubt but that if such a variety does exist
it would be a most valuable orchid, but I am inclined to
think that O. papilio albiflorum is a myth, as the Venezuelan
peons, or labourers, call such orchids as Epidendrum atropur-
pureum, Brassavola, nodosaor venosaandeven Diacrum bicornutum.
“ Mariposa blanca,” (white butterfly) and it is my idea that this
is how the story of a white butterfly has originated.
Moreover, except O. jonesianum, which posesses a white lip,
there is not a pure white Oncidium known, and as yellow or
some shade of yellow and brown seems to be the predominating
colours of the majority of Oncidiums it is hardly possible that a
FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB. 251
“white butterfly” or pure white variety of a typical yellow-
brown coloured orchid could exist in accordance with nature’s
laws.
The one who discovers this most wonderful curiosity (if it
does exist) would without question be entitled to the fortune
which would certainly be the result of such a discovery, but the
search for it would be more fruitless than that of Raleigh for El
Dorado, or the efforts to reach the poles of the world,
Oncidium papilio grows best in this climate on a block in a
situation, where it gets a fair amount of light and shade and is
screened from the direct rays of the sun during the warmer
hours of the day. The best wood for blocks is calabash
(Crescentia cujete) with the bark on, as it will last a very long
time, and Oncidium papilio takes some time to grow into a fine
plant, as it sends only one flower spike with each pseudo-bulb.
if a large mass or cluster of pseudo-bulbs be obtained,
it is best, when the owner is able to do so, to affix it to a
growing tree, for if the flower spike of the older bulbs be healthy,
he will soon have a plant which will be in Hower all the year
round,
Before taking leave of this old friend, the first species of
orchid I ever owned, it might be well to mention that it was the
sight of this Oncidiwm in bloom, which, it is said, induced the late
Duke of Devonshire to become such an enthusiastic orchid
fancier, thus stimulating the cultivation of orchids in England,
and causing the discovery and introduction of many other
beautiful genera and species from all parts of the tropical world.
T find on looking back that this paper has grown to a size
to which I never intended it should, therefore IT must apolo-
gise for its great length, and crave indulgence on the plea that my
love of these gems of our native forests, has caused me to tres-
pass extraordinarily on your time, and in concluding, I hope
that other members of the Club may be tempted to join the
few who are already interested in the study of these curious
and beautiful plants, and give us the benefit of their experience
also ; for orchid growing in this Island is learnt, not so much
from books, as from observation, actual experience often taught
by sad failure, and a careful study of the native species in
their habitat,
At some other time I may be able to give some further
notes on the subject of our native species,
Dec., 1894,
252 JOURNAL OF THE TRINIDAD
THE MEANS OF FREEING CATTLE OF TICKS,
By C. A. Barserr, M.A., F.L.S.
(Continued from our last.)
As stated in a bulletin of the Lousiana Experimental
Station, 100 cattle can be thoroughly cleansed by a knap-sack
sprayer (i. e. one borne upon the back of the operator) in one
hour. There surely will be no difficulty in arranging matters so
that the animals may be driven one by one through a narrow
enclosure where they can be reached by this powerful machine.
But the method obviously requires that the substance to be
applied, in order to penetrate to the skin, shall be in a liquid form.
Have we washes which will effectually destroy the parasitic
animal life upon our cattle without injuring their delicate skins 4
To this query an unhesitating affirmative can at once be given.
What are the solutions which are thus effective? The
difficulty truly is to select from among them, so many are they,
and so well authenticated are the results of their application. To
the following washes and emulsions it may be at once noted that
many of them are equally applicable to the different animals of
our estates, and also may be successfully used against almost all
the pests attacking them externally. But prominence is through-
out given to suchas are applicable to destroying ticks upon cattle.
Mr. H. Goodwin, M.R.C.V.S., who has had much experi-
experience with Antigua cattle, and has besides carefully studied
and written upon the local ticks, has favoured me with the
following recipes. I quote Mr. Goodwin's letter in full, as it
will be of especial value.
“The following prescriptions have given me every satisfac-
tion : one or two I value more than the others as you will see from
the following :
“Raw tar 10 oz., Linseed oil 20 0z., Kerosine oil 80 oz.,
Sulphur 4 0z. This is good. Jeye’s fluid 5 oz., water 40 oz.
(better). Augean fluid 10 0z., water 100 oz. (best and cheapest).
The Augean fluid is a safe, efficacious and cheap disinfectant
and antiseptic preparation. It emulsifies with water in any
proportion For the common tick (Rhipicephalus concinna)
you will find 10 parts in 100 of water act satisfactorily, but for
the St. Kitts tick (ZZyalomma venustum) it will be necessary to
make it a little stronger. However sensitive the skin may be
there is no danger of its blistering it. Asa healing agent I
find it second to none.”
With the exception of the first, all these could be readily
applied by means of a force pump, similar to those used for
spraying plants. There should of course be sufficient force used
thoroughly to penetrate to the animal’s skin, but this would be
an easy matter,
FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB. 253
London Purple is recommended in the proportions of two
table-spoons to a pail of water. This was applied to a pony in
Texas literally covered with ticks, and a single application was
sufficient to kill every one. But the dangers of using such
violent poisons cannot be too strongly urged.
McDougall’s Cold water Dipis not intrequently recommended,
the strength being 1 in 20. A letter from a farmer in South
Africa gives the following details. “One gallon of dip will wash
45 head of cattle. We did this to a span of oxen which returned
from East London covered with ticks and a fortnight after-
wards not a tick remained on them. The ticks do not appear
to die at once, but all fall off in a few days. Last year we lost
seven calves; on opening them we found that they had
swallowed a quantity of hair by licking themselves. This year
we washed them a few weeks after birth with this dip, and I
am pleased to say we have not lost any. If the farmers would
wash their cattle twice a year to keep off flies, ticks &c., they
would soon find that their cattle would feed better, look better
and pay better. One penny for dip, with a little labour, will
often save a beast’s life which otherwise would have died from
setwie or ticks.”
Tt is doubtful whether applications at such long intervals
would be really effective, especially where there are heavy rains.
Another wash sometimes recommended is a decoction of
Tobacco water mixed with sali. The strength may be about
1 tb of common tobacco with 10 quarts of boiling water. Mr.
Goodwin recommends that the tobacco wash to be of any use
should be saturated with salt, a formula which finds favour with
other writers.
Cooper's Sheep Dip has been recommended for the removal of
ticks. It is primarily made up for animals which do not lick
themselves; but as cattle do this, it becomes necessary to
exercise care because of its poisonous nature. The makers advise
that the sediment should be allowed to settle and the clear liquid
alone be used.
A good deal may be said of a Lime and Sulphur dip made
according to the following prescription. Newly slaked lime, 16 tbs.,
flowers of sulphur, 25 tbs., water 50 gallons. Mix the lime and
sulphur dry and pass them through a sieve. Boil for 20 to 30
minutes and allow the sediment to fall. Use only the clear
liquid. No harm will acerue from the cattle licking themselves,
but this will be of benefit to them.
The objection to poisonous liquids being used on estates in
large quantities is sufficiently obvious; and some of the above
mentioned washes will therefore be useless in these islands. There
is another objection which applies to liquids which are not of an
oily consistence, namely the frequency of application which is
254 JOURNAL OF THE TRINIDAD
necessary. ‘The effects of a thorough cleansing pass off after a
few days in fine weather and more rapidly during the rains. The
animal will then be open to the attack of a new set of ticks.
Liquids of an oily nature are as we havealready seen, of them-
selves objectionable to ticks. They will also remain upon the skin
a much longer time, and thus extend the period of immunity for
the animal.
Several drenchings during the season will probably be
sufficient to keep all vermin at a distance.
There are many forms of emulsions—an intimate mixture
of oil, soap and water, forming a froth—which can be recom-
mended with confidence. ‘Their preparation is a little troublesome
perhaps, but it is well within the reach of any intelligent labourer,
and once mastered becomes merely a matter of routine. Much
of the success of the preparations depends upon whether
there is a proper froth and this is simply dependent on suflicient
churning or “ swizzling,” ;
First and foremost is the Kerosine Hmulsion which has
been found so effective for the destruction of scale insects in
plants, and is every day more and more applied for freeing plants
and animals of other parasites.
The following is a well recognised formula for ticks :—
In 2 quarts of boiling water dissolve } lb of soap: remove from
fire: immediately add 1 pint of kerosine and agitate. In
from three to five minutes the liquid becomes creamy. It
may be stored in this form in bottles or barrels. For use add
three of water to one of the emulsion, mix thoroughly and apply
with a spraying pump.
Another form among many emulsions is made with Fish-oil.
This is recommended after many trials by the Louisiana Experi-
ment Station. Of six liquids, among which was Jeye’s fluid,
kerosine and fish-oil emulsion were found to be the only effective
ones for the season. The trials were for freeing the cattle from
the attack of “horn fly.” Fish-oil emulsion was found to keep
the cattle longer free from annoyance, by the flies, probably
because it evaporated or was washed off less readily. ‘The
mixture may be made in the same proportions as the kerosine
emulsion with the substitution of fish-oil for the kerosine.
These are a few of the many remedies suggested, after
careful study and experiment in countries where stock are a
matter of primary importance.
Before leaving this class of remedies for ticks it may be of
service to refer to the appropriate Z'reatment of Horses. Greater
care will be needed because of the sensitiveness of the animals;
but as the horses are more frequently handled than cattle, this
will not be a matter of much difliculty,
-
FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB. 255
The following is the method suggested by Mr. Hutcheon,
the Cape Colony veterinary surgeon :—‘“ In the case of horses
which are grazed and only partly kept in stable, a good plan is
to wipe the following parts well with a cloth saturated with a
mixture of equal parts of paraflin and oil, viz., from the anus to
the sheath between the thighs and around the hind legs, then
along the belly and chest and around the fore legs before letting
them out to graze. It is difficult to get a cheap preventive which
is both harmless to the animal and cleanly to use. To moisten
the coat with a weak solution of any of the tar or carbolic acid
dips would also answer if frequently applied.”
The editor of the Cape Agricultural Journal writes “I have
tried sulphur with horses, putting a mixed streak of flowers of
sulphur and fat all along the back from mane to tail with most
capital effect. Sulphur has a peculiar power of diffusing itself
all over the animal and the sulphurous acid gas slowly given
out is most obnoxious to all insects.”
Another authority remarks that when the ticks have
effected a lodgement in the horse’s ears, nostrils &e., “a little
train oil, chloroform, carbolic acid, sweet oil, or dusting with
calomel will be effective.”
Thus far it has been assumed that the cattle have already
been attacked by ticks, and various suggestions have been made
to cleanse them from these parasites, and keep others off as long
as possible.
If, by other means, it is possible to make the skin of the
cattle so revolting to these parasites that they will not in the
first instance attach themselves to it, there will then be no need
of these spraying operations, This can be effected, as already
hinted by introduction of substances into the animal’s food.
The addition namely of small quantities of sulphur to the
solid food appears to have the desired result. Externally applied,
sulphur has probably on local action of itself, but part of it is
changed by contact with the acid sweat into sulphuretted
hydrogen.
The following seems to be the physiological changes which
take place during the passage of the sulphur, through the
animal’s body to its skin. Sulphur taken in with the food passes
the stomach unaltered. In the intestines a small portion is
changed into sulphides of hydrogen and the alkalies. Part of
these sulphides pass-into the blood and into the tissues from the
blood, and act chiefly: upon the central nervous system. The
sulphides in the tissues are variously excreted. By the kidneys
they are excreted as sulphates: if in excess, part is also excreted
in the form of sulphides. By the skin they escape as sulphides,
giving the characteristic foul odour to the perspiration and
somewhat increasing its amount,
956 JOURNAL OF THE TRINIDAD
Such is the course of sulphur taken in the food by man, and
there is every reason to believe that a similar course is followed
in the larger animals. The effect of a constant small exhalation
of sulphuretted hydrogen from the animal’s skin seems to be
distasteful to the ticks, for the practice of mixing small
quantities of sulphur with the food, say an ounce or two for
each animal per week, seems to have the much desired effect of
keeping them free from ticks in regions infested by these
parasites.
The addition of the sulphur to the food needs a little
management. It may be done by scattering it in the form of a
powder over the chopped food. Probably, where the cattle
receive only grass, the addition of a small quantity of molasses
will cover it sufficiently for them to be eager to take it.
But the best methods appear to be supplying some kind of
“Jick,” usually with a preponderance of salt. The avidity
with which cattle seek out salt left about is well known, and its
benefical action upon the nutrition of the animals need not be
insisted upon here.
The following lick is quoted from Australia.—214 Ibs. of
salt, 14Ibs. of sulphate of iron, 4 lbs of sulphur and 2 lbs of ginger.
But any form would probably be efficient which contained a fair
quantity of salt and sulphur.
In conclusion, a summary of the relations between cattle
and ticks, and the best means of freeing them from these parasites,
as discussed in these articles, may be of use.
(1.) The ticks in the Leeward Islands are very imper-
fectly studied, only two species having, been
named from Antigua. There are probably other
kinds, and efforts should be made to determine
these.
(2.) The influence of ticks upon cattle is disastrous,
both from the direct abstraction of blood and
the irritation and pain caused to the animal.
There are at any rate some cases where ticks are
connected with the spread of deadly diseases.
This subject is only in its infancy, it is to be
feared that continued study will reveal other
instances.
(3.) It is principally the poor cattle that are attacked,
partly because of their poverty itself, probably
also because a fat or sleek condition of skin is
distasteful to the parasites. All means should
be adopted to get the animals as well nourished
as possible,
FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB. 257
(4.) In carrying this out the greatest attention should
be paid to the condition of the pastures, so that
the animals should be supplied with plenty of
grasses, and the natural cover for the ticks
should be removed.
(5.) The forcible extraction or maiming of ticks is to be
avoided, because this increases the pain of the
animal and does not allow the tick time to
remove its proboscis. The tick appears to be
able to do this voluntarily if so inclined and
allowed time.
(6.) It is important to induce the tick to willingly let
go. Various smears are referred to. The
practice of throwing the animals cannot be too
strongly condemned, and this is necessary with
smears.
(7.) With liquids, thorough cleansing may be effected
by using a good spray-pump such as is employed
for freeing plants from scale-insects. 100 cattle
may thus be treated in an hour by a knapsack
spray-pump.
(8.) A number of types of washes for spraying are
selected for description, All poisonous ones
should be rejected as there are non-poisonous
preparations equally effective.
(9.) Carbolic acid dips and other liquids which
evaporate quickly need frequent applications,
and should be discarded in favour of the oily
liquids or emulsions where the latter are equally
effective.
(10.) The best of all these is the Kerosine emulsion
regularly used for plants. There are many
formule for the preparation of this: a useful
one is given.
(11.) On the principle that prevention is better than
cure, small doses of sulphur with salt are
preferable to spraying, in that the animal’s skin
is thus renderd so offensive to ticks that they
will not attach themselves.
(12.) The sulphur taken into the mouth passes through
the tissues with various changes, emerging from
the skin in the form of Sulphuretted hydrogen,
a gas very objectionable to all vermin. The
best method of giving the sulphur is in the form
of a lick with salt.
(Leeward Islands Agricultural Journal, Jan., 1895.)
258 JOURNAL OF THE TRINIDAD
NOTES ON BIRDS OBSERVED IN TRINIDAD.
By WI LiL1AM BREWSTER AND FRANK M. CHAPMAN,
UR knowledge of tropical birds is so largely derived from the
journals of travellers and naturalists, whose arduous explora-
tions in the less accessible parts of the tropics have been attended
by hardship and exposure, that most of us are discouraged from
even attempting to visit the fascinating regions they describe.
The brilliantly colored Trogons, Toucans, Jacamars and Hum-
mingbirds which figure so conspicuously in cases of tropical
birds, thus seem to us to be more or less unreal inhabitants of
lands forever beyond the bounds of our experience. The truth
is, however, that we may be comfortably and safely established
in a tropical forest in less time than it frequently takes to reach
the nearest European port.
The Island of Trinidad belongs politically to the British
West Indies, but faunally it is a small bit of the South
American continent which has been detached in recent geological
times. Its bird-life therefore is very similar to that of the
Venezuelan mainland and is quite unlike the comparatively
meagre, insular avifauna of the true West Indian islands to the
northward. A visit to Trinidad is thus practically a visit to
South America. But it is not alone the richness of the fauna
which leads us to recommend Trinidad as an_ exceptionally
favorable field for the naturalist with limited time at his
command. Its additional advantages are: accessibility, a
healthy, in fact during the dry season, from December to May,
perfect climate; the safety and material comforts which one is
sure of finding in a British colony; and a Naturalists’ Field
Club whose members, as we know from pleasant experiences, will
cordially receive brother naturalists. It is evident then that a
trip to the tropics, far from being an undertaking involving
much time and risk of life, may be an excursion from which one
may return in two or three months richer both physically
and mentally.
From New York to Port-of-Spain, by the direct line of
steamers, is a voyage of nine days, or occasionally a steamer of
the Windward Island line continues from Barbadoes, the usual
terminus, to Trinidad. The latter is by far the more enjoyable
sail and, taking only six days longer, gives one an opportunity to
land at a dozen or more islands en route.
Port-of-Spain possesses fair hotels and stores which will
compare favourably with those of our larger cities. Black
Vultures swarm in the streets, and many birds, notably the
Qu’-est-ce-qu’il-dit (Pitangus sulphuratus) and Ani (Crotophaga
@ni), are common in the Botanic Gardens and neighboring
FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB. 259
savannas. Indeed the ornithologist will find much to interest
him in the immediate vicinity of the city, but he should lose no
time in hastening to the virgin forests, or ‘high woods,’ as the
are locally known, where birds may be studied under absolutely
natural conditions. The Government rest-house on the Moruga
Road,’ kept by Corporal and Mrs. Stoute, was Mr, Chapman’s
headquarters during March and April, 1893, and from every
point of view leaves nothing to be desired. In fact, we doubt if
there exists a place elsewhere in the tropics where for a small
compensation a naturalist may find so thoroughly comfortable a
home, with the best of food and attention, at the border of a
primeval forest.
We, however, were even more fortunate, for in accepting the
invitation of Mr. Albert B. Carr to visit him at his cacao estate
in the Caparo district we found not only a delightful home in a
region where birds were abundant, but had also the companion-
ship and assistance of Mr. Carr and his brother, both born
naturalists and skilled wocdsmen, with a thorough knowledge of
the country. Every ornithologist knows what this means.
Without the guidance of our hosts we should have seen less in
three months than we did in three weeks. Through their
unceasing efforts every hour of the day, and almost every hour of
the night also, brought some interesting incident. The birds
and mammals of the region were passed in review for our benefit,
and at the conclusion of our stay there were but few species
which had not answered to the roll-call of gun, dog, and trap.
Mr. Carr’s home is near the point of a narrow wedge of cacao
estates which penetrates the forests from Chaguanas on the
western side of the island. The limits of the cacao and shading
immortel trees, among which his picturesque, thatched house is
situated, are sharply defined by the dark walls of the virgin
forest, distant only a few hundred yards. In the morning, from
its apparently fathomless depths, came the deep-voiced roaring of
monkeys (J/ycetes). ‘Toucans, perching on the topmost branches
of the higher trees, croaked defiance at some answering rival half
a mile away. The united voices of cooing Doves (Lngyptila)
formed a soft monotone to which the ear frequently became
insensible. The sweet, weird trilling of Tinamous arose from the
bordering undergrowth. In the trees about our house were
noisy Qu’-est-ce-qu’il-dits ; shrike-like Vireos (Cyclorhis flavipectus)
whistled vigorously ; active bands of Tanagers (Ramphocelus and
Tanagra) flitted restlessly about uttering their weak, squeaky
notes. Five or six species of Hummingbirds were generally
numerous about the blossoming bois immortels, while overhead
were flocks containing four species of Swifts (Chetura) whose
twitterings reminded us of other and very different scenes. In
the cool, darkened forest Jacamars were piping, Trogons cooing,
260 FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB,
Motmots hooted softly, and the mournful whistle of a Pygmy
Owl (Glaucidium) told of his partially diurnal habits. The
species mentioned were all more or less common. Their voices
formed an ever present accompaniment for all other bird-music—
a background to the picture of bird-life which we do not intend
to attempt describing.
Our stay at Caparo was crowded with events, but the time
was too short for us to make many observations sufliciently novel
to warrant publication in the pages of a scientific journal, and in
this connection we propose to speak of but three species, to the
published accounts of whose life-histories, thanks to Mr. Carr’s
assistance, we think we can make some additions. They are the
Bell-bird or Campaiiero (Chasmorhynchus variegatus), a Hum-
mingbird locally called ‘ Brin-blane’ (Phaéthornis guyi), and a
large Goatsucker (Vyctibius jamaicensis).
To what extent the other three species of the genus deserve
the reputation sometimes given them we cannot say, but the
voice of Chasmorhynchus variegatus would undoubtedly prove a
disappointment to those who expect a Bell-bird to be a Bell-bird
in more than name. But while its notes bear no resemblance to
the “deep tolling of a bell” they proved none the less singular,
and we class them among the most remarkable we have
ever heard.—Zhe Auk, Vol. xii, No. 3., July, 1895.
(To be continued. )
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o_oreseesyneeseseees_ ees ee ees eee
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[Piano Warehouse,
is supplied by every London Direct Steamer with —
Pianos, Harmoniums,
—— AND ——
GV Ri Gs ANS
all of which are specially made for this climate, and are
GUARANTFED FoR 20 years, and may be had on the
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—esereas ees Sas ae e5oaeecc5_ eee ee
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Mr. H. S. has a staff of competent men, he is therefore able
to comply with
W1l Orders to Tune and Repair
on the shortest notice possible.
Kar PIANOS REMOVED IN SPRING VAN.
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DECEMBER, 1895. No... il
———
eit engage donc tous & éviter dans leurs écrits toute personnalité,
toute allusion dépassant les limites de la discussion la plus
sincere et la plus courtoise.—LABOULBENE
—agitield Keld Natiray lis.
vA
Publication Coninitice :
His Honour Sir JOHN GOLDNEY, President. 5
P. CARMODY, F.1.C., F.C.S., V.P.: SYL. DEVENISH, M.A., ViP.
HENRY CARACCIOLO, F.E.S., R. R. MOLE,
F. W. URICH, F.E.S., Hon. Secretary.
CONTENTS :—
In Memoriam—Prof. Riley ... i yy ate 261
Report of Club Meetings:
ft October ioe he re oar 262
New Genus and New Species ‘of
Proctotrypid—Description ... Sat baa 264
Notes on Trinidad Birds (concluded) as BS 266
New Species of Synallaxis_... AN af 272
Peculiar Feeding Habits—Trin. Ophidia ba aoe 276
Cattle Fly—Compysomia } Macellaria Dey ie 279
Preparing Mammal Skins—Directions wie ce 281
Sale of British Lepidoptera ... 9 ss eo We 284
+
—
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etna ene ey Bie NS |
PUP NP OS, y
nena UNIONS
Fire Insurance ail
of the Oldest Einelish Companie
ESTA BLISMED 1797. P
FHlead Offices :
DIRECTORS.
President : H. 8. Patterson, Esq.,
Vice-President: Major-General James Cockburn ;
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“William Foster Bart:'1. B. Coaks, Esq; R.A, G
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TOUR WAL
OF THE
Field Naturalists’ Club.
WOES II. DECEMBER, 1895. No. 11.
IN MEMORIAM.
Docc of the Members of the Trinidad Field Naturalists’
Club will be pained to hear of the sudden death of Professor
Charles Valentine Riley, M.A., Ph. D., through a bicycle
accident in Washington on the 14th September last. Mr. Riley
had just started for the city with his son when his machine ran
over a stone and he was thrown, violently striking his head
against the kerb. When picked up he was insensible and died
a few hours later. Mr. Riley was an Englishman born
at Chelsea on September 18th, 1843. He was educated in
England, France and Germany and at the age of 17 went to the
United States. Mr. Riley was a distinguished entomologist and
frequently identified insects for the members of the Trinidad
Field Naturalists’ Club in which he was enrolled as an honorary
member. His advice was sought from all parts of the world on
questions of Economic Entomology and he always promptly
responded to every call made on his valuable time in this way.
Last year he made a tour through the West Indies but did not
come so far south as Trinidad, to the disappointment of many of
our members. He was not known personally to the Club but
several members were in constant correspondence with him. The
Committee feel that they are only doing their duty in placing
on record the Club’s regret at the sad accident and in tendering
to Professor Riley’s family their sincere sympathy,
(5764?
262 JOURNAL OF THE TRINIDAD
REPORT OF CLUB MEETING:
8TH OcToBER, 1895.
RESENT: Professor Carmody, V.P., in the chair; Messrs.
W. 8S. Tucker, Syl. Devenish, M.A., J. R.-Llaiios, T. W.
Carr, Dr. F. A. Rodriguez, J. A. Rousseau, M.A., H.
Caracciolo, F.E.S., Charles Libert, J. B. Inniss, R. R. Mole,
F. W. Urich, Hon. Secretary and Treasurer. After the minutes
had been read and confirmed Mr. R. R. Mole proposed and the
Vice President seconded Mr. John Joseph, a candidate for town
membership. Carried unanimously.—The Secretary read an
excuse from Mr. John Barclay for not being present and not
being able to forward a paper which he had promised for this
meeting. Mr. Mole read some notes ‘‘On some peculiar feeding
habits in the Trinidad Ophidia” which elicited a lengthy
discussion in which Mr. Devenish, Mr. Tucker, Dr. Rodriguez,
Mr. Urich and the Vice President took part. Mr, Mole was
awarded a vote of thanks for his communication.—Mr. Ewen,
having forwarded a spider (found by Miss Mitchell hanging by
a filament of its web) which had been killed by some
fungoid growth, giving it the appearance of being covered
with powdered sugar, Mr. Urich read some passages showing
that the fungus was probably a cordyceps. He described some
experiments made in the United States with the spores of this
fungus which resulted in the death of myriads of a very destruc-
tive caterpillar. A discussion followed in which Mr. Caracciolo,
Dr. Rodriguez and the Vice President took part and Mr. Urich
expressed a belief that sooner or later economic entomology
would receive much more attention from Agriculturists in
Trinidad than it did at present.—Mr. Mole showed 25 young
mapipires (Z7'rigonocephalus atrox) born in his collection, the
brood consisted of 26, but 25 were dead when born. He
thought this was due to the fact that the mother and a com-
panion of the same species had a family quarrel a few days
before the event, during which the snakes furiously bit each
other about the mouth, head and neck. As the members knew, the
species was a very venomous one, and the consequence was the
heads of the combatants swelled to an enormous size—they
looked like a couple of pugilists after a hard prize fight where
each party had got an equally severe punishing. The swelling
went down next day. He thought this was the reason for the
great mortality among the young ones. The one survivor, how-
ever, was doing well and had gorged a lizard anda frog. The
FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB. 263
young ones varied in length from 16} centimetres to 274 centi-
metres. The Vice President said he had recently been making
experiments with chloroform and snakes and was surprised how
easily they succumbed to its influence.—Mr. Caracciolo exhibited
a bat, MNoctilio leporinus, which differed in colour from the
ordinary individuals and he made some interesting remarks upon
albinism and melanism in animals and birds. The bat was
caught by Supt.-Sergeant Healey in the Police Barracks.—Mr.
Caracciolo also drew attention to a Venezuelan jacare (alligator)
presented by the American Consul and some young crocodiles
(Crocodilia intermedia) presented by Mr. Siegert and he pointed
out the main differences between the three great groups of these
gigantic saurians viz: the Gavials, the Crocodiles and the
Alligators. He also described their methods of taking their
prey and the structure of their throats which enabled them to
hold their victims under water without they themselves being
drowned. Mr. Rousseau graphically related how a_ huge
reptile of this class was caught at Cedros by Mr. Kernahan, who
harpooned it. It was supposed to have been washed out of the
Orinoco in a flood. It was spoilt as a specimen, however, for the
sharks had torn away a great portion of its tail. Mr. Caracciolo
exhibited a specimen of the elephant sphinx moth which he had
bred from a larva presented to him by Dr. Lawrence who had
found it in his house in St. Vincent street. The caterpillar was
such a peculiar one and assumed such strange positions, which
together with its markings made it look lke a dangerous
reptile, that he had made a series of drawings of it. Its
scientific name was Philampelus lwnei.—Mr. Mole drew atten-
tion to a so-called “ Two-headed snake” Amphisbena alba which
he had been trying to feed on parasol ants but without success.
He found, however, it readily ate worms and other soft bodied
animals. The ‘ two-headed one” however refused to eat before
the meeting.—Mr. Urich exhibited a long thin black worm,
Gordius species, found by Mr. Ferdinand Maingot. i~> @ *.
y Ema
a ee + + es
BY SPECIAL APPOINTMENT TO
HE, ‘Sir F. Napier Broome, ‘oe
Sir Charles Lobe (Demerara pe
H. STRON G,
[Piano Warehouse,
is supplied by every London Direct Steamer with — uA y; |
Panos, armor
—— AND —
NEVRVNIS
all of which are specially made for this climate, ae are 1 ie
GUARANTRED FoR 20 years, and may be had on the
No Charge will be made | for Hire if Purchased,
PPP ILO
Mr. H. 8. has a staff of competent men, he is therefore Re
to comply with .
N11 Orders to Tune and —
on the shortest notice possible.
Tee
intentaaee
t-0) Spain, Trinidad, B.W.T.
sincere et la plus courtoise -LABOULBENE.
Publication Wowmmittee :
HENRY CARACCIOLO, F.E.S., R.
CONTENTS :—
Report of Club Meeting:
December ... He
Trinidad Scorpions and Pedipalpi—
Description of ... et ess
Two Embide from Trinidad
Some Economic Plants and their
Planting Prospects ; a
Coccidze from the Island of Grenada—
Notes on a small collection of ...
Warning Colours and Mimicry...
The Courting of Animals |e ABERCROMEBY STRET.
Telephone 133. (Opposite Ice House.)
j
|
mn DR OF PK ADA. |
36, Kine Street, Port-of-Spain,
TRINIDAD,
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL.
DRY GOODS MERCHANT.
Shaeah Made Clothing, Boots aud Shoes, Hate: Umbrel is, Guns,
Ammunition, Furniture, &c., &e.,
~ CRONEY & CO,
GENERAL MERCHANTS,
: Port-of-Spain,
Wi HES A WD.
BY SPECIAL APPOINTMENT TO
HE. Sir F, Napier Broome, K, 0M.G, T
AND
Sir Charles Lees (Demerara).
OLIN ON IN ew ne sie IO eee ee eee
H. STRON G
Rian Warehouse,
is supplied by every London Direct Steamer with
{ianos, Aarmoniums,
—— AND ——
Wek” iG AGN MG
all of which are specially made for this climate, and are ;
GUARANTRED FOR 20 YEARS, and may be had on the
Pew ire Purchase System.
ee ere LO NLP LONI LILI IS Ol SL Nl ll,
No Charge will be made for Hire if Purchased.
SPP LOL PII NINN Nd el ed ol Nol a
Mr. H. 8, has a staff of competent men, he is therefore able
to comply with
W11 Order's to Tune and Repair ve
_ on the shortest notice possible.
PPPPPPRPPPRAP LAPD PDPAPOPOOL PEI
te PIANOS REMOVED IN SPRING VAN.
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PIANO WAREHOUSE, :
St. James Street, Port-of-Spain. Be
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