:> AD BU RY’ ABSOLUTELY PURE, oC S | therefore BEST. “oe eebig cgi = “The standard of mists! Pari Est ABLISHED 1865 ARE NOW OVERDUE. oe New Series. . Vol. Vill., No. JUNE 1901. an SGIENGE- GOSSIPS ery AN ILLUSTRATED MONTHLY RECORD OF Nie 9 Nature, Country Lore & Applied Giicnee Nila Aa CE wf * EDITED BY ae aN JOHN TI. CARRINGTON Bais eae bra AND F. WINSTONE. N.B.—SUBSCRIPTIONS BEGINNING WITH VOL. VIII. LONDON: “¢ ScIENCE-GossiP ” OFFICE, I10 STRAND, W.C. WHOLESALE AGENTS—HoRACE MARSHALL & SON. BERLIN: R. FRIEDLANDER & SOHN, CARLSTRASSE II. [AZ Rights Reserved.\ PRICE SIXPENCE. SCIENCE-GOSSIP. NOW READY. THE CHAPMAN JONES PLATE TESTER SANGER TLL oe" & CO., Sole Makers. ie A simple instrument for testing ewe| photographic plates and films. =- a C Tenant oncS PLATE TESTER Tilustrated C booklet sent on receipt of 1d. stamp. SANGER SHEPHERD & CO., Factory anD OrFFices: 5, 6 & 7 GRAY’S INN PASSAGE, RED LION STREET, HOLBORN, LONDON, W.C. Brownies, 9d. Pocket K., 1/6 No. 1 F.P.K., 2/- DEVELOPED. No. 1 Panoram, 2/- No. 2 Kodaks, 2/6 Negatives promptly returned post free. KoDAKS AND ALL PHOTOGRAPHIC REQUISITES. A. HOWARD (.283Ge), Chemist, GT. YARMOUTH. MASON’S MICROSGOPICAL SPECIMENS, SERIES OF BOTANICAL SECTIONS. INSECT DISSEC- TIONS or MISCELLANEOUS, is. id. List for Stamp. Many new Preparations in hand for coming Season. Practical Hints on Mounting. (Copyright Pamphlet) 6d. R. G. MASON, 69 Park Rd., CLAPHAM, S.W. PHYSIOGRAPHY and GEOLOGY. COLLECTIONS and MICROSCOPIC SLIDES as advised by Science. and Art Directory, arranged by JAMES R. GREGORY & CO., Mineralogists, &c., to Science and Art Department, British, Indian, and Colonial Museums, &c. Collections made to illustrate all Works on Mineralogy, Petrology, &c., also for Prospectors and Mining Engineers. Minerals supplied for all purposes, either in Specimens or by Weight. SToREs AND OFFicEs :—1 KELSO PLACE, KENSINGTON, W. New Catalogues and Lists Free. COLLECTIONS OF MINERALS, SHELLS, FOSSILS, &c. For SALE. Also DUPLICATES cheap. 4ypyto EL M. HELE, Warwick Lodge, KNOWLE, near BRISTOL. LIVING SPECIMENS FOR THE MICROSCOPE. Volvox, Spirogyra, Desmids, Diatoms, Amoeba, Arcella, Actino- sphaerium, Vorticella, Stentor, Hydra, Floscularia; Stephanoceros, Melicerta, and many other Specimens of Pond Life. Price 1s. per Tube. Post Free. Helix pomatia, Astacus, Amphioxus, Rana, Anodon, &c., for Dissection purposes. THOMAS BOLTON, 25 BALSALL HEATH ROAD, BIRMINGHAM. BRITISH SPIDERS. I shall be pleased to help anyone working up local lists of British Spiders by naming specimens FREE. Postage for return of collections should be enclosed. FRANK P. SMITH, 15 Cloudesley Place, Islington, London, N. oe en a om “ i ae BROWNING’S PLATYSCOPIC LENS. WITH LARGER ANGLES, INCREASED FIELD, AND mina ea le DEFINITION. Engraved Real Size. AN ACHROMATIC COMBINATION. CoMBINING THE DEFINITION OF A MICROSCOPE WITH THE PORTABILITY OF A PocKET LENS. “If you carry a smail Platyscopic Pocket Lens (which every observer of Nature ought to do).”—Grant ALLEN, in Knowledge. The Platyscopic Lens is invaluable to botanists, mineralogists, or entomologists, as it focuses about three times as far from the object as the Coddington Lenses. This allows opaque objects to be examined easily. The Platyscopic Lens is made in four degrees of power, magnify- ing respectively 10, 15, 20, and 30 diams. ; the lowest power, having the largest field, is the best adapted for general use. The Lenses are set in Ebonite Cells and mounted in Tortoise- shell Frames. Price of the Platyscopie Lens,- mounted in Tor- s. d. toiseshell, magnifying 10, 15, 20, or 30 ies meters, either power 625155 (0) In Nickelised German Silver, either ‘power so ste!) (5 comprauons of any, two POWwens in Tortoise- sne Combinations of ‘any two powers, in “Nickelised German Silver ae ae a .. 32 6 Iilustrated description sent free. JOHN BROWNING, 63 STRAND, LONDON, W.C. MARINE BIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM. THE LABORATORY, PLYMOUTH. The following Animals can always be supplied either living or preserved by the best methods :— Sycon ; Clava, Obelia, Sertularia; Actinia, Tealia, Caryophyllia, Alcyonium ; : Hormiphoria (preserved) ; Leptoplana; Lineus, Amphiporus ; Nereis Aphrodite, Arenicola, Lanice, Terebella ; Lepas, Balanus, Gammarus, Ligia, Mysis, Nebalia, Carcinus ; Patella, Buccinum, Eledone, Pecten ; Bugula, Crisia, Perdicellina ; Holothuria, Asterias, Echinus ; Ascidia, Salpa (preserved), Scyllium, Raia, etc., etc. For Prices and more detailed Lists apply to - The Director, Biological Laboratory, Plymouth. BIRDS’ EGGS, SKINS, SHELLS, INSECTS, APPARATUS, and Requisites of all Kinds, sold, bought, and exchanged. Fifty-page Price List on receipt of stamp. Established 20 years. CHARLES JEFFERYS, Naturalist, TETBURY, Gloucestershire. - H EY Me E B R @) S » (of Leipsic), Naturalists & Entomological Dealers & Booksellers, Have just established themselves at 110 STRAND, LONDON, W.C.. Fine Stock of European and Foreign Butterflies, Moths, Beetles, and all other Families of Insects. ENTOMOLOGICAL CABINETS, BOOKS, Sed PINS, &c. Price Lists on application. SPECIMENS SENT FOR INSPECTION AND SELECTION. Foreign and other Insects purchased or exchanged. For SALE.—Specimens of about 1,600 SPECIES OF CONTINENTAL EUROPEAN PLANTS, either ex dec or by selection. List sent on application. For terms apply— Rev. W. H. PAINTER, Stirchley Rectory, near Shifnal, Salop. Ge NIG Js |G Ono). IMMATURE FORMS OF ROTIFER. By WALTER WESCHE. ‘(i January, 1901, I obtained some weed from a Metopidia is a genus of the family Coluridae, pond at Golder’s Hill, Hampstead. I placed having the body enclosed in a lorica, usually of it in tap-water, and on examination I found a firm consistence, the head covered with a chitinous METOPIDIA SOLIDUS, WITH MALE AND IMMATURE FORMS. (Draun from life by W. Wesché.) 1, 2, Young one freeing itself from the egg. 3, Conjectural second stage, dorsal view; 4, lateral view. 5, Third form, dorsal view ; 6, lateral view. 7, Fourth form, lateral view; 8, ventral view. 9, Fully grown rotifer, dorsal view ; 10, lateral view. 11, Male, lateral view ; 12, dorsal view. 13, Empty egg. 14, Resting or winter egg. Filaments of Algae, Spirogyra. number of Metopidia solidus. The weed gradually plate or hood, and two toes, which are always decayed, and as the decay proceeded the number exposed. It has several well marked species, such of Metopidiae increased till it positively swarmed as WM. triptera and M. owysternon, but it is prob- with them. able that some of the immature forms hereafter JUNE, 1901.—No. 85, Vou. VIII. B Published May 25th, 1901. 2 , SCIENCE-GOSSIP. described have been figuredas distinct species, such as possibly M. rhomboides, and it is not unlikely that some may consider M. lepadella as a variety of W. solidus. I think all the members of the family are vege- table feeders, and may be seen grubbing with the “nick” among Confervae and decaying water- weed. The mastax is also extruded on the ven- tral surface—there is a bend of the carapace for this purpose—and may sometimes be watched nibbling at the surface of a weed. The cilia as usual are used to create currents, bringing streams of sediment into the mouth, and in swimming. I kept the water by me, examining it from time to time, always finding fully grown individuals (figs. 9 and 10); but with these were other forms, smaller and of different outline. As time went on some Philodina made their appearance, the Metopidia decreased in size, then in number, until on the 7th of April, from a dip that would a month previously have produced hundreds, I could only find one, which is of the shape shown in figs. 7 and 8; also five or six Rotifer vulgaris, two or ee Philodina citrina, and several Monostyla lunaris. 1 alsofound Callidina parasitica, which I was puzzled to account for till I observed an Assellus creeping among the decaying weed at the bottom of the jar on April 20th. The Callidina had left the body of the host, and in their independent state were certainly thriving and many in number. At first I was inclined to regard the various forms of Metopidia as different species, but watch- ing the appearance of a young one from the egg (figs. 1 and 2), Iwas puzzled by its great difference in outline from the parent species, and by the presence of short spines at the base of the cara- pace, which I regarded as a specific characteristic. This young one was 54, of an inch in length. It took nearly three-quarters of an hour to wriggle free of the shell. The carapace was not well marked, the body was granular and semi-opaque, and it was decidedly cylindrical in shape. The form that seemed most nearly allied to this is that figured as 3 and 4, which appears not unlike the M. rhomboides of Hudson and Gosse. Its length Was 35 Of an inch. ‘The lateral view shows that the body has not properly developed into the lorica, but still retains much of the shape that characterised the young one when it issued from the egg. There are no signs of the spines at the base of the cara- pace, they apparently having been absorbed. More plentiful than this form was the oblong one figured as5 and 6. The length of this was 51, of an inch, but it was exceedingly thin, and consequently very difficult to keep still in alive-box. ‘his possibly may be Sguamella oblonga. It was at this stage that the chief difliculty of my investigation commenced. In this, which 1 conjecture to be the third form, there are no spines at the base of the carapace: they reappear more marked than ever in the fourth, again disappearing in the full-grown rotifer. The fourth stage is figured as 7 and 8, and has been familiar to me for years. Its length is still s45 Of an inch, but it is distinctly more solid. In every detail, with the exception of the base of the carapace, it agrees with the final form (figs. 9 and 10), which has reached a length of 54; of an inch, and is, I understand, to be found still larger. The male made his appearance, after some time, on February 17th (figs. 11 and 12). He was 53, of an inch in length, and, like all male rotifers, very restless and active. The ordinary egg is quite plain (fig. 13), but after the males had been seen, the “resting egg,” or so-called ‘‘ winter egg,” was found covered with minute spines and about 54, of an inch in length. I am led to think that these are all stages in the growth of the same species, for the following reasons: (1) At one time there were no rotifers present except the fully grown form; (2) the very fairly good though accidental isolation not com- plete, as the appearance of other genera proves; (3) the known variety of form in the young of this genus; (4) all details, pick, eyes, mastax, place of dorsal and lateral antennae agree; (5) only in the ples size were eggs to be seen; (6) the egg, ze¢_ Of an inch in length, is obviously too large for a Sis rotifer 55, of an inch in length, from end of tve to point of hood. Otherwise I should have been in- clined to think that fig. 1 was the early form of fig. 7,and that the egg of figs. 3, 5, 9 had not ~ been found. 90 Belsize Road, London, N.W. MOSQUITOES AND MALARIA. By E. BRUNETTI. HE insects popularly known as gnats and mosquitoes, included in the Dipterous family Culicidae, have been receiving especial attention during the past few years, owing to the discovery that several of the species have the ability to transmit malaria to human beings. There are probably about 300 described species from all parts of the world, but a considerable number of them will doubtless prove to be mere varieties. As an example it may be noted that between thirty and forty “species” of the genus Culex have been described from North America, whereas the number of true species is reduced to fourteen only by our latest authority, Mr. L. O. Howard, in his admirable paper published last year on the ‘“ Mosquitoes of the United States.” Six out of Walker's eleven North American species of Culea—mostly from Hudson’s Bay—are now reduced to synonymic rank. The European species of this family have been excellently revised by Ficalbi, who introduces at I SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 3 least seven species new to science, from Italy alone, in the “Bull. Soc. Ent. Ital.,” xxviii. (1896); and the species of two other countries have been brought up to a recent date, viz. those of New South Wales by Skuse in the “Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S. Wales ” (2), iii. (1889), and those of Argentina by Arribalzaga in the “‘ Revista del Museo dela Plata” (1891). The British Museum collection, though very. deficient in many sections of the Diptera, contains a good series of a large number of species of Culicidae, including all Walker’s types. Mr. Theobald is, I believe, now engaged on revising the Museum material in this group. The study of all species outside Europe and North America: would be well repaid by the definite fixing of their synonymy. The following genera are recognised: Culex L., Megarhinus St. Farg., Aedes Mg., Anopheles Mg., which occur, speaking broadly, all over the world; Mochlonyx Lw. appears to be confined to Europe; Psorophora to North and Central America; Corethra Mg. extends from Europe to at least Manila aud New Zealand; Plettusa Phil. is a genus of several species from Chili; while Arri- balzaga’s genera Ochlerotatus, Uranotaenia, Taentorhynchus and Janthinosoma occur in South America and Honduras, the remaining genera being Heteronycha of Skuse from New South Wales, Sabethes of Rob. Desv. from Brazil, and Haemagogus of Williston from St. Vincent. Our British species are few in number, totalling, according to Mr. Verrall, sixteen certainly in- digenous, with three additional, requiring further confirmation. Although European species in general, and British species in particular, cannot compete with those of other countries in point of size and vigour of attack, such as the Megarhinus ferox of the West Indies and a gigantic species three-quarters of an inch long inmy collection from Natal, the presence of female Culicidae on our shores is often painfully evident. Though the bites are suffi- ciently irritating to commend any researches that may lead to the limitation of the specimens within reasonable numbers, the discovery of the important part played by many species in the spread of malaria gives a more vital interest to experiments that may suggest means to enable us to hold them in check. Mr. Nuttall, of Cambridge, has been occupied for some time now in investigating the coincidence of the present localities of Anopheles in Britain with the former areas of malaria; and all ento- mologists might assist to the extent of keeping a casual look-out for this genus, capturing the speci- mens and recording date and exact habitat, which is usually an outhouse, outdoor closet, or similar place. In spite of being on the watch during the two months of August and September last year that I spent at Hunstanton in Norfolk, I failed, as I thought, to find a single example; but on disposing of a box of odds and ends found there, one Ao- pheles macilipennis was discovered. It was taken on October Ist, this being my sole capture of a member of the genus. Anopheles may be recognised from Culex, apart from structural differences, by the position of the insect when at rest. In the case of the latter genus the body of the insect is approximately parallel to the surface on which it is resting, the two hind legs being raised above the body, the tibiae and tarsi held straight out behind hori- zontally, only the four anterior legs touching the resting-place. In Anopheles also only the four anterior legs touch, but the head points nearly vertically to the object, as if the proboscis were about to penetrate it, the rest of the body being always ina straight line with the head, and thus at nearly right angles to the resting object. The posterior femora are not raised above the abdomen, as in Culex, but lie along its sides, whilst the tibiae and tarsi stick out behind in a curve up- wards. It is, of course, generally known that only the female gnat or mosquito bites, and that this sex may be easily distinguished from the male by the absence of the very feathery antennae which cha- racterise that sex. ‘These organs in the female are only sparsely covered with a few regularly placed long hairs. The eggs are laid in stagnant water, in which medium the air-breathing larvae live their short lives, and there the pupae also remain, floating on the surface. Several generations occur in a year, and they hibernate as perfect insects. In Mr. L. O. Howard’s valuable paper, before referred to, the life history is given in full of some of the species; but it is evident that in at least some others the economy is of a different nature, as he records that the larvae of Psorophora ciliata, a widely distributed and very peculiar North and Central American species, could not be bred to maturity under the same conditions that were favourable to the development of several species of Culex. Protective measures against the attack of mos- quitoes seem to have been only partially successful. Most of the species apparently possess, not only considerable vitality, but a kind of special adapt- ability to widely different environments. The brevity of the life cycle necessitates almost ceaseless continuance of the remedial applications to check abundance, especially in warmer climates, such as in the Southern States of North America, where they are prevalent practically all the year round. Tar, kerosene, salt, petroleum, creosote oils, per- manganate of potash, and many other remedies have been adopted in experiments to destroy the larvae ; but many of these agents have met with but indifferent success. From the recorded reports, B 2 4 SCIENCE-GOSSIP. quoted in Mr. Howard’s article, of a long series of experiments of all kinds, it would appear as though the most successful results had been obtained from the use of the heavier grades of kerosene. It will be seen that there is yet much to be done in this group respecting, first, the correct classifi- cation of the world’s species; secondly, the in- vestigation of the life history of the various species, at present only that of perhaps a score being known ; and thirdly, the discovery of effective reme- dies against their undesirable attacks on mankind. London, May 1901. TERE WEY CH TNOZOze By EDGAR SAUNDERS. HE curious group of organisms usually known as Mycetozoa forms one of the numerous links that connect the animal and vegetable king- doms. They frequently occur as denizens of damp woods, where they creep about during one stage of their existence on rotten logs or fallen branches. They are also to be found on decaying heaps of leaves or straw, especially if such accumulations more vacuoles. They can throw out a tail-like process, and also possess the power of locomotion. In this state they are known as swarm-cells, and so simple is their structure that any part of them may become a mouth, a stomach, or a foot. By the coalescence of numbers of these and their in- crease by partition a mass is formed of wall-less protoplasm varying in dimensions. This is called PLASMODIUM OF CHONDRIODERMA RADIATUM. (From Nature.) have been undisturbed for several months. In these situations they are occasionally to be met with in immense quantities, so much so that portions of the heap appear as though covered with hoar-frost, from the numerous calcareous sporangia that have been formed on them. The life history of the Mycetozoa presents a series of metamorphoses that are somewhat analogous to those which may be observed in other departments of animated nature. What may be regarded as the initial stage is a spore, always minute and usually spherical. These exist in vast numbers in the atmosphere, and when they fall into favourable situations the minute speck of protoplasm contained has the power of throwing off its cell covering, when it resembles an amoeba. These amoeba-like cells usually contain one or plasmodium, which like the swarm-cells possesses the powers of locomotion and assimilation. This, the feeding stage, is usually the most fascinating to the observer, as the individuals have the power of moving over a considerable surfate in search of food, and in this state exhibit affinities with the animal kingdom. The plasmodium stage also serves to distinguish this group from the fungi, with which it is usually associated in classification. Having found some decayed wood or living fungi (Sterewm, etc.) suit- able to its wants, it spreads itself over the sub- stance from which it extracts nourishment, and also absorbs any microbes that may be present. By the absorption of these materials it increases in size. Tn some cases, as in Crateriwm, the plasmodium is of a dirty grey hue, which shade is partly owing to SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 5 the particles of dead leaves it has absorbed. It continues in this stage for an indefinite period, sometimes extending to months, according to the species and atmospheric conditions. After having taken sufficient nourishment, it collects itself into small masses that gradually become matured and form sporangia, which are stationary. In some genera the plasmodium forms a compacted mass in which the sporangia may be partially separated we 4 veh CRIBRARIA VIOLACEA, (Prom a drawing by Miss G, Lister.) at the base, or they may be perfectly united when the walls become obsolete. In this, known as the frniting, stage the Mycetozoa may be regarded as plants, as they exhibit close affinities with the vegetable kingdom. , The sporangia often contain a delicate mass of hair-like structures, called a capillitium, which is sometimes beautifully ornamented. This, on maturing, may either be contained within the sporangium, as in BLadhamia, or it may expand considerably in length, as in Arcyria, in which case it helps to distribute the spores. The principal agent in the dispersal is the wind, and by its means the spores, as impalpable dust, are carried long distances, traversing oceans and continents. ; The matured sporangia are usually well suited for the preparation of cabinet specimens. They may be preserved for years if carefully mounted, and the colours may also be retained if they are kept from the light. It is. desirable also to pre- pare microscopic mounts from correctly named specimens for the purpose of future reference. Reverting, however, to the plasmodium, or feeding, stage of these organisms, perhaps the best known is that of Badhamia utricularis, which may be found in almost any damp wood in the autumn, especially if the weather is mild and moist. On moving a decayed log in such situations there may sometimes be observed a yellow mass creeping in fans and veins over the decaying woody fibre or on the living mosses or fungi that may be attached to the log. Care should be exercised in removing it if it is desired to collect a specimen, as it is very sensitive to injury. The plasmodium may be placed on a moistened plate, covered with a glass or an opaque vessel, and kept in a warm room. After a few hours it will commence to throw out a number of fan-shaped processes. If a moistened elass is piaced in its path it will probably creep over it, and when a sufficient quantity is thus transferred the slide is ready for microscopic examination. A 1-inch objective should be sufficiently powerful to show a well marked circulation of the granular contents of the veins. The current moves in one direction for about a minute and a half, then pauses, and the flow continues in the opposite direction for a similar period. The reason of these alternating movements is still unknown. If the plasmodinm BADHAMIA OVISPORA. (Prom a drawing by Miss G. Lister.) is supplied with suitable food and kept under proper conditions, it will increase in size until it is ready for the fruiting stage. An allied species, Badhamia nitens, is of less frequent occurrence. It is usually found on fallen oak branches; the plasmodium is greenish-yellow, and is generally in smaller masses than in the preceding species. Until recently it was known to occur only in Britain; but in 1896 it was found in Antigua by Mr. Cran, and there is also a gather- ing in the British Museum that was obtained in Ceylon. 6 SCIENCE-GOSSTP. The plasmodium of Chondrioderma radiatum is milky-white, and may be sought for on decayed logs of poplar, etc. It is advisable when immature sporangia are found that they should be allowed to ripen slowly, as otherwise the development is im- perfect. The colours of the matured sporangia vary according to the species. Many of them are chalky-white, others yellow, some are brown, red, pink, or violet; but they are never the green hue of chlorophyll. The sporangia may be stalked or sessile, and the stalk when present is sometimes extended into the spore case, when it is said to form a columella. In some species the sporangia resemble groups of miniature pine trees, about half an inch high, as in Stemonitis, the colour of which isa dusky brown. The largest Mycetozoon that has come under my notice was on the upturned roots of a fallen elm tree in Luton Hoo Park. Roughly speaking it was about nine inches long by six inches wide, and proved to be a fine growth of Brefeldia maxima. For several feet its track was marked on the log by slimy refuse. It had also discoloured some patches of moss where it had crept, and from which it had probably extracted nourishment. It would have been an interesting sight to see the plasmodium in motion, as it must have formed a considerable mass and have been quite con- spicuous, the colour being pure white. In singular contrast to this the ripe sporangia (aethalium) and their contents were almost black. Amongst the rarer species, that known as Cribraria violacea, from Ashbridge Woods, Bucks, deserves a passing notice. It grew on the under side of beech bark, and the separate sporangia were so minute that they were only visible in full sun- light. This was the first European record for the species, it having previously been found in Phil- adelphia, U.S.A. Since then it has been discovered near Lyme Regis and also in Antigua. One of the most noteworthy finds occurred during a short holiday in N. Wales. - Whilst traversing a mountain pass in Merionethshire, and walking over an extensive bog, a mass of brick-red plasmodium was seen emerging from a tuft of bog-moss (Sphag- num). A portion was taken carefully away, and fortunately after the journey retained sufficient vigour to develop several small groups of sporangia. Part of the material was forwarded to Mr. A. Lister, who determined it to be Chondrioderma simplex, a species which had before been observed only in Silesia. A voucher specimen of the Welsh gather- ing has been deposited in the British Museum, and the species has also recently been found in Perthshire in a similar situation. A very beautiful group of sporangia that has come under my notice was found in a small damp wooded hollow near Welwyn, Herts. This was a fine growth of Physarum citrinum, which is of a bright yellow colour. It occupied a surface of about eight square inches, partly on a decayed stump and also on the surrounding vegetation. The sporangia could be numbered by hundreds, and although many of them were left to reproduce the species, it has not been again observed up to the date of writing. One of the most prolific woods of the midland counties for Mycetozoa is at Flitwick, in Bedford- shire. It is an undrained alder swamp, and in favourable seasons they occur in countless numbers. Up to the present this small wood has yielded sixty species, or nearly half the number of those recorded for the British Isles. Reference has been made to the fact that old straw heaps sometimes yield a copious supply of these organisms. A notable instance is that of Badhamia ovispora, which was first found in this country near Luton, in Bedford- shire, and has recently been observed in Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire. The only previous record for this species is Cracow, in Poland. In the study of these organisms, the worker would find ample room for original research, and the pursuit would furnish him with agreeable exercise both for the body and mind. It is my pleasing duty to acknowledge the willing assistance of Miss G. Lister, both in naming the more critical species and in making some of the drawings which have been photographed to form illustrations to this article. (To be continued.) VATICAN OBSERVATORY.-—It is reported that the Pope has been offered, and has accepted, the eift of a telescope larger than that exhibited at the Paris Exhibition last year. The donor is a ‘South American citizen. It will occupy a pro- minent place among the many valuable instru- ments of research in the Vatican Observatory. It is just a century ago since Cardinal Zelada gave the then famous Dollond’s telescope to this valu- able collection. PLatyscopic LEeNs.—Mr. John Browning, of 63 Strand, London, desires us to draw the attention of our readers whoare not already familiar with the ad- vantages of his Platyscopic Pocket Lens, which we here figure about half its actual size. This little in- strument combines with the portability and power of the Stanhope and Coddington lenses the important feature that it focusses at a point three or four times as far away from the object wnder examina- tion as do those lenses. This permits of the more satisfactory examination of opaque objects, as the lens does not obscure the light in consequence of its nearness. We have long carried one of these instruments and found it invaluable. This lens is made in four powers of magnification, being 10, 15, 20, and 30 diameters, the first being most suitable for general use. SCIENCE-GOSSTP. 7 MOSSES NEAR LLANDRINDOD WELLS. By THE REV. W. H. PAINTER. HE mosses mentioned in this paper were gathered by me in July, 1899, when I was staying for a short time at Llandrindod Wells, in Radnorshire, a place which is becoming increasingly famous on account of its medicinal waters. The town stands in a wide upland valley, about 700 feet above the sea-level, whilst the hills on the east side of it rise to an altitude of upwards of 1,000 feet, thus sheltering it from the east winds. The valley is intersected by the river Ithon, which meanders down it, at one time rushing through a rocky gorge and at another spreading out as it flows through meadows. One of these gorges is in the parish of Llanfairfechan, where it is spanned by a picturesque bridge called the Alpine Bridge. Another gorge is at Cefn, where it is crossed by a very primitive suspension bridge, which is well called Shaky Bridge, as when a pedestrian passes over, it shakes considerably. About sixteen miles from Llandrindod is the Elan Valley, now in course of being converted into a series of reservoirs by the Birmingham Cor- poration for the purpose of supplying the in- habitants of that city with water. At a distance of nine miles from Llandrindod in another direc- tion are the ruins of Abbey Cwm Hir, where the last Prince of Wales, Llewellyn, is said to have been buried. ‘There is not much remaining of the abbey, but the site is a lovely one, and the drive to it is very picturesque, as the road to it winds about through the hills. The district is in a good state of cultivation; consequently there is but little bog-land. As the natural result of this, very few of the mosses usually found upon such land were seen. How- ever, upon Llandrindod Common, which has been preserved as a park for the visitors, there is a little swampy ground upon which a Sphagnum is growing. All the mosses found by me in the district have been examined, and in some cases named, by Mr. HE. C. Horrell, F.L.8., 40 whom my best thanks for his kindness are due. Great assistance has also been, as usual, readily given me by my friends Messrs. R. de G. Benson and W. P. Hamilton, of Shrewsbury, which I thus gratefully acknow- ledge. The nomenclature and arrangement that I have adopted in the following list is that of Messrs. Dixon and Jameson’s “ Student’s Handbook of the British Mosses.” : Sphagnum subsecundum Nees. var. contortum Schp., Ridgway Common. ft. Lilanyre. Catharinea wndulata W.and M. Lianyre. ft. Polytrichum aloides Hedw. Llanyre. ft. Llan- drindod Wells, ft. P. urnigerum L. Abbey Cwm Hir. ft. Llandrindod Wells. ft. P. juni- perinum Willd. Abbey Cwm Hir. Disserth. Llandrindod Wells. ft. BP. formosum Hedw. Llanyre. ft. DP. commune L. Llandrindod Wells. Llanyre. Ceratodon purpureus Brid. Llandrindod Wells. ft. Dichodontium pellucidum Schp. Llandrindod Wells. Dicranella heteromalla Schp. Elan Valley. Dicranoweeisia cirrata Lab. Llandrindod Wells, ascending to 1,000 feet. Dicranum bonjeani De Not. Llanyre. D. sco- parium Hedw. Abbey Cwm Hir. Llandrindod Wells. ft. var. spadiceum Boul. Llanyre. D. majus Turn. Disserth. Fissidens taxifolius Hedw. Llandrindod Wells. Grimmia apocarpa Hedw. Llandrindod Wells. ft. near Alpine Bridge. var. pumila Schp. near rocks, Llandrindod Old Church. var. rivularis W.andM. R.Ithon, Disserth. G. pulvinata Sm. Near Alpine Bridge. ft. Rocks, Llandrindod Old Church. ft. G. tricophylia Grev. Reservoir Hill, Llandrindod Wells, Wales. 1,000 ft. Rhacomitrium aciculare Brid. Reservoir Hill, Llandrindod Wells. ft. Llanyre. &. hetero- stichum Brid. Llandrindod Old Church. &. lanu- ginosum Brid, Walls, Llandrindod. 1,000 ft. &. canescens Brid. Llandrindod Common. Hedwigia ciliata Ehrh. Lovers’ Leap, Llan- drindod Wells. Tortula muralis Hedw. Rhayader. ft. Alpine Bridge. ft. 7. intermedia Berk. Abbey Cwm Hir. JZ. ruralis Ehvh. Ulandrindod Old Church. Barbula rubella Mitt. Alpine Bridge. ft, Walls, Llandrindod Wells. 1,000 ft. B. fallax Hedw. Llandrindod Wells. B. waguiculata Hedw. Abbey Cwm Hir. Weisia rupestris C. M. Alpine Bridge. Aulacomnium palustre Schwgr. Marshy ground, Llandrindod. Bartramia pomiformis Hedw. Llandrindod Wells. ft. Webera albicans Schp. Llandrindod. Bryum pendulum Schp. Alpine Bridge. ft. B. capillare L. Ulandrindod Old Church. ff. Abbey Cwm Hir. Mnium wndulatum L. Disserth. M. hornum L. Llandrindod Wells. ©. punctatum L. Llandrin- dod Wells. Fontinalis antipyretica L. Shaky Bridge, Cefn. Thuidium tamariscinum B. and 8. Llandrindod Wells. on 8 SCIENCE-GOSSIP. Climacium dendroides W. and M. _ Lian- Amblystegium irriguum B. and $. Llandrindod drindod. Wells. Isothecium myurum Brid. Lovers’ Leap and Hypnum cupressiforme L. Llandrindod Wells. Lane, Llandrindod Wells. Pleuropus sericeus Dixon. Llandrindod Wells. ft. Brachythecium rutabulum B.and §. Llandrindod Wells. ft. B. rivulare B. and 8. R. Ithon, Llandrindod Wells. 4. purum Dixon. Llanyre. Eurhynchium praelongum B.and $. Abbey Cwm Hir. Llandrindod. #. myosuroides Schp. Llan- drindod Wells. £. striatum B.and 8. Llandrindod. E. rusciforme Milde. Lovers’ Leap. ft. R. Ithon, Disserth, Abbey Cwm Hir. Plagiothecium borrerianum Spr. Liandrindod Wells. P. denticulatum B. and 8. Llandrindod Wells. ft. P. wndulatum B.andS. Llandrindod Wells. AN INTRODUCTION, LO] BRITISH Abbey Cwm Hiv. var. filiforme Brid. Orchard, Llandrindod Wells. var. ericetorum B. and §8., near Lilanyre. H. cuspidatuwn L. Llandrindod Wells and near Old Church. 4. schreberi Willd. Llanyre. Hylocomium splendens B. and §. Shaky Bridge, Cefn. H. brevirostre B.and $8. Llandrindod Wells. H. squarrosum B. and §. Llandrindod Wells. LH. triquetrum B. and $8. Llandrindod Wells. I found also two Hepatics—viz. Chiloscyphus polyanthos L. and Diplophyllum albicans L. Both at Llandrindod Wells. Stirehley Rectory, Shifnal, Salop. SEIDERS: By FRANK PERCY SMITH. (Continued from Vol. VII., page 360.) GENUS 7THVREOSTHENIUS SIM. Eyes very small, the intervals between the posteriors exceeding three times their diameter. Thyreosthenius biovatus Cb. This most curious species may be at once dis- tinguished by the form of the caput, and also by the smallness of the eyes. It should be looked for in the nests of red ants (Aormca rufa). Although it has only recently been added to the British list, there is every possibility of its being found in many places, if systematic search be made. The localities at present recorded are Hastings, Sussex, and Oxshott, Surrey. In the ten following genera the posterior eyes form a straight or slightly curved line, this characteristic separating them from many of the preceding. GENUS DISMODICUS SIM. Anterior row of eyes straight. Posterior row, viewed from above, slightly recurved, having the convexity of the curve directed forward. The four central eyes form a quadrilateral much longer than wide. Tarsi shorter than metatarsi. Dismodicus bifrons Bl. (Walckenaera bifrons in ‘‘ Spiders of Dorset.”) Length. Male 2 mm., female 2.25 mm. Cephalo-thorax brown. Legs reddish-yellow. Ab- domen almost black. The caput is considerably raised, the elevation having at its summit a distinct longitudinal cleft. This species is rare. GENUS ZYPHOCHRESTUS SIM. Central eyes of the anterior row very close together. Laterals of posterior row removed from centrals by more than twice their diameter. metatarsl. Tarsi as long as Typhocrestus dorsuosus Cb. x TZ. digitatus Cb.) Length. Male 1.5 mm., female 1.75 mm. (Z. dorsuosus GENUS DICYPHUS MENGE. Anterior row of eyes slightly; procurved, having its convexity directed backwards. Four central eyes forming a quadrilateral whose length and breadth are practically equal. Tarsi shorter than the metatarsi. Tibial spines very small, shorter than the diameter of the joint. Dicyphus cornutus Bl. (Neréene cornuta in ‘« Spiders of Dorset.”’) Length. Male 2.25 mm., female 2.75 mm. The caput of the male is furnished with two pro- minent longitudinal protuberances directly in front of which the eyes are placed. These protuberances are only just visible in the female. The colour of the cephalo-thorax is dark brown. A common species. Dieyphus bituberculatus Wid. bituberculata in ‘* Spiders of Dorset.”) Length. Male 2.5 mm., female 3 mm. Very similar to the last species. It is considerably larger, however, and the cephalo-thorax is of a reddish yellow colour. This species is commonly found in marshes, and in meadows by the side of rivers, being especially abundant amongst flood refuse. (Neriene GENUS WERIENE BL. The spiders included in this genus are very similar in many respects to those of the genus Dicyphus. SCIENCE-GOSSTIP. ili JUST PUBLISHED. TEE: LIFE: OF GILBERT WHITE, OF SELBORNE, Author of the ‘‘ Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne.”’ BASED ON LETTERS, JOURNALS, AND OTHER DOCUMENTS IN THE POSSESSION OF THE FAMILY AND NOT HITHERTO PUBLISHED. By his Great Grand-Nephew, RASHLEIGH HOLT-WHITE. With numerous Photogravure Portraits and other HOE EEE SLE: Family Pictures, &c. 2 vols. deny 8vo. 328. Mr. Holt-White, who is the present head of the White family, has had access to MSS., journals, account books, and other unpublished papers of the naturalist, in addition to many letters of his, hitherto entirely unknown and unpublished, anda large and most interesting series of letters from his life- long friend and contemporary, the Rev. J. Mulso. An interesting record of a visit to Selborne in the summer of 1763, ‘¢ Selborne-Hanger—a Winter-piece” whom the well-known verses on also printed for the first time. in the shape of a journal kept by one of the ‘‘ Miss Batties,” to were addressed in the autumn of that year by Gilbert White, is JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET, W. BARGAINS IN SCIENTIFIC BOOKS Dixon (Charles) Among the Birds of the Northern Shires. 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CLARKE, 161 Albion Road, London, N. NATURAL HISTORY AGENT AND BOOKSELLER, FOR SALE. : MIGROSCOPIC SECTIONS OF F@SSILPLANTS| SOUTH BENFLEET, R.S.O., FROM THE COAL MEASURES, ROCKS, &. eas Prepared by the late Mr. JamES SPENCER, of Halifax. Nets, Breeding Cages, and Apparatus of every descrip- FOSSILS, CABINETS, ANO UNCUT MATERIAL tion ; Cabinets for Insects, Birds’ Eggs, Minerals, Shells, FOR MOUNTING. Coins, etc. etc. ; Pocket Boxes, Store Boxes, and Book Mrs. SPENCER, 8 Salisbury Place, Akroydan, HALIFAX. _ Boxes. Sheets of Cork any size to order. SCIENCE-GOSSTP. 9 Kach anterior tibia, however, is greatly swollen upon the underside towards its extremity, this portion being furnished with numerous rather long hairs. The form of the caput also is very different from that of Dicyphus. Weriene rubens Bl. Length. Male 2.75 mm., female 3 mm. The colour of the whole spider is yellowish-red, the abdomen sometimes being of a rather darker tint. The humeral joint of the male palpus has, towards its anterior extremity, a very distinct apophysis and HES Fic. 1. BririsH SPIDERS. a. Neriene rubens, male.. 6. Gongylidium dentatum, male cephalo-thorax, viewed from above. c. Palpus of G. dentatunz. d. Profile of G. dentaturz. ce. Eyes and falces of G. dentatuzz, viewed from in front. and also a number of very short dark-coloured lenticulations. This species is commonly beaten from bushes during the early summer. The spider described as Wevzene bifida Cb. is apparently only an abnormal specimen of this species. Weriene rubella Bl. «« Spiders of Dorset.”) Length. Male 2.75 mm., female 3 mm. This species is very similar to WV. sxzbens BI. The caput of the male, however, is slightly less elevated ; and the cubital joint of the palpus isin that sex greatly swollen. It is a fairly common species. (NMeriene tsabellina in GENUS D/CYMBIUM MENGE. The general characteristics of this genus are very similar to those of Dzsmodicus, but in the present group the posterior row of eyes is slightly procurved. Dicymbium nigrum Bl. ‘* Spiders of Dorset.’’) Length. Male 2.25 mm., female 2.5 mm. The body is almost black, and the legs are of a dark- brown colour, with a tinge of red. A fairly common species. (NMerzene nigra in Dicymbium tibiale Bl. «¢ Spiders of Dorset.’’) Length. Male 2.75 mm. (LMeritene ¢tebeal’s in This uncommon species may be distinguished from D. nigrum by the swollen form of the anterior tibiae. rR j ) Tene ee & B fh a“ Ny i Cay ; 2 Ab P 7 SSF Bis, RIS Eee ee AS 2 Fic. 2. BririsH SPIDERS. a. Cephalo-thorax of Gongylidium gibbosum. 6. Palpus of G. gibbosum in two positions. c. Parts of palpus of 277gone dentipalpis in three positions ; @. of E. atra in three positions ; e. of E. longipalpis in three positions; 4 of EZ. promiscua in three positions. 2. Vulva of Ceratinella scabrosa; h. of Ta- pinocyba pallens ; t. of T. beckit; 7. of Gongylidiellune neur- cidum; k. of Lophomma herbigradum; ¢. of Troxochrus scabriculus ; mt. of Cnephalocotes obscurus; n. of Pocadi- cnemis pumila; o. of Cnephalocotes laesus; p. of Lopho- carenum nemorale; g. of L. parallelum; r+. of Minyriolus pusillus. GENUS ZOPHOMMA MENGE. This genus may be distinguished from the last by the lower clypeus, by the posterior eyes forming an almost straight line, and by the anterior tarsi being practically as long as the metatarsi. Lophomma punctatum Bl. (/Valckenaera punctata in ‘* Spiders of Dorset.”) B 3 10 SCIENCE-GOSSIP. Length. Male 2.5 mm., female 2.75 mm. The cephalo-thorax is dark brown and marked with numerous very distinct punctures, especially upon the margins, and forming lines towards the thoracic indentation. The sternum is_ similarly punctured. The legs are of a reddish tint and the abdomen is black. This is not a common species. Lophomma herbigradum Bl. (Nerzene her- bigrada in ‘‘ Spiders of Dorset.’’) Length. Male 2 mm., female 2.5 mm. This species may be distinguished from Z. pzezcta- Zum by the absence of the punctures. The radial joint is furnished with a distinct apophysis. Lophomma laudatum Cb. (/Valckenaera Zaudata in ‘* Spiders of Dorset.”) Length. Male 2 mm., female 2.25 mm. This species is very similar to L. herbigradum, but the radial joint, although somewhat produced, has no distinct apophysis. L. curtipes Cb. (Wervene curtipes in ‘* Spiders Dorset.’’) Length. Male 2 mm. This very rare species, whose systematic position is somewhat doubtful, is believed by Rev. O. P. Cambridge to be referable to this genus. It has been taken in Berwickshire. GENUS ZAIGONE AUD. The spiders which compose this genus are very similar in structure to those of Dzcyphus, but the following details will separate them. The palpi are usually very long. The falces are armed on both sides of the fang groove with a row of strong teeth; and each falx has upon its external surface a number of small denticulations. Erigone longipalpis Sund. (MNeriene longi- palpis in ** Spiders of Dorset.’’) Length. Male 2.75 mm., female 3 mm. Cephalo-thorax very dark brown. Legs rather paler, with a reddish tinge. Abdomen black. The radial joint is somewhat produced on its upper side, this part being rather pointed. It is not a very commen species. Erigone promiscua Cb. (Nertene promiscua in ‘‘ Spiders of Dorset.’’) Length. Male 2.25 mm. This species may be distinguished from Z£. longi- palpis by the form of the radial joint of the male palpus. This joint when viewed in profile is seen to be furnished with a small denticulation upon its lower surface. Itisa rare spider, but must not be con- founded with the next species, to which it bears a very strong resemblance. Erigone dentipalpis Wid. (Neriene dente- palpis in ‘* Spiders of Dorset.”) Length. Male 2.5 mm., female 2.75 mm. The radial joint is wider than that of &. promescua, but is also furnished with a denticulation upon its lower surface. This isa common spider. It occurs in great abundance in ‘‘ Fhe Green Park,” West- minster, where, in February, any number of both sexes may be found by carefully examining the grass, especiaily that in the vicinity of trees. Erigone atra Bl. (Nerdene atra in ‘ Spiders of Dorset” ; Werdene longzpalpzs Bl. in ‘* Spiders of Great Britain and Ireland.’’) Length. Male 2.5 mm., female 2.75 mm. This spider bears a very close resemblance to £. Jlongipalpis, but may be distinguished by the froduced portion of the radial joint of the male palpus being of a much more obtuse form, Erigone pascalis Cb. (Neriene pascalis in *¢ Spiders of Dorset.’’) Length. Male 2.1 mm. Cephalo-thorax and legs yellowish-brown with a greenish tinge. Abdomen black. The systematic position of this very rare spider is doubtful, but it probably belongs to this genus. ( Zo be contined. ) THE NEw F.R.S. - The fifteen candidates selected by the Council of the Royal Society for election this year are:—Major ALFRED WILLIAM ALCOCK, I.M.S., M.B., C.M.Z.S., Superintendent of the Indian Museum, Professor of Zoology in Medical College, Calcutta; FRANK Watson Dyson, M.A., Chief Assistant Royal Observatory, Greenwich, Secretary of Royal Astronomical Society ; ARTHUR Joun Evans, M.A., Vice-President of the Society of Antiquaries, Keeper of the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, Archaeologist and Anthropologist; JOHN WALTER GREGORY, D.Sc., F.G.S., -Professor of ‘Geology in the University of Melbourne, Explorer and appointed Scientific Leader of British Antarctic Expedition (since resigned) ; Captain HENRY Brap- WARDINE JACKSON, R.N., Naval Attaché to British Embassy, Paris, Naval Inventor, Investigator of Electrical Phenomena; HEcTtorR Munro Mac- DONALD, M.A., University Lecturer in Mathematics, Cambridge; JAMES MANSERGH, President of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Student of Hydro- statics and Water Supply; CHARLES JAMES MARTIN, M.B., D.Sc. (Lond.), Professor of Physiology in the University of Melbourne, Investigator of Chemistry and Physiological Action of Snake Vemon; Major RONALD Ross, I.M.S., M.R.C.S., D.P.H., Patho- logical Investigator into Malaria, Tropical Hygiene, and Parasitology; -WILLIAM ScCHLICK, Ph.D., C.1.E., Professor of Forestry at the Royal Engineering College, Coopers Hill, and late Conservator of Forests in Sind, Bengal, and the Punjaub; ARTHUR SMITHELLS, B.Sc., F.C.S., Professor of Chemistry in the Yorkshire College, Leeds; M. R. OLDFIELD RHOMASS She Ze Se) eRe Ges uae Anthrop. Inst., Senior Assistant Zoological Department, - British Museum ; WILLIAM WaATsON, B.Sc., Assistant Pro- fessor of Physics at Royal College of Science, London; WILLIAM CrEcCIL DAMPIER WHETHAM, M.A., Lecturer in Physics at Cambridge ; ARTHUR SMITH WOODWARD, F.GiS.) Bue S) EZ. Seabee Gass Assistant Keeper of Geology, British Museum of Natural History. oR SCIENCE-GOSSTP. II CLASSIFICATION OF BRITISH TICKS. By EDWARD G. WHELER. (Continued from page 365.) CLASSIFICATION. ee family of the Ixodidae are broadly divided by Professor Neumann into two sub-families —I. Argasinae; II. Ixodinae. I—THE ARGASINAE., The Argasinae are plainly distinguishable from the Ixodinae by the absence of either dorsal or ventral shields in either sex, also by the situation of the rostrum, this being placed beneath the ccephalothorax, covering it as with a hood; except in the larval state, when it is often terminal. In the pupal state it often partially projects. The palpi are plain, cylindrical, and the joints differ little from each other. Legs nearly equal in length. Colour varying from earthy yellow, or red, to dark brown. Sexual orifice situated between the two first pairs of legs. In general dimensions the male is smaller than the female. The genera of the Argasinae are (a) Argas; (b) Ornithodorus. GENUS ARGAS Latreille 1796. RHYNCHOPRION Hermann 1804. Body flat, general contour round or oval: narrower in front than behina, and larger behind the Fic. 2. Argas reflexus. Male. haunches of the fourth pair of legs. The sides of the body thin, or slightly thickened like a cushion. Tegument of body finely shragreened, except in certain spots which are covered with thin round- ish discs, more or less numerous and variously situated : the most important always forming a radiating series, of which the central one is longest both on the back and beneath. Eyes absent. Of this genus M. Neumann describes eleven species, some of which are doubtful. Of these Fic. 3. Argas reflexus, Female. Argas reflexus and A. vespertilionis have both been found in England. Argas reficeus Fabricius. Synonyms: