ee — 2 HARVARD UNIVERSITY. Pte RAY OF THE MUSEUM OF COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY 1) 34b Fy BEQUEST OF WILLIAM BREWSTER ooo eees=~ oo SS SEE eee ILLIAM BREWSTER diel eu) + ¢ Poa Anne Ae 7 ben pom Notes on Natural eet is “the title we a teiepace ly ‘devoted to the distribution of useful knowledge concerning the s departments of zodlogy, mineralogy, and botany,” published by 5; wick and Jencks, Providence, R. I. The two numbers that have us are carefully edited and neatly printed, and contain, besides the ee. of the publishers, many short articles relating to ar eee Cie: ee interesting bird notes. FEB re) 192 : as! 7 y ‘ : vs ‘ va aa t . ‘ . é , ‘ ; e . ‘ is . : ri ’ ‘ cer 5 4 Z ‘ . E { t « . . ‘ ‘ 2 t = G . PUBLISHED BY DOU THWIiCK & JENCKS, PROVIDENCE, Ref. ENTERED AT THE PROVIDENCE POST-OFFICE AS SECOND-CLASS MATTER, 2 RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. | RARE AND DESIRABLE GOODS Lately Herey ba at the Matural History Store SOUTHWICK & JENCKS, PROVIDENCE, R. I. MINERALS. | Moonstone, Pa........---++eeee55° $0.50 to $3.00 | Apatite Crystals, Canada.......--: 10 to 2.00 Edenite, N. Y...-..+s--esesceeseees .25 to — .50 | Barite, Eng......---+--seeeseeeees .50 to 3.00 | Fluor Spars, Eng., purple, yellow aNd QreeN...-.--eeeeeeeee reese .50 to 8.00 Ascicular, crystals of Hornblende penetrating quartz.......+-+++++ 10 to 2.00 | BIRD SKINS. 16a Lecontes Thrasher..........+- 6.00 99 Black-tailed Gnatcatcher......2.00 to 2.50 | 55c California Creeper.......---+-- 1.00 60b Florida Wren........---+-:-:: 1.20 220 Gray-headed Snowbird........ 1.25 to, 1.50 237a Florida Tohee.........--+-+++- 1.00 to 1.50 | 278a Florida Grackle..2......-.+++> 1.00 to 1.25 | 297a White-headed Jay.......--+++- 1.25 to 1.50 | 303 Gray King Bird........-..---+: 2.00: to 2.50) | 307 Cassin’s King Bird..........+- 1.50 to 2.00 | 336 Black-chinned Hummingbird. . 3.50 | 337 Costa’s Hummingbird..... .... 4.00 | 239 Broad-tailed Hummingbird....1.00 to 1.50 350 Black Swift..........-es-seee 6.00 | 352 Vaux’s Swift..... ...--++2-++- 2.50 to 3.50 | 368a Striped-backed Woodpecker. . .2.50 to 3.00 | 458 White Crowned Pigeon..... ..3.00 to 4.00 | ECCS. | Sets per Egg. Single. | 26 Black Crested Flycatcher. . BO) 4.504 | 37 Black Crested Titmouse.. 1.25 1.10 423 Caracara Hagle........ +--+: aa) 00 2.75 | 488 European Heron...........++. .50 40 EO) Walletcs ce set «les coletomedetetetelel= .50 40 565 Wilson’s Phalarope........... 1.25 1.00 581 Limpkin..........-000 000mm . 1.50 1.25 "45 Tufted Puffin.... ....--++eses 3.00 2.50 Cassowary. 3.50 MARINE SPECIMENS. Scalaria Grenlandica, Gould...... $0.15 to $0.20 Neptunea Decemcostata, Say.....- 15 to .25 Terebrabulina Septemtrionalis, (Ofainieeaqanooe abo opODo UGC 000 .20 to .30 Terebratula Rubicunda, New VASENG UG ORO RAD BAGe oOo UbUC0ls¢ .80 to .50 Strombus Lineatus, Lam........- -15:to: 20 Pomaulax Undosus, Wood.......- .50 to 1.00 Cerithium Nodulosum..........-- .25 to .40 Voluta Des Hagii,.....-------++++- 2.50 STAR-FISH. Asterias forbesii----+-+-+++++++++**" 10 to .25 Perfect dry specimens, for collectors or teach- ers. Postage 5 cents each. SEA-URCHINS. Strongylocentrotus Drobachiensis. 10to 25 Fine dry specimens, with the spines, care- fully prepared for the use of teachers. Post- age 5 cents each. We desire to obtain WHITE OWLS in the Fiesu, and fine skins of Passenger Pigeon, Purple Grackle, Yellow Shafted Flicker, Blue Jay, Philadelphia Vireo, Cardinal Grosbeak, Nonpareil, Blue Grosbeak. Also the following Eggs: Redstart, Arctic Tern, Roseate Tern. We will purchase or give exchange of RARE Sprctizs for any of the above. Persons having | such to dispose of will kindly write us giving quantities and valuation. ina any Guan or any style GLASS EYES, Sent Postage Pa Discount on ALL orders; WRITE TO US FOR IT. Handow Notes on Matural History. Wool: "1. PROVIDENCE, JANUARY 1, 1884. No. L Random Hotes on Haturat History. A PAMPHLET DEVOTED TO THE DISTRIBUTION OF USE- FUL KNOWLEDGE CONCERNING THE VARIOUS DE- PARTMENTS OF ZOOLOGY, MINERALOGY, AND Borany. 50 CENTS A YEAR. Address all communications to SOUTHWICK & JENCKS, 258 Westminster St., Providence, R.I., U.S.A. Ir is proposed in these pages to note the occurrence in Rhode Island of unusual spe- | | | | We have already made numerous notes upon the color of the iris, and have received many more from correspondents. We shall, however, be grateful for further assistance, which, if not new, will serve to confirm ob- | servations already in hand, and which may _ be looked for in succeeding numbers. How to SorrEN An Owv’s FEEr.— First _ with a sponge sop the feathers on the feet cies, or those otherwise of interest, beside | such general news as shall be profitable to | the student and collector, to report the pro- | gress of various scientific societies in this state, and at each issue to devote a portion to publishing a checking-list of shells. TAXIDERMY. Cotor or Brirps’ Eyes. Books on ornithology are not explicit enough in this particular. While in a few cases errors are quoted from one book to another without any one taking the pains to correct thei. of this sort, is that of the Long-tailed Duck, harelda glacialis, generally given as white, though it is light brown, as we have proved by many specimens. An exceptional case may be white, for many species show dif- ferent colors in different individuals. The adult and young birds are also frequently different. A very prominent case | Bald Eagle, adult; usually nearly white | or cream, Bald Eagle, young, dark brown, called “hazel.” Bald Eagle, adult (one specimen), clear vermillion. Osprey, adult, straw. Osprey, young, reddish brown, hazel. Golden-winged Woodpecker, dark red, hazel. Downy Woodpecker, dark red, hazel. American Sheldrake, usually red. Two fresh ones recently received, had hazel. American Swan, hazel. Mallard, hazel. Gannet, adult, cream. and legs until soaked through, and then put to soak in a dish of scalding water for 4 few moments. HORNBLENDE. PARTICULARLY beautiful specimens of this species, are found at Calumet Hill, Cum- berland, R. I., penetrating sometimes the opaque, but oftener limpid quartz, in long black crystals from the size of hair to those measuring a sixteenth of an inch in diam- eter, interlacing and crossing the matrix in all directions. The accompanying rock is a syenyte, which has been wrought for mon- umental purposes. ‘The veins of this desir- able material are exposed occasionally, as the work of quarrying proceeds. The work- men soon learn its value and monopolize the best at once. Work in the quarry is for the present abandoned, and this, almost the only avenue for obtaining specimens, is closed, while such material as was on hand has been absorbed by a few persons; one large lot has been sent to Europe and cut for jewelry. Clear and well-formed crystals of quartz, from three-quarters to two inches long, are occasionally found, and they also are penetrated by the hornblende. The occurrence of ascicular crystals of hornblende penetrating quartz is very un- common, this being the only reported lo- cality in America. We have never seen finer specimens from any other place, and correspondence with several gentlemen well posted on minerals establishes their occurrence at Minas Ge- raes, Brazil, possibly at St. Gothard, and in China, from whence they come cut usually into curious bottles and ornaments. 4 RANDOM NOTES ON THE PROVIDENCE FRANKLIN SOCIETY is the oldest society in the state devoted to general scientific research, holding its meet- ings every alternate Tuesday. President —- Levi W. RUSSELL. Vice-President — Dayip Hoyt. Secretary — CHARLES M. SALISBURY, Esq. Treasurer — A. L. CALDER. A course of lectures in botany, by Prof. W. W. Bailey, is now in progress, and others upon kindred topics are proposed. The committee of the Geological depart- ment is trying to bring together all pub- lished facts regarding the geology of the state, and so far as their limited opportu- nities permit, to accumulate new material and make a more extended survey. THE NEWPORT NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY was incorporated June Ist, 1883, number- ing among its members many of Newport’s most distinguished citizens, as well as sey- eral of the prominent summer residents. President — Pror. RAPHAEL PUMPELLY. Corresponding Secretary — GEORGE C. MASON. Treasurer — Dr. WILLIAM C. RIVERS, JR. Curator — J.J. MASON. During the past two months there have been three very interesting lectures: Prof. Dale, on the ‘‘Paradise Rocks”; Prof. Pumpelly, on “A Journey through the Rocky Mountains,” and Mr. Richard Bliss, on ‘*Some Curious Forms of Fishes.” The society proposes to do active work. A good general collection and an aquarium are looked forward to with confidence. THE RHODE ISLAND ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. Tus society was organized June 6th, 1883. President — EpWIn EK. CALDER. Vice-President —H. Terry, M. D. Secretary and Treasurer — F. E. GRAY. Meetingsare held fortnightly; thirty-three active members are now enrolled. At the meeting Dec. 12th, Mr. G. M. Gray read a paper upon the wings of insects, and specimens of the moth, Ecpanthia Scribo- nia, beetles, Dynastes tityus, and a larva of Dynastes Hercules were exhibited and dis- cussed. Dec. 26th, Edwin E. Calder read a paper upon the mouth parts of some cole- opterous insects. NATURAL HISTORY. SEA-URCHINS. Frew marine animals are more readily re- cognized than the sea-urchin. There is scarcely a rocky point along our entire coast where colonies of them cannot be found. Slowly crawling over the surface of rocks just below low-water mark, or in pools left by the receding tide, to the casual observer they appear like so many chestnut burs, but on endeavoring to take them up one soon sees his mistake. Even ona smooth rock the sea-urchin, by means of its ambulacral suckers, has a most tenacious hold, and even when placed on its back, it will, by drawing with these suckers and skillfully propping with its spines, soon right itself. Not satisfied with the protection neces- sarily rendered by its dull green or purple color, it collects bits of sea-weed and shells, with which it often so skillfully covers itself as to be indistinguishable from the groups of algz always found in its imme- diate neighborhood. Physiologically it is a most interesting an- imal. The simple alimentary canal; highly differentiated mouth parts, of which the den- tary apparatus forms the so-called Aris- totle’s lantern; the water vascular system, and a most generalized nervous system, con- sisting of little more than a ring of nerve fibre surrounding the mouth and sending ra- diating nerves to the several divisions of the body, render the sea-urchin a most ex- cellent subject for dissection, and as such it holds an important position in the major- ity of elementary text-books on general an- atomy. The dried specimens, as objects for com- parison with allied forms, such as the stars, crinoids, ophiurans and holothuriaus, are extremely interesting and useful, both when entire or when denuded of the spines. Naturally-prepared specimens of the latter kind are often found along sandy beaches where they have been rolled, from their original positions among the rocks, by the waves. In this state they are clean and white, and are at once recognized as the fisherman’s sea-eggs. * * { ' Curious DreatH oF A SAW WHET OwL.— \A boy in Kingston, R. I., found one in a partridge snare. i ae RANDOM NOTES ON An Introduction to a Series of Papers on the Shell-Bearing Mollusca of Rhode Island. [BY HORACE F. CARPENTER. | Tue study of shells, aside from the tech- nicalities of scientific description, is beauti- ful and interesting. The gaily colored and fantastic marked shells of the tropics, had been gathered and preserved by sailors and travelers, for their beauty or their rarity, long before the anatomist had observed and described the animals contained in them, or before conchology had taken its place among the natural sciences. There are many people who say, What is the use of these things? they are of no ben- efit to man unless they have a commercial value. For the benefit of such persons who can see no beauty or pleasure in anything which does not represent money, I would say, that every shell, however humble in ap- pearance, or however common in certain localities, has its market value, established by dealers in such things in all the large cities of the world, whose business consists in buying and selling objects like those I am about to describe. Rare species have great value in the eyes of such dealers. Two hundred and fifty dollars have been paid for a single specimen of Conus gloria- maris, and one hundred and fifty for a spe- cimen of Cyprzea umbilicata ; while in West- ern Africa, the Cyprzea moneta is used for money itself, many tons of this shell being annually collected in the Pacific, and carried to Liverpool to be again exported for barter with the native tribes of Africa. That trading in these insignicfiant objects is remunerative, may be shown from the fact, that one of the largest dealers in Lon- don told me that his annual net profit from the sale of shells, fossils, etc., amounted to £1500 to £2000 sterling. A detailed ac- count of the uses to which shells are put would fill a volume ; suflice it to say, that in the preparation of hundreds of articles of necessity and of luxury, and in the mechan- ical arts, shells play a prominent part. The animals which inhabit the shells of the various classes of the type Mollusca, differ from each other in their appearance and in their habits, as much perhaps, as do the higher animals. A large proportion of NATURAL HISTORY. 5 the marine Mollusca are carnivorous, feeding upon each other, as well as upon other spe- cies, which are vegetable eaters, and in their turn furnish food for millions of other crea- tures. Animals of every rank in the scale of being, and of every type, class and order, feed more or less upon the Mollusca. Man also, in common with the higher animals, subsists to a great extent upon them. Snails are considered a great delicacy in France, Spain, and Switzerland, and in Italy, where they are fattened for the market in pens orsties. In Paris they are to be found in the restaurants, cooked and stuffed with some green herb, and are also sold in the streets, alive. In England, a small marine snail, Littor- ina littorea, is sold by old women at the street corners, to people, who after picking out tne boiled animal with a pin, throw the shell in the gutters. Buccinum undatum, Cardium edule, and Mytillus edulis form a large part of the food of the poorer classes in Great Britain. Pholus costata may be seen daily in the markets of Havana, and the Haliotis, or pearly ear shell, is collected by thousands on the coasts of California by the Chinese, who eat the animal and send the shells to China, there to be manufac- tured into various articles of virtu. In our own state, who can say how many oysters, clams, quahaugs, scallops and mus- sels are annually devoured by our citizens. Those who advocate a fish diet on account of the phosphorous, or brain food contained in it, might with equal propriety include the Mollusca, as they also contain a large pro- portion of phosphorus. The science of Conchology is one in which ladies may engage, with much profit and pleasure to themselvesand to others. There are many ladies in different parts of Europe who have accumulated quite extensive col- lections of shells, and who have added largely to our stock of knowledge by their personal researches. In America, among many who have studied and collected our shells, may be mentioned Miss Annie E. Law, of Con- cord, East Tennessee, who has personally explored the Holston River for a distance of twenty miles, and has published in the American Journal of Conchology for 1870, a list of the fluviatile shells found by her in that river, numbering ninety-five species ; also a synopsis of the land shells of East Tennessee, collected by her and numbering Vv 6 RANDOM NOTES ON thirty-three species. In Bermuda, Miss An- nie M. Peniston is collecting in quantities, the shells of those islands, of which there are many varieties, with a view to exchang- ing Bermuda shells for those of other parts of the world. The largest collection of shells in the | world is in the British Museum in London; | its immense collection, which has been accu- | /, A Very Rare Bird in Rhode Island. mulating for years, having recently received the addition of the cabinet of the late Hugh Cumming, a gentleman who spent thirty years of his life traveling in all parts of the world, constantly collecting, buying, and ex- changing duplicates with others, until he had accumulated nearly thirty thousand spe- cies. The largest collection in this country is in the Academy of Natural Sciences, at | Philadelphia. Besides the public collections contained in the various musenms through- out the country, such as the museum at } Central Park, N. Y., the Boston Society of Natural History, the Essex Institute at Salem, Brown University in Providence, and many others, there are a great many pri- vate cabinets, one of which, belonging to a gentleman in New York City, contains twelve thousand species; another in Oakland, Cal- ifornia, contains ten thousand species. A great deal of interest is taken in Conchology in New Bedford, Mass., there being nearly fifty private cabinets in that city containing one thousand species and upwards in each. The Mollusca are distributed ' over the - surface of the earth, in geographical and in zoological provinces, or centres of distribu- tion. No one section of country or conti- nent, even, can furnish species of all the gen- era, families, orders or classes, of any branch of natural history. The world is the field ; and only by comparison and research in all parts of our globe, can we obtain the mate- rial for a monograph of any group. The fauna of Rhode Island is of course very limited, and there are many families, orders, and even whole classes, not repre- sented at all. Outof more than thirty thou- sand species of shells, known and described by naturalists, there are but a little over two hundred existing in our state. The marine species may be represented as largely in numbers perhaps, as in any other portion of our cold northern shores, but the land and fresh water species are not only numerically small, but are also stunted in size; speci- /rormer’ GUILLEMOT IN RHODE IsLAND. NATURAL HISTORY. Island being much smaller than those found farther west. The reason for this is, that our soil is destitute of lime, while the west- ern states are rich in it; and as the animal secretes its shell (which is composed of e¢ar- _ bonate of lime) from the food it lives upoa, the reason is obvious, [To be continued.]} A youne Gyrfalcon, Hierofalco gyrfalco. var. sacer, was killed by E. S. Hopkins, Esq., at Point Judith, Oct. 11, 1883, and. brought to us. For the benefit of those. who may be unacquainted with this bird in - the young phase of plumage, we would state : It most nearly resembles the adult Goshawk /in general coloration, but the breast. is_ streaked up and down as in the young Gos- hawk, and not crosswise as in the adult bird. This is the second record for Rhode Island, the first being by Mr. Dexter, winter of 1864-65. © The specimen in the collection of Brown University has quite a story connected with it. It was sent alive from Maine to a gen- tleman here, and he, not knowing what to do with it, came tous, representing it to be, as he supposed, a Goshawk. As we could not use it at the price it had cost him, he signified his intention of giving it to Roger Williams Park, where we assured him it would be acceptable. We visited the park shortly afterward, and saw the bird for the first time, which was not a Goshawk, but a Jerfalcon. We told Mr. Adcock about it, and upon visiting the park he learned of its death, and the wings were pointed out to him tacked up in-the barn. These he ob- tained, as also the body, which had been buried about a week, and with careful work succeeded in making a good specimen of it. / — Mr. H. A. Talbot shot one between War- wick Neck Light and Patience Island, Dee. 26, 1883. The first specimen we have ever known taken in Narragansett Bay. Since the above article was set up, an- other specimen has been received from Bris-. tol. Booxs on Natural History for sale by mens of the same species found in Rhode | Southwick & Jencks, Providence, R. I. RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. i FROM THE EGG TO THE TOAD. THERE are some facts connected with the natural history of the toad which may not be familiar to some of our younger read-_ ers. ‘Lhe female toad, when the period of incubation approaches completion, seeks water, where she deposits her spawn in shal- low places, winding the spiral beads of eggs around the grass, where it is left to hatch. | In a few days — the time depending on the bees still hold the fort. temperature of the water — the eggs hatch, | not a toad, but a tadpole, breathing like a fish through gills, and living entirely in water as fish do. This tadpole grows very rapidly, and in ten or twelve days the transformation to the toad commences by the appearance of the two hind-legs; next come the fore-legs, and the little fellow presents the curious ap- pearance of a.toad with a tail. The horny beak with which the tadpole’s mouth is armed now drops off and the toad’s mouth takes its place. Gradually the tail is ab- sorbed and a diminutive toad leaves the water, breathes like an animal through nos- trils instead of gills,and now may be drowned in water while the tadpole would have been drowned in air. The little toad now starts out to make his living by catching the in- sects.— J. S. N., in Southern World. QUERCUS MAGNIFICA. ‘luis surviving monarch of the “ forest pri- meval, ” found at Munroe’s Four Corners, in South Seekonk, about five miles from Mar- ket Square, on the Providence and Fall River road, measures ten feet in diameter at the ground, and for thirty feet in height the diameter of the trunk is about five feet. Its arms, too, are giants and spread to a prodi- gious length. On roots, trunk and limbs, the knots and gnarls are many and massive. The age of this kingly white oak, probably the largest now to be found on the Atlantic coast, has been a deep question. Its best traditions may be found in the Munroe fam- ily and with Mr. Matthew W. Armington, the oracle of East Providence history. With reason it is thought that it can count from six to eight hundred years, the probabilities being with the larger number. It is known that about two hundred years ago it was as large as it is at present, for during that time the gales have robbed it of some Herculean limbs. It is told that Revolutionary sol- diers, marching through the country, here halted and boiled their beef and pork under its branches. On one of its large arms for a time swung the sign of the old and famed Munroe Tavern. For several generations, as men count them, the huge trunk has been _ somewhat hollow, and has been inhabited by squirrels and swarms of honey-bees. Boys have exterminated the squirrels, but the Multitudes of trav- elers and festive parties have stopped to rest _and share their lunches beneath the royal branches. This is the historic tree men- tioned in Bliss’ History of Rehoboth. It is commended to photographers. It ought to be protected by an iron fence. To stand under this tree, with Mr. Arm- ington as its interpreter, is to be filled with a sentiment of veneration and be carried back through all the history of New England and into the dim centuries of Indian life. It is easy to imagine that here paused Massa- soit, Roger Williams, and King Philip. It is not hard to believe that the ancestors of Massasoit might have held war councils in its shade, for its grandeur naturally invited grave assemblies. Now if the famed mer- chants, Brown & Ives, deemed it suitable and wise to protect the life of the grand old oak at Lonsdale, how strong is the claim for this nobler patriarch of the forest to be sa- credly preserved. Woe to the hand that shall rudely strike it. Even the birds of cen- turies have sanctified it with their songs. F. D. Mr. J. B. Smith prepares his duplicate Coleoptera in the following manner: They are soaked for a week or more in a fluid composed of 100 grammes of alum, 25 of salt, 12 of saltpetre, 60 of potash, and 10 of white arsenic dissolved in 3000 grammes of boiling water. The solution is filtered, and when cold add to every ten parts four of glycerine and one of methyl alcohol. Insects prepared in this manner remain soft and flexible, and can be sent in boxes with- out being pinned and without danger of breaking.— Science Record. Rip@way’s NOMENCLATURE OF NorTH AMERICAN Birps. Government edition. Price 35 cents, post-paid. Southwick & Jencks’ Brrp CaTaLogusr, for 20c., contains the above. 8 RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. We think no periodical devotes any reg- ular space to taxidermy, and in many par- ticulars no work on the subject is explicit enough. For the benefit of our readers and the furtherance of the art,we shall be pleased to use our columns in answering queries on this subject. Our correspondence is large, and hardly a day passes, without queries of ‘* what will you give for this or that?” ; Parties writing us to sell goods, are re- spectfully requested to send a list of them with prices, and to enclosea stamp, which will insure the more prompt attention. It will also be a great assistance if those desiring to collect for us would carefully state what articles in particular they expect to obtain. We often receive propositions, of which the following is a fair example, and to which a definite reply is quite im- possible : ‘¢T am going to Florida for some months. Please write me a full list of what you want from there and what you will pay, and if it is any object to me I would like to collect for you.” Catalogues Issued by Southwick & Jencks’ Natural History Store. Our Catalogue of March, 1883, is as ap- plicable to our general stock now as when issued. We shal! use space in RANDOM NOTES to advertise additions, and also offer special inducements on stock of which we may have an excessive quantity, or on which we get bargains ourselves. But such special prices will be only for limited time, at the expiration of which the regular cat- alogue rates will be asked. Send for Catalogues as follows: Birps. —Contains Ridgway’s Check-list, entitled Nomenclature of North American Birds. Itis printed entire, with both sci- entific and common names, and old and new numbers. It gives instructions for skin- ning birds and blowing eggs; also, price- lists of foreign bird-skins, insects, and all naturalists’ supplies. Price, 20 cents. With the Nomenclature printed only on one side, for labeling, 25 cents. Minerarts.— Gives Dana’s species num- ber, localities, and valuations —6 cents. SHELLS. — Contains a very full list of ~~ prominent species and gives authorities and many synonyms; also, habitat and valua- tions — 10 cents. The three catalogues for 25 cents. Every person buying to the amount of $1.00 or more is entitled to one copy free, and may deduct the amount paid for same from the first order amounting to $1.00. Short-Eared Owl’s Nest. . Wnate hunting for ducks’ nests in a patch of old prairie grass, I chanced to look around, and espied a Short-eared Owl fly- ing in the opposite direction from that we chanced to be moving, and which my com- panion had evidently started. When at a safe distance it turned face toward us, and began ascending, until it looked no larger than a sparrow. Feeling sure it must have a nest we searched diligently, but without success, and when we left the owl was still watching us from its secure height. About three hours later I returned to make one more effort, and flush the bird if possible. On nearing the spot a flock of Black Terns came within range, and thinking the report of my gun might benefit my cause, I killed one, and the owl arose from close by where the tern fell. The nest was in the hollow left by treading down the grass in every direction, radiating from the centre, and was over two feet across. It was, moreover, on one of the most prominent hillocks. The incubation was too far advanced to please an oologist, as the seven eggs were just hatching, with the exception of two that were rotten. In the proceedings of the Zoological-Bo- tanical Union of Vienna, for 1882, Mr. A. F. Rogenhofer figures a specimen of moth (Zygena minos) with five wings. The ad- ditional wing is between the two normal wings of the left side. It resembles the hind wing in shape, but the distribution of the nerves is peculiar. Such deformities are very rare.— Science Record. CeMENT FOR STONE orn Marsie.— The best cement for mending marble or any kind of stone, is made by mixing 20 parts of litharge and 1 part of freshly burned lime in fine dry powder. This is made into a putty by linseed oil. It sets in a few hours, having the appearance of light stone. RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. 9 Taming Wild Humming-Birds. f / A wavy residing at San Rafael, one of the many pleasant health resorts of California, has sent to friends in London an account of the taming of two free wild humming-birds by her daughter, who, under medical direc- tion, has for some months passed several hours daily reclining on rugs spread on the garden lawn. ‘ E. has anew source of in- terest,” her mother writes. ‘‘The hum- ming-birds have claimed her companionship and manifested their curiosity by inspecting her, with their little wise heads turned to one side, at a safe distance, watching her move- ments, evidently wishing to become ac- quainted. To entice them to a nearer ap- proach, E. plucked a fuchsia, attached it to a branch of a tree over her head, and filled it with sweetened water. The intelligent lit- tle creatures soon had their slender bills thrust into the flower, from which they took long draughts. Then E. took honey, think- ing they might prefer it, and filled a fresh flower each day. They would sometimes become so impatient as scarcely to wait for her to leave before they were into the sweets, and, finally, while she held a flower in one hand and filled it with drops from a spoon, the now little tame pets would catch the drops as they fell, and dart into the honey cup their silvery, threadlike tongues. E. is delighted, and so fascinated with them that she passes hours each day of her resting time talking to them and watching their quick, lively movements. Although these tiny birds are humming all day among the flowers, two only have monopolized the honey-filled flower, and these are both males, consequently there are constant squabbles as to which shall take possession. They will not permit a wasp or a bee to come near their honey flower, and not only drive them away, but chase them some distance, uttering a shrill note of protest against all intruders.” Referring to them again, at the close of the rainless Californian summer, in a letter dated October 26, this lady writes : ‘‘ We have had threatening clouds for two days and a heavy rainfall today. E. has continued her devotion to her little humming- birds. Since the change of weather she has tried to coax them to the parlor windows. They appeared to think there must be some mistake, and would hum about the window where she stood with the honey flower and spoonful of honey, or they would sit ona branch and watch every movement, yet not daring to take a sip until to-day, when at her peculiar call, which they always recog- nize, one ventured repeatedly to take the honey from her hand.— Scientific American. A CLEVER process has been discovered by which snails, frogs and other reptiles can be preserved and retain the color of the flesh. ‘The animal being cleansed, is soaked in chromic acid until hardened ; then being thoroughly washed in water, it is subjected to a bath of absolute alcohol, until the water which has more or less saturated the skin leaves no trace of its presence. The third operation consists in putting the speci- men in turpentine three or four days, when it will be found ready for the fourth and last process, which is to paint the entire body with a solution of sugar and glycerine. We have kept small.insects in glycerine, and it is wonderful how they will remain unchanged if a rubber cloth be placed alone over the mouth of the bottle.— American Angler. ‘* Papa,” said Rollo, looking up from Roughing It, ‘* what is gold-bearing quartz ?” ‘* Well, my son,” replied Rollo’s father, who was glancing in a troubled manner at the milkman’s bil] for October, “when a man sells diluted water for nine cents a quart, I think he has struck better gold-bearing quarts than ever Mr. Mark Twain dreamed of.”— Burlington Hawkeye. Aw ornithologist has discovered that to have an appetite proportional to that of a robin, a man would have to devour daily a string of sausages sixty-seven feet long and nine inches in diameter. Make a ‘‘ bob ’o link” of himself, in fact.— Boston Courier. / Nigut Heron 1n Winter. — A young Night Heron was killed in Bristol, R. I., Jan. 5th. For several days previous tothis _ date the weather had been below the freez- y, ing point. How did he get a living? A Owts last winter were abundant, but the change of a year is a radical one, for while several kinds were unusually plenty then, all kinds are now scarce. 10 RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. CONCHOLOGICAL CHECK-LIST. I. J. RITCHIE, JR. Having prepared for my own use some lists of the families cyclostomacea and helicinacea, it has occurred to me that these lists might be of service to other collectors. I have therefore extended the original scheme some- what, and have included all the genera in the sub-order pneumonopoma Pfr. The system followed is that which is used in Paetel’s excellent catalogue, and the species not listed by him have been supplied from such other lists, printed and manuscript, as have been found in our libraries in Boston. These lists cannot claim to be either complete or faultless, but they do include many species which probably have not before been brought together. Class. Gasteropoda Cuv. Sub-class. Pulmonata Cuv. Order. Pneumonopoma Pfr. Sub-order. Opisophthalma Pfr. Family. Aciculacea Pfr. Acicula fusca Walk. lineata Drap. polita Pfr. producta Lowe. simonaria Charp. spectabilis Rouss. striata Q. and G. Acmella hyalina Theob. & Stol. moreletiana Stol ? roepstorftiana Stol? tersa Bens. Paladitha macleyana Bourg. Moetessieria rollandi Bourg. Geomelania affinis C. B. Adams. angustata Gund. beardsleana C. B. Adams. conica C, B. Adams. costulata C. B. Adams. elegans C. B. Adams. exilis C. B. Adams. expansa C. B. Adams. fortis C. B. Adams. gracilis C. B. Adams. greyana C, B. Adams. hilliana C. B. Adams. jamaicensis Pfr. magna C. B. Adams. media C. B. Adams. minor C. B. Adams. pauperata C. B. Adams. procera C. B. Adams. pygmeea C. B. Adams. pyramidata C. B. Adams. striosa C. B. Adams. typica C. B. Adams. vicina C. B. Adams. Chittia sinuosa Chitty. Truncatella adamsi Pfr. aurantia Gld. arctecostata Mouss. bairdiana C. B. Adams. bilabiata Pfr. californica Pfr. Truncatella capillacea Gund. caribzensis Sow. ceylanica Pfr. clathrus Lowe. concinna Pease. conspicua Bronn. crassicostata Sow. cylindracea Pease. filicosta Gund. funicula Mouss. futunaensis Mouss. gouldi C. B. Adams. granum Garrett. guerini Villa. laminata Cpr. littorina Phil. marginata Kiister. montagui Lowe. pacifica Pease. pallida Pfr. pellucida Dohrn. porrecta Gld. princeps Dohrn. pulchella Pfr. quoyi Pfr. rostrata Gld. rustica Mouss. semicostulata Jick. scalariformis Reeve. scalarina Krefft. sealaris Mich. semicostata Montrz. stimpsoni Stearns. striata Sow. subcylindrica Gray. teres Pfr. truneatula Drap. turricula Mouss. valida Pfr. vitiana Gould. Tomichia melanoides Benson. ventricosa Sow. Blanfordia bensoni A. Adams. japonica A. Adams. pyrostoma Cox. striatula Menke. viridescens Pease. Cecina manchurica H. Adams. RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. 11 SOUTHWICK #& #JENCKS® AT THEIR “NATURAL + AISTORY + STORE, + miR@VIDENCE, R.1.,U.S. A, HAVE ALWAYS ON HAND Silt cote lniiitveséqgsavcodesnddeeLaps boas cooodopagoauDboonUobOUuGHUOSee) obuc $0 75 prepaid. Scalpel, handle and blade of one piece of steel............seccrcccrcccceccccstrccccs 60 ‘ RAGISSOES a DES ICISSE CUI Cer mrctererets ett cletesale sieie\eia\eie/efelclel=(eie/e/ei PRINTED YO ORDER<| — yar s, HUTCHINGS. IN ANY DESIRED STYLE. DOVER, N.H. P.O. Box 368. ~+ HEMAN L. CALDER, +- DAME, STODDARD & KENDALL, Boston; HENRY C. Squires, New York; F. CAs. ELCHEL, Philadelphia, 258 Westminster St., Providence, R. 1. | Agents. PUBLISHED BY SOUTHWICK & JENCKS, PROVIDENCE, R. I. 2 RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. RARE AND DESIRABLE GOODS Lately Received at the Datural Historp Store Si =— SOUTHWICK & JENCKS, PROVIDENCH, BR. I. MAMMALS. Red Bat (Lasiurus nove boracensis) .75 Shrew (Blarina brevicauda)...... 15 Star-nosed Mole (condylura cris- Gata) sic atetecpee ens selisterer 1.25 American Wild Cat (Lynx rufus).. 6.00 to 9.00 American Fox( Vulpes fulvus), R. I. 5.00 to 8.00 | Mink (Putorius vison), Dak., R. I... 3.00 to 6.00 Common Weasel (Putorius nove DOTraACensis) Mes lee eee. 1.00 to 1.50 American Badger (Taxidea Ameri- (GAIA) Kea eetege rts oosees) 2: cpever ies 5.00 to 7.00 Skunk (Mephitis mephitica), Wis... 3.00 to 6.00 Raccoon (Procyon lotor), Vt........ 5.00 to 8.00 Opossum (Didelphys virginiana), Va. 4.00 wer Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), Te, Wis eetlaectrcine eres. te coke 1.00 ae Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), black var,ebla., Michiaack rns 1.50 Gray Squirrel (Sciurus fossor), Cal.. 1.50 | Fox Squirrel (Sciurus ludovicianus), Mich. sDalke srycese ae cee eels 1.50 to 2.00 Red Squirrel (Sciurus hudsonius), Tes AMC eee ot pe porereys eres aber te iD Flying Squir rel(Pteromys volucella), lati! Beer eM patente eae or croretert Ore (5 to 1.25 Chipuida or striped Squirrel (Ta- mias striatus), R. I., Mich ..... 60 to .75 | Gray Gopher (Spermophilus frank- TOMI) Fn ys ss, cAMeyads ace sch ate eee tence 1.50 Striped Prairie Squirrel (Spermo- philus tridecem-lineatus), Kan. 1.25 Sonora Ground Squirrel (Spermo- | phflus SpilOSOM=A) sees cs Seles ae 1.50 | Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus), JEN geen cd BOER ICCRRT OE a Oo aIa 3.00 Woodchuck(Arectomys monax), R. I CO titers eos cc sieae cise eases > also storearet gerne 2.00 to 2.50 —(Perognathus penicillatus), Cal. 1725 White-footed Meadow Mouse (Hes- peromys leucopus), R. I........ AY) Meadow Mouse (Arvicola riparia), RR Ro Ss ei ios eee oe ee 1.00 Jumping Mouse (Jaculus hudson- LUIS) lee alters eusreise Sie ole oats iar 1.25 Muskrat (Fiber zibethicus), R. L., Wile Se A wie ete easiest as are oe evan 1.50 Northern Hare, (Lepus ameri- White Rabbit. canus), Me... 1.75 to 2.00 Jack Rabbit (Lepus callotis), Min.. 3.00 to 4.00 gph Rabbit (SPEus By ypicus: ope ae 1.50 TURTLES. Gopher (Xerobates Carolina), Fla... 3.00 Box Tortoise (Cistudo Carolina), Rell. IMagpion Sco. cececee hee ee 1.50 Speckled Terrapin (Nanemys gut- TAU), Dewi. civesens och cet 1.00 he a Terrapin (Chrysemys picta), Rr Ee SRO aS adie sone 1.00 Seine Turtle (Chelydra serpen- tina) ilies oc caclns Coen eee 2.00 to 4.00 SCHOOL COLLECTIONS OF BIRDS. Collection No. 1 contains 50 Birds, representing 20 different families. 25.00 Collection No. 2 contains 100 birds, representing 40 different families, 50.00 These birds are in the form kuown as skins, which is the most convenient shape for handling and study. All will be correctly labeled with both scientific and common names. SCHOOL COLLECTION OF MINERALS. Two hundred minerals and rocks, labeled and arranged in trays, and representing all the prominent species in systematic mineral le 0 AMATEUR’S COLLECTION. 125 minerals and rocks in trays and labeled, 50.00 20 good minerals, named, but of small size, by mail, prepaid 2 -t tac. 2 eee 1.00 | We have now a large lot of Catlinite, from Pipe Stone, Minn., (see page 8)....:... .10 to 1.00 SHELLS. Spondylus pictorum Chem., Cal.... 3.00 to 8.00 Hemicardium unedo Lin, N.S. W.. .10 to .25 _ Neritina helvola, Ged., Feejee Is.... 05 | Nerita plexa Chem., Mozambique... .15 to .25 TitvoninasGaolad Jolie hase cee. cists 0d | Peeten ziczac Lin, Bermuda........ 720 .40 Semicassis Sulcosa Born, Med'’nSea. .40 ay (5) Within a few days another particularly well- _ selected collection of SHELLS has been placed in our hands for sale. The specimens are nearly all marine, and most of them foreign, repre- sented by 85 genera, 1420 species, and 4523 specimens, beside a fine lot of bivalves, and fluviatile shells, not entered in the catalogue, _ together with a black walnut cabinet of forty- | five drawers. Price, $700. In any ‘Qeariiite or any cary GLASS EYES, Sent Postage Paid. Discount 6n ALL orders; WRITE TO US a& IT. Random iotes on atural History. Vol. 1, PROVIDENCE MARCH e ; 2, 1884. No.l Entered at the Providence Post-Office as Second-Class Matter. Random Dotes on Haturat History. A MONTHLY DEVOTED TO THE DISTRIBUTION OF USE- FUL KNOWLEDGE CONCERNING THE VARIOUS DE- PARTMENTS OF ZOOLOGY, MINERALOGY, AND Borany. 50 Cents A YEAR. Address all communications to SOUTHWICK & JENCKS, 258 Westminster St., Providence, R.J., U.S. A. SPECIAL NOTICE. SuBscrieTions hereafter will begin with the current number, or the March number if desired. We laid by what we supposed a liberal quantity of January and February numbers, but the rapid increase of our subscription list has nearly exhausted our surplus of those numbers. We will pay ten cents each for the return of either January or February numbers in good condition, and those desiring them will be supplied at the same price. Beginning with the March issue, we shall lay by a sufficient number to prevent the above occurrence in future. Tuat children have eyes, and use them; that they have tongues, and use them; and that they think, is unquestionable, the limit, in each case being the natural powers of the | child. What more sensible plan can be adopted, than to take these powers when they are in natural and active operation, and train them easily and naturally, but surely, in the proper direction? The awakening of mental] activity being taken as the foremost aim of zodlogical study for children, it follows that there must first be an interest awakened,— no, not awak- ened, but encouraged. gives evidence of ordinary power, who has not already an interest in the study of animals. Cats, dogs, horses, cows, flies, as a pool of water is to a young duck,— | not necessary to its existence, but essential | to its happiness and fullest development. It will be hard to | find a child of five or six years, whose mind | | | | | | | tongue frozen to an axe blade. | little way, Reynard butterflies, etc., are just as surely, and just | as naturally, matters of interest to a child The teacher, then, needs only to en- courage the child in the exercise of this natural impulse; taking care to so direct the effort that the results shall not be dis- sipated into vague and shadowy ‘‘ notions.” It is a matter of marvel that teachers have not more generally recognized the im- mense value of nature-study as a basis for language-work. The abundance and va- riety of material for study, and the interest the children take in the work, should be unanswerable arguments; yet hundreds of teachers, at the mere mention of the beau- tiful study of insects, exclaim with a shud- der, ‘‘ Ugh! I wouldn’t bave the nasty things around.”— Chas. H. Ford, Journal of Education. We have to report three more cases of death among animals from curious causes. A Biddeford gentleman, having occa- sion to go into his wood-shed, found a weasel lying dead on the block, with his The axe had been used in cutting beef in the morn- ing, and the animal in attempting to secure | a piece of the meat which adhered to the blade, had singularly met his death. — Cot- ton, Wool and Iron. Some time since, a specimen of the Little Black-head Duck (Fudix affinis) was brought | to us with an edible muscle (Mytillus edu- lis) firmly fastened to its tongue. The duck must have closed its beak on the open bivalve, which in turn tongue. The duck in distress flew at least four miles, and was seen to fall, nearly choked to death, completely exhausted, and an easy capture. Anesteemed correspondent from Penn- sylvania writes that a gentleman riding through a rough piece of country, saw a fox run out in front of him. ‘Trotting a sprang up a slight elevation, and crouching under a shelving rock, turned and watched the carriage. The gentleman, alighting, threw a stone with such precision that it struck him. squarely in the head and killed him at once. closed upon the pst ‘ — sametorie amare ators are fi 4 RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. The Roseate Spoonbill in Florida Rookeries. | dotted here and there were what we were eg I I A og nw — Wir the exception of perlans the Flam- ingo and Scarlet Ibis, there is no bird in | ** hammocks,” our fauna so truly tropical in appearance as | the Roseate Spoonbill, Ajaja rosea. It is called in Florida, Pink Curlew — accent on last syllable—and the Seminole Indian name is A-la-loo-la-set-teé. My acquaintance with this bird was in 1874, when I was just beginning my collect- ing career, and my enthusiasm was unim- paired. I had seen only the young Spoon- bill, which is of a light pink color nearly all over, and should have been quite satisfied to have secured even these. The reports received, however, were very discouraging, one party presuming to state that their de- struction had been so great, that probably not one hundred remained in Florida. may be imagined, our expectations were not great, but there was for us more in store than our fondest dreams had hoped to realize. But to return to the beginning. Fort Pearce, which stands nearly opposite to Indian River Inlet, and all of our ramblings were in Brevard County. We had been to one rookery on Feb. 28th, but it was a small affair, only American Egrets and Snake Birds breeding init, and we obtained but few eggs. a Jarger one where the Spoonbill was breed- ing. But we believed him not, for the pre- vious fortnight had chronicled only disap- pointments. After various delays we ob- tained a boat, if such it could be called, but scow would be more appropriate, for it. was a square-ended contrivance, twelve feet by four feet. This was placed upon the ox-team and all our camping equipage put into it, and a start made March 6th. There is so little of interest in the pine week, and we were left about ten miles from woods that cover most of the high land, that we will pass to our entrance of the Sev-" thé edge of the swamp. aid to be the head- | enteen Mile Swamp, waters of the St. Johns River. This tract is not properly a swamp, but is inundated by the rainy season, and at the time of our visit the water covered it to a depth of six to twelve inches. Here and there were places entirely uncovered, and numerous snipe borings were to be seen. Two weeks previous, Wilson’s Snipe were very plentiful, but only an occasional straggler now re- mained, the greater portion being en route north. Throughout this great expanse, _are not more fortunate than the Purple — As | _ pleased to call oases, likening this watery waste to a desert. These oases are called but are properly hummocks. These are the fertile spots upon which is a luxuriant growth, of which the Cabbage Palm figures most prominently. These fer- tile spots were generally small, from a few square yards to an acre in extent. This watery tract presented a grand appearance, for, grouped in every direction, were the her- ons engaged in feeding. . There were the strikingly graceful forms of the American Egrets and Snowy Herons, a bold contrast among their dark cousins, the Louisiana, Great Blue, and Little Blue Herons. Their forms, as with measured strokes they flew, their feet extended behind, and their necks recurved so that their heads seemed to protrude from their breasts, were in marked contrast to the swift-flying rows of White Ibis, with their necks extended. Occasion- ally a few Gannets (Wood Ibis) appeared, : : : , or some Sandhill Cranes, while the Turkey We were encamped eight miles west of | Buzzards and Carrion Crows were rarely ab- sent from the scene. But the most peculiar bird of allis the Snake Bird, commonly called Water Turkey, Plotus anhinga. Its wings and tail are large, while its neck is long and very slim, and as it sails about in the air it : ’ _resembles an ace of clubs with a single line But now our guide said he would take us to | drawn from the joining of the three lobes. These sights, as well as the various notes of the birds, among which the loud notes of the Sandhill Crane were most noticeable, all served to keep up a thrill of excitement. We chose for our camp one of the largest of the hammocks, and I was left to put it in order while my companion went to the rook- ery with the boat. On his return he re- ported seeing Spoonbills, and we were in ecs- tasies. Our team was now dismissed for a any human habitation, and five miles from With the gobbling of the Wild Turkeys at daybreak we were awake, and shortly after- wards a Cardinal Grosbeak tuned his mellow whistle but a few yards away, while several Jackdaws (Boat-tailed Grackle) were boil- ing over with music, one would think, to see them swell up in their vain attempts to make some, but in the production of which they | Grackles and Cow Birds. (To be continued. ) f i } hs RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. 5 LIEUT. A. W. GREELEY. Waar the present circumstances of this investigator of Arctic phenomena and his associates may be, is probably a matter of as much general interest, throughout all | civilized countries, as any one subject that could be mentioned. A. W. Greeley was born in Newburyport, Mass., March 27, 1844. The writer remem- bers him as a member of a higher class at the Brown High School in Newburyport, a fellow quiet and studious, familiarly known as ‘* Dolph’,” and with no lack of energy at games. His stamina and nerve were exhib- ited one spring day, when, in tumbling over a fence, he broke hisarm. Making no complaint, he sat quiet and very pale, until some method was devised for taking him home. school at the age of seventeen, he joined the 19th Massachusetts regiment of volunteers, and remained in the service to the end of the war. He attained in the volunteer ser- vice the rank of captain and brevet major. He made one of the forlorn hope at the storming of Fredericksburg, in December, 1862, was in twenty engagements and four- teen pitched-battles, and was three times | wounded; after the riot of July, 1866, he’ played an important part in New Orleans, and was appointed lieutenant in the Regu- | lar Army, in March, 1867. For thirteen years he has been on duty as an officer of the Signal Corps, part of his duties being the construction, superintend- ence and inspection of telegraph lines. In this capacity, he built at one time an ex- treme length, coming inside in its comple- tion, of the estimates, both as to time and expense, this having been previously de- clared an impossibility. At another time he visited the signal station on Mt. Wash- ington, in the winter, and making the des- cent alone, was overtaken by a storm and lost his way. Wandering about, benumbed and bewildered, he finally came to shelter, but none too soon. As the result of his ex- posure and suffering he was laid up for some weeks. As Assistant Chief Signal Officer, he became known to the Country weather, as he said. He paid close attention to international meteorology, and was called upon to give advice before the Jean- After graduating from the above | sorrel fora nice salad. | equipped relief party. as ‘‘Old Probabilities,” grinding out the — nette Search Board, relative to winds and weather in the Arctic. As official predicting officer, he successfully indicated four days in advance the weather for presidential election day. He was finally appointed to take command of the Lady Franklin Bay Expedition, and sailed away from St. Johns, July 7, 1881. His diary-letter, sent back by the “ Proteus ”’ to his relatives, says : ‘* We start with the bluest of skies and the fairest of weather. July 12. We now have continuous day- light; large print can be read on deck at midnight. The temperature is 34 to 44 de- vrees and very comfortable. I enclose a specimen of the Arctic poppy. Aug. 1. Lieutenant Lockwood killed a walrus as large as anelephant. It came at the boat in a great rage, and is said to have been terrible in aspect. Aug. 3, 4.10 p.m. The sea is smooth as a mill pond, with here and there a thin film of last. night’s ice. Temperature 37° degrees, and the entire absence of wind makes it seem like a May morning in New Wngland. Aug. 4. We are delayed by ice for the first time, only eight miles from our destin- ation, and here white whales, a sword-fish, and a norwhal are reported. Aug. 11. Arriving at the situation for a permanent camp, a herd of eleven musk- oxen was discovered; the men following the herd killed them all. I gathered enough Lieutenant Lock- wood reports near at hand coal of nice quality and easily accessible. Aug. 17. One of the party caught an humble-bee.”’ Selections have been made here and there from the diary, which gave also a more full account of the manner of landing, the put- ting up of their house, and the unfortunate death of some of their dogs, mentioning also Lieutenant Kislingburg, and Dr. Parry who had already made valuable collections of specimens in many departments. The unfortunate result of the 1883 expe- dition for their relief is well known. Im- mediately on the opening of navigation, the government will dispatch a thoroughly Three vessels have been secured. Several of our best naval officers have volunteered for the service, and also a number of seamen of Arctic expe- rience. 6 RANDOM NOTES ON . NATURAL HISTORY. LONSDALE BOTANICAL AND FIELD NATURALIST SOCIETY. Organized Dec. 9, 1880. This society was formed and established for the study of Bot- any and other branches of Natural History. The above society held its regular meet- ing January 21st, when the following officers | were elected for the present year: President—Ralph Drabble. Vice-President— James Moss. Secretary—John Dearden. Treasurer—James Isherwood. Librarian—William T. Butler. Executive Committee—James Isherwood, Thomas Barber, John Osborne, James Lord. At the close of the business meeting the president exhibited fine microscopical speci- mens. The society is in a flourishing condition, having more than forty members, a well stocked library, and a comfortable sum in the treasury. At the next regular meeting the secretary, John Dearden, will read a paper on insects, injurious and beneficial. Meetings held monthly. RHODE ISLAND ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. Tue last regular meeting was held in their new room, 54 North Main Street, the largely increased membership and need of larger and better accommodations having made a change necessary. ¢ Prof. A. S. Packard spoke at some length upon the ravages of the moth, Zortrix fumi- ferana among the spruce trees, on and adja- cent to the coast of Maine, exhibiting per- fect insects and chrysalis, and drawings of the larve. At a previous meeting Mr. S. Schofield read a paper and illustrated it by diagrams, upon the difficulties he had experienced in raising from the eggs, the larvae of Hacles imperialis, the Imperial Custard Moth. THE PROVIDENCE FRANKLIN SOCIETY has held its regular meetings. Prof. W. W. Bailey occupied one evening with an account of the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew, Eng., and the influence of that institu- tion in making botanists throughout the English colonies, and in collecting and dis- tributing seeds and plants. ‘The herbarium there is the finest in the world, and the identity of plants is ascertained as a final resort through Kew. Theirmuseum of econ- omic botany was at first the only one in the world, but this example is now being fol- lowed in other places, at Berlin, Ghent, Paris, and Boston. Ata later meeting Mr. T. R. Shurrocks spoke upon the different forms and appearances, and the alterations _ of pyrite. AN UNUSUAL BOUQUET. By the kindness of Mr. S. Schofield, we saw last breeding season, a bouquet about fifteen inches across the top, of apple tree - twigs, fullof fresh leaves, and on them were feeding fourteen larve of Platysamia ce- cropia in fine healthy condition. A bunch like this placed ina pint of water, replen- ished daily, will keep fresh three days; it may be kept standing anywhere, and the larvee, though perfectly free, will not at- tempt to crawl away so long as fresh leaves are plenty. Mr. S. experimented with many sorts of leaves. None kept fresh so long and seemed to please as well as the apple. He observes also that when first hatched the larva is one-quarter of an inch long, and nearly black. In about eight days it sheds its skin and appears in a brown coat (although one retained its black). About ten days later occurs a second moult, or casting of the skin; it then appears of a beautiful green color, with numerous short nodular protuberances, four of them near the head, of a bright coral color, the others yellowish, greenish or bluish, and each sur- mounted with a star of short black hairs. At the next moult, of which there are four, the coral fades to an orange, and after each moult the larva eats up the old skin. When about ready for a change of dress, it feeds less for three or four days, and lies quiet. Suddenly the skin cracks at the head and comes off in a moment, and is nearly trans- parent. After the final feeding the larva, selecting a twig to its fancy, proceeds to spin the well-known brown silky cocoon. Wuo says it is unhealthy to sleep in feathers? Look at the spring chicken, and see how tough he is.—Hachange. How to find a chip of the old block — Axe the block. _

AGN oA Ey a DHE IRMOM Feil Eee PERFECTLY ACCURATE, DURABLE, EASILY READ. DIALS 0 INCHES AND 8 INCHES IN DIAMETER FOR SALE BY THE TRADE. STANDARD THERMOMETER COMPANY, PEABODY, MASS. BIRDS.—Contains the entire nomenclature North American Birds, and Price-List of skins, eggs, insects, and supple, with instructions for preparing skins and eggs. Price, 20 cts 55% MINERALS.—Gives Dana’s species number, localities, and valuations, - - mee 16: OM SHELLS .— Contains a very full list of prominent species, with authorities and synonyms. Also habitat and valuation, . - . - - hw (6 The three Catalogues for - - - 25 SAMPLE PAGES ON APPLICATION. | 281 P = © am a SE a J ] Y HE Natural History columns of the ForesT AND STREAM contain a vast number of interesting ©[® articles and notes on mammals, birds, and reptiles. It is indispensable to the working nat- uralist or collector. Dr. CoueEs says: ‘‘I am of course especially interested in your natural history columns. Let me say how fully I appreciate their merit, and the care you have taken to bring and keep them abreast of current scientific literature. I have to refer to them constantly in my own w ritings.”’ Subscription, $4.00 Per Annum. Sample Copy, !O Cents. Address, FOREST AND STREAM PUBLISHING @O., 39 Park Row, New York:. 4.4.9 A MONTHLY, 50 CENTS PER ANNUM. PUBLISHED BY SOUTHWICK & JENCKS, PROVIDENCE, R. I. 2 RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. COLLECTOR’S.. PARADISE IS IN APRIL, MAY, AND JUNE. The Fever for Collecting is Sure to Come. SO PREPARE FOR IT EARLY. +4 SUPPLIES*# FOR ORNITHOLOGISTS, OOLOGISTS, ENTOMOLOGISTS, AND TAXIDERMISTS, FOR FIELD-WORK. FOR SALE BY SOUTHWICK & JENCKS. Scalpel, all steel........... $ .60 | Egg Drill, long handle, ---- 5-32 35 Scalpel, ebony handle...... 15 | a = eee 6-32 50 Scissors, best...-+-....--.- 1.00 ae es eee 8-82 75 Spring Forceps..........-. Te | «“ “ ie S138 1.50 Curved Needles, each 10c.. 3 for .25 | Blow-pipe, brass, fine tip, each 25c., per doz. 2.50 | Fine wire for fastening bill per oz. .10 | Blow-pipe, nickel..-....+++ 40 Tags with strings...per 100, 12c.; per 1000, 1.00 | Embryo Scissors, very fine. 1.50 Egg Drill, fine, short handle, each, 15c., '. Dry Preservative Arsenic and Alum, per doz..-.-....--. 1.50 | per Ib. 25c.; per 10 lbs. 2.00 Egg Drill, long handle, .-.. 3-32 .25 | Arsenical Soap, per lb. in glass bottle, .50 CASES OF INSTRUMENTS. No. 1. Set of Skinning tools in case. Contains 2 Scalpels, 1 Scissors, 1 Spring Forceps, 1 Long Stuffers...........-..-+-+---eee 5 00 prepaid. No. 2. Same as above. with smallest drill, also numbers 2 and 4 drills and Nickel Blow-pipe.....-.ccestecccscnescrscnes scenuee 6 50 Sos These cases are of wood, with places fitted to eon instrument, and are made strong and durable. LOGOS: in SE ee re eee DOs Seo aa Sek Markco ee a ee GUD i ee Na; Gf Eeos in Seis eee GIGI: =... Mee This size, per 100, 30c.; per 1,000, $2.50, post-paid 500 at 1,000 rate, (Everything advertised above, except the POISONS sent postage paid. List of supplies continued on page 3.) RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. 3 This size, per 100, 20c. 3 per 1.000, $1.74. post-paid. DUST SHOT. Berl by DGS. «(ciate ste teers -.---10 Ibs. for $1.25 Beri ac Of: 251 lDSiers eterelale's\si0'> « .:-\eleetel ss 2.50 If desired by mail, add 20e. per Ib. for post- age and packing. BOOKS— POSTPAID. Minot’s Land and Game Birds of New England... ...--seeeeseeeseeceer ee cece ee ceee rene eens $3.00 We would advise this as the best help to Oologists. : Stearns and Coues’ New England Bird Life, 2 vols., FOENTS LNG TINE jay octnscsataretceraeYy ictais) oidio: ble Geemenare.e 2.50 How to Skin Birds and Prepare Eggs. Full instructions given in Southwick & Jencks’ Bird Catalogue, PICO «oc cee cece ne cw oles nieeciesscs acces viclnens 1 eeees enisinaaicic® cesses evecs cose 20 Manton’s Insects. Howto catch and preserve........- seccessevecscccees seceer nee Beteveress .50 Packard's Guide to the Study of Insects. '. Jac= oe 021. Je wieisin's ieee esos es sie rine) odeaeeiwecis- siege D200 ele neese O) ris COMM! OMPLISECUS Socios ote eitatey Ciaiwicvels) vt ata clei eleleie teloysleve.s, o'acelea cise aus icie:eti.e-ciasSSveren > si 2.50 Harris’ Insects Injurious to Vegetation... .....-cscccccccercescnectcceceececeeescccccs coen 4.00 Harris’ Insects Injurious to Vegetation, colored plates... --..e.seeeeeee cee cece ce cece rece 6.50 Saunders’ Insects Injurious to Fruits.... 2.2.00 ceecesvecces cccces secece cecces cece ediaccees 3.00 ENTOMOLOCISTS’ SUPPLIES. Mounting Box, glass top, cork-lined and papered, size, 17 x 11x37? TROUT TRIN oo bcnye Satins onetdcin Sor aen san eso” Berean $2.00 not mailable. *Collecting Nets, brass ring and ferule and stout lace........-... 1.00 postage 10 cents. Collecting Nets, folding ring and stout lace.....-.......e.-+- esos 1.50 ne Cyanide Bottles, with mouths 23 in. diameter, for killing insects.. .25 not eailanie The Eureka Setting Board, something new, 16 in. long, 6% in. wide, with corked STOOVE. .. 2.25 sfece ecm e es accesses ececes oe .25 postage 15 cents. Cork, 12 x 33 in., first quality, per Mozen oboe donee GnOdeEMoocacE .90 es Gis x second TEE GI o pidocorerepenooot 1s eee done 50 Be (ype Tusect Pins, per LOWE Ms ob Scr Suede dee 6.066 adulogBiaoo oc oncosuagdE 1.25 postage prepaid. 100 RetcvereciteRenetcrcheievs.s ef oistenstsheval/rorsist atc custeteverstartets oteters vais 15 OY sc Hight sizes, Samples sent for stamp. eee SEEAIP NG (OOINLS iec'eia« -ie'e 1a sian leisian sc(oes sJelcesse oases saci 75 ss cs ve curved SODAS chat ateila acters yavtalc ato Wetiatntetatonts Yar etawaweralorvehowendevere'er's las» 1.25 es Oe Printed locality labels, in sheets...............sseeeseseescccees 02 per sheet, postage extra. CONTENTS OF SHEET AS PER NUMBER. ICING SENG Cela Oeil. SUD gh: Bk. lorC., R.A. ie, Mer Neer. eVita MASS. hal. uCt. Ne Ye, Penn, Nes.) Mid.. Del... Via-, W..Va., D.C: IV. N.C.,8S. C., Ga., Fla., Ala., Miss., Tenn. V. Ohio, Ind., S. Ill., Ky., Mo. MES Minn. Was: Miche la:. Ne Tt WI dbanlexe, Ark-waleeisr Ni. oN VIII. Colo., Wy., Mon., Dak., Neb., Ks. Xe Weel Ors, CalleseNevien Wits LO. Amz. X. Cuba., T'am., Chi., L. Cal., Son., Mex., C. Rica, Gua. XI. Months. XII. Signs for male, female, and neuter. If desired, labels for ‘the separate states will be furnished for 10 cents per 1,000. Blank Labels, printed in red, for labeling OCA Nowe 1 inch by 4, 40 ona sheet, 2 cents per sheet, postage extra. No. 2, #inch by 4 ; 50 on a sheet, 2 cents per sheet, se *Handles furnished, if desired, brit collectors can, where they live, readily obtain them at less than their cost of transportation by mail or express. In any Quantity or any style GLASS EYES, ‘Sent Postage Paid. Discount on ALL orders; WRITE TO US FOR IT. 4 THE HAZARD POWDER 60, — MANUFACTURERS OF —— a p XY Se a = ea — SSS vw HAZARD’S ‘‘ELECTRIC POWDER.” Packed in Unsurpassed in point of strength and cleanliness. Nos. 1 (fine) to 6 (coarse). Square canisters of one pound only. HAZARD’S ‘“‘AMERICAN SPORTINC.”’ Nos. 1 (fine) to 6 (coarse). In1 1b. canisters and 6} 1b. kegs. A fine grain, quick and clean, for upland prairie shooting. Well adapted to shot-guns. Burns slowly and HAZARD’S ‘‘DUCK SHOOTINGC.?’’ Nos. 1 (fine) to 5 (coarse). In 1 and 5lb. canisters and 64 and 123 Ib. kegs. very clean, shooting remarkably close and with great penetration. For field, forest or water shoot- ing, it ranks any other brand, and it is equally serviceable for muzzle or breech-loaders. HAZARD’S “KENTUCKY RIFLE.”’ FFFG FFFG, FFG, and ‘‘ Sea Shooting”’ FG, in kegs of 25, 124 and 64 lbs. and cans of 5 lbs. is also packed in 1 and $ |b. canisters. Burns strong and moist. The FFFG and FFG are favorite brands for ordinary sporting, and the ‘‘Sea Shooting’ FG is the standard Rifle Powder of the Country. The above can be had of Dealers, or of the Company’s Agents, in every prominent city, or wholesale at our office, 63 PINE STREET, NEW YORK. C.F. POPE: G30; 33 WEYBOSSET, STREET, PROVIDENCE, (Raa SOLE ACENTS FOR RHODE ISLAND. Random Notes on Matural History. Wolk i. PROVIDENCH, APRIL 1, 1884. No. IV. Entered at the Providence Post-Office as Second-Class Matter. Random Hotes on Haturat History. A MONTHLY DEVOTED TO THE DISTRIBUTION OF USE- FUL KNOWLEDGE CONCERNING THE VARIOUS DE™ PARTMENTS OF ZOOLOGY, MINERALOGY, AND Botany. 50 CENTS A YEAR. Address all communications to SOUTHWICK & JENCKS, 258 Westminster St., Providence, R.I., U.S. A. Supscrierions hereafter will begin with the current number, or the March number, as desired. ~~ Error. — By some oversight, No. 3, our March issue, appeared dated Fesruary. If subscribers do not find enclosed a slip printed MARCH 1, it will be forwarded to them upon application. Ten Cents Eacu will be paid for Nos. 1 and 2 returned to us in good condition, which those desiring may have at the same ‘price. TAXIDERMY. SHaLt taxidermy be seclusive or not? Does seclusion benefit any one in the pro- fession? Does giving away our petty secrets harm us any? Most assuredly no. Let us look at the other sciences. Medi- cine would never have reached its present state, were the secrets kept now, as in olden times. The arts also would not have reached their present popularity, had the public been kept ignorant. Taxidermy is an art, and if the followers of it desire popularity, they must teach those about them to appreciate it. There is not a good -taxidermist throughout the length and breadth of this land who does not realize the fact —aye, and keenly — that in gen- eral a good job brings no more than a poor one, and if he has any competition, the point of excellence counts for little, that of | price nearly all. We believe, to raise taxidermy among the arts, we must help each other to excel, and with this object in view, unfurl owr banner and invite every one to join us, and if they have anything worth knowing, that they will not withhold it. Let us have an interchange of opinions through the columns of this paper. The Society of American Taxidermists was formed for this very purpose, and much good has already come of it. But the science needs more light, still; it is now but in its infancy. Poisons and How to Use Them on Birds. Tue best preservative known is arsenic. It is used in several combinations, and also pure. In general, each taxidermist is inclined to adhere strictly to one preparation, and that usually the one first taught him, and he uses it for nearly all cases. Pure arsenic, as it is usually called, is probably most used. The persons who use it seem to be much troubled with sore hands, the fingers beneath the nails fre- quently festering and causing intense suf- fering. Arsenic in effect, arrests decomposition, and if the bird has been prepared while per- fectly fresh, it may be softened and mount- ed without danger of loosening the feathers ; but if the specimen was tender when skin- ned, when the attempt is made to soften it, it will often resume its decay from the point where it was checked, and go to ruin. Arsenie and Alum, in the proportion of three parts to two parts by weight, is the best dry mixture. The astringent prop- erty of the alum does fully as much good to the specimen as the arsenic does. Besides this, the alum also is a good preservative, but alone is no hinderance to vermin. ‘The effect of the alum on the hands is to close the pores, and its presence almost entirely counteracts the evil effects of the poison, so that the user of this mixture rarely ever has sore hands. The benefit to the specimens is equally | good, for even if a specimen is tender when skinned, the alum does so much to toughen 6 the skin that when softened again, one is rarely aware of its previous poor condition. During spells of wet weather the latter cur- ative will be found much the best, for skins often spoil if too long in drying. The skins prepared in part with alum always set firmer, and are less susceptible of bending than those cured by either arsenic, or arsenical soap. This also is an advantage with mounted birds, as they are wanted in the exact positions in which placed. An arsenic cured skin breaks from weak- ness more often than an arsenic and alum poisoned one does from brittleness. While I would give clear arsenic no preference in any case, another valuable preparation de- mands attention — arsenical soap. In mak- ing skins the use of soap is tedious, for it is slimy stuff, and the inside of a skin has to be thoroughly painted with it. A skin cured with soap is neither tender nor brittle, but will stand more rough usage than if cured by either of the preceding methods. Its great disadvantage is the length of time required before the specimens are dry, though this property can often be turned to good use, for a fairly large bird may be poisoned with soap, and after being turned | back, it may be allowed to lie for three to_ five days without any wet covering, and | : A J J tees | Dr. Merriam has the power to create in- then mounted as if freshly skinned. I would advise painting the bills and feet of birds with soap as a preventive for dermestes. Lay some cotton beneath the feet to pre- | vent the soap soiling the tail feathers. For mammals I would advise the use of soap almost entirely. Use all poisons with caution, and do not leave the dry powder standing around un- covered, as its inhalation is a decided in- jury. If it is used with reckless impunity it will sooner or later show its evil effects. COLOR OF BIR! S’ EYES. Mocking-bird, yellow. Brown Thrasher, straw. Ground Titmouse, white. Least Titmouse, white. Red-eyed Vireo, red. White-eyed Vireo, white. Chewink, red. Spurred Towhee, reddish brown. Brewer’s Blackbird, white. Rusty Blackbird, straw. RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. White-headed Woodpecker, red. Red-shafted Woodpecker, red. California Woodpecker, white. Barn Owl, nearly black. Long-eared Owl, yellow. Short-eared Owl, yellow. Barred Owl, nearly black. Great Gray Owl, straw. Richardson’s Owl, straw. Saw Whet Owl, yellow. Little Screech Owl, straw. California Screech Owl, yellow. Great Horned Owl, straw, yellow. Burrowing Owl, yellow. California Pigmy Owl, yellow. WE are pleased to learn that the second volume of the Transactions of the Linnean Society of New York is now in press, and soon to appear. It is to contain, among other matter, the continuation of Dr. C. Hart Merriam’s Vertebrates of the Adiron- dack Region, being the conclusion of his treatment of the mammalia. That part in- cluded in the first volume is one of the most interesting contributions to natural history literature ever published. Even the un- scientific reader is absorbed from the be- ginning, and sure to devour every word. tense interest in the general reader, and we sincerely hope to see others aid in arousing a widespread interest in science by similar popular-scientific articles. The second volume is promised to be _ equal to the first, and, like it, typographic- ally elegant. Mrs. Saran E. Bonney,of Sterling, Mass., died March 3, 1884. She was one of the best taxidermists of her sex, possessed much orig- inality, and was very popular. Mrs. Bonney and Mrs. Maxwell awakened far more inter- est at our Centennial Exhibition than their male competitors. Ir there is any truth in the doctrine of evolution, the future residents of the Ohio valley will have web feet. — Chicago Times. Ir isn’t a great way to the end of a cat’s nose, but it’s fur to the end of its tail. Tue riches which always take to them- selves wings — Ost-riches. RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. a ll The Roseate Spoonbill in Florida Rookeries. PARIS ele BREAKFAST was quickly disposed of and the camp putin order, and we started for the rookery in high spirits and found the boat without difficulty. The rookery was a cypress swamp, the extent of which we did not determine, but at its southwest corner was a small pond, in and about which grew numerous small trees and large bushes, while on the outside edge was a dense mass of shrubbery, shut- ting off the view from the outside. The few herons flying in and out, or perched upon the tree-tops, would hardly raise a sus- picion as to the numbers concealed behind the outside hedge. We pushed our boat beneath the bushes, and upon emerging on the other side, there was a loud sound of wings as the herons left their nests, but our eyes centered upon one object, and that a full-plumaged Roseate Spoonbill,* standing beside its nest. Kind reader, can you imagine a greater surprise than this? I don’t believe the bird exists that could stir me to-day as that Spoon- bill did then. Roseate Spoonbill, a name richly deserved. I have no wish to cut it to Rosy. It lies in my memory so dear, I do not think of any bird more beautiful than this one is in life. Its disproportion- ate and, to many, ungainly bill, and naked head, are beautifully colored and blended with its exquisite plumage ; and its motions — grace itself. But there was the bird, about ten yards distant, holding us spell-bound. The Fish Crows were, as usual, not slow in pillaging the nests of the departed herons, and some even tried to take the Spoonbill’s treasures ; but the noble bird pushed at them with its bill whenever they made the attempt. In a moment the desire to possess caused the death of the brave parent, and the eggs, three in number, were taken from the nest. * The fully adult bird is of a rich pink, with wing patches of the richest crimson floss, beginning at the bend of the wing and extending back six inches by two inches wide. The upper and lower tail coverts, a tas-el in front of the breast, and a trace on the back of the neck joining the head, are also of this rich silky red. The tail is brownish orange above and pink be- neath. The neck is white, fading insensibly into the pink on breast and back. There is a buff spot on breast at bend of each wing. The eye is carmine, and legs crimson. The naked head is of a beautiful mottled greenish to match the bill, only more intense. The skin at base of skull to the line of the feathers is black. 4 f This first nest was situated about eight or ten feet high, placed in an awkward-shaped stunted tree. The sight was now a wonderful one, the trees at a safe distance being clothed with the forms of the various inmates of the breed- ing-place. The American Egrets, being the shyest, were in the background, with a sprinkling of Snowy and Louisiana Herons among them, though the majority of these species and the few little Blue Herons did not retire so far. Mingled among them here and there stood a few Spoonbills, usu- ally three or four in a place. Snake Birds were also sparingly distributed among the rest, but the majority flocked together on one large tree. But a more remarkable sight was overhead ; hundreds of birds at various heights, from within an easy gunshot to an almost remote height, were sailing about or flying quickly back and forth, all watching the intruders and making various notes, some sharp, and others harsh and gutteral. The cuk-cuk, cuk-cuk, cuk-cuk of the young American Egrets was continually to be heard. The only sound we heard the Spoonbill make, though entirely different, reminded us of a disconsolate hen when she goes cur-r-k cuk-cuk-cuk. The second Spoonbill shot was taken by an alligator and carried under, but the water was not deep, and a short time after the bird was espied by my companion, who struck the ’gator on the head with his pole. It relinquished its hold, and the bird rose to the surface and was recovered, minus only a few feathers. These huge reptiles were plentiful in the open water, and one day we nearly walked upon one lying beside our boat just outside of the rookery. We gave him three charges of coarse shot in the eye and behind his fore leg, and left him for dead, but on our return he was gone. The Spoonbills now received our first attention, and we secured one or both birds with each nest. It being Saturday, we killed only five birds, and took what eggs we could carry to fill up, of the Louisiana and Snowy Herons and American Egrets. (To be continued.) A Remarkas_et Suor.—Mr. Lord informs us that a sportsman shot a Barred Owl, and seeing something else drop also, he found that to be a Saw Whet Owl. 8 RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. The Preservation of Animal Life in Winter. fail. The first is the instinct to store food, as best seen among insects in the honey-bee, among birds in the noisy jay, and among our mammals in the striped squirrel or chipmunk. The bee-keeper knows his bees must have so many pounds of honey to be able to winter without his help, and the | blue-jay, apparently the most reckless bird that flies, stuffs acorns and corn into every crack and cranny he can find, as though he intended not only to have enough for him- self, but expected to be robbed of his scat- tered hoard, as he himself has lived by rob- bery, or worse. But the little chipmunk is a model provider. Acorns, beech-nuts, corn, or pumpkin seeds — anything that will feed a squirrel in winter— are equally welcome to | him. And when he is on his way to his How he gets such loads into one small mouth is a marvel that no one would eredit | who had not seen him at his harvest work. But such a bright, cheerful, social fellow is certainly welcome to his home, and welcome also to the few grains of corn and wheat he may chance to glean from our fields. His cousin, the little brown striped squirrel of the Rocky Mountains, is not so harmless a neighbor, as many a miner would testify who has lost his rice and bread by the plun- dering of these adroit little thieves. At one camp as they caught them, instead of killing them, they cut off their ears and tails, and set them free as a warning to others of their tribe. It did not seem to have the desired effect even upon the culprits them- selves. They cut a most comical figure, as they could be seen among the camps for months, bearing the marks of their punish- ment, but not cured of their old tricks. The second of nature’s methods of pre- serving animal life is by hibernation. The lower animals, as insects and some reptiles, become to all appearance entirely dormant, and without essential change during the cold in winter, and wake to active life only when food is again ready for them. Others, like the woodchuck, after growing fat on the the winter months. hole, if ever a fellow had ‘‘cheek” he has! | abundant food of autumn, roll themselves up in nests and sleep. Vital action is low- In the animal kingdom there are three re- | ered, they consume but little oxygen, and markable provisions for the preservation of | those whose supplies of food are likely to | live upon the stores of fat with which they went into winter quarters. The black bear generally hibernates in caves and under old tree-tops, but he is never so sleepy that he is not ready for a battle if disturbed; and farther south he does not hibernate at all. In New England he grows fat on green corn, roots, and nuts in the fall, and so has had the credit of growing fat by ‘‘ sucking his paw.” This old notion is only another il- lustration of theories in mechanics and life that something can come from nothing. The truth about the bear is that he grows thin every day he lies in his den. The third general method of preserving _ the species through winter is by migration, as best seen among birds, but practiced also by some of the higher mammals. As the autumn advances many of the smaller birds from our midst and from the far North quietly make their way south to find warm weather and new stores of food for Others assemble in flocks and seem to have grave consultations over the projected journey. The metallic note of the wild goose comes to us from among the clouds, as night and day the flocks wend their way in long lines to the South. Long before they appear with us they collect their broods in the lakes and bays near their breeding-places, and seem to be organizing for the long flight which most of them are to take for the first time to a land that most of them have never seen; for of every flock that starts from those northern resting-places, the larger part are young and have never flown but a few miles before they commence their long flight to an unknown land. They follow their leaders, it is said. When did the first leaders learn the way? We have seen them in the bays of Newfoundland, gathering like a great army, practicing for days; and then one flock after another separates itself from the great host and follows its chosen leader to the South. They return in spring, even while snow and ice abound, to be ready for the opening of the short northern summer. In the long days of the North and by the unmolested lakes and bays of New- foundland and Labrador, they find the best conditions for rearing their young.— Spring- jield Republican. RANDOM NOTES ON The Shell- Bearing Mollusca of Rhode Island. [BY HORACE F. CARPENTER. ] CHAPTER IV. tion of the species comprising this immense class, representatives of which are found everywhere, I wish to say a few words about | the peculiar situation of Rhode Island, and to offer a few suggestions on collecting spe- cimens. The surface of the earth is divided into zoological provinces, or centres of distribu- tion. The eastern coast of North America comprises four of the marine zodlogical provinces: The Arctic, the Canadian or Boreal, the Atlantic, and the Caribbean. The Arctic Province extends from the Polar Sea, including Greenland America, to Newfoundland; the Boreal, from Newfoundland to Cape Cod; the At- lantic, from Cape Cod to Florida; and the Caribbean includes the Gulf of Mexico, Mexico and Central America, and the is- lands of the West Indies. Rhode Island is situated nearthe extreme end of the Atlantic Province. Consequent- ly, our fauna is limited in species and in size, hundreds of shells being found on the coasts of the Middle and Southern States which are not found here. On the other hand, we are near the junction of two dis- tinct provinces, and as, in the distribution of species, the zodlogical provinces lap over, as we may term it, into each other, we have in Rhode Island representatives of a portion of the Boreal fauna, which, however, do not extend much farther southward. Cape Cod forms a barrier to many species, a large number of which, though found in abundance on the northern shores of the Cape, are never found on the southern side, just as at Panama, the Atlantic and Pacific Species are unlike, though separated only by a few miles of land. For the above reasons I have included among the species liable to be found in Rhode Island, all those which have been found in Massachusetts and British | NATURAL HISTORY. south of Cape Cod, and those of the Con- | necticut and Long Island shores. The habits of the marine Mollusca differ much from each other. Some species bury themselves in mud; others adhere closely to | sea-urchins. BEroreE entering into a detailed descrip- | 9 rocks ; some are found in sand, and others al- ways on seaweed ; some bore for themselves a home in the chalk cliffs, or other and more solid stone ; others penetrate floating logs _ and timber; while others, such as the Stili- fer, are found as parasites on star-fish and In searching for the marine shells, we are obliged to look for the differ- ent species under different conditions and | circumstances, so that for convenience we may divide the field of exploration into four belts or zones, viz.: The Littoral, the Laminarian, the Coralline, and the Deep Sea Zones. The Littoral Zone is the tract of shore lying between tide-marks, and the time for collecting those species which inhabit this zone must be regulated by the hour of low tide. If we arrive at the shore when the tide is ebbing, we first examine near high- water mark, the piles of seaweed thrown up by the tide, and look for shell sand to carry home, where we can examine it at leisure ; we then carefully explore the tidal pools, the muddy flats, and the sandy shore, and the rocks left bare by the retreating tide ; some species bury themselves in the sand as soon as they are uncovered from the water, and can only be obtained by digging to the depth of a foot or more below the surface, while others conceal themselves in the crevices of rocks and under stones ; finally, we search at the moment of lowest tide among the seaweed and stones at its edge, and by the help of a good pair of rub- | ber boots we wade out still farther into the water for those species which live at the edge of the Laminarian Zone. Advantage may also be taken at the time of full moon to examine tracts of shore that are inacces- sible at other times. The Laminarian Zone reaches from low water mark to fifteen fathoms. In search- ing for shells in this zone, we no longer confine ourselves to a particular hour of the day ; the work must be done in boats, and by means of the dredge. Here we have real labor to perform, not simply stooping over to look for specimens as on shore, but he who would succeed in dredging must have not only perseverance and patience, but a pair of strong arms (for pulling ina loaded dredge from the bottom of the bay is no boy’s play), to say nothing of a strong stomach to be able to escape the mal de mer, the terror of landsmen. 10 RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. The greatest number of genera and species | belong to this zone. Here they are found living upon the various seaweeds, or upon the bottom, adhering to stones and other objects. Off Rumstick, at the mouth of | Warren River, is a deposit of fine, soft mud, spread out over the bottom of the bay for more than a mile, being the sediment brought down by the fresh water of the river; in this mud are found several species of highly polished bivalve shells, which form the prey of various carniverous gasteropods. In tropical countries, the reef-building cor- | als take the place of seaweeds, and many | species of mollusks live there, feeding upon | the zodphytes which build up the coral. Here are obtained the bright-colored shells of the tropics, and in this zone are found the pearl oysters, as well as the edible oysters of our bay. | The Coralline Zone extends from fifteen to | fifty fathoms. Beyond the belt of seaweed, | which fringes our northern shores, the only vegetable growth consists of Nullipores, which cover the rocks and shells with their | stony looking incrustations. Many vege- table feeders, with their carnivorous enemies, | inhabit this zone. Many species of fish feed upon these mollusks, and many rare species of shells can be obtained only from the maws of these fishes. Dr. Gould, in The Invertebrata of Massa- chusetts, 1841, describes 270 species found north of Cape Cod, more than half of which were obtained from the maws of fishes from the markets in Boston. Codfish and haddock consume immense quantities of deep-water Mollusca, and many new species may yet be obtained by this means. The Deep Sea Zone reaches from fifty fathoms to unknown depths. In these sol- itary regions certain species are found, small in size and dull of color. The Tere- bratule and other Brachiopods are found here, and, as this region is but little known, we may expect to reap rich harvest in the future. Although the marine Mollusca may be found at all times and seasons of the year, it is not so with the fluviatile or fresh water, or the terrestrial or land shells in this northern climate. The best time for collect- ing our fresh water shells is in early spring, say the first of April, or even sooner, while May or June is early enough to look for the | side down. terrestrial species. To an amateur asking | for directions to find land and fresh water shells, I would say, look everywhere, in all sorts of possible and impossible places ; you will find them where you least expect, and will be almost sure not to find them where their existence would seem most probable. The best time to collect them is when you and they are both in the same place at once, for there is nothing so uncertain as a ‘‘locality” ; you may find a species abund- ant to-day, and next week there are none to be seen. In the next chapter I will give descrip- tions of some of the species of Gasteropoda inhabiting our state. (To be continued.) Cheap Setting Boards. To our insect collectors we would say that for mounting and drying beetles the cheapest setting board possible, and at the _ same time as good as any, is a pasteboard box of two inches deep or more, turned up- Take care that the bottom is firm enough not to spring much when a pin _is stuck into it, or withdrawn, and if it turns the points of the delicate insect pins, start the holes with a fine needle. Com- mon brass pins will do nicely to stretch and pin the legs in position, but the best are the blue steel ones with round heads. They have sharper points. SOUTHWICK & JENCKS’ Catalogues. BIRDS.—Contains the entire nomencla- ture North American Birds, and Price-List of skins, eggs, insects, and supplies, with instructions for preparing skins and eggs. Price, MINERALS. — Gives Dana's species number, localities, and valuations, SHELLS.—Contains a very full list of prominent species, with authorities and synonyms. Also habitat and valuation, - - - - - 10 *¢ The three Catalogues for - - 20 * SAMPLE PAGES ON APPLICATION. 20 cts g. °° RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. 11 LONSDALE BOTANICAL AND FIELD NATURALISTS’ SOCIETY. At a regular meeting held Feb. 18, 1884, the Secretary, Mr. John Dearden, delivered an essay upon ‘‘ Useful and Injurious In- sects.”’ Those, he said, most useful to man are the silk-worms, the larvee of the Bomby- cidea and Saturnidea moths. Bombex mori is the only one of economic value reared in Europe. Their usual food is the mulberry, but Mr. D. had raised great numbers on the garden lettuce. Attempts have lately been made to intro- duce other silk- worms into Europe, the best known being the Ailanthus silk-worm (Afta- cus-cinthia), common throughout the East Indies, which feeds on Ailanthus glaudu- losa, but feeds well on the common lilac ; it yields, however, a small cocoon of doubt- ful quality, which is difficult to unwind, the American oak-feeding species (Telea polyphemus), the Japanese and North Chi- nese oak-feeding species (Antheria yama- mat),and (A. pernyi) yield large cocoons of excellent quality, which are easily unwound ; but they are only reared with great difficulty | and uncertainty, and rapidly degenerate in Europe. Mr. D. gave a very interesting aecount of the injury caused to vegetation by various lepidoptera and coleoptera, and exhibited many beautiful specimens. Preserving the Colors of Pressed Plants. Tuer following process is said by the London Chemist and Druggist to give very excellent results: Dissolve one part of sal- icylic acid in 600 parts of alcohol, and heat the solution to the boiling point in an eva- porating dish. Draw the plant slowly through the liquid, wave gently in the air to get rid of superfluous moisture, and dry between folds of blotting-paper several | times repeated. In this manner the plants dry rapidly, which is a great gain, and they thus furnish specimens of superior beauty. WE have now another particularly well-selec- ted collection of SHELLS in our hands for sale. The specimens are nearly all marine, and most | of them foreign, represented by 85 genera, 1420 species, and 4523 specimens, beside a fine lot of bivalves, and fluviatile shells, not entered in the catalogue, together with a black walnut cabinet of forty-five drawers. Price, $700. _ at least, covered with perpetual snow. PORPHYRITIC IRON ORE. BY REV. E. B. EDDY. CuMBERLAND is the Switzerland of Rhode Island. Cumberland Hill itself, where the village stands, is 556 feet above the sea- level. Beacon Hill,where signal fires blazed during the Revolution of ’76 is 756 feet. Diamond Hill, abruptly precipitous on the west, is about the same height. The Quarry Hill opposite, commanding a magnificent view, is higher. The hill back of Sneech Pond rises boldly from the lake, and is about 600 feet. There are fifty ancient mine-holes on this hill, which the gray fathers worked for gold before the Revolution. Iron Mine Hill is 660 feet above the sea. Compare with these the celebrated Mount Hope of Bristol, which is scarcely 195 feet above the tide. These country hills may not vie with the Matterhorn or Mont Blanc in altitude: yet planted in Rhode Island, the grand Radial of all the civil and religious liberty the world enjoys to-day, they are more distin- guished and interesting than the highest of the Alps. Our state, although the smallest, is fore- most in every department of human interest and welfare. We have the oldest and the poorest coal, ‘‘ stone coal,” decidedly ; coal debituminized and altered not simply to an obdurate anthracite, but to plumbago or graphite, which the great axles of machinery cannot burn. We have the oldest and the poorest mines, which yet furnish some of the finest minerals and most curious gems. But we must hasten to Iron Mine Hill. Fifty-nine years ago Dr. Robinson, in a valuable but now seldom seen book, entitled, American Minerals and their Localities, under Cumberland, R. I., wrote: “* Magnetic Oxide of Iron, two miles N. N. E. of the m.h., on the left of the Wren- tham road, in an immense bed constituting a hill. Most of this ore is a Metailiferous Porphyry, having crystals of feldspar im- | bedded in the iron.” The hillis bleak and cold, and, this winter But little shelter is afforded by the few stunted oaks near the top, or the sweet-smelling pines on the south side. It is a mountain mass of magnetic iron 462 feet long, 132 12 RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. feet wide, and 104 feet above the adjoining meadows. We cannot measure its depth. What one sees here is the mere summit of a mountain larger and higher than any moun- tain on the face of the earth. The ore is full of distinct crystals of feld- spar, and is beautifully porphyritic, forming, when polished, very fine specimens. This immense mass of Titanic Magnetyte looks as if it had been thrust up bodily through the earth’s crust; through gneiss and sie- nite on the north, and granite and horn- blende on the south. But, like lava, it came up melted through a fissure in the earth dur- ing the great disturbance millions of years ago, that split open the Atlantic coast from Nova Scotia to South Carolina. Oozing out of the narrow crack which a man might have straddled, it heaped itself up ina great hill, as the greenstone hills and mountains were formed, a hill immensely larger and higher than it is at present. The depth of the liquid source of the erupted mass is un- known, but as the movement was almost continental it must have been hundreds of miles beneath the surface. There are vast caverns, mammoth caves, in the generally solid interior of the globe, in which lakes of fire and seas of melted minerals surge and roar unheard, except as earthquakes and voleanos speak. The only analysis of the ore at command is Dr. Jackson’s, who in 1840 made a geolog- ical survey of the state. Hardly anything is of more need to-day than a new and thorough geological survey to develop the latent mineral resources and promote the industrial prosperity of the state. Nobody knows what there is an inch underground anywhere. There are productive mines and quarries yet to be discovered. _ Analysis: Per-oxide of iron, 27.60; Pro- toxide do, 12.40; Silicic acid, 23.00; Ti- tanic acid, 15.80; Alumina, 13.10; Mag- | nesia, 4.00; Manganese, 2.00; Water and loss, 2.60; = 100.00. The feldspar in this rock is translucent, and of a dark green color, looking like ser- pentine. It is triclinic. the strize of every crystal are visible. The crystals are rudely defined, not clearly cut. All of them enclose particles of the iron | which disturbed the crystallization. The largest seldom measure more than three- eighths of an inch in length. The feldspar, we believe, is a microlinic Labradorite. We have observed in several polished specimens, bright and chatoyant reflections from within. The specific gravity of the mineral is below that of most iron ores, being about 3.86. It is too poor and refractory to be worked profitably. 1t is excessively tough, and immense quantities were shipped to New York some years ago for the construc- tion of fortifications in the harbor. Its distribution locally is a matter of special interest, affording as it does, defi- nite and decisive evidence of the Glacial or Drift period, and of the gigantic forces employed in splitting up ‘‘ the unwedgeable and gnarled” ore, and transporting it in lumps weighing twelve and fifteen tons so many miles. The rock is (1) distinguished from every other kind in the world by its peculiar appearance, structure and composition. (2) No fragments of it are scattered to the north, to the east, or west of the hill; while to the south they occur profusely of every size. The stone walls of farms and roads consist largely of them. The white- spotted boulders are common all the way to Providence, and, decreasing in size, ex- tend to Bristol, Warwick Neck, and New- port, even, where they are only a few inches in diameter, having been freighted forty-five miles in a direction four or five degrees east of south. (3) A cubic foot of the ore weighs 240 1-2 lbs. Boulders are known to exist in swamps and woods to the north from the Friends’ College to Pawtucket and beyond, weighing from two and three to twelve and fifteen tons each. (4) Some of these masses are merely smoothed and scratched ; others are grooved and furrowed also by the ledges over which they were slowly but irresistibly pushed and pressed by an embracing superincumbent mass of ice two miles in thickness. These marks correspond to the diluvial scratches and grooves observable wherever the rocks in situ south of the hill are exposed. Noth- With a good lens | | P. O. Box 446. ing, we believe, but the Glacial Theory, can account for the distribution of this distinct- ive ore. I DESIRE TO EXCHANGE FINE MINERALS For a full or partial set of the AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SCIENCE. Address, MINERALS, NEW YORK CITY. RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. 13 CONCHOLOGICAL CHECK-LIST. IV. J. RITCHIE, JR. Family. Cyclostomacea Pfr. Sub-family. Cyclotea. Pfr. Pterocyclos albersi Pft. andersoni Blanf. anguliferus Soul. ater Stol. avanus Blanf. beddomei Blanf. bhamoensis Theob. bifrons Pfr. bilabiatus Benson. blandi Benson. cetra Benson. cingalensis Benson. cumingi Pfr. fairbanki Blanf. feddeni Blanf. gordoni Benson. hispidus Pearson. insignis Theob. labuanensis Pfr. lowianus Pfr. magnus G-Austen. mastersi Blanf. nanus Benson. nevilli G-Austen. parvus Pearson. pullatus Benson. rupestris Benson. tenuilabiatus Metcalf. troscheli Benson. wilsoni Pfr. (diadema) biangulata Pease. (diadema) parva Pease. (diadema) rotella Pease. Alyceus amphora Benson. andamaniz Benson. armillatus Benson. ave Blanf. bembex Benson. bicrenatus G-Austen. bifrons Theob. burti G-Austen. conicus G-Austen. constrictus Benson. crenatus G-Austen. crenulatus Benson. crispatus G-Austen. cucullatus Theob. daflaensis G-Austen. diagonius G-Austen. digitatus H. F. Blanf. expatriatus Blanf. feddenianus Theob. | Alyceus footei Blanf. ) ) | gemmula Benson. gibbosulus Stol. gibbus Fer. glaber Blanf. globosus Adams. globulus G-Austen. graphicus Blanf. hebes Benson. hochstetteri Pfr. humilis Blanf. inflatus G-Austen. ingrami Blanf. jagori Martens. jaintiacus G-Austen. khasiacus Benson. kurzianus Theob. and Stol. margarita Theob. montanus Stol ? multirugosus G-Austen. mutatus G-Austen. nitidus Blanf. notatus G-Austen. otiphorus Benson. physis Benson. plectocheilus Benson. politus Blanf. polygonoma Blanf. prosectus Benson. pusillus G-Austen. pyramidalis Benson. reinhardi Morch. richthofeni Blanf. sculptilis Benson. sculpturus G-Austen. serratus G-Austen. spiracellum Adams and Reeve. stoliczki G-Austen. strangulatus Hutton. strigatus G-Austen. stylifer Benson. succineus Blanf. theobaldi Blanf. umbonalis Benson. urnula Benson. vestitus Blanf. vulecani Blanf. Opisthostoma decrepignyi H. A. Adams. distortum Bedd. fairbanki Blanf. macroscoma Bedd. nilgiricum Blanfords. Hybocystis gravida Benson. mouhoti Pfr. 14 RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. -¢ THE AUK.4 eat Quarlerfy . gournat : Ope OrnitRofogy,. ORGAN OF THE AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION. Editor-in-Chief: J. A. ALLEN, Museum of Comparative Zodlogy, Cambridge. 2 = ELLiotr Cougs Smithsonian Institution WILLIAM BREWSTER, Cambridge. Asso 9 u ; ’ 5 etute Hdttors) Ronan RiIpGway, Washington. MONTAGUE CHAMBERLAIN, St. John, N. B. TERMS : $3.00 A YEAR, INCLUDING POSTAGE ; SINGLE NUMBERS, 78 CENTS. Subscriptions and Advertisements should be addressed to the Publishers, ESTES & LAURIAT, Boston, Mass. All Articles and communications for publication should be sent to J. A. ALLEN, Cambridge, Mass. Tue AUK, while thoroughly scientific, aims at popularizing Ornithology, and its pages are open to the field-observer and amateur, as well as to the scientist. Besides the leading articles, and the reviews of books and papers, it has departments devoted to Field Notes, to Correspondénce, and to Motes and News, thus covering the whole field of Ornithology in a way to make the Magazine indispensable to all classes of students. Each number contains about 100 pages, and the illustrations occasionally include colored plates, “This journal has the best of American Ornithologists in its editorial corps. It promises, as its pages show, to be attractive to the popular reader, as well as to the scientific, and should have a large circulation.—A mer. Fournal of Science. ee: CAN en == SWEEP*SMELTER, = _ 29 AND 31 PAGE STREET, PROMIDENGE, RK. i RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. 15 CCESSION THE ENTIR <> 6. wae ¥ Pea, Bliss’ Abundance.— 90 pods counted on a single plant. Very productive, 15 to 18 inches high. Second Early. Excellent quality. 25 cents per packet; 5 packets, $1.00, Pea, Bliss’ Ever-bearing.—A perpetual bearer, yielding a full crop until frost; an excellent late variety, 18 to 24in.high. Peas 1 1-2inchesin cir- cumference, Very productive. 25c. perpkt. ; 5 pkts., $z. Pea, Bliss’ American Wonder. —The best and earliest variety grown. Very dwarf, excellent flavor. 20 cts. per pkt. ; 40 cts. per pint; 75 cts. per qt., post-paid. N. B—'These three varieties will_give you Peas the entire season until frost. Require no brushing. American Champion Water- melon.—The best eating and best shipping melon grown. More productive than any other sort; 25 cts. per packet; 5 packets, $r.cc. Cauliflower, Sea Foam.—The best early variety, sure to head. 50 cts. per packet. Rhubarb, Early Paragon.—A new English variety. The earliest and most productive. Never runs to seed. Roots only for sale, 75 cts. each, post-paid. Pansy, Bliss’ Perfection.—tThe choicest strain yet produced. Our Gardeners’ Hand-Book, for 1884, contains a beautifully colored plate of this magnificent variety, 50 cts. per packet of 50 seeds. Carnation Shakesperean.—tThe finest ever introduced. Con- tinue in flower the whole season. socts. per packet. Plants, 50 cts. each. $4.00 for the set of 9 varieties. Wild Gar- den Seeds.—Aa mixture of 100 varieties of Flower Seeds. A packet will plant a square rod of ground. 25 cts. per packet; 5 pa kets, $1.00. For other Novelties see Bliss’ Illustrated Novelty List, which describes the newest and choicest Flowers, Vegetables, Fruits, Cere- als, Plants, etc. Mailed sree. 150 Pages. 300 Illustrations. Beautiful colored plate. It tells WHAT. WHEN, and HOW to plant, and is 2 § halls Spy fLaWeH sees | Hann Book © PUAnts.euis Gj FOR THE ON’ AN? TARDEN invaluable to all interested Ae PM GHROe RE in gardening or farming. Ecru ako Mailed for 6 Cents. B. K. BLISS & SONS, 34 Barclay Street, N.Y. BLISS’ 1845, Tllustrated Hand-book 1884. 300 illustrations, and a beautiful Colored Plate of Flowers, tells What, When and How to plant and is full of information invaluable to all interested in Tilustrated Novelty List, describing all the newestvarieties Flowers, Vegetables, Ce- E E etc., Mailed And have on hand JEM IL (Q) WAVER | () GARDEN *° i 20 packets choice Flower Seeds (our selection), in- cluding WILD GARDEN SEEDS (a mixture VEGETABLE GARDEN FOR $1.00 20 pkts. Choice Vegetable Seeds (our selection), in- cluding Bliss’s American Wonder Pea, for $1. and Bliss’s Illustrated Gardener’s Hand-book telling you how to grow them, for $1.75. B. K. BLISS & SONS, For the Farm and Garden. 150 pages. gardening. Mailed for 6c. tocover postage. reals, Fruits, Plants, when you wantto plant. of 100 varieties of Flower Seeds), for $1.00. BOTH the Flower and Vegetable Seed Collections, 34 Barclay Street, New-York. Ce ee | ZAYEAR.— MONTHLY IS A RICHLY ILLUSTRATED, ELEGANTLY PRINTED, and CAREFULLY GOTTEN- UP MONTHLY PUBLICATION, DE- VOTED TO THE GARDENING INTERESTS of AMERICA. Edited by DR. F. M. HEXAMER. To any one who owns a flower-pot, a garden, or a farm, IT IS INDISPENSABLE, because it gives all the latest and best information about everything pertaining to the culture of Flowers, Fruits, Vegetables, the care and laying out of Lawns, and Pleasure Grounds, Window Gardening, Rural Im- provements, and all kindred subjects. IT IS CLEAN AND PURE, because no paper is more carefully scrutinized before it meets the eyes of its readers, and because all objec- tionable advertisements, as well as everything that could in the least offend the most refined tastes, are scrupulously excluded from its pages. IT IS ALWAYS SEASONABLE, because it forestalls its readers’ wants by giving in every issue practical seasonable hints for the work of the month, which alone are worth more than the price of the paper. IT IS RELIABLE, because its editor and contributors are practical hor- ticulturists who write from actual experience, and can prove the correctness of their teachings. PREMIUMS. Every yearly subscriber receives several beautiful colored floral pictures, and may take his choice of one of many valuable articles offered in our Premium List, Seeds, Plants, Books, Implements, Etc. Special induce- ments for the formation of clubs. See Premium List. A Sample Copy and complete Premium List will be mailed free to all applicants. $1.00 per year. 3 months? trial-trip, 30 cents. Sample Copy and Premium List FREE. Ditto, with colored plate, 10 cents. ADDRESS B.K. BLISS & SONS, Publishers, 34 Barclay Street, NEW YORK. RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. STANDARD ALOUabs, .. wx tee ies es, THERMOMETERS Perfectly Accurate, Durable, Easily Read. DIALS FIVE INCHES AND EIGHT INCHES IN DIAMETER. FOR SALE BY THE TRADE. STANDARD THERMOMETER CO,, PEABODY, MASS. A MONTHLY, 50 CENTS PER ANNUM. PUBLISHED BY SOUTHWICK. & JENCKS, PROVIDENCE, R. I. 2 RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. Specimens Recently Received | iB yo SOUTHWICK & JENCKS. FROM COLORADO. One Elk Head, having a very symmetrical pair of horns 53 inches in length, and 44 inches from tip to tip. Price, mounted on black walnut shield...... 100.00 One Elk Head, with horns 40 inches long, and 40 inches from tip to tip. Price, mounted same as above.............- Black-tailed Deer Horns, on skulls with pelts ready for mounting, fine large OTN ME TIC Oe ticraie choleieya ¥ Ae eo creieinsioeie The above furnished nicely mounted for Ferrugineous Rough-legged Hawks, in fine feather, beautiful large birds. Price 6.00 Prong-horned Antelopes’ heads, with pelts ready for mounting: Price.....0.... 8.50 The same ready mounted. Price........ 18.00 Also a lot of small mammals. MINERALS. Water Geodes from Tampa, Fla., and from Uruguay. The enclosed fluid can be distinctly seen.... 8.00 t0-15.00 Beautiful clusters of Quartz Crys- tals, from Hot Springs, Ark., POStAMCIEXOLA ls. li). fees oe .. .20 to 2.00 Polished Crocidolite, fine specimens .75 to 2.00 Osteolite, from Marseilles, France.. .25 to 1.00 Margarite, Chester, Mass........... .10 to 1.25 SHELLS. Of the very rare Voluta Junonia we have lately received a few specimens, $10 to $15. They have usually been quoted at from $30 to $40. A particularly well-selected collection of SHELLS has been placed in our hands for sale. The specimens are nearly all marine, and most of them foreign, represented by 85 genera, 1,420 species, and 4,523 specimens, beside a fine lot of bivalves, and fluviatile shells, not entered in the catalogue, together with a black walnut cabinet of forty-five drawers. Price, $700. SKINS. 17 Rufous-vented Thrasher...... 3.00 38 Plain Titmouse.........+..+.-. .75 to 1.00 39 Wollweber’s Titmouse......... 8.00 to 3.50 219! . Starline ec, st ise. aeeeceernee 65 to .85. 292 Woodhouse’s Jay.............. 1.50 to 2.00 3874 Gila Woodpecker.............. 3.50 to 4.00 Whitney’s Pigmy Owl......... 7.50 540 Curlew Sandpiper............. 1.50 to 2.50 663 Great Black-backed Gull...... 3.00 to 4.50 ECCS. 7a Western Robin, set of 8....... .90 17 Rufous-vented Thrasher, set of 2:°3,-end. blown... -..22%6 .50 and .75 35 Ground Titmouse, set of 3.... 3.75 51 White-bellied Nuthatch, set of BHO)..2.. Piensa Sees oreo 3.00 and 5.40 231c Mountain Song Sparrow, set OLD} sAiuswatie eet aoe. eee ‘1.20 141 Blue-headed Vireo, nest and 4 CHER. BR Soacus decicees tee eee eee 3.00 458 White-crowned Pigeon, set of 2, one egg slightly cracked arqundshole. 32 .cs- eee 3.50 451 Bald Eagle, set of 2........... 9.00 TRAYS. No CapinetT should be without them. Two of one size just equal one of the next. They are the best possible partitions. Easily changed about, easily cleaned. Samples by mail for five cents. 2 x 14x$, per dozen.... .10 per 100.... . .65 Sox Dg) et aie 12 “s P65) AX OXS gna Mle 18 $5). isiwlatant ROD Gx Axe. TS ae 15 ‘¢ eee 1800 Fifty or more of one size at one hundred rate. They are too bulky to be mailed. Random Holes on Natural History. W/o ea PROVIDENCH, MAY 1, 1884. INOS Entered at the Providence Post-Office as Second-Class Matter, Random Dotes on Yaturat History. A MONTHLY DEVOTED TO THE DISTRIBUTION OF USE- FUL KNOWLEDGE CONCERNING THE VARIOUS DE- PARTMENTS OF ZOOLOGY, MINERALOGY, AND Borany. 50 CENTS A YEAR. Address all communications to SOUTHWICK & JENCKS, 258 Westminster St., Providence, R. I., U.S. A. Supscriprions hereafter will begin with the current number, or the March number, as desired. TEN CENTS EACH will be paid for Nos. 1 and 2 returned to us in good condition, which those desiring may have at the same price. The Toes of Birds. Tuts subject has just been forcibly brought to mind by having a Red-shouldered Hawk grasp my hand with his talons. He did not. however, succeed in hurting me, as I would not permit him to bend his leg, but kept dermist, and probably not a few have had my own experience of being obliged to kilk an owl to make it loose its hold of his fin- gers. The osprey is notably a wise exception, for in the pursuit of his slippery prey he doubtless needs the free use of his toes. Most, if not all, of our small land birds have this leverage, and it is this which en- ables them to sleep with no fear of letting go their hold. Rhode Island Iron. In our last issue we printed an article upon the peculiar features of the Porphy- rytic Iron ore of Rhode Island, situated in Cumberland near the Manville station. The statement that this ore could not be profita- bly worked seems to require modification. An article printed in the Providence Jour- nal states: ‘* Experts have recently been at work, whose report says of the various deposits of magnetic iron ore in this part of | the United States, that at Cumberland Hill it extended while I asked a man standing | near to bend his heel joint backwards, which instantly released me. The heel joint is that at the top of the tarsus, and is frequent- ly called the knee by those not well versed. Many birds have not the power to open and shut their toes, unless the legs are in certain positions. This may be modified somewhat by saying they have not the ad- vantage of the use of their full strength. For example: a hawk. pounces upon his prey with legs extended and toes open, but he has not the power in his toes to close them tightly. Why? Because the toes of most of our hawks and owls are worked by leverage, the tendons passing over the heel. The hawk knows this, and no sooner does he strike his feet upon his prey then he bends his legs, | |‘ The Cumberland ore is free from noxious _ elements, and though somewhat refractory, Without the reverse motion he is equally | thereby drawing his victim close to his body and burying his talons deep in its flesh. unable to release it. _ The opening and shutting of adead hawk’s leg has doubtless been tried by every taxi- is the most extensive and valuable. About 1,000,000 tons above water level, while, as the deposit shows an indefinite extension in depth, the quantity of this ore may be said to be practically inexhaustible.” Prof. R. H. Thurston, of the Stevens Institute, Hoboken, writes: ‘‘ That portion of the mountain lying above the natural drainage, and which may be obtained by ‘ open work- ing’ or quarrying, and without expense for hoisting or pumping, would alone supply a smelting furnace of the largest capacity for a century. The quantity below the ground is incalculable.” Mr. J. B. Moorehead, of Philadelphia, states that it is one of the purest ores known, containing 35 or 40 per cent. of net iron, and is richer at the foot than the apex of the hill. To quote Professor Thurston again, it will furnish a very strong iron, or a most excellent steel.” With the development of the Sieman’s Direct Process, a new and im- mediate use for this ore has arisen. / / 4 RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. if The Roseate ae in Florida Rookeries. Parr III. On Monday, March 9, we made a sec- ond visit, and captured six more Spoonbills, and took theireggs. - Aidaton Su adboot co's male aig eles, o's e'p «= a ore ote pee Harris’ Insects Injurious to. Vemeration s;. 6). -' [aja'9)<'¢ ai #2) odin «0,0 5M /bte ale wo aie sim 's syne e = Galatea 4.00 Harris’ Insects Injurious to Vegetation, colored plates... -+..e+++seeeee cee ceeeeeeeee eee 6.50 Saunders? Insects Injurious to PW Puits’ «jc elec ci eae ein syeslees = om apace mle viet eines aoe 3.00 ENTOMOLOCISTS’ SUPPLIES. Mounting Box, glass top, cork-lined and papereds size, 17x 11x32 moth PEO Ohi tiepere sass 5) ace -lsia lo \o'e'mjatelasole| aioibninteie| phim Aicin > niola lal aimintsip be "92. 00 not mailable. *Collecting Nets, brass ring and ferule and stout IVOR-Scodsidnsooe 1.00 postage 10 cents. Collecting Nets, folding ring and stout lace........--...----...+- 1.50 Be Cyanide Bottles, with mouths 23 in. diameter, for killing insects.. —_.25 not rr il: The Eureka Setting Board, something new, 16 in. long, 63 in. Wades With! COMBED! TTOOV Esme eve oes oma es ss wietnctele's seats olele ee .25 postage 15 cents. Cork, 12 x 33 in., first quality, per dozen asus ds ShsOd sade droge s+ 90 he Gigs a8 me second CCW, OCU REL beet, Ie ARO URES Sie ote ena d Sarena -50 ‘: 6s Insect Pins, per MANUS ondbdclssachd capone atone daosdt Oban smomesac 1.25 postage prepaid. Gh 100 Pteiatate ota} cralarete isis) areve.opefoisiateieteretarsie S500 NR. bo ON amOE 15 sie oe Eight sizes, Samples sent for stamp. Forceps, Straight POINts..-....-2+ sees ee ee rece ee ee enee SoschoddA. AYA3) : ce re curved WO nooo bodmugoo od go bdumooBoonpodd ddan Sddr | 1s ve Cy Printed locality labels, in sheets..--.--+. sees cee eee eee ee rece + 02 per sheet, postage extra- CONTENTS OF SHEET AS PER NUMBER. Eso Ne StacN-B;, COE Ge Wied: Sup., H. B. f., Br. C., R. A ike: N. HTS: Vt., Mags: Rogie Ct: ie ANe ve Penn., N. Jian MG2EDeli Via ws Widen ©. IV. + N.C. S. C., Ga.,')Fla., Ala., Miss. Tenn. V. . Ohio, Ind., S. Ml., Ky., Mo. VE. Minn., Wis., Mich., Ia., N. Ill. Wala als. Decry sAunlks, all z aN VILE S-Colos, Wy. ‘ Mon., Dak., Neb., Ks. EXC ew ns a Cal., Nev.. Wit. lid. Ariz: Xe embal., Tam., Chi., L. Cal., Son., Mex., C. Rica, Gua. Xi. Months. XII. Signs for male, female, and neuter. If desired, labels for the separate states will be furnished for 10 cents per 1,000. Blank Labels, printed in red, for labeling ape No. 1, 1 inch by ng 40 on a sheet, 2 cents per sheet, postage extra. No. 2, #inch by 3, 50 on a sheet, 2 cents per sheet, me *Handles furnished, if desired, but collectors can, where they live, readily obtain them at less than their cost of transportation by mail or express. In any Quantity or any stylee CLASS EYES, “Sent Postage Paid. Discount on ALL orders; WRITE TO US FOR IT. BIRDS.—Contains the entire nomenclature North American Birds, and Price-List of skins, egos, insects, and supplies, with instructions for preparing skins and eggs. Price, 20 cts. Po MINERALS. — Gives Dana’s species number, localities, and valuations, - - =) 16E SHELLS. — Contains a very full list of prominent species, with ‘authorities and synonyms. Also habitat and valuation, - - - - - - 10° The three Catalogues for - - - - - - - - 25 % SAMPLE PAGES ON APPLICATION. RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. 15. The NEW KEY INORTH AMERICAN BIRDS, By DR. ELLIOT COUES. The publishers promise it soon, and also give the following particulars concerning it: The new Key contains 900 pages and 562 cuts, in comparison to 361 pages and 238 cuts in the old. The type is smaller in the new than in the old, thereby insuring a still larger amount of reading matter than shown by the respective numbers of pages. The ONE volume contains four parts, viz.: Part I. consists of Coues’ Field Ornithology, an instructive work on collecting and preparing specimens, Part II. defines Ornithology, shows the external and internal structure of birds, and teaches the classification, etc., of the science. Part III. occupies the body of the work, giving descriptions of the Birds of North America with the geographical distribution of each. Part IY. isa list of Fossil Birds of North America. The work is fully indexed with several thousand entries. Price complete in one stout volume, Royal Octavo, Vellum Cloth.... .............. $10.00 66 66 Library Sheep Bn ape aes irae eg. 11.50 «6 ‘‘ Half Morocco, Extra........... 13.50 SPECIAL OFFER. Parties ordering the new Keryof us and sending the price of the same, may order One Dollar’s worth from our catalogue gratis. We will send the dollar’s worth of goods at once. The Key will be sent prepaid as soon as issued. SOUTHWICK & JENCKS, PROVIDENCE, Ro: A RARE CHANCE WANTED Is now offered to purchase BY CAROLINA PARRAKEETS| srwion « amxexs AT $2.50 EACH. This Big is ra Dialy approaching extinction, and we " 1 tried for several years to procure them, but with- A k Sk M { (| HAWK OWL out success. We have recently secured Ill Il or 0un C 5 a few very fine ones. Vols. Ill. and IV. Cassell on Birds. S0 UT H W | ( K & i EN ( KS | Address with Price—either Cash or Exchange. 16 RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. _STANDARD > DIALS FIVE INCHES AND EIGHT INCHES IN DIAMETER. FOR SALE BY THE TRADE. STANDARD THERMOMETER CO,, PEABODY, MASS. Reve A MONTHLY, 50 CENTSIPERZANNUM. PUBLISHED BY SeUTH Wwe K & JEN Crs, PROVIDENCE, R. I. RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. Specimens Recently Received Be) Gres SOUTHWICK & JENCKS. SPONCES. Tuba vaginalis D.and M., Florida... .40to .60 Tuba plicifera Lam., Florida...... 40 to .60 Suberites compacta Verr., Buz- ZATOS DAY nc Aeon sabe sheet .20 to .30 Euplectella aspergillum Owen, Phi- iP PINES WSs. skier, < 10 steystoleelererers 1.00 to 4.00 Chalina arbuscula Verrill, R.I..... .25to .50 Miasciona prolifera Verrill, R. I... .25to .50 Grantia ciliata Flemming (in BI COHWON) nh 5. aris Ueiccteieis ates Ad CORAL. Tubipora musiea, He Use. <2 ecw cv .50 to 1.50 Rhipidogorgia flabellum, (red or Vellow/Seastan's) eft. \aro'-feietausers .25 to 1.00 Pterogorgia setosus Linn. Redsea DHT aA nmioned.5 6 anes. cabs Some .00 to 1.00 Xipidogorgia anceps Pallas. Purple SCAMPLUMMIO: wesc creeds + 6 Amereroecle .80 to .50 Xipidogorgia citrina Esplr. Yellow SO Wer DULG 4, ste steperesinis och aititen enetere 15 Muricea elongata Lam............ 60 Manicina areolata Ehr, Bahamas... .20to .50 Dichocoenia porcata M. Edw’, Galvamaasie tert. -eetsee sss iscis rect Js to 1.25 Agaricia agaricites M. Edw’, Sep Step cneic) « etapa otoeraiersieter sieves 1.00 to 1.25 Mussae nULtWOD dbase oes im rts .80 to 1.50 Porcillopora meandrina.......... 1.00 to 3.00 Fungia elegans Verrill, E. I....... .25to .40 Fungia confertifolia Dana, E. I.... .50 to 1.00 ECHINODERMS, DRY SPECI- MENS —URCHINS. Hippona esculenta, A. Ag., Baha- mas, without spines..........$0.25 to $0.50 Diadema setosum, Gray, Bahamas, without/spineswy.--...-...-.-- 80 to .50 Strongylocentrotus drobachiensis, A. Ag., Mass., with spines..... | Strongylocentrotus franciscanus, Hircina Campana Hyatt, Key West.$0.75 to $1.00 Cal., "spimes®. ... 2c%-sce.. cee 1.00 Echinarachnius parma, Gray, Mass., with or without spines........ 10 Moira atropos, A. Ag., Fla., no SPINES sa /enoerrileets Se alee -10to .15 Echinanthus rosaceus, Gray, Baha- mas, with spines, $1.25, without .50 to 1.00 Metalia pectoralis, A. Ag.,no spines 3.00 Meoma ventricosa, Lth., Bahamas, With spimesitric.t- seca - ls -rcrreees 3.00 to 4.00 STAR FISH. | Asterias Forbesii, Verrill, R. 1... .10to .40 Solaster endeca (10 rays), Grand MGM Anns <5. See sievelotegersiers) saseieiteters -50 Oreaster gigas, Lath., Nassau, very large (15 in. diam.), no spines.. 1.50 to 2.00 SHELLS. Of the very rare Voluta Junonia we have lately received a few specimens, $10 to $15. They have usually been quoted at from $30 to $40. MINERALS. Water Geodes from Tampa, Fla., and from Uruguay. The enclosed fluid can be distinctly seen.... 8.00 to 15.00 Beautiful clusters of Quartz Crys- tals, from Hot Springs, Ark., OOP MARME >< ioogd ccagdodasces A Polished Crocidolite, fine specimens Osteolite, from Marseilles, France.. -25 to 2.00 .75 to 3.00 -25 to 1.00 Margarite, Chester, Mass........... -10 to 1.25 Black Tourmaline, Pierpont, N. Y.. .25 to 4.00 Tremolite, Gouveneur, N. Y........ .75 to 2.00 EY Tomorplitesme ney tects

  • 'Bo PAAKE HIS @ABINET ATTRACTIVE.€— WE ENUMERATE BELOW A LIST OF THE MORE INEXPENSIVE AND SHOWY ONES, —AND THE— REGULAR CATALOGUE RATES OF THE SAME. Cactus Wien. -cenee ase Reobas Tas icrsietarere vets te .50'| Black, Skimmers: 2... /... cc ee 25 Long-billed Marsh Wrens... 2.025655 unsee 10} Gull-billed Ternvigs. .< die. ane 385 CEGanibird Woy sata se a sancs ct Nees oir cio -10;] Common Term 22eee.....-4-)--0. 5 Eee 10 Great Crested Blyeateher 2: 2-505. .6s.000n 15] Black "Tern ose 5620 oe Cae eee .20 (OFS UP EN ferees RRS e NE Rea on ee ee ed oo | American Herring Gull... 20... coer haeter .20 Sparrow, Paw ke Fai. aes she ebyara ate oss ole wie »oo | Lau@hing Gullscn.. cos... tee a ee -20 Brule; ChickeMms te tse paavs cdots sok ae M15: | Putting <5 ss seseialesuaicisjes oo. see Pee 85 Califoninpa Qn seen 4 creer ctoe Dacia 29 )) Black (GiuillemOtic....<.cacicsce selene 25 GreataBlue vero os, wes ce Dihtsdslelomrcle ee -20 || Foolish Guillemot. 2-7... cece oer 30 Oyster Catclier-cecees okie secs Selo wee 65 | Bruunick’s Guillemot... e+ eee eee eee .380 NSAP WAM OR taieietrse Ort eaet. < sie, teranre eee ee .25 | Of the above we will send eggs to the AWiLeiics. Me cette hae: oA ie eitanes .40 AMoUNt OF..GlEQd FOX So ce erete lente eke eateries 1.00 ClappereRailyvcctemten cocitieenine eo teacre ee 15+) Twordolla:s’ worth for n...ieeee ace eerie 1.50 Vitroinila Rails. Fo Aceae o/tc), BET Ga ak vee -20)]) Hiverdollars? workh fore. prccem aici eer 3.50 DOMATAALIGS vonere sPIARR Ts cis eee ee 15 Blorids Galliniwlestec..Sctn: accccn ec cee 15 All your own choice, and sent postpaid. This Gost: POI CHOC Ole bo > COED A RR Gs =ilies offer annulled September Ist. In any Quantity o: or any sty le, CLASS EYES, Sent Postage Paid. Discount on ALL orders; WRITE TO US nae IT. LOGUES, q): = ie: = SSS SSS SS SS ee SS Ss SS BIRDS.—Contains the entire nomenclature North American Birds, and Price-List of skins, eges, insects, and supplies, with instructions for preparing skins and eggs. Price, 20 cts. MINERALS. — Gives Dana's species number, Jocalities, and valuations, - - - Os SHELLS. — Contains a very full list of prominent species, with authorities and synonyms. Also habitat and valu: anon: - - - - - =-1OBS The three Catalogues for - - - => 12008 SAMPLE PAGES ON APPLICATION. A MONTHLY, 50 CENTS PER ANNUM. PUBLISHED BY SoU THRVICK & JENCKEs, PROVIDENCE, R. I. 2 RANDOM NOTES ON RARE AND DESIRABLE GOODS Lately Received at the Datural Historp Store SOUTHWICK & JENCKS, PROVIDENCEH, R. I. MINERALS. Péle’s Hair from Kilauae, Sand- wich *slandsteece scr se cece .25 to $1.00 Microscopic Specimens........... 10to .15 Cut Opals, not suitable for gems, but fine color for cabinet SPCCIMENSs «nei. «sce eces 50 to 5.00 Hydrolites from Herkimer Co., N. Y., and Hot Springs, Ark., Quartz Crystals, containing movable drops of water and oil, and particles of coal...... 50 to 2.50 Cancrenite, Litchfield, Me........ 10 to 1.00 Sulphur Crystals and Celestite Gersenti, Sicilynace serie cee 1.25 to 4.00 Sterlingite, Mass! < «chy... sse-as 10to .50 Catlinites Minn’ niaccepsiacsieecias - .10 to 1.00 FLAT PELTS FOR FLOOR RUCS. s THE HEADS IN CONDITION TO BE STUFFED. From India. OneyBengal Micers.-ccs-eeeeeceee 100. Four Black Himalaya Bears...... 15. 18. 20. mhreesWMeopands\ seem cee ccice eaves 12.17. 18. From South America. AT MATA bee co ce sacs Rees 3s eee eee 16. 17.50, 19. NATURAL HISTORY. From Montana. Puma. Panther aeeee seer ccs 6.00 SHELLS. Turbo Cookii Chem., New Zealand Nautilus umbilicatus, List., E. I. Oliva porphyria, Lin., Panama... Ancillaria Australis, Sowb., New 40 to 1.25 7.00 -75 to 2.50 Zealanders. sees... cece -20 to .25 Biziphinus ziziphinus, Italy...... .10to .25 Biziphinus annulatum, Mart.,Cal. .15 to .25 Melongina pugilina, Born, E. I... .25to .75 Melongina melongina, L., W. I... .40 to 1.25 Cyprea testudinaria, L., Ind.,O. .75 to 1.50 Strombus vitatus, Lin., Philip- pine Island steeee.->- eee .20 to .30 Strombus epidromis, Philippine sland Secchi Weies esis oe strove .20 to .30 Strombus maculatus, var. Nutt, Sandwich Islands............ 10 to .20 CHECKING-LISTS, of North American birds, two cents each, twenty cents per dozen, post- paid. Every collector should use these to send his lists of exchange. No names to write, and no number to look out, for both are printed. TRAYS. No CABINET should be without them. Two of one size just equal one of the next. They are the best possible partitions. Easily changed about, easily cleaned. Samples by mail for five cents. 2x 13x?, per dozen.... .10 per 100%. eop Sis Bre, ot sf 12 es 15 dls ree, Ot bk hea Vey 3) ae 85 oe bree 9 ss 15 S - 2200 Fifty or more of one size at one hundred rate They are too bulky to be mailed. BIRDS.—Contains the entire nomenclature North American Birds, and Price-List of skins, eoos Bot) insects, and supplies, with instructions for preparing MINERALS. — Gives Dana’s species number, localities, and valuations, - - skins and eggs. Price, 20 cts. = gies SHELLS. — Contains a very full list of prominent species, with authorities and synonyms. Also habitat and valuation, The three Catalogues for = 5 10 66 95 ec - - - - - - SAMPLE PAGES ON APPLICATION. Random Moles on Natural History. Wok “1. PROVIDENCE, JULY, 1884. Entered at the Providence Post-Office as Second-Class Matter. Random Hotes on Haturat History. A MONTHLY DEVOTED TO THE DISTRIBUTION OF USE- FUL KNOWLEDGE CONCERNING THE VARIOUS DE- PARTMENTS OF ZOOLOGY, MINERALOGY, AND Borany. 50 CENTS A YEAR. Address all communications to SOUTHWICK & JENCKS, 258 Westminster St., Providence, R. I., U.S.A. SPECIAL NOTICE. Supscriprions hereafter will begin with the current number, or the March number if desired. fe Great Gray Owl. Spectral Owl. STRIX CINERA. Lares in the winter of 1882 and ’83 some persons shooting on Fox Island, near Wick- | completely ford, killed a large ashen-colored owl, and sent it to Providence to be stuffed by an amateur. Mr. G. M. Gray chanced to see’ it be- | fore work was commenced, and noting its | peculiarities, made a liberal cash offer for it. The fact that two persons had fired at it, and both claimed the killing, made them willing to sell, and he secured the prize. It was the Great Gray Owl, and is the only reported capture for Rhode Island. specimen in the collection at Brown Uni- | versity is said to have been taken in See- konk, Mass., some twenty years ago. This owl resembled very closely the com- mon Barred Owl, S. nebulosa, but meas- ured abont four inches longer, and had a much greater extent of wing. The general appearance of great size is caused es- pecially by the extreme length of the soft feathers, for the body after skinning was searcely larger than that of the average Barred Owl. A prominent distinguishing mark is the yellow or straw-colored iris. The Barred Owl has a very dark hazel, but after death and when the pupil is dilated, the appearance is blue-black, or black. For further description of the Great Gray we quote from Dr. Coues’ new work: ‘ Feet feathered to the claws, bill yellow ; six primaries cut on inner web; entire upper parts dark brown, mottled with grayish white in confused and intricate pattern; wings and tail similar, broken- barred with grayish-white marbling ; under- parts of the same dark brown and pale gray, the pattern in streaks on the breast, in cross-bars on the belly and flanks, in spots on the feet; the great facial disc watered with dark brown and light gray in regular rings, concentric with each eye, the out- most ring dark brown and stronger than the rest, bounded below with a ragged white collar. ‘An immense owl, one of the largest of all, inhabiting Arctic America, straying irregularly south into the United States in winter, even to New Jersey, Illinois, and California; said to be common from our northern border northward, and perhaps resident in northern New England. Nest in trees, of sticks, moss, and feathers ; egos usually three or four, not equal-ended, and rather small for the bird, 2.25x1.80. ‘Like others of the genus it is a wood owl; while its prowess enables it to prey upon creatures up to the size of grouse and hares.” A Dr. Covers states that the Great Horned A /Owl, Bubo Virginianus, often appropriate s the nest of some large hawk, such as the Red Shouldered. We have just learned of three boys who made a raid upon a Fish Hawk’s nest for eggs. ‘The nest was extra large and the climbing a test of endurance. The contents of the nest proved to be two young Great Horned Owls, in the down. They were finally dislodged and are now thriving well in captivity. A GENTLEMAN being on Boston Common June 16, about noon, noticed a Robin, (Turdus migratorius), fly down several times fairly into the pond, paddle about and thoroughly wet himself. The sun w as | shining and the heat quite excessive, neal the bird seemed to thoroughly enjoy his) plunge bath in deep water. 4 RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. The Rodentia of Rhode Island. ALL animals belonging to the order Ro- | dentia are distinguished by having between the front cutting teeth and the flat grinding | back teeth, on each side of both upper and lower jaw, a long toothless space. Young hares have six upper front teeth, but soon shed two of them, and two of those that re- main are small and supplementary, and placed not on each side, but directly be- | hind the true and prominent front teeth. So that all rodents, when viewed in front, seem to have only two upper front teeth, and none have more than two in the lower jaw. These front teeth (called incisors) are long, slightly curved toward the mouth, and are extremely hard on the outer face, while the opposite side is soft. The tips of these upper and lower teeth meet when the ern part of the state report it. The largest representative in Rhode Isl- and of this order is the American or Vary- ing hare, Lepus Americanus var. Virgin- ianus. ‘This species has a habit of keeping very close to cover, and its resort is thick swamps, among cedars and tangled briers, where it makes a nest or form, of grass, in which it sits. It is not very plentiful with us, and we have never met with it, but it occurs in the swamp in South Kingstown, and several energetic hunters in the north- The crea- ture averages about twenty inches in length, and the summer pellage is generally a cin- namon brown mixed with black, chin, throat, and under parts white, breast and front of neck yellow-brown, the brown hairs have mouth is shut, and their action upon each | _ narrow band of black on the tips of the worn away behind. They grow out rapidly | other serves to keep them all sharp, and from the jaw, and if they do not have con- tinual rasping, or one is broken away, the owner suffers in consequence, by an unnat- ural length, the ,opposite tooth frequently | growing around to complete a circle, and en- tering the jaw again, interferes with feed- ing and finally kills its owner. reason the cracking of nuts for pet squirrels is not a kindness, and I think also that the little animals, with seemingly no knowledge of the consequences, or because they can- not conquer their appetites for the softer dainties offered them in captivity, neglect the harder shelled nuts, to their own great disadvantage. The back or grinding teeth vary in the different families, often twelve, but with sixteen to eighteen among the squirrels, and twenty-six to twenty-eight among the hares. The question, ‘‘ What is the difference between a rabbit and a hare?” has been frequently answered, but still is not gen- erally understood, and the two names are applied interchangeably and_ indiscrimin- ately to the same animals. We have in America no true rabbits, that name belongs to the European species, L. caniculus, which is a persistent burrower, very prolific, and shorter and stouter in form, with compara- tively short ears and hind legs. This ani- mal has been naturalized all over the world, and all the various kinds of pet rabbits are derived from it. For this | broad tips of black, the short tail sooty brown above, and gray white below. In winter it changes with some variations, to nearly pure white, retaining generally a ears. The Wood Rabbit,Gray Rabbit or Molly Cotton-tail, Lepus sylvaticus Bach, is well distributed through the state, and is plenti- ful in some sections. The length is about sixteen inches, the color of the pellage, which varies but slightly, if at all, with the changing seasons, is yellowish or reddish brown on the back, with black lines, the sides of the body light gray and brown, throat gray, under parts white, the short elevated tail same color on top as the back, and pure white below. With this exception, all the fur, which is soft and dense, is lead-colored at the base. This species, with varieties, is distributed all over the United States, and makes usually a form in the grass, but is said to make use of a hollow stump or stone wall, and fre- quently appropriates the burrow of some other animal, or, perhaps, digs one. In this respect, and in its compact shape, it ap- proaches nearly to the true European rab- bit. The hares are liable to the attacks of many enemies; ticks and tape-worms are their parasites, while all carnivorous ani- mals, and man with gun and trap, pursue them relentlessly. Possessed of no means of defence, they would be liable to exter- mination, were it not for their great fecund- ity, their swiftness of foot, and that their ears and eyes are always on the alert. Their food is strictly vegetable. ~ RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. o ’ 4 PELES’ HAIR. Tue volcano of Kilanae, at Hawaii, Sand- wich Islands, has for all known time been open and active. The situation has been described as ‘‘a vast chasm in the earth five or six times the depth of Niagara Falls, and seven or eight miles in circumference ; think of this upon the flank of a huge mountain —a mountain gradually piled by powerful volcanic agencies for centuries past — and as a place ample in accommoda- tion for the upbuilding of a great city, where the loftiest spires, viewed from the rim, would seem small and low, and all about are strewed abundant evidences of the great unrest —of billows of flame eternally swaying to and fro in the fathom- less molten abyss, of jets of fire flowing in hot haste to form mounds and cones, of sudden spouts of scorching lava flashing and glowing as such only can, and all sur- rounded and kept back, as it were, by an irregularly formed elliptical wall of basal- tic rocks, rearing itself a thousand feet above the surface of the lava and descend- ing to unknown depths, while, terrace-like, six hundred feet below the verge, one may note a vast amphitheatre gallery of black indurated lava, once a brilliant, glowing mass, upon which might now be ranged on a drill a hundred thousand men. Not to the eye alone appeal impressions of grand- eur; sepulchral tones fall on the ear— sharp whizzing calls, ringing like steel, and fierce as the whirlwind’s breath, as gas and steam, rushing with varying force, seek through obstructed apertures entrance to light and freedom. ‘* Scores of craters rise from the fiery abyss, from which shoot out columns of gray smoke and pyramids of brilliant flame, while glowing ribbons of fire sweep onward to the seething caldron below; where in eternal numbers, ‘deep calleth unto deep.’ If grand by day, by night it becomes ‘ fear- fully glorious,’ every wave glowing with fervent heat, every point and pyramid of flame a thousandfold intensified in beauty.” In this abyss the Goddess Pélé was by the natives supposed to reside, and over the island and their destinies to exert an all-powerful influence. One of the island queens, having become her trembling subjects, went boldly to the crater’s mouth, threw in her slipper, and emptied in the contents of her wash-bowl. ‘¢ The shackles of superstition had been broken, and henceforth those timid South ‘Sea Islanders would no longer do reverence to Pélé, the phantom queen.” Upon the mountain side collectors and tourists occasionally find masses of soft, shining, gray locks, not unlike human hair. These are particles of molten lava that have been caught by the winds, and drawn out to hairs like spun glass; whirled about by the varying currents, they become tangled together, and are floated over the sides of the crater. In the American Journal of Sciences, August, 1879, Prof. James D. Dana says: ‘¢T have now to report two new satisfactory analyses of the capillary volcanic glass of Kilanae. ‘* For these, science is indebted to F. J Allen, of the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale College, excepting the determination of the state of oxidation of the iron, which is by Prof.O.D: Allen. Whic= results were as follows : Te. 10. Mean. SM Categse nel aeuereatesiale ss 50°76 5O'T4 50°75 YTD Ww croton on Moco clouo 16°68 16°39 16°54 Tron sesquioxide......... 2-15 2°05 2°10 [Tron protoxide.::.......-. 7:90 TST 7°88 Manganese protoxide.....trace trace trace WIGTAOGSEN Golagdec bopacouc 7°65 765 765 IGE Seconnedecde oucocnac 11°95 11°97 11°96 SOG amr crstleiaereteeisretersicleieists 2°11 2°16 2°13 OLAS Heprteyeysisteiets efelerelaietele re « 0°55 0°57 0°56 ISTH OS spooo Mpa Oa OOOtS 0°35 0°35 0°35 100°10 99°75 99°92 An important paper on the microscopic characters of Pélé’s Hair has been published at. Tubingen, Gm) 1877) iby fC.) Fr: W.. Krukenberg, in a pamphlet giving also the results of the author’s investigations on Tachylyte, and Hyalumelan, Glassy Porous and Sphaerulitic Basalt and Obsidian. He states, and illustrates by figures, the follow- ing facts respecting Pélé’s Hair: The fibres are sometimes bent and coalesced into loops; often are tubular; frequently contain air bubbles, and occasionally micro- lites. There is usually an enlargement of the diameter whenever a crystal (or micro- lite) exists within, and also about many of the air-cavities. The crystals are mostly rhombic, but as to their kinds the author a convert to Christianity, accompanied by | makes no suggestion. 6 RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. THE RHODE ISLAND ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY held its annual meeting June 6, resulting in the election of the following officers : President—Edwin E. Calder. Vice-President—Herbert Terry, M.D. Secretary—Frank E. Gray. Treasurer—Charles W. Biddles. Standing Committee—J. M. Southwick, John A. Armstrong, Miss Mary C. Smith. MEETING OF THE PROVIDENCE FRANKLIN | SOCIETY. A regular meeting of the Franklin Society was held June 16. The president called attention to speci- | mens of water-worn rocks, picked up at | Beaver Tail, on the excursion of June 14. | An iron-stone specimen was recognized as a Cumberland Hill fragment, and two others as the peculiar kind of rock from the Central Falls ledges, all having been transported to the Beaver Tail locality by glacial action. Mr. D. W. Hoyt gave a very interesting | explanation of the Snake Den ridges and the valley between, and what he believed to be the glacial action by which the ‘+ Round Rocks ” boulders were transported from the ledges to their present position. He be- lieved the rocks to be a terminal moraine of a comparatively thin glacier, the last of the great ice-fields of this region. An ex- amination of the ridges and valley showed | conditions which exactly fitted the theory of the transportation of the boulders, while their identity with the ledges was perfect. Mr. Hoyt has spent a day in taking measure- ments and examining this region, and ex- pects to do more work upon the geology of this region. Dr. W. O. Brown spoke briefly of the im- portance of a survey of the state, and of what had been already done. He also gave | an instance of aman in Johnston saving his | orchard from the ravages of the canker worm by showering the trees with a mixture of Paris green and water, it being perfectly effective. The president announced the following Botanical Committee : George Hunt, Thomas Battey, D. W. Hoyt, and Mrs. Alden. Adjourned to the call of the secretary in | September. | THE LONSDALE BOTANICAL AND FIELD NATURALIST SOGIETY. _ held its regular meeting June 9. A large number of members were present, it being _ the annual flower exhibition of the Society. The display was good, showing that the _ collectors must have examined considerable _ country to obtain so many varieties. For the best bouquet of wild flowers the first prize was awarded to James Moss, second prize to Thomas Dearden, Jr. For the best three wild flowers, the first prize, John Dearden; second prize, James Moss. For the best bouquet of cultivated flowers, first prize, James Lord; second prize, James Isherwood. For the best three cul- tivated flowers, first prize, John Osborn; second prize, John Dearden; third prize, James Moss. Mr. Thomas Lambert exhibited a Bird of Paradise, a Trogon, and a Scarlet Ibis. We are informed that Mr. John Krider, of Philadelphia, has sold his stock of birds’ egos to Dr. Detwiller, of Bethlehem, Penn. Have watched the building of the nests of the Marsh Hawk this year. Of the five nests found, two were composed of a small quantity of grass and remained so. The remainder were started with a simple found- ation, but were added to every day until they made substantial nests. One I visited June 2 was still being added to, although the young had been hatched for several days. V, Found a ‘Towhee’s nest containing one egg of her own and three cowbird’s. G.Sauee / A Frencu engineer, after a series of ex- periments with aloaf of bread baked bya Vassar College girl, now announces that the project of tunneling Mont Blanc is entirely practicable.— Philadelphia News. NM > A Cincinnati clergyman thought he would raise his own pork. So he bought five pigs and fattened them. Now that they are fit to kill, he says they seem so much like his own children that he hasn’t the heart to kill them. The pigs are in good luck, but it’s rather hard on the children.— Boston Tran- script. RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. 7 The Shell- Bearing Mollusca of Rhode Island. [BY HORACE F. CARPENTER. | eee VITe GrNus Sycotypus, GILL Shell with canaliculate suture, periostraca ciliated, nodulus instead of spinous. Theodore Gill, mM. p., in a treatise on the genus Fulgur and its allies, published in the American Journal of Conchology, Vol. II1., pp. 141 to 152, 1867, gives a lengthy de- scription of the genus, and his reasons for separating it from the genus Fulgur. Mr. George W. Tryon, in his latest work, Manual of Conchology, Vol. Ilh., p. 142, 1881, considers it as a sub-genus of Fulgur. 8. SYCOTYPUS CANALICULATUS, LINN. Syns.: Murex canaliculatus, Linn. Pyrula canaliculatus, Gld. Lam. De Kay, ete. Busycon canaliculatus, Stimpson. Sycotypus canaliculatus, Gill. Dall. Per- kins, ete. Shell large, thin, pear-shaped, pale fawn | color, coarsely wrinkled by revolving lines ; | _ minute bristling with | traversing the upper whorls, fading away surface covered with a yellowish - brown epidermis, stiff, curved hairs along the lines of growth ; this epidermis easily comes off, and it is rare to find a specimen wholly covered with it; whorls six, body-whorl very large; suture a broad and deep channel, so that the upper whorls consist of two portions ; an upright and a nearly horizontal one, all terminating in a pointed apex, the suture re- sembling a pair of circular stairs, mounting upward on the outer portion of the spire; aperture ovate, three-fourths the length of the shell; outer lip simple, sharp and arched ; inner lip concave, smooth, twisted at the lower half to form a long, enameled canal; interior of aperture chestnut or fawn color, polished; operculum small, oval, semi-transparent. This species inhabits the same localities as Fulgur carica, viz., Cape Cod to Florida, but is much more abundant in Rhode Island than carica, although never found north of the Cape. Its length is from five to seven inches, and its breadth three to four. coarse, thick, | front; once found a specimen in our bay, which I presented to the Providence Franklin Society in 1872, measuring eight and one- quarter inches in length by four and one quarter in breadth. The ova cases of this species are laid in April in a similar manner, and much re- semble these of Fulgur carica; the surfaces of the cases, however, are not ribbed like that species, but are smooth, and the edges instead of being beveled to a point, are flat, and about one-eighth of an inch across, with twelve to fifteen lines across them. A string of these cases from Atlantic City, N. J., contained ninety-eight embryos in each case, making about five thousand in all. Sus- Fairy, GENUS Buccinin&. Buccinum, Linnzxus. 1767. Shell ovate or oblong, covered with a horny epidermis; spire elevated, apex acute ; aperture large, oval, emarginate in canal wide and short; inner lip ex- panded ; outer lip thin, smooth internally. The genus is limited to northern seas. 9. Buccrnum unpatTum, LINN. Shell thick, strong, ovate-conic, ventri- cose, encircled with raised lines, and with intervening strive ; with twelve or thirteen longitudinal obliquely waved ribs, near the centre of the body-whorl ; epider- mis grayish ; whorls six ; aperture oval, one- _half the length of the shell, white within, sometimes of a beautiful golden yellow ; -labium crenulated ; labium, broadly over- laid with callus and twisted at its lower portion ; canalamere notch. Length three inches, breadth nearly two inches. It belongs to the Boreal Province, and is abundant and in fine condition at Portland, Me. It is not common in Rhode Island, and when found is dwarfed in size. It in- habits the ocean rocks at Newport at low- water mark and to fifty or more fathoms in depth. It is found in Newfoundland, Labrador, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, and Great Britain. The animal is very vora- cious, and devours immense numbers of fish. Fishes in their turn devour it with equal greediness. This species is the edible whelk of England (called Buckie in Scot- I | land), and is collected by boat-loads, and 8 RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. is eaten in immense numbers when in season —August and September. They lay their eggs in October, and about two months are required for the development of the fry. This species, like most Arctic shells, is variable in form and in size; our New Eng- land specimens were considered by the late Dr. Wm. Stimpson to be a distinct variety | from the European shells, and were named by him Buccinum undulatum. An immense number of specimens from all the various localities where this species is found, have been carefully compared, and all the so- | called varieties grade into each other, so that there is no longer a doubt but our shell is | the undatum of Linneus. The name also was not well chosen, as other naturalists | had previously given it to other species ; thus, Buccinum undulatum is a synonym of B. Groenlandicum, Chemnitz, and B. un- dulatum, Moller, Hancock, is a synonym of B. Totteni, Stimpson. Famiry 4. Nasside, contains six gen- era, one of which, Nassa, is represented in | Rhode Island. Genus Nassa, Lam. Distr., about 130 species, world wide. Fossil numerous species. Shell ovate, ventricose, body whorl vari- ously sculptured; aperture ovate, with a short, reflected, truncated, anterior canal ; inner lip smooth, often widely spread over with enamel, with a posterior callosity or a blunt, dentiform plait; outer lip dentate, internally crenulated. ‘The genus is divided into eleven sub-genera, three of which in- habit our state. They are Phrontis, Tritria, and Ilyanassa. Susp-Genus Purontis, H. & A. ADAMS. Spire elevated, acuminate, whorls ribbed or nodulous, distinctly shouldered ; inner lip smooth, with an extended, thickened callus; outer lip with an external varix. There are eleven species, the only one of which inhabiting this country is the 10. Nassa (PHRONTIS) VIBEX, Say. Syns : Nassa fretensis, Perkins. Bucecinum vibex, Adams. Nassa vibex, Say. Shell short and thick, solid, ovate-conie ; surface reticulated by twelve undulating ribs, crossed by ten elevated lines; color ashy white, olive, chocolate, or nearly black, _ with a pale reddish zone on the top, middle, and base of the body whorl; spire turreted, shouldered, the border of which is nodulous ; outer lip thickened within and without, and dentate within; inner lip concave, over- spread with callus; canal short. Length of shell, five to seven-tenths of an inch; breadth, one-third. This species belongs to the Southern At- lantic Province, and is found in the West Indies. It is rare even in the Middle States, but has been found as far north as Cape Cod. I have found three specimens in Coweset Bay, probably brought here on Virginia oysters. (To be continued.) Kgg-Laying Seasons of the Genus Fulgur. Editor of Random Notes. Dear Sir: In Notes on the Shell-Bear- ing Mollusca of Rhode Island, by Mr. Car- penter, he says, in reference to Fulgur carica, that ‘‘ the animal lays its eggs in March and April,”— leaving the reader to infer that they are not laid in any other season. This statement is true so far as it goes, but with all deference to the gentleman, he certainly appears to have accepted the con- clusions of previous authors without per- sonal verification. Now it is a fact, though apparently un- noticed by Professor Verrill and other emi- nent naturalists, that the eggs of F. carica and F’. canaliculata are deposited not only in the spring and autumn months, but in all of the winter months as well; the writer having demonstrated this in part by exhib- iting capsules of both species at regular meetings of the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences for six consecutive months, beginning with December, 1883; showing on each occasion the various stages of growth, from the freshly-laid eggs to the | fully developed (embryotic) mollusks. As a record of these facts may be found _ in the minutes of the meetings named, there should be no reason hereafter for the rep- | ee ; 340 etition of an error caused, in all probability, by the lack of opportunity for continuous investigation. Joun Forp. PHILADELPHIA, PENN., June, 1884. RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. 9 CONCHOLOGICAL CHECK-LIST. VII. Family. Cyclostomacea Pfr. Sub-family. Leptopoma acuminatum Sow. acutimarginatum Sow. apicatum Benson. aspirans Benson. atricapillum Sow. barbatum Pfr. bicolor Pfr. earoli Dohrn. ciliatum Sow. ciliferum Mouss. decipiens Pfr. distinguendum Dohrn. dohrni Ad. et Ang. | elatum Pfr. fibula Sow. goniostomum Sow. helicoides Grateloup. ignescens Pfr. immaculatum Chem. insigne Sow. lacteum Lesson. latelimbatum Pfr. lowi Pfr. luteostoma Sow. massenze Lesson. mathildze Dohrn. melanostomum Petit. mouhoti Pfr. moussoni Martens. nigricans Pfr. panayense Sow. pellucidum Grateloup. _perplexum Sow. pileus Sow. polyzonatum MOIl. pulicarium Pfr. regulare Pfr. reepstorffianum Nevill. semiclausum Pfr, sericatum Pfr. strangulatum Benson. undatum Metcalf. vitreum Lesson. Sub-family. Pupinea Pfr. Megalommastoma altum Sow. alutaceum Menke. anostoma Benson. antillarum Sow. Cyclophorea Pfr. J. RITCHIE, JR. | Megalommastoma apertum Poey. arboreum Cross et F. auriculatum Orb. bifasciatum Sow. bitubereulatum Sow. croceum Sow. cylindraceum Chemn. digitale Gundlach. funiculatum Benson. guildingianum Pfr. gundlachi Prr. lentilabrie Sow. leonium Pfr. mani Poey. orbignyi Pfr. pauperculum Sow. procer Poey. sectilabrum Gould. seminudum Poey. serotinum Adams et Sow. sumatrense Dohrn. tanycheilus G. Austen. tortum Wood. ventricosum Orb. verruculosum Shutt. Tomocyclus geali Cross et Fischer. guatemalense Pfr. simulacrum Morel. Cataulus aurens Pfr. austenianus Benson. blanfordi Dohrn. caleadensis Bedd. cumingi Pfr. decorus Benson. duplicatus Pfr. eurytrema Pfr. gregarius H. Nevill. hemastomus Pfr. layardi Gray. leucocheilus Adams et Sow. marginatus Pfr. nietneri Nevill. pyramidatus Pfr. recurvatus Pfr. templemani Pfr. thwaitesi Pfr. tortuosus Chem. Raphaulus bombycinus Pfr. chrysalis Pfr. minor A. Adams. pachysiphon Theob et Stol. 10 RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. Fresh Water Aquaria. One of the first things to be learned by the inexperienced person, in attempting to solve some of the mysteries of the rock- pool, or of the populous shades of the ‘‘ submerged grove” of aquatic plants, is that of reproducing the conditions, as far as possible, under which the animals or plants flourish, that are found there; they may sometimes be found in places ill suited to their best development; observation is the best teacher here. Some plants, as for example anacharis, or starwort, flourish best in a cool and not too sunny situation; they grow most lux- uriantly in, or near, cold springs ; while other plants, as milfoil, hornwort, and many other species do well, or best, in warmer situations. So of the fishes, some species do well in water at as high a temperature as that suited to the gold-fish; while the sand- darter (Boleosoma olmstedi) requires, for health, a much lower temperature, and a comparatively shady place. Specimens of is interesting speci n be taken at dif- | F : : this interesting species can be take lit- | are as transient as all things that we prize. ferent points on the Ten-mile River; one of the largest specimens I have ever caught was taken near Dagget’s Bridge, east of Pawtucket. They are to be found, also, in the other streams and some of the ponds of | that vicinity. The darter is one of the queerest little fishes that can be found for the aquarium; it is from two to three inches in length, and dart-shaped ; its weak fins barely enabling it to struggle to the surface for the oxygen not always in suffi- cient quantity at the bottom; ordinarily it rests upon some object. It spends the greater part of the time inspecting carefully the rocky recesses, or climbing over them ; glides among the plants, and at every pause makes a careful survey; the flexibility of its body adding much to the effect of its movements ; it turns its head to either side, changing its general position only after careful examination of the objects about it 5 then perhaps takes an upward look, while standing on its bent candal extremity, mer- maid-like. It is only after weeks of fruitless searching in this fashion forthe crustaceans, insects, and minute fishes that, sick with long-deferred hope and gaunt with hunger, Boleosoma olmstedi finally takes the unac- | customed proffered food from the hand. 8. PROVIDENCE. | Jater days. | the rose as a part of our devotion. Wild Roses. Farr June is at her best when the wild roses open their blossoms to the sunlight. When the meadows are bespangled with daisies and buttercups, and the bees hum about the clover tops, we love to wade knee- deep in the billowy grass upon which these beauties seem to float. It is then that the sweet wild roses which gather about the stone walls of New England come quietly into bloom. It is peculiarly inappropriate to say of them that they burst into flower. Creatures so gentle have not so demonstra- tive an evolution. All their movements are like their outlines, graceful. The colors are the highest and most delicate conceiy- able ; an embodied blush, a sunrise glow en- shrined. The perfume is as sweet as the memory of the loved and lost. It is not overpowering, but pervasive, subtle, and delicious. In the season of the roses we keep a cluster of these native blossoms, the full-blown flowers and the opening buds, upon our table. They hallow our thoughts and make us at peace with all men. They Hardly can one say, how admirable, when the petals fall upon our paper. With the splendid mountain-laurel, they are com- mencement flowers, opening into loveliness. at the time when the young graduate goes forth into reallife. Yet how different are they from the superb shrub that makes glad our highways and smiles over the ashes of the dead! The Kalmiais a type of mature and thoughtful summer ; the rose of spring’s For our spring is not confined to May. If we possess such a season at all, | itis in June. We do not underrate the roses of the gar- den when we express our delight in their unpretending field relatives. The undoubled flower, as nature designed it, is dearer to us than the long-prized and modified horticul- tural favorites. In the early morning when the dew beads its wondrous petals, we seek Surely rises to the throne of W. Wuirman BAILey. no sweeter incense God ! I DESIRE TO EXCHANGE FINE MINERALS For a full or partial set of the American Fournal of Science. Address: Minerals, P. O. Box 466, New York City. re re RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. | | | Imported Artificial Glass Eyes, ) For Taxidermists, Jewelers, Soap Mfrs. and Fancy Work. © a TERMS INVARIABLY CASH WITH ORDER. = : ou A = COLORED EYES. BLACK EYES. N Pr. | Pr. Pr. Pr. Pr. . a Pair. | 10 Pairs, Pair. |10 Pairs. | 50 Pairs. 2 1 03 30 01 05 12 2 03s 30 || 01 05 14 3 04 34 01 | 05 16 4 04 36 f SOL | 08 20 5 05 40 2 08 25 6 05 | 45 02 | 10 30 7 06 a) 02 12 35 8 07 60 02 14 40) 9 08 70 03 16 50 10 09 80 03 18 70 11 10 | 90 04 20 80 2 | 19 1.00 04 22 1 05 13 14 1 20 04 25 1 20 14 17 | 34 50 05 35 1 40 15 19 1 70 06 45 1 60 16 20 1 90 07 50 1 90 17 23 2 10 08 60 18 26 2 30 09 70 19 28 2 50 11 85 20 32 3 00 14 1 10 21 40 3 50 18 1 20 22 50. | 4 50 20 1 50 23 60 5 25 22 1 75 24 70 6 25 24 2 00 25 80 7 00 28 2 50 26 90 8 50 34 3 00 27 1 00 10 00 40 3 50 ——3 COLORS. +—— Browns, Hazel, Red, Straw, Yellow, White, Blue, Flint. Elongated Pupils, 20 per cent extra. : Elongated Pupils, Veined, 40 per cent extra. oe Elongated Pupils, Veined and Cornered, 60 per cent.extra. 3% Albino, 20 per cent. extra. 2 All orders by mail will receive prompt attention. = Goods not satisfactory, exchanged if returned at once. la Small lots will be carefully addressed and sent by mail at risk of purchaser. In Ordering give Size and Color. We give discounts on all orders. Write to us for : special rates. i 4 _If any special eyes are wanted, describe as nearly as pos- sible just what is wanted, and for what. 1 le ALL ORDERS OF EYES SENT PREPAID. | -_ N < on) ba) N st = I~ (Los) N N 13 10 14 11 66 ion) = 12 66 38 24 16 oe 13 14 66 36 23 18 15 20 16 ee 22 oe 30 21 94 se 18 6s 28 20 12 RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. ALASKA EGGS 187 537 MR. EDWARD W. NELSON HAS CONSIGNED. TO_Us His PORTION OF THE COLLECTION MADE BY HIM DURING THE FOUR YEARS HE WAS IN THE EMPLOYMENT OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT, IN ALASKA. THE NUMBER OF SOME SPECIES IS SO LIMITED, WE WOULD ADVISE THOSE DESIRING TO FORWARD THEIR ORDERS AS SOON AS CONVENIENT. SINGLE EGGS. 178a White-rumped Redpoll............. Lapland Longspur......... s@ccooome 198b Western Savannah Sparrow........ 474 Lagopus albus.........-.6008 seeees Baird’s Sandpiper............+.-- : 541a Western Sandpiper.........+..--++. bGsh ved ietialavape@srn)t-tecte ss !-/-e1ssiol-« 564 584 588 Little Crane. Northern Phalarope.........|...-.-. eelene ce en 0 6 ce oss Vefe ce ce Whistling Swan. ........... ss... 593a American White-fronted Goose..... 594a Hutchins’ Goose.........0+-sseerees 594c Larger White-cheeked Goose....... Emperor GOOse~ .. <1. se'='s1° Hvar 598 605 614 623 626 660 677 Pintail Duck Scaup Duck. weer eer ore eet eeeeeerese weer eter en eres eesre ee seee Long-tailed Duck..............+0- Spectacled E UG (2) ae Se OeEIeGa 6 cine Glaie ous G ulleecre ce ctotielecie.o cioieelere Sabine’s Gull ee 687 UArctic: Terres ci\. | RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY, CONCHOLOGICAL CHECK-LIST. VIII. J. RITCHIE, JR. Family. Cyclostomacea Pfr. Sub-family. Licinea Gray. Jamaica anomola C. B. Adams. moussoniana C. B. Adams. Licina dubia Gmel. evolutum Reeve. labes Mull. Sub-family. Pupinea Pfr. Streptaulus blanfordi Benson. Pupinella angasi H. Adams. borneensis Pfr. ceramica Martens. crossei Braz. grandis Forb. meridionalis Pfr. mindoroensis Adams et Reeve. morrisonia H. Adams. planilabris Pfr. pupiniformis Sow. rufa Sow. swinhei H. Adams. Pupina ambigua Semper. artata Benson. aurea Hinds. bicaniculata Sow. bilinguis Pfr. brazieri Cross. complanata Pease. cumingiana Pfr. difficilis O. Semper. ephippium Grdlr. fusca Gray. grandis Gray. imbricifera Benson. japonica Martens. keraudreni Vign. lubrica Sow. nicobaria Pfr. ottonis Dohrn. pellucida Sow. pfeifferi Dohrn. pincticola Cox. polita H. Adams. pulchella Molldf. robusta Cox. similis Sow. splendens Dohrn. strangei Pfr. thomsoni Forb. ventricosa Dohrn. vescoi Morel. vitiensis Garrett. wilcoxi Cox. percrassa Wright. reevianum Pfr. Choanopoma adolfi Pfr. alatum Pfr. arangianum Gundlch. auricomum Gundlch. blaini Gundlch. chittyi C. B. Adams. daudinoti Gundlch. decoloratum Gundlch. decussatum Lam. echinus Wright. fimbriatulum Sow. granosum C. B, Adams. hillianum C. B. Adams. humboldtianum Pfr. hystrix Wright. interruptum Lam. jiguanense Pfr. lachneri Pfr. lima C. B. Adams. lincina Linn. lincinellum Lam. majusculum Morel: minium Gundleh. mite Pfr. perplicatum Gundlch. pisum C. B. Adams. pretrei Orb. nudicum Orb. pulchrum Wood. putre Gundlch. sauvallei Gundlch. scabriculum Sow. senticosum Shutt. sordidum Gundlch. spinulosum A, Adams. storchi Pfr. tentorium Pfr. tractum Gundlch. troscheli Pfr. wilhelmi Pfr. yaterasense Pfr. yunguense Pfr. 10 RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. “5 U PPLTES BOTANY. (Not Prepaid.) Drying Paper, per sheet 2 cents, per doz. ¥, iS 25 Drying Paper 100%SHeEeCtS)y.- .vceasi-)- ie Mounting Paper, per sheet 2 cts., perdoz.. 20 ‘Se OOMSTGCtS: seie-si- cr 1 50 = : isch seasae cosas 6 00 Genus Covers each 4 cents, per. doz...... 40 32) ere Shen moe cd Goan ooue 3 00 Collecting Rack or Press, of ash slats, Coppermivete dimmer cca rial ere 1 25 Collecting Can, heavy tin, 16x 7x 43. 1 50 aE Bye—— Browns, Hazel, Red, Straw, Yellow, White, Blue, Flint. Elongated Pupils, 20 per cent extra. Elongated Pupils, Veined, 40 per cent extra. 4 Elongated Pupils, Veined and Cornered, 60 per cent. extra, 2g Albino, 20 per cent. extra. o All orders by mail will receive prompt attention. = Goods not satisfactory, exchanged if returned at once. a Small lots will be carefully addressed and sent by mail at risk of purchaser. In Ordering give Size and Color. Ss We give discounts on all orders. Write to us for E special rates. Ss If any special eyes are wanted, describe as nearly as pos- sible just what is wanted, and for what. [= ALL ORDERS OF EYES SENT PREPAID. =| — N = oO} J x sH NX — a lt (To) N N S LL aeal GN De ee ee cao or) ~~ ~~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ fm) — 66 11 13 lor) 66 10 25 14 66 11 66 12 66 38 24 16 13 NCE 14 66 18 15 9() 66 16 66 32 22 6s 22 LT 21 24 4 18 6 28 20 26 66 19 12 RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. READY AUGUST 15th. SECOND VOLUME OF THE TRANSACTIONS OF THE LINNAAN SOCIETY OF NEW YORK. (224 pp-, royal 8vo. Uniform with the first volume.) CONTAINING THE CONCLUSION OF DR. C. HART MERRIAM’S MAMMALS OF THE ADIRONDACKS. CONTENTS OF YOLUME I. (Frontispiece — Portrait of Linnaeus.) Bix 2D Re Geshe Ra MOE ROR ACV: The First Instalment of his Vertebrates of the Adirondack Region. CONTAINING BIOGRAPHIES OF The Panther. The Canada Lynx. The Wild Cat. The Wolf. The Red Fox. The Fisher. The Marten. The Least Weasel. The Ermine. The Mink. The Skunk. The Otter. The Raccoon. The Black Bear. The Harbor Seal. A Paper o0 the FISH CROW, By EUGENE P. BICKNELL. A Review of the Summer Birds of the Catskills. | Second Volume also contains DESCRIPTION OF A NEW MAMMAL, (Bendire’s Shrew), With Full-size Plate. | CONTENTS OF VOLUME Il. (Frontispiece — Plate of Bendire’s Shrew, nat. size.) By Dr. C. HART MERRIAM. The Second Instalment of his Vertebrates of the Adirondack Region, Concluding the Mammalia. CONTAINING BIOGRAPHIES OF The Virginia Deer. The Moose. The Elk. The Fossil Horse. The Fossil Elephant. The Star-nosed Mole. The Shrew Mole. The Brewer’s Mole. The Short-tailed Shrew. The Cooper’s Shrew. The Broad-nosed Shrew. The Hoary Bat. The Red Bat. The Dusky Bat. The Silver-haired Bat. The Little Brown Bat. The Flying Squirrel. The Northern Flying Squirrel. The Red Squirrel. The Gray Squirrel. The Fox Squirrel. The Chipmunk. The Woodchuck. The American Beaver. The Rat. The House Mouse. The Field Mouse. The Red-backed Mouse. The Meadow Mouse. The Muskrat. The Jumping Mouse. The Poreupine. The Great Northern Hare. The Varying Hare. The Gray Rabbit. Copies of Vols. I. and II., either of which is sold separately, can be purchased of the Book- sellers, or by addressing N. T. LAWRENCE, Treasurer, 4 Pine Street, New York City. Price, Cloth Binding, $3.00 Each Volume; Price, Paper Covers, $2.00 Each Volume. Va) Win | A MONTHLY, 50 CENTS PER ANNUM. PUBLISHED BY SOU THEYICK & JEN Cis. PROVIDENCE, R. I. 2 RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. FOR DYSPEPSIA, MENTAL AND PHYSICAL EXHAUSTION, NERVOUSNESS, DIMINISHED VITALITY, ETC., “oun, num? o Prof. Horstord’s Acid Phosphate, (LIQUID.) Prepared according to the directions of Prof. E. N. Horsford, of Cambridge, Mass. A preparation of the phosphates of lime, magnesia, potash and iron, with phosphoric acid in such form as to be readily assimilated by the system. As Food for an Exhausted Brain, In Liver and Kidney Troubles, In Dyspepsia, Indigestion and Constipation, In Seasickness and Sick Headache, In Inebriety, Despondency, and Cases of Impaired Nerve Function, it has become a necessity in a large number of households throughout the world, and is UNIVERSALLY RECOMMENDED AND PRESCRIBED BY PHYSICIANS OF ALL SCHOOLS. It is the best tonic known, furnish?ng sustenance to both brain and body. Its action will harmonize with such stimulants as are necessiry to take. It makes a delicious drink with water aud sugar only, and is Invigorating, Strengthening, Healthful, Refreshing. Prices Reasonable. Pamphlet giving further particulars mailed free. Manufactured by the Rumford Chemical Works, ee eS : [. = —3S"BEWARE OF IMITATIONS.~<% — ae «CABINET OF SHELLS FOR SALE.= ie A Black Walnut Cabinet, containing about 1,500 species and nearly 5,000 specimens of Shells, for sale at a low figure. Inquire of REV. J. D. KING. COTTAGE CITY, - - MARTHA’S VINEYARD, Where the Shells can be examined. LABELS, TAGS, DATA BLANKS, —AND— SHEETS OF NUMBERS, LOCALITIES, AND SIGNS OF SEXES, Printed to order in any desired style. HEMAN L. CALDER, 258 WESTMINSTER STREET, = = = PROVIDENCE, R. I. BIRDS. Conte Vins tnd entire nomenclature Noe American Birds, and Price: List of skins, eges, insects, and supplies, with instructions for preparing skins and eggs. Price, 20 cts. MINERALS. — Gives Dana's species number, localities, and valuations, - - 655 SHELLS. — Contains a very full list of prominent species, with authorities and synonyms. Also habitat and i ation, - - - = - = LORS The three Catalogues for = - = 258 SAMPLE PAGES ON APPLICATION. Random iotes on Aatural Ce yislory. Wiole 1 PROVIDENCE, SHPTEMBER, 1884. No. IX. Entered at the Providence Post-Office as Second-Class Matter. Random Notes on aturat History. A MONTHLY DEVOTED TO THE DISTRIBUTION OF USE- FUL KNOWLEDGE CONCERNING THE VARIOUS DE- PARTMENTS OF ZOOLOGY, MINERALOGY, AND BorTany. 50 Cents A YEAR. Address all communications to SOUTHWICK & JENCKS, 258 Westminster St., Providence, R. I., U.S. A SPECIAL NOTICE. Supscriprions hereafter will begin with the current number, or the March number if desired. Tuose having copies of January or Feb- ruary to spare will confer a favor by return- ing the same to us. We will accept such copies if in good preservation, and forward for each 10 cents, or they may be used for that amount in the purchase of goods from us. The sender should write * from” and his name and address on the wrapper. ARTICLES are continually appearing in the newspapers, stating facts pertaining to natural science, but giving no authority for the same. Many times these reported facts are the fruit of some scribe’s brain, and very interesting ; but what we want to know is, are they true? A New Orleans paper, under the title of ‘‘ The War on the Con- dor,” gives quite a lengthy account in sub- stance as follows: That the Chilian gov- ernment has declared a war of extermina- tion against the condor, and offers $5 a head for them, that they are so shy as to render it nearly impossible to kill them, and it is*further suggested that the only pos- sible way seems to be by destroying their egos. This latter clause seems so improbable as to cause a distrust of the entire article. We would like to know w/iy the condor is a nuisance, and if so, why he may not be dis- posed of inthe same manner that has well nigh exterminated our California Vulture ? This was by poisoning the carcasses of animals for the wolves to eat, and the vul- they are night-flying birds. ture eating also, shared the fate of the wolves. The author remarks that ‘‘ birds soon learn to avoid danger, as has been proved since the erection of telegraph wires, few birds now being killed by flying against the wires.” We are constantly receiving birds killed in this way, but with few exceptions, Was the mor- earlier days of teleg- raphy than now? The cuckoos seem to be most foolish in this respect, even flying against windows and screen doors in broad tality greater in the | daylight. The present is an age for exploding set- tled theories and statements, so oft repeated as to be accepted by ail for facts. The prairie-dog, burrowing owl, and rattlesnake no longer live in harmony, hoop snakes no longer exist, etc. But the bighorn sheep is still allowed to make long leaps and | pom Nores invite their readers | pieces this modern mythology. The editors of Ran- to pick to Barnum says the American people like to be hum- bugged. Were it not so it is not likely so many oft-repeated bogus facts would have survived so long unchallenged. A statement has lately appeared that the prairie-dogs are acquiring new areas east- ward, and bid fair to be a serious pest. Will some of our correspondents living on the eastern border of the range of the prai- rie-dog give us their views? alight on his horns. In reply to our question why he advo- cates the opening incision being made from top of breast-bone, Mr. Lucas replies : ‘In every work on taxidermy, we are told that in skinning a bird the cut should commence at the lower part of the breast- bone. After much experience in mounting dried skins, we would say, commence near the top of sternum. In the majority of dry skins the opening is too short to permit ready manipulation and has to be prolonged. Now the edges of the original cut will be found shrunken and thickened, and stitches taken therein do not pull out. But in the new cut the edges are thin and weak, and 4 RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. the thread tears out, greatly to the annoy- ance of the taxidermist. You may, per- haps, imagine that the skin you are making will never be mounted, but give it — and the taxidermist —the benefit of the doubt. Your skin will look just as neat and will be more satisfactory to mount with a long cut than with a short one.” We cannot entirely agree with Mr. Lucas, at least we should not lengthen the cut until after the skinning was done, for at the top of the sternum the skin is tender and very apt to tear crosswise. Again, a skin with a long cut must of a necessity be sewed in order to fill it out so it will look well, and we venture to say that very few will make the long cut and do the sewing, when it is easier to skin a bird through a short one and do none. Feathered Engineers. WHAT A COUPLE OF BALTIMORE ORIOLES DID BY SETTING THEIR WITS TO WORK. On the western side of Central Park, very near 103d Street and Eighth Avenue, stands a row of elm trees, difficult to approach on account of a heavy growth of syringa bushes around them. Ona branch of one of tbe trees, about sixteen feet from the ground, a pair of Baltimore orioles set to building a nest a few weeks ago. They chose the extreme end of the bough, with evident intention of making it a hazardous experiment for any bird-nester to attempt to molest them. But in their excess of caution they appeared not to observe what the few persons whose eyes were keen enough to see the first labors of the little architects saw — that the branch was much too slender to support so large a nest as an oriole builds. When the nest was about two-thirds finished the birds saw their mistake. The branch had bent so low that it was getting perilously near the grass. Work was at once stopped, and the builders sat close to- gether for a long time, and seemed to be discussing the situation. Finally, they flew side by side to a bough about fifteen inches over the one on which their nest was, and, leaning over, inspected the distance. They seemed to be satisfied, and, though it was growing rapidly dusk, the birds flew away in opposite directions. In the morning it was found that they had firmly secured their | Vt., yesterday. habitation and prevented the branch from bending lower, by passing a piece of white string, which they had found somewhere in the Park, over the upper bough, and fastening both ends of it securely to the edges of the nest. The building then went rapidly on, and the orioles are now engaged in hatching their eggs. Very few persons have seen the nest, and there is a fair pros- pect that their skill and ingenuity will be soon rewarded by a brood of young orioles. The Baltimore oriole is a very intelligent bird, but a New York ornithologist. who saw the nest, said that he had never be- fore seen an achievement quite equal to this one. He says the art of knitting fibres or strings together is well known to many birds. The weaver bird of India builds its nest out of a large, strong leaf, which it stitches together at the edges, making a compact and closely adhering funnel.— New York Sun. St. Jonnspury, Vr., July 12, 1884. Editor of Random Notes: To-day I received a specimen which I think is worthy of notice in Ranpom Notes. A Black Vulture, killed near Montpelier, this state. An adult bird in good feather, twenty-three inches in length, wing sixteen aud a half inches, and smells lke a water lily. As far as I can learn, nothing of the kind was ever seen in the state before. Is it rare north or not? The man who sent it forwarded a brief note as follows: ‘* Shot this in Woodbury, What is it?” Can you tell me what the so-called ‘‘ Black Eagle” really is? Is it a young Bald, or a distinct variety? I can’t satisfy myself re- garding them. Cordially yours, Ve GRAHAM. / According to authority older than you or ourselves, we must pass on every eagte not a Golden, that inhabits this section of the country, the name of Bald.—“d. THERE seems to be much confusion re- garding the Loggerhead and White-rumped Shrikes. The former is the bird of the South Atlantic and Gulf States. The lat- ter variety is found in New England, the Middle and Western States to the Pacific Ocean. RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. 3) The Rodentia of Rhode Island. ING@s UL. Tue family Sciuridw, or Squirrels, is rep- resented in Rhode Island by five genera and five species. A general and brief history of the family cannot be better rendered than by Dr. Coues, in the new Standard Natural History, published by S. E. Cas- sino & Co. ‘¢ The Sciuride offer for consideration a wide range of variation, which passes by very gentle gradations from the large, heavy, terrestrial, and fosorial marmots, or ground- -hogs, with their short limbs, ears, and tail, through the chipmunks, which stand exactly on the dividing line, to the agile, graceful, and perfectly arboreal squir- rels, whose trim limbs and long, shadowy tails present the opposite end of the series, the extreme link of which is furnished by the almost aerial flying-squirrels. Through- out these modifications of outward form, and consequently of habit, one set of tech- nical characters prevails. The skull has large and distinct post-orbital processes, not developed elsewhere in the Sciurine al- liance. There are normally two premolars on each side above, and one below ; the first of these, however, is always small, and de- ciduous, so that different individuals of the same species even, may have the back teeth The molars are rooted and tu- berculate ; the palate is broad and _ flat ; the infra-orbital foraman is small, and an- terior in position. Cheek-pouches are fre- quently developed, especially in the ground- squirrels. The tail ranges from a stump to the elegant bushy appendage which may surpass the head and body in length and width, and by the distichous arrangement of the hairs, furnish a kind of awning to cover the animal; whence the pretty name of Shade-tail (Sciwrus), which the Greeks and Romans gave. There is, perhaps, no more closely animals, of equal extent, than that which has a woodchuck at one end and a flying- squirrel at the other. 19 or §. Tue Woopcnuck, or GRouND-H0OG : Arcromys Monax. (Arctomys) a northern mouse (mona) alone. Three species of Arctomys are found in North America, but monax is the only one inhabiting Rhode Island, and of these we have plenty of representatives scattered all over the state, and in some towns in the | southern part a bounty on their heads is offered, which is not altogether easy to ob- tain, for the animal is very wary, and when feeding or moving about the fields in the day time, is continually standing up and turning his head about on the lookout for danger, and ready at a sound to start for | his hole. He is most likely to be met abroad in early morning or toward the dusk of evening, and does most of his feeding at night, when he will accomplish much | damage among the farmers’ cabbage, beans, and turnips, or in the clover-field. He is fond of sunning himself, lying on the dirt at the mouth of the hole. Though gener- ally so shy (as among other animals) all caution seems sometimes forgotten, and Mr. N. W. Thatcher tells me that twice he has walked close up to one thus taking a sun-bath. Sometimes there are two holes near together, and in such case the dirt is usually heaped up at one of them which “and evenly linked chain of will be quite oblique, while the other, more nearly perpendicular, will be smooth and clean, which indicates somewhat that the holes are connected and the clean one wrought out from below, the dirt being car- ried out of the other. About the begin- ‘ f ning of November he disappears, and hibernates until the first warm days of spring. “ His general habitat is from the Carolinas northward to Hudson’s Bay, and westward from the Atlantic coast to Western Missouri, Iowa, and Minnesota. There is the greatest variation of color, the extremes being white and brownish black, or very dark brown. I have never heard of either of these being taken in Rhode Island (but of both in Massachusetts), ox in fact of any coloring different from the average animal, which may be described as measuring from tip to tip, twenty inches ; tail, which is round and small near the body, 6 inches; the ears, nearly round, gray and | brown; head a mixed brown and black, chin eray, cheeks and throat yellow white ; under parts yellow brown or red brown, with shad- ing of dark gray or black; color above mixed black, white and yellow brown ; tail mixed or darker brown; the feet, armed with stout claws, are black above and be- low ; the hairs are rather coarse, and nearly all are dark gray at the base. 6 RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. Itacolumyte — Flexible Sandstone. Tuts interesting rock is found in Brazil, the Urals, California, Georgia, and North Carolina. It is of interest from the fact that it frequently accompanies the diamond, as is the case in North Carolina, where several have been found. Its most remarkable feature is, however, its flexibility. From this last-named state we have received fine specimens that when cut in slabs 15 inches long, by 1} inches wide, and # inch thick, will bend in their shortest diameter 3 inches. It is also extensible to a limited extent. These peculiarities are due, according to Prof. J. D. Dana, to hydrous mica in its lamination. In the American Journal of Science, Vol. XLIV., Dr. C. Wetherill published a paper stating that by microscopical examination he had decided that the ‘‘ flexibility is due to small and innumerable ball and socket joints existing very uniformly, each joint permitting a slight movement which is greater in one direction. In The Naturalist’s Leisure Hour, No. 11, 1880, Prof. A. M. Edwards states that he has ‘ investigated this point of structure and flexibility with care,” and has never been able to observe any ball and socket joints, or in the light gray or white speci- mens any mica, while the red-tinted speci- mens contained very little. He states that ‘‘ the rock is made up of small, bro- ken, irregular masses of sand with sharp edges, which could not have been trans- ported far, and of extremely irregular out- line. They settled naturally from suspen- sion in water, distributing themselves for the most part with their greatest axes in the same direction, making a stone that is cleavable into more or less distinctly marked laminz. In such a rock, if the particles were not strongly held together, they would possess a certain amount of motion, one over the other, and this motion, as is the case, would be most marked in a direction at right angles to the lamination. Professor “dwards also states that grains of the crushed rock put up in Canada balsam, be- come very beautiful objects for examination by means of the Micro-Polariscope, exhib- iting a gorgeous display of colors, when the interposing selenite film is used. SOCIETY NOTICES. THe members of our various societies are scattered abroad on their summer vacations, and meetings are generally adjourned until the autumn. THe Newport HistoricaL SoOcieTy held a meeting Thursday evening, August 7, to consider the building of an aquarium. A design was presented by Mr. Richard Bliss, showing a building sixty-five feet long by thirty wide, with two wings, each about forty feet, forming three sides of a rectangle, a large central tank in the main building, and smaller ones, about five feet long and four deep, arranged about the sides of the building and connected by pipes with the sea. Mr. George Gordon King read a paper upon the subject of pro- viding such an establishment for Newport, and was followed by other gentlemen. A committee will be appointed to collect $10,000 for the construction of the aqua- rium. The government commission will assist in stocking the tanks, and the creeks and bays of the vicinity offer remarkable re- sources in the way of fish and vegetation. Tue LoNsSDALE BOTANICAL AND FIELD NATURALIST SOCIETY held its regular monthly meeting with a good attendance of members. A _ very nice collection of plants was laid upon the table, and afterward very ably named by Vice-President James Moss. After the usual business the members interested themselves examining a microscope, which the society has recently imported from England. /, TAKE NOTICE. / Tur eggs of Lawrence’s Goldfinch are not i Various Californian collectors have sent Arkansas Goldfinch eggs broad cast over the country under the name of Law- rence’s. We have had numbers of blue ones sent us, but coming from collectors who did not take skins as well as eggs, we always refused them. We lately received white eggs from an esteemed collector, and in reply to a note written by us to Mr William Brew- ster, he writes, ‘‘ The eggs of Lawrence’s Goldfinch are always pure white, despite 99 what Coues affirms in his new ‘* Key.’” | 7 / blue. RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. 7 The Shell- Bearing Mollusca of Rhode Island. [BY HORACE F. CARPENTER. ] Cuaprer IX. GENUS COLUMBELLA, LAM. Shell strombiform, fusiform, or obovate ; smooth, or longitudinally or transversely ribbed, or striate; inner lip excavated in the middle, crenulated or denticulated in front; outer lip usually inflected, thickened within, and crenulated in the middle. This genus is subdivided into eleven sub- genera, two of which are represented in Rhode Island. Sus-Genus Mirreua, Risso. Shell mitriform, smooth or longitudinally plicate ; spire elevated, sharp ; body-whorl suddenly narrowed into a beak or short canal in front. This sub-genus includes Astyris and Amycla (in part) of H. & A. Adams. Sus-Genus Anacuis, H. & A. ADaAms. Shell oval-fusiform, longitudinally ribbed, spire elevated ; body-whorl not narrowed in front ; aperture narrow ; columella straight; outer lip nearly straight, crenulated within. 13. CoLUMBELLA (MITRELLA) LUNATA, Say. Syns.: Nassa lunata, Say. 1826. Buccinum lunatum, Adams. Gould. Buccinum Wheatley’s, DeKay. Columbella Gouldiana, Agassiz, Mss. Stim. Astyris lunata, Dall. Distr., Massachusetts to Florida. Very abundant in Vineyard Sound, from low water to ten fathoms. Their station is on seaweed, and the best method of obtaining them alive is to pass a dredge (having a coarse cloth on each side as a protection to the iron work) through a belt of seaweed, as the boat passes through it; on pulling in the dredge, the cloth will be found covered with these shells, which may be scraped off with a knife, or removed to a small bottle with a tooth-pick, which is my favorite method of collecting small shells. These shells are small, ovate-conic; whorls six, surface smooth, color reddish-brown, with from one to three series of sub-lunate spots on the body-whorl, varying from white to dark yellow in color; on the lower part of the base are several revolving lines; aper- ture oval, narrow, ending in a very short canal; outer lip simple, dentate within; inner lip smooth and brown. Length +4 inch, breadth 54. 14. CoLuMBELLA (MITRELLA) DISSIMILIS, STIMPSON. ae 2 eal Fs ogi gee e Shell very minute, ;23, inch in length, 1 tov inch in breadth; whorls five, flattened ; aperture a little less than half the length of the shell; color fuscous, with three white zones; surface longitudinally striate, and destitute of revolving lines on the rostrum. It inhabits the Laminarian zone, and has been found at Eastport and Grand Manan by Stimpson, and in Vineyard Sound by Verrill. It was first discovered at Ston- ington by Linsley, in 1845, and named by him Buccinum zonalis, without description. I have never seen this species. It has not. yet been observed in Rhode Island, prob- ably on account of its minute size. 15. CoLuMBELLA (ANACHIS) AVARA, Say. Shell elongated-ovate, solid, of a light straw color. blotched with various shades of reddish-brown, surface covered with equi- distant revolving lines, reticulated by fifteen smooth, obtuse ribs, running from the apex, and terminating at the centre of the body- whorl, leaving the lower portion marked only by the revolving lines; whorls six, forming a pointed spire ; aperture narrow, about one-third the length of the shell; outer lip simple, thickened externally and toothed internally; inner lip callused and also dentate in mature specimens. Length 3 inch, breadth }. This shell was described by Say, in June, 1822, Jour. Acad. Sci.. Fit. Vol: 2, p. 281, as Columbella avara. He says, ‘* It inhabits the coasts of the Southern States, and occurs as far north as Maryland.” It is found at Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, and New Bedford, but not to the north of Cape Cod. It inhabits deep water at New- port. JI have never seen even dead shells above Bristol Ferry, but have found them abundantly on the island of Rhode Island. 8 RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. 16. CoLuMBELLA (ANACHIS) ROSACEA, with the dredging expedition, told me that GOULD. Syns.: Buccinum rosaceum, Gould. Sci., Vol. 88, p. 197, 1840. Coluinbella rosacea, Stimp. New England, p. 47, 1851. Astyris rosacea, Adams. Genera of Re- cent Molluscu, Vol. 1, p. L87, 1858. The first specimen was obtained from the stomach of a fish caught off Cohasset. It has been dredged in 29 fathoms off Block Island, and has been found from Long Island Sound to Greenland. It is some- what larger than C. /unata, being =’; inch in length by 5% Am. Jour. Shells of in breadth. It has six whorls, covered with very minute revolving lines. Its color is white, tinged at the apex with pink. Authorities have placed this species under the sub-genus Anachis. I cannot see why they have done this; there is no re- semblance to other species of this sub- genus, wvara for instance, but strongly re- semble C. lunata, and in my judgment | should be classed with it, under the sub- | genus mitrella. 17. CoLumBeLLa (ANACHIS) DIAPHANA, VERRILL. Shell thin, delicate, translucent, white, nearly smooth, elongated, with long, taper- ing, acute spire. and evenly rounded. Fresh specimens, Whorls eight, broadly | when wet, are so transparent that the in- | ternal form of the columella can be seen through the shell. new species discovered by the U. 8. Fish Commission at Martha’s Vineyard and vicinity in 1880 and 1881. from deep water, 65 to 487 fathoms. A long and full description of it is given in Tryon's Manual of Conchology, Vol. 5, p. 160, 1888. 18. CoLrumBeLtA (ANACHIS) PURA, VERRILL. Professor Verrill’s description in full is given in Tryon’s Manual, p. 162. He says, This is one of the many | ‘This shell is very abundant in many of | our deeper dredgings on muddy bottoms.” | I have never seen either of the above new species. They may possibly be found in Rhode Island, as Prof. S. I. Smith, of the | New York Central Park Museum, who ws It was dredged | the waters between the island of Rhode Island and Little Compton, and below Stone Bridge, were rich in new forms. This part of our State and Mount Hope Bay have never been explored, and a field is open there for new discoveries, which may add many new species to our fauna. (To be continued.) Preserving Fungi. Mr. J. H. Martin, in Hardwick's Science- Gossip, says that a good method is to place them in a solution of one part calcium chlo- ride (chloride of lime) and ten parts water. This will change the phosphates of the fungus into phosphate of lime, after which they will be found to keep well. Preparation of Star-Fish, Ete. To make ‘‘dry specimens” of sea-ur- chins, star-fish, etc. : Take live specimens and place in flat dishes of warm water (back up) and when soft and pliable, which will be in a few minutes, change to flat dishes of one-third water and two-thirds alcohol and let them stay for twenty-four to forty-eight hours, covered with the liquid. Take them out and place on boards to dry, for a day or two, in the sun, or by artificial heat, as the case may be. From the time the animals are taken from the warm bath, care should be exercised that the arms, etc., are sym- metrically arranged; dry them first back up, then when somewhat stiff turn over, and do this until perfectly dry. Fresh warm water kills and makes them pliable, alcohol hardens, and evaporating, carries out quickly from the body such liquids as remain. Mapame and baby had just returned from a promenade. Monsieur asked for details. “Oh, my dear, good news,” ‘‘ Baby can talk. Baby said his first word alittle while ago.” ‘* Indeed ! Tell me all about it.” ‘* Well, we were at the Jardin des Plantes, in front of the huge cage of mon- keys, when baby suddenly cried out very dis- ns) 99 tinctly, * Ah, papa. said his wife. , RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. S Historical Trees of Rhode Island. In Rhode Island there have been many trees of an historical interest, and there ex- ist now many that are aged and of large size. A notice of a few that are and have been the most conspicuous in this city and vicin- ity may be of interest to those interested in | | stand or sit together. arboriculture and forestry. In July, 1763, the Sons of Liberty were | called upon to dedicate the Tree of Liberty, located on the north side of Olney Street, in the city of Providence, in front of a public house, kept by Captain Joseph Olney. A communication from Samuel Thurber, sub- sequently found, speaks of it as one of the largest elms he ever saw. A flight of steps led up, perhaps twenty feet, to where three or four limbs set out, and there ten or twelve people could sit in comfortable enjoyment in | the shade. This tree was dedicated July 25, 1763, and a discourse was delivered by Silas Powner. ago. A specimen of the white oak (quercus alba), in North Providence, on land owned by the descendants of Capt. Timothy Olney, is noticeable for its size, the girth of the trunk of this tree one foot from the ground is twenty feet, height about seventy feet, spread of lower limbs, 275 feet in circum- ference. The scarlet oak ( quercus coccinea ), and its varieties present some large specimens within the limits of the city of Providence and vicinity, some with a trunk girth of six- teen feet; height, ninety feet or more; spread of branches 100 feet. In the town of Johnston, on the estate of Judge Zuriel Potter, on the north side of the Hartford turnpike, was one of the largest specimens of the American elm known in New England. This tree is described in Emerson’s report on the trees and shrubs of Massachusetts. published in 1846. One of the last measurements of this tree before its destruction is as follows: Circumfer- ence, about a foot from the ground, where the bulge of the roots is included, is 40 feet; ata height of 6 feet is 23 fects at a height of 12 feet, is 28 feet; circumference of the two great branches, 14} and 14 feet respectively. In 1858, the smallest girth at an average height of 5 feet from the ground was 23 feet, 1 inch. The trunk, viewed from the northeast, is plainly seen to have It was cut down a long time | quite a division, in the fissure on that side steps being fixed for ascending the tree. The two great branches of this trunk sepa- rate at the height of about twelve or four- ' teen feet and then divide into secondary branches, which count ten in number. On mounting the platform where the trunk di- vides, room is found for several persous to Only the great south- eastern branch, which runs off horizontally ' about seventy feet from the base of the trunk, remains to show the great amount of ground covered by the foliage of this elm in its best days. Looking from the north- east and knowing that the northern branch once extended nearly as far, one can form some idea of the tree as it then appeared. It had a spread of little less than 140 feet. Its height was about ninety feet. It has been estimated that the amount of lumber which this tree contained was twenty-five cords. It is believed that in the horizontal spread of branches, the Johnston elm, in its best days, was exceeded by none. ‘The age of this tree is entirely unknown. It is only by reading and observation that a conjecture can be obtained ; and if there is any value in these results, we must conclude that the Jobnston elm, with its 277 inches of circum- ference, ought to be not more than 275 years old, and probably not less than 250. In the public highway, in the village of Lonsdale and town of Lincoln, not far from the grave of our earliest founder, William Blackstone, is an oak called the Catholic oak. Standing on the roots and about three feet up, it girths sixteen feet. ‘The roots spread large and high above the ground. The mound formed by them and by over- laying earth is 100 feet in circumference. Spread of branches, about forty feet in every direction. Many place the longevity of this tree at more than 300 years. The acorns have been distributed through many towns in Germany, and the offspring of this ‘¢orand” old oak are there growing. (To be continued.) A CORRESPONDENT desires to know how to tan ducks’, grebes’, and other greasy breasts. This question belongs more especially to the tannery, but still most taxidermists sooner or later desire to prepare skins in this way. Will some of our readers favor us with their methods ? 10 RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. CONCHOLOGICAL CHECK-LIST. IX. J. RITCHIE, JR. Family. Cyclostomacea Pfr. Sub-family. Licinea Gray. Cyclotopsis conoidea Pfr. Otopoma albicans Sow. clathratulum Recluz. clausum Sow. dubia Morel. nevillei Morel. semistriata Sow. subdiscoidea Sow. Ctenopoma adolfi Pfr. bahamense Shutt. bilabiatum Orb. bryanti Pfr. campbelli C. B. Adams. coronatum Gundlach. deficiens Gundlach. echinatum Gundlach. enode Gundlach. garidojanum Gundlach. honestum Poey. jeannereti Pfr. nigriculum Gundlach. nobilitatum Gundlach. orbignyanum Petit. perspectivum Gundlach. pulverulentum Wright. rotundatum Poey. rugulosum Pfr. sculptum Gundlach. semicoronatum Gundlach. torquatum Gutrz. undosum Gundlach. wilkinsoni C. B. Adams. grayana Pfr. ignilabris C. B. Adams. intermedia C. B. Adams. mirabilis Wood. miranda C. B. Adams. monstrosa C, B. Adams. pearmanzeana Chitty. pinguis Pfr. pulehrior C. B. Adams. variabilis C. B. Adams. xanthostoma Sow. Sub-family. Cyclostomea Pfr. Lithidion depressus Sow. desciscens Pfr. nivens Petit. souleytianus Pfr. sulcatus Gray. Diplopoma architectonicum Gundlach. Adamsiella chordata Pfr. , comorense Pfr. coquandianum Petit. gratum Petit. guillaini Petit. haemastomum Ant. hindtuorum Blanford. listeri Gray. multilineatum Jay. naticoides Recluz. nitidum Robill. philippianum Pfr. politus Sow. pygmaeus Sow. spurcus Grateloup. undulatum Sow. unifasciatum Sow. vitellinus Pfr. Cyclostomus albus Sow. aminensis Pfr. arbeillei Grateloup. articulatus Gray. asper Pat. et M. balteatus Sow. banksianus Sow. barclayanus Pfr. belairi Petit. bicarinatus Sow. boivini Pfr. bronni C. B. Adams. buecinulum Bolt. campanulatus Pfr. canariensis Orb. carinatus Born. cariniferus Sow. carolinensis Pfr. caspicus Mouss. chevalieri C. B. Adams. citrinus Sow. concinnus Sow. conoideus Pfr. consanguineus Sow. costulatus Zeigler. crenulosus C. B. Adams. ereplini Dkr. cuvierianus Petit. deliciosus Fer. deshayesianus Petit. =e RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. RARE AND DESIRABLE GOODS Lately Received at the Matural Historp Store SOUTHWICK & JENCKS, PROVIDENCE, R. I. YOUNC BIRDS IN THE DOWN. “vilibadl (CHROUIE RR Reso oo Ite aeneIG a pim.c cicris $ 15 PV IMICMOMICKON acts ces cccca sce ce vesemee 15 SROUMUMMETfepey is s sce c eee eeete 3.15 Red-headed Duck, nest 14................ 8.40 Caspian Tern set 2 (from Texas).......... 3.50 RARE MOUNTED BIRDS. 1 Golden-cheeked Warbler................ $4.00 2 Black-headed Vireos ({\ and 9, each.... Rare Plumage of a Common Bird. 1 Long-tailed Duck, in breeding plumage, ‘chestnut and black, price skin.... .. $4.00 A MONTHLY, 50 CENTS PER ANNUM. PUBLISHED BY aOU TH ek a JENCKS, PROVIDENCE, R. I. 2 RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. FOR DYSPEPSIA, MENTAL AND PHYSICAL EXHAUSTION, NERVOUSNESS, DIMINISHED VITALITY, ETC., —— USE—=—-—_ > es nur? Prof, Horsford’s Acid Phosphate, (LIQUID.) Prepared according to the directions of Prof. E. N. Horsford, of Cambridge, Mass. A preparation ofthe phosphates — of lime, magnesia, potash and iron, with phosphoric acid in such form as to be readily assimilated by the system. — As Food for an Exhausted Brain, In Liver and Kidney Troubles, In Dyspepsia, — Indigestion and Constipation, In Seasickness and Sick Headache, In Inebriety, Despondency, and Cases of Impaired Nerve Function, it has become a necessity in a large number of households throughout the world, and is UNIVERSALLY RECOMMENDED AND PRESCRIBED BY PHYSICIANS OF ALL SCHOOLS. It is the best tonic known, furnishing sustenance to both brain and body. Its action will harmonize with such stimulants as are necessary to take. Kt makes a delicious drink with water and sugar only, and is Invigorating, Strengthening, Healthful, Refreshing. eee eee Prices Reasonable. Pamphlet giving further particulars mailed free. Manufactured by the Rumford Chemical Works, - Providence, R. I. a 3S" BEWARE OF IMITATIONS.-<% DRESSES AND GARMENTS Dyed and Cleansed Mhithout Faking Apart. > PRESSING EQUAL TO NEW.S< BOOK OF PRICES AND FULL DIRECTIONS SENT FREE. LEWANDO’S FRENCH DYE HOUSE. MAIN OF FICE: 17 TEMPLE PLACE, - - - BOSTON, U.S.A. PROVIDENCE BRANCH OFFICE, 270 WESTMINSTER ST. Random Hotes on Uatural History. Vol. 1, PROVIDENCE, OCTOBER, 1884. No. X. Entered at the Providence Post-Office as Second-Class Matter. Random Hotes on Daturat History. A MONTHLY DEVOTED TO THE DISTRIBUTION OF USE- FUL KNOWLEDGE CONCERNING THE VARIOUS DE- PARTMENTS OF ZOOLOGY, MINERALOGY, AND Borany. 50 CentTS A YEAR. Address all communications to SOUTHWICK & JENCKS, 258 Westminster St., Providence, R.I., U.S. A. SPECIAL NOTICE. Sugsscriptions hereafter will begin with the current number, or the March number if desired. TuHoseE having copies of January or Feb- ruary to spare will confer a favor by return- ing the same to us. We will accept such copies if in good preservation, and forward for each 10 cents, or they may be used for that amount in the purchase of goods from us. The sender should write “ from” and his name and address on the wrapper. Can any of our readers tell us who was the first to use a hard body in mounting birds, or where a hard body is first de- scribed? All the French works on taxi- dermy recommend soft filling, and the use of a hard body is probably of English or German origin. We would very much like an answer to this question. Ir really is surprising how much has been written on taxidermy in various languages. The oldest paper quoted was written in 1689, the next in 1742, and from that time onward there have been very few years un- represented, the books and papers on taxi- dermy multiplying very rapidly within the last four or five years. J “ax Unwitiine Caprive.—On the after- noon of September 6th a gentleman, while walking by the Genesee River, saw a King- fisher dart down to the water. The next instant there was a lively struggle at the water’s edge. ‘The bird had caught a clam, and the clam in turn had caught the King- fisher securely by closing its shell. Both specimens were easily taken alive by the | eye-witness, and placed in my hands for preservation. T. W. FRAINE. Vie all our birds I think the Song Spar- row most prolific. A pair of these birds remained through the winter among the evergreens in my yard, and commenced singing with the appearance of spring. By the 15th of May I first noticed nest-building had begun, and on the 22d there were four eggs in the nest; these I took for a friend. In about two weeks they had another nest near by, and when I found the set was six I took that June 3d. In about two weeks more, as I was walking in my yard, the fe- male flew out of the grass, disclosing set number three, which contained four eggs. As these were under my daily observation I watched the progress of incubation with ereat interest, and saw the young take wing July 4th. Within a week after, nest number four was begun in a little shrub, in which four more eggs were laid and hatched, but a few days later I found the nest pulled down and the young destroyed, probably by some hungry cat. But the birds were not discouraged yet, for on the 10th of August I found nest number five, with four eggs, in a bunch of asparagus, and to-day, Septem- ber 1st, four young birds are ready plumed for flight. All these nests were in my front if yard. J.N. Crarx. / We propound a conundrum for the op- ponents of arsenic in general, and arsenical soap in particular. Why is it that from its first invention by Becceur until the present day arsenical soap has held its own against the scores of dermal preservatives that have from time totime been brought to the front? The older works on taxidermy abound in all sorts of baths and powders, and yet we hear very little of them now-a-days. Also, since arsenic is said to be so dan- gerous, we will ask for a little information on the point from any one who has felt any deleterious effects from its use. 4 RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. The Arctic Fox — Vulpes logopus, Linn. OccAsIONALLy we find among the stocks of the furriers, skins of this beautiful little fox in winter pelage of snowy white. Just at present they are in much esteem, for the making of mats, the head being stuffed to shape, and the skin spread to its full extent. It is also réported that thousands of their skins are imported into China, as trimmings for the dress of the mandarins. The ani- mal does not occur in the United States, but from Labrador northward, inhabiting the Arctic portions of both continents, also Iceland and Greenland. The fur is long and dense (almost downy), covering even the soles of the feet, and the tail is very full and round; the ears are short and erect, and the head short and more dog-like than with other foxes. The summer pelage is said to be a bluish or leaden gray. During the summer they bur- row in colonies, some twenty or thirty together, or when quite undisturbed are often satisfied with the shelter of a rock, and develop eight or ten young at a time. Their food is small mammals, birds, and matters thrown upon the shore by the waves, in fact, what they can get, the local- ity does not offer much variety. La Nature says they enter with astonishing boldness the encampments of travelers, and seize not only provisions, but covering, and woolen and skin clothing. The naturalist Stella and his companions were cast by shipwreck upon Behring’s Island, and for ten months | suffered much from such incursions. They fired at them, set traps, and capturing a few individuals exposed them to the eyes of their companions, but every night the foxes returned, stole provisions, and gnawed gloves, shoes, hats, and even their reindeer- skin bedding. Their capture presents no difficulty, as their instinct for self-preserva- tion is poorly developed ; they are a singular mixture of boldness and cowardice, stu- pidity and cunning. The Ostiaks Saymoyeds, when the ground is covered with a winding-sheet of snow in winter, start upon a campaign, armed with shovels made from reindeer- antlers. As soon as they discover the mouth of a burrow dug through the snow, they ascertain its direction, open the gallery with their shovels, seize the semi-torpid animal by the tail, and dash its brains out against a rock. Mr. P. L. Martin estimates the number of skins that annually reach the markets of Europe at 90,000, others come to the United States, and under the existing cireum- stances, the species is sure to soon become extinct. The Arctic fox when captured young is easily tamed, and two individuals of this species are now confined at the Jardin des Plantes in Paris. Reptiles and Batrachians of Rhode Island. BY HERMON C. BUMPUS. Frew branches of Rhode Island natural history have received less attention than its herpetology. Whether this arises from the instinctive aversion held by the majority of people for anything that ‘‘ crawls,” or from the numerous difficulties that are met in collecting data, may be a question. The present need, however, of a catalogue, and the fact that our Reptiles and Batrachians are daily becoming fewer, has prompted the writer to at once compile such facts as are or may be known; soliciting special aid from the readers of Ranpom Nores. It seems that by thus bringing together points of interest, either in habit or special distribu- tion, from so considerable a source, the generalizations cannot but be valuable. Such communications, as well as remark- able specimens—the latter will be especially desirable — should be left with the editor. Specimens thus deposited, with full data, will, if of sufficient interest, be preserved and added to the Museum of Brown Uni- versity, where they will form a permanent, typical state collection. That all interested may be able to lend an helping hand to advantage, the following articles will include the synonomy, and a description of the several types which are likely to be found inhabiting the state, to which will be appended, with due credit, such notes as have been submitted. Finally, when the several types have been treated, a summary and check-list will conclude the series. Reptiles, Batrachians, and Fishes were formerly included under the more general term ‘‘cold-blooded vertebrates,” in dis- tinction from the birds and mammals pro- vided with appreciably warm blood. That the distinction is somewhat erroneous is evident from an insight into the nature of RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. 5 heat production. No one, but all organs have to do with heat production, which is directly brought about by motion and oxi- dation ; a slow combustion disposing of or- ganic waste. In the ‘‘ warm-blooded” ani- mals the circulatory systemis so constructed as to keep the venous, charged with carbon and other impurities, separate from the pure arterial blood. This impure blood is not only purified in the lungs, but carries with it, to the different tissues, no small amount of oxygen. Considerable heat, brought about by the chemical union of oxygen and carbon, is thus produced not only in the lungs but throughout the body. In the ‘‘ cold-blooded” vertebrates the heart mixes arterial and venous blood, thus sending to the lungs or gills, or both lungs and gills, as the case may be, blood that is only partially charged with impure matter; the resulting oxidation must hence be slow and the heat produced of a low de- gree. The amount of heat is further re- duced in those forms breathing by means of gills, by the comparatively small amount of oxygen in the water. It must not be thought, however, that the lungs alone are the heat producers; the several organs of the body assist, as well as all physical move- ment, the sum total resulting in a ‘* warm” or ‘¢ cold-blooded” animal, as the case may be. Reptiles, which are represented in Rhode Island by turtles, lizards, and snakes, differ from the Batrachians, toads, frogs, sala- manders, and newts, in several particulars. While reptiles are hatched or born in form and structure differing from the adult only in respect to size, the immature Batrachians are strikingly unlike the adult; in their mode of breathing and progression much more resembling fishes, from which they reach the mature form through a succession of metamorphoses. ) a) Russet-backed Thrush. Hylocichla ustulata, [152.]....$0 50 to 65 . Western Robin. Merula migratoria propinqua....... 30 Californian Thrasher. Harporhynchus redivivus. [256.]. 75 American Water Ouzel. Cinclus mexicanus. [164.].. 73 Californian Bluebird. Sialia mewicana. [159.]...... 45 Rocky Mountain Bluebird. Sialia arctica. [160.]. Ae a Townsend's Solitaire. Myiadestes townsendi. [235.]... 1 00 Black-crested Flycatcher. Phainopepla nitens. [234.]. 1 00 Ground Tit. Chamcea fasciata. [274.] .. ........ 75 Plain Titmouse. Lophophanes inornatus. [287.].... 75 Yellow-headed Tit. Auriparus flaviceps. [800.]. ... 1 25 . Slender-billed Nuthatch. Sitta carolinensis aculeata. 12), Sl I > Oe gee 45 Pigmy Nuthatch. Sitta pygmea. [281.].. 60 Cactus Wren. Campylorhynchus br unneicapillus. (262. : a . Western House Wren. T'roglodytes aedon parkmanni. Bovi| ... ..... MMMM. os oe. sk 45 Black-throated Gray Warbler. Dendreca nigrescens. Pe. 5... OS EEN oP, oe alo oo ake 1 25 . Plumbeous Vireo. Lanivireo solitarius plumbeus..... 1 00 Dee eR bo Or EGGS. Sets per Egg. Single. $0 20 $015 30 30 15 30 30 30 30 20 25 25 25 00 20 a0 90 90 12 RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY. 293. California Jay. Aphelocoma californica. [437.]..... 65 85 30 25 307. Cassin’s Kingbird. Tyrannus vociferans. [127.]....1 50 2 00 338. Anna’s Hummingbird. Calypte anne. [105.]....... fo 1:00 60* 60 339. Broad-tailed Hummingbird. Selasphorus platycercus... (MOA. ees bene the © wee, 0: «ace eens, aie aan E00 1 25 350. Black Swift. Cypseloides niger borealis. [108.]..... 6 00 355. Poor-will. Phalenoptilus nuttalli. [118.] ..... 150 2 00 368a. Striped-backed Three-toed Woodpecker. Picoides tri- dactylusidorsalis:. [O4. |. as «aston tele apo eee 250 3 00 378). Red-shafted Flicker. Colaptes auratus mexicanus. [98.] 60 85 20 15 394. American Barn Owl. Alucoflammeus americanus. [47.]2 50 3 50 7d 65 408. Burrowing Owl. Speolyto cunicularia hypogea. [58, TU el See wee ae ee es ss Oa cL oe 60 50 448. Ferruginous Rough- leg. Archibuteo ferrugineus. [82.]5 00 6 00 471. Dusky Grouse. Canace obscura. [459.4 «oa &... 600,00) 4 90 482. Californian Quail. Lophortyx californica. [474.]. .. 75 1 OC 20 15 729. Western Grebe. Achmophorus occidentalis. [704.].. 200 1 75 745. Tafted Puffinz; Landa cirrhata.. [1122 )s.-% <6-.32 = oe 2 50 3 50 761. Pigeon Guillemot. Uvia columba. [727.]. ........ 200 2 50 50 40 763a. California Guillemot. Lomvia troile californica....... 200 3 00 40 35 * Hummingbirds’ nests, 50 cents to $1 each, according to beauty. “ALASKA EGGS,=* — COLLECTED BYy—— MR. EDWARD W. NELSON, AND CONSIGNED TO US. 598) Emperor-Goose.... 6 .wienioc, «cle cee 4.50 SINGLE EGGS. | 605° Pintail’ Duck... 0 ..- cea -50 178a White-rumped Redpoll............... $) 715 |) 614" ‘ScaupsDuck wi... '24'5.% Face ee et eee 65 1s7 slapland| Wonespur,...7.)-e temo tees -80)\| 623 Long-tailed! Duck:. 52 s- <2 tejcriom -atetotetees -40 193b Western Savannah Sparrow.......... .50"| 626 Spectacled Hider: - s2.ucc-een eee 4.50 AVA MGAC OPUS Als: ar. © sls/oler- ls 0.0 slelele slelste 1525: | 660 Glaucgus Gull. 2.: o.- sree 1 00 Holi Baird: Si Sang PGi. loi ve mie! leieiael= = 2.00 | 677_ Sabine’s/Gully..<. 2o.- 3. cites eee 3.00 541a Western Sandpiper. .............-... sto | 687" Arctic: Dern. 2s. se ce -\a\tt tiene -15 563 Red sehalarope veoh or eke so seleracoeferale rons 2.00: |189. PacifigsDiver jc. fii: <\:'= ~~ cline eee 2.50 564 Northern Phalarope............-.-+-> (60) | 748: Crested Auk... ....5). 2s... ice sane 4.00 HSA hulew@ ran eee =| stra leicketaat- baritone, sereel 4:00.) To0 . Tieast Aq. ori