Perey Me MW seh yt = bas ithe it u oe orem tee > <*>. - 5 ; : = : Pa ol saps oe ere Tere : : =: : Manis ti vey are vege Santas = ; ; ; : we Pepe pe ree oe oe oe ree <3, eo pis he % SSS 3 Sty = wis LFF ‘4 jeri vey alates osnte® 52 > et eae ‘ fat of 4 We iy * nal \ ho * : itt ot t i ‘ Ses <4) oat re) My *, ney ’ ter at m4 inate ’ abet ee i. attak ayeat ere) carat ; } tatat aceite ritree, “ dea gh eat et “ ‘i MB te ” Hable ri ; Exar eee ee too hee tan io gen ee ee Pe a : _ = ee LOR THE PEOPREE POR EDV CALTON FOR SGIEN GE LIBRARY OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY J - , a. ie e =e < a < = = m — poe -, > A - << > * = ae: = * -~ SCIENCE-GOSSIP AN ILLUSTRATED MONTHLY RECORD OF Mob RE ND COUNTER Y-LORE EDITED BY JOHN T. CARRINGTON { S94—-Js VOL. I—NEW SERIES LONDON : SIMPKIN MARSHALL, HAMILTON, KENT & Co., LIMITED BERLIN: R. FRIEDLANDER & SOHN, CARLSTRASSE II + WRAREIS ” ANOTHER AND THEIR PERFECT INTERDEPENDENCE.” - —Fames Rodway, In the Guiana Forest.” 1S Gear ae ; ToLOur, he ADERS. T has been the custom of former Editors of SciENcE-Gossip to address the readers at the end of each volume. Perhaps it is a good custom, for there are times when an editor may desire to say words which would not be in place in the ordinary columns of a Magazine. First permit me to thank the numerous contributors who, during the year past, have helped to make our pages bright and readable. A reference to the accompanying list of their names will show as goodly a company as might be expected in the first volume of what was a moribund publication, when we all pulled together to make the vehicle start again and put energy into its motive power. Looking back over the year, and on past difficulties, it is a source of satisfaction to see how varied, and generally good, have been the articles contributed. We wish we could say the same about the short notes. Many people, who are glad enough to read and comment on the notes of others, seem to have an innate objection to writing even a dozen or two words about some- thing which they must know would be of general interest. After all, a magazine of this character is a co-operative adventure for our mutual instruction and enter- tainment. Let me appeal, therefore, to all our readers to share with their fellows some of their own observations. Especially does this apply to those who think they ‘“‘are not sufficiently advanced” to write of what they have seen. We would remind them there is the recognised ‘‘ beginners’ luck,” which may not seem much to them, though be of importance to others. SciENcE-GossiP is eminently a beginner’s and amateur’s journal, so we hope to hear more frequently from them, than has been the case during the year now closing. Before the volume ended I lost the assistance of Mr. Step, who has now left London. He, unfortunately, very soon found he was not able to give such material assistance as was expected; therefore, I must be held responsible for the greater part of the year’s editorial duties. As announced in the last number of this volume, in reply to an almost unanimous vote of the readers, the coming number will commence what it is to be hoped will be a greatly improved journal. We must ask our readers to suspend their judgment on this change until we meet them again at the end of another year. The growth will be necessarily gradual; it will depend upon the literary and _ practical support we receive from their hands. As this growth develops, more drawings and more pages will be added. Considering that there is no other journal of the same character as ScIENCE-GossiIP, we cannot find any reason why, if we again for another year all use our best endeavours, our magazine should not reach the success of its earliest days. JOHN T. CARRINGTON, Editor. VOLUME Abbott, W. J Lewis, F.G.S., 169 Absell, A., 42, 285 Alder, H. St. A., 33 Allchin, J. H., 125, 159 ,225. Allen, Grant, 242 Allen, John, 88 Allen, Phoebe, 117 Amyot, Thos. E , 163, 189 Argyle, Duke of, F.R.S., 242 Arrow, G. A., 235 Baker, F., 258 Ball, Sir R. S., C.B., LL.D., F.R-S., 3 Ballantyne, j., 211 Barber, Hy. J., 65, 92. 94, 163 Barber, Rev. Samuel, 133, 275 Barbour, J. H., 94 Barnes, Capt. Edward, 67, 158 Bastin, A. H., 116 Bather, F. A., 139 Beeman, N., 34 Beer, Rudolf, 217 Bloomfield, Rev. E. N., 20, 117 Bonny, Sydney, 186 Boycott, Arthur E., 258 Brain, J. L., 190, 201 Briggs, C. A., F.E.S., 7, 187, 251 Brockenshire, F. R., 150 Briggs, H. Mead-, 65, 106 Bromley, Hugh, 43 Bryan, Ed. F. J., 105 Bryan, G. H., 202, 257 Butterworth, John, 157 Campbell, J. McNaught, 94 Capper, S. J., F.L.S., F.E.S., Carrington, John T., 9, 15, 16, 36, 45. 50, 64, 68, 82, 87, 92, 93, 134, 135, 156, 223, 226, 228, 233, 242, 256, 257, 258, 267, 276 Cooper, J. E., 117 Copineau, C., 236 Denman, Rev. A.-C., 108 Enock, Fred., 21 Everett, Alice, M.A., 23, 46, 71, 89, 113, 142, 161, 185, 209, 237, 250, 261 Farrer, Capt. W. J , 58, 92, 116, 13 Mei Coe ie Fletcher, T. B., 258 Flower, Sir W., K.C.B., F.R S., 249 Foster, William, 165 Fox, F., 116 Fremlin, H. S., 33, 43 Fyfe, Herbert C., 104, 124, 159, 199 Gain, W. A., 140 Gilmore, Dr. J. F., 233 Goold, Joseph, 243, 273 Griset, H. E., 53, 132, 159 Gude, G. K., 11 Agaricus gambosus, fr., 57 A garieus mellens on Pine, 281 Agassiz, Louis, 30- . Amphidasys betularia, 37 Anaphes pectum, 67 Animal Hairs (figs. 1, 2. 3, 4), 247, 248 Anosia plexippus roosting, g Bichir, The, riz Borings of Larvze of Cossus, 181 British Mollusca, Taylor’s (Figs. 18, 19, 36, 37, 70, 83, 84, 106, 137), 230, 231 Boarmia roboraria, type and var., 60 Camptoptera papaveris, 67 Cells of Alisma plantago, 132 Cells of Hydrocharis morsus-rane, 133 CONTENTS. CONTRIBUTORS. Ginther, Dr. A., F.R.S., 243 Guppy, H. B., M.B., 145, 178, 195 Haddon, Prof. A. C., 98, 151, 172, 189 Halfpenny, F. W., 139, 159, 186, 211, 213 Halliday, J., 287 Hawell, Rev. J., 21 Hawkins, J., 235 Hewett, William, 222, 225 Hilton, P., 186 Hole, H. A., 284 Holt, J. R., 43, 184 Hopley, Catherine, 73 Huzley, Right Hon. T. H., F.R.S., 242 Jackson, A. B., 140, 284 Jones, W. B., 232, 233 Kane, W. F. de V., 204 Keegan, Dr. P. Q.. 94, 187 Layard, E. L., C.M.G., F.Z.S., 29, 61 Lett, Rev. H. W., 213 Levick, G. M , 118 Long, F. C., 227 Lord, John R., 247, 269 Lubbock, Sir John, F.R.S., 242 Lucas, W. J., 272 Manger, W., 116 Mapleton, Rev. H. M., 156, 165 Marshall, J. W. D., 165 Martin, Edward A.., 94, 136 Maskell, W. M., 181 May, W. R., 114 McArthur, H., 44 Midgely, W. W., 34 Mitchell, C. A., B.A., 219 Moffat, C. B., 158, 205 Moore, Harry, 31, 55 Moreton, R. H., Moss, William, 14 Mott, F. T.,-136, 139,212 Moxon, R., 165 Murray, Jas., 92, 235 Nicholson, C., 284 : Nunney, W. H., 80, 100, 129, 148, 176 Oliver, Bertha, 159 Parkinson, C., 93, 107 Perks, F. P., 43 Pethybridge, Geo. H., B.Sc., 140, 220 Pittock, Geo M., F.R.M.S., 173 Pope, Miss M. E., 21, 93 Preston, Henry, 181 Preston, H. B., 139 Pym, J. T., 92, 116 Quelch, C. P., 140 Ramsay, Alexander, 51, 78 Ransom, Edward, 158, 175. 233 ILLUSTRATIONS. Ceratophyllum demersu, 197 Coal Plants (Figs. 1, 2), 157 Common Crane, 163 Cristatella mucedo, 105 Cylindrella trinitaria, 14 Dead Flies on Grass, 33 Dendrites on Flint, 267, 268, 269 Dendritic Crystals in Books, 85 Dodo, The, 87 Dormant Eye of Beech, 281 Double Greengage, 187 peuple Opercula of Buccinum undatum, 3 Excrescences on Vaucheria, 201 Fissures in Kentish Rag near Ightham, 169 I—NEW SERIES. Rayleigh, Lord, F.R.S., 242 : Rees, T. A.W., F.R.M.S., 103,252; 253, 271 Renouf, E., 85 Rice, D. J., 19, 83, 102, 182, 187, 189, 208 Robertson, E. J., 284 Rogers, T., 189, 190 Sauzé, H. A., 20 Scharff, Dr. R. F., B.Sc., 266 Sclater, Dr. P. L., F.R.S., 25 Scorer, A. G., 213 Sewell, A., 270 Sich, Frank, 159 Smith, A. C., 8 Smith, E. A., F.Z.S., 5 Step, Edward, 12, 40, 45, 56, 57, 99; 109, 140, 186 Stevens, J.. 34 Stevens, Samuel, 20 Swinton, A. H., 44 Sykes, E. R , 189 Tait, A. F., 85 Teague, A. H., 211 Teesdale, M. J., 64 Thysse, Jac. P., 62, 193 Tindall, S. J., 118 Dewey ee J.; 232 Tugwell, 34 Turner, Edwin E., 93, 165, 236 Turner, H. J., 116 Ullyett, Hy., 65 Vanstone, J. Henry, 229 Vaughan, D. T. G., 93 Vernon, B., 114 Vogan, Eliza, 64 Walker, J. W., 43 Wallace, Alfred R., F-R.S., 242 Wallace, H. S., 118 Wallis, Joseph, 187 Ward, H., 284 Wardingley, Chas., 153 Waters, A. H., B.A., 284 Watson, C. H., 44 Webb, J. C., 34 Welch, R,, 138 West, W., 136 Western, George, 233 Wheldon, J. A., 45, 184, 186 White, E. M., 34 Wilson, Wm., 212, 287 Williams, H., 20 Winckworth, Catherine A., 21, 92, 213 Winder, Thos., 165 Winkley, H., 140 Winstone, Flora, 10, 67, 114, 228, 256, 281 Witherby, Harry F., 76 127, 129 Wotton, F. W., 122 Floscularia gosset, 174 Floscularta trilobata, 173 Four Abnormal Shells, 64 Gannets Nesting on Little Skellig, 137 Ganoid Fish, An Extinct, 111 Grand Causeway, The, 153 Hairs from Larve of Tiresias serra, 109 Head of Marco Polo’s Sheep, 26 ; Hedgehogs, 17 Helix heynemanni, 11 Home Life, 183 Ideal of Pareiasaurus baint, 135, 158 Improved Spirit-levels. 86 Indian Tortoise-Beetle, 158 Fungermannia endiviefolia, 68 Lady’s Fan, Giant's Causeway, 154 Larve-nymphs of British Dragon-flies, 81, IOI, 130, 131,149 Larve-nymph of Brachytron pratense, 273 Leat-like Timber-stains, 226 Leaf-nature of Bud-scales (Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7a, 76), 217, 218, 219 Lemur, 206 Lord Antrim's Parlour, Giant’s Cause- way, 155 Lycoperdon pyriforme, 40 Lejeunia caly ptrifolia, 68 Masks of Dragon-fly Larve, 131 Merlins, 87 Microscope, The Ross ‘“‘ Eclipse” (Figs. I, 2), 277 Mond, Dr. Ludwig, F.R.S., 121 Musk-Ox, 25 Naturalist on the Prowl, 207 Opisthostoma grandispinosum, 6 AspoTt’s FISSURE, IGHTHAM, 42 Abnormal Blackthorn, 93 Abnormal Rhododendron, 159 Abnormal Starfish, 92 Abnormal Trees, 139 Abnormal Violet-leaf, 140 Abundance of Clausilias, 118 Acetylene: A New Illuminant, 278 Agaricus personatus in Spring, 93 Age of Sequoia. 93 Albino Bat, 43 Albino Sparrow, 159, 235 Algze, Recent Knowledge of, 117 Agaricus gambosus, 57 Alps, West, Geology of, 160 American Zygenide, 258 Ampullatia urcens, Radula of, 14 Anatomical Sections, 114 Ancient Iron Trade, 10 Animal Hairs, 247, 269 Animal Life in India, 249 Animals Not Yet in the Zoo, 25 Antlers, 258 Ants in Captivity, 205 Apples, Origin of Coreless, 187 Avabts stricta in Radnor, 93 Arion ctitrinus, 205 Astronomy, 23, 46, 71, 89, I13, 142, 161, 185, 209, 237, 261 Astronomy, A New Method in, 185 Atriplex, The Genus, 45 BACTERIA AND ESSENTIAL OILS, 184 Bibliotheca Entomologica, 184 Biology Notes, 259 Birds’ Eggs, Colouring Matter of, 94 Birds’ Eggs, Varieties of, 233 Birds’ Eggs at South Kensington, 44 Birds, Early Summer Migrants, 54 Birds in Texel, 62 Birds’-nesting in Texel, 193 Bird Notes, 65, 106 Birds, Scarce, in East Surrey, 159 Birds, Rare, in Kent, 159 Birds, Rare Sussex, 258 Bite of the Gila Monster, 219 Blackthorn, Abnormal, 93 Black-veined White Butterfly in England, 44 Bleeding of Plants, 66 Boarmia voboraria, Black var., 60 Book Catalogues, 183 Books To READ, 15, 38, 68, 87, 110, 134, 162, 182, 206, 230, 254, 280 Agassiz, Louis, 30 Allen’s Naturalists’ Library, 110 Alternating Generations, 88 Agricultural Chemistry, Johnston’s, 18 Agricultural Zoology, 163 Birds, A Dictionary of, 87, 282 Butterflies and Moths, British, 281 Bye-gone Science, 18 Cloudland, 255 Country Month by Month, 39, 68, 111, 183, 282 : Creatures of Other Days, 134 CONTENTS. Opisthostoma mirabile, 6 Old Grouse, 182 Pennant-winged Nightjar, 282 Pholiota squarrosa, 40 Photo View-finder (Figs. 1, 2), 203 Pievis rape roosting on Pea-blossom, 9 Pine Shoot Twist-disease, 280 Pollinia of British Orchidacez, 53 Polyp, A Single, 105 Pyrrhosoma minium, 150 Radula of Ampullavia urcens, 14 Right Valves of Isocardia cor, 122 Rocky Mountain Goat, 27 Rock: Pigeons, 232 Roebuck with Compounded Horns, 38 Romanes, George John, 97 Rust in Wheat and Barberry (Figs. 1, 2, 3) 4s 5); 220, 221 Scene in New Forest, 231 Seed of Martynia diandra, 61 Silk-Cotton Tree, 254 Skeleton of Anomodont Reptile, 134 Skull of Takin, 27 AiG S AN OLESiy iG, Books To REAp—continued. Dispersal of Shells, 15 Domestic Hygiene, 110 Earth, The, 282 Edible and EFoisonous Mushrooms, 207 Essex Naturalist, 282 Farm Vermin, 257 Field-path Rambles, 111 First Elements of Exper. Geometry, 136 First Year of Scientific Knowledge, 40 Fish and Fishing, 111 Flowering Plants of Western India, 39 Forest Birds, their Haunts and Habits, 231 Frog, The, 162 Fruit Culture for Profit, 207 Guiana Forest, 254 Grouse, The, 182 Handbook to the Birds of Great Britain, 110 Handbook of Lepidoptera, 256 Handbook to Marsupialia and Mono- tremata, 110 Handbook ot the Primates, 256 Hepaticz, Handbook of British, 68 Introduction to Diatomacee, 257 Introduction to Structural Botany, 685 Laboratory Manual of Organic Chemistry, 256 Lepidoptera, A New Book on, 273 Lichens, Monograph of British, 134 Life and Rock, 111 Lost British Birds, 162 Manures and Principles of Manuring, 39 Marine Zoology and Microscopy, ournal of, 18 Minerals, Catalogue of, 231 Monograph of the Land and Fresh- water Mollusca, 230 Naturalist on the Prowl, 206 Nests and Eggs, Non-British Birds’, 208 Nature Pictures for Little People, 4o Object Lessons from Nature, r10 Our Country’s Birds, 39 Our Country’s Flowers, 39 Our Reptiles and Batrachians, 40 Our Secret Friends and Foes, 207 Out-Door World, 39 Photo-Micrography, 183 Physical and Chemical Properties of Soils, 231 Physical Geology and Geography, 136 Ponds and Rock Pools, 257 Popular Astronomy, 208 Practical Inorganic Chemistry, 281 Practical Botany for Beginners, 88 Review of Reviews, 256 Royal Natural History, 16, 111, 183, 231 Summer Studies of Birds and Books, 281 Stereoscope and Stereo-photos, 162 Text Book of Diseases of Trees, 280 Vaccination Question, 256 Variation, Materials for the Study of, 38 Vocal Woods and Waters, By, 256 World's Lumber Room, 163 Vv Solar Halo of 90°, and Mock-Suns, 133 Sparrow-Hawks and Nest, 127 Spherium corneum on Leg of Dytiscus, 16 Spoonbill, 162 Stibnite Crystals, 276 Tawny Owls, 77 Tephrosia biundularia, 37 Toad on the War-path, 255 Toad, Dainty Morsel, 255 Transformation from Larva to Pupa of Vanessa, Stages in, 126 Twin Elliptic Curves (Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,8), 244, 245 Twin Elliptic Pendulum, 243 Vandeleura, 206 Wasps’ Nest—Two Days’ Work, 82 Wasps’ Nest—Five Days’ Work, 83 Weir, John Jenner, 49 White, Dr. Buchanan, F.L.S., F.E.S., 241 Wood-Pigeon’s Nest in London Park, 36 Wood-Pigeons at Westminster, 232 Young Lophopus crystallinus, 175 Botany, 21, 45, 64, 93, 117, 140, 159; 187, 212, 236, 287 Botany in Fiction, 287 | Botany at British Association, 187 Botanical Monstrosities, 93 Bachytron pratense, Nymph, 272 Brain Sections, 190 British Dragon-flies, 7 British Hepatice, 68 British Mollusca, Taylor’s, 258 British Museum, Fungi at, 32 British Reptiles in Winter, 43 British Trap-door Spider, 20 | Broom-rape growing on Geranium, 140 Bud-scales, Leaf-nature of, 217 Butterflies in 1894, 184 Butterflies in Mid-Wales, 103 Butterflies, Omens of, 67 Butterflies, Roosting, 9 Butterflies, Scarcity of, 175, 213, 235, 270 Butterfly, Late Peacock, 284 Butterfly, Black-veined, in England, 44 Butterfly, Brimstone, Hermaphrodite, 213 Bye-gone Science, 18 22 CANADIAN MUSEUMS, SOME, Canals of Mars, 113 Carbon, Decomposition of, 246 Catalogue of Microscopes, 257 Cats and Looking-glasses, 184 Cecidomyia pyrivora, 117 Celestial Objects, 89 Chara, Mounting, 190 Chough in Islay, 233 Cholera Bacillus and Tobacco, 160 Circulatory Movements of Protoplasm, 132 Circulation of Plants, 8, 34, 114, 132 Civilisation and Wild Animals, 36 Clausilias, Abundance of, 118 Coal Plants. On Some, 157 Colouring Matter of Birds’ Eggs, 94 Collecting Grounds.—I. Birds in Texel, 62 Collecting on Wheels, 31, 55 Comets, Return of, 161 Commercialism in Rural Districts, 88 Coming of Winter, 252 Comet on Eclipse Photographs, 237 Conchological Society, New, 249 Conchological Ramble, 22 Cork, Western, Notes from, 45 Correspondence, 72, 96, 119, 144, 168, 192, 216, 240, 264, 288 Cossus, Wood Bored by, 181 Country Lore, 10, 67, 88, 114, 228, 252 Country Lore in Gentleman’s Mag., 253 Cristatella, 165 Crouch, Estuary of the, 229 Cruel Plant, A, 126, 212 Crustacea of Dogger-Bank, 9o Crystals Bred in Books, 85 Cuckoos in March, 92 Cultivated Puft-balls, 165 Cylindrella trinitaria, 14 Cysticercus, A New, 65 vi Dana, Dr., RESIGNATION OF, 160 Davy-Faraday Research Laboratory, 121 Dead Flies on Grass, 33 Decomposition of Carbon, 246 Deep-sea Dredging for Amateurs, 204 Deep-sea Exploration (Greenland), 205 Dendrites, 267 Dendritic Crystals in Books, 136 Dendritic Crystals, 136, 156, 165, 190, 235 Digitalis, Inflorescence, 187 Diptera, The, as a Study, 19 Dispersalof Flora and Faune, 28, 61, 139, 45 Dispersal of Plants, 145 Dispersal of Shells, 15, 92 Dragon-flies, British, 7 Dragon-flies, Demoiselle, in Ireland, 158 Dragon-flies, Fossil, 283 Dragon-flies, Larve-nymphs of, 80, 100, 127, 148, 176 Dredging, 152 Duckweeds, Habits of, 117 Duke, The Zoo Lion, Death, 259 EARLY FLOWERING OF CORYDALIS, 64 Early Summer Migrants, 54 East Sheen Common, go Eclipse Microscope, 277 Eclipses, 161, 185 Edible Fungi in Surrey, 251 Egg-laying, Erratic, 65 Egg-laying of Helix pomatia, 99 Egg with Three Yolks, 284 Electricity in Horticulture, 124 Entomological Club, 283 Entomologist, U. States Chief, 138 Entomostraca, 34 Erratic Egg-laying, 65 Estuary of the Crouch, 229 Exchanges, 23, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144, 168, 192, 216, 240, 264, 288 Exeter Canal, 34 FAIRy-FLIES, 67 Falmouth, Magnetic Observatory at, 160 Fasciated Asparagus, 159 Fasciated Dandelion, 140 Fasciated Sveet-pea, 140 Fasciated Thistle, 117 Fauna and Flora of Ireland, 266 Ferns Eaten by Sheep, 43 Ferns of Jamaica, 160 Fertilization of Ruscus, 159 Fish, A New British, 251 Fish Commission, United States, 184 Five-leaved Clover, 211, 236 Flammarion, Astronomer, 89 Flies on Grass, Dead, 30 Flies Preying upon Gnats, 118 Floating Telescope, 113 Flora and Faunz, Dispersal of, 28, 61 Flora and Faunz of British Columbia, 165, 189 Flora of Greenland, 45 Flora of Kaffraria, 160 Fly Preying upon Gnats, 189 Fly’s Tongue, Query, 150 Food of Fungi, 93 Foraminifera, Chalk, 205 Foraminifera of the Gault, 156 Forests and Climate, 104 Forest Legislation, 66 Fossils, Lists of, from Ightham, 170 Four Abnormal Shells, 64 Foxey Stains in Books, 163, 189 Free Libraries, Science at, 15 Freshwater Snails in Trafalgar Square, 92 Freshwater Polyzoon, 105, 165 Frogs, Sensitiveness of Eyes, 43, 94 Fungus-hunting on the Ceiling, 140 Fungus Transitions, 93 Fungi at the British Museum, 32 Fungi, Cultivated Puff-balls, 165 Fungi, Edible, in Surrey, 251 Fungi, Preserving, 284 GANNETS ON LITTLE SKELLIG, 137 Gardening Scholarships, 250 Geological Maps, 190 Geological Map of Europe, 214 Geological Time, 214 Geologists’ Association, 42, 108, 138, 285 Geologists’ Association, Bristol, 108 Geology, 21, 42, 108, 166, 190, 214, 236, 285 Geology, Physical, 136 Geology on River Cuckmere, 166 CONTENTS. Geology, Swiney Lectures on, 184 Geology and the Relief of the Globe, 108 Germination of Seeds, 212 Giant’s Causeway, 153 2 Giant Telescope for Greenwich, 71 Gila Monster, Bite of, 219 Gilbert White’s Letters, 253 Ginger Beer Plant, 284 Glacial Period, The, 236 Glacial Period in Switzerland, 42 Glow-worms in Autumn, 253 Golden Eagle in Mayo, 138 — Goldfish Breeding in Captivity, 186 Gonopteryx rhamnt, hermaphrodite, 213 Golf Clubs and Naturalists, 234 Great Auk, The, 75 Great Auk’s Egg, 8 Great Copper Butterfly, 20 Great Mullein, 212 Greengage, Germinated, 187 Greealand Flora, 45 Green Hellebore in North Kent, 45 Green Woodpecker at Leith Hill, 83 Growth of Shells of Helices, 140 Growth of Helix pomatia, 140 Guernsey, A Ramble in, 84 Holosphera viridis, 190 Hatching of Helix pomatia, 140 Haslemere Microscope and Nat. Hist Soc , Record of Lectures, 156 Hawfinches in Surrey, 19 Helices, Oviposition of Some, 11 Helix aspersa, mons., 64 Helix hortens:s, m. stnistrorsum, 235 Helix nemoralis, mons., 64 Helix pomatia, Egg-laying, 99 Helix pomatia, Growth of, 140 Helix pomatia, Hatching of, 140} Helix pomatia, Hibernation of, 50 Helix pomatia, mons , 64 Hellebore, Green, in North Kent, 45 Hepatic, A New, 252 Hibernation of Helix pomatia, 50 Hibernation of Vanessa urtice, 232 Highest Observatory, 71 House Martins, Materaal Care of, 165 Hump-backed Whale, 232 Hypnum confervoides in Wicklow, 45 Hybtid Sparrow, 44, 65 IGHTHAM BONE-FISSURE, 169 Ill-luck of Spring Flowers, to Illustrating Sound Curves, 243, 273 Improved Spirit Levels, 86 In-Breeding, 283 Incubation, Risks of, 102 Indian Lore, 228 Inhabitant cf Vaucheria, 201, 233 Insects and Disease, 67 Insect Sight, 211 Insectivorous Plants, 159 Ireland, Fauna and Flora of, 266 Ireland, Potagomogetan undulatus in, 117 Iridescent Band on Windermere, 90, 165 Irish Natural History, 137 Iron Trade, Ancient, 10 Irrito-contractility of Plant Tissue, 156 Isocardia cor, Vais. of, 122 JACKDAWS AND DUCKLINGS, 139 Jackdaw and Young Ducks, 139 KENT, OSPREY IN, 225 Kent, Rotifers in, 173 Kestrel as a Pet, 186 Lake District, MoLtusca oF, 116 Larva-nymph of Brachytron pratense, 272 Larve-nymph of British Dragon-Flies, 80, 100, 129, 148, 176, 272 a appearance of Peacock Butterfly, 284 Leaf-like Timber Stains, 226 Leaf-nature of Bud-scales, 217 eo suuinons Plants in Aberdeenshire, 297 Lepidoptera, New, in Britain, 259 Lepidoptera in Yorkshire, 224 Lichens, North of England, 117 Limbs of Tribolites, 108 Lindley Library, 184 Liverpool! Marine Biology Committee, 6 Lord Salisbury and Evolution, 147 Locust in London, 20_ Lower Cambrian Series, 51, 78 Lycoperdon pyriforme, 40 MarINE RoTIFERS IN CAPTIVITY, 34 Marine Animals, Preserving, 172 Marine Zoology, 189 ; Marine Zoology of the Irish Sea, 233 Marine Zoology, Practical Hints on, 98 151, 172 ; Market Value of Specimens, 225 Mars, Canals of, 113 Megaptera lomgimana, 205 Meteors, 261 Meteors, Photography of, 261 Meteorology and Hygiene, 66 Microscope, A Farmer's, 34 Microscope, Dr. Dallinger on, 114 Microscope, ‘‘ Eclipse,” 277. Microscope, Stereoscopic Binocular, 65 Microscopic Objects, Modeled in Was, 190 Microscopic Preparations, 257 Microscopy, 34, 65, 114, 136, 156, 199, 211, 257 ; Microscopy, Works on, 18 Micro-slides, New, 65, 114 Micro-studies, New, 284 Mild December, 1894, 44, 285 Mimicry in Strombus, 44 Mineral Collector, 234 Mineral Plant-food, 66 Minerals, Some Scarce, 276 Mineralogy at British Association, 166 Minor Planet Discovery, 89 Minor Planets, Diamecers of, 142 Misletoe, Life History of, 160 Mock Suns, 133 Mollusca in Medicine 114 | Mollusca of the Lake District, 58, 92, 116 Monograph of Lichens (British), 134 Mont Blanc (Observatory) 71 Moon, 23, 47, 71, 89, 113, 142, 161, 185, 209, 237 Moon (Full) and Clouds, 71 Moon and Siorms, 71 Mosses, Notes on, 45 Moth-catching Plant, A, 64, 181 Mount Logan, 112 Mount Orizaba, 112 Mount St. Elias, 112 Mounting Small Objects, 211 Museum, British, 44 Museum, Booth, 258 Museum, Canadian, 223 Museum, Nottingham, 35 Mushroom, A Spring, 57 Myriophyllum, 199 NAMES WANTED, 284 Natural History Exhibition 284 Nebula near Pleiades, 237 Nests and Eggs, Non-Indigenous Birds, 208 New Illuminant, A, 278 New Microbes, 211 New Micro-Studies, 284 New Micro-Slides, 65, 114 Niagara, igo Nightingale in North Wales, 116 Nitrates in Living Plants, 212 North of England Lichens, 117 Notes on Shellness, 116 Notes and Queries, 8, 43, 65, 94, 118, 139, 165, 189, 211, 235, 284 Notices to Correspondents, 23, 48, 72, 96 IIQ, 144, 168, 192, 216, 240, 264, 288 Nottingham Museum, 35 Nova Norme, 89 Nuts in the South, 189 OBITUARY :— Figuier, Louis, 234 Ranyard, A. C., 249 , Romanes, George John, F.R.S., 97 Topley, William, F.R.S., 214 Weir, John Jenner, F.L.S., 49 4 White, F. Buchanan, M.D., F.L:S., 241 Omens of Butterflies, 67 Orchidacez, Pollinia of, 53 Ontario, National Park for, 283 Ornithological Notes from Yorkshire, 222 Oology in Canada, 44 Opisthostome of Borneo, On the, 5 Opisthostome, The, 44 _ : Osprey in Kent, 225 Otters, 43 Our British Snakes, 73 Oviposition of some Helices, 11 Pachnobia hy perborea in Ireland, 92 Pearl-fishery of Ireland, 138 Perfumes of Flowers, 156 Periodical Bleeding of Plants, 66 Pholiota squarrosa, 40 Pheenological Notes (on Mosses), 45, 56 Photograph of Gale’s Comet, 285 Photography, 14, 40, 67, 137, 158, 181, 203 Photography for Naturalist, 109, 138 Photography of Meteors, 261 K Photographs, What shall we do with, 261 Physical Geology and Geography, 136 Pine Saw-fly, 204 Pithecanthropus erectus, 285 Planets, 23, 47, 71, 89, 113, 142, 161, 185, 209, 237 Planorbis nautileus in Surrey, 45 Plant Colouration, 33, 94 Plant Food, Mineral, 66 Plants Flowering in Winter, 287 Plants Merely Growing, 187 Plants, Their Dispersal, 145 Plants, Thermal Conditions of Water-, 178 Plants, Water, 145 Plants of Western England, 107 Polecat, The, 271 Pollinia of British Orchidacee, 53 Pond Life, 284 Pond Life at Wisley, 136 Potamogetan undulatus in Ireland, 117 Practical Hints on Marine Zoology, 98, 151, 172 : Preserving Fungi, 284 Preserving Marine Animals, 172 Proliferous Rush, 211, 236 Propagation of Anastatica, 117 Protection of Wild Birds, 284 Protective Colouration in Crustacea, 44 Protective Mimicry in Strombus, 44 Punch’s, Mr., Natural History, 118 Pupa of Vanessa 10, 43 Purple Emperor, Second Brood, 44 QUERY AS TO FLy’s TONGUE, 150 RACER CRABS, I16 Radula of Ampullaria urcens, 14 Rainfall at Greenock, 94 Ramble in Guernsey, A, 84 Rare Sussex Birds, 258 Redstart, Unusual Nesting of, 158 Reports of Some Societies, 155 Reptiles, British, in Winter, 43 Rhododendron, Abnormal, 159 Riccta crystallina at Leicester, 212 Riley, Prof. C. V., Retirement, 112 Risks of Incubation, 102 Roosting Butterflies, 9 Rotifer, A New, 200 Rotifer-Hunting at Minster, 173 Rotifers, Marine, in Captivity, 34 Ruscus aculeatus, Fertilization of, 159 Rust in Wheat and Barberry Bushes, 220 SALTWORT AS A PEST, 93 Scarcity of Butterflies, 140,175, 213, 235, 270 Schiaparelli on Mars, 250 ScrENCE ABROAD, 18, 19, 41, 69, QI, 115, I4I, 164, 188, 210, 238, 260, 286— American Naturalist, 18, 69, 115 Annaes de Sciencias Nat.: Oporto, 41, gi, 164, 260 Annali del Museo Civico Genoa, 4r Annalen K. K. Natur.: Hofmuseums (Vienna), 91 Bolletting Musei Zoologia (Turin), 69, I Botanical Gazette (Madison), 18 Bulletin L’Academie Impériale, Petersburg, 188, 286 Bulletin Botan. : Jamaica, 238 St. CONTENTS: ScIENCE ABROAD—continued. Canadian Entomologist, 19, 115 Erythea, 210 Feuilles des Jeunes Naturalistes, 18, 69, I4I, 164, 188, 210, 234, 260, 286 I] Naturalista, Siciliano, 69, 164, 238, 260 Journal de Conchyliologie, 164 ournal de l’Anatomie, etc., 260 faandblad voor Natuur-wetenschap- pen, 69, 141, 188, 210 Missouri Botanical Garden, 164 Musci. Zool., etc. (Turin) 188 Nachrichtsblatt der Deuts. zool., 19 ,210 Natur und Haus, 141, 164, 238, 260 Proceedings Academy Nat.Scien. Phila- del., 91, 115, 164, 238, 286 Revue Biolog., Nord de France, 115, 210, 238, 260 Société Philomatique (Paris) Bulletin, Malako- 6 Société Philomatique (Paris) (Compte rendu, 69, 164, 238, 260, 286 Verhandlungen der K. K. Zool. Botan., 188 Science at the Free Libraries, 15, 43, 139 Science Gossip, 35, 66, 90, 112, 138, 160, 184, 205, 234, 259, 283 Science Gossip, New Series, r. Science Gossip, Announcement, 265 ‘“* Scientists,’’—A Protest, 228, 242, 275 Science, Byegone, 18 Scymnus pulchellus in Suffolk, 116 Section of Chalk at Croydon, 285 Selecting Test Diatoms, 257 Sensitiveness of the Eyes of Frogs, 43, 94 Sesia conoptiformis, 160 Sheep, Four-horned, 160 Sheldrakes and Domestic Ducks, 232 Shellness, Notes on, 116 Shooting stars, 142, 209, 237 Shore Collecting, 98 Shrikes, Young, 186 Snails, Squeaking, 94 Snakes, Our British, 73 Societies, Reports of Some, 155 SOCIETIES, SCIENTIFIC, etc.— Accrington Naturalists’ Society, 166, 215, 240 Andersonian Naturalists’ Society, ror Aston Nat. Hist. and Photo. Society, 70, 263 Belfast Naturalists’ Field Club Report, 156 Bristol Geologists’ Association, 108 Bristol Naturalists’ Society, Proceed- ings, 205 Cage-Bird Club, 264, 288 City of London College Science Society, 22 Entomological Club of London, 285 Entomological Society of Ontario, 283 Folkestone Nat. Hist. and Micros. Society, 22 Greenock Nat. Hist. Society, 47, 70, 95, IQI, 215, 263 Guernsey Society of Natural Science, 234 Hertfordshire Nat. Hist. Soc., 263 Lambeth Field Club, Exhibition, 184 Lancashire and Cheshire Entomo- logical Society, 70 Malacological Society of London, 47 Manchester Microscopical Society, 205 Midland Union of Nat. Hist. Socs., 167 Midland Railway Nat. Hist. Soc., 119 North Kent Entom. and Nat. Hist. Soc., 95 Norfolk and Norwich Nat. Soc., 22, 47, 70, 95, 118, 155, 215, 239, 262 North Staf. Nat. Field Club, 118 Royal Arsenal Nat. Hist. Soc., 143 Royal Institution, 262 Royal Meteorological Society, 47, 70, 95, 166, 262, 287 Royal Photographic Society, 160 Selborne Society, 143 vil SocIETIES, SCIENTIFIC—continued. South London Ent. and Nat. Hist. Society, 22, 47, 95, 119, 143, 167, 191, 214, 239, 262, 287 Streatham: Entomological Club, 22 Wolverhampton Naturalists’ Field Club, 118, 144, 168, 191 Solar Eclipse (1893), 142 Some Canadian Museums, 223 Some Little Worlds, 3 Some Scarce Minerals, 276 Somerset Fossils, 108, 165 Sound curves, 243, 273 Sparrows, Albino, 159. 235 Sparrows, Piebald, 186 Sparrow, Hybrid, 44, 65 Sparrow-Hawk, The, 127 Sparrow-Hawk, The, in Ireland, 213 Spider, British Trap-door, 20 Squeaking of Snails, 94 Star Diameters, 71 Stars, Spectra of, 161 Starfish, Abnormal, 92 Study of Wasps’ Nests, 82 Structure of Flower of Ciucifer, 212 Sun, 23, 47, 71 89, 113, 142, 161, 185, 209, 237, 261 Sun, Total Eclipse, 1896, 261 Sun, Mock, 133 Suftolk, Scymnus pulchellus in, 116 Surrey, Edible Fungi in, 251 Surrey Fern-land, A, 12 Surrey, Hawfinches in, 19 Surrey, Planorbis nautileus in, 44 Swans on Lake Leman, 44 TAPEWORMS OF CALTLE, 94 Tawny Owl, The, 77 Telescope, A Floating, 113 Tertiary, Man, 42, 236 The New Series, 1, 265 Toad Disgorging, 118 Toad, Unusual Emergence of, 20 Tortoise-Beetle, Indian, 158 Tow Netting, 151 Trafalgar Square, Snails in, 92 Transactions, 22, 47, 70, 95, 118, 143, 166, IQI, 214, 239, 262, 287 Transformations to Pupa, 125 Transport of Aquatic Animals, 65 Tribolites, Limbs of, 108 Triple Achromatic Object Glass, 113 Triton christatus var., 165, 186 UNusuAL EMERGENCE OF TOAD, 20 Use of the Microscope, 114 VALLEY OF THE WYE, 202 Vanessa io., Pupa of, 43. ~ Varieties of Isocardia cor, 122 Vaucheria, Inhabitant of, 201 Vegetable Sportsmen, 199 View-finder for Camera, 203 Vipers, White, 92, 116, 158, 213 WALES, BUTTERFLIES IN, 103 Wales, North, Nightingale in, 116 Wasps’ Nests, A Study of, 82 Water-Plants and their Ways, 145, 195 Western Australia, Geological Map, 180 Western Cork, Notes from, 45 Weather and Butterfly, 284 White Rainbow, 275 White Viper, 92, 116, 158, 213 Wild Animals and Civilization, 36 Wild Swan Nesting in Cumberland, 139 Winter, Mild, in 1894, 44 Wolves in France, 92 Wood Bored by Cossus, 181 Worlds, Some Little, 3 Works on Microscopy, 18 178, Zoo, ANIMALS NOT YET IN, 25 Zoology, 19, 44, 92, 116, 140, 158, 186, 213, 232, 258 Zoology, Practical Hints on Marine, 172 Zoological Society, President of, 90 LONDON: THE NASSAU STEAM PRESS, LIMITED. 60, St. MarTin’s LANE, W.C. SCIENCE-GOSSIP. ELE ING SHIITES): N taking charge of the NEw Series of such an old-established and favourite magazine as SCIENCE-GossiP, one is reminded with some sadness of those friends of our youth—now no longer with us—who, thirty years ago, assisted to found a journal worthy of a long and prosperous career. One is reminded also of the many who have brightened its pages for a time and then passed away. Thoughts, too, pass of the change that has come over the manner of scientific thought and research: of the branches of science, now of great importance, which were then barely in existence, some being unnamed when the first number of ScIENCE-GossiP appeared. Then comes the feeling of one’s unworthiness to guide an instrument which must take a responsible share in forming scientific taste and thought among future workers, in an excellent field, but with inhabitants possessing no more than a general interest in Natural Science. For such as these is ScClIENCE-GossiP, as well as for the more advanced. Its readers may be divided into five classes. First, there is the large body of amateurs, professing to be no more than dilettante, though unconsciously forming the real force which sustains public interest in scientific research. It is they who really provide the moral and financial support, whether national or individual. From their body, too, come those who form the other classes; for no matter how famous or learned may be any man, he must acknowledge that there was a time when he once belonged to the great body of beginners. Secondly, there is that influential class, the field-students and collectors, men and also women, who provide material and observations _to be so splendidly worked out by the third section—the specialists, who are followed by the fourth and highest class, whom we may designate the Philosophers of Science, such as Darwin, Weismann and Tyndall. There is yet the fifth class, happily small in numbers. Shall we call them the Pharisees of Science? Men who have educated themselves out of their humanity into a condition of cynicism, which would be melancholy were it not humorous. They it is who sneer at the “mere collector,” and think none can study the great scheme of nature, unless he be dogmatic and possessed of a shibboleth. We shall endeavour to conduct this magazine, so that members of all these classes may find pleasure in our columns. Above all it will be our aim to make it reputable for liberality of thought, accuracy and trustworthiness in each department. In years gone past, ScIENCE- Gossip has done much good work in creating a taste for the observation and study of natural phenomena. It is our intention to continue to popularise such studies. Especially do we wish B 2 SCIENCE-GOSSIP. to be helpful to the beginners; encouraging them by answering queries, naming obscure specimens, recording their observations or notes; also by occasionally describing suitable collecting-grounds, where they may work freely and with profitable results. Concise reports of interesting facts or exhibits brought before various societies are solicited, as well as notices of their coming meetings. Facilities are offered through our columns for exchange of specimens, books, or instruments. To reviewing new books and noticing instruments we shall devote liberal space, but it will be our endeavour to select the good from the bad, leaving the latter unnoticed in such obscurity as they may merit. We hope to maintain the character of the magazine as the British naturalists’ medium, but steady effort will be made to induce some of our readers to take a less insular view of nature. So it is intended to give a monthly epitome of “ Science Abroad” by directing attention to the more important articles appearing in foreign magazines, or in transactions of the learned societies of other countries. Communications and discussions on any branch of science will be welcomed, though no one subject will be permitted to unduly occupy our space. In conducting the discussions we shall remind our contributors that the first qualification for the formation of the scientific man is to be tolerant, using the word in its true sense; and to argue only with forbearance and in view of elucidating the subject under consideration. ; In entering upon the adventure of a New Series of SciENcEe-Gossip, I feel greater confidence in consequence of the ready manner in which writers of position in the scientific world have responded to.my letters begging for “‘ copy,” and promised their support, generally accompanied by congratulations that the magazine is to be continued. Amongst those who have offered articles and whom I cannot sufficiently thank are :—Sir Ropert S. Batt, F.R.S.; Dr. DaLiincer, F.R.S.; Dr. ALBERT GUNTHER, F.R.S.; Dr. GEorcE J. RomANEsS, F-R-.S.; Dr. P. LutLey Seccater, F.R.S.; Prof. H. G. SEeLry, F.R.S.; Prof. A. Corr Happon; Hy. E. Dresser, Esq., F-L.S.; J. E. Hartine, Esq., F.L.S.; Envear A. Smits, Esq., F-Z.S.; J. E. Taytor, Esq., F.L.S.; J. JENNER Weir, Esq., F.L.S.; and so many others that space alone forbids enumeration. I consider myself fortunate in having secured the co-operation of such an experienced editor as Mr. Epwarp Step, whose all-round scientific knowledge, coupled with his long editorial experiences, renders his assistance most valuable. Finally, I have to ask for our readers’ active support in making known the issue of this New Series of SciEncE-Gossip, and for their notes and other communications. Without such support all our efforts will be vain.'= Our readers should remember that an enlarged circulation means increased illustration, and the record of what may appear a trivial observation might turn out to be of scientific value or produce an interesting discussion. The numbers of the New Series will appear punctually on the 25th of each month, and notes, observations or exchange notices can be received up to the 18th of the same month. JOHN T. CARRINGTON. 1, NORTHUMBERLAND AVENUE, Lonpon, W.C., 22nd February, 1894. > SCIENCE-GOSSIP. Uo SOME: LITTLE WORLDS. By Sir ROBERT STAWELL BALL, C.B., LL.D., ET us visit the observatory of an astronomer who is about to make a discovery of one of the little worlds, of which we know there are so many. You will find the watcher of the stars seated at a telescope in a building covered by a dome. There is a shutter which can be drawn aside to render the skies visible, and the dome can be made to revolve so as to keep the opening \directed towards the part of the heavens which is under observation. Of course, you know that the stars are constantly moving, or rather seeming to move, from east to west, just as the sun goes through The telescope must, therefore, be carried round so insure that it shall remain directed to This must be done regularly and a daily journey from sunrise to sunset. as to the same spot. smoothly if reliable observations are to be made. He cannot trust to the hand for performing the task with the necessary delicacy ; a clockwork mechanism driven by a heavy weight is therefore applied to every suchinstrument. It steadily urges the telescope forward to follow the stars, and by careful adaptation this can be done so perfectly that the stars seem fixed in the field of view. The astronomer is thus almost able to forget their movements, and is only reminded that the instru- ment is in motion by the fact that he has occasion- ally to adjust the position of the chair on which he is sitting and to give the dome a pull round. Thus the astronomer gazes through his tube, and what he generally sees is a number of stars of varying degrees of brightness. Beside him is a map or chart of the heavens on which the positions of stars have been drawn. This chart has been pre- pared either by himself or by some other astronomer as the result of a study of this portion of the sky on All the stars that a good telescope can show, even down to the minutest some previous occasion. twinkling points, are marked on the map in their true positions. The preparation of such a chart with the requisite accuracy and fullness is a very laborious piece of work, but it is an indispensable preliminary to the discovery of the little worlds of which we are to write in this paper. I may mention the case of one distinguished Professor of Astronomy who had drawn some maps of a particular part of the sky with exquisite care and used them with such skill in discovering the little worlds, that other astronomers gracefully withdrew their tele- B PUR: scopes from the search in this particular part and relinquished the region, which became known as the ‘‘ Professor’s Preserve.” Let us suppose that the evening on which we have made our visit to the Observatory happens to be one of those red-letter days in the Astronomer’s Calendar when he is to be so fortunate as to add another world to those already known. He is deligently comparing the stars that he sees in the heavens with the stars that are marked on the chart ; point by point he verifies the correctness of the former work upon the map. As a general rule, each star in the heavens appears duly in its place on the map. Each star depicted on the map is observed to have its counterpart in the sky. For hours, for the whole night, for many nights, the patient observer has been carrying on this work. He has, in fact, been searching to find some discrepancy between the as they appear in the sky and the stars as they Perhaps he will make the sky stars appear on his map. comparison scores of times without any noteworthy result. At last the supreme moment has arrived ; among the stars on the heavens he finds one which is not depicted on his map. Instantly his hopes are aroused. It seems highly probable that the star, or rather the object which looks like a star, cannot have been in that part of the heavens at the time the map was drawn. It would indeed have been possible, but extremely unlikely, that it was a star which had been overlooked by the con- structor of the map. Wedo not suppose that a new star has been called into being. No doubt it has sometimes happened that the astronomer has chanced upon a variable star; it was faint and invisible when the map was made and has waxed bright in the interval between the drawing of the map and the comparison with the heavens which we are now supposing to be made. There is, how- ever, another supposition which is what has actually happened in the present instance; it is that the celestial body has wandered into its present position since the map was made. In fact, what has been found is a moving object and is thus of a funda- mentally different character from the stars properly so-called. We thus see that this body, though so starlike in its aspect, is in truth not a star at all; it is a veritable planet, that is to say, one of those little worlds which revolve around the sun. The 9 “t 4 SCIENCE-GOSSIP. astronomer’s attention having been thus specially drawn to the object, he has a ready test for the correctness of his supposition that he hasindeed dis- covered a planet. He subjects the interesting little globe to a closer examination, and he watches its position carefully with regard to the adjacent stars. An hour is often sufficient to dispel all doubt. In that time the little body will have moved quite far enough The His labour in to render its planetary nature unmistakable. astronomer’s toils are rewarded. making the map, and his assiduous comparisons of it with the sky have received their recompense, and astronomy is enriched by the addition of a new When the newly- discovered member of our system has been carefully planet to those already known. observed three times, and has had its place ac- curately determined on the heavens, then all is done. The mathematician takes its further wan- derings under his care, and wherever the little body may go, the calculator still retains it under the surveillance of his figures. He can at any moment tell the precise spot which it occupies on the heavens. These little worlds will generally be found rather disappointing objects as telescope spectacles. They are both too small and too far off to make effective pictures. But we have been able to learn some- thing about them in spite of all the difficulties, and the more interesting facts I shall here mention. First as to their size. In this respect they vary a good deal; but a general notion of their dimensions may be thus obtained: imagine a globe as big as our earth to be portioned out into a million equal parts. Suppose that one of these parts was rounded into a ball; it would be about eighty miles in diameter, and would be large enough to make a world about the medium size of one of the class of planets now under consideration. Some of the little worlds already known to us would, indeed, be hardly one-thousandth part as large as the globe, whose formation I have just described. The houses and buildings of London or Birming- ham would be sufficiently extensive to cover one of these little globes completely. From various in- dications we have good reasons for believing that the material elements out of which these little worlds are constituted are not dissimilar from those we know so well on the earth. For example, I should think it almost certain that the little worlds could be found to contain iron; I should also expect that pieces of stone chipped from one of these small planets would in many cases have considerable resemblance to rocks that are to be met with here. I may certainly say that there is no reason for us to think that the other planets contain any elementary substance different from those we know on the earth. It seems not at all unlikely that certain of these little worlds may offer an abode to properly con- stituted living beings. At a first glance it might be conjectured that the stature of the inhabitants ought to bear some proportion to the size of the globe on which they dwell. For little worlds, Lilliputians would seem to be suited; while for vast worlds, Brobdingnagians might appear as appropriate tenants. But if we look a little more closely into the matter, it will appear that this notion that the bigger the globe the bigger the inhabitants is quite erroneous. The little people might be able to do pretty well on either a large globe or asmallone, but for the very big people the small globe would certainly be better than a large one. How isthis youmay wellsay? Ishall endeavour to make it clear by an illustration. Let us suppose a tiny mannikin, three inches high, and a giant twenty feet high, both of whom are, however, to be propor- tioned in every part of their bodies just as a man of ordinary stature. We may inquire how far the man, the mannikin, and the giant would each be adapted for a residence on globes of the different The smallest of them I take to bea little world a few miles in diameter, our dimensions. Own earth will serve as a globe of medium dimensions, while Jupiter is the illustration of a truly great On the little globe the mannikin, the man and the giant could all stand and walk or globe. run about merrily. On the earth the mannikin would be as sprightly as possible, but the giant would hardly ever be able to stand; his weight would be too great for his muscles. On Jupiter the man would find himself almost as impotent as the giant, while the mannikin would still be able to retain and enjoy his freedom. The little globe, therefore, is the only one of the three which would suit the giant. But I certainly am not going to add that I have any reason to think that there are giants dwelling on the little planets. 2 Suppose, however, we were able to land on one of these minor worlds, the smallness of the mass beneath our feet would produce a marvellous transformation in the freedom of our movements, our bodies would seem so light and buoyant that we could easily jump over a house, and if we fixed wings on our arms we could fly like a bird ora bat. This would be possible, because the weight of our bodies, which would have to be raised for flight, would seem so much less than it does here, even though its actual material character was unaltered. A fall from a SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 5 tree on one of these little worlds would have no terrors, it would perhaps take ten minutes for you to sink down to the earth, and when at last you did reach the ground, instead of coming there with a terrible momentum, you would come to rest as gently as if you were lying down on a bed of swandown. There are many mysteries in this universe of which at present we know next to nothing, and among these mysteries is the nature of the life, if life there be, on these beautiful little worlds that partake, as our Earth does, of the benefits dispensed hy our great luminary, the Sun. Observatory, Cambridge. OND LEE ORISEHOSLOMAl JOb sbORNEO, By EpGar ALBERT SMITH, F.Z.S. s¢ NEO has not admired the beauty of shells? the rich lustre of the Cowries; the glossy polish of the Olives; the brilliant painting of the Cones; the varied layers of the Cameos; the exquisite nacre of Mother-of-Pearl ?”’ Thus wrote the late P. P. Carpenter some thirty-three years ago. Had he known the wonderful shells, since discovered, which form the subject of the present notice, he would doubtless have included them in his category of marvellous and beautiful forms. These remarkable structures belong to Ofis- thostoma, a group of very small operculate land- shells, the type of which, and a few other species, occur in India and adjacent localities. Until within the last six or seven years, only a single form had been recorded from Borneo, but at the present time as many as ten different kinds have been described. This considerable increase in the number of known species is almost entirely due to the energy of Mr. A. Everett, who has done so much to extend our knowledge of the fauna of They have only been found, at present, in the northern parts, Borneo and the neighbouring islands. the rest of the island not having been carefully searched by a competent collector. limestone rocks in damp places, living apparently They occur on upon the microscopic vegetation investing the surface. Land-shells, as a rule, are not remarkable for any very prominent ornamentation of the surface, either in the form of spines, plications, or ‘‘ varices,” such as obtain among the marine Gastropods.. Their beauty lies rather in the marvellous variety of their form and colouration. We find the exterior in the majority of cases more or less even. True, among the Clausilig, which inhabit most parts of the world, and the Stvophie of the West Indies, many species exhibit longitudinal riblets (technically known as costz, costule, and plicze) of considerable strength and thickness, and in a fairly large number of WHelicide similar ornamention isalso met with. Acroptychia metableta, indigenous to Madagascar, and a discovery of recent years, is perhaps the most notable of all the operculate land-shells on account of the frill-like lamellae which adorn the last or body-whorl. succession of beautiful longitudinal This is practically an unique exception among the Operculata of prominent longitudinal ‘‘ sculpture.” Many species, it is true, have very beautiful frill- ” like expanded “ peristomes’’ to the aperture, but are otherwise ornamented with mere striation or cancellation. On the other hand, many species of land-shells, both operculate and non-operculate, exhibit strongly-marked spiral ridges or carine. These are especially well-developed in some of the species of Cyclostomatide of Madagascar. Few species of land molluscs, however, exhibit thorny processes of any importance. In Cylindyella elliotti and Choanopoma hystrix, from Cuba, and Helicina stellata, and one or two other species, ornamentation of a more or less spine-like character is observable. On the contrary, among the marine Gastropods and bivalved shells, spiny or prickle- This kind of ornamentation culminates, perhaps, among the The Murex tenuispina and its allies may be mentioned as striking examples. The genera Ranella, Sistvrum, Tudicula, Picrocera, Rostellavia, Onustus, Astvalium, Imperator, Guildfordia and Delphinula also include some of the most spiny of all the marine Gastropods. With the exception of the thorny Oysters (Spondylus), and the Pinnas, and a few cases among the Veneride, the Cockles (Cardiidz), and the Chamide, the marine bivalves do not afford many instances of spine-like sculpture. Freshwater shells, like the terrestrial forms, are, as Still, there are some like ‘‘sculpture’’ is not uncommon. Muricide. “« comb-shell,”’ a rule, devoid of spines. exceptions, among which may be instanced a few species of Melania, the genus Jo generally,a few Nereting, notably N. longispina from the Mauritius, and finally Tiphobia hovei from Lake Tanganyika, one of the most remarkable and interesting dis- coveries of recent years among freshwater mollusca. In the fluviatile bivalves, spines are practically unknown, with the striking exception of Unio spinosus, of Georgia, U.S., and the Nile Oyster, LE thevia caillaudt. In two or three species only of the Bornean Opisthostome prickly adornment attains remarkable There is a perfect gradation from with development. shells with rounded simple oblique striation or costulation (O. baritense) to the form (0. grandispinosum) in which the spines assume such a marvellous perfection. In O. wallacei, named by M. Ancey in honour of Dr. A. R. Wallace, the whorls are angulated at the middle, as if in- dicating the place from whence the spines would whorls ornamented OPISTHOSTOMA MIRABILE (Enlarged). ? eventually develop. In O. jucundum they make their first appearance, in O. pulchellum they are still more pronounced, O. everetti exhibits yet further development, the maximum being reached The former of these, originally described by the author . of in O. mirabile and O. grandispinosum. these notes, is more beautifully graceful and more delicate in structure than the latter: indeed, it is . difficult to recall among all the thousands of marvellous forms of land shells any as strikingly wonderful as this tiny creation of beauty. Its minuteness (for it is but two lines in length, and in its entirety weighs only one twenty-fifth of a grain) increases our admiration of its perfection. No creation of the mind could approach the elegance and finish of its design. The fragile tapering spire of a pale-brownish tint, the erect glassy hollow spines bristling all round the middle of OPISTHOSTOMA GRANDISPINOSUM (Exlarged). the volutions, the more curved ones curling beneath the base, the trumpet-like aperture de- 6 SCIENCE-GOSSIP. fended behind, as it were, by a shield of glass— these are some of the principal characteristics of this most delicate and wonderful structure. O. grandispinosum is perhaps scarcely as graceful, if we may venture to criticise Nature’s handiwork, but far more grotesque in appearance. It hasa very spider-like look, the spines curling over like The curious manner in which the last whorl is produced and contorted makes it quite difficult to follow the design of the shell itself. Up to a certain period, that is, up to the commencement of the body-whorl, so many claws ready to clutch an enemy. it has the normal appearance of a dextral conical shell. The last erratic course, making a complete curve up the spire and then to the right, carrying the aperture volution then commences its even above the apex. This peculiar production of the whorl makes it quite difficult, without con- a dextral or shell we have before us. Probably the majority of people would, however, at first sideration, to say whether it is sinistral sight, guess wrongly upon this point with regard to all the other Bornean forms, for the aperture are so decidedly on the left of the spire. This, however, does not in reality make them sinistral shells, but the left-handed appearance arises merely from a peculiar twist and retroversion of the body-whorl which turns the aperture back- wards. If, therefore, we place the opening towards the eye, as seen in the figure of O. mirabile, the spire being upward, it appears on the left side of the shell as in normally sinistral forms. One question remains to be asked. To what end is all this extraordinary development of sculpture ? We can well suppose in the case of the succulent murex and cockle, to be covered all over with strong bristling spines would make the hungry fish shy of attack; but in the case of these tiny Opisthostome, one would almost imagine that their bodies, a mere microscopic film, would hardly be worth attacking. Yet some carnivorous beetle may rove about in Borneo in the home of these little creatures, whose onslaught may be averted by the bristling array of spikes. Some happy bird, always pecking at something, may hesitate to prick its tongue, some other creature—but enough, we That this marvellous ‘‘sculpture”’ has its meaning and is of are entering the realm of speculation. some advantage to its possessor, we may rest assured, but that we shall ever fathom its purpose, is less than likely. British Museum, South Kensington ; Feb., 1894. SCIENCE-GOSSIP. “I peel Sth DK AGONE LILES, By CHARLES A. MONG tthe lesser-known, or rather less popularly known, groups of insects there are few, if any, that exceed in interest the dragonflies. Whether we regard the marvellous structure and habits of the carnivorous aquatic larve, or the singular beauty of the perfect insects them- selves, the group certainly is deserving of far more attention than our entomologists have hitherto given it. Forming ag it does a section of the pseudo- neuroptera so distinct that the separation of the odonata, or dragonflies, into a distinct order seems almost a necessity, the group is so distinct from all other insects found in the British Islands, so easily worked, and so small that it may be taken up and mastered by anyone with com- paratively little difficulty or doubt. As compared with other dragonflies are of large size, the smallest of our British species being nearly an inch in alar ex- panse. Although, when the specimens are old and discoloured a good lens is needed for determining with certainty the identity of some closely allied species; yet while the insects are fresh, they may, with perhaps one or two ex- ceptions, be easily determined by the eye alone. The difficulty which has always stood in the way of beginners has been the absence of any reliable English work on the subject, Dr. Hagen’s excellent monograph in the ‘‘ Entomologists’ Annual,” for 1857, being so brief that it is scarcely adapted to the wants of the beginner, while the painstaking books of Stephens and Evans are practically useless owing to their antique nomenclature and the erroneous views of species which cloud them. ’ Recently, however, Mr. Harcourt Bath, in his “Tllustrated Handbook of British Dragonflies’ has made a step towards enabling the beginner to name his specimens, and this work, though very incomplete, especially in the descriptions of the Agrionina, ought to be in the hands of every lover of the group; while the price is so low as to be within the reach of everyone. For those who can afford a somewhat more ex- pensive work, the magnificent plates in Charpentier’s “ Libellulinze Europez”’ will prove most useful, but the nomenclature must be corrected by McLachlan’s ‘‘ Catalogue of British Neuroptera.”’ The standard work, however, is Selys Longchamp’s ‘“ Revue des Odonates.” This work, dealing with the whole of the European dragonflies, and con- trasting and comparing as of necessity it does in its groups of insects Briees, F.E.S. descriptions, species which do occur in Britain with species which do not, is somewhat confusing to the beginner, yet sooner or later it must be consulted by everyone. The total number of the species of dragonflies occurring in the British Isles is only forty-six, and even of these eight species are but chance visitors, five of them, viz., Leucorrhinia pectovalis, Onycho- gomphus forcipatus, Gomphus flavipes, Lestes viridis, and L. barbara being represented here by solitary examples, taken many years ago. Two others, viz., Sympetrum meridionalis and Lestes virens by two examples, also of old date; while the eighth, Sympetrum fouscolombii, was represented by only three examples, until the chance discovery by myself of a flight of them in Surrey, in 1892, added seventeen more specimens to the record. Of the remaining thirty-eight species, three, viz., Cordulia arctica, C. metallica, and Géschna borealis are not found in England, being confined to the High- lands of Scotland (or in the case of C. arctica at Killarney also), three, viz., Cordulia curtisii, Agrion mercuviale and Ischnuva pumilio are confined to Hampshire and the south-west of England (I. pumilio has, strange to say, been recorded also from Kilmarnock), and one species, Eschna rufescens, is restricted to the Fens of the Eastern counties, and until a single specimen was taken last year had not been recorded for many years. This leaves thirty-one species for the general collector to seek for. Probably all of them, except Libellula fulva and Lestes nympha might be obtained in a couple of years’ work in varied localities. I have myself taken twenty species from round one large pond in Surrey, and there are two or three other kinds I still hope to take there. Our dragonflies are divided into two main groups, the Libellulina and the Agrionina, the former con- taining the stout-bodied, swift-flying species, the latter the slender-bodied, slow-flying ones. The first group, the Libellulina, contains the bulk of the British dragonflies, and is also well represented in a fossil state. It is certainly re- markable that while the remains of these and other insects in the Lias so closely resemble our own species of to-day that they can with ease and certainty be referred to existing families and feven genera, yet the mammals from the same formation chiefly consist of the Saurians and other creatures long since extinct. The Libellulina contains four families, genera, and twenty-nine species. The first family—the Libellulida—contains five genera, viz., Leucorrhinia (two species), Sympetrum twelve 8 SCIENCE-GOSSIP. (six species), Platetrum (one species), Libellula (two species), and Ovthetvum (two species). The second family—the Cordulidee—contains one genus, viz., Covdulia (four species). The third family—the Gomphidze—contains three genera, viz., Onychogomphus (one species), Gomphus (two species), and Cordulegaster (one species). The fourth family—the Cschnide—contains three genera, viz., Anax (one species), Brachytrou (one species), and Cschna (six species). In this strong-flying group are included, as might be expected, the majority (five) of our eight chance visitors, the remaining three belonging to the genus Lestes, two of these, however, being of very doubtful authenticity. It is in this group, too, that we may chiefly hope for additions to our list, Dr. Hagen enumerating fifteen species likely to occur here, and only three in the second group. Allied species in this group are very difficult to distinguish on the wing, while all, from their strong flight and from their habit of flying over water, are so difficult to catch, that strangers might well escape detection. Thus, in 1892, at Wisley, while filling up my series of Eschna cyanea, 1 took two C2. juncea, and not until after they were dead had I any idea of the value of my captures. (CE. mixta is doubt- less passed over in a similar way. Watch a Libellula or an CGéschna leisurely swing- ing along the edge of a pond, so quietly and so steadily that it seems easy to catch him, even ina hat; but try, not with your hat, even with your very biggest net, and you will find that, carefully as you have watched him, he has as carefully kept his eye (or a few thousand of the facets of his eye) on you, and is just half-a-foot or so beyond your utmost reach, and, except by stratagem, his capture is a process requiring considerable time and © patience, or luck; while the thoughts of the would-be captor if uttered—and they often are uttered—need the kindliest services of the Record- ing Angel. Yet I know no entomological triumph more deep or more complete than that of captur- ing, say, an Anax formosus after an hour’s watchful patience, or a frantic and exhausting chase. There is much, too, still to be learned of their habits. Thus, one day in 1893, at Wisley, Cordulia @nea was fairly common, yet I have never seen it there before or since, often as I searched. Where had they gone, and why ? The second group, the Calopterygina, or Agrionina, contains the slow-flying, slender-bodied species, though sometimes Calopteryx seem taken with a taste for wandering, and then fly nearly as fast as a Vanessa butterfly, but as a rule their flight is.as feeble and hovering as the others in the group. There is probably no more beautiful entomological sight than a number of either or both of these species (for sometimes, though not often, they may be taken in company) both species of’ slowly flitting about on a still bright morning, their wings gleaming and sparkling in the sunshine, resembling rather denizens of an exotic region than inhabitants of our own northern clime. The beautiful blue Agrions, too, have a special charm of their own; but their beauty fades almost with their lives. No one has yet learned how to preserve even a trace of their brilliant colouring. This group of Agrions contains two families, seven genera, and seventeen species. The first family—the Calopterygidze—contains but one genus, Calopteryx (two species). The second family—the Agrionidaz—contains six genera, viz., Lestes (six species), Platycnemis (one species), Evythromma (one species), Pyvrhosoma (two species), Ischnura (two species), and Agrion (four species). Of these Lestes sponsa, Ischnuva elegans, Agrion puella, and A. cyathigerum, are universally abundant, and A. pulchellum, though somewhat more local, is nearly equally common. Wherever these species occur, they may be often seen in countless swarms, rising in hundreds from the reedy edge of a pond or sluggish stream, attracting even unentomological eyes by the extreme charm of their beauty. Unlike many insects, dragonflies revel in the hottest sunshine, and rarely move under other conditions (with the exception of @. grandis, which occasionally flies at dusk). The memory of them is always associated with those bright and sunny days that, from their comparative rarity in England, stir the pulse and gladden the heart, not only of the entomologist, but of every lover of nature. 55, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London ; Feb., 1894. GREAT AuxK’s EaG.—Mr. Henry Stevens, at his Auction Rooms, King Street, Covent Garden, on Thursday, 22nd February, sold an egg of the great auk. It formerly belonged to Mr. Yarrall, later-to Mr. F. Bond, and last to Baron d’Hamonville. Sir Vauncey Crewe, Bart., was purchaser at £315. CIRCULATION IN PLANTS.—Can any ot your readers kindly tell me the way to view circulation of sap in plants? I have often tried, but failed. I believe it ought to be seen well in the hairs of the common stinging-nettle ; and there must surely be many plants in which it is to be seen. I want to know what plants I might try—what objective I should use—what illumination is required, whether very powerful or not, and how long after cutting the specimen does the circulation last? Doubtless many others would be glad of this information.— A.C. Smith, Crowboro, Sussex. SCIENCE- GOSSIP. 9 ROOSTING BUTTERFLIES. By Joun T. CARRINGTON. ONSIDERING that more than half of the span of life allotted by nature to the perfect state of butterflies is spent in sleep, it is of the first consequence that the manner of roosting should be as far, as possible protective. Alert and well able to save themselves during the active period of their existence, when the sun is hot and their power of flight is strong, they are perfectly help- less in the dusk of evening, the night-time, early morning and on dull days. Then we may pick them up: with our fingers and place them on our hands without the slightest show of movement on the part of the insects. When in this condition of torpor or sleep induced by absence of sunlight, butterflies form an easy prey to prowling enemies, which may by chance take them before they have provided for the continuance of their species. Therefore, we must conclude that the habit of roosting adopted by each kind, is most conducive to protection during the long hours of sleep. When we take the list of the European Rhopa- locera and scan it deliberately through, it is only possible to come to one conclusion upon the know- ledge possessed as to the manner of roosting of the various butterflies. Indeed, we, in this country, need not take the whole European list if we are in search of discovery into the resting habits of these insects. Very little is really known about the roosting positions, from the protective point of PIERIS RAPA ON PEA B #) the same position. view, of the majority of our British species. Most entomologists know how to hunt for several of our ‘‘blues,’’ or Lycaenidae. Various kinds are to be found so soon as the sun has’ set, resting upon the stems of grass; though not all the species affect Some species invariably rest with the head of the insect turned away from the earth, looking skywards, whilst other species al- ways roost with the head looking downwards. One wonders why nearly allied species, * with the markings and ground colour of the underside of the wings, which is the only side visible among this group when roosting, should invariably adopt these unlike posi- tions on the stems of grass. Some of the fritillaries (Argynnidz) and Melita, often affect the heads of flowers as the night resting-place, though I fancy this is rather accidental than otherwise. It may be those fre- quenting the flowers at night were ‘‘caught’’ in that position by the sun going down whilst they were feeding off the honey in the flowers, as so often seen with humble bees. We cannot find a large proportion of, say, Avrgynnis euphrosyne or Melitea athalia out of the total population of these species in any locality affected by them at rest on the flower heads. Stillit is not uncommon to find both species in that position on a dull morning after a bright day. I have seen seventy of the latter kind on heads of thistle and other flowers in a single morning, in the great wood near Hailsham, in Sussex. So, likewise, may we find the grizzly skipper at rest, though chiefly on ANOSIA PLEXIPPUS ROOSTING. lower-growing flower heads. Hesperia comma sits upon the smooth stems of young hazel ROOSTING \ ns ; LOSSOM. boughs in woods, on the borders of the chalk downs where it flies, and H. sylvanus has much the same habit. Another of our skippers, fe) SCIENCE-GOSSIP:; Nisoniades tages, may be taken in sufficient abun- dance by searching the dead seed-capsules of the plants of black-knapweed of the previous year. This species roosts in a position quite unlike others of the group native to these islands. It folds its wings under the body, like a noctuid moth. On one evening, on the Horsley Sheep Lees in Surrey, I searched a dead plant of knapweed for varieties of this dingy skipper butterfly and took sixteen specimens off about ten seed-heads. Being unable to find more, I shook the plant into my entomological net, with the result that four additional butterflies were shaken off. The protective position selected was so perfect that all my trained experience failed to show me the remaining four on the plant. I quote Mr. F. W. Frohawk’s notes, taken when he sketched the white butterfly sleeping on a pea flower, herein reproduced from his drawing. “ August 19th, 1885, between 1o and Ir a.m, dull day, found Pieris vapz, female, at rest on pea blossom which it closely resembles and mimics both in form and colour. It remained motionless until noon on the following day, when the sun shone for a short time, and it flew away. The similarity between the unexpanded blossoms and the resting butterfly, was an excellent example of protective resemblance.”’ About three years ago I was visiting a house well covered with ivy of a variety with rather large leaves. One recently-grown branch had developed a few whitish or cream-coloured leaves, asa ‘‘sport”’ amongst the ordinary green leaves. This branch being near the dining-room window, was convenient for observation. Every evening for several days, about sunset, a large cabbage-white butterfly (Pieris brassice) used to search out one of these half-dozen white ivy leaves, and roost upon it for the night. The protective value of the creamy-white leaf for the creamy-white underside of the butterfly was perfect. The butterfly seemed to be the same individual on each evening. The drawing of some three dozen Plexippus butterflies at rest on a dead branch of a shrub, is taken from a photograph by Prof. C. F. Nachtrieb, of the Department of Animal Biology, in the United States of America, who lent the picture to ‘‘ Insect Life,’ the excellent journal published by the Entomological division of the United States Department of Agriculture, in January, 1893, (vol. v,, p. 206). This butterfly is larger than any species native to our islands, so an idea may be gathered of the appearance of the branch as seen by Prof. Nachtrieb.. Being in colour yellowish orange, with black veins, these roosting butterflies would have the appearance, when seen at a distance, of withered leaves attached to a dead branch. Without becoming speculative as to how far the power of reason, as apart from instinct, guides, we cannot fail to see how important for the preservation of butterflies is the selection of suitable roosting- places during the helpless period of sleeping. i \ Pal DM CONIA" \{ COUNTRY LORE); Livers UE LES Ole ILL-LUCK OF SPRING FLOweERs.—In some parts of Sussex, instead of spring flowers being a joy to the cottager after the dreary frosts of winter, they are thought most unlucky. For instance, to take the first primrose or snowdrop into some houses is enough to raise the ire of the whole family. A single snowdrop is said to be a sure death sign, because it grows so close to the ground and looks like a corpse shroud. The blackthorn is associated with life and death on account of the white flowers appearing on bare black twigs, which but for the fair blossoms would seem dead. In Germany, too, the blackthorn is considered unlucky in the same manner, and is said to always grow from the corpse of a pagan slain in battle. In many old-fashioned houses in Sussex, broom is forbidden; the use of it is coupled with an old aphorism, ‘‘ If you sweep the house with broom in May, you'll sweep the head of the house away.” To bring in holly or ivy for decorative purposes, excepting at Christmastide, is considered by some people a sure sign that there will be a death in the house before Christmas. I wonder how this association of spring flowers with death com- menced. Most old sayings connected with ill-luck are associated with the avoidance cf some act which might lead to personal harm. Perhaps, as the flowers supposed to bring ill-luck were chiefly the first flowers of spring, the inventors of these sayings really wished to protect early blossoms from wasteful and destroying hands. Charming, however, as it would be to credit our ancestors with so much love of nature, I fear it is scarcely a likely explanation. Probably the presage of death from taking early spring flowers into houses arose owing to the changeable weather and trying winds of early spring, causing many deaths naturally to occur after the first snowdrops and primroses had bloomed.—Flora Winstone, Epping ; Febyuary 15th. ANCIENT IRON TRADE IN ENGLAND.—There are many old references to the iron trade in the county of Sussex. King Henry III. made a grant to the people of Lewes in 1266, empowering them to levy a toll of one penny on every cartload of iron, and a half-penny on every horseload of the same metal, which passed through the town from the Weald. An inhabitant of Lewes supplied the ironwork for the tomb of the same king in Westminster Abbey. In Edward I.’s reign iron was being smelted in St. Leonard’s Forest, and complaints were made by the ironmongers of the city of London in regard to certain manufactured articles supplied by the smiths of the Weald. In the following reign the sheriff of Surrey and Sussex was ordered to supply 3000 horse-shoes and 29,000 nails for the expedition against Scotland. The ancient banded guns, which were used by the English in the fifteenth century, are believed to have been made in Sussex. A good specimen of this kind of artillery, and, according to tradition, the first gun ever made in England, formerly stood at Bridge Green. SClENCE-GOSSIEP. Il OVIPOSITION oe animals and plants of the groups of islands scattered over the Pacific Ocean are often remarkable for the possession of characters which are highly singular. Especi- ally is this the case in the Sandwich and Solomon groups, several of whose indigenous animals and plants are, however, on the verge of extinction through the encroachments of cultivation. In the present note I wish to draw attention to the remarkable habit possessed by some Helices, belonging to the sections Libera and Endodonta, of ovipositing in the umbilicus. Some of the shells of the former section were exhibited by me before the Malacological Society on July 14th, 1893 (‘‘ Proceedings,” i., p. 4). The section Libera, containing about a dozen species, all peculiar to the Society and Cook Islands (Tryon’s ‘‘Manual of Conchology"’ (2), iii., p. 69) was established in 1881 by Andrew Garrett, in the “ Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia” for that year, p. 390, where he observes that the animals ‘are re- markable for their singular habit of ovopositing into their cavernous umbilici. The eggs, usually from four to six, or the same number of very young shells, may frequently be seen closely packed in the cavity. The latter are shaped almost exactly like a half-grown Planorbis trivolvis. The first whorl is smooth, the second one with radiating costulate striz ; and the internal laminze, both on the penultimate and second whorl, can be distinctly seen through the transparent shells. The peculiar constriction of the umbilicus does not occur until the last two whorls are completed, previous to which it is very open or cup-shaped. Certain species more completely secure the safety of the eggs by the formation of a very thin shelly plate, which projects from the columellar and parietal region, and nearly closes the umbilical opening. It is subsequently either broken away or absorbed by the animal to facilitate the escape of the young shells.”’ The first mention of a habit of this kind, as far as I have been able to discover, was made by Morch, in the “‘ Journal de Conchyliologie,” 1865, Pp. 395, and has reference to the allied section Endodonta, which is, however, of much wider distribution, being found not only in the Pacific Islands but also in New Zealand, Tasmania, the Malay Archipelago, the Philippines, and St. Helena, and possesses a far greater number of species. His note is to the following effect :— ‘‘ Endodonta lamellosa, Fer. oviposits in the um- bilicus, as also does another species from the Sandwich Islands, communicated by Mr. Harper Pease. In this latter the umbilicus was covered by a sort of epiphragm.’” The shells of this OF SOME “HELICES: section, not having the peculiar constriction of the last two whorls as in Libeva, their umbilici are much wider and funnel-shaped, and it follows that unless covered by an epiphragm the eggs would be liable to become dispersed. This epiphragm was observed in Endodonta by Garrett also. In describing E. cretacea, he remarks that ‘“many of the adult shells have the umbilicus covered with a thin brownish membrane, which in all I have examined was perforated. Probably, as in Libera, the animal oviposits in the umbilicus, and covers it up with a membrane, and the per- forations were made when the young animals escaped. This peculiar feature has, so far, only been observed in Borabora shells.’’ (‘‘ Journ, Act N.S., Phil.,”’ 1884, p. 41°) HELIx HEYNEMANNI, ENLARGED AND NATURAL SIZE. My attention was first drawn to this subject when examining some Pacific shells received from “ Linnea,’’ of Berlin, and Hermann Rolle, of the same place; I noticed what I took to be débris in the umbilici, but did not pay further attention thereto until, when by accident I alighted upon the above quoted note of Garrett, it occurred to me that what I had regarded as débris might be eggs or young shells. I therefore carefully examined all the shells I had of the Libera and Endodonta groups. Those of the former gave the following results: Helix subcavernula, Tryon, Rarotonga (three specimens), one with two young shells. H. cavernula, Garr, Rarotonga (three specimens), one with one young shell. HA. heynemanni, Pfr., Huahine (three specimens), one with a lamellar plate (fig. a) H. vetunsa, Pfr., Tahiti (three specimens), one with two young shells and one with one young shell. H. tumuloides, Garr, Rarotonga (three specimens), one with two young shells. H. sculptilis, Pse., Rarotonga (three specimens), no young shells. Those of the section Endodonta yielded negative results only. The accompanying illustrations have been drawn from specimens in my possession. aA shows the umbilicus covered with the lamellar plate referred to above; B, a specimen with the umbilicus open ; while c represents an immature specimen in which the last whorl has not yet been formed, and the umbilicus is therefore very wide and open; part of the basal wall having been broken away shows the internal lamellz on the parietal wall. G. K. GuDE. 5, Gtesbach Road, Upper Holloway, N.; Feb., 1894. 12 SCIENCE-GOSSIP. AS URE. FERN-LAND. By Epwarp STEP. ERNS! Yes, the parish is full of them, if you know where to look. It's of no use to search the banks along the road for them; the hawkers and excursionists from London have cleared them. “Done a deal of harm?” Yes, I suppose they have, but so faras the hawkers are concerned you can scarcely blame them. Their’s is only a form of business enterprise, and when did you know an enterprising business man stay his hand out of sentimental regard for other people’s enjoyment ? Suppose they do spoil the look of the country in their desire to get a living, they are only placing themselves upon a level with persons who have not the excuse of ignorance or want to plead. There are those who are not content with taking ferns and primroses, but who must steal the very banks and wastes upon which these plants have grown. In truth, if the hawker were the only enemy the fern had we might smile at his feeble efforts. The great cause of the diminution of ferns near the large towns is to be found in the extensive drainage works that have been carried out in recent years. Much of the rain that falls upon the earth is carried off at once by means of drains ; trees are cut dcwn and swamps drained. Just look at these figures : Professor Lindley calculated the number of spores borne by a single frond of hart’s-tongue fern (Scolo- pendrium vulgare) to be 18,000,000! Now, supposing there are on anaverage only five spore-bearing fronds to each hart’s-tongue plant, that gives youa possible progeny of 90,000,000 hart’s-tongues derived in one year from a single parent. My contention is that, providing the natural conditions of humidity in soil and atmosphere were maintained, we could defy the rapacious collectors so long as they left us one solitary fern of each species on our island. Ina few years ferns would be as abundant as ever. Now come with me up this sandy hillside, and I will show you where the ferns grow. Observe, that it faces north-east, and, therefore, only gets the morning sun upon it. From the village it appears to be a regularly sloping height covered with bramble, bracken and gorse ; but when you have climbed some seventy or eighty feet you will notice that its sides are deeply scored and terraced where sand and gravel digging has been carried on. The hill, which has a very extensive broken top, is like a huge sponge, and full of splendid water. Early in the morning you may see the mists hang- ing over the tops and drenching the heather and furze with moisture, which keeps the sand well filled. The water oozes out of its sides in a thousand tiny springs, and trickling down these make the condi- tions necessary for fern-growth. And soit happens that, on all these terraces and under the bushes all over the hillside, you will find fine specimens of the lady-fern (Athyrium filix-femina) with finely divided fronds of an almost transparent texture. The lady- fern is vastly fond of growing where she can send down her roots and dip the red sponge-like masses of root-hairs right into the flowing water. Do you see yonder house to the right of the church, below us? It is the vicarage, and its somewhat prim, terraced garden is pleasant to look down upon. At the farther end of the garden such a spring breaks out and trickles into a shallow well, lined with rough sandstone. If you look into and around that rough cistern, you will find that the lady-fern has taken entire possession of it. All up the back the stones are hidden by the delicate lace-work of her fronds, and round the margin there is a fringe of them. The beautiful green feathers arch over the water, and their fair forms are reflected in the pure mirror; and all the stones are thickly covered with lady-ferns in a more or less embryo condition. Surely the water drawn from such a source must be fresher and sweeter than that from an ordinary well! All this broken ground beside the well, where Mrs. Dewdney’s donkeys browse so contentedly, contains a multi- tude of old lady-ferns among the grass that scarcely anybody suspects, because the donkeys nibble them down as they do the grass and thistles. They are too old and tough to be killed by this treatment, and their stems are so strongly anchored to the ground, connected together in such great masses, that if the hawker were to discover them, to acquire them would demand more labour than would be profitable. Below the pond, again, in the swampy ground, there are hundreds of them; and on the higher ground there are great male-ferns (Nephvodium filix-mas), with robust-looking fronds four or five feet in height, their stems shaggy with golden chaffy scales and their backs rough with the scaly fruits from which the rusty spores drop out, reddening the lower fronds upon which they fall. Our forefathers who named these two ferns had certainly a sense of the fitness of things which they did not equally exhibit when they gave the folk-names to many plants. The male-fern, growing in the dry ditch by the hedge, or in open spaces in the wood, grows straight and tall, its fronds with thick stalks that are strong to withstand wind and sun; whilst the lady-fern needs protection, and is the weakest of our large ferns. Her thin textured, delicate fronds are so finely sub-divided as to resemble a piece of pale SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 13 green lace, and their stalks are so entirely destitute of anything approaching to a woody nature, that frost or drought shrivels them up. A little distance up the road there is a path which, after crossing a couple of fields, runs through a sheltered, swampy wood where the lady-fern reigns. The fronds form the undergrowth beneath the trees, and in one part of the wood you may see at least an acre of ground under the branches where there is nothing but lady-fern. Where there are little open spaces you may see enormous specimens with a raised trunk several inches high, like an. incipient tree-fern, from which spring seventy or eighty forty-inch fronds whose plumy tips form a circle four feet in diameter. You must tread lightly here, for the ground is covered with long sphagnum-moss, which holds the water like a sponge. A little lower down, where the water oozes into a small black bog, you may chance to find the frail and slender marsh-buckler fern (N. thelypteris) whose branching root-like stems creep through the dark peat of the bog. From the other side of the road there goes off a mossy path bordered by beeches, some of which are little more than ruined carcases, and others have been pollarded. In one there is a hole leading to the hollow centre where a nuthatch has her nest. In the fork of the tree above that nesting-place, the thick, tough polypody (Polypodium vulgare) fronds rise from the creeping rough-coated stems—the ‘‘many feet’ of its name. All over these old trees it grows, and creeps along the tops of the banks under the hedge. Many an old beech, whose trunk has divided off into three or four lesser trunks, affords a roomy platform about ten or twelve feet from the ground, upon which the falling leaves of autumn accumulate. This is the bed upon which the polypody spores germinate, and among the mosses that spring up there the polypody flourishes and covers the bark with a meshwork of its rough stems. The polypody frond, you can tell ata touch, is one of those beautiful things that are also made to wear well. The path, which seems never to be trodden, leads down into a deep valley where the ground is spongy with leaf-mould and thick, close growths of moss. Here again ferns are the prevailing vegetation— lady-ferns once more, and with them multitudes of the gracefully arched triangular fronds of the broad- buckler fern (N. dilatatum) and the prickly-toothed shield fern (Aspidium aculeatum), the latter species growing by preference from the roots and decayed stumps of trees where leaf-mould has gathered. The hollow is surrounded by woods, and yet there is little vegetation other than rushes, moss and ferns. Up the banks all round, where the rabbit burrows open, there are male ferns, and the long narrow deeply-toothed fronds of the hard-fern (Lomaria spicant). But if we desire tosee the hard- fern we must ascend the hill, and there, on its summit, among the heather under the shadow of the tall pines and in the deep ruts of the avenues dug by the wheels of timber-wains, there are great beds of hard-fern acres in extent, their roots and stems so matted and intergrown that it is very difficult to obtain’a specimen. Like the polypody, its fronds are tough and leathery in texture, but there is in this species an added stiffness which well entitles it to the name of ‘‘ hard-fern.”” There is a peculiarity of this fern which gives it a special charm ; those fronds which produce no spores are shorter, broader, fresher in tint, and lay on the earth with a peculiar flat curve, whilst the fertile fronds are drawn out inordinately and stand very erect, their lobes curled at the edges over the precious spores, which gives this kind of frond the appearance of a fish’s backbone. Upon the brow of the hill there comes up in the month of April the singular fern called moonwort (Botrychium lunaria) which throws up but one stalk, ultimately dividing into two fronds, a barren and a fertile. It is less than a foot in height, and by July it has dwindled away and disappeared. In the old days, when the doctrine of signatures had free play, this plant got its name because the lobes of the frond are shaped somewhat like half-moons ; hence it was called /unavia, or moonwort. Having got this name, it follows that it should next be said that the moon owns it and that it is subject to her influences. But in some unaccountable way it became credited With the miraculous power to open any locks that might be touched with it, and of loosing the shoes of horses that might walk over the grass in which it grew. And does not Nicholas Culpeper, gent., tell us that story of the Earl of Essex’s horses which, being drawn up in a body on White Down, in Devonshire, near Tiverton, had thirty shoes pulled off, ‘‘many of them being but newly shod, and no reason known, which caused much admiration” ? All round about the hill-top grows the golden- fronded mountain-fern, which gives off a sweet fragrance as of new hay. Below the hill on its southern slope is a swampy wood where the ferns grow on islands of dead leaves. There are enormous specimens of lady-fern and broad-buckler growing with their roots right in the water ; and if you know where to look for them you may find examples of the royal-fern—the Osmunda vegalis—not of so great a stature as the plant attains in some other places, because it is a fern of the wet lowlands, whilst here the elevation is at least six hundred feet. Walk westward through the wood among ferns innumerable; then into the lane where the walls are ornamented with hart’s-tongue whose pale fronds tell of a want of moisture. The same wall produces other kinds of fern—black spleenwort (Asplenium adiantum-nigrum) with its dark green varnished T4 SCIENCE-GOSSIP. fronds and long shiny black stalks, green spleen- wort (A. viride), long and exceedingly narrow, and the tiny wall-rue or rue-leaved spleenwort (A. ruta- muraria, growing over and under the coping. Then, of course, the hills and wastes are covered in parts by the bracken (Pfevis aquilina), the fern that is despised as being scarcely a fern, because, forsooth, its roots cannot be easily taken up as others can. The poor people who get out from London to one of the suburban commons, on their infrequent holidays, have a mind to try the cultiva- tion of this abundant fern, and pull up the fronds, as they fondly imagine, by the roots. In reality they get only the stalk. The thick, juicy, creeping stem runs several inches below the surface, and the fronds are sent up solitarily at intervals along the stem. The rootless fronds that are pulled up by these people will not grow—even before they reach their squalid homes, the bundle of fronds is a mass of limp green rags—and so the bracken gets a bad name as a worthless sort of weed that will not bear transplanting from the dry and sunny common. As a question of fact, it will lend itself to cultivation as well as any, and if liberally treated in the way of water and protection from wind, becomes a really beautiful object with little resemblance to the common forms. If in early autumn you will walk in dark attire, through a long stretch of bracken, you will come out with the front of your dress changed to a rusty-red colour. And so you will see and have what the old poets and romancers said you coufa not have or see, except upon the eve of St. John, and even then, only after taking many precautions. That red dust upon your clothes consists of many millions of fern-seeds (more correctly spores); and as of old they were held to be invisible, so they were also thought to bestow invisibility upon who- ever was sufficiently fortunate to obtain them. Should you desire a subject for observation and study, consider the various ways in which these spores are borne upon the frond, some in thick, transverse lines (hart’s-tongue), others in round, uncovered heaps (polypody), covered heaps (lady- fern, etc.), in slits along the veins (spleenworts), under the turned-down margin (bracken), under the turned-down tips of the lobes (maidenhair), round a stalk in a little urn (bristle-fern and filmy- fern), or clustered round the ribs as in Osmunda and moonwort. Furthermore, follow the history of the spore, see it carried on the wind until it sticks upon some damp surface, where it will grow into a tiny plant much like a liverwort, which develops sexual flowers upon its under side, whose activity results in the growth of another plant, a little fern. All this is very strange, and sufficiently accounts for the mystery which our fathers believed to enfold the fern. Epsom ; Feb., 1894. ‘July, 1893, and reached England alive. [This department will be devoted to photography as applied to the vepresentation of scientific objects. Examples, accompanied with notes not exceeding 100 words, invited —ED, | CYLINDRELLA TRINITARIA, CYLINDRELLA TRINITARIA, Pfeiffer, is a native of Trinidad, and also inhabits Venezuela. The speci- mens photographed were collected in Trinidad in Perfect specimens are comparatively rare. Usually they are found with the spire decollated to the extent of five or six whorls. Mature specimens vary in size from eleven to fourteen mm.in length. Informa- tion as to habitat is desired. My correspondent says he found those he collected ‘‘on damp stones in a ravine.” LBs AF Mull.—4. AMPULLARIA URCENS, uycens is one of the largest of fresh water mollusca. The specimen from which this radula was photo- graphed was received from Trinidad in a living RADULA OF state. The shell is almost globular, measuring 105 mm. in height, by 105 mm. in circumference. WILLIAM Moss. 13, Milton Place, Ashton-under-Lyne ; Feb., 1894. [The above two figures are from excellent photo- graphs by Mr. Moss.—-EpD.] SCIENGE-GOSSIE: 15 SCIENCE AT THE FREE LIBRARIES RESUMABLY the first intention in establish- ing free libraries is to provide material for educational purposes, and we are told that recrea- tive reading is thrown in, as it were, for a bait to induce readers to take up more serious subjects as the process of education proceeds. We should therefore expect that such money as remains, after the supply of light literature is effected, would be expended upon the acquisition of the most modern literature which could be obtained. A recent tour through the metropolitan libraries, and those in some of the larger midland counties’ towns, has been surprising in its results. Science is certainly fairly represented by regular stock books in most ofthem. These largely consist of such illustrated, or shall we say ‘‘picture,” books as Lowe's ‘‘ Beautiful Leaved Plants’’; the Rev. F. O. Morris's works ; Sir William Jardine’s numerous volumes in his “ Naturalists’ Library’’; Buffon’s works, and a long series of books chiefly out of date. From an educational point of view the majority of such books tend to delay rather than advancement in the onward march. In too many cases the income of the library goes in the purchase of fiction or general expenses, and the librarian depends upon donations for the science section of his catalogue and must accept whatever comes to hand. We can readily understand the result by remembering a cynical definition of Charity as ‘‘the giving that which is no longer a necessity.” It is only reasonable that having pointed out these defects I should be expected to suggest some list of, say the best hundred books on scientific subjects, or to invite opinions. I have no list to produce, neither am I going to ask for one from our readers. There is, however, a way of obtaining such a list, which would be of the utmost value to the libraries, and the public consequently. No librarian, nor even his masters, the Library Com- missioners, can be expected to know every best book, especially in science, where such voluminously new and original works are being so rapidly produced. If some authoritative body, such as the Education Department of the Imperial Government, or failing that, the Library Association, were to invite the councils of various learned societies, like the Royal, Linnean, Zoological, Geological, Geographical, Botanical, Chemical, Anthropological and Meteoro- logical, to draw up a list of works dealing with their especial subjects, we should then get at such a list of text-books and authorities as would be satisfactory. Then the money could be well spent as it be- came available. This list might be revised from time to time, as changes became necessary through the progress of research. Can this suggestion be taken up? It only requires the powerful aid of the press generally to alter this worse than useless expenditure of money upon the dish of Science served up in most of our free libraries. Joun T. CarrINGTON, WN, SOY Eo ‘a Lg BIEN i A SVE if —— TO ma HE Dispersal of Shells. Kew, F.Z.S.) London: Triibner & Co., Ltd., 1893.) trated. Price 5s. This work is the latest of the ‘ International Scientific Series,’ and it has seldom been our lot, after critically reading a book for review, to close it with greater satisfaction. In a preface con- tributed to this work Mr. Alfred R. Wallace says: 3y Harry WALLIS Kegan Paul, Trench, 305 pp. 8vo, lus- ‘‘T am especially interested in Mr. Kew’s attempt to bring together all that is known of the means of dispersal of the groups as to which such inform- ation is most needed. He has devoted to the task much labour and research, and has _ brought together a mass of information of great value.” This is high praise from such a leader in Natural Science as Mr. Wallace, but it is none too great. Without encumbering his pages with useless speculation, the author has gathered together a most useful mass of facts that form one of those interesting stories which we too seldom find associated with books of scientific value. As re- presented in our reproduction of fig. 3 on page 64, there appears a certain measure of seeming humour in the stately and business-like looking beetle, being condemned to convey a possible first parent for stocking some rich parvenw's newly-made ornamental water with those delicate little bivalves of the genus Spherium, which are the delight as well as the puzzle of young collectors of fresh-water shells. It was Mr. Kew’s good fortune to make the capture of this interesting pair of associates. They were taken in Lincolnshire in 1888, and are now preserved in the Manchester Museum. Mention is made of other animals than Dytiscus marginalis, that are the involuntary vehicles for distributing living mollusea, possibly to great distances. The general reader, as well as the man of science, will find much to interest in the instances given, some being very curious. For living snails have been found in the crop of a wood pigeon; the clinging of eggs and recently-hatched molluscs to the legs and feet of wading and swimming birds, frogs, toads, Even quite large fresh-water mussels are sometimes found attached to the toes of ducks and other birds when they are shot on the wing, at long distances from water. instance, newts, crayfish. One odd case noted is that of an operculate land snail tightly gripping one of the legs of a humble bee. The curious traps bivalve shells sometimes make are shown in instances where rats have been 16 SGIENCE-GOSS ER: caught by the tail, mice by the head, foxes by the tongue and birds by the bill or toe, but still remain able to convey their unwelcome guests for long distances. Fresh-water limpets have been found stealing a ride upon the backs of water beetles when flying through the air, also on toads and frogs whilst crawling through the grass from pond to pond. Though to the thoughtless these incidents may seem of more amusement than value, taking Mr. Wallace’s words in the preface, we trust that they “are so curious and interesting that they will attract the attention of many classes of readers, and thus lead, it is to be hoped, to the accumulation of facts which are still required to complete our knowledge of this important subject’’ (of dis- tribution). ‘‘ It is owing to such trifling occurrences as the occasional attachment of a living shell to a beetle’s leg, or the conveyance of seeds in the mud adhering to a bird’s foot, that many remote islands have become stocked with life, and the range of species extended or modified over the earth, while through the changes of organic environment thus effected, even the origination or the extinction of species may have been brought about.”’ Chapters viii. and ix. are well worth attention, as showing the influence of the civilisation of mankind in unintentionally contributing to the equalization of the fauna of various regions, if suitable. climatically This agency must neces- SPH&RIUM CORNEUM ON THE LEG OF DyTISCUS. sarily increase in force now that travel and transit has become so rapid and certain with the aid of steam. It then becomes incumbent upon us in these comparatively early stages of artificial dis- tribution by man’s agency, to watch for every evidence, so that we may hand down to posterity some record of these wanderings of certain animals from their localities of origin. Mr. Kew points out that ‘“Many facts illustrating the extent to which certain faunas have been alloyed by man might be -given. All the species of Limax described as native to Australasia are referable according to Mr. Hedley either to L. maximus, flavus, gagates, agrestis, or levis, all, except the last, believed to have been introduced by man from Europe. ... . Our common garden snail (Helix aspersa) introduced into the Cape, apparently within the memory of a living naturalist, is there astonishingly prolific; in Australia, when it once obtains a footing, it in- creases at anenormous rate, . . . . in the Botanical Gardens of Sydney, for instance, it absolutely swarms.” Although the temptation to quote many such instances with other species is great we must re- {rain, but before leaving the notice of the many good qualities in this work, we must not omit any reference to the index, as all students know to their cost how important is a good index when looking up the literature of any subject. Mr. Kew has certainly excelled in the management of that department, which is of such consequence in saving the time at our disposal for research. [Better still are the useful footnotes at the bottom of each page, giving the author’s authority for his varied state- ments. These notes are very full and satisfactory. We understand this is Mr. Kew’s first work published in book form, and we trust that what we have to say in criticism will have the effect of inducing the publishers, when a new edition is required, to allow the author to revise certain points and extend others. The most disappointing defect in this work is the want of a final summary attached to each chapter, of the evidence and con- clusions to be drawn, which would have added greatly to the value of the work. We can com- mend the author’s modesty in speculation, but these conclusions from one who has had so great experience in investigating the subject, could not have failed in interest. There are a few clerical errors which will doubtless be corrected in the next edition: for instance, the initials of the celebrated Bourguignat are J. R. and not M. J. R. as given at page 189, the M. being for Monsieur. We believe, in the light of recent discovery, the state- ment at page 93, that not a single species of the fresh-water mollusca lives in the Azores, requires revision. We congratulate the author on his first book, and hope it will soon run to a new edition, when these very small matters can be put right. Ja Da The Royal Natural History. Edited by RicHARD Lypexker, B.A., F.G.S., F.Z.S. Super Royal 8vo, 36 monthly parts. Part iv., price Is. (London: Frederick Warne and Co.) When Charles Knight published his ‘‘ Museum of Animated Nature,’ in 1856, he was justly proud of its success. That fine old work doubtless gave the taste to many a young reader, which has left its impress on our present age. The multitude of drawings, for there were as many pages of pictures as of letterpress, were a joy to youngsters, who are now—well, not so young as they were. What Knight did for that genera- tion Messrs. Warne are now doing for this period, excepting that Knight’s letterpress was the weakest part of his book, whilst that of the ‘Royal Natural History” is of a high character us of SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 17 and up to modern knowledge. Part iv. of this work is now issued, and quite maintains the good promise foretold by the earlier numbers. The bats are completed, as are the Insectivores, and the description of the Carnivora is commenced. Among the bats there is an interesting account of vampires. The chapter on the insect-eating animals covers some forty pages, treating of Cobegos, shrews, tree-shrews, jumping-shrews, water-shrews, hedgehogs, moles — web-footed, hairy-tailed, star-nosed, and many other animals. There is an excellent introduction to the Carnivora. > — J ———= 4j YY; AN Our Household Insects. An account of the Insect Pests found in Dwelling-houses. By Epwarp A. 3UTLER, B.A., B.Sc. 8vo, 348 pp., illustrated. Price 6s. (London: Longmans, Green and Co., 1893.) Mr. Butler has reprinted, in book form, a series of articles which he contributed to our contemporary, “ Knowledge,” and has been well advised in so doing. “‘Our Household Insects "’ isa book which should be in the library of every country house, and indeed, in many town houses as well. It will be most convenient for reference, when those frequent dis- Can V Tey y Ast S wifhsuay. es HepGEHOGS (from the “* Royal Natural History’). In this portion of the work Mr. Lydekker should be at his best, for his reputation as a zoologist is largely founded on these animals. The illustrations are generally excellent, and we reproduce one of hedgehogs as an example. Ina popular work such as this, it appears to be usual to give coloured plates —even Knight years ago did that—but we prefer the wood-blocks. Still there are two handsome coloured drawings in this part, one of a Jaguar and another of Tibetan shrews. This new ‘“ Royal Natural History’ bids fair to be by far the best of the popular works on the subject. cussions occur in the family circle, as to whether some creature or other is a black-beetle or cock- roach. Persons will then, by referring to ‘‘ Butler,”’ be delighted to discover that it is neither the one nor the other. There is nothing new in this work for the advanced entomologist, though those who have only studied one order, such as the lepidoptera, will find this handy work useful for reference, when appealed to as referee on such occasions as just mentioned. There will be one disappointment for the house-wife, who will find a full account of her insect enemies, and the damage they can effect, but few 18 SCIENCE-GOSSIP. suggestions of remedies or plans, except the most familiar, to aid her in their destruction. Many of the figures illustrating the work are good, though there is much unevenness. For instance, in a new edition, a fresh drawing of a house-cricket would be an improvement, to say nothing of the figures on page 161 of four stages in unfolding an earwig’s left wing; the figs. a, B and c of this group must be largely taken in faith as to what they represent. We venture to predict that an early opportunity will occur for these small but necessary im- provements in this work, for it is one which ought to run to another edition before many years are over. Johnston's Elements of Agricultural Chemistry. Seventeenth Edition. Revised and in great part re-written. By C.M. Arxman, M.A., F.R.S.E., etc. (Edinburgh and London: William Blackwood & Sons, 1894.) 8vo, 492 pp. and some illustrations. Price 6s. 6d. This standard work appears in its 17th edition, greatly improved and largely re-written, so as to bring it up to date with the rapidly advancing results of chemical research as applied to agriculture. There are also additional chapters upon Milk and Dairy Products, which in themselves render the new edition a necessity. Bye-gone Science. The dawn of science jout of alchemy and the black arts is a fascinating subject. Messrs. Wm. Wesley & Son, of London, have recently issued a catalogue of 548 works relating to Paracelsus, 1493-1541 (Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim), collected by the late Dr. Schubert, of Frankfort. It is a remarkable list of works on a remarkable subject. It is accompanied by a Catalogue of Transactions of Scientific Societies, chiefly collected by the late Sir George Airy. These catalogues have a value far above mere trade lists, and are worthy of being kept for reference. Journal of Marine Zoology and Microscopy. A Quarterly Magazine, price 6d. Edited by JaMEs HORNELL. (Jersey: Sinel and Hornell. London: Elliot Stock.) This journal is the organ of the Jersey Biological Station, and is chiefly occupied by observations made in the aquariums and laboratories attached. The journal is illustrated by plates of drawings taken from nature, some of which are coloured. Works on Microscopy.—Mr. W. P. Collins, of 6, Red Lion Square, London, forwards his Catalogue of books on subjects relating to the Microscope, and some others in different departments of natural history. His list of Microscopical Journals is useful, as it contains the titles of many published in foreign countries. AMERICAN Natura.ist (Philadelphia: January, 1894). Courtship among the Flies, by J. M. Aldrich. — The dipterous family, Dolichopodide, perhaps sur- passes all other families of animals in the variety and complexity of the sexual adornments of the males. Probably three-fourths of the species offer well- marked peculiarities which distinguish the male at a glance. Anew species found at Moscow, Idaho, has the fore tarsi in the male exceedingly elongated and slender, with the last joint in the shape of a com- paratively large, oval, black disk. The tarsi of the female are of the ordinary simple structure. The manceuvres of the male in courting the female were observed by the author. The fly places himself in front of the female within half an inch, rapidly vibrates his wings, gives his forefeet an up and down motion, raising them simultaneously above his head, and brings them down with a slight force, this movement recurring in about half a second, during some ten seconds. The female hastily moves away a few inches, when the male has to repeat the movements described. The author was much impressed by the perfect coincidence of these observations with Darwin’s theory of sexual selection. The reluctance of the females and the corresponding ardour and persistence of the males being carried to an almost incredible limit —Prof. C. E. Bessey gives A Synopsis of the larger Groups of the Vegetable Kingdom, the classes being, with few exceptions, those usually recognised by modern authors. ‘‘Orders’”’ of the lower plants are equivalent to the ‘‘ series” of the Angiosperms of Bentham and Hooker’s Geneva Plantarum Branch I.—Protophyta (water-slimes), one class, two orders. Branch I].—Phycophyta (spore-tangles), two classes, seven orders. Branch IJII.—Car- pophyta (fruit-tangles), five classes, fourteen orders. Branch IV.—Bryophyta (mossworts), two classes, seven orders. Branch V.—Pteridophyta (fern- worts), three classes, eight orders. Branch VI.— Anthophyta (flowering plants), two classes, seventeen orders.—Three new Rodents (rats) are described by Mr. S. N. Rhoads; Neotoma monochrouva, from Oregon; WNeotoma inteymedia, from California; Dipodomys parvus, from California. In the BotanicaL GazeTte (Madison, Wis. : January, 1894), 26 new species of plants from Guatemala are described, one of which, Avrdisia paschalis, C.DC., is figured, as is also Pinus : donnell - smithii, Mast—Mr. Albert Schneider contributes an interesting article on Mutualistic symbiosis of Alge and Bacteria with Cycas vevoluta, from which it appears that the relation between these lower and higher members of the vegetable kingdom is very complex, and the author concludes from the appearance of the host that the ‘infecting symbionts” are far from harmful, and he justly remarks that ‘the omnipresence and importance of Schizophytic organisms in and on tissues of vascular Cryptogams and Gymnosperms is probably far from being over estimated,” f FEUILLES DES JEUNES NATURALISTES (Paris: January, 1894). Kitchen Middens in Provence; E. Fournier.—Similar pre-historic remains of early SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 19 neolithic times in the South of France have already been recorded from the neighbourhood of Hyéres,and likewise from Rassuen. The author now mentions the occurrence of Kitchen Middens, very rich in edible mollusks, at three different stations near Marseilles. Bones of ruminants as well as those of other vertebrates and human jaws are also abundant ; potteries are well represented, but flints are very scarce. February, 1894. Notes on the habitats of Pseudo-Neuroptera and Neuroptera of La Gironde, by E. R. Dubois.—Of Odonata, three families are treated, Libellulide, /Eschnide and Agrionide ; under each species recorded from the Département, the dates of capture and an exhaustive list of habitats are given, while at the end of the article those species which have not yet been captured, but are likely to occur, are enumerated. NACHRICHTSBLATT DER DEUTSCHEN MALAKO- ZOOLOGISCHEN GESELLSCHAFT (Frankfort a/M: January and February, 1894).—Prof. O. Boettger enumerates the land shells collected in the Grecian Islands, Cerigo and Cerigotto, by Herr Leonis, in 1891. The relation of the Molluscan Fauna of these two islands to that of the main land and Creta has hitherto remained a problem, as only a small number of new Clausilias and one Buliminus have been published from the collections made by Forbes and Admiral Spratt. Of Clausilia and Helix, two new species are described. Of the seventeen species recorded from Cerigo, fourteen occur on the main land, four in Cerigotto and six in Creta, three are peculiar; while of the twelve species found in Cerigotto, six occur on the main land and seven in Creta, while four are peculiar—Messrs. Quadras and MQéllendorff describe twenty-four new species of Gasteropo- dous Mollusca collected by the former in the Marianne Islands (Pacific Ocean) —Dr. J. Thiele, of the Dresden Zoological Museum, announces the continuation by him of Troschel’s ‘‘Gebiss der Schnecken,” and states that among the material in his possession he has found the lingual ribbons of some Operculates, which indicate that the systematic position hitherto assigned to these can- not, on account of their peculiar organisation, be retained. The following sub-genera must, according to Dr. Thiele, be revised: Rolleia ; Pseudocyclotus, n.g.; Cyathopoma; Garrettia ; Cyclotopsis. For further investigation the author requests additional material. THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLoGIsT (London, Ontario: January, 1894), celebrates its twenty-fifth birthday with a page of verse by Mr. A. G. Grote, one verse running— ‘The story that we had to tell Of bee and butterfly, Our story—have we told it well, With love and earnestly? ”’ We can answer—yes, for it has had for editors able men, first the Rev. C. J. S. Bethune, then Prof. Saunders, then Bethune again. There is in this number of the magazine a portrait of Mr. Bethune, whose handsome face will be welcome to his many ‘Old Country’ correspondents who have never met him. The magazine is published for the Entomological Society of Ontario, by the London Printing Company. Among the more important articles isa life-history, by W.H. Edwards, of Phyciodes carlota, Reakirt = Chavidvyas ismeria of Scudder; Notes on the in- troduction of the mottled-umber moth (Hibernia defoliavia) into Vancouver Island from Europe. It has become in a short time abundant, and the larve injure the plum and cherry trees, etc. en ; oe LE FLE ry a Ly SOS HawWFINCHES IN SURREY.—It is interesting to note that the hawfinch, Coccothvaustes vulgaris, although not at all a common bird, is to be frequently met in the Leith Hill district of Surrey. I have found its nest year after year, chiefly in orchards, in the neighbourhood of Coldharbour. The site generally. chosen is the topmost branches of apple trees, those of a bushy character, with boughs more or less interlaced, having the preference. The shy and retiring habits of the bird prevent its being often seen, but a well-stocked row of ripening peas in a kitchen gardenis sure to attract its attention, and it sometimes happens that a whole family may be observed busily making a meal. The dexterous manner in which a pod is seized, split open and its contents devoured could’ not fail to obtain admiration excepting, perhaps, from the gardener.— D. J. Rice, 7, John Street, London, W.C.; February 13th, 1894. THE DIPTERA AS A StTuDy.—It seems strange that so few British entomologists take any interest in what are hence called the neglected orders, such as the Hymenoptera, the Hemiptera, the Diptera, etc. One reason may have been that there were scarcely any reliable works in the English language which would enable an entomologist to name his captures. This want is being gradually supplied, but no complete work on the Diptera has been published since Walker’s ‘‘Insecta Britannica’ (Diptera), which is not only an expensive work, but in many respects unreliable. There are, however, several Dipterists at the present time who are ready to help beginners. For instance, Dr. Meade, of Bradford, writes, ‘‘ If any student anxious to know something about them will take the trouble to capture all the different flies that he can find, I will gladly name them for him, only he must promise, after a short time, to try to determine the genera and species for himself before he sends them to me.” I may add that I should be very pleased to do the same for the more conspicuous species, then those I could not determine might be sent to Dr. Meade or some other competent entomologist who was willing to determine them. The study of the Diptera is very far from being wanting in interest. The flies differ very greatly in structure and habits, and some are very handsome and conspicuous insects. But few of the Diptera are generally recognised, yet everyone knows the gnats (Culicidz), the daddy-long-legs or crane flies 20 SCIENCE-GOSSIP. (Tipulide), the drone and hover flies (Syrphidee)— though some of these are often mistaken for bees or wasps—the blue-bottles and house flies (Muscide), etc. I do not know that any of the Diptera are directly useful to man, though many are indirectly useful by destroying or checking some of our insect pests. Thus, for instance, the larvee of some of the Syrphidz feed on the green-fly (Aphides), which are SO injurious in our gardens and hop grounds. On the other hand many Diptera are to be reckoned among our insect foes. Thus the gnats and mosquitoes (Culicidze), the gad-flies (Tabanidz), and others, suck the blood of men and animals, and in some countries are a dreadful pest, while the larvae of other species are more or less injurious to our cereals, fruits and flowers. Any- one studying the Diptera may find plenty of interest in their structure and habits. Perhaps this short notice may induce some more observers to take an interest in our British Diptera.—E. N. Bloomfield, Guestling Rectory, Hastings ; February 12th, 1894. UnusuaL EMERGENCE OF Toap.—On Tuesday morning, the 6th inst., I was much surprised to find “ Jack’’—whom I had better state at once is a very large and favourite toad of mine, and a great pet with all the members of the household—quietly walking down the garden path towards the house. This is somewhat early for this reptile to leave his hybernaculum, and I do not remember in past years meeting with toads until a much later date in the spring. A few years ago a toad I had met with a strange fatality, but one that may occur oftener in a state of nature than we imagine. Finding it lying dead one day, apparently uninjured so far as external appearances went, curiosity prompted me to hold a post-mortem examination to enquire into the cause of death, which on dissection was imme- diately apparent. In the stomach of the animal was a large round pebble of such a size that it was a wonder how the unfortunate creature had managed to swallow it. Of course this stone could not pass the stomach, and a fatal result was inevitable. It was apparent the stone had adhered to the glutinous secretion on his tongue when snapping up a casual beetle, the undigested elytra of which were also present in the stomach. In confirmation of this view, I might mention that I have frequently seen small loose stones moved in position through being slightly touched by the tongue of a toad when licking up insects that were resting upon them.— HA, Williams, Hornsey Rise, N.; February roth, 1894. Locust IN Lonpon.—It may be of interest to record the involuntary visit to London of a South European locust. This insect was discovered alive on the head of a cauliflower in a consignment of vegetables from Italy to Messrs. Mash and Sons, of Brixton, on the 3rd inst. The locust, missing the warmth of the sunny south, was in a lethargic state, but when kindly handed over to me on the 5th, a day of Egyptian darkness in London, was still alive, but had not eaten any of the fresh green stuff supplied it. In personal appearance it resem- bles a magnified grasshopper. The closed wing- sheaths, or tegmina, show dull green, but appear browner when extended. The true wings are brown, marked with a bold and broad smoky crescent-shaped patch of darker shading. The under edge of the large femur or thigh of the hind leg is chestnut-brown. The length of the animal from head to tail is 24 inches, the outspread wings from tip to tip measure 5 inches, and cover a space of 5 square inches. The wing-muscles must be very powerful, but it should be borne in mind that a swarm never flies against the wind. Without raising the bogey of possible danger to the farmer, the liability of so large an intruder suddenly popping out of the ‘‘ greens,’ may add a new terror to the kitchen’s list of horrors, such as a mouse, wasp, and so-called ‘‘ black-beetle.’”’ The Natural History Museum exhibits a few species of locust (including Acridiwm pevegrvinum, and Pachytylus migvatovius), with none of which my capture agrees. —H. A. Sauzé, 4, Mount Villas, Sydenham Hill Road, London, S.E.; February toth, 1894. THE GREAT Copper ButTErRFLy. — I well remember at the Meeting of the British Association at Cambridge, in the year, I think, 1844 or 1845, I was introduced by Mr. Vernon Wollaston, or Rev. Hamlet Clark, to a man of the name of Rawlinson, ‘“‘the Pie-man,’’ as he was called. He used to go out for gentlemen of the University, to collect for them in the Fens, plants, insects, and other objects of Natural History, in the summer time; but in the winter he sold pies. Rawlinson asked me if I wanted caterpillars of the large copper; I said I could do with a few. Two days afterwards he brought me a dozen; I told him six would be enough, which I purchased of him at the price he asked, sixpence each. I took them home and bred five fine and perfect specimens. At that time one could buy the butterfly from Argent and other London dealers at 1s.and 2s.each. Now, inconsequence of the drainage of the Fens, the insect isno longer to be found, and fine and perfect specimens at recent sales by auction have realized from £5 to £6 each. If one could only have anticipated what has happened I should certainly have taken the dozen caterpillars and laid in a large stock of the butterflies, for a little fortune might have been made out of them.—Samuel Stevens, Beulah Hili, Upper Norwood ; February 1oth, 1894. Tue British TRAP-DoOR SPIDER.—This grand spider (Atypus piceus, SULZER), was first discovered in Great Britain by Mr. Joshua Brown, at Hastings, in the year 1856, since which many zoologists have searched for it in vain.in that locality, though it has occurred in plenty at Woking, Hampstead, SCIENCE-GOSSTR, 21 Isle of Portland, and along the south coast. It is with very great pleasure that Iam able to announce that my wife has been successful in finding several nests containing females at Hastings, one with mother and family of spiderlings, and the evidence of the domestic tragedy, which almost invariably takes place between the sexes of this powerful spider. At the base of the aérial part of the tube was found the ‘ old clothes” of the murdered male spider, whose body the female spider had sucked dry, and then carried up the tube and pushed through the side. From some fifty specimens of males and females kept in captivity, only one male escaped the penalty of death. Mrs. Enock informs me that the colony at Hastings is not a large one and the nests require careful searching for. The only point in the life-history of this wonderful spider which I have not yet settled, is the age of the female, but I hope to establish a colony this spring at the Zoological Gardens, where | am sure every care will be exercised over them, and perhaps a time fixed for ‘‘the spiders to be fed’’—a most interesting function.—Fred. Enock, 11, Parolles Road, Upper Holloway, London. February, 1894. je Sift me THE WINTER SEASON.—Plants in bloom in the weald of Kent during Christmas week, 1893, were snowdrops, winter aconite, hepatica (double pink), coloured primrose, Pyrus japonica, gentian (large blue), sweet violet, Christmas rose, buttercup (Ranunculus acvis or vepens), goat willow (male and female), hazel and filbert (male and female). The willow and hazel were in bloom by the first week of December. Apparently, only part of the buds developed early, but a very considerable number were out of flower by December 25th. During the week of January, 1st—5th, the exposed thermometer fellas low as 2° F.in the district, but the severe cold did not seem to have injured any of the plants afterwards observed, as they were protected by snow. Onthe coast of Kent, with less snow and more wind, plants have suffered worse, though the thermometer readings were not lower than 16° F. here.—Miss MW. E. Pope, Ramsgate; Feb. 10th, 1894. ABNORMAL PLANTAIN.—I found a very remark- able specimen of the Greater Plantain (Plantago majoy), at Falmer, near Brighton. Instead of the ordinary cylindrical spike, it had a much- developed broad spike, about four times the width of the normal one ; an offshoot of this broad spike, about half its width, divided into two curved branches, which again each divided into two. The broad spike at its apex showed signs of division. Both spikes were crowded with blossom. The flower-stalk was from 4in. to #in.in width. Except for these two spikes, the plant was perfectly normal. —C. A. Winckworth, Brighton. aay JES oD) << Ze: Z [ GEOLOGY | RON GM sry y : THE AGE OF A FLINT IMPLEMENT.—At the January meeting of the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists’ Society, Mr. F. W. Harmer read a paper on a flint implement recently found at Hellesdon. The implement, of which two excellent photographs by Mr. Bidwell were shown, was supposed to have been taken from a bed of gravel at Hellesdon. If this could have been proved it would have carried back the antiquity of man in East Anglia to a period vastly more remote than that which is indicated by discoveries hitherto made. Mr. Harmer explained the geological position of the gravel at Hellesdon, underlying the middle and upper glacial beds, and forming, in his opinion and that of the late Mr. Searles V. Wood, the lowest member of the glacial series, but considered by Mr. Woodward to be a pre-glacial deposit. The evidence which has been up to the present time obtained as to the antiquity of man in Britain would carry it back without any question into early post-glacial times. The extreme improbability of the implement having been found in such an early deposit as this gravel, the lack of evidence in support of such an hypothesis, and the supposed existence of the remains in an adjoining field of a Neolithic tumulus, inclined Mr. Harmer to suggest this tumulus as its probable place of origin. This is an example of the necessity for careful observation on the origin of prehistoric remains. RIssOA CHASTELII, Nyst.—Morris, in his descrip- tion of the plates of fossils appended to Forbes’ classical memoir on the ‘‘ Tertiary Fluvio-marine Formation of the Isle of Wight,” says of this species: ‘‘ The specimen figured is stated to be from Headon Hill, but this species is characteristic of and abundant in some beds of the Hempstead series, to which it had hitherto been considered as confined. It occurs in the Limburg series of Belgium, which are the equivalents of the Hemp- stead beds of the Isle of Wight.” On page 45 of the Memoir, Professor Forbes speaks of the Black Band at the base of the Hempstead series as con- taining ‘‘the beginning of a new series of fossils, of which the Rissoa chastelit is the first conspicuous representative.” In June of last year I obtained from the Headon series of Headon Hill two speci- mens of R. chasteliii I am unable to state the precise stratigraphical horizon or topographical point at which I met with them.—fev. John Hawell, Ingleby Greenhow Vicarage, February 6th, 1894. 22 SCIENCE-GOSSIP. FOLKESTONE NATURAL HISTORY AND MiAcRo- SCOPICAL SocIETy.—This Society, which has just entered on its 26th year of existence, held its usual Monthly Meeting in the Lecture Hall of the Museum, on Tuesday evening, February 6th. The Secretary, Mr. Henry Ullyett. B.Sc., read a paper on ‘‘ The Mammoth and its Extinction,” The writer gavea brief description of the Mammoth, and of the abundance of its remains. He placed before his audience the theories accounting for its widespread and apparently sudden destruction, dwelling specially on the explanation recently ad- vocated by Sir H. Howorth and Sir J. W. Dawson. NORFOLK AND Norwich NATURALISTS’ SOCIETY. —A meeting was held January 30th last, the president, Mr. T. Southwell, F.Z.S., in the chair. Mr. Silcock exhibited varieties of the Mealy and Common Redpolls. Mr. J. H. Gurmey, F.Z.S., exhibited and read some noies on a female specimen of a Scaup duck which had partially assumed male plumage. A hybrid between the tree and house sparrows was shown by Mr. Southwell, on behalf of the Rev. Julian Tuck, of Tostock. Mr. F. W. Har- mer, F.G.S., read a paper on “‘ The Age of a Flint Implement found at Hellesdon.” Mr. Mayfield sent some ‘‘ Notes on Norfolk Earth-worms.” Thelist of “Norfolk Fishes,” by Dr. Lowe, brought up ito date, was submitted, as also was the list of ‘‘ Norfolk Birds,’”’ by Messrs. Gurney and Southwell, the recent additions bringing the total number of species observed in Norfolk up io 296. Mr. W. H. Tuck sent a list of Coleoptera captured by him in Suffolk, also an interesting note on ‘‘ The Growth of Eels.” Mr. Patterson read some notes on «‘ Natural History for December and January.” THE SourH LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND Natura History Society, Annual Meeting, 25th January, 1894, J. Jenner Weir, Esq., F.L.S., Presi- dent, in the chair —This was the Annual Meeting and no exhibits were made, the occasion being devoted to hearing the Treasurer’s and Council’s Reportsand the Address of the retiring President. The Presi- dent presented a handsome album to the Society, and said he hoped that all the members would con- tribute their portraits, as such a collection would, in the future, probably be of great interest and value. The following gentlemen were then elecied the officers for the ensuing year :—Prestdent, Mr. E. Step; Vice-presidenis, Mr. J. Jenner Weir, F.L.S., and Mr. C. G. Barrett, F.E.S.: Treasurer, Mr. R. Adkin, F_E.S.; Librarian and Report Secretary, Mr. Hy. J. Turner, F.E.S.; General Secretary, Mr. S. Edwards, F.L.S.; Curator, Mr. W. West. In his Address, the President showed fully the plea- sures and advantages derived from the study of Entomology. He spoke of recent attentions which have been given to classification, noticing especially the admirable work of Dr. Chapman, and made considerable reference to Melanism, coupling there- with the results of the laborious experiments of Mr. Merrifield. A graceful reference to the late Mr. H. T. Stainton, as one who “being dead yet speaketh,” and words of welcome to the incoming President, ended a most able address. February 8th, 1894, E. Step, Esq., President, in the chair—Mr. Carpenter exhibited Agrotis cursoria, Bork, not distinguishable from a southern form of A. tritici, all from Aberdeen. Mr. W. F. Warne, a case of nearly two dozen species of Rhopalocera, taken by himself, near Rockhampton, in Queensland, last year, representing one morning's captures. They included that American wanderer, Anosta plexippus, and Deiopeia pulchella. Mr. W. A. Pearce, series of butterflies taken by himself in Alleghany, U.S.A., during 1892-3. A discussion ensued upon remarks by Mr. John T. Carrington, as to the singularity of a species like Vanessa antiopa being gregarious in the larval stage, while the imagines were seldom met with in company. Mr. R. Adkin showed examples of Crambi, and pointed out characters by which the closely allied species might be easily separated. Mr. Dennis, a specimen of Vanessa io, L., with a small additional ocellus on each secondary wing, while below the ceniral costal blotch on the primaries was a smaller dark blotch. Mr. H. Williams, specimens of Pieris brassice, L., curiously tinted from contact with liquid ammonia. Mr. J- Jenner Weir, on behalf of Mr. Adye, a specimen of Plusia moneta, taken at Christchurch in 1893, and a nearly black specimen of Venilia macularvia, L., from the New Forest: also, on behalf of him- self, Eucheiva socialis, Westw. (perhaps the most archaic form of the Pierine sub-family extant), and coniribuied notes. Mr. Frohawk,a bred series of Argvnnis euphrosynz, L., which were nearly eleven months in the larval stage. Mr. Sauzé, a large number of Diptera, captured in 1893. Mr. Manger, an example of a Land Crab (Ocypode cursor), from Lagos, which was so nimble as only to be obtained by shooting.—Hy. J. Turner, Hon. Report. Sec. STREATHAM ENToMOoLOGICcAL Crus.—This Club was formed in January last among the Entomolo- gists who reside in ihe neighbourhood of Streatham. The meetings partake of the characier of a club, and, we understand, there are neither subscriptions nor formal rules, the Members associating in a friendly manner io ialk over matters biological, and exhibit specimens. The Hon. Secretary is Mr. John Henderson, Penioid Road, Streatham, S.W. Ai the meeting of January 22nd, Mr. C. H. Waison in the chair, there were several interesting exhibits of local and general interest, including fine vars. of Abraxas gross- ulariaia by Mr. J. Henderson, upon which remarks were made by Messrs. F. W. Frohawk and Jj. H. Carpenter. By Mr. Waison, Argynnis aglaia and A.adippe, irom the New Forest, also a specimen of a second brood of Afaiura wis. Messrs. M. H. Winkley and A. C. Forrester supported a proposi- tion to commence at an early date the formation of a reliable local list of insects still found in that part of the London district. The meeting held February 5th was well attended, there being ex- hibits by W. A. Pearce (Lepidoptera from America) ; A. C. Forresier (from Perth) ; also by M. Winkley, C. H. Watson (some Cicadz from the New Forest), and J. Henderson. City oF Lonpon CoLieGe Science Society.— On the oth February, Mr. L. W. Fulcher, B.Sc., F.C.S., read a Paper on the ‘‘ Physical Theory of Solutions.”” Mr. Fulcher stated thai the theory, due to Van Hof, arose from his conception of the function of ‘‘Osmotic pressure.” Mr. Fulcher remarked that no theory had yet been thoroughly established. —G. H. Powell, Hon. Sec. SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 23 b Vail | TKR ae Hitt iN im Ne QT CONDUCTED BY ALICE EVERETT, M.A. Tur Sun.—Though there are a fair number of spots upon the Sun, they are neither so fine nor so numerous as last year. The maximum of spot activity is supposed to have been reached somewhere about last August. The maximum last preceding was in December, 1883. Since the last mini- mum the northern hemisphere has been more spotted than the southern. THE Moon. Rises. Souths. nlleeresese Feb. 20 ... 2.164.m. ... 4.33 P.M. ... 12.14 a.m. Last Or. ... Feb. 27 ... 12.28noon... 2:3 a.m. ... 5.43 a.m. New .:...:... Mar. 7... 2.10/p.m. ... 5.47 p.m. ... 12.10noon. TSUOM eens. Mar.34 ... 6.28 p.m. ... 3.14 a.m.... 6.3° p.m: OcCCULTATIONS OF STARS BY THE MOON. Dis- Angle from Angle from Star. Mag. appears. N.Pt. Reappears. N. Pt. Mar.r B.A.c.6107 4 5.13a.m. 138° 6.16 a.m. 236° Mar.17 @*Cancri 6% 12.3 a.m. 88° 12.58 a.m. 314° “NEAR APPROACHES.” Angle from Star. Mag. Time. N. Point. B.A.C. 4043... 64... 10.3 p.m. 2120 136 Tauri Bans 12.25 a.m. 185° os (Camo ns O ao | UA) Elly oe OR PLANEtS.—Mercury is unfavourably situated for observa- tion, and, after March 7, too near the Sun to be visible. On Feb. 25, Mercury may be observed after sunset in S.W., a little south of the star 2 Piscium. On Feb. 21, Mercuryrises at 7.32 a.m. ;souths 1.15 p.m., and sets 6.58 p.m. Right Ascension 23.17; Declination 4.27,S. On March 2, Mercury rises at 6.57 a.m.; souths 1.10 p.m., and sets 7.23 p.m. Right Ascension 23.51; Declination 1.48 N. Venus is a morning star, rising about an hour anda half before the Sun, and is a bright object in the East in the morning sky. This planet was in inferior conjunction (in a straight line between the Earth and Sun), on Feb. 16, at 9 a.m. Position. Diameter. Rises. Souths. R.A, Dec. Se Bit, BO non SSS EMG coo TSE Bian oo Dd Ylcas Se Gn Sp WINE Bono SB? ans oO) Bg ooo MOK Anis ooo OAs 72 ALS. Wizie Ts) a CP os FiO, Gey OLE) Elm pos ering (YG Sp Mars, amorning star, is very low down in the constellation Sagittarius, only 15° above the horizon atits highest whendue south. This planet may be recognized by its ruddy hue. Position. Diameter. ‘Rises. Souths. R.A. Dec, TUE Aol OP cos HasHE Zanes ano ELMO) EtG Gay MEWOons Dee Miey Sh Mar. 2%:. 64” ... azoam, .) Sito am, ... 18\5r... 23°26! S. AWigwesaizAe GID AAD AI oon Bhi Bat, coe TOK Ailens BAO ZIGY Shs Fupiter isa brilliant object in Taurus, not far from the first mag. star Aldebaran (Right Ascension 4h. 30m., Declination 16° 18/N.). The red spot, so famous of old, is now very faint. Position. Diameter. Souths. Sets R.A. Dec. Warn 2iees 35/2 es) 4-49) Dill se) 12192) Dime Ole LS TOUS. Miairy22 te 34! 3°43) Dh eats 3 pelepmeen std sieeenLOe OLS. Saturn may be seen a little to the north of Spica, in the Virgin. With its ring and eight moons, this planet is, per- haps, the most striking celestial object to be seen with a telescope. Position. Diam. Rises. Souths. RA “Dec. Mar. 2 <. 17” 9.23pm. Mar.3 2.51 a.m. 13.35 62 50/S. Mar. 22 ... 17” 7.57p.m. Mar.3 1.28a.m. 13.20 6° 31S, Uranus is now well situated for observation, being visible to the naked eye in Libra, near the star @ Libre, and west of the stars § and y Libre. Position. Diam. Rises. Souths. R.A. Dec. WIESE: Borocan CY hs THIS) eM Gog LIEN Coq WE pon HOES). Neptune is in Taurus, N.E. of Aldebaran. Posttion. Diam. Souths. Sets. R.A. Dec. Miarearee 2a aren) 5:50!Die ee) Le53)au. -.)4)30) e28) 200351N. .56 p.m. The small planet Ceres is visible to the naked eye as a 6th or 7th mag. star in Leo, and passes the meridian about mid- night, Vesta is a little to the south of Ceres. Ceres will for several days be in conjunction with 93 Leonis. Vesta will be near § Leonis in the beginning of March. The Right Ascension of Ceres for Mar. 3 is 11h. 44m., and declination 20° 23/ N. The Constellations, Ursa Major, Leo, Crater, Hydra, will be on the meridian at midnight in the beginning of March. ComeEts.—Not one of the known periodic Comets is due to return this year, NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS. To CoRRESPONDENTS AND EXCHANGERS.—SCIENCE-GOSSIP is published on the 25th of each month. All notes or other communications should reach us not later than the 18th of the month for insertion in the following number. No com- munications can be inserted or noticed without full name and address of writer. Exchanges extending to thirty words (including name and address) admitted free, but additional words must be prepaid at the rate of threepence for every seven words or less. Notice.—Contributors are requested to observe the follow- ing rules. All contributions must be clearly written on one side of the paper only. Words intended to be printed in italics should be marked under with a single line. Generic names must be given in full, excepting where used imme- diately before. Capitals may only be usec not specific names. for generic, an Tue Editors are not responsible for unused MSS.., neither can they undertake to return them, unless accompanied with stamps for return postage. SUBSCRIPTIONS.—Subscriptions to ScrENcE-Gossip, at the rate of 5s. for twelve months (including postage), may com- mence at any time. TuE Editors will be pleased to answer questions and name specimens through the Correspondence column of the maga- zine. Specimens, in good condition, of not more than three species to be sent at one time, carriage paid. Duplicates only to be sent, which will not be returned. The specimens must have identifying numbers attached, together with lccality, date and particulars of capture. ALL communications, remittances of subscriptions, books or instruments for review, specimens for identification, etc., are to be addressed to JoHN T. CARRINGTON, 1, Northumber- land Avenue, London, W.C.> —— nd EXCHANGES. For exchange, fine cestraciont teeth, Psammodus porosus from carboniferous limestone, polished fossil corals and common brachiopoda of mountain limestone. Wanted, good Jurassic ammonites, and goniatites of various species from the Isle of Man and Ireland.—W. F. Holroyd, Greenfield, near Oldham. SciENCE-GossIP, complete, 1865-92, inclusive (twenty-eight years), sixteen years bound, twelve unbound, in perfect con- dition. What offers in cash?—S. I. Tindall, 1, Woodford Hall Villas, Chelmsford Road, Woodford. OFFERED, Clutchesor singles, ring-ousel, twite, black stork, sandpiper, teal, curlew, cuckoo, sociable plover, etc. Wanted, hawks, owls, shrikes, nightingale, wood and reed warbler, great reed warbler, gulls, swifts, and many others.—Jas. Ellison, Steeton, Keighley. WANTED, about a dozen living examples of Helix pomatia, for which large Unio pictorum or other shells are offered.— W. A. Gain, Tuxford, Newark. WANTED, ‘‘ Natural Science,” vols. i. and ii., ‘‘ Universal Atlas” (Cassell), “‘ Erd Geschichte” (Neumeyer), ‘‘ Illustrated Index of British Shells” (Sowerby), ‘‘ Natural History” (Cassell). Can exchange Quain’s “ Dict. of Medicine.”— Address, with price or desiderata, A. Absell, jun., 14, Venner Road, Sydenham. OFFERED, pectolite (beautiful specimens). Wanted, cala- mine, malachite, nickeline, cerussite, wulfenite, franklinite, cassiterite, spheul, pyrolosite, manganite, cuprite, valentinite, tin, bismuth, mispickel, molybdenite, stibnite, zinckenite, sylvanite, fahlore, stanine, wolfzine, pyrargyrite, realgar, orpiment, and other metallic ores.—J. Smith, Monkredding, Kilwinning. OFFERED, Vertigo antivertigo, V. alpestris, V. substriata, Pupa ringens, and other rare and local shells. Wanted, Vertigo angustior, V. Moulinsiania, V. minutissima, Helix obvoluta, H. terrestris, Lim. involuta, Succ. oblonga, Acicula lineata, Testacella scutulum, white varieties of British land and freshwater shells, or foreign land shells.—A. Hartley, 14, Croft Street, Idle, near Bradford, Yorks. DupLicaTEs of good minerals and fossils. What offers for them in other fossils or micro. slides, or any other micro. material. Lists sent.—P. J. Roberts, 11, Back Ash Street, Bacup. OFFERED, Helix sericea in exchange for vars. of Cyclo- stoma elegans. The specimens are fine, clean and perfect, free from animal. ars. violacea and marmorata are especially desired.—R. Wigglesworth, 13, Arthur Street, Clayton-le-Moors, Accrington. TureE dozen slides of granite, all from different quarries, and taken from the living rocks; very thin ground for polari- scope. Exchange for a 2-inch objective, er anything in microscopy up to value. A sample slide sent.—John Mearns, 2, Jasmin Terrace, Aberdeen. 24 SCIENCE-GOSSIP. Epusa, semele, alexis, ligustri, ocellatus, pilosaria, ulmata, lonicera, menstria, vinula, chi, didymata, mensuraria. Desiderata, sea-birds’ eggs, or butterflies and common noctuas.—A. Broadley, 2, May Street, Keighley. Soutu ArricaNn Marine alge. Well-mounted named speci- mens in exchange for: named well-prepared marine algz from other parts. Lists exchanged.—H. Becker, M.D., Grahamstown, S. Africa. OFFERED, H. obvoluta, H. revelata, L. glutinosa. L. Bur- netti. Wanted, several Albida varieties ; also good varieties of the Anodonta and Unio species; also L. pereger varieties. —W. Sutton, Blezards Hotel, Ingleton, Yorkshire. DuPLICATES, populi, bembiciformis, cherophyllata, fulva, graminis, iota and hectus.—E. C. Eggleton, 6, Tillie Street, Glasgow. OFFERED, auriferous quartz, crocoisite, galena, magnetite, and other mineral and rock specimens from Manica; also Mashonaland postage stamps. Wanted, specimens of metals and metallic ores other than the above.—E. Carrick, Umtali, Manica, Mashonaland. Micro. slides and apparatus wanted, good exchange; 40 varieties of animal hairs sent in return for 6 slides.—Arthur H. Williams, 8, Mount Street, Hythe, Kent. MInERAts, including many finely crystallized, in exchange for foreign stamps; ‘‘ Dana’s System of Mineralogy,” 1888, equal to new, what offers—A. E. Fasnacht, 296, Ashton New Road, Clayton, Manchester. WaNTED, Melicerta 1ingens and Stephanoceros, exchange or cash.—S. Hincks, Farnham, Surrey. LANTERN Or microscopical slides of fleas desired by me, in return for good slides of vegetable or animal subjects— Apply, Rev. J. E. Vize, Forden Vicarage, Welshpool. Ross’ Students’ Microscope (latest pattern), polariscope, spot lens, paraboloid—one-inch and one-eighth; swinging tail-piece and sub-stage, nearly new.—Offers requested by Dr. Taylor, 2, Ampton Street, London, W.C. SciENCE-Gossip, 1886 (unbound); also geological speci- mens from several formations; offered in exchange for micro-slides, physiological, pathological, or internal parasites —G. H. Corbett, 13, Church Road, Nechells, Birmingham. CoLLection of good foreign stamps, etc., about 2,500, many rare. Wanted, good microscope or cash.—A. Alletsee, 40, Milward Crescent, Hastings. Dupricates. A. anatina, P. vivipara, C. elegans, P. fonti- nalis and others. Desiderata, other species and varieties.— C. Coles, 61, Barrington Road, Brixton, S.W. WANTED. to complete collection of poisonous plants, speci- mens of Darnel grass (Lolium temulentum).—Offers to W. Cordwell, 5, Wilderness Terrace, Harleston, Norfolk. Scrence-GossiP, Nos. 57 to 205 (169 missing, 213 extra), for sale or exchange. Fossils wanted, or geological slides—J.-J. Cook, Edina House, Stoneygate, Leicester. WanteD, ‘Geology of the Counties ct England and Wales,’ by Harrison; “Permian and Trias of Midland Counties,” by Hull; also copies of any papers on the geology of Warwickshire, or whiclf concern the geology of that county ; cheap.— Miss K. Johnson, 29, Cherry Street, Coventry. OFFERED, British marine, land and freshwater shells ; also insects for specimens of Lepidoptera, and shells, or works on same.—W. D. Rae, 58, Parnell Road, Bow, London, E. IsOCARDIA COR (British), Fusus antiquus, and vars., Pinna rudis, Cyprina, F. gracilis, F. islandicus, etc., in exchange for other good shells.— F. W. Wotton, Mount Stuart, Rothesay. OFFERED, ‘“‘ Huxley and Martin’s Biology,” ‘‘ Marshall and Hurst’s Zoology,” ‘“ Flowers’ Osteology,” ‘Foster and Bal- four’s Embryology” also books on botany, gardening, education, etc.— Roberts, 22, Carlingford Road, South Tottenham. OFFERED, Clutches of chough, peregrine, S. hawk, kestrel, dipper, stonechat, goldcrest, rock pipit, grey wagtail, gold- finch, twite, grasshopper warbler, hooded crow, nightjar, C. sandpiper, woodcock (2 eggs), landrail, merganser, little grebe, northern diver, gannet, cormorant, shag, razor-bill, ringed guillemot, puffin, C. tern, sooty tern, noddy, swift tern, herring gull, Manx shearwater, fine series of storm petrel; nests with many. _ Wanted, good clutches not in my collection——R J. Ussher, Cappagh, Lismore, Ireland. OFFERED, SCIENCE-GossIP, 1889 parts, ‘‘ Kirke’s Physi- ology,”” Humboldt’s ‘* Cosmos,” Gosse’s “ Creation.’’ Wanted, Cooke’s “British Fungi” (plain and easy account of), or offers. Barker, 24, Avenue Villas, Cricklewood. I wiILt execute drawings (in pencil or water-colour) of the Diatomacez, Desmidiez, Confervoidez, etc., of any species required, in exchange for correct nomenclature of species of same sent.—H. E. Griset, 80, Park Road, Haverstock Hill, N.w. VALVATA Cristata, Vertigo moulinsiana and Limnza peregra var. burnetti, for Succinea oblonga, Vertigo angustior, Limnza obvoluta, or offers—Mrs. Carphin, 1, Lauriston Park, Edinburgh. WANTED, papers, etc., on the Entomostraca and other forms of pond life; also odd numbers of the “ Quarterly Journal of Microscopical Science.’—J. V. Hodgson, 52, Francis Road, Edgbaston. OFFERED, a small collection of Birds’ eggs, also books of various kinds, in exchange for named mosses, or will exchange mosses.—Send lists to Peter Yates, Ellesmere Street, Astley, near Manchester. Fossit, Mollusca-Eocene of Paris Basin and Miocene ot Bordeaux, offered in exchange for recent foreign or rare British Mollusca, named and localised.—Lists to H. W. Burrows, 94, Elm Park, Brixton Hill, S.W. WILL exchange spread diatom slides for polariscope and other objects.—H. Platt, Eastrop, Basingstoke. BuLimus montanus, Helix aspersa v. exalbida and Helix arbustorum v. flavescens for Helix pomatia var. albida.—C. D. Heginbothom, 3, Estcourt Street, Devizes. BriTIsH eggs of great plover, kittiwake, cormorant, guille- mot, razor-bills, lesser b. b. gull, red-legged partridge, partridge, ring-dove, magpie, moorhen, sand-martin; desider- ata—chough and many others, clutches preferred.—E. G. Potter, 19, Price Street, York. WANTED, well-mounted microscopical slides of animal parasites, or palates of Mollusca, in exchange for the first 12 parts of W. F. Kirby’s “‘European Butterflies and Moths,” with coloured plates—John Radcliffe, 111, Oxford Street, Ashton-under-Lyne. Fossivs and recent shells (British and foreign, 500 species), in exchange for recent or fossil Mollusca. Foreign cor- respondence specially desired.—Rev. John Hawell, Ingleby- Greenhow Vicarage, Middlesbrough. : ‘““KNOWLEDGE,” first issue, November, 1881, to July, 1882; November and December, 1887; January to October, 1888 = November, 1889; January, March, and August to December, 1890; all 1891 and 1892. ScrENcE-Gossip, Aprilto December, 1890; and bound 1877 and 1878. Ofters——J. Schofield, Engine Bridge, Huddersfield. OFFERS wanted for SciENcE-GossiP, Nos. 1 to 344, com- plete and in excellent condition, unbound.—A. Poynder, 8, Eliot Place, Blackheath. OFFERED, side-blown eggs of Bulimus oblongus and exotic land and freshwater shells in exchange for foreign Helices.— Sees to G. K. Gude, 5, Giesbach Road, Upper Holloway, London. RHOPALOCERA, Orthoptera and Neuroptera from Sierra Leone, Coleoptera from Trinidad, to exchange for foreign Lepidoptera and Coleoptera.—W. G. Clements, Frindsbury, Rochester. SMALL collections of West Indian and British Guiana shells (land, freshwater and marine) offered in exchange for other shells, or British birds’ eggs. Lists exchanged.—J. Burman Rosevear, 5, Pomona Place, Poole Park, Fulham, S.W. British land, freshwater and marine shells, also some foreign, in exchange tor shells not in collection, or offers. Lists sent.—Mrs. Oldroyd, 82, Abbey Street, Faversham, Kent. BULIMUS OBLONGUS and eggs; Cyclotustranslucidus, Helix sinistrorsa, Cylindrella trinitaria, and other foreign land shells. Wanted, rare foreign land shells or rare stamps.— William Moss, 13, Milton Place, Ashton-under-Lyne. WANTED, back numbers or vols. ot the “Journal of Botany,” in exchange for “‘The Naturalist” in numbers, or other things.—Rev. C. H. Waddell, Saintfield Vicarage, co. Down. —___¢—————_ PROFESSIONAL EXCHANGE DEPARTMENT. Only announcements from bond-jide dealers in scientific objects, instruments, or books wilt appear in this department, the charge being as. 6d. for the first 30 words, and od. for each additional ro or less number of words. WANTED, a few good Lichens and leaf galls, suitable or microscopic preparations; must be correctly mamed. Vegetable preparations offered in exchange.——W. White, Litcham, Swaftham. A LARGE number of correctly named British Aculeate Hymenoptera and Diptera for exchange. Desiderata, local British insects of any order ; must be well set, otherwise use- less. Lists exchanged.—W. H. Harwood, Colchester. Stamps. Sheets on approval.—Richard B. Corbishley, Breck Road, Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire. Dupuicates of British Diptera and Hymenoptera, pinned and identified, in exchange for others not in collection. Typical, well-mounted micro. slides of selected Diatoms, rock sections, horn, hoof, etc., sections, for works on British entomology, or offers.—C. J. Watkins, King’s Mill House, Painswick, Gloucestershire. SCIENGCE-GOSSIP, ANIMALS NOT YET IN sf No On ZOO. By Dr. Puitie LUTLEY SCLATER, F.R.S., Secretary to the Zoological Society of London. HE arrivals in the Zoological Society's Gardens are duly chronicled in The Field and other journals every week, and any striking addition to list illustrated newspapers. the is sure to obtain the attention of the On the present occasion, however, I propose to attract the notice of the readers of ScIENCE-GossiP not to any novelty that has been recently received by the Society, but to certain animals which we have never yet been so fortunate as to obtain, and which I think would be of great interest both to naturalists and the general public, if it were possible to bring them alive to this country. These desirable acquisitions are all ungulates of the great family Bovide, the most useful of all mammals to mankind. They are the mushk-ox of arctic America, the great Marco-Polo’s sheep of central Asia, the white goat of the Rocky Mountains, and the tékin of Assam. The musk-ox (Ovibos moschatus) is really more nearly allied to the sheep than to the oxen, and would be more appropriately named the ‘‘ musk sheep,” its large size having probakly brought its ordinary name upon it, which, however, it may be remarked, is much less erroneous than many other names of animals in common use, as sheep and oxen are by no means distantly related. Though nowadays restricted to arctic America and Greenland, the former inhabitant of the musk-ox was a old world also, and in pleistocene ages ranged over northern Europe, the Germany, descending into of France and England. plains Its remains generally occur in river deposits, along with those of the reindeer, mammoth and woolly rhinoceros. What, however, ren- ders it more feasible to Q bring living musk-oxen to this country than was formerly supposed to be the case, is the recent dis- covery of the existence of this animal in Eastern Greenland. The east coast of Greenland, although beset by a perpetual blockade of ice along its more southern shores, is accessible in its northern portion with comparatively little difficulty. In1889, Captain Knudsen, of the Norwegian sealer, ‘‘ Hekla,”’ visited Clavering Island on this coast, in 74° 10’ N.L., and found musk-oxen there in considerable numbers. Again, in 1891, Lieutenant Ryder, of the Danish East Greenland Expedition, landed in Scoresby’s Sound, in the same neighbourhood, and passed the winter there with great success. In the adjoining district of Jameson’s land many musk-oxen were met with, and animal and vegetable life were found to be wonderfully rich, considering the high latitude. The voyage to Eastern Greenland from England is but short, have told us that young musk-oxen are easily reared and, as several observers and tamed, there would seem to be no insuperable difficulty in getting living specimens from this quarter. The musk-ox is of about the size of a small cow, but with a large head and a formidable-looking Musk-ox. 26 SCIENCE-GOSSIP. HEAD oF Marco Poto’s SHEEP. pair of horns, with extremely broad bases, which expand in the old males and nearly meet in the median line. The greater part of the body is covered with long brown hair, thick, matted and curly, and a dense woolly underfur, which is shed in summer, protects it from the arctic cold. Its strange appearance would make it an attractive beast in the Regent’s Park, and I see no reason why it should not thrive in our cold and damp climate, where it existed in former days, though perhaps the northern districts of Scotland would be the most suitable locality if an attempt were made io acclimatize it. The meat of the musk-ox is much appreciated by explorers of the Polar regions, and a full-sized specimen of this animal is said to weigh over six hundred pounds. If not quite equal to beef and mutton, ‘‘ musk-ox”’ would make a nice variety, and the slight taste of musk which it is said to carry would add io its piquancy. The Council of the Zoological Society are so convinced of the expediency of bringing the musk- ox back to England that they have agreed to give five hundred pounds for five examples of this animal, two males and three females, delivered alive and in good condition in London. Marco Polo’s sheep (Ovis jolt) named after the great medieval explorer, Marco Polo, by Blyth, under the notion that a passage in the writings of the Venetian traveller referred to this animal, is one of a series of gigantic sheep that inhabit the mountain ranges of Central Asia and North America. Amongst its congeners it is remarkable for the wide spread of its enormous horns, which, combined with the difficulties of access to its habitat, renders its head one of the most precious trophies that a modern sportsman can hope to obtain. Only such hardy and experienced hunters as Mr. Littledale, Major Cumberland, and Lord Dunmore have as yet penetrated into the recesses of the Pamir and obtained examples of this much-prized species of game. The way into the elevated pastures upon which Marco Polo’s sheep browse having been now opened, it cannot be doubted that other adventurers will quickly follow in the foot- steps of Mr. Littledale and Lord Dunmore. Let them shoot the old rams with large heads by all means, but let them not fail to catch some lambs alive, and send them home to England. That the Himalayan sheep can be captured and brought to this country with little difficulty is evidenced by the fact that one of the circular sheep-enclosures in the Zoological Society’s Gardens contains a fine family of the Burrhel (Ovis nahura) of the Himalayas. The Pamirs are not quite so accessible to us as the Himalayas, but if wild sheep can be caughi in the one, there is no reason why they should not be caught in the other. For further information as to the home and habits of Ovis poli our readers must turn to the second volume of Lord Dunmore’s narrative of his journey through the Pamirs, lately published. I may add that the allied big sheep of the Himalayas —Ovis hodgsoni—would be nearly as acceptable to the Zoological Society as that of the Pamirs, but Ovis poli would be better on account of its large size The Bighorn of the Rocky Mountains—Ovis canadensits— and the remarkable spread of its horns. is a third mountain-sheep of the same group, of which specimens would be also very welcome in the Regent’s Park, as they have never yet been brought to Europe. The Rocky Mountain “‘ goat”’ as it is commonly called, which comes next in our list, is not a true goat (Capra), but belongs to what is termed the Rupicaprine section of the family Bovidz, which is half-way between the goats and the antelopes, and is known to naturalists as Haplocerus monianus. Wi is closely allied to the goat-antelopes of the Asiatic ranges, which constitute the genus Nemorhzdus, and must have slipped over to North America in company with the Bighorn and the Wapiti (both old- world types) in the days when Asia and America were united across Behring’s Straits. fine specimens of this remarkable beast, both in There are summer and winter dress, in the Mammal Gailery of the British Museum, which our readers, who SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 27, are interested in such creatures, would do well to examine. It is not a long journey to the haunts of the White Rocky-Mountain goat, for the Canadian Pacific Railway cuts its home in twain as the line passes through the Rockies. An easy transit of ten or twelve days would, therefore, bring the British sportsman, in search of this animal, to his hunting grounds. As in other cases of this sort it would of course be of no use to think of bringing home the adults, but kids of the Rocky Mountain goat would, no doubt, be readily procurable from the native hunters and easily brought to this country. Itis curious that an animal apparently so accessible should not yet have been captured and brought to Europe. The remaining animal that I wish to suggest as a desirable addition to the series of ruminants exhibited in our Zoological Gardens is also a member of the Rupicaprine series, and not very remotely allied in osseous structure to the Rocky Mountain goat, although very different in external This is the Takin of the Mishmi well-known Indian appearance. Hills, discovered by the naturalist, Mr. Brian Hodgson, in 1848, and named in scientific language Budorcas taxicolor. It isastoutly made beast, with thick limbs and a large head provided with massive twisted horns in both sexes, and generally of a reddish brown colour, with a MINIS gence 2 mee LAG ie | Ae Rocky Mountain Goat. SKULL OF TAKIN. black head. The unwary might mistake it for a gnu or a small buffalo, but neither of these animals is very nearly allied to it. The takin is found in herds at high elevations in the Mishmi Hills of Assam, and is probably a denizen of the highest parts of the wooded ranges towards the snow-line. In Moupin, a district of Eastern Tibet, where the Abbé David made so many remarkable zoological discoveries, an allied and nearly similar form is also found, which it has been proposed to regard as asub-species(Budorcas taxicolor tibetana) on ac- count of its lighter and more yellowish colour. Neither Moupin nor the Mishmi Hills, confess, are I must very con- veniently situated for the exportation of living animals, but from Cal- cutta to Assam, at least, bo 28 SCIENCE-GOSSIP. there is an easy transit by rail and steamer, and from Sadya the Mishmi Hills are not far distant. As will be seen by reference to the last number of the “‘ Geographical Journal,” the tea-planters of Assam are now pushing northwards into the Mishmi Hills, which, until recently, had been considered very difficult of access. I see no reason, therefore, DISPERSAL OF PLORA why young calves of the takin should not be obtained from the natives of this district, and the size and appearance of this singular representative of the goat-antelopes would serve to render it a valuable addition to the varied forms of ‘foreign ungulates which have been already exhibited in the menageries of Europe. AND FAUNZ. By E. L. Layvarn, €:M.G:, B:Z.S: (Late H.B.M. Consular Service.) N his review of ‘‘ Books to Read,” the editor of Sci=nceE-GossiP quoies a passage from Mr. Wallis Kew’s book on the “‘ Dispersal of Shells,” which has a peculiar interest for me. I may or may noi be the individual ‘‘ within whose memory,” as iar as Mr. Kew knows, the common English garden snail (Helix aspersa) was iniroduced inio the Cape Colony ; but as I was there ai the time it was introduced, and got the credit at first ior being the introducer of the pest I should like io put on record ihe real facis of the case. I would like ito add also some other information on the introduction of animals and planis into difiereni couniries that has actually occurred within my knowledge, thinking that such a record will be valuable for future reference. Helix aspersa was introduced into the gardens in the neighbourhood of Cape Town, in the year 1855, by MM. Dasire, some French mercaniile gentlemen tesiding there. A French man-ofwar calling ait the Port presented these gentlemen with a small barreliul of the esteemed dainties. They aie the full-grown fat ones, bui, with an eye io fuiure feasts, distributed the young ones broadcast in the gardens and vineyards round the town in their daily walks. I found them abundanily in my litile plot of vines, and showing them io friends, and being Known as a “‘shell man,” got the credit of the iniroduction, wll I traced it to MM. Dasitre, who rather plumed themselves on the exploit! I found the snail abundant in St. Helena, on my > way out to the Cape in 1853-54; and in these latitudes its rapid increase may be atiributed to the fact that the mild climate does noi necessitate hibernation, and it breeds all the year round. Tt has been introduced into South Ausiralia and Victoria, from both of which Colonies I have it in my collection. In 1878 I was on a collecting trip im Lifu, one of the Loyalty Islands. I stayed with a gentleman named Wrighi, who had much dealing with the natives. One afternoon a young man came in and said he had a great curiosity for sale—a new shell. With much parade he unwound irom his waist- cloth corner, and handed to my friend, a fine specimen of H. aspersa! On questioning him we learnt that while working with others in his yam patch he had found the treasure. ‘‘ The oldest inhabitant ” had not seen such a thing before. The Matives are very observant, and know all their various birds, shells, butterflies, etc. He expected a long price irom my friend, who, born in Ausiralia, had likewise never seen such a shell. His horror may be imagined when I deliberately threw it on the ground and crushed it under foot. After ex- plaining to the native the harm they would do, and exhorting him to destroy all he could find, I set to work io discover how it came there, and, remem- bering the Cape episode, I called on the “‘ Resident,” or Governor, of the Island, to “pump him.” I soon learnt that a French man-of-war had called there, and given him several flats of these, and having eaten sufficient, he had sown the rest for a happy future. If French men-of-war habitually Carry, as part of their commissariat, barrels of escargois, we need not wonder at their general dis- tribution. While in New Caledonia (in 1889 or 1890), I was showing M. Bernier, a brother collector, some remarkably fine examples of Sienogyra souverbiana, Gassies, as the largest I had ever seen. To my astonishment he ‘‘turned up his nose”’ ai them, saying he had iar finer, in great abundance. On my exhibiting incredulity he promised io bring me some, and next day brought me a large maich-box full of Sienogyra ociona, Chem., the well-known Wesi Indian shell, all alive, and many of them with their ova. On my questioning him as io where he goi them, he told me he had jusi returned from his uncle’s coffee plantation at Canala, on the east coast of the island, and thai the shell occurred in great abundance in the couri-yard of the house and siore, in between the flag-stones. He declared his uncle had never got any seed-coffee nor planis from the Wesi Indies, only from Bourbon; the shells must then have been introduced from the latter place. It would be inieresting io learn if the species has been noticed in Bourbon, but here SCLENECE-GOS SUE: 29 is the fact that it was established in New Caledonia in 1889 or 1890. During my before-mentioned visit to St. Helena, I found in the public garden in the town a minute shell described by the late Mr. Benson as a new species, under the name of Achatina (Stenogyra) veru. Mr. Edgar Smith has lately seen the type shells, and says they are an American species, Cionella aperta, Gould. It has probably been intro- duced in the earth of some Wardian case of plants. In 186r I accompanied His Excellency Sir George Grey, to New Zealand, as his secretary. He took with him on board H.M.S. ‘ Cossack,” Capt, Moorman (now Admiral Moorman, residing near me at Exmouth), several coops of Cape “partridges” and ‘‘ pheasants” (Francolinus afer and F. clamator), and a lot of tortoises. I had the pleasure of assisting in liberating the two former in the ‘‘domain,” near Auckland, the latter on the Island of Rangitoto, off the harbour. Do any of these still exist, or are there any descendants ? While I was there a consignment of small birds for the Government arrived in Auckland from England. I constructed an aviary for them, by enclosing a portion of the verandah of Government House with wire, which I worked as a bird cage with my own hands. I remember chaffinches, linnets, greenfinches, larks, and, I think, robins, and black- birds and thrushes. Are any of these now found near Auckland ? On one of our journeys along the south end of the North Island, we were entertained at a Mission Station (I forget the name of it). The missionary, with great pride, showed us a fine ram and ewe of some superior breed of sheep — Rambouillet, I think—which he had imported. After admiring them, he said he had found a new plant in the field wherein they were kept, which he then showed us, asking if we knew it. My reply was the destruction of what I hope was the first and last plant, in New Zealand, of the dreaded “ Bathurst-burr”’ (Xanthium spinosum). I can ap- proximately fix the arrival of this horrid pest into the Cape Colony. Between 1855 and 1860 a ship laden with wool, from Australia, was wrecked on Cape L’Agulhas. Many of the bales were washed up and salvaged, being spread out to dry on the shore, and subsequently sold on the spot by auction. Some were bought by a gentleman living at Simon’s Town, near Cape Town, transported thither, and again spread out on some open land to dry. From these two localities specimens were forwarded to me of a new unknown plant that had sprung up in considerable quantities. Dr. Pappe, a well-known botanist, residing in Cape Town, identified it as the Bathurst-burr. From the first- named place it spread all over the country, official reports showing that it almost always appeared first along the roadsides, evidently dropped from the fleeces of animals travelling along them. The burrs must have been in the fleeces of the wool laid out to dry on the shore after the shipwreck. A few days after my arrival in New Caledonia I saw, far up in the sky, what I at first took for an enormous flight of swallows. On one of them dart- ing down, I perceived that I was mistaken, and that the objects were butterflies !—Danais plexippus. Now I knew from my late venerable friend, Dr. Bennett, the naturalist, that this insect had found its way into Australia some years previously, and as New Caledonia had only been settled for about twenty years, I set to work to find out how it came hither. The first person I consulted solved the question. My venerable friend, Pere Montrouzier, another celebrated naturalist, informed me that the larve had come in a Wardian case, containing plants, consigned to him. The imago first appeared in his garden, and for some time confined themselves to it, and its neighbourhood, till suddenly, finding a suitable food-plant, they spread abroad. It is now all over the island, I believe, but is in such profusion round Nouméa, that I once saw the outer fence of the ‘‘Ferme Modele,” at Yahoué, fully a mile in length and consisting of three or four bars of iron wire and a wooden top rail, so completely occupied by the empty glassy pupa-cases, as to look like so many bars of silver. The food-plant of this insect is also an intro- duced plant. The Pére told me that previous to the arrival of the insect, a gendarme coming from Tahiti brought with him a pillow stuffed with the silky product of an asclepiad. This silk is attached to the seed in the shape of a parachute, and thus, being carried by the wind, disseminates the plant. The gendarme emptied out his pillow to refill it with better cotton, and unfortunately a few seeds remained among the silk. They fell upon good ground and brought forth not only ‘‘an hundred- fold,’ but a hundred million fold, for this noxious, poisonous weed is now found all over the island! So poisonous is it, that I have had instances brought to my knowledge cf peacocks and fowls killed by eating the larvee of the Danais plexippus, that fed on the plant. When the French took possession of the island, and brought over the Roman Catholic missionaries, the latter brought from Tahiti slips of Callicarpa lantana, Rox., to make fences for their mission ground. The blackberry-like berries proved “grateful to some of the New Caledonian birds, and the small seeds, passing undigested through their bodies, have so spread the plant, that between it and the asclepiad, thousands of acres of grass lands have been destroyed, part rendered im- penetrable to cattle, and part covered by the poisonous plant. “ Otterbourne,”’ Budleigh Salterton ; March, 1894. 30 SCIENCE-GOSSIR: MOULS: AG AS Sez |e giving two portraits of different periods of the life of Jean Louis Rudolphe Agassiz, we are reminded of how little is the work and influence of that great thinker understood by the rising genera- tion of biological workers in this country. Born 28th May, 1807, in the village of Motier, by the shores of Lake WIORAt, iim Switzerland, he died on the 14th Decem- ber, 1873, in the United Sites Ot America, hav- ing become a naturalised subject of the Union. Until quite. the lat- ter part of his life his career was one of incessant work and struggle with necessity ; for, devoting his best energies to indepen- dent research, Louis AGASSIZ AT NINETEEN. he often neg- lected to earn more than abso- lute necessity demanded. Yet he died full of honour, and though he left no riches, he bequeathed to posterity a wealth of scientificinformation, only realized by those who knew him, or have had occa- sion to search through his published writings. The son of a clergyman who had practical control of the public education of his dis- trict, Louis Agassiz had every advantage of training available to his father, and he made such wise use of it that after his arrival in America, in 1846, he gave an impetus to scientific investigation which led to its present powerful hold upon the American people. In that country he is considered to have been the greatest theistic philosopher of the scientific world. Above all things, Louis Agassiz was a field naturalist, one who studied nature in her best moods. Never was he more successful as a teacher than when wandering in the open air surrounded by subjects which formed texts for his discourses. Thus it was that many men, now holding posts of honour in the scientific world, both in Europe and in America, gained from him the early training in the craft in which they have risen to be ornaments. So fully recegnised became his system of outdoor study, that there is hardly a town of consequence in the United States which does not possess its branch of the Agassiz Association. The feeling is consequently growing in America, that every educated person is still incompletely educated unless possessing a practical knowledge of the common objects that surround us. As a scientific traveller and investi- gator of many regions, Agassiz ranks with Hum- boldt, for he was equally at home when discussing the glaciers of Switzerland, the features - of Lake Su- perior, or the animals of the Amazons. We are in- debted to Mr. C. H. Watson for kindly drawing forus the oval por- trait of Louis Agassiz and to Messrs. G. P. Putnam’s Sons, of New York, for per- mission to re- produce the etching of Agassiz at the age of nineteen. This latter portrait is reduced from a life of Louis Agassiz, by Dr. Chas. F. Holder, published by the Putnams last year. At the end of that book there is a list of the writings of Louis Agassiz which occupies nearly three dozen closely-printed pages. Louis AGASSIZ. SGLENCE-GOSSIP. gi COLLECTING ON WHEELS. By Harry Moore. At daybreak, on August 20th, 1893, my brother and [I arrived at Dieppe, for a bicycle tour across France to Geneva. Knowing that our road would lead us through valleys and over hill, mountain and plain, where, under a warmer sun, we should meet with things rare or unknown in our own sea-girt isle, I resolved to make a few notes day by dayaswe went along. Butterfliesand grasshoppers were the great attraction. I was specially desirous of making observations on the distribution, scarcity or abundance, of Colas edusa, and certain of the Vanessidz, as this was a subject of some interest at home; but, above all, I wanted a little field work with that pretty orthopteron CEdipoda fasciatum (Fisch). In short, we both anticipated a good time, and truth to tell we had such. Cyclists “travel light,” consequently we had little space for entomological gear; a pocket net, cyanide-bottle, a few boxes and a supply of ready-folded papers, constituted the whole outfit. I ought to have had a stick for the net, but it was not a convenient thing to carry. Very little serious collecting was possible, only what might be by the roadside, when we rested for a few minutes— nothing more—save once. Dieppe was but four miles behind us, when our attention was drawn, at about four o’clock in the morning, to a swarm of large insects flying round a tall poplar, one of a long row. ‘They were hornets (Vespa crabro) gathering fibre off theivystems. There were hundreds of them, and numbers of wasps were so engaged. Sometimes the hornets fought among themselves in the air, and then with the wasps. We saw hornets frequently during our journey, but never again in any numbers; perhaps because we were not on the road early enough. We killed three and missed several others, when we thought it prudent to move on in case of forming their closer acquaintance. The day was not a good one for collecting—too boisterous. White butterflies (Pieris brassice, rape and napi) were numerous, vape especially. Lycena icarus and L. astvarche, mostly much worn. Cenonympha pamphilus, plentiful. Thecla w-albwn, a few between Neufchatel-en-Bray and Serqueux. Quite a number of larvee of Smevinthus populc were seen on the road as we went along, having been blown down by the wind. We kept a look-out for edusa, but saw none. From Gournay to Mantes one has to work hard at the best of times; wind, rain and mud added to the exercise. Between Gournay and Gisors we saw few insects, save white butterflies and wasps, which seem to brave all weathers. Near Bordeaux- de-St. Clair I took a number of grasshoppers. Stenobothrus bicolor, S. vufipes, S. parallelus, and a solitary Tettix bipunctata. At La Chapelle we saw numbers of apple-trees covered with a heavy crop of mistletoe, a novelty to my brother; but a familiar sight for some days afterwards, when we noted it growing on poplar and what appeared to be a lime-tree near Genlis. Experience quickly taught us it was useless to expect a good eating- apple where the parasite was present. At Mantes I felt myself at home again. Madame was just as affable, but Mademoiselle had grown old enough to be bashful. The Seine here is very pretty, and down by the bridge one can enjoy either a chat or a smoke after a hard day’s ride. Here we crossed my old route. The way we had come was pretty enough, but not particularly interesting, and certainly not over good for collecting. The hills have to be ridden, while vid Rouen and the valley of the Seine you ride between them. Riders with nets in their pockets would do well to bear this in mind— besides, the museums at Rouen are worth visiting, to say nothing of the Cathedral and various ancient buildings replete with historical interest. Between Mantes and Richebourg we saw several Vanessa atalanta, Satyrus semele, Pararge megera, Lycena bellavgus, and L. icarus—with numerous white butterflies, of course. At Septeuil, I took Stenobothrus bicolor and S. parallelus. Near St. Leger- en-Yvelines, 115 miles from the coast, we saw our first yellow butterfly (Colias hyale). From St. Arnoult to Dourdan I had a walk of some five miles, owing to the chain of my bicycle working loose. We dined late that day, arriving by moon- light. From Dourdan to Montargis was eventful ; we were now south of Paris, and a southern fauna began to appear. Before reaching Etampes we saw the first specimen of Satyrus briseis, Linn, which, though common in parts of central southern Europe, is, I believe, unknown north of this locality. The distinguishing feature of this part of our ride was the extraordinary abundance of grasshoppers (S. bicolor). For some miles they rose from the . road at our approach, and left the wheels like the spray of water. At first it appeared as if they were regaling themselves on the horse-droppings, which was the case where possible, but closer attention failed to find a satisfactory explanation for their roadside proclivities. Upon leaving Etampes we fortunately took the wrong road. Two kilos out, we found ourselves on a first-rate collect- ing ground, in the midst of several interesting 32 SCIENCE-GOSSIP. species. Here, 145 miles south of Dieppe, we saw for the first time Colias edusa, a pair, but flying too wildly to raise any hopes of capture. A peculiar feeling creeps over the entomologist upon, seeing for the first time a novelty. The majority of stay-at-home Englishmen can never expect to take Argynnis lathonia—here they were in their glory. We found it rather plentiful after- wards at various places. Lycena corydon, Poda, was in prime condition and numerous. Polyommaius phizas—only one specimen seen. Epinephele tithonus, Linn, one, and Satyrus maera, Linn, one. This species is closely allied to S. megera, Linn; the black ocellus at the tip of the forewings contains one or iwo white pupils, says Kirby, sometimes only one, while megzra has only one pupil. Near Malesherbes we found another good spot; Saiyrus briseis, Linn, and S. hermione, Linn, flying up in dozens at our approach. I was unsuccessful with the latter, but managed to bag two briseis and one S. arcihusa, Denis; the latter, though common in South Europe, is local elsewhere. Several Pieris daplidice, Linn, were about, of which I only secured one. It was here I took my first Edipoda fasciaiwn. Fisch. Between Malesherbes and Beaumont this orthopteron was very plentiful, but only one red- winged specimen was seen. Just before reaching Malesherbes we came across a swarm of Pyrrhocoris apierus, a bug peculiar from the fact of its being nearly always found round the foot of a lime-tree, when the ground appears covered with drops oi blood, paint or sealing wax, as one’s fancy may suggest. They are gregarious in their habits. (To be concluded next month.) FUNGI AT THE BRITISH MUSEUM. AST year the Trustees of the British Museum did a very commendable thing. Theyissued, at ihe popular price of fourpence, an admirable **Guide to Sowerby’s Models of British Fungi in the Department of Botany,” by Worihingion G. Smith, F.L.S. This work is very much more than a guide to the models; it is a handy iniroduction to a large number of typical speciesin many orders, genera and sub-genera of the larger fungi, and, being illustrated by ninety-ihree of the remarkably clear and accurate drawings for which Mr. Smith is famed among mycologisis, is useful for field- work. Remembering the former dilapidated con- dition of Sowerby’s models—made ai the beginning of the cenitury—we were delighied to read in Mr. Carruthers’ preface io the ‘‘Guide” that the *““injuries having been carefully repaired by a skilful formatore, Mr. Worthington G. Smith underiook to restore the natural colours, and to remount the models. By his defi manipulation the models have become onee more iaithful representations of the living planis.”’ On the strength of that statement, we recently paid a visit to South Kensington, but regret that our anticipations were by no means borne out by what we saw. The models have been mended and re-coloured it is true, and they may be ‘more faithful representations of-the living plants” than hitherto, but we think, for the credit of the Museum, they should be carefully put away into some cupboard inaccessible io the public. In the Majority of cases the “models” are not good in form, some—especially among those in the small case under the window—are really bad; and but for Mr. Carruthers’ certificate we should have hesitated in attributing the colouration to Mr.Smith. Take, for examples, the ‘‘ models” of Bolzius edulis and B. scaber, which are each in duplicate. In the case under the window there is an entire absence of the distinctive stem markings, and in the cupboard- cases these are very inadequaiely rendered by the splashing oi white and black respectively. In some the colouring seems to have been put on in much the same fashion as is adopted in painting cheap wooden toys. Sometimes—as in the effigy of Agaricus rubescens—where the pileus is fecked in the original with raised scales, the suriace is smooth but the scales are ineffeciually represented by specks of lighter colour. Aylaria polymorpha, a club-shaped, woody fungus with a dead-black ° exierior and rounded iop, is represented with a pointed iop and a highly-polished surface sugges- tive of Brunswick-black or Japan. We would tather have a copy oi the capital fourpenny “*Gnide” than the whole collection of effigies in pipeciay. There is, however, in the same gallery a repre- sentation of some hundreds of Agarics that is of very great value to the student seeking a knowledge of the forms and colours of our native species, and that reflects the highest credit upon the Museum authorities and the artist. We refer to the careful waiter-colour sketches by Mr. Worthington Smith, which are glazed and swung froma pillar-stand in the middle of the foor. With these it is possible—in most cases easy—for the student to identify the specimens he has come across in the woods and fields. There is truth in every line, and in very few cases indeed can one find fault with the colouration. But these sketches are a standing protest against their untruthful neighbours, the effigies. Possibly, Mr. Carruthers has had them so placed as a kind of antidote to the libels in pipe- clay known as Sowerby’s Models. SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 33 DEAD M Y father, whilst walking in Mereworth Woods, near Maidstone, Kent, in the Autumn of 1889, found the grass by the side of the footpath decorated with dead flies, in the manner shown in the specimen now forwarded to you. Although many other spe- cies of flies were | We have figured the grass, and the flies, which are specimens of the dipterous insect, Welanostoma scalave, Fab. Mr. G. H. Verrall, to whom we have submitted them for his opinion, considers it FUIES ON. GRASS. abundant in the woods at the time, there appeared to be only one kind among the dead flies on the grass. The in- fected sprays of grass were quite common about half a mile. Can you tell me anything about this incident ? H. S. FREMLIN. Mereworth, Kent ; Feb. 1894. probable that the flies died from the attacks of a parasitic fungus (Empusa musce) which is so fatal to common house-flies in the autumn of some years.—ED. | for PLAN DD COLOURATION. HE subject of flower colouration has recently been discussed in these pages with very varied conclusions, but I have been surprised to find that, save by Mr. Robertson (vide vol. xxix, pp. 131 et seq.), little or no notice has been taken of the colours of other parts of plants, which ought surely to throw some light on those of flowers. The following facts I have thrown into several groups, and do not pre- tend to have classified according to their (unknown) causes and laws. They tend to show that a close correlation, or connection, exists between the colours of different parts of plants, whether flowers, fruit, stems or roots. Firstly. I have noticed that plants have a tendency to reproduce in the bracts and stems the colour of the flower or fruit. The lily of the valley (Convallavia majalis) has white bracts, the wild hyacinth (Hyacinthus non-scriptus) has blue. Fuch- sias with red sepals have often reddish peduncles. The dodder (Cuscuta epithymum) and the London pride (Savifraga wnbrosa) alike have their calyx and stem of the same reddish colour. In some plants where this is not obvious to the naked eye, a transverse section of the stem beneath the micro- scope will reveal that the cells of the corky envelope between the epidermis and the chlorophyl-bearing cells contain traces of a pigment the same as the flower or fruit; thus, those of the lilac (Syvinga vulgaris) are frequently of a lilac hue; those of the ivy (Hedera helix) are occasionally pink, a diluted form of the colour of the berries, I believe ; the young stems of the peach (Persica vulgaris), on the side exposed to the sun, colours a bright pink, which is also due to a pigment which is dissolved in the cell-sap of the corky envelope. Thecolour in these cases can hardly be due directly to insect preference, though, possibly, to an overflow of colouring-matter from the flower. C3 Secondly. That despite their totally different environments, the coloured roots of beet and carrots are coloured in the same way as flowers; by chromoplasts in the case of the carrot, and a dissolved pigment in the beet. I do not know whether green or blue roots exist; light is generally necessary for the development of green, but some recent observations tend to show that it is not necessary for submerged leaves. That sunlight may be necessary for the development of other colours I have shown (ScIENCE-GossIP, vol. xxviii. p- 45) in the case of the flower of Gewm coccineum, and just now in the case of the peach stem, and I suppose no one would deny that it is necessary for the colouring of fruits. Thirdly. That in the case of cultivated plants, if a species has different-coloured varieties, the green of the foliage varies with the colour of the flower, i.c., is dark or light as the flower is white and pink, or dark red and blue. A florist, long before they are in bud, can pick out dark-flowered plants of sweet William (Dianthus barbatus) by observing the dark red-tinged leaves, whilst a pink or a white one will have light, fresh-coloured foliage. The same is true of the white and blue varieties of lobelia, and the red and pink varieties of fuchsia ; difference may be detected between the leaves of differently coloured antirrhinums. Fourth and finally, with regard to insect selection, I believe that insects are more influenced by scent than colour; a white, scented alyssum will attract more bees than a scentless blue one, and that, too, in broad daylight. I suppose no flowers receive more individual visits from insects than the ivy, honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum), and the lime (Tilia), all of which have inconspicuous flowers and strong scents. Hest, At ALDER, 34 SCIENCE-GOSSIP. OPA. CUS px AVay? ON page vi. of advertisements in the last number, the address of Mr. Charles Collins, optician, was incorrectly given. It should have been 157, Great Portland Street, London, W., where he has traded for many years. WeE have to hand the Sixth Report of the Microscopical Society of Calcutta, for 1893. The society possesses seventy-eight members, having last year lost three by death, viz., Dr. H. W. Hill, General G. B. Mainwaring and Prof. Wood-Mason, its president. EXETER CANAL.—It may interest readers of ScIENCE-GossIP in this neighbourhood, who are microscopists, to know that they will find the canal a good hunting-ground. I have found among Rotifers, beside a number of free-swimmers, the following tube-dwellers:—Melicerta yvingens, M. tubiculavia, Limnia cevatophylli, L. cephalosiphon, CEcistes stygis, Megaceros, Floscularvia ornata, F. cor- nuta, F. ambigua, Stephanoceros eichhornit. Of the latter I have several beautiful specimens under observation at the present time (February 30). Of Polyzoa I have found the following :—Fvredericella sultana, Lophopus crystallinus, Cristatella mucedo, Palu- dicella ehvenbergi and Plumatella repens —J]. Stevens, 1, Friay’s Walk, Exeter. CIRCULATION IN PLANTS.—In reply to the query of Mr. A. C. Smith, there should be no difficulty in seeing this with a good }-inch objective and transmitted light from ordinary concave mirror carefully adjusted. I would recommend him to procure a hair from the stamen of common spider- wort, which should be plunged in alcohol for a second, and then placed ona glass slide in water and covered with a thin glass cover. He should also obtain a thin section from the leaf of the well- known water-plant, Vallisneria spiralis, and prepare and examine in same way. I have known the circulation in the cells of the latter to last for three or four days.—/]. C. Webb, 32, Henslow Road, Dulwich, S.E.; March 7th, 1894. CIRCULATION IN PLants. For the information of your correspondent (Vol. I., New Series, p. 8) who desires to see the phenomenon of cyclosis of protoplasm in the cells of plants, I would re- commend American pond-weed (A nacharis alsicorne), which is now extensively distributed in canals and old ponds, or the Vallisneria spiralis, cultivated in most aquaria. Cut a thin slice longitudinally, and float it on a glass slip, covering with thin glass. Let it stand in a strong light about an hour, and then examine with 34-inch to }-inch objectives, when the granules of chlorophyl will be seen rotating within the brick-shaped cells. The stoneworts, Chara and Nitella, are very excellent plants, in which the cyclosis within the long cylindrical cells may be seen with a 1-inch objective. Any of these plants, I think, may be had from Mr. T. Bolton of Birmingham.—W. W. Midgely, Chadwick Museum, Bolton, Lancashire ; Feb. 24th, 1894. CIRCULATION IN PLANtTs.—In reply to Mr. Smith’s query, I may mention as a capital example, Vallisneria, a small plant purchased from any dealer in aquarium requisites, will answer the purpose admirably. The tip of the leaf is best, as showing the return of the sap, and a young thin leaf is easiest to examine. A moderately high power, say one inch, will show this phenomenon, and a good strong illumination through the object from below is required. I am unable to state the length of time after cutting, for which circulation lasts, it is considerable, however, so long as the leaf is kept well moistened.—E. M. White, 29, Duffield Road, Derby ; March, 1894. MarINE RoTIFERS IN Captiviry.—In August last a correspondent sent me a four-ounce bottle of salt water from a tidal ditch near Maldon. It contained Byvachionus miilleri, g¢ and ¢? Prtero- dina clypeata in abundance. The first species disappeared at the end of six weeks, while the second is now more numerous than ever. Can anyone suggest a reason for this? The water is perfectly healthy, being kept so by the quantity of seaweed (Entevomorpha compressus) in it. Do these two rotifers feed on different things, and was the supply of food of one species exhausted ; also why should the larger and stronger die out and the weaker flourish ?—Evnest H. Tugwell, 6, Lewisham Road, Greenwich. A FarMER’s Microscope.—At the December meeting of the Royal Microscopical Society, Mr. Nelson described a new microscope constructed by Messrs. Watson, specially adapted for the observa- tion of seeds and similar objects under a low power. The two noticeable features are—(1) There is no fine adjustment; (2) The main stage is very large (4 in. by 4in.). The hole in the stage is one inch in diameter and can be closed by a sliding plate. The mirror is a silvered equi-convex lens. One lens selected for the instrument is a No. 4 Leitz, giving a power of one hundred diameters with tube extended and sixty-six when closed. The other lens is made on the plan of a Zeiss & with a concave front, but differs from those lenses inasmuch as its aperture is greater. The range of power in this lens is more than twice as great as in the case of a Zeiss a. There is no doubt that this instrument will open up a wider field for research and should prove especially useful to the scientific farmer.—N. Beeman, 24, Holborn Viaduct, E.C. ENTOMOSTRACA AND THE SURFACE-FILM OF WATER.— At a Meeting in February of the Linnean Society, a paper on this subject was communicated by Mr. D. J. Scourfield, whose main propositions are thus briefly summarised. Many Entomostraca find in the surface-film of water a dangerous element in their environment; this is notably so with many members of the Cladocera and Ostracoda. Con- versely, to some specially modified species of Cladocera and Ostracoda, as well as to some Copepods, the surface-film affords peculiar advan- tages. Except where some Copepods may possibly make use of the properties of the surface-film to attach themselves to aquatic plants above the general water-level, their relation to the surface- film, whether beneficial or the reverse, depends fundamentally upon the same physical principles, namely, the upward pull of the surface-flm when forming a capillary depression, and the possession by the crustaceans of water-repellent shells, ridges, scales or setz, capable of penetrating the surface- film and producing capillary depressions. SCIENGE-G OSSTP, 35 Ase : tins, Mn ees Mi Mi J fede TueE International Meteorological Committee will meet at Upsala on August 2oth and following days. Tue Rev. Prof. T. Wiltshire has presented a large collection of fossils, chiefly cretaceous, to the Woodwardian Museum, Cambridge. Tue Macclesfield Park Committee have accepted the offer of Miss Marion Brocklehurst to build a museum and endow it with {100 per annum. A BOTANICAL garden has been established in the mountains near Grenoble, at an altitude of 1,875 m., under the direction of Prof. P. Lachmann. Tue Lancashire County Council is taking over a farm at Penwortham, for the purpose of devoting it to agricultural experiment and instruction. Tue largest continuous distinct forest district in Prussia is known as the Tucheler Haide, which extends over an area of 35 square miles. A PAPER on ‘‘The Progress and Present State of our Knowledge of the Acari,’’ by Prof. A. D. Michael, will be found in the ‘‘ Journal of the Royal Microscopical Society’ for February. Mr. RicHAarD LYDEKKER’S new volume of zoo- logical and geological essays is nearly ready, and will be issued by Messrs. Witherby under the title of ‘ Life and Rock.” _ Tue Hungarian Government has established a Bacteriological Institute at Buda-Pesth, for the study of infectious diseases and for general bacterio- logical research. TuHeE Russians are to experiment with the culti- vation of tea in the western limits of the Caucasus, where the temperature is much the same as that under which the plant grows in China. TuE Society of Arts have presented the Albert medal to Sir J. B. Lawes and Sir J. H. Gilbert for their fifty years’ services to scientific agriculture, at the Experimental Farm, Rothamsted. THE splendid collection of over 300 specimens of fossil plants of the carboniferous age, made by Mr. Jas. M’Murtrie, of Radstock, has been added to the Natural History Museum, South Kensington. Tue Eleventh International Medical Congress will openin Rome on March 2oth. The scientific sections will get to work on the following day, and continue until April 5th. PROFESSOR BERTRAND, the Secretary of the Paris Academy of Sciences, attained his jubilee of scien- tific work on March 18th. A representative Com- mittee of Professors was formed for the purpose of striking a commemorative medal. ProFeEssor A. LIVERSIDGE concludes from his experiments (Roy. Soc., N.S. Wales) that the gold nuggets found in alluvial deposits have been derived from gold-bearing rocks and reefs, and have obtained their rounded surfaces by attrition. TueE Annual Dinner of the South London Ento- mological and Natural History Society was held on March Ist. A goodly number of members sat down under the chairmanship of the President of the Society; and the post-prandial speeches were of an invigorating character. WE have received from R. Friedlinder and Sohn, of Berlin, ‘‘ Nature Novitates’’ for January and February, being monthly lists of the world’s new scientific literature, with prices. Tur December number, last to hand, of ‘‘ The Trinidad Field Naturalists’ Club” contains an account of a quank hunt, which is valuable on account of a glossary of Creole terms used for some plants and animals mentioned. The quank, by the way, is the collared peccary (Dicotyles tajacu). WE are glad to find that the proposed abandon- ment of ‘‘The British Naturalist’ has not been allowed to take effect. It is continued with renewed vigour under the joint editorship of Joseph Smith and Linnzeus Greening, assisted by John E. Robson, the former editor. The numbers before us give promise of a long career of usefulness. Mr. J. WESLEY Carr, M.A., F.G.S., Curator of the Nottingham Free Public Natural History Museum and Superintendent of the Biological Department of the University College, has, says the February number of ‘‘ Notts and Derbyshire Notes and Queries,’ been recently raised to the dignity of Professor of Biology at that local college. He retains his curatorship. WE wish to draw attention to the evening classes in bacteriology, held in the Bacteriological Laboratory, King’s College, London, where there are two courses: the one on general bacteriology, dealing for the most part with the disease-producing organisms; the other with the bacteria and yeasts producing fermentation, etc. Both courses are interesting and serve as a good introduction to microscopy, as part of each lesson is occupied in practical work. Particulars may be had from Dr. R. T. Hewlett, at the Laboratory. NotTinGcHamM Museum has been recently enriched by a valuable collection of British and foreign plants, presented by Mr. H. Fisher, formerly of Newark. The British section of the herbarium contains a nearly complete set of about 2,000 species and varieties, in all over 10,000 specimens. The Flora of the Continent of Europe is well represented, especially from Spain, which is almost complete; Russia furnishes a fine series of most attainable plants, whilst many other regions, both alpine and lowland, are largely represented. The Nearctic region furnishes many types, as do South Africa and the Bombay Presidency. Botanists in the Midlands are to be congratulated upon having accessible such a fine collection for reference. THE January, February and March numbers of the ‘‘Irish Naturalist’? are to hand. The volume for this year opens well with an article upon the Irish wood-lice by Dr. R. F. Scharff. We are pleased to find some one studying these little worked terrestrial crustacea. The February number contains a plate illustrating various species with seventeen figures. There are other articles of interest on the animals and plants of Ireland, and several geological papers in these numbers. THE Royal Meteorological Society has arranged to hold at the Institution of Civil Engineers, Westminster, from the roth to the 20th of April, their fourteenth Annual Exhibition of instruments, photographs and drawings relating to the repre- sentation and measurement of clouds. Considering how important, though little understood, is the science of meteorology, every effort should be made to assist in making known these interesting exhibitions. 36 SCIENCE-GOSSIP. WILD ANIMALS AND CIVILIZATION. By JoHn T. CARRINGTON. Ae is at present on a branch of a plane- tree overhanging the footpath opposite the Junior Constitutional Club and No. too, Piccadilly, in London, the nest of a pair of wood-pigeons which last year successfully reared therein one brood of young birds. This is not a solitary case of these usually wild and shy birds building by the side of the constant traffic in the street beneath the nests; for there is another nest in a tree by the rails, opposite No. 115, also in Piccadilly. The birds are in no way disturbed by the tens of thousands of omnibuses and other vehicles, nor by the hundreds of thousands of people daily passing within a score or two of feet away. ‘ Such an incident suggests som2 thoughts of the effect of man’s civilization upon the wild fauna and flora of any particular country. A little investiga- tion soon shows that not only does man uncon- sciously alter the habits of some wild animals by aid of the arts and devices necessary to his life, but his civilization may even be the cause of certain types so altering as to look like entirely different species. In a state of freedom where we usually expect to find wood-pigeons, they are very wild. Sportsmen know that only by patient watching at the side of a wood, towards dusk of evening, or by decoys, can they get within range of many of these birds. Still, here we have a case of others of the same species quietly settling down to an urban life, compara- tively free from risk or anxiety, building their nests close to the haunts of men and producing offspring which consort with the begrimed town sparrows. It is no uncommon thing nowadays to see wood- pigeons picking up bits of clover and other green leaves in Parliament Square adjoining Westminster Abbey. Mr. J. E. Harting tells me of an occasion when a wood-pigeon was feeding on the grass, surrounded by loiterers and children at play, in Leicester Square. Having procured a few grains of corn, it fed readily as he threw them. Suddenly it flew away, and suspecting its mission, Mr. Harting waited a few minutes for its return, being rewarded by seeing it come again accompanied by a mate. Flocks of a dozen or more may be daily found feeding in the grass by the paths in St. James’s Park, where they breed freely, and close to the public walks. Some years ago I saw one of these birds take corn from the hand of a gentle- man who used to feed the sparrows every morning in the gardens opposite the Tuileries Palace in Paris. During a recent residence in that city, I went on many mornings to see the sparrows fed at the same spot, not by the gentleman alluded to, who, like the Palace, is no longer with us, but by a successor. Again the wood-pigeons appeared, for there were two of them. In the Bois de Bologne, which is practically part of Paris, magpies are common and tame. There must have been a time when the ancestors of our impudent house-sparrows were wild as any other of the finches. In the years 1874-5, | was staying for some months each summer in a remote district of the Highlands of Perthshire, where sparrows had not then penetrated. Their place was occupied about such houses as there were, by the chaffinches, which fed with the domestic fowls and remained all day long, close to the houses. | t Most of us have observed whilst travelling by railway how unconcerned appear really wild birds of many kinds as the train passes, with all its noise and volumes of ejected steam. They show no fear SCIENGE-GOSSIP, 37 though often quite close to the railway side. Last September I observed on some muddy banks of the river between Queenstown and Cork, within ten yards to a hundred yards from the train, flocks of gulls, herons, waders of several species, and other birds feeding as the tide was receding. As the train passed a few took the trouble to lazily fly, the majority remaining undisturbed within fifty paces of the engine as it swept past. This was the more notable to me as I had just previously gone through AMPHIDASYS BETULARIA. Type and dark form. the great Canadian forest at the head of Lakes Huron and Superior. Neither going out nor re- turning over that long forest ride of nearly a thousand miles each way did I see any number of birds near the line. The Canadian Pacific Railway has been opened less than ten years, so the animals have not yet become hereditarily familiar with snorting engines and attendant trains. Conse- quently one is impressed with the apparent total absence of visible life among the higher orders. The joke told against our fellow-countrymen of North Britain, that there ‘‘ the crows know when it is the Sabbath Day,” is possibly founded on a stratum of truth; for birds appear to quickly learn when safe from their natural enemies. Another important influence on the fauna of a country highly civilized is the effect of drainage and cultivation of the land. Some animals and plants disappear, whilst others become established. For instance, take the corn-plants found where much grain is grown, which are hardly known in wilder districts. The effect of smoke in blackening the surround- ing landscape in manufacturing districts appears to be making itself felt in a remarkable manner on the lepidopterous fauna living there. Several species of moths have, within the lifetime of many of us, shown a tendency to become dark in colour in parts of Lancashire, Cheshire, and Yorkshire. Of these may be instanced two common species which are here figured, viz., Ampiudasys betularia and Tephrosia biundulavia. Within my own memory the dark forms of both these species were so rare as to command high prices among collectors, whilst now they are more common than the types in some parts of those counties, and appear to be spreading. Melanism does not account wholly for these changes from light forms to dark. It is more probably caused by the darker forms finding their colour more protective while resting on the smoke-blackened trunks of trees, and thus surviving to perpetuate their variation. It should be remembered that only within this century has coal been used to any largeextent. It is curious to note, and I think I am correct in so saying, that it is those moths which show a tendency to darkening colour in the manufacturing districts which chiefly rest during daytime on trunks of trees. To those named may be added Aflecta nebulosa, and quite recently there has appeared an almost black race of Phigalia pedavia (pilosavia) which has established itself under, I am told, like circumstances. Another department is the migration of plants and animals, which invariably appear to follow man as he colonizes and civilizes new countries. TEPHROSIA BIUNDULARIA. Type and dark form. This, however, is too large a matter to now enter upon. In an article such as this when space is limited, it is impossible to deal fully with such a wide and interesting subject; but we trust it may induce collectors and students to record their experiences. These pages are open for such welcome material towards obtaining a better knowledge of the cause of this local change in colour of some species, and the establishment or disappearance of other species, through man’s influence. 38 SCIENCE-GOSSIP. ASS af [BOOKS TO READ) wt I Materials for the Study of Variation, treated with especial regard to Discontinuity in the Origin of Species. By WiLiiam Bareson, M.A., Fellow of St. John’s College, Cambridge. 614 pp. royal 8vo. Iliustrated. Price £1 1s. net. (London and New York: Macmillan and Co., 1894.) The fine work by Mr. Bateson, just issued by Messrs. Macmillan and Co., is a first instalment, and will undoubtedly stand as a way-mark on the path to investigation of the origin of species. As in one direction biologists have found a key to the origin of species in the study of variation caused by environment, so may a key be found to another entrance to the knowledge by a study of casual variation in animals and plants. In this book Mr. Bateson has collected animmense mass of evidence as to what are commonly called ‘‘ freaks” of nature. There are over two hundred illustrations, the majority of which contain several independent drawings, two of which figures we reproduce as examples, by permission of the publishers. One is of what may be called a ‘‘ unicorn” roebuck, and the other, cases of double operculum of whelks. The first eighty pages are devoted to an intro- duction, which is in itself a treatise on variation, worthy of separate publication. © In his preface Mr. Bateson says :— “To collect and codify the facts of variation is, I submit, the first duty of the naturalist. This work should be under- taken if only to rid our science of that excessive burden of contradictory assumptions by which it is so oppressed. Whatever be our views of Descent, Variation is the common basis of them all..... Difficulty has hitherto arisen from the fact that Variation is not studied for its own sake. Each observer hassome other object in view, and we are fortunate if he is good enough to mention in passing the variations he has happened to see in following his own ends.” DOUBLE OPERCULA OF BUCCINUM UNDATUM. Figs. I. and II. natural size. In the part of Mr. Bateson’s study of variation now under notice, he deals with what he terms mervism, Or meristic variation, as opposed to what he terms substantive variation. The tormer he explains as follows :— “As it is the fact, first that Repetition and Symmetry are among the commonest features of organized structure, so it will be found next that it is by differences in those features that the various forms of organisms are very commonly differentiated from each other. Their forms are classified by all sorts of characters, by shape and proportions, by size, by colour, by habits and the like; but perhaps almost as frequently as by any of these, by differences in number of parts, and by differences in the geometrical relations of the parts. It is by such differences that the larger divisions, genera, families, etc., are especially distinguished. In such cases of course the differences in number and Symmetry do not as a rule stand alone, but are generally and perhaps always accompanied by other differences of a qualitative kind; nevertheless, the differences in number and Symmetry form an integral and very definite part of the total eenerenees ROEBUCK WITH COMPOUNDED HORNS. so that in any consideration of the nature of the processes by which the differences have arisen, special regard must be had to these numerical and geometrical, or, as I propose to call them, Meristic, changes. We have thus con- stituted a group which is to include Variations in number, division, and geometrical position. From these phenomena of division may be distinguished Variations in actual con- stitution or substance of the parts themselves. To these Variations, the name Substantive will be given. . . . For the present it will be convenient to constitute such a temporary group in order to bring out the relative distinctness of Variations which are Meristic.” As an example of the difference between the value of these two words, the author says :— “The flower of a narcissus is commonly divided into six parts, but through Meristic Variation it may be divided into seven parts, or into only four. Never- theless, there is in such a case no perceptible change in the tissues or substance. - On the other hand, narcissi, for example, N. corbulavia are known in two colours, one a dark yellow and the other a sulphur yellow, though the number of parts and pattern of the flowers are identical. This is, there- fore, an example of Substantive Variation.” We have quoted our author somewhat liberally to make these terms for different forms of Variation clear to our readers. Now that we have for the first time gathered together, skilfully grouped, arranged and judicially considered, a large number of freaks of nature, we cannot fail to appreciate their value. We trust that the issue of this remarkable work will cause students to look with less contempt upon such freaks as they meet with, and now that they know of this form of Variation being systematically studied, they will send either the specimens or particulars to Mr. Bateson. SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 39 The time has, in our opinion, long since arrived for the formation of an important society of those who have an interest in variation; a centre where records could be received, tabulated and system- atically dealt with. Such would be a long stride on this path to the discovery of the Origin of Species, so ably laid open to us by Mr. Bateson in his new work. ian eKey The Country, Month by Month. March. By J. A. OwEN and Professor G. S. BoULGER. 63 pp., 8vo. Price 1s. in paper covers, 2s. in cloth. (London: Bliss, Sands and Foster, 1894.) The publishers of this work are issuing a series of twelve volumes, each representing one month in the country. The contents of this, the first of these elegant little bvochuves—for they are no more— relate to March. They are avowedly written with the object of trying to direct the observation of lovers of Nature, busy dwellers in towns more especially, by telling them of some of the sights that they may expect to find in their country wanderings month by month. To those who know the literary work of ‘‘J. A. Owen,” will be added another interest in turning over these pages. The style may be described as a pleasant blend of Richard Jeffries and Gilbert White, prettily written accompaniments for country walks. The cloth edition is a charming effort of the modern book- binder’s art, and just the present to give to boy or girl with a taste for country sights or sounds. Our Country's Birds and How to Know them. A Guide to all the Birds of Great Britain. By W. J. Gorpon. With illustrations, in colour, of every species, and many original diagrams by G. Willis and R. E. Holding. 160 pp. 8vo, and 33 plates. Price 6s. (London: Day & Son; and Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent & Co., Limited.) Our Country's Flowers and How to Know them : being a complete Guide to the Flowers and Ferns of Britain. By W. J. Gorpon, with an Introduction by the Rev. George Henslow, M.A., F.L.S., F.G.S. Illustrated by John Allen with over a thousand examples in colour and outline. 160 pp. and 33 plates. Price 6s. (London: Day & Son; and Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent & Co., Limited.) These two books by Mr. W. J. Gordon are examples of how much information may be got into a space no larger than will go into the col- lector’s breast-pocket. The letterpress is remark- ably concise and well-arranged for the convenience of field-students. They are useful hand-books for out-door work. The Flowering Plants of Western India. By the Rev. ALEXANDER Kyp NairNE. 448 pp., 8vo. (London : W. H. Allen & Co., Limited.) Price 7s. 6d. net. This work is a manual in the ordinary sense, and is founded upon Sir J. Hooker’s great work upon the flora of British India. Other floras are also referred to, such as Dalzell and Gibson's ‘‘ Bom- bay Flora,” Graham's ‘‘ Plants of Bombay,” and Roxburgh’s ‘‘Flora Indica.’’ A valuable feature of the book is the including of native names for the plants described such as Pila champa and cham- paka for the magnolia, whence comes its specific name in science. Naturalised plants are also included in this useful manual of the plants of a most interesting region. The Oul-Door World; or, Young Collectors’ Hand- book. By W. Furneaux, F.R.G.S. 8vo, 519 pp., with 16 coloured plates and over 500 illustrations in the text. Price 7s. 6d. (London: Longmans, Green and Co., 1893.) In taking up this book, we are inclined to think that there is plenty for the money. It illustrates and apparently treats of most biological subjects. For one generally interested in Natural History and unattached to any especial division or natural order, this work will prove a con- stant source of interest. When, however, a more perfect knowledge of any group is attained, the work will no longer be a necessity. It is hardly to be expected that any man should, unaided, do more than compile such a work, and, in doing so, he must largely depend upon the works of others. In selecting these, without an intimate knowledge of each branch of study, it is possible to collate from those which are out of date in facts, and especially in nomenclature. Further, in seeing the work through the press, cases of inaccurate spelling) of scientific names unfamiliar to the author are easily passed without correction. This book in many places shows such evidence; and it would be well if the publishers had it carefully revised by specialists in some departments before issuing a new edition. In the chapter on moths there is an easy absence of generic names. Asa rule the wood blocks are good, though often rather too heavily printed. Many are old friends, whom we have met when wandering through other pages, though none the worse, but often better, for that. As is so frequently the case, the coloured plates are more or less failures, and often misleading. If varieties, and even aberrations, as represented on some of these plates ever occurred in a state of nature, tiey would be highly prized by collectors. We must, therefore, warn the uninitiated not to expect to find such types as are often represented in colour in Mr. Furneaux’s work—for instance, on plates vii. and viii. How much more satis- factory are uncoloured plates may be seen by referring to those marked xiv. and xv., where colour would probably have destroyed any chance of identification. Still, with numerous faults. this work is one that deserves a large circulation, especially among the young. Manures and the Principles of Manuving. By C.M. AIKMAN, B.Sc., F.R.S.E., Professor of Chemistry at Glasgow Veterinary College. 592 pp., 8vo. (Edinburghand London, 1894: William Blackwood and Sons.) No price stated. This important function of modern agriculture is treated in a highly scientific and elaborate manner, forming in the author's hands an interesting subject for the general reader as well as to the farmer. Especially does this apply to the historical portion, which shows evidence of patient re- search, occupying the first sixty-four pages. It is curious that this work is published within a year of a complete century since the first book upon agriculturalchemistry appeared. That was written by a Scottish nobleman, the Earl of Dundonald. With such a manual as we now notice, we see how completely changed in the century is the science of agriculture as practised by the more wealthy and enlightened farmers of our time. In fact, without high-farming, some persons contend that farming spells ruin. From this, however, we may venture to differ, for latterly it appears as though the only paying farms in this country were the little ones where the farmer works with and as one of his labourers. The time of the three-days-a-week fox- hunting farmer being able to pay his way off his farm, is over. The small farmer, as well as the large landed proprietor, will find much in Mr. Aikman's book that is of real help to him. 40 SCUIBNCE-GOS site. First Year of Scientific Knowledge. By PAuL Bert, Member of the French Institute, and Ex-Minister of Instruction, translated by Josephina Clayton (Madame Paul Bert), 344 pp. 8vo, 550 illustrations. Twelfth Edition. (London: Relfe Brothers. Paris: Armand Colin et Cie.) Price 2s. 6d. The preface to this twelfth edition or seventieth thousand in English, states that ‘‘in France one million copies have been sold,” and that there is scarcely a school which does not use it. Certainly we know of no other work so comprehensive, but at the same time so handy. The simplicity of language used is most effective, and although pro- fessedly written for children, it is a work that should be in every library in the country. The illustrations are, as a rule, wonderfully clear and suggestive. This little work only needs to be known to be appreciated. The translation is well done, Madame Bert being a native of these islands. Our Reptiles and Batrachians, a plain and easy account of the lizards, snakes, newts, toads, frogs and tortoises indigenous to Great Britain. By M. GC. Cooke, M.A., LL.D., A.L.S. With original figures of every species and numerous wood-cuts. New and Revised Edition. 197 pp. 8vo. Price 6s. (London, 1893: W. H. Allen & Co., Limited.) The first edition of Dr. M. C. Cooke’s popular work is too well-known to require description. In this new edition several important modifications and additions have been made. The coloured plates are as gay as ever. No one can object to the chatty chapters on the two species of ‘‘ British” turtles, but it requires much faith to accept them as members of our marine fauna. It is more probable that like the king-crab (Limulus) which was dredged in the North Sea, they might possibly be accounted. for by having been thrown overboard from some vessel. The king-crab was explained by the late W. A. Lloyd who had caused a flour- barrel full to be thrown overboard from a Harwich- Hamburg steamer. In stopping the attempt which was made to include Limulus in the European fauna, Mr. Lloyd finished his article with an altered quotation to this effect: ‘‘ Cast thy crabs upon the waters, for thou shalt find them after many days.” Nature Pictures for Little People. By W. MAwER and others. 66 pp. 4to, illustrated. (London: The Sunday School Association.) One of the features of this century end is the excellence of much of the literature and pictures published for children. It has come to be recog- nised that science, including natural history, can be taught from, very early childhood. ‘Those respon- sible for the production of books of this class cannot be too particular as to truthfulness, equally in the text and in illustration. ‘‘ Nature Pictures ”’ is fairly free from the misrepresentation so common among books for children ; in fact, is much above the average, though we rather object to the draw- ing (on page 14) of a wild seal coming ashore to be patted by a small boy, even if his name was “‘ Joe.” There is no advantage in teaching the utterly im- probable, as set forth in this picture and the accom- panying letterpress. The pictures generally are in good taste, and some excellent ; for instance, the moons on page 16 illustrating the rhyme about the waxing and waning of ‘‘Lady Moon.” The draw- ings of legs of animals and birds on pages g and 42 are truly educational. PHOTOGRAPHS BY E. STEP. LYCOPERDON PYRIFORME, Scheeff.mA fungus of the sub-class Gasteromycetes, growing in tufts from decaying roots or other wood. Peridium creamy-white, thin, densely covered with minute spines, which readily separate from it. The olive spores are produced within, and when ripe the peridium opens at the summit, Varies in height from one to three inches, Originals of photograph were obtained on Headley Heath, Surrey. PHOLIOTA sQguARROSA, Miull.—An agaric with tawny, shaggy stem and cap, growing in large clumps on the stumps or at the roots of various trees, especially of ash. Gills, adnate with a decurrent tooth; pallid-olivaceous, then ferruginous like the spores, strong smelling. Occurs commonly from July to December. The specimens photo- graphed were obtained on Putney Heath, Surrey. SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 41 ox Al ANNALI DEL MUSEO CIVICO DI STORIA NATURALE, Genoa (2) xiii, 1893. Systematic Revision of Orthoptera and description of species collected by M. Leonard Fea, in Burma; by Brunner de Wattenwy]l. pp. 5—230 and 6 plates. (French text).—In the preface to this very important monograph, Herr Brunner remarks on the numerous works existing which deal with smaller or larger groups of these insects, in spite of which, their general classification remains incomplete. Having been entrusted by the assistant Director of the Museum of Genoa, Dr. Gestro, with the identification of some eight hundred specimens of orthopterous insects collected by Signor Fea, in Burma, and consisting of three hundred species, the majority being new to science, the author proceeds to revise existing systems of classification of this order. The limited space at our disposal forbids us to do full justice to this able paper, and we must therefore refer those interested in the subject to the work itself. Eighteen new genera and one hundred and thirty- two new species are described, of which no less than one hundred and twenty are from Burma, the remainder being from the Malay Archipelago and Ceylon. Of the new Burmese species, seventy-one are figured, as are eight previously-described species from other countries. An alphabetical . index of species referred to concludes the paper.— Histevide, collected by Signor Lamberto Loria in Eastern New Guinea, by Herr Joh. Schmidt. (German text.) Eight new species are described.— On some Fishes collected in Sumatra by Dr. E. Modizliani, by Alberto Perugia. (Italian text.) Diagnosis of one new genus, and three new species are given.—Tventhide, collected by Dr. E. Modigliani in the island Engano, by Dr. Angelo Senna. (Italian text.) The little island of Engano, situate near the south-western ex- tremity of Sumatra, was visited in 1891 by Dr. Modigliani. The zoological collections made by this young traveller during his short stay there are very ample and of great interest, as hitherto the fauna of this island has remained almost unknown. The collection of beetles belonging to the Trenthidze consisted of five hundred and ninety-two specimens belonging to sixteen species and ten genera.—Concluding Report on the Reptiles and Batrachians obtained in Burma, by Signor L. Fea, by G. A. Boulenger. (English text). A complete list of all the reptiles and Batrachians collected in Burma by Signor Fea is given; of the former, one hundred and twelve species being enumerated, including thirteen new to science, and of the latter, fifty-three, including seventeen new species; descriptions of the new species and twelve plates dealing with fifteen species complete this important memoir.— On the Myriopoda collected by Signov L. Fea and Mr. E. W. Oates, in Burma, by R. T. Pocock. (English text). Of the genus Ju/us, which has not previously been recorded from the oriental region, three new species are described, while of the genus Cambala, only known in this region from Ceylon, also three new species are diagnosed ; further, one new genus and fourteen other new species are described. Some minor papers and a biographical notice with portrait of Professor P. M. Ferrari, who died June 15th, 1893, bring this valuable volume to a close. 3 BULLETIN DE LA SocikTé FRANCE (Paris, 1893, xviii). Short notices on Leeches, by Dr. R. Blanchard. (xviii.)}—The learned secretary of the Zoological Society of France has dissected three specimens of a leech from Chili, described in 1871 by Grube as Hirudo brevis, and he comes to the conclusion that the species cannot be retained in the genus Hirudo, nor can it be placed in any known genus. He therefore creates a new genus for its reception, Mesobdella. Two other new genera and three new species are also described.— Remarks on some species of the genus Buliminus, with description of several new species, by C. F. Ancey. The species here discussed are mostly Asiatic, two new being described from Turkestan, the others are from Algeria, including one new species. The same author also gives a list of Mollusca, with remarks, from Afghanistan and Beluchistan. One unpublished species of Lt.-Colonel Godwin-Austin being described. M. E. de Ponsargues describes two new mammals collected by M. Dybowski, Galago anomurus, a Lemur shot near the river Kemo one of the affluents of the Obangi, itself a tributary of the Congo, and Crossarchus dybowskii, a carnivore from the same region. Professor Leon Vaillant enumerates the Fishes collected in Borneo by M. Chaper, the collection numbering ninety-two species. One genus and three species new to science are described. M. Cordier records his observations on the comparative anatomy of the stomach of camels.—Contribution to the Malacological Fauna of the Seychelles, by Ph. Dautzenberg. The collections of terrestrial, freshwater and marine mollusca, made by Messrs. C. Alluand, A. Fauvel, and Father Philibert, in the Seychelles, form the subject. No new species were found, but of the marine shells seventy-five species have not hitherto been recorded for this group. An interesting corre- spondence between Prof. Carusand Dr. Blanchard, on zoological nomenclature, is reproduced. M. E. de Pousargues describes a new rodent collected by M. Dybowski near the River Kemo, Congo district, belonging to the genus Golunda, termed marsh-mouse (Sumpfmause) by Peters. Spongidz, from the Seychelles and from Aden, are treated by M. E. Topsent; Isopod crustacea, from the Seychelles, by M. A. Dollfus; Arachnidez, from the same islands, by M. E. Simon. ANNAES DE ScrENcIAS NatTurRAES (Oporto, January, 1894).—It is with pleasure we welcome this new publication under the editorship of Seior Augusto Nobre. Mr. E. J. Johnson discusses the flora of the neighbourhood of Oporto, and gives the first instalment of a floral calendar, the species to be found in flower during January, February and March being enumerated, together with the localities where they occur ; two of the species are figured by photographic process, /.¢., Oxalis purpurea and Senecio scandens—The editor contributes the first part of a paper on the nervous system and zoological affinities of some terrestrial Pulmonata (land-snails), illustrated by anatomical dissections of Arion lusitanicus (t. 3).—Mr. W. C. Tait con- tributes a chatty article on the Birds of Portugal, to be continued.—Notes on Pisciculture, Faunal notes, a short article on Narcissus cyclamineus, with woodcut and plate, and a biographical notice of P. A. Morelet complete the first number of our new contemporary. ZOOLOGIQUE DE A2 SGLEEN CEzGOSSIR: ‘Ven Zee 6 GEOLOGY wv Dr. HENRY Woopwarpb, F.R.S., Keeper of Geology at the British Museum (Cromwell Road), is the president of the Geological Society for the coming year, and Mr. Richard Lydekker a new vice-president. THE sixth session of the International Geological Congress has been arranged for August 29th to September 2nd, at Zurich, under the Presidency of Prof. E. Renevier. Excursions are to be made to different parts of the Jura and the Alps. British geologists may obtain information from Mr. W. Topley, 28, Jermyn Street, London. AN INTERESTING ARTICLE appears in the March issue of the ‘‘ Geological Magazine”’ on the ‘‘ Age and Origin of the Dartmoor Granites,” a subject which has caused a considerable amount of discussion among geologists, and which still remains i statu guo. Prof. Bonney contributes to the same magazine “‘Some Notes on Gneiss.” ‘‘ Natural Science’’ for March has two articles of interest, viz., ‘‘The Fossil Plants of Canada as tests of Climate and Age,” by Sir J. W. Dawson, and ‘‘ Thermo-Metamorphism in the South-Eastern Highlands,” by Geo. Barrow, EGS: GeEoLocists’ AssociaTion.—Among the excur- sions of this energetic Association already arranged for the approaching summer, we notice that at Easter they will visit Bournemouth and its vicinity, under the leadership of Mr. John Starkie Gardner. The Whitsuntide holidays will be spent at Gam- bridge, and the ‘“‘ Long Excursion,” from July 30th to August 4th, will be to Shropshire, under the guidance of Prof. Lapworth and Mr. W. W. Watts. In addition to the ordinary Saturday afternoon visits to places of geological interest near London, three whole day excursions will be made to Leighton Buzzard, Caddington, and Herne Bay, the directors being Messrs. H. B. Woodward, McKenny Hughes, Marr, and W. Whitaker respectively. TERTIARY Man.—A paper on “‘ Tertiary Man”’ was read on behalf of Mr. J. B. M. Findlay, at the meeting of the Geologists’ Association, held at the University College, in London. The author passed in brief review the evidence of the existence of man during the Tertiary period, but had nothing new or original to communicate. A discussion followed, in which Dr. Woodward said that while not wishing to disparage the labours of those engaged in searching for the earliest traces of man on the globe, he did not think that any of the evidence brought forward as yet could be accepted. It is with great pleasure that we are able to record the large attendance of members of the Association on this occasion, and the interest displayed by them in the subject of the paper seems to show that the prevalent prejudice against the antiquity of man is at last being swept away. THE GLACIAL PERIOD IN SWITZERLAND.—In the early days of geology, when certain superficial deposits were first recognised as being due to the action of ice, it was generally supposed that a period of intense cold had visited the earth, causing it to be completely buried beneath a thick mantle of ice. This idea, it is needless to say, was afterwards found to be incorrect, and what was still more curious, the remains of the elephant, rhinoceros, cave-bear, etc., as well as of such temperate plants as oaks, larches, and hazel-nuts were found in deposits of lignite and peat between undoubted glacial moraines. These and other facts showed beyond a doubt that the period of glaciation had been interrupted, and that for a considerable time a much warmer climate pre- vailed. A careful study, however, of glacial deposits led Messrs. James Geikie and Croll to the conclusion that such an interruption had occurred not once only, but many times, and Prot. Pencke was also able to show that in the Eastern Alps (Austria and Bavaria) the traces of a threefold glaciation were present. ABBoTt’s FissurRE AT IcHTHAM.—At the meet- ing of the Geological Society held in January, a paper by Mr. Lewis Abbott was read, describing some ossiferous fissures which that gentleman had been exploring for several years past, in the valley of the Shode, near Ightham, Kent. This was followed by a paper from Mr. E.T. Newton, F.R.S., giving the results of his examination of the vertebrate remains collected by Mr. Abbott in one of the fissures. The four fissures described occur in the division of the lower greensand rocks known as the Kentish rag, and they have been exposed to view by the opening of a quarry. Unfortunately three of them contain no fossils, but from the fourth several thousand bones have been obtained, as well as a dozen species of Mollusca, and several plant remains; and when we add that nearly every particle of the three or four tons of material which have already been removed from this fissure has passed through Mr. Abbott’s fingers, we cannot but admire the patience and perseverance displayed by him in con- ducting these researches. Mr. Newton has been able to identify forty-eight different species of vertebrata, of which three or four are extinct, eleven are extinct in Britain but living else- where, twenty-one are still living in Britain, but are already known as pleistocene fossils, while twelve are existing species, and now recognised for the first time in pleistocene or older deposits. Among the better-known animals that have been identified may be mentioned the mammoth, rhinocerous, hyzna, brown bear, marmot, lemming, etc.; birds, reptiles, and amphibians are also represented, while it is perhaps worthy of note that no fish have as yet been found. The interesting question now arises whether this remarkable assemblage of animals lived at one and the same time, which is the opinion of Mr. Abbott, who maintains that the fissure has not been opened’ since the time of its filling up, and he thinks there can be no doubt that this operation took place in pleistocene times. On the other hand, Sir Henry Howarth and Dr. Hicks, in the discussion which followed the reading of these papers, expressed it as their opinion that the fissure might have been filled up in more recent times, and contains the débris of a pleistocene deposit, intermixed with the remains of animals of much later date. Should Mr. Abbott’s view prove to be correct, it is hardly exaggeration to say that this discovery will rank among the most important paleontological finds of the century.—A. Absell, jun., 245, Selhurst Road, South Norwood. SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 43 ArBpino BatT.—On September rst, 1889, between Bentley and Farnham, Hants, at about 8 p.m., I saw an albino bat. It was asmall species, and I was well able to observe it as it was flying round trees by the roadside. —H. S. Fremlin, Mereworth, Kent. Orrers.—These animals are said to be increasing in numbers in Sussex, especially near Arundel. We doubt their being so rare on many rivers in England as is generally supposed. They are fairly common on some of the tributaries of the Thames. We believe they are not unrepresented in any of our larger counties. FERNS EATEN BY SHEEP.—When at Llangollen last summer I noticed that the tufts of lady-fern, Athyrium filix-femina were in almost all cases nibbled—by sheep, I presume—while the male fern, Nephrodium filix-mas was untouched. Why? Is the latter poisonous or disagreeable >—/J. W. Walker, Cefn Llys, Stanley Road, Watford ; Feb. 1894. SCIENCE AT THE FREE LIBrRARIES.—We have received from the Borough of Nottingham Free Library, the Class List No. 3 (Science) and two Supplements. Various branches of natural science are well represented in that library. We have also received several letters asking advice as to the choice of scientific books for public libraries. This quite confirms Mr. Carrington’s statement, made Jast month, about the want of an authoritative list of the best books in every branch of science. Pupa OF VANESSA 10.—Mr. Barrett in Vol. I. of ‘‘ British Lepidoptera,’ now appearing, mentions that he has not seen the pupa of Vanessa io in its natural habitat, and has some doubt as to where it is to be found. When at school, I used to spend my summer holidays at Summerstown, co. Cork, V. to was very common there, as common an imago as V. wrtice, and much commoner as larve and pupa. I have repeatedly watched the larve pupating, and bred the imago from pupze which I have found, so that there can be no mistake. The pupa of V.i0 is attached by the tail to the underside of a nettle-leaf. A small silken web is spun covering a portion of the underside, and from this the pupa hangs head downwards. It is usually suspended from the mid-rib, about one-third or one-fourth of the distance from the base towards the tip. When looked at from above, the leaf hidesit, and the attachment is so near the base, that it is not bent downwards to any marked extent, and so does not attract notice. The pupa is easily visible, however, when the nettles are looked at sideways or from beneath.—/. Rk. Holt, 6, Harrington Street, Dublin ; Feb. 1894. SENSITIVENESS OF THE EyEs oF FrRocs, &cC.— Everyone knows how it feels when any foreign body is blown into, or in any other way gets access to the delicate and sensitive membrane which covers the human eye. This sensitiveness seems to be a mark of a highly-organised animal, for when we get lower down in the scale of life it appears to be either present in a more limited degree, or absent altogether. Lizards have the power of closing their eyes, while snakes have not, and in this the latter group of reptiles resemble the fishes, whose eyes are only capable of being slightly shifted backwards and forwards in their sockets. In the case of frogs and toads, the sensitiveness is seen in an intermediate degree, as I have seen leeches gliding and twisting about over the eyes of frogs sitting in the water of my vivarium without their being at once pushed away or the eyes of the amphibia depressed; but one or the other or both of these events takes place sooner or later in all observed instances, showing that a certain amount of irritation must be felt. Frogs and toads always depress their eyes when those organs are touched by pieces of grass, twigs, or other stiff objects. When the eye is re-opened, a transparent membrane is seen to roll down to the basal part. It would be interesting to know how it is that snakes and fishes, and, as we have seen, frogs and toads also to some extent, are able to dispense with that sensitiveness of the outer part of the visual organs which is so characteristic of the higher animals, doubtless serving as a protection where it exists.—F. P. Perks, 111, St. Martin's Lane, London, W.C. British REPTILES IN WINTER.—Wishing to observe the time of appearance of frogs and newts this year, I frequently visited the ponds about Acton and Neasden, in Middlesex, during the winter. The first frogs appeared at Acton; there I saw a few sitting around the ponds at sunset on January 19th, 2oth and a2tst, one of which I caught, and found to be already somewhat big with spawn. This was the first occasion on which I saw frogs in any number, although during the mild weather in December last a few appeared for a short time—on December 18th, about mid-day, three or four frogs dived away when I approached the bank of a pond, and on December 27th I saw two in the same pond. After January 22nd there were one or two very cold days, and I saw no more frogs until February 3rd, when I found one, fat with spawn, in a pond near Neasden. On the same day, about 2 p.m., I observed, to my great surprise, a newt swimming over the bottom of a neighbouring pond in the sunlight, and in a few minutes secured two female warty newts, one of which was big with eggs, and five common newts, of which four were males with low crests. This discovery led me to watch care- fully the Acton ponds, and on the 6th February, after sunset, I caught a male warty newt, with a high crest, and a female small newt apparently leaving the water. Since the 6th I have seen newts of both species every day, and on February roth I saw many in almost every pond between Twyford Abbey and East Acton. Although the night of the r2th was frosty, and the remains of the ice still floated at 2 p.m. on the 13th, yet on stirring the weeds of a pond at Acton three common newts swam out in a very lively manner and escaped to the depths. On the night of the 13th it froze again, and at 8 a.m. the following morning the ponds were covered with thin ice, but on approaching the edge of a pond several pairs of frogs swam away under the ice, and at the other side of the pond I found a frog sitting beneath the bank where the ice had already melted. The temperature was then 390 lee ihe female frogs are now very fat, and frequent the shallow parts of the ponds, which shows they are beginning to think of laying their spawn.—Hugh Bromley, 52, Elsham Road, London, W. Feb. 16th, 1894. A4 SCIENCE-GOSSIP. S 700.08) Birps’ Eecs at SoutH KEnsineTon. — An exhibit of birds’ eggs has recently been added to the Central Hall of the Natural History Museum, at South Kensington. The exhibit is distinctly educational in character, the structure of the egg being shown by diagrammatic section, and the varieties of form, size, colour and material by specimens. Hyprip Sparrow.—At a recent meeting of the Linnean Society, a wild hybrid between the house- sparrow and the iree-sparrow, was exhibited on behalf of the Rev. J. G. Tuck, of Tostock, near Bury St. Edmunds. Several instances are on record of these species interbreeding in captivity, but only one other wild hybrid sparrow is known to have been captured. Ootocy 1x CanaDa— Bird-Nesting in North- Wesi Canada” is the title of a book to be published by the Sun Printing Company of Toronto, Canada, during the coming summer. It will be by Walter Raine, and should be welcome to many European naturalists who are interested in the distribution of birds. Among thecoloured plates we are promised figures of eggs of the knoi, which it is said have not been previously illustrated. The price will be tos. 6d., but subscribers previous to June 30th need only send 6s. 6d., which includes postage. BLACK-VEINED WHITE BUTTERFLY IN ENGLAND. —Bearing in mind the great scarcity and probable early extinction of Aporia craiggi in this country, it may be well to place on record “the fact that during the second week of July, 1889, I observed a fine specimen of this insect in the New Forest. Ji passed in leisurely flight almost within arm’s length, and had not my attention been diverted at the moment I should have effected an easy capture. —C. H. Watson, Streatham Hil, S.W.; Feb. 1894. THE OPisTHOstoM=.—Land shells are commonly smooth, marine ones are not uncommonly spiny, and the tropical littoral fauna, as exemplified in the crabs, exhibit a tendency to become terrestrial, whence one would suppose that these spiny gastro- pods are a marine iype which is not yet adapied to aérial existence. The same thing might be assuredly inferred in respect io ihe spiny fresh- water shells which have ascended rivers or have been enclosed in lakes. Can any conchologist give the names of their marine ancestors?—A. H. Swinton, Villa Flora, Monireux ; Feb. 28th, 1894. PROTECTIVE COLOURATION IN CRUSTACEA.— Proiessor W. A. Herdman, of the Biological Station, Port Erin, Isle of Man, has been making some interesting observations on the protective colouration of Virbius varians, a small prawn. This little crustacean resembles the green, red and brown seaweeds with which it is associated, on sandy or gravelly bottoms, but there has been some question as to the extent to which adult specimens have the power to change their tints During 1893, many individuals of various colours were kept under observation in the laboratory, in jars with seaweeds of different colours, a variety of backgrounds; and degrees of intensity of light. The results go to prove that the adult can, slowly but very thoroughly, change its colour to harmonize with its environment. The alteration in colour is said to be due to changes in the size and arrange- ment of the pigment granules of the chromatophores, which again may be the result of nerve action dependent upon light, or of the direct action of light upon the integument. SWANS UPON LAKE LEMAN -—Cygnus olor, domesti- cated at Geneva in 1838, has since 1857 bred at liberty. During the winter frost ¢. andivited wild in behaviour, circle the basin he the gulls are clamouring for crumbs and the grebes are diving for garbage. Their nursery is at Villeneuve, where last winter the skaters on the rink at sandwich time, might have noticed two parents heading a floiilla of five grey cygnets, steal round the reedy point in the warm sunshine and stand across the glassy calm in the direction of the white walls oi Chillon Casile.—A .H. Suinion, Villa Flora, Montreux, Swiizer- land ; Feb. 13th, 1894. PRorectivE Mimicry in Strompus.—At the February meeting of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Mr. A. H. Cooke calied attention to the fact that the shells of Sirombus mauritianus, L., and S. luhuanus, L., difier from those of all other irombi in their close resemblance ito the shells of Conus,a genus with which they are known to live. Sirombus is herbivorous with small and weak teeth, whilst Conus is carnivorous with very large, barbed teeth, and provided with a poison bag and duct. lt was suggesied that this resemblance musi tend greaily io the advantage of Sivombus, since the dangerous properties oi Conus would tend to prevent lis being touched by predatory fishes. Mitp WINTER OF 1894.—We have seen, and also received records of, many instances indicating an early spring following the exceptionally open winter just closing in England. Several izees of a species of hawthorn growing in ihe London parks have beer in green leaf since the end of February. Entomologisis are recording early appearances of spring moths, some being quite exceptional. Some hibernating insects have been met with in an active state all through the winter. Ceriain late autumn species of moths have continued far into January. Young starlings and other birds were hatched in January. Among flowers, some of the earlier, such as coltsfoot, green-hellebore and others, fowered in February and early March. Sallows have been in bloom in sheliered spots within easy reach of London since February. SECOND BROOD OF PURPLE EMPEROR BUITER- FLY.—Between the znd and gih ot August, 1893, I found in the New Forest four specimens of Apatura ivis larvze, all of which were in the second siage of srowth and quite a month in advance of the usual time. On returning home I sleeved them on a healthy sallow, but lost one individual within a fortnight ; probably from the attacks of earwigs which swarmed in the garden. At the end of September only three larvz were visible, one being full fed, another in the fourth skin, whilsi the third had only reached the third stage. On October 7th, only two larve remained—the full-fed one, Hes was in healthy condition, and another, afflicted with purging. The latter died a few days after- wards. As the nights were growing colder I SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 45 brought both specimens indoors, placing them in a cool room. The healthy one fed until the 13th October, and on the 17th October, completed pupation. On November 6th the pupa was removed to a warmer atmosphere, and three days later a female imago emerged—unfortunately a cripple. Had the pupa been allowed to remain in the cooler room until the rith or rath inst. doubtless the result would have been the emergence of a perfect insect. It will be observed from the preceding notes that the larvae were fed under perfectly natural conditions, and therefore it is reasonable to suppose that many other individuals of a second brood of A. ivis have appeared in the New Forest during the present year. I am not aware of such second brood being recorded, as the larvee usually hibernate.—C. H. Watson, Streatham Ell, Sowa Dec. 2893. PLANORBIS NAUTILEUS IN SURREY.—According to Taylor and Roebuck’s ‘‘ Census of the Land and Freshwater Mollusca in Great Britain,” there have been no authenticated records of P. nautileus, L., in Surrey. I had the good fortune to take a few specimens during last summer on Bookham Common. There are a number of ponds on this common, most of them rich in specimens of various orders ; but which of them produces P. nautileus I am unable to indicate. The truth is, I took my specimens by accident, on a day when I was dipping my scoop into each of these ponds, and nautilews must have come out attached to weed, for it was not until about a week later that I discovered their presence in the vessel which contained samples from the Bookham ponds only. I hope before long to definitely settle the exact habitat of this species.—E. Step, Epsom ; March, 1894. Notes FROM WESTERN Corx.—During the summer of 1893, from early in March to October, I was collecting Lepidoptera in the beautiful district of Glengarriffe, County Cork; my work causing me to be about in the woods and on the hills very much, I was struck by the almost utter absence of game in the district, though one would think by the look of the place that game of all descriptions would be abundant. Grouse do occur on the highest moun- tains, but are very rare compared with Scotch and Yorkshire moors, three or four brace being con- sidered a very good bag for onegun. Hares are very scarce ; I saw but three the wholetime I was there. This seems to be remarkable, considering that in Wicklow and other mountain districts they are so abundant. all common, now and then we would flush one. On bright moonlight nights they might be observed towering towards the moon, and then, suddenly, with half-closed wings, dropping towards the earth. It is during the drop that the drumming noise is produced. A few woodcocks remain all the summer and I have no doubt breed there, for on two or three occasions I turned up young birds that could only fly a hundred yards or so. Partridges occur sparingly on the cultivated ground, and now and then could be heard calling, but were seldom seen. The same might be said about corncrakes. Among the small birds goldfinches were fairly common, and late in September were met with in flocks of twenty to fifty or more. Once on the Castletown road I saw at least two hundred sitting on the telegraph wires. Larks, on the other hand, seemed to be absent. I did not see or hear one the whole time.—H. McArthur, 35, Averell Street, Hammer- smith, W.; Feb. oth, 1894. Snipe during the summer were not at: R : \) (We? yi yaya co sy eo = ae res In the ‘‘ Irish Naturalist ’’ for March, Mr. H. W. Lett records the discovery of Hypmumn confervoides in co. Wicklow, as a moss new to Ireland. Dr. E. Baroni, of Florence, is preparing a monograph of the genus Atriplex, and would be glad to have specimens or notes from botanists who have studied the genus. GREENLAND Frora.—In the last issue of the “ Proceedings ”’ of the Philadelphia Academy, there is a valuable and interesting paper, entitled ‘‘A Contribution to the Flora of Greenland.’ It is really a description of the botanical collections made by Messrs. Burk and Meehan, during Lieut. and Mrs. Peary’s expedition. The species enum- erated include twenty-eight mosses, thirty-nine lichens and a hundred flowering plants and vascular cryptogams. GREEN HELLEBORE IN NorTH KENT.—A couple of years ago I found this generally-con- sidered rare plant in abundance near Eynesford, on the Sevenoaks branch of the London, Chatham and Dover Railway. It is in Park House Wood, about a mile east of the railway station. The wood is preserved, but leave can be obtained, I understand. It is not desirable that wanton waste should occur in collecting specimens, though there is little fear of exterminating Helleborus viridis in the Eynsford station, for there is more than an acre of it growing thickly. On the chalky banks through Park House Wood, away from the road to Rumney Street, Viola hirta grows abundantly, flowering very early in spring. The white variety occurs there not infrequently.—/John T. Carrington. PHNOLOGICAL Notes ON MossEes.—I have found that the date of fructification of mosses does not always coincide with the period of the year given in our various handbooks. Thus, for instance, Braithwaite says Phascum acaulon fruits in March ; but I find it here with ripe fruit as early as October, and usually look for it in perfection in November. Pottia truncata is said to fruit in February and March. Last year, in this district, I.found a few ripe fruits by November 22nd, and in the great mass of plants the lids had dehisced, and the spores were shed by the end of November. In February only a few late plants were to be seen. Pottia littovalis had ripe fruit at Southport on December 25th, but mingled with some that were only half-ripe; and I found it with half-ripe fruit on December 31st at Wallasey, Cheshire, which is a new locality, so far as my knowledge goes, for this species. In the ‘‘ British Moss Flora”’ it is said to bear fruit from February to April. Ephemerum servvatum is another species that fruits here long before the time given by writers on the subject. Were any of these species influenced by the abnormal weather of last year? This was not the case with Phascum acaulon, as I have found it for several seasons on the earlier date.—j. A. Wheldon, H.M. Prison, Liverpool ; March, 1894. 46 SCIENCE-GOSSIP. CONDUCTED BY ALICE EvErREeTT, M.A. (Hon. Secretary of the British Astronomical Association.) Position. R.A. Dec. Diameter. Rises. Sets At transit at Greenwh Sun 16/47 _.. Mar. 25 5.53 ... 6.19 Taos. HY Sad iN ao. April 8 522 3.642 2. 19 ate, ay D2 ESE Geode 7e5 PHY go LOATH Souths PM. A.M Mooi --- Mat. 25 11-43 ... 3-33 April 8 0.19 ... 1.58 PHY TVET) aoe, ZU A.M. A.M. Venus 34 Eye (2) 14:3) “ akS0° (A-17 .; 275° 3, 26 3 Scorpi! ..-... 6" *3:0.-"%; 85°)" 4-10 *}5 320° Apr. 2 29 Aquarii...... 6 (below horizon) 5.27 ,, 251° » 9 yxy Lauri ..... 54 74. Pm. 67¢ 84 pm. 278° 5) XO) B.A.C. 3746....4. 6% 10:54 - 5, O22 Srt44 273° 3 ii 49 Aurigae ... 5% 8.40 70s 0:37. 0 eS OSe + 12 c Geminorum 6 10.52 ,, I1I° 11.49 ,, 286° » 16 g Leonis ...... 4 8.42 ,, 78° 9.29 Gey IQ B.A.C. 4394...... 6 4.28a.m. 106° (below horizon) Tue Sun.—There will be an Annular Eclipse of the Sun, invisible at Greenwich, on April 5; just visible as a partial Eclipse in Norway, Sweden, Eastern Europe and Asia. The central line begins in the Indian Ocean, crossing India, north of Madras, passing through Calcutta, Upper Burmah, China and Eastern Siberia. Mercury —This planet is badly situated for observing, rising shortly before the Sun. Venus is also a morning star in Aquarius, south- following Mercury. Venus attained her greatest brilliancy on March 23. Sherises an hour and a half before the Sun, but passes the meridian three hours before him owing to her low declination. Mars.—This ruddy-hued planet is in the con- stellation Capricorn, and may be seen rising more than an hour before the Sun in the S.E. Mars is getting a little higher in declination. Jupiter is a conspicuous object in the evening to the N.W. (setting between 10 and 11 hrs. p.m.) in the consiellation Taurus, between the famous cluster of the Pleiades, and the V-shaped cluster the Hyades, and near the very bright star Aldebarau. About April 16th Jupiter will be midway between Aldebarau and the Pleiades. Saturn passes the meridian about midnight, and the present is therefore a most excellent time for observing this planet, with its wonderful system of rings and eight moons. It lies very near, and a little to the north of, the 1st magnitude star Spica in the Virgin. Uranus is still in Libra, near x Librae. Neptune.—This distant outlier of the Solar system is in Taurus, N.E. of Aldebaran. Minor PLANETS.—Ceres, Vesta and Pallas are all in Taurus, Ceres is very near, and a little to the east of 6 Leonis, a 3rd magnitude star. Vesta lies close by S.E. of 5, and N.E. of @ Leonis, and can be seen with the naked eye by persons endowed with good vision. MeErTEoRS.—One of the most important meteor- showers of the year falls on April zoth. The position of the Radiant is k=270° 5= + 33°. NOTES.—The Sun-spot which aroused popular interest towards the end of February, though certainly large as compared with the average, is by no means the greatest that has appeared of recent years. The Great Spot of February, 1892, for instance, was nearly twice as large. The impression made by the recent spot was probably due, in part, to the fog which prevailed in the metropolis at the time, which made it possible for people to look at the Sun without being dazzled. The Spot was at a maximum on February 2oth, when the area was 1,870 millions of square miles. A marked magnetic disturbance was noticed at Greenwich the same day, beginning suddenly at 3-15 p-m. and lasting 27 hours. After an interval of 24 hours another and more intense storm commenced, and reached a maximum at 3 p.m. on February 23rd. While the outbreak of a large Sun-spot is generally accompanied by terrestrial disturbance of the magnets, this disturbance is not proportional to the size of the spot, the larger spot sometimes being associated with less disturbance than asmaller. It would seem as if the magnetic storm indicated some disturbed condition of the forces on the Sun’s surface of which spots were only one of the symptoms. There is little doubt that the Aurora is also an allied phenomenon. Auroral displays were witnessed in several parts of England on February 28th. The following description was given by an observer at Norwich, Mr. C. Thwaites; ‘‘ At a few minutes past 7 o’clock a bright cone of light was seen springing up from the horizon at about east by north, this was followed by detached cloud-like streamers, which gradually joined into one vast, wide arch of brilliant, light, extending, for a short time completely across the heavens, slightly to the south of the zenith. Other luminous patches also appeared on either side of this arch, covering the constellations of Grion, Ursa Major and Leo..... The eftect of the pulsating light was very beautiful.’ European Time.—Two more countries, Denmark and Switzerland, have decided to adopt mid- European time, which is just one hour fast of Greenwich time. More than half the countries of Europe now reckon time from the Greenwich meridian, yet one of the British Isles still reckons from a local meridian. SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 47 eS eS i az > TRANSICTIONS = aes (\ Vases Royat METEOROLOGICAL Society.— At the monthly meeting, held on February 21st, the following papers were read :—‘‘ Temperature, Rain- fall, and Sunshine at Las Palmas, Grand Canary,’’ by Dr. J. Cleasby Taylor. The author gave the results of his observations during the five years, 1889-93. The island of Grand Canary occupies a position midway between the African continent and the most western of the Canary group. The diurnal range of temperature fluctuates considerably with the variations in wind and sunshine, but any sudden variation is very rare. The rainfall is not great, though it is spread over a large number of days, the average yearly amount being 8:90 inches. The greater part of the rain falls during October to January, while the period from June to September is practically rainless. ‘‘ Report on the Phenological Observations for 1893,” by Mr. E. Mawley. This is a series of observations made on the flowering of plants, appearance of insects, and the song and nesting of birds. The year 1893 was in complete contrast to its predecessor, being very forward throughout the United Kingdom. The February and March plants were later than usual in blossom- ing, especially in the colder parts of our islands; but after this the dates were everywhere in advance of the average, and during the height of the flower- ing season the departures from the mean were often considerable. MALACOLOGICAL SociETy oF Lonpon.—Ordinary meeting held on March oth, Dr. Henry Woodward, F.R.S., Pres. G.S., in the chair. The following papers were read :—‘‘ On the value of Ancylastrum,”’ by Charles Hedley; ‘‘ Revision of the British Eocene Cephalopoda,’ by R. Bullen Newton and G. F. Harris; ‘‘ Description of new Chinese Clausilig,” by Dr. O. Boettger and B. Schenacker ; “On the South African Polyplacophora, by E. R. Sykes. Mr. Da Casta exhibited species of Cyclotus from Bogota and of Cyclostoma from Africa and Madagascar. Mr. E. A. Smith exhibited specimens of Conus cedonulli, also varieties of Bulimus oblongus. Mr. G. B. Sowerby exhibited species of Spondylus, and Mr. E. R. Sykes, species of Chinese Clausilia. GREENOCK NaTuraL History Socitety.—On 22nd February, the Secretary, Mr. G. W. Niven, read a paper entitled ‘‘ The Evolution of Naviga- tion and Nautical Astronomy. The progress of astronomical and geographical knowledge was traced to the time of Prince Henry of Portugal, when scientific navigation may be said to have commenced. The nautical instruments used from the 15th century to the present time were next described. These included the sea quadrant, astrolabe, cross-staff, fore-staff, back-staff, noctur- na!, Davis quadrant and others. Incidents connected with invention of the sextant were narrated, and photographs shown of the first designs of Newton's and Hadley’s instruments. An account of the establishment of national observatories and the pub- lication of nautical almanacks concluded the lecture, which was illustrated with about sixty lantern slides. NORFOLK AND NoRWICH NATURALISTS’ SOCIETY. —A meeting was held in the Museum, Norwich, on February 27th, the President (Mr. T. Southwell, EYZ-S:) In, the- chair) Mr Ee: Gunn, W.S:, exhibited an adult female specimen of the Great Bustard, killed at Costessey on the tst February. The bird weighed 8lb., being rather under the average for its sex. The stomach was filled with green food, and contained five flat pieces of flint and pottery. Mr. Gunn also read some notes dealing with previous migratory occurrences of this bird in Norfolk. Mr. H. D. Geldart read ‘‘Notes on Plants collected in the Faroes by Colonel Fielden.’’ The interest of the flora of these islands was shown to be more in the distribution of the plants and problems connected with it, than in the species themselves. The theory that all flowering plants were driven out of the Fzrées, Iceland, and Greenland, during the ice age, and returned in more genial times by immigration over a bridge supposed to have been formed by elevation of the sea-bottom between Rona and the Fzeroes, and thence to Iceland and Greenland, following a line of submarine shoals. still existing, was shown by analogy with the present state of Greenland to be unlikely, and that distribution from a circumpolar continent in remote pree-Glacial times is more probable. Mr. A. W- Preston, F.R.Met.S., contributed his ‘‘ Meteoro- logical notes’’ for 1893. A note on the Hybrid Sparrow exhibited at the January meeting on behalf of Rev. Julian Tuck, by Mr. J. H. Gurney was read. Mr. Southwell laid on the table the additions to the mammalia of Norfolk since the last published list; also his notes on the Herring Fishery for 1893, which were taken as read. THE SouTH LoNDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND: NaTurRAL History Society, 22nd February, 1894, E. Step, Esq., President, in the chair. Mr. South, for Mr. Rose, of Barnsley, exhibited a long-bred series of Phigalia pedaria, Fb., some being uniformly black without a trace of markings ; for Mr. Fowler, of Ringwood, a var. of Euchelia jacobee, L., having the costal stripe carried round the hind margin to meet the spot; for Mr. Dennis, of York, photo- graphs of very long series of Spilosoma lubricipeda, Esp., ranging from very pale and almost spotless to very deep colouration, and a photograph of three other vars. from the Allis collection of York, of which two were undoubtedly of the zatima form, although not extremes ; for himself a specimen of Argynnis aglaia, L., from Hampshire, which was a modification of var. charlotta, Sow., the silvery spots forming long streaks, and several vars. of Argynnis euphrosyne, L. Mr. Frohawk, coloured drawings representing the complete life history of both 4. aglaia, L., and A. adippe, L., with details enlarged to show the remarkable larval structure. Mr. Pearce, series of Feniseca tarquinius, Fab., spring and summer broods of Lycena pseudargiolus, Bd., L. comyntas, Godt., and Thecla edwardsii, Saund., from Pennsylvania, U.S.A. Mr. Auld, for Mr. Tugwell, to correct an error in the report of January 11th. series of the York City form of Spilosoma lubricipeda, Esp., for which he suggests the name var. eboraci, series of var. zatima, Cr., and series of the selected brood originating from Yorkshire, for which he suggests the varietal name fasciata. A discussion ensued as to variation pro- duced by artificial selection. Mr. Carrington, a shell of Helix pomatia, L., which he had cut to show the spiral and the smooth internal lining, which he stated was probably caused by the animal depositing 48 SCIEN CE=GOSSTE: nearly pure silica on the inner surface of the shell. Mr. Jenner Weir, a new Euplexine butter- fly from North-Eastern Borneo, which he had described under the name of Caduga crowleyi. Mr. Lewcock sent for exhibition a box of Coleoptera, to illustrate a paper he communicated describing his observations during the various excursions of the Society.—Thursday, March 8th, the President in the chair. Mr. R. Adkin exhibited a series of Evebia epiphron, Knoch, var. cassiope, Fb., from Inverness, which were said to be of the type form (epiphron). He had, however, failed to detect the white pupil to the ocellated spots, which was the typical character. Mr. Weir said that the British form had no trace of the white pupil. Mr. Routledge, specimens of a brood of Selenia bilunavia, Esp., which had laid over the summer of 1892, emerging in April, 1893; also individuals bred from a pair of the latter, which had emerged at intervals from August, 1893, to February, 1894; also a series of Aporvophyla lutu- Jenta, Bork., captured in Cumberland, among which were the vars. sedi, Gn., and Juneburgensis, Frr. Mr. Frohawk, a third brood of Pararze megera, L., ten males and ten females, bred by himself from ova deposited on August 2nd, 1893. Mr. Billups, three species of rare Ichneumonide, viz., Muicrogastey vussatus, Hal., taken at High Beech in 1884; Ayperacmus crassicornis, Gr., of which only one recorded specimen was known, taken at Oxshot in 1892; and Euryproctus nemoralis, Fov., taken at the same place last July. Jenner Weir, male and female Hetevonympha merope, Fab., and stated that the sexes were so totally unlike as to be deemed different species until quite recently. The chrysalis was said to be contained in a frail network on the ground. Mr. Williams, a smooth snake, Covonella levis, taken at Camberley, W. Surrey, in 1883. Mr. Auld, on behalf of Dr. Knaggs, a working model of a butterfly decoy and net. Mr. Step stated that he had found that the flowers of the Butcher’s Broom (Ruscus aculea- tus, L.), were produced in pairs on the phylloclade, but only one bud opened at a time. NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS. To CORRESPONDENTS AND EXCHANGERS.—SCIENCE-GOSSIP is published on the 25th of each month. All notes or other communications should reach us not later than the 18th of the month for insertion in the following number. No com- munications can be inserted or noticed without full name and address of writer. Exchanges extending to thirty words (including name and address) admitted free, but additional words must be prepaid at the rate of threepence for every seven words or less. Notice.—Contributors are requested to strictly observe the following rules. All contributions must be clearly written on one side of the paper only. Words intended to be printed in ztalics should be marked under with a single line. Generic names must be given in full, excepting where used immediately before. Capitals may only be used for generic, and not specific names. Scientific names and names of places to be written in round hand Tue Editors are not responsible for unused MSS., neither can they undertake to return them, unless accompanied with stamps for return postage. SUBSCRIPTIONS.—Subscriptions to ScIENCE-GossIpP, at the rate of 5s. for twelve months (including postage), may com- mence at any time. Tue Editors will be pleased to answer questions and name specimens through the Correspondence column of the maga- zine. Specimens, in good condition, of not more than three species to be sent at one time, cavviage paid. Duplicates only to be sent, which will not be returned. The specimens must have identifying numbers attached, together with lecality, date and particulars of capture. ALL communications, remittances of subscriptions, books or instruments for review, specimens for identification, etc., are to be addressed to JOHN T. CARRINGTON, 1, Northumber- land Avenue, London, W.C. Vinee EXCHANGES. Mr. E. Layarp, Budleigh Salterton, Devon, lately returned from New Caledonia and South Sea Islands with large series of land and freshwater shells and ferns, desires exchanges of foreign shells. WanTED, Rhyns. capitulata, fodinalis, furcillata, lineata, sutherlandi; concinna var. yaxleyensis, petrahedra var. dumbletonensis, varians vars. socialis, spathica, thurmani. Other Jurassic Brachiopoda offered in exchange.—T. W. D. Marshall, 16, Peter Street, Bristol. OFrFeErs wanted tor a very fine }-inch objective, by Collins; also 34-inch objective and pair of C. eye-pieces, by same maker.—H. Parritt, 8, Whitehall Park, N. _ BuTTERFLIES and moths, collected near here last season, including hornet-clearwings, grayling, belted beauty and many others. Wanted, botanical specimens, phanerogams or cryptogams.—J. A. Wheldon, H.M. Prison, Liverpool. OFFERED, student’s microscope, in good condition, by Baker, with Zeiss objectives, two eye-pieces, etc.—N. Heaton, St. Alban’s Road, Watford. NicHo.uson’s ‘‘ Manual of Zoology,” Woodward’s “ Manual of the Mollusca,” Lyell’s ‘‘ Student’s Elements of Geology ;” offers wanted.—J. A. Floyd, 95, Risbygate Street, Bury St. Edmunds. Micro. slides, hair of platypus, mouse, rat, deer, shrew, in exchange for other slides.—John Moore, 223, Great Russell Street, Birmingham. Vo. 1, “Scientific Facts,” “Half-hours with the Micro- scope,” exchange for living pupa of P. machaon, or others.— Le eer jun., 38, Brighton Terrace, Brixton, London, _Kyicut’s “Penny Cyclopedia, splendid, new, half-calf binding, fawn and gold, 34 volumes, including all supple- ments, indexes, etc.; complete cost £20. What offers in exchange ?—Davis, 33, Brighton Terrace, Brixton. A SMALL Collection of British Coleoptera and Rye’s ‘‘ British Beetles” offered for geological specimens, micro- scopic apparatus, etc.—J. B. Mayor, 108, Wellington Road, Heaton Chapel, Manchester. L. C., 8tH Ep., offered, 34, 115, 119, 221, 288, 319, 340, 345, 372, 403, 552, 633, 634, 650, 663, 667, 686, 704, 707, 729, 791, 805, 933, I009, 1018, 1024, 1029, 1044, 1086, 1089, 1098, 1122, 1204, 1240, 1255, 1354, 1362, 1461, 1475, 1540, 1551, 1636, in exchange for good specimens of other rare or local British plants.— G. Goode, 6, Tenison Road, Cambridge. DupLicaTes, Dreissena, Paludina vivipara, Planorbis lineatus, L. burnetti, H. cantiana, v. albida, H. cartusiana, H. caperata, v. major and v. ornata, H. pisana, Bulimus acutus, Pupa secale.—C. H. Morris, Lewes, Sussex. WANTED, a copy of Groves’ ‘‘ Review of British Characee.” —Address, C. E. Britton, 189, Beresford Street, Camberwell, S:E. WANTED, microscopical slides relating to Mollusca; also Chitons and Clausiliz not in collection. Offered, recent shells.—E. R. Sykes, 13, Doughty Street, London, W.C. SPLENDID collection of parasites of animals and birds, over 800 slides, comprising over 300 distinct species, many of which are unique, 500 are in pine cabinet; what offers, or cash? Part exchange for Hume’s +plate photo enlarging apparatus.—W. A. Hyslop, Croxteth Lodge, Murrayfield, Mid-Lothian. CoLer’s pattern of microtome, with clamp for table, in exchange for an injecting syringe, or offers.—W. W. Midgley, Museum, Bolton. CortEswotp Brachiopoda offered for others; Terebratula granais (crag), cretaceous and Yorkshire Jurassic particu- larl; desired.—Chas. Upton, Merton Lodge, Glos. WANTED, rare British mosses and Hepatice, over a hundred duplicates, mostly fruiting; lists exchanged, York catalogue numbers. Also wanted, rare British plants, many duplicates; lists exchanged.—Miss E. Armitage, Dadnor, Ross. WANTED, deep sea dredgings, shore sands, or any material containing Foraminifera; exchange named selected speci- mens of Forams., mounted or unmounted, several hundred species, various micro. slides, etc. Correspondence invited, especially foreign.—Arthur Earland, 10, Glenwood Road, Catford, S.E. A FINE collection of marine shells (about 3,000 species), also of Melaniadz and Unionide; offers requested in foreign land shells, Helicide# preferred—Miss Linter, Arragon Close, Twickenham. OFFERED, good Jurassic fossils; wanted, other fossils, scientific books, micro. slides.—J. W. Tutcher, 57, Berkeley Road, Bristol. WANTED, curious seeds and seed-pods, in exchange for other seeds, foreign postage-stamps, or good varieties of Helix nemoralis and hortensis—Mrs. Smith, Monmouth House, Monmouth Street, Topsham, near Exeter. SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 49 JOHNGAENNER™ WEIR Flis;, EF Z.S)-b. B.S), BORE:S. pie late Jenner Weir was born on August gth, 1822, and died suddenly at his residence at Beckenham, Kent, on Good Friday last, March 23rd, in his seventy-second year. Mr. Weir's genial presence will be much missed at the numerous scientific meetings where he was usually a regular attendant. Especially will this be so by the begin- ners in the study of several branches of the natural sciences, who found in him a ready and pleasant preceptor who rarely failed to impart required information with correctness and kindly words of encouragement. Jenner Weir was born at Lewes, in Sussex, and was not the only talented son of his parents, for he had for younger brother the well-known naturalist - artist, Harrison Weir, whose delightful sketches of ani- mals and other objects of nature have been so familiar to us for many years past. Happily, Mr. Harrison Weir survives his late brother. Whether as zoologist, botan- ist, horticultur- ist, or especially as lepidopterist, Jenner Weir may be said to have been an autho- rity. The regret for his loss is the greater because the wide mass of knowledge he had acquired from patient observation and ardent study passes away with him. It was seldom that he could be induced to write on any subject, but when he did so, his conciseness and accuracy were remarkable. We have cause for real sorrow at his sudden death, for he had only a few days previously promised two important articles for these pages, one being upon the hybridization of mammals, a subject with which few were more familiar. His system of study was Photo by} JOHN JENNER WEIR. to take up some particular group and give to it his close attention for a time, until he had mastered it generally, and then to add to that stock of know- ledge at intervals, as occasion afterwards arose. In the same way he would each season cultivate every variety obtainable of one group of plants, such as iris, or narcissus. Variation had for him a fascination of the deepest character, and it mattered not whether it was in animal or in plant. The first systematic study taken up by Jenner Weir was ento- mology, in the summer of 1843; and his first com- munication on the subject was to the ‘‘ Zoologist,”’ and dated June 14th, 1845. In the latter part of 1844 he paid his first visit to the Entomological Society of Lon- don, and was elected a member in January, 1845. For many years he worked es- pecially at the micro-lepidop- tera, but in 1870, through an un- fortunate acci- dent to one of his thumbs, Mr. Weir had to abandon the setting- out of these small moths. His first paper was read before the Ento- mological So- ciety of London on March rst, 1869; it wason a series of experiments on the relations between insects and insectivorous birds. These experiments were carried on during 1868 at the suggestion of Dr. A. R. Wallace, and a further paper was read on the same subject in 1870. His association with the Entomological Society was much to its benefit, for Mr. Weir was twice its vice-president, seven years treasurer, and many times on the council after 1849. The Linnean Society included him among its fellows on March 2nd, 1865, and he was [Maul & Fox. 50 SCIENCE-GOSSIP. elected a Fellow of the Zoological Society in 1876, after which he was for several years a member of its finance committee. Herecently joined the Royal Horticultural Society, and was, at the time of his death, a member of the scientific committee of that society. He was last year elected presi- dent of the South London Entomological and Natural History Society, and delivered his presidential address to that society on the 25th January, 1894. It was a scholarly production and full of vigour. The Ray Society owes much to his mature judgment, as he was upon its council for many years, frequently acting as its chairman. Locally, Mr. Weir did much as a promoter of scientific study in North Kent, being an active member of the West Kent Natural History Society. As a judge of cage-birds and domestic pets at the Crystal Palace Exhibitions Mr. Weir was equally successful as in scientific study. His ‘connection with these shows on several occasions brought before him many interesting birds, and some extraordinary hybrids. During his life-time Mr. Weir accumulated a large and varied collection of specimens which were of great value to him for comparative pur- poses. These included carefully selected examples of several orders of insects, though the chief col- lection was devoted to lepidoptera. One important feature was a number of instances of mimicry by some insects of others which are widely separated from those imitating them. Jenner Weir gave much attention to this remarkable subject and often spoke upon it at various scientific meetings. His library is most extensive, as he unceasingly added to it during the many years of his scientific life. Arrangements have been made for both library and collections to be sold at Stevens’ Sale Rooms, during May. As a companion he never shone more than when passing through an exhibition of the Royal Horti- cultural Society, when his great knowledge of plants was very striking. Equally so was it a pleasure to pass round the Zoological Gardens with him. Jenner Weir’s correspondents all over the world will miss his genial and interesting letters. His great correspondent was the late Charles Darwin, and frequent references will be found to Jenner Weir in ‘‘The Descent of Man,” ‘‘ Animals and Plants under Domestication” and in ‘‘ Expressions of the Emotions”’ by that eminent philosopher. Mr. Jenner Weir’s professional occupation was in H.M. Customs Service, which he entered on the 6th of November, 1839; he was made Assistant- Accountant General in 1867, and promoted to the rank of Accountant-Controller General in 1874, which post, in Thames Street, he held until 1885, when he retired on the maximum pension, carrying with him the respect of the whole staff. He leaves behind to mourn his loss a widow and a grown-up son and daughters. HIBERNATION OF HELIX POMATIA. By JoHN T. CaARRINGTON. Os several winters past I have tried to discover the hibernating habitat of our large edible snail, as I felt sure they were to be readily found if one only knew how to search for them. On March 24th last, in Surrey, I had the good fortune to unravel the secret of their winter hiding, which, as in so many other cases, is an absurdly simple secret when found out. In about half an hour I had taken nearly a dozen specimens, though in the last dozen years I had not previously found a single one in its hibernaculum. My system is to examine some copse where they are known to occur, especially if it has been recently cut, and the brushwood made into bavins and pimps. Then the stools of the hazel and other brushwood shrubs are left bare, and are easily searched; for it is- among the stems at the roots of these stools that Helix pomatia hibernates. There is no haphazard crawling in and sleeping any side up, for every specimen was found in the same position, which is rather remarkable. How it is attained is difficult ‘to suggest. When settling for the winter sleep H. pomatia appears to select a suitable bit of bare earth, surrounded by the stems of a stool of shrub, and then in some way to screw itself, with the apex of the shell downwards, into the soil until only the mouth of the shell and that lower portion which is level with it, are left exposed above the earth. Having attained that position, it secretes the inner parchment-like membrane, and the hard white winter epiphragm, which closes the mouth of the shell while the animal hibernates. The epiphragm is thus exposed fully, with a flat surface visible above the black earth, looking at short distance exactly like one of the numerous white flint stones so common in places affected by this fine mollusc. In no case did I find this position materially varied, neither did, in a subsequent search, my friend, Mr. Charles A. Briggs, with whose family I was staying, at Leatherhead. It was lucky I found this out no later than the 24th of March this year, because the hot weather of the past Eastertide forced up the leaves and flowers so much by the 27th of March as to cover the stools with greenery. 1, Northumberland Avenue, London ; April 13th, 1894. SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 51 Pp GOW BR SCAMBRIAN! (SERIES ; WITH SOME SUGGESTIONS. [* this paper on Lower Cambrian geology attention will be mainly restricted to the various ways in which the ages of the strata can be determined both relatively and, in a rough approximate way, absolutely. In dealing with geological subjects, it seems to me that the general tendency of authors has been to rely too exclusively on the stratigraphical superposition of fossils as a test of age. This evidence is unquestionably of high value; yet it seems desirable that the age should be based on a series of independent criteria rather than on one which is almost entirely unchecked. As an illustration of what I mean, I will take a case haphazard. Inthe Tenth Annual Report of the U.S. Geol. Survey, 1890, p. 596, Mr. C. D. Walcott says: ‘*The presence of the Olenellus fauna is chiefly relied on as indicative of the L. Cambrian, not that it is considered to be strictly contemporaneous, but geologically only. Its wide range is evidence that it was of precisely the same age in all localities.” If it be assumed that Olenellus and the fauna associated with it is of L. Cambrian age (as under- stood by Mr. Walcott, and equivalent to my eons, 116 to 112) then any strata containing them must be assigned to this age and no other. I do not wish to question the accuracy of the conclusion ; but it certainly seems to me to be an unsafe position to maintain that Olenellus is necessarily excluded from all beds not of this age. It requires strengthening by independent evidence of some kind. As this independent evidence is, I apprehend, a great desideratum, I willendeavour to suggest various independent ways of testing the age of strata, and to exemplify these by illustrations drawn from the L. Cambrian period. The reliability of each may be more or less doubtful, and the isolated con- clusions may be of little value. If, however, two or three or more of them should point to a similar conclusion, such coincident conclusion must be, I consider, of more value than one based solely on the stratigraphical superposition of fossils. The reliability of this last criterion is not gainsaid when applied locally ; it is the general application of it which is considered to be illogical. A full account of the lines of evidence I propose torely upon belongs to the subject of geology generally, and therefore a mere summary is all that can be given here. These lines of evidence may be grouped into two divisions; viz. (1) those which are, by implication, of a more or less By ALEXANDER Ramsay. continuous nature; and (2) those which are intermittent, but of wide geographical extent; the most useful of the latter being such as are of short duration. The continuous division comprises (1) the physi- cal, and (2) the biological phenomena. The physical continuous group is mainly repre- sented by the inferred rate of deposition based upon all the facts obtainable as to the rates of all the collateral phenomena, such as the intensity of climate, elevation of land, denudation and currents. It is believed that all these have been, more or less, in continuous activity, and that their main visible result is represented by the strata already dis- covered. These strata, as I consider, afford sufficient material for estimating the aggregate thickness of the geological continuous succession of deposits, as also the total mass. The figures thus arrived at, taken in conjunction with the pre- sumed average, afford the means of inferring both the relative ages and the approximate absolute time value of the strata. There is no doubt such calculations are open to objections, but, however faulty they may prove to be, they will serve pro- visionally as counterchecks on other methods of determining the relative and absolute ages of stratified deposits. The biological continuous division is mainly represented by the inferred rate of change in animal organisms. The evidence already afforded by fossils suffices, in my opinion, to show clearly that there has been, in the main, a progressive advance in organization from the oldest times onward. When the rate of this change has been determined, it will afford another and independent means of fixing the ages of strata. This general rate, which finds its expression in what I would term the organic grade of the fossils, may be itself checked by numerous subsidiary grades, for it is manifest that life forms have progressed (and in some cases have retrogressed) as a collection of organs rather than as individuals. The change may be forward or backward in generic and other groups, and it may be forward or backward as regards one or more systems of organs. Isolated facts relating to these often supply the means for constructing a scale. Many of these minor scales will appertain to the intermittent class of phenomena, but will rarely be applicable to the purpose for which they are especially useful. That purpose is to serve as a check on the time values deduced from local phenomena in places distant from each other. An D2 52 . SCIENCE-GOSSIP. illustration of this may best be exemplified by a modern event, such as the great Krakatoa eruption in 1883, when the mud deposits in Java were correlated in time with great collections of pumice stone on the shores of Africa, as also with deposits of fine dust derived from the same store of volcanic matter, and showered down over a very large area. There are other intermittent phenomena which have been traced, although often of a somewhat prolonged and uncertain duration. One group of these consists in the elevation of one area and the subsidence of a contiguous one as parts of the same general earth movement. A second group consists in the beds of one area being folded and in such folding shifting about over large areas. The age of the folding can often be determined so as to enable us to sharply separate the beds of a later age over the whole area that has been compressed. A third group consists in the somewhat sudden spread of one species in a genus of animals over a large portion of the world, whereby it is possible to roughly synchronize certain strata at localities very distant from one another. Many other cases could be noticed, but it is unnecessary to do so here, because the object is simply to urge the desirability and possibility of estimating the geological age in more ways than one. It is obvious that a series of independent erroneous criteria can never lead to one coincident conclusion ; hence, if the independent tests applied do converge towards a common centre, either the criteria are trustworthy, or else their diverging errors in excess and in defect just counter- balance each other. As I have obtained an un- expected degree of coincidence, I have ventured to use the scales proposed as chronological tests and as time valuers. For the purpose of applying them tentatively and roughly, three simple assumptions are made: 1. Geological time has been continuous; it is representable by one million, and is divisible into one million equal parts. 2. The known strata constitute a part, or possibly nearly the whole, of a geological con- tinuous succession of strata. This succession is represeutable by one million, and is divisible into one million equal parts. 3. Animal organisms form a continuous chain of organisation. It is representable by one million, and is divisible into one million equal parts. By combining these three scales, one general scale is formed; the base line is the time scale, the top line is the stratigraphic scale, and the line on either side is the organic grade scale for animals. The next step is to correlate the equal divisions corresponding to time, the strata, and animals. Different kinds of strata are manifestly deposited at very different rates, so that one~ hundred feet of limestone does not represent the same time value as one hundred feet of conglomerate. Hence it is necessary to reduce the scale for each kind of deposit to one scale, representing the average of all. I believe a fine clay fairly represents the average; and, as rocks of the nature of clay are more abundant than any other, are frequently of considerable thickness, and are liable to but little waste by solution, I adopt the clay scale as the average. In this scale, the thickness of a geologically continuous column is calculated to be 200,000 feet, and the mass 400 million cubic miles. The present rate of denudation is estimated at two cubic miles a year; so that, if this be taken to be the average rate (as I think may safely be done, seeing that it harmonizes better with observed facts than any other I have tried) the inferred time value is 200 million years. Each of the thousand-feet divisions of clay, therefore, repre- sents one million years, while each of the million divisions in the time scale equals 200 years, and corresponds to two feet of clay. In order to avoid the inconvenience that may arise from having erroneous definite values, I propose to call the period required for the deposition of 1,000 feet of clay an eon. Hence generally this term has an indefinite value; yet each individual may assign to it his own special definite value. In this way the stratigraphic grade is adapted for all opinions. In this paper I give it my own value as expressed above. The next step is to correlate the names given to strata with the divisions of the stratigraphic grade. These names are often a source of bewildering confusion owing to the same name being given to different ranges of strata, as has, for instance, been the case with the term “Cambrian.” On the stratigraphic grade here adopted the terms are assigned a specified value whenever I can do so, but such terms are intended to apply to the time represented by the rocks, not to the rocks them- selves nor to the groupings of fossils in them; that is, the Cambrian strata and the groupings of fossils in them are coincident with the Cambrian period on the typical area only. Beyond this area the coincidence may be partial only, as it is quite conceivable that there may be a grouping of fossils like that observed in the Cambrian typical area on some other area in the Silurian period of time; but by the present method of relying too exclusively on fossils as the true test of age it is impossible to prove this. Lastly, the animal groups have to be allocated according to their presumed rank on the organic scale. The scale I have temporarily adopted was formed long before I had any idea of combining it with the chronological and stratigraphic scales. This organic scale is admittedly open to much improvement, nevertheless, it harmonises very nearly with the other scales. SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 53 The degree of coincidence is so generally ap- proximate all along the line that it seems probable the minor deviations will disappear when the values of the divisions have been more accurately deter- mined ; and it seems to be quite within the limits of the possible that the one or two cases of entire lack of coincidence may yet be reconcilable. The case of non-coincidence here alluded to is the occurrence of mammals in many parts of the secondary strata from those of the Triassic period upwards. This point need not be discussed here, but some reference to it is necessary because an unquestionable lack of coincidence of these scales during any period prohibits its application to the Cambrian and all other periods. Such is a rough outline of the idea of time- valuing from a general point of view. I propose to apply it in two or three ways to the Lower Cambrian period, in the subsequent part of this paper. (To be concluded next month.) POLLINIA, OF BRITISH ORCHIDACE. By H.E. HE andreecium of the Orchidaceze is un- doubtedly a very peculiar and anomalous structure, something analogous occurring in the Asclepiadacez, a dicotyledonous order of which there are no British representatives. In the Orchidacez the flowers are trimerous, hence the andrcecium previously consisted of three parts, one stamen superior, that is opposite the labellum, and two lateral, their three filaments being confluent or adherent with the style, forming collectively the column or gynastemium, the andreecium being said GRISET. by a glandular pulvinate body called the re- tinaculum ; the retinacula are free or connate, or may be contained in the same or in distinct pouches; the pollen is commonly collected into roundish yellow corpuscules, which are held together by minute, viscid, elastic threads; these converge below into, and form the caudicle. This short description of the relative position and general structure of the andrcecium is given for the con- venience of the general or inexperienced botanical reader. I will now proceed to describe in detail to be gynandrous or united to the style. One—the superior one—is usually perfect, and the two lateral ones abortive. In Cypripediwm the reverse of this occurs, that is the superior one is abortive while the two lateral ones are perfect. The anther or anthers thus appear sessile as it were, and inserted upon the apex of the column, or rostellum of the stigma; the anthers are two-celled, and their apices are sometimes elongated into a ‘beak.’ Each cell contains a pollinium or pollen-mass, which may be either sessile or surmounted upon a pedicel or caudicle ; this latter is generally terminated below Lip 10 1 the minute and characteristic peculiarities of several of the common and more typical species. These pollinia may be divided into two types, those pedicellate, or having a caudicle, and those that are sessile, or have no caudicle; these peculiarities together with those of the anther, etc., form valuable materials for the classification of the species, those above being in strict conformity with the sub-divisions of the order of Hooker, the former being that found in the tribe Ophrydz, and the latter that of the Neottidee of his classification. * Student’s Flora. 54. SCIENCE-GOSSIP. Orchis mascula, Linn. (fig. 1) Pollinia 2, about one-sixth to one-eighth of an inch long; pollen grains collected into oblong corpuscules which form an oboyvoid brownish green or blackish mass; caudicles yellow, subterete, slightly more than half the entire length of the pollinium; retinacula pink, both contained in the same pouch, distinct. The tubercules of this species are sometimes lobed, which would connect the simple or undivided kind of tubercule of this species, with the divided or palmate kind of the next (O. maculata, etc). Both the tubercules of a specimen sent to me by Mr. Pickard, of Wolsing- ham, Durham, were thus sub-divided. Orchis maculata, Linn. (fig. 2) Pollinia 2, about one-fifteenth of an inch long; pollen grains collected into corpuscules forming an obovoid greenish mass; caudicles slender, yellowish, retinacula contained in the same pouch, small, distinct, opalescent. Orchis pyvamidalis, Linn. (fig. 3) Pollinia 2, about one-tenth of an inch in length, sub-clavate, united by their saddle-shaped connate retinacula, some- times oblique; caudicles as long as the obovoid, olivaceous mass of rounded corpuscules of pollen grains, enlarged and laterally compressed above ; light yellow, transparent; retinacula connate, forming a saddle-shaped body, white and very viscid. The pollen-masses of this and other species of the order present distinct movements;+ when the pollinia are taken from the flower upon the point of a needle they will appear erect and parallel to each other, but after a few minutes they will be seen to have become nearly hcrizontal and divergent, from the contraction of the saddled-shaped retinacula: Habenaria conopsea, Linn. (Gymnadenia conopsea, Br.—fig. 4) Pollinia 2, about one-twentieth of an inch long, erect ; mass of pollen light green, composed of rounded corpuscules of pollen grains, ovoid or sub- globose ; caudicles light green, as long as the mass of pollen corpuscules; terete,enlarged above; retina- cula contiguous, exposed, not contained in pouches. Ophrys apifera, Huds. (fig. 5) Pollinia 2, about one-sixth of an inch in length, erect, then divergent, and ultimately pendulous; mass of pollen yellow, obovoid, slightly compressed laterally ; composed of small globular corpuscules, caudicles one-and-a-half to twice as long as the mass of pollen corpuscules, with a central articulation, yellowish; retinacula dis- tinct, in separate pouches, oblong, white and viscid. Ophrys muscifera, Huds. (fig. 6) Pollinia 2, about one-eighth of an inch long, erect; mass of pollen obovoid, yellow, laterally compressed, composed of large corpuscules of pollen grains; caudicles as long as the mass of pollen corpuscules and compressed at right angles to it, yellow, transparent ; retinacula in two distinct, remote pouches; rather large ; discoid, white. Acevas anthropophora, Br. (fig. 7) + Henfrey’s Elementary Course of Botany, pp. 383 and 620. Pollinia 2, about one-twentieth of an inch long, mass of pollen broadly obovate, very light yellow or whitish, composed of a few large globular corpuscules of pollen grains; caudicles dirty yellow, shorter than or as long as the mass of pollen, tapering towards its base and slightly compressed vertically ; retinacula small, connate whitish ; both contained in the same pouch. Epipactis latifolia, Sw. (fig. 8) Pollinia 2, one- eighth to one-tenth of an inch long, obovate clavate or narrow ovoid, oblique, composed of a yellow homogenous powdery mass of pollen grains, each pollinium having a longitudinal slit, tapering below; caudicles O; retinacula connate, discoid, white. Cephalanthera grandiflora, Bab. (fig. 9) Pollinia 2, one-eighth to one-tenth of an inch in length, broadly clavate, oblique, terete, pollen yellow, powdery; caudicles O; retinacula connate, whitish, greatly resembling those of Epipactis latifolia in several respects. Listera ovata, Br. (fig. 10) Pollinia 2, yellow, about one-twelfth of an inch in length, broadly clavate, oblong or oblique, terete, each with a deep longitudinal slit, tapering below; pollen powdery ; caudicles O; retinacula connate, large, oblong, opalescent. Listeva cordata, Br. (fig. 11) Pollinia 2, yellow, about one-thirtieth of an inch in length, sub-clavate ; caudicles O; retinacula connate, very like those of L. ovata, but much smaller. In the other sub-divisions of the order, the tribe Arethuseze, containing one British species, is distinguished by its two-celled anther and two pollinia, composed of loose pollen grains. The Malaxidez containing several species, are known by their two-celled anther, with four waxy pollen masses, and the Cypripediez by their two lateral imperfectly two-celled anthers; this tribe also contains a single indigenous species. 43a, Brecknock Road, N:W.; April, 1894. EARLY SUMMER MIGRANTS. Among the signs of an early spring, many records have been made of the appearance of summer birds at much earlier dates than usual. The chiff-chaff appeared at Harting, in Sussex, on March 16th. The cuckoo is reported at various dates from March 28th; the earliest day on which we heard it, was April 8th at Epsom, but we are credibly informed of its appearance between Holm- wood and Leith Hill, Surrey, on the 5th. The ring ouzel is reported from the Pentland Hills on April 2nd; the sandmartin in co. Carlow on March 21st; swallows at Tenby on March 22nd; stone curlew, March 28th; tree pipit, March 26th; wheatear, March 24th; willow warbler, March 26th; wryneck, March 27th; nightingale, April 5th, at Holmwood. SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 55 COLLECTING ON WHEELS. By Harry Moore. (Continued from page 32.) pao Montargis to Brienon was very pleasant ; it was market-day at Courtenay, and, as is the case in England, we found extra provision made for the mid-day meal; the room was full of farmers, and fine specimens they were. We have always thought our own west-countrymen fine fellows, these were not far behind, and so rotund that, were they to fall, they could scarcely hurt them- selves. We made no captures during the day, but noted the usual abundance of white butterflies, several Colias edusa, and C. hyale, Argynnis lathonia, V. atalanta, Lycena corydon, Satyrus briseis and S. circe, C. pamphilus, and numbers of @. fasciatum. We were now well amongst the vineyards, and, as there were no hedges, the condition of the crop could be seen ; it was also handy for sampling. A substantial déjewney and a broiling sun being conducive to slumber, made another halt accept- able shortly after leaving Tonnerre, and here we found a place that suited us both. There was, however, no sleep for me, I spent a happy half hour on a good hunting ground. A score of blue- winged and one red-winged Cdipoda fasciatum were soon bottled, two females and one male Caloptenus italicus, and a very bright coloured species of Stenobothrus. The orthoptera at this spot were more or less infested with a small red parasite. Amongst the lepidoptera Evebia ethiops, Esp. =blandina, Fabr., was in good numbers and first-rate condition. I secured a good series, including three varieties of undersides. This conspicuous butterfly is not at all difficult to catch; one, a beauty, lodged on my leg whilst I was busy taking another from the net, and quietly waited its turn to be papered. A very pretty little burnet-moth, Zygena fausta, Linn, was also tolerably plentiful, of which I secured seven. During the day we saw Colias edusa and C. hyale, several Argynnis lathonia, A. paphia and others, Lycena corydon, L. icavus, and L. bellargus, various large species of Satyrus (hermione, civce, and briseis). Canonympha pamphilus and white butter flies were very common. A species of sand wasp (Ammophila) was also conspicuous. Montbard is famous for being the birthplace of the celebrated naturalist, Buffon; we shall ever remember it in connection with a most unpleasant entomological experience. We were unfortunate in our quarters: no hotel was mentioned in our handbook ; we were recommended to a second-rate inn (aw bon coin). The dinner was first-rate, no room for complaint, the stroll afterwards enjoyable ; but when we retired for the night, we found we had to entertain company in the form of the domesticated species of Cimex. Wewere no sooner in bed than we were sensible of incipient irritation, which quickly developed into abominable discomfort. One has the choice of two roads from this place to Dijon—ours was not the recommended route— For thirty-five miles the general tendency was uphill, gradually ascending a valley, dammed at the head to form a reservoir, and ending in a stiff climb to Sombrenon. We had been wondering why the district was called the Céte d’Ov. The explanation was now before us; we had reached the end of the range, and there in front of us was the loveliest landscape our eyes had ever rested upon, it was truly golden. Descending, we rode the first zig-zag or two steadily, the ever-changing panorama passing before us, then—en avant; it was thirteen miles downhill to desecrated, dusty Dijon. It was a glorious ride. Many a good collecting spot we passed, rousing all sorts of things as we shot by, until just after Pont-de-Pany I felt bound to pull up. It was not the best of spots, still, it was here I made my first acquaintance with Argynnis dia and a Melitea (?) besides securing a few nice ‘‘ blues.” From a local paper at Plombiéres I found this district was said to be infested with cockchafers and snakes, and the communal council had just voted a sum for their destruction. During the day we saw several C. edusa, a fair number of Satyrus and several A. paphia. P. rape was, as usual, abundant. Strange to say we saw no €. fasciatum. Some people dislike Dijon; we found it interesting enough. There are numbers of market gardens between Dijon and Auxonne, consequently few insects of importance were seen, one C. fasciatum, near Genlis, being the only thing taken. We now entered the Jura, and a different order of things was discernible; to begin with, some of the crops were strange, hundreds of acres of sorghum was quite a new feature. Horses became rarer and yoke oxen more numerous. In the mountains hardly any horses are used for agri- cultural purposes. In the neighbourhood of Dole we saw A. paphia and A. aglaia or A. adipfpe. At Mont-sous-Vaudrey we first saw the meadow saffron flowers (Colchicum autumnale). The mountain pastures we afterwards found were purple with them. They were abundant as buttercups in an English meadow. After foraging about in a thicket, I found a number of clegg flies (Hematopota pluvialis, Linn.) about my clothes—happily they were very sluggish. Before reaching Poligny, a town situated at the foot of the Jura mountains, we took a few orthoptera, including a very small male C. #falicus. 56 SCIENCE-GOSSIP. C. pamphilus and L. corydon were plentiful as ever, but only two C. hyale were seen throughout the day. It is a long and steep climb up the mountain side from Poligny, five miles at least. Being early, nothing was astir save a Cavabus beetle, but far above us two eagles were plainly visible. Upon reaching the top a few E. megeva were met with. At Montrond wasps only were noticeable. The neighbourhood of Champagnole seemed very good for collecting, and here we took Lewcophasia sinapis, E. ethiops. L. corydon, and C. pamphilus. We expected to meet with Parnassius apollo hereabouts, but were disappointed; possibly I saw one, but chasing it just then was out of the question. One of the pastures was alive with two species of orthoptera, Stetheophyma grossa and Stenobothrus declivus (?) the former badly infested with the parasites previously mentioned. At St. Laurent (2,624 feet), I took my first C. hyale, and upon a species of ash close by, a full fed larva of Sphinx ligustvi, which afterwards pupated in my breeding cage at home. At Morez we saw several P. apollo in a case at the hotel, which we presumed were localspecimens. Leaving Morez wehad a stiff climb to Les Rousses (4,145 feet) on the frontier. Travellers are here supposed not to loiter, but we could not help doing so. C. hyale was here rather plentiful; I managed to secure three, several E. gthiops, two E. pitho, an alpine species common enough in the meadows of the forest region (Kirby), and one E. advasta, the variety of E. maera and several L. covydon. A specimen of Vanessa urtice escaped me, the only one I saw during the whole journey. At a sunny corner of the road we saw a considerable number of Tiger beetles, of which I secured half a dozen. Upon entering Switzerland we were temporarily - relieved of ninety francs, which we found somewhat depressing. Before long we arrived at the end of the Jura, and there, stretched before us, was a view, that once seen can never be forgotten. In front, the Alps, with Mont Blanc and other snow-clad peaks standing out in bold relief, below us, the lake of Geneva, as blue as the sky above. The descent to the Lake through the Col St. Cergues is by steep zigzags, which have to be ridden very carefully. At every bend of the road insects abounded. We took blue and red winged @. fasciatum, Stenobothrus geniculatus and other orthoptera, Evebia «thiops, Epinephele janiva, a rather striking male; Nisoniades tages, Linn, and the hemipteron Pentatoma baccarum. The two latter have a great resemblance when on the wing. At Trelex, ‘‘Among the rest fair Atalanta came.” A. paphia, S. briseis and L. corydon, and several Macroglossa stellatavum. From Nyon to Geneva nothing much was seen. At Celligny I took a couple of E. megera, and at Coppet a Geotrupes stercoravius. At Geneva we only had one opportunity for collecting, a couple of hours at Les Eaux Vives; there we found a weedy bank, and secured a good series of Avgynnis dia, which was very abundant, Polyommatus phleas, several E. janiva and P. megeva, C. pamphilus and a few P. vape. Several species of hemiptera were present in large numbers, especially Alydus calcaratus, Linn., and Lygeus saxatilis, Scop. Lizards simply swarmed. In the two hours I took forty-one butterflies, a hornet, several orthoptera and hemip- tera, and had an unsuccessful chase after a C. hyale, and a strange white butterfly, whichI very stupidly missed. The weather now changed to wet, all hopes of collecting on the snow line had to be abandoned. My brother being anxious to visit Paris, we decided to train there. Thus ended our trip as far as concerned ‘‘ Collecting on Wheels.” As a summary of our journey of 500 miles, we scarcely saw twenty specimens of Colias edusa, and not more than fifty or sixty C. hyale. Of Vanessa atalanta, perhaps lessthan a dozen; V. wrtice, only one; V.70, and V. antiopa, none. Five years ago I saw a specimen of V. antiopa floating amongst the traffic in one of the busiest thoroughfares of Paris. The Satyridz appeared everywhere, in places they swarmed. ~C. pamphilus was the commonest butter- fly, but several of the large species of the genus Satyrus were locally most numerous. Lvebia ethiops was also very plentiful. Amongst the blue butter- flies, Lycena corydon was in greatest numbers everywhere south of Paris, but L. icavus was most generally distributed. Polyommatus phlegas, which was so plentiful in England at the time, was seen but occasionally. The Argynnidz were tolerably plentiful, though local. The variety valesina of paphia we did not see, although we were very near its metropolis. Coleoptera were rare. Of Silpha gvanulata, which at times is very numerous on the road, during this trip not more than half a dozen occurred. Hymenoptera were plentiful enough, especially wasps; a Frenchman seems to make as much fuss about a wasp as do some English people. Odonata were well represented, not so much in numbers as in species. Orthoptera were in pro- fusion, though this time we saw neither Decticus vevvucivorus nor Thamnotrizon cinereus. Hemiptera were plentiful, but Diptera seemed scarce. 12, Lower Road, Rotherhithe; March, 1894. Pu@notoeicat Notes.—Early and late spring flowers are appearing together this year. In a stroll on March 30, along the Ermyn Way, from Epsom to Mickleham, the following plants were fully flowering :—Amnemone nemorosa, Viola hirta, V. sylvatica, Ranunculus auricomus, Berberis vulgaris, Prunus spinosa, P. avium, Potentilla fragariastyum, Adoxa moschatellina, Tussilago favfava, Nepeta gle- choma, Lamium pupureum, L. album, Primula vulgaris, P. veris, Taxus baccata, Scilla nutans. Ei sculus hippo- castaneum had expanded leaves and showed the incipient flower-spike; so also Crategus oxyacantha. Wild Ribes grossularvia was in full leaf. Elsewhere, in the meadows, Cardamines pratense was flowering freely.—E. Step, Epsom; April 2, 1894. SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 57 A SPRING MUSHROOM. By EpWARD STEP. E twenty-third of April is dedicated to the it is certainly very similar. Badham, who ie memory of St. George. About that date there begins to appear on downs and pastures a noble fungus, to which, in consequence, the name of St. George’s mushroom has been popularly applied. Growing at a period when agarics are rare, it affords a capital opportunity for those who would like to eat other than the common mushroom yet fear to run risks of mistaken identification, such many as may easily happen in Autumn when species are abundant. It is the Agaricus (Tvicholoma) gambo- sus of Fries; and all who have written upon the pleasures of fun- gus-eating, unite in VtSi) Pigals ese Lan appearance it is massive and solid- looking, its stem proportionately short and_ thick, and well able to vce Ay st" if ff AGARICUS GAMBOSUS, FR. bear the thick flesh of the smooth-skinned cap or pileus. Its colour is uniformly creamy-white, or, as Mr. Worthington Smith has, we think happily, described it, ‘‘ biscuit-coloured.’”” Where it occurs it will be found in large rings or segments of rings, which get larger each year until they break up. The individuals vary in size from three to six inches across the pileus, which, when full-grown, is somewhat flattened and cracked. When first it makes its appearance from the soil, it is almost spherical, the edges curled inwards (involute) and tomentose. The flesh is soft, thick, and white. The gills also are white, very numerous, crowded, and connected with the stem by a somewhat decurrent tooth. Spores white. The fungus has a strong odour which is generally likened to that of new meal. Berkeley compared it with the odour of Polyporus squamosus, to which D I, Wy strangely described this species under the name of Agaricus prunulus, Vitt., says it is much appreciated by the country people in Italy, who, besides eating it fresh in a variety of ways, dry it and sell it at from twelve to sixteen francs a pound. It is cut into four or more portions, exposed to the air for a few days and then threaded ; in the drying process an additional aroma is developed, and this is imparted to any dish in which portions of the dried fungus are included. Badham tions gathering ten men- or twelve pounds from a single ring at Keston, in Kent, and this’ record has been much 4 quoted by — sub- [Meng ————. sequent writers. = ——— Eight or nine years ago, I came upon a monstrous ring on Putney Heath —nota perfect ring, for a road cut off a slice—from which one could have gathered fifty or sixty pounds of this fungus in good condition. I discovered them at the right moment, and apparently was the only person who saw them that could appre- ciate such a find, for when next day I went for a second helping I found the bulk of them had been kicked to pieces. The ignorant British public considers that any mushroom other than those commonly sold in the shops, is dele- terious to health, and should be destroyed. The majority of these specimens were from four to six inches across with very thick stems. That year the ring had attained its maximum, and in after years detached patches were all that could be found. The St. George’s mushroom may be looked for, not merely within the next week or so, but right on until July. Although certain philosophers have used man’s cooking proclivities as a specific character separat- ing him from other mammals, we can scarcely regard gastronomy as one of the natural sciences. Nevertheless, as the stomach is said to be the most direct way to a Briton’s heart, we will conclude these notes with a brief reference to methods of preparing gambosus for the table. Diy. 2 ~ 58 SCIENCE-GOSSIP. The plan we have generally adopted with this as with some other species, is to remove the stem and cut the pileus into two or four portions, according to size. Place these in the frying-pan, gills upward, pepper and salt to taste, and fry gently with butter or fat bacon. Or they may be placed in an earthen jar with butter and condiments, the top covered with a small saucer or with paper, and allowed to simmer in the oven. Dr. Badham’s recipe is ‘‘ Mince or fricassee it with any sort of meat, or in a vol-au-vent, the flavour of which it greatly improves; or, simply prepared with salt, pepper, and a small piece of bacon, lard or butter, to prevent burning, it constitutes of itself a most excellent dish.” The Mays, Epsom; April 4th, 1894. THE gMOLLUSGA. OF THE LAKE DISTRICT. By Capt. W. J. Farrer. N OT having met with any published list of the land and fresh-water mollusca inhabiting the Lake District, I think the following notes on the species collected in the neighbourhood of Keswick and Bassenthwaite may be of use to those readers of SciENcE-Gossip who intend ‘‘to do”’ the Lakes this season, and are conchologically inclined. The arrangement followed is that of the Conchological Society’s new list, and all the species mentioned were collected by myself during this and last year. 1. Arion ater, L—Very common; but I have met with nothing but the black form. 2. A. subjuscus, Drap—Abounds in the low-lying meadows near the lakes; I have seen as many as 187 individuals feeding on the body of a dead frog, whilst the entrances to the water-rais’ burrows are, after a rain, perfectly orange with them. 3. A. hortensis, Fer—Common in woods and under stones by the roadside, varying much in colour. 4. A. circumscripius, Johnst.—With the above, but seems to prefer the woods. 5. Amalia gagaizes, Drap.—Not common; in Sir Wilired Lawson’s woods at Bassenthwaite. 6. A. sowerbyi, Fer—Not uncommon in woods about Keswick, Braithwaite and Piel Wyke; one specimen of var. nigrescens, Rbk., found at Bassen- thwaite in a garden. 7. Limaz maximus, L_—Not common; on hedge- banks, and mostly of the var. maculata, Pic. 8. L. flavus, L.—A few only about a ruined mill at Bassenthwaite. No doubt it exists at Keswick, but I have had no opportunity of searching for it there. g. L. marginatus, Mull.— Very common, and varying much in colour, some specimens being nearly white with ashy markings. 10. Agriolimax agrestis, L—Needless to say this species is everywhere, and as various in colour as it is numerous in individuals. : 11. Ag. levis, Mull—Common amongst moss on the borders of the lakes and small “ becks.”’ 12. Viivina pellucida, Mull. — Very common amongst dead leaves in woods and ditches. In November and December of last year very large specimens could be taken in plenty; now, although dead shells are numerous enough. not a living individual is to be found, no doubt owing to the adult animals dying off during the winter or early spring. 13. Hyalina cellaria, Mull—Very common and fine, under stones and fallen timber. 14. Hy. alliarvia, Miller—Commonly found with the above, as is also the next species. 15. Hy. nitidula, Drap. 16. Hy. vadiaiula, Alder -—Not common and ex- tremely local. Fine specimens may be found amongst moss on the banks of the River Greta,a little above Keswick, also in the woods at Bassen- thwaite. 17. Hy. pura, Alder.—Very common, that is to say, the brown form. I have met with what is known as var. margaritacea, Jeff., only sparingly. 18. Hy. crysiallina, Mull.—Common in woods, amongst dead leaves, and attains a very large size. 19. Hy. fulva, Mull.—Very common and fine; the var. alderi, Gray, occurs amongst moss at Little Tarn, Bassenthwaite. 20. Hy. nitida, Mull. — Common amongsi the dead reeds and under pieces of wood on the shores of the lakes. 21. Hy. excavaia, Bean.—I have not met with the type, but the var. vitvina, Fer., is common in woods at Bassenthwaite and Braithwaite. I have never met with the type and variety living together, excepting at Eastham, near Liverpool. 22. Helix votundaia, Mull—Everywhere, and very fine and highly coloured in some localities, in others only the var. alba is found; this is a most lovely form, being of a pure transparent white; var. iurtont, Flem., seems to be the commonest form, but I have taken two shells of the var. rufula, Mog. , 23. H. rupestris, Drap.—Fairly common on walls, etc.; very fine on the wall enclosing Armathwaite Park. I have taken a few examples amongst the SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 59 stones forming the cairn on Skiddaw summit, at an altitude of 3,054 feet. 24. H. pygmea, Drap.—Very common on dead sycamore leaves, though, owing to its minuteness, easily overlooked. 25. H. lamellata, Jeff.—Occurs sparingly in Sir W. Lawson’s woods at Bassenthwaite, and in a small plantation near Castle How. I have taken aS many as eighteen specimens in one or two hours’ search, whilst at other times a whole day has only produced a single shell. 26. H. aculeata, Mull.—This is one of our com- monest species, abounding in the woods all about, with now and then a specimen of var. albida, Jeff. 27. H. aspersa, Mull.—I have not found a single specimen, dead or alive, in the neighbourhood of Bassenthwaite, and only a few half-grown ones at the foot of a garden wall at Keswick, although it is common enough about Crummock and Buttermere. 28. H. nemoralis, L.—Very rare throughout the lakes, and most of those shells I have taken may be referred to the roseolabiata var. of Taylor. 29. H. hortensis, Mull.—Just as common as the last is rare, and those I have taken are, without exception, var. /utea, both in its banded and uni- colorous form. I have noticed that on the hedge- banks where the Celandine is now in full bloom the shells are so exactly the tint of the flower that one may easily mistake one for the other. A small and very transparent form occurs at Bassenthwaite. 30. A. arbustorum, L.—Common on hedge-banks, with the vars. alpestris, Ziegl., conoidea, Westerl, and flavescens, Moq. 31. H. vufescens, Penn.—Very common and with a very high spire; vars. vubens, Moq., and albo- cincta, Ckel., occurring with the type. 32. H. hispida, L.—Common amongst nettles, with its vars. hispidosa, Mousson, and subrufa, Taylor. Three or four days ago I took a beautifully scalariform specimen from a bank near Ireby village. 33. H. granulata, Alder.—Hedge-banks near Piel Wyke station, head of Bassenthwaite lake. 34. H. fusca, Mont.—This beautiful species is common about Keswick and Bassenthwaite. At Lodore Falls and The Dash the shells are unusually large and plentiful. 35. H. caperata, Mont.—Commonly distributed through the lake district and running into many vars., the most beautiful being var. fulva, Mogq., some of those I have taken being nearly black. 36. Bulimus obscurus, Mull.—Not common; at the foot of furze bushes around Bassenthwaite. 37. Pupa cyclindvacea, Da Costa,—Common on old walls, a few amongst Parsley fern, on Skiddaw. One specimen taken with a double tooth. The shells are for the most part extremely short and stumpy in form. 38. Vertigo antivertigo, Drap.—A few only on the shore of Derwentwater, opposite Lodore Hotel, clinging to dead reeds. 39. V. pygmea, Drap.— Rare; in woods, on stones and dead sticks. Dead shells from ejecta- menta of the River Greta, at Keswick. 40. V. substriata,: Jeff.— A few only, in Sir Wilfred’s woods, at Bassenthwaite. 41. V. edentula, Drap.—Common, both at Keswick and. Bassenthwaite. Last season I took large numbers by spreading fresh sycamore leaves on the moss and leaving them over night; next morn- ing every leaf furnished at least one or two specimens, and up to as many as a dozen on some. 42. Clausilia perversa, Pult.—Common on walls and in old hedge-rows, but generally much withered and stumpy in form. 43. Cl. laminata, Mont.—I have taken this species only at Braithwaite, near the old mines; very rare. 44. Azeca tvidens, Pult.—One specimen only, amongst moss at the foot of Skiddaw. 45. Cochlicopa lubrica, Mull.—Very common, with a few of the vars. hyalina, Jeff., and lubricoides, Fer. 46. Succinea putris, L._—Not common; a very fine and solid form occurs on the north side of Bassen- thwaite Lake, amongst the reeds. 47. Carychium minimum, Mull.—Common every- where among dead leaves. 48. Planorbis albus, L.—Fairly common in the lakes and their feeders, but small in size. 49. Pl. spirorbis, Mull_—A few in a ditch near Bassenthwaite. 50. Pl. vortex, L.— Not uncommon in ditches near Keswick and Piel Wyke. 51. Pl. contortus, L.—Ditch at Piel Wyke, and the Little Tarn, Bassenthwaite. 52. Physa fontinalis, L—Small,and not common; in the lakes and at Little Tarn. 53. Limnea peregra, Mull.—Very common, and running into many varieties; I have taken a few of the var. boissyi, Dupuy, wherever watercress abounds in the streams. I have noticed the shells to be much eroded, indeed, nothing but the body whorl is left in many cases, and thus the shells appear at first sight to be var. buvnetti, Alder. 54. Lim. palustris, Mull—Common, but small. 55. Lim. truncatula, Mull—Very common, and, in a ditch at Bassenthwaite, extremely large, and with the body whorl much swollen. 56. Lim. glabra, Mull.—Uncommon about Kes- wick ; at Bassenthwaite, common and very fine. 57. Ancylus fluviatilis, Mull—Abounds in all the swift-running becks, with its vars. gibbosa and albida. 58. Velletia lacustris, L—On reeds, Bassenthwaite Lake, Little Tarn, and in a field near Piel Wyke. Rather rare. 59. Valvata cristata, Mull.—I have only a few examples from Derwentwater, but have no doubt 60 SCIENCE-GOSSIP. it exists in other localities near, as just out of the lake district, at Caldbeck, it is found in great plenty. 60. Unio margaritufer, L.—1 have one example of this species from the Greta, at Keswick, and another from Chapel Beck, Bassenthwaite, the only specimens I have seen, though the village lads tell me they often find them at the latter place during very dry summers. 61. Pisidium fontinale, Drap.—Not common; in feeders to the lakes at both Keswick and Bassen- thwaite. 62. Pis. pusillum, Gmelin. —Very plentiful, and in one or two localities at Bassenthwaite, very large, clean, and shining. It will be remarked that not a single species of the genus Sfpheriwmn is enumerated in the above list, and it is not owing to the fact of their not having been sought for, that it is so. I have walked miles and spent days in the search, but so far my efforts have been in vain. Neither have I yet seen a specimen of Anodon or Unio pictorum and twmidus from this district, but hope during the present season to add them and a few other omis- sions to my local collection. Chapel House, Bassenthwaite, Keswick; April, 1804. BLACK VARIETY OF BOARMIA ROBORARIA. By SAMUEL JAMES CappER, F.L.S., F.E.S.— When reading the article by Mr. Carrington upon “Wild Animals and Civilization” (ante p. 36), 1 was much interested in his remarks upon the changing types of certain moths in districts where the tree trunks are more or less blackened by coal smoke. In my own time I have watched the gradual increase in numbers of species and specimens which show a tendency to become darker. Whether from the same cause or not, there are other species showing this change; for instance Eupithecia albipunctata in the north of England. I think I am correct in referring also to a dark form of larve of Abraxas grossulaviata which is found near one of the large Ss towns of either North- S umberland or Durham. A darkly suffused variety of that very black and white moth, Melanthia albicillata, has been found in Yorkshire. It was figured in the ‘ Ento- mologist ’’ and named by Mr. Carrington himself, I think, var. suffusa. The Boarmiide seem especially liable to the development of the black forms. I had not heard of any black B. voborvaria, however, until recently, when I became the lucky possessor of seven black ones, a form of which is here figured, with a normal specimen for contrast. These varieties are brilliantly black, as will be seen by the excellent drawing of one of my males. I have three such, Wikearce. and three equally dark females. They were all the progeny, artificially reared, of a pair of black parents found together on an oak tree, near one of the large south midland manufacturing towns. The seventh specimen I had pleasure in adding to the fine collection of Mr. Sidney Webb, of Dover. It will be very interesting if we find a dark race established in a_ state of nature where the original parents of my series of black forms were taken. I can quite confirm the statement about the steady increase in num- bers of dark specimens of Amphidasys betularia, and Tephrosia biundularia in Lancashire and. Cheshire ? : within my own times. I a have also heard the late Noah Greening, Nicholas Cooke, and Joseph Side- botham comment upon the same fact. If we could have the actual history of the early ap- pearance of these forms from some of the older Lancashire collectors, I feel sure the details would be of considerable scientific value as showing the development of ‘‘ species.” As I am not aware that any figures exist of a black voboraria, 1 gladly accepted Mr. Carrington’s offer to reproduce one of mine in the pages of SCIENCE-GossiP, when he was last week overlook- ing my collections. Huyton Park, Liverpool; April 5th, 1894. B. ROBORARIA TYPE AND BLACK VAR. SClENCE-GOSSIP. 61 DISPERSAL OF FLORA AND FAUNZ. By E. L. Layarp, C.M.G., F.Z.S. (Late H.B.M. Consular Service.) SECOND ae I wrote my reminiscences on this subject (page 28, antec) a few more cases have occurred to me, which may be of interest to your readers, so I here relate them. There isa shell, Bulimus (Placostylus) edwardsianus, Gassies, found on the east coast of New Caledonia, which is evidently not of the form or type of the Bulimi of that island, but of those of the neighbour- ing group, the Loyalty Islands. It struck my eye instantly, on collecting it myself, knowing the type of shells to the right and left of it. On making enquiries I learnt that where the shell is most abundant, the warlike and savage natives of the Loyalty Islands used to land from their war-canoes to attack the natives of the Main Island. Doubtless this shell formed part of the food brought by them for their sustenance, as it is even now employed, and getting loose established itself there. It has become slightly different, owing to the change of food, etc., from B. uveanus, but, in my opinion, not enough to separate it completely. The widow of my late friend, Vernon Wollaston, so well-known in connection with his researches in the Fauna of the Atlantic Islands, and the author of ‘‘ Testacea Atlantica,” some time since gave me a lot of his duplicate shells, in the boxes in which my friend had collected them. Among them isa box containing a lot of fine adult Helix muralis, labelled, in his well-known handwriting, ‘‘H. muralis from the top of St. Peter’s, at Rome.” These are evidently his own collecting, and now the question arises—how did they get up to that altitude? It is hardly likely that they climbed thither. I think it probable that they were conveyed thither by birds—pigeons, I suspect, were the carrying agents— conveying examples up there, adhering to sticks used in the construction of their nests. I wonder if they find anything to eat on the roof. Some forty years ago my son, then a little boy, came in from a walk in Trafalgar Square with his nurse, with his little hands full of Limnea feregra, which he had collected in the stone basins of the fountains. Now these fountains are fed from artesian wells, and on my exhibiting the snails that same evening, alive, at a zoological meeting, a discussion arose as to how they got there. I suggested that the spawn of the shells had been conveyed by the sparrows, who, after bathing in the parks, had resorted to them during the day to drink, and this solution was pretty generally adopted. I send you the seed of a lovely plant; its beauti- fully coloured flower is in form between a snap- dragon and foxglove. I found it growing on a ARTICLE. refuse-heap by the: roadside, near a gate of the ‘““Ferme Modele,’’ in New Caledonia. No one seemed to know it, and I think it must be an accidental introduction. The seed isso remarkable that I think it well merits a figure in your valuable pages. You will see how admirably adapted its wonderfully sharp, steel-like hooks are for the purpose of catching the hide of any animal, and holding to it until brushed off by passing through bushes, thus ensuring its wide distribution. NAT. SIZE. My friend, Mr. William Theobald, late of the Geological Survey of India, the well-known conchologist, gives me the following particulars of this seed: ‘‘ The curious two-hooked seed belongs to the plant, Martynia diandva (Dore’s system), of the natural order Sesameo (see ‘Maout and Decaisne’s Botany,’ edited by Sir J. D. Hooker, 1876, page 609). The plant is a common hedge- weed in Bengal, and the seed, which is encased ina fleshy green plum, bears, when divested of its flesh, a striking resemblance to the head of a snake, with strongly recurved fangs. I believe the plant occurs in Burma, though it is not recorded by Kurz; but I have seen the seed among the miscellaneous collection of articles in a snake charmer’s wallet in Rangoon, where it might have been received from India. Its use as an antidote to snake-bite is a striking example of the survival to our own times of the medieval doctrine of ‘ Signatures,’ whereby men thought that the virtues of plants were indicated by some similarity in them of form or colour to the diseases they were potent tocure. In his ‘Popular Names of British Plants,’ Dr. Prior thus quotes from Cole’s ‘Art of Simpling ’ (intro- duction, p. xv.): ‘Though sin and Sathan have plunged mankinde into an ocean of infirmities, yet the mercy of God, which is over all his workes, maketh grasse to grow upon the mountaines, and herbes for the use of men, and hath not only stamped upon them a distinct forme, but also given them particular signatures, whereby a man may read, even in legible characters, the use of them.’ Naturally by this argument of ‘signatures,’ we might travel a weary while before we came across a remedy so marked by nature, to heal the bite 62 SCIEN CE-GOSSIE-; of a snake. Several species of this family are provided with similar hooks, which form most effective instruments for the dispersion of their seeds, through their becoming firmly attached to the skins of animals, which accidentally come in contact with them.”’ In Madagascar I observed a very singular form of plant-seed, evidently adapted for a similar purpose. It is a large seed capsule with broad elastic processes issuing out from its surface, armed with curved hooks, turned in every direction. No animal once getting one of these in its hair ~COLLECTING GROUNDS.—I. BIRDS IN could ever disengage it, and as the capsule dried and cracked and let out the seeds, they would be distributed wherever the animal wandered. The natives said they tied them on to “lianes”’ (jungle creepers) and stretched them across their seed- beds to capture the rats that came to devour the seeds. My sailor attendant, who carried my butterfly-net, threw half-a-dozen of them into it, in order to carry them; I leave your readers to guess the state of that net—I never caught another butterfly in it. * Otterbourne,” Budleigh Salterton; April, 1894. TEE, By Jac. P. THYSSE. lhe the summer of 1890 I had the pleasure of showing to some English naturalists the breed- ing place of the Avocet (Recurvirostra avocetta) in the island of Texel. Since then the island has been repeatedly visited by English ornithologists, and they always went home delighted, and, I fear, only too well provided with eggs and nests and young birds. In fact, there is now among our home workers a strong current of feeling running against foreign collectors, especially Englishmen, who are said to commit great slaughter and havoc among our rare birds that are not to be found in England. Now, this may be true or not; but inall cases, as yet, there is no danger of any birds being exterminated, for the species that were gradually disappearing (the spoonbill and the purple heron) are strictly preserved by the owners of the big swamps where they breed. During a stay of a week a good deal of work may be done in the province of North Holland. First of all a visit should be paid to the Naardermeer, a property of the Rutgers van Rozenburg family. As strangers are strictly forbidden to enter the grounds, permission should be asked for, which is readily granted on condition of ‘‘no collecting.” A hunter and a keeper dwelling at the entrance of the lake may be found ready to accompany the casual visitor, and to furnish a boat. The lake is very shallow and quite overgrown with reeds and every kind of aquatic weeds, a real botanical paradise. Ten years ago an effort was made to drain the lake, which miscarried on the brink of success, the result being a very complete system of waterways making circulation through the swamp very easy. A straight canal of about two miles length, which crosses the railway embankment by a tunnel, leads to the great breeding place south of the railway. On our visit, in the spring of 1893, we noticed, besides the great attractions, the spoonbill and the purple heron, great quantities of wild duck, teal, black-headed gull, common tern, coot, redshanks, godwit, avocet, and lapwing. Of the smaller birds both the common and the great reedwarbler were very plentiful besides reed-buntings. Bearded tits are also said to be found here, though we were not able to detect them. The lake is much frequented by marsh harriers, and by sand martins who have their nests in the banks of the adjoining heath district—the goorland. Another breeding haunt of the purple heron is near the village of Aalsmeer. You take the Aalsmeer boat to the Oyfhuizerlaan station on the Haarlemmerringvaart. There a boat can be got at little cost with which you must cross the canal and enter boldly into the first ditch opposite. A little sharp work takes you to a small lake with a countless number of narrow outlets on which the herons may be found. The birds do not abound here as in the Naardermeer, indeed, I must confess that we sometimes have been there without even seeing a single bird, but still they are there, and we think the spoonbills too. In July, 1893, we observed quite a flock of them on the neighbouring meadows. The shaky land round the lake is a splendid botanical swamp, but dangerous to tread on. Green little pools lurk everywhere and you must try every footstep, or you might suddenly be swallowed up in the black mire beneath. Near the little village of Callantsoog, in the midst of the dunes, is a marshy valley with a small lake, the Zwanewater, now the spot where the spoonbills breed in great numbers, very much in the same company as in the Naardermeer. The grounds are very carefully preserved, too, and a permission to enter them cannot be dispensed with. Callantsoog is situated in the neighbourhood of Den Helder, whence a small steamer crosses to the island of Texel, the ornithological El Dorado of Holland. We cherish a fond belief that even the spoonbills still breed there ; in June, 1891, we saw a flock of seven birdsin the marshes, onthe eastern part of the SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 63 island, but no nests were found. Some inhabitants assert they are breeding in a certain locality, but as the islanders are very proud of the richness of bird- life in their district, I fear they are sometimes given a little to exaggeration. I never saw a single spoonbill’s egg in any of the numerous boy- collections I examined when staying there. But even without spoonbills a list of the Texel birds is attractive enough, the more so that there is no reason for placing ‘‘rare”’ or ‘‘ very rare”’ behind any of the names. In 1890, I furnished Mr. Candler, of Charleston, with a list which was then printed in the ‘‘ Transactions”’ of the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists’ Society. At that time I had stayed in Texel for only one season, so that the list could not be quite correct. Since then | have been able to rectify it. ete ats .. Falco tinnunculus Strix flammea Lanius excubitor Lanius collurio Muscicapa grisola Oriolus galbula Turdus musics Kestrel Barn Owl ye Great Grey Shrike (? ) Red-backed Shrike Spotted Flycatcher Golden Oriole Song Thrush Blackbird Turdus merula Hedge Sparrow Accentoy modularis Robin Evithacus rubecula Wheatear Saxicola ewnanthe Stonechat Pratincola rubicola Icterine Warbler Great Reed-Warbler Reed Warbler sis Bc Sedge Warbler Hypolais ictevina Acrocephalus tuvdoides Acrocephalus streperus Acrocephalus phragmitis Whitethroat Sylvia cinerea Garden Warbler Sylvia hortensis Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla Willow Wren Phylloscopus trochilus Chiffchaff Phylloscopus rufus Wren Troglodytes parvulus Redstart : Ruticilla phenicurus Great Titmouse .. Parus major Blue Tit Parus ceruleus Marsh Tit Parus palustris White Wagtail Yellow Wagtail Tree Pipit Meadow Pipit Tawny Pipit ae Skylark Sc ne oc Crested Lark Yellow Hammer Common Bunting .. House Sparrow Greenfinch .. Motacilla alba Motacilla raii Anthus trivialis Anthus pratensis Anthus campestris Alauda arvensis Alauda cristata Emberiza citrinella Emberiza miliavia Passev domesticus Ligurinus chloris Linnet Sis a3 .. Acanthis cannabina Chaffinch Fringilla celebs Starling 50 Sturnus vulgaris Rook Corvus frugilegus Carrion-Crow Corvus corone Magpie Pica rustica Swallow Hirundo rustica House- Martin Chelidon urbica Nightjar Caprimulgus euvopeus Reed Bunting Sand Martin Swift Cuckoo Ring Dove Turtle Dove Emberiza scheniclus Cotile vipavia Cypselus apus Cucilus canovus Columba palumbus Turtuy communis Quail Coturnix communis Landrail 40 .. Crex pratensis Coot 5 ae -. Fulica atva Stone-Curlew Lapwing ae CEdicnemus scolopax Vanellus vulgaris Oystercatcher ve Hemuatopus ostralegus Kentish Plover /Egialitis cantiana Avocet Sc oe .. Recurvirostra avocetta Ruff and Reeve Redshank .. Machetes pugnax Totanus calidris Godwit Limosa cegocephala Curlew 3 Nimenius avquata Black Tern .. Hydrochelidon nigra Sterna cantiaca Sterna fluviatilis Sterna minuta Larus vidibundus Larus canus Larus argentatus Sandwich Tern Common Tern Little Tern ss Black-headed Gull .. Common Gull Herring Gull Cormorant Phalacrocovax carbo Heron Ardea cinerea Sheldrake Tadorna cornuta Wild Duck .. Shoveler b% Anas boscas Spatula clypeata Pintail Dajila acuta Teal Querquedula crecca Waterhen Be -. Gallinula chloropus Grebe 5: Gc .. Podicepes cristatus Little Grebe i .. Podicipes fluviatilis Dresser, in his ‘ Birds of Europe,” tells that the icterine warbler is a shy bird. On Texel it is so not at all; when singing in the top of some small tree it may be very closely approached. It is found in every garden and wood all over the island. The cuckoo, too, is very plentiful, and not at all shy. The ruffs have regular fighting, or rather playing, grounds, where they may be found every springtime; their nests are very cleverly concealed in tussocks of grass. The sitting bird is not easily disturbed, it will rise under your very feet. The god- wits, avocets, gulls and terns are very clamorous when their domains are intruded upon, so are the lapwings and redshanks. They will speedily attract some keeper, for the birds are preserved. Permission to look for the birds, or even for nests and eggs, is, however, readily granted by different proprietors, for, as a rule, the inhabitants of. the island are kind-hearted and hospitable men. 1, Helmersstraat 171, Amsterdam, 64 SCIENCE-GOSSIP. FOUR ABNORMAL SHELLS. \\ J HEN looking over the shells in the Natural History Department of the Free Public Museums at Liverpool to-day, I found exhibited four monstrosities among the British Helices. On expressing my desire to Dr. Henry O. Forbes, the new Director of the Museums, to have figures of these curious forms in SciENcE-Gossip, he very kindly arranged that they should be drawn for the benefit of our readers. It appears io be impossible now to ascertain the localities from whence these shells originally came, the only information available being as follows, the particulars in inverted commas being on the respective labels : Fig. 1. Helix nemoralis, ‘‘Turreted form.” This curious example of our common wood snail is rather worn in appearance, and was possibly a “dead shell ’’ on being found. The periostracum is much worn. The variety appears to have been caynea, and the band formula 123 (45), thougha Fic. iS) . short white line appears in the latter double band. The mouth is also distorted. A line of growth is very marked. Pig. 2. Helix fpomatia, ‘ scalariform, angular deflection of the mouth, commencing early and continued with much regularity.” This specimen of our ‘‘ Roman ”’ edibie snail shell is interesting, and in fine condition. Fig. 3. Helix aspersa, ‘* Scalariform, showing the ability of the animal to secrete a continuous peristome, like Cyclostoma (Gaskoine cabinet).”’ This remarkable monstrosity is in good condition. Fig. 4. Helix aspersa, ‘‘ Elongated spire.” This specimen is not scalariform, but has the spire much elongated. Fig. 4. The drawings are by Mr. J. Chard, and are presented to ScienNcE-Gossip, through Dr. Forbes, by the Corporation of Liverpool. Joun T. CaRRINGTON. Novih-Wesiern Hotel, Liverpool; March 209th, 1804. EarRLy FLOWERING OF CoryDaLis.—It may interest some of your readers to know that a member of my family gathered on Keston Com- mon, Kent, on the 28th March last, a specimen of Corydalis claviculata, with several racemes of fully- developed flowers. In Hooker's ‘‘ Students’ Flora” this species is stated to flower from June to August, so that the discovery of a plant in full bloom in March seems worth recording.—M. J. Teesdale, Si. Margaret's, Thurlow Park Road, Dulwich ; April 4th, 1894. MotH-CaTcHinG PLant.—I should be glad if any of your readers could give me any information about what-is known in New Zealand as the ‘“Moth-catching plant.” It is a free-growing creeper, with numerous delicate white flowers. Moths are constantly visiting it, most likely for the pollen [? honey], and get held fast by the head. The enclosed is one of the flowers with the im- prisoned moth, just sent to me. My brother went into his garden to see if he could find a specimen to send me, and found more than a dozen of several kinds, including two bees.—Eliza Vogan, 206, High Road, Lee, London, S.E.; April 13th, 1894. [This is a very similar case to that of the American fly-trap (Apocynum androsemifolium), where the moths are caught by the action of five irritable scales in the throat of the flower. So far as we can see in the dried and pressed specimen sent there is no such mechanism here.—Eps. S.-G.j SCIENCEGOSSIP. 65 Poke Ce Ot PN SAVZCAVE al he ISIN HL’ A New Cysricercus.—Mr. T. B. Rosseter, F.R.M.S., in the ‘‘ Journal of the Quekett Micro- scopical Club,” for April, describes a new species of cysticercus discovered by him in the body cavity of Cyclops agilis, at Bekesbourne, near Canterbury, in December, 1892. Careful investigation leads him to the conclusion that it is the cysticercus of a hitherto undiscovered tapeworm, and in order that the latter may be recognised he proposes to call his find by the name of Cysticercus quadvicur- vatus, Rosseter. New Stipes. — We have received from Mr. Ernest Hinton, 12, Vorley Road, Upper Holloway, London, N., three very fine preparations of the pedicellariz of a star-fish (Uvaster glacialis). No. 1 is a beautiful group, mounted entire, symmetrically and opaque. No. 2 is a similar group, but mounted transparent, an equally beautiful object if ex- amined by polarized light or paraboloid. In No. 3 the specimens have more elbow room, and are separated to show the parts in detail. There is considerable interest in these minute appendages which puzzled naturalists for many years. By some they were thought not to be organs of the star-fish, but parasites upon it. Prof. Romanes, however, cleared the matter up satisfactorily, and gave a full description of them in his volume on ‘ Jelly-fish, Star-fish and Sea-urchins,’ in the ‘International Scientific Series.’’ He there shows that they are simply aids to locomotion, and that they act by catching hold of seaweed, etc., and Pee it until the umbulacral discs get firm old. STEREOSCOPIC BrnocuLars.—In his Presidential address to the Quekett Microscopical Club, Mr. E. M. Nelson, F.R.M.S., referred to the serious danger likely to occur to the microscopy of the future, owing to the neglect of viewing opaque objects with a stereoscopic binocular. He said: ‘‘Personally, I do not believe that any observer, however eminent, who has not previously passed through the special training of viewing opaque objects with a stereoscopic binocular, can form correct ideas of the shape of objects solely by alterations of focus. This is such an important subject that the necessity for some such training ought to be fairly impressed on every beginner. If you show a fairly large diatom, such as Heliopelta or Aulacodiscus fovmosus or kittonti, to one only acquainted with the estimation of depth by means of the fine adjustment with a monocular, and if you let him form his own conclusions as to the shape of the object, with which he should not be previously acquainted, and afterwards show him the same object as opaque, with a stereoscopic binocular, he will receive a terrible shock as the truth dawns upon him that, although he has been a microscopist for many years, he has never rightly comprehended the true form of a single object he has ever examined.” This is a matter which is worthy of serious consideration by all workers with monocular instruments. —_ IES TRANSPORT OF AQuatic ANIMALS,—Can any of your readers tell me how dealers import their live fish and reptiles from abroad? A relative wishes to send me specimens of the Proteus, or blind salamander, from the caves of Adelsberg, and asks for the safest method to send them so that they will reach me in the shortest time alive.— H. J. Barber, Brighouse ; March, 1894. Hysprip SpARROows.—Respecting the note on page 44, ante, on a wild hybrid sparrow exhibited at the Linnean Society, and which was then said to be only the second specimen of the kind ever captured, the Rev. H. A. Macpherson writes to say that he has seen three such specimens, and that one he obtained was recorded with a minute description in his little book on ‘ Lakeland,” published some years ago. Possibly this was the ‘‘one other” capture of the kind to which reference was made at the Linnean Society. Brrp Nores.—On the evening of the 2nd of this month, a pair of partridges (Perdix cinerea) alighted in the middle of St. George’s Street, a principal thoroughfare of Canterbury, and were without difficulty captured. The birds were either frightened by their novel surroundings or had received some previous fright as they did not attempt to make off. A good specimen of the buzzard was recently caught in a trap by the keeper on the Fredville Estate, near Dover. Can any of your readers inform me if it is an unusual occurrence for rooks to breed before they are two years old? I noted one, building, a few weeks ago, which I took to be a last season’s bird, owing to the fact that the feathers at the base of the bill had not entirely disappeared, as is the case after the second moult. Presuming they do not breed before they are nearly two years old (vide Howard Saunder's ‘ British Birds ’’) what became of last year’s birds during the nesting season? H. Mead-Briggs, 17, (St. George's Place, Canterbury ; April 12, 1894. Erratic Eac-Layinc.—On February 14th last, one of my Dorking fowls, accustomed to lay occasionally very large eggs, and now and then double-yolked ones, laid two eggs at a sitting, both mottled all over with rich red brown, like the fresh hue on a kestrel’s egg. One of these was the size of a turtle dove’s egg, the other was as small asa house-sparrow’s. Both were yolkless. On the 17th she laid a large elongated egg with a pro- tuberance at the small end, which evidently repre- sented a second egg, since it hada small yolk of its own. This egg was of the ordinarycolour. On the roth she laid another red-brown egg, the size of a wood-pigeon’s, and of a rich brown colour. It was yolkless. The next day she gave us an egg of the ordinary size and colour, but only partially covered with a shell. On the 26th we had another red-brown egg, about the same size as that on the rgth, and also without a yolk. This seems to have exhausted her, for she has laid nothing since.— Hy. Ullyett, Folkestone. 66 SCIENCE«GOSSIP. fol Wn eee oe cw ne fe oh Mr. R. J. Harvey Gisson is the new Professor of Botany at University College, Liverpool. Aw Astronomical Congress is to be held, in June, at San Francisco. Mr. A. D. Hatt, has been appointed Principal of the Wye Agricultural College, established by the County Councils of Kent and Surrey, jointly. “NATURAL SCIENCE” for April, publishes two excellent articles of interest to geologists; they are “Plateau Man in Kent” by W. J. Lewis Abbott, and ‘‘ Continental Growth and Geological periods” by T. Mellard Reade. It has been found necessary to alter the localities of both the April excursions of the Geologists’ Association. On April the 28th, Messrs. Beeby Thompson, and W. D. Crick will conduct the Association to Wellingborough, where good sections of the lias and oolite are visible. In ‘‘Good Words”’ for April, Sir Herbert Maxwell, in an article entitled ‘‘ Assisted Sight,’’ shows the great advantage of carrying a field-glass when observing birds and their ways. In the same magazine Mr. Percy Frankland has ‘‘ Half-an-hour with the Microbes.” Messrs. W. H. ALLEN AND Co. announce an important series of works under the general title of ‘*Allen’s Naturalists’ Library,” which is to be edited by Dr. R. Bowdler Sharpe, F.L.S., of the British Museum. We presume that these volumes are to take the place of “ Jardine’s Naturalists’ Library,” which is now out of date. The names of the authors who will be responsible for the new library are sufficient guarantee that it will be fully abreast of modern knowledge; they include R. Lydekker, M.A., H. O. Forbes, W. R. Ogilvie Grant, W. F. Kirby, and Prof. R. H. Traquair, F.R.S. It is expected that the first four volumes will be ready at the end of April. PERIODICAL BLEEDING OF PLantTs.—The term ‘‘pleeding ’”’ in this instance refers to a secretion of fluid from the leaves of plants and from fungi, independently of a flow of sap oninjury. Herr A. Wicler has observed 439 species of plants that are capable of voluntarily bleeding. He considers that all phanerogams periodically bleed. Further experiments have shown that by altering the temperature and gaseous surroundings of the plants, the bleeding may be stopped or induced. It is thought the bleeding is a result of oxidation, for when oxygen is reduced and hydrogen increased in the surrounding atmosphere the bleeding decreases and stops as less oxygen remains. Light may have influence in the oxidation, for bleeding is more common in the afternoon than in the morning. Plants bleed from both roots and leaves; some, such as the Graminez, bleed from the points of the leaves. MINERAL PLANT Foop.—At a recent meeting of the Chemical Society, Dr. Bernard Dyer read a paper upon ‘‘The analytical determination of probably available mineral plant food in soils.” Dr. Dyer recommends the use of a weak solution of citrate acid, instead of alkaline ammonium citrate, as a solvent of phosphatic manurial materials ; as by its aid the ‘‘ available’ phosphate is more certainly indicated. The reading of the paper led to an important discussion. Tue London Botanical Field Class, under the direction of Prof. G. S. Boulger, F.L.S., has arranged for the following field meetings during the present season: May 5th, Theydon Bois; May 19th, Barnes Common and Richmond Park ; June 2nd, Taplow and Cookham; June 16th, Ashtead to Epsom; June 30th, Caterham and the North Downs; July 7th, Southborough, Tun- bridge Wells. Full particulars as to arrangements may be had from the Hon. Sec., ‘! Educational Review ”’ Office, 27, Chancery Lane, E.C. Mr. B. E. FEernNow contributes an interesting article on ‘‘ Forest Legislation in Europe”’ to the April ‘‘ Century,” from which it appears that in Germany there is less Government control of private forests than in other countries where any attention is paid to so important a matter. In Austria, on the other hand, owners of forests— whether individuals or corporations—are compelled to employ properly qualified foresters, for whose education eight schools of forestry are maintained. In Hungary and Italy the control of private forests is assumed by the Government. Slightly varying laws, giving the State control, are in force in France and Switzerland. WE have received the ‘‘ Seventh Annual Report of the Liverpool Marine Biology Committee and their Biological Station at Port Erin, Isle of Man,” by Prof. W. A. Herdman, D.Sc., F.R.S., etc., chairman and director. It is an interesting record of much useful work being carried out at very small cost. There are laboratories and tanks for the use of biologists desirous of pursuing some particular line of investigation, a number of dredging expeditions are arranged, and general collecting and observing work is carried on. During 1893 the committee have conducted eight dredging expeditions, and have explored a considerable amount of the Irish Sea around the Isle of Man. They have collected and identified over a thousand species of marine animals, thirty-eight of which are new to the British fauna, two hundred and twenty-four new to the district, and seventeen new to Science. A course of six lectures on Meteorology in relation to Hygiene, has been jointly arranged by the Councils of the Royal Meteorological Society and the Sanitary Institute, for the purpose of giving opportunity to medical officers of health and others to gain further information on the important question of weather and climate in relation to health and disease. The lectures will be delivered in the Parkes Museum, 74a, Margaret Street, London, W., on the Mondays and Thursdays, from April 23rd to May roth, at 8.30 p.m., and will be free to Fellows, Members and Associates of both Societies ; to others, the fee for the course will be half-a-guinea. The lecturers are: G. J. Symons, PIR SS2 ID IRs 161, NVEINL, I ISS las este Isl. Syoopet. M.A., F.R-S.; W. Marriott, ©. R. Met. Soc.; €: Theodore Williams, M.D.; and F. Gaster, F. R- Met. Soc. SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 67 EV COUNTRY LORE \\ OMENS OF BUTTERFLIES.—Some who watch eagerly for the appearance of early signs of spring may be interested to learn that in Gloucestershire there is a fixed belief that if the first butterfly seen is white in colour the observer will eat white bread all the rest of the year, That omen seems to mean that Pieris rape will bring good fortune and wealth. If, however, the first butterfly seen is brown, which would probably be in Gloucestershire a specimen of Vanessa urtice, brown bread will be the food of the year. Otherwise bad luck and poverty will haunt one until the next spring. There may bea basis of truth in this superstition, because if spring comes hot and suddenly immediately after the winter, as it did this year, the white butterflies would appear as soon as the hibernated Vanessidz. It often happens also that the fine weather, as in this season, continues long enough for a good seeding time, ‘with consequent bountiful harvest and prosperity. Whereas in a cold damp season, the brown Vanessas are sure to be about before the whites, and following a cold spring a scanty harvest of all kinds may be expected, with consequent distress among the rural poor. In Nottinghamshire the superstition about the butterflies is wholly cheerful, for the saying goes that it is as lucky to see three butterflies together as three magpies. It is not stated whether the three butterflies are to be of one species.—Flova Winstone, Ockevidge, Epping ; April, 1894. INSECTS AND DISEASE.—Writing from Hunting- donshire a correspondent tells me of a curious piece of folk-lore obtaining there, relative to insects as destroyers of disease. This is a very contrary condition to that demonstrated by modern science, which has lately shown that flies are among the very worst disseminators of infection, by carrying microbes from infected patients to the food of their healthy neighbours. The Huntingdonshire super- stition is that if the windows of the sick room are thrown open at sunset, so as to admit the gnats, they would fill themselves with the humour and then fly away and die of the disease. This theory appears to apply to any kind of sickness which is at all infectious. Other districts have their own beliefs concerning the connection between insects and disease. For instance, in and about Norfolk, when a child is suffering from whooping cough a house-spider, which though not actually an insect, is popularly considered one, is tied up in a piece of muslin and affixed to the wall of the sick room. It is believed that when the spider dies the cough will disappear, but as long as the animal lives the cough will be as bad asever. Neither must the spider be killed, but allowed to die a death from starvation and confinement. Those who know anything of the longevity of spiders and the period one of the common house-spiders can live without any food, will think this belief to be somewhat unfortunate, for it is probable in running its ordinary course, the disease would disappear long before it would be possible to kill the spider by starvation.—Flora Winstone, Ockeridge, Epping; April, 1894. [This department will be devoted to photography as applied to the vepresentation of scientific objects. Examples, accompanied with notes not exceeding 100 words, invited.—ED. | Fairy-F Lies. — These delicate insects are the most minute of our flies. Their great beauty lies in the wings, which are exquisitely feathered. They are hymenopterous insects, and belong to the family Mymaridz, though in two different genera. The first figure is that of Anaphes punctum; the second, Camptoptera papaveris. To see them in perfection, in all their glory of colour as well as elegance of structure, they must be viewed under a low power of the microscope with the spot lens, when they come out in all their grandeur. Papaveris is one of the most beautiful of the group.—Edward Barnes, Capt., Edgeworth House, Clewer, Windsor; April 1st, 1894. 68 SCIENCE-GOSSIP. UWA VEE = siay Cy, WW Gr Tahyy Noy: , I) zp A ym. (BOOKS TO READ Handbook of British Hepatice, containing descrip- tions and figures of Indigenous Species of Marchantia, Jungermannia, Riccia and Anthoceros. By M. C. Cooke, M.A., LL.D., A.L.S. 310 pp. 8vo., with 7 plates and 200 wood-cuts. Price 6s. (London: W. H. Allen and Co., Limited, 1894.) It is surprising that a small and compact group of interesting plants like the liverworts, which may be found during every season of the year, have not possessed more votaries in this country. One reason has doubtless been on account of the sparse literature on the subject. The only handy work for reference on the hepaticze available, was Dr. M. C. Cooke’s, which appeared in 1865, as an ‘extra,’ or supplement, of ScIENCE-GossiP. True, there was later issued a fragment of what bid fair to be an important work on these plants, by the late Dr. Carrington, which was unfortunately cut short by his affliction and subsequent death. It has therefore been most praiseworthy on the part of Dr. Cooke, to elaborate what he modestly called a mere “ illustrated catalogue,” into a most useful illustrated mono- graph of the British Hepatice. There are only about two hundred kinds of liver- worts in Britain, so that many who hardly care to attack our whole list of plants, could easily work up this group with credit to themselves and an enlargement of the general knowledge of the liver- worts. There need now be no serious difficulties to encounter, for the excellent figures in this hand- book make identification easy. We reproduce two of them as examples of simplicity in drawing and effectiveness for identification. In this handbook every known species is fully described as well as figured, and the present know- ledge of these plants is brought up to date, while the introduction will be of the greatest aid to students in their early days. pe \ ~— Vea ZS LEJEUNIA CALYPTRIFOLIA, We are not aware that at any time has the cultivation of the Hepaticz been popular, but it would seem as though a collection of growing plants, each species under a separate glass, would make material for much intelligent investigation. This would form an excellent home study for those who have little opportunity for getting into the open country for field work. We have little doubt that this new manual of the British liverworts, by so eminent an authority as Dr. Cooke, will cause many to direct their attention to these remarkable foot-prints of nature ; for it readily opens up a new and increasing interest in life. As SCIENCE- JUNGERMANNIA ENDIVIZFOLIA. Gossip naturally looks upon itself as having a paternal relationship with this newly issued hand- book, we trust that early evidence of consequent activity will be forthcoming through records and notes on the group for our pages. Then it will consider its child has awakened many who would have been still sleeping with regard to this study, had it not developed into this pleasant maturity. (8. tha Ce An Introduction to Structural Botany (Flowering Plants), by Duckinfield Henry Scott, M.A., Ph.D., F.L.S., F.G.S. With 113 figures and 288 pp. 8vo. (London, Adam and Charles Black, 1894.) Price 3s. 6d. We learn also from the title-page that the author of this nicely produced text-book is the Honorary Keeper of the Jodrell Laboratory, Royal Gardens, Kew, also that he has held an assistant professor- ship in biology (botany). Mr. Scott has wisely chosen only common plants for his demonstrations in vegetable structure. The wallflower occupies a large portion of the work, and is thoroughly explained as an example of the formation of flowering plants. Liliwm candidum, the common white lily of our gardens, is the second type, the third being the spruce fir. With this small book in hand, anyone may readily learn about the structure of flowering plants and trees. The Country Month by Month, by J. A. Owen and Professor G. S. Boulger, F.L.S., F.G.S. April— 64 pp. 8vo. (London, Bliss, Sands, and Foster, 1894.) Price ts., and 2s. in cloth. As stated in a former notice of this series of pocket-books for the country, they are intended for chatty companions, rather literary than scientific, on our rural walks. The chief contents of this instalment treats of ‘‘ The Plant World in April,” “With a Butterfly-net,” and ‘‘Among Birds.” These monthly instalments are pleasant reading for young folk, and for old folk also who can still feel young. We have received a useful catalogue of works on Natural History from Mr. J. H. Knowles, 15, Rush Hill Road, London, S.W. SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 69 A[SCIENCE. ABROAD| YM WAIN oe FS}, A » 19 B.A.C. 5314 ... 6 10.58 p.m. 134° ... 12.14 a.m. 271° »» 20 BAC. 5347 -. 5 2.208.M. 164°... 2.59 a.m, 223° Tue Sun.—There is still a considerable amount of spot activity. Mercury.—This planet is too near the Sun to be visible during the month of May. Venus is a morning star all the month, in the constellation Pisces. Venus is still low down in the sky, her declination being some 15° less than that of the Sun. Mars.—The ruddy planet is a morning star, and will be in conjunction with 6 Capricorni at the end of April, lying only 1° 4’ to the north of that star. During May Mars will be in the constellation Aquarius, and on May 28th may be seen near the Moon. Jupiter is invisible. Saturn, the ringed planet, may be seen in the evening in Virginis, about 5° to the north of the bright star, Spica, the position being little changed since last month. Saturn is now well situated for bservation, crossing the meridian about toh. p.m. at the beginning of May. Uranus is near the star « Libre. Neptune is invisible. Star DIAMETERS.—M. Maurice Hamy in the ‘Bulletin Astronomique,’’ claims to be able to measure the actual apparent diameters of stars down to oor (i.e., the angle the Sun would subtend at the distance of « Centauri), by means of Prof. Michelson’s refractometer. The object-glass of the telescope is covered by a screen having two parallel slits, equal and of variable breadth. Mont Branc.—During last year, observations were energetically pursued by the enterprising pioneers at the observatory lately constructed on the summit of Mont Blanc. TuE highest Observatory in the world has just been built by Prof. Bailey, on the top of the volcano, El Misti, in Peru. It is an offshoot of the station established by the Harvard College authorities at Arequipa, selected as the finest site for an observatory that could be found in America. THE Moon ANp Storms.—In a paper recently read before the French Academy, it was stated that statistics covering three or four years seemed to point to the conclusion that storms occurred most frequently on the first and last days of a lunation (i.e., at New Moon). The writer said, however, that it would be necessary to collect much more information before pronouncing a definite conclu- sion. He suggested that the very small variation in the Earth's distance from the Sun caused by the Moon’s attraction, might produce disturbance in the state of electric equilibrium of the atmosphere. FuLL Moon Aanpd CLoups.—There is a popular notion, countenanced by Sir J. Herschel, Arago, and Humboldt, that the Full Moon has an effect in breaking up clouds. At a recent meeting of the Royal Astronomical Society, a paper was read by the Rev. S. T. Johnson, who has examined the state of the sky at every Full Moon for the last fifteen years, and found that the Moon has absolutely no effect upon the clouds—a conclusion agreeing with that generally accepted nowadays by astronomers. Mr. Ellis (for forty years assistant at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich) discussed the same question many years ago (Phil. Mag. 1867), by employing the two-hourly Greenwich observations of amount of cloud from 1841-47, and arrived at a similar result. He suggested an explanation of the popular impression. The cloud records indicate a tendency from a more cloudy state by day toa less cloudy state in the evening, with a tendency again to more cloud as night advances. At the time of Full Moononly, this period of clearance corresponds with the time between the Moon’s rise and advance to the meridian. Also the clear state of the sky is more likely to attract attention when the Moon is full. ANOTHER GIANT TELESCOPE FOR GREENWICH.— Much has been heard of the magnificent spirit shown in America by private individuals towards furthering the cause of science, but England may now also congratulate herself in this respect. The following is a quotation from a paragraph in ‘‘ The Observatory’: ‘‘Sir Henry Thompson, the eminent surgeon, has offered the magnificent sum of £5,000 to the nation, through the Astronomer Royal, for the purpose of buying a telescope for Greenwich Observatory. It is not often that astronomy finds such a generous patron, on this side of the Atlantic, at least, and, moreover, one who can so well appreciate the exact needs of science at the moment. For Sir H. Thompson, foreseeing that the astronomy of the future is to be photographic, and feeling that England should be well-equipped in this arm, makes it a condition of his gift that the telescope is to be expressly designed for photographic pur- poses.” The instrument is to be of twenty-six inches aperture, just twice that of the telescopes used for the photographic chart of the heavens, and only two inches less than the great twenty-eight-inch just mounted at Greenwich, which is the third largest in the world. 72 SCIENCE-GOSSIP. NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS. To CoRRESPONDENTS AND EXCHANGERS.—SCIENCE-GOSSIP is published on the 25th of each month. All notes or other communications should reach us not later than the 18th of the month for insertion in the following number. No com- munications can be inserted or noticed without full name and address of writer. Exchanges extending to thirty words (including name and address) admitted free, but additional words must be prepaid at the rate of threepence for every seven words or less. Noticre.—Contributors are requested to strictly observe the following rules. All contributions must be clearly written on one side of the paper only. Words intended to be printed in italics should be marked under with a single line. Generic names must be given in full, excepting where used immediately before. Capitals may only be used for generic, and not specific names. Scientific names and names of places to be written in round hand. 5 Tue Editors are not responsible for unused MSS., neither can they undertake to return them, unless accompanied with stamps for return postage. SUBSCRIPTIONS.—Subscriptions to ScrENCE-GossIP, at the rate of 5s. for twelve months (including postage), may com- mence at any time. Tue Editors will be pleased to answer questions and name specimens through the Correspondence column of the maga- zine. Specimens, in good condition, of not more than three species to be sent at one time, carriage paid. Duplicates only to be sent, which will not be returned. The specimens must have identifying numbers attached, together with Iccality, date and particulars of capture. ALL communications, remittances of subscriptions, books or instruments for review, specimens for identification, etc., are to be addressed to JoHN T. CARRINGTON, I, Northumber- land Avenue, London, W.C. CORRESPONDENCE. C. Parkinson. Kindly send us your address. Each of your communications has been entirely wanting in this respect. a JouN CoLtins (Birmingham). It is impossible to name specimens of mosses and hepatics unless they are in fruit. Neither of those you sent were fruiting. James Murray (Whitehaven). Your mosses are (1) Mnium punctatum, (2 and 3) Polytrichum piliferum, (4) Tortula muralis. Get Hobkirk’s ‘‘ Synopsis of British Mosses.” J. R. Hott (Dublin). The squeak of Acherontia atropos is very distinct and sharp in tone; it is caused by stridulation. There were some interesting communications made to the Entomological Society and to the entomological magazines, a few years ago, upon stridulating insects in general, when many species of several orders were referred to. F. H1Ltpyarp (London, E.C.). You would hardly expect to get sucha book as Butschli’s “‘ Microscopic Foams” at Mudie’s; it is probable that not one in five thousand of their subscribers would ask for it. The best circulating library for scholarly works in all departments of literature is the London Library, St. James’ Square, S.W. For natural history in all branches there is no library like that of the Zoological Society, 3, Hanover Square, W. WALTER CrosBiE (New Barnet). Your plant from Eccles- bourne Glen was sent to us in the most unsatisfactory manner possible. If you wished to puzzle us you could not do much better than to send a thin-textured plant without packing in a chip match-box; when it reached us it was perfectly unrecognisable. However, by much soaking and careful manipulation we have unravelled it sufficiently to identify it as Chrysosplenium oppositifolium, L., or Common Golden Saxifrage. ARTHUR J. HuvLattT (Bedford). Your specimens are of Podura aquatica, a species of Collembola, or Spring-tails. The forked appendage on the abdomen which has puzzled you is characteristic of the group, and gives these insects their popular name. Several allied species may be found swarm- ing on the water, or lurking under stones, and generally in moist places. They are insects that ordinary entomologists utterly neglect ; but you will find much information concern- ing them in Sir John Lubbock’s ‘‘Monograph of the Collembola and Thysanura,” issued by the Ray Society. S. M. McGreeor (Perth).—1. The best box for relaxing dried insects is one of tin, with closely-fitting lid; it should have a couple of shelves of perforated zinc; on these place loose covers of felt about $ to 4-inch thick, these should be well damped, but not left wet, with water to which has been added a few drops of carbolic acid to kill mould. Place the specimens on the felt, close the box and put it near a fire or in other warm situation for twelve or sixteen hours. ‘‘ Sand boxes” are very unsatisfactory. 2. Kill your aculeate-hyme- noptera with fumes of strong ammonia (Sp. g. 880), they will then be quite flaccid and easily set out when dead. - Thoughts on Animalcula.””—John Radcliff, EXCHANGES. Micro. slides, chiefly diatoms, for exchange. —E, A. Hutton, Broadbottom, near Manchester. WANTED, Helix lapicida. Offered, Trochus cinereus.— W. Jones, jun., 27, Mayton Street, London, N. WANTED, ova of foreign butterflies for rearing. Offered, British butterflies and moths in papers.—W. Harcourt Bath, 195, Ladywood Road, Birmingham, WANTED, first four volumes of “‘ Nature Notes,’’ must be complete and in perfect condition.—Offers to Robert F. McConnell, Thistlebank, Dumbarton. OFFERS wanted for a collection of minerals, containing several hundred good specimens, mostly named.—T. C. Maggs, 56, Clarendon Villas, West Brighton. PritcHarp’s “ Infusoria,”’ including Desmids and Diatoms, 1861; brass table and spirit lamp for micro.-mounting. Offers requested.—C. L. Lord, Fernbank, Sligo. Livine or spirit specimens of Testacella scutulum offered for Testacella haliotidea or Geomalacus maculosus.—W. Hy. Heathcote, M.C.S., 54, Frenchwood Street, Preston. BritisH land, freshwater and marine shells, also some foreign, in exchange for shells not in collection; offers. Lists sent.—Mrs. Oldroyd, 82, Abbey Street, Faversham. WILL exchange photographs of geological sections (prints, enlargements, or lantern transparencies) for rocks, minerals, or fossils, not already in my collection—Henry Preston, Grantham. CHEMICALS and apparatus, bought for Civil Service exam., but unused; cost £8. What cash offers, or would exchange for safety or tricycle—A. Hewitt, 54, Umfreville Road, Harringay, N. DUPLICATE eggs of plover, waterhens, pheasants, crows, jays, shag, buntings, warblers, tits, crested wren, bullfinches, pipits, etc., to exchange for others.—R. J. Waller, 4, Pier Terrace, Lowestoft. WANTED, unmounted palates of Mollusca, in exchange for Mantell’s ‘Invisible World Revealed by the Microscope; or, I11, Oxford Street, Ashton-under-Ljne. Witt exchange good botanical micro. slides for complete vols. of SctENcE-GossiP for 1865-8-9, 1870-1-2-5 or 7; or for interesting Natural History specimens.—John Collins, 2o1, Green Lane, Birmingham. OFFERED, H. hortensis, vars. albina, lilacina and arenicola, H. nemoralis, var. rubella, Cl. rolphii, B. leachii. Wanted, H. obyoluta, L. burnetti.—Arthur S. Poore, Seivour Cottage, Abbey Road, Belvedere, Kent. MINERALS, including many finely crystallized, in exchange for foreign stamps; Dana’s ‘ System of Mineralogy,” 1888, equal to new. What offers?—A. E. Fasnacht, 296, Ashton New Road, Clayton, Manchester. WanTED, living Helix pomatia, Testacella and Geomalacus, living or in spirit, Helix laminata, H. fusca, Cochlicopa tridens and Vertigos. Offered, other British and foreign shells. W. A. Gain, Tuxford, Newark. OFFERED, H. obvoluta, L. burnetti, L. involuta, V. pusilla, V. substriata, V. angustior. Wanted, V. moulinsiana, V. tumida, H. Pomatia var. albida, B. obscurus var. alba, B. montanus var. alba, and several Helices var. albida.— W. Sutton, Blezard’s Hotel, Ingleton, Yorkshire. WanTED, specimens, shewing catkins, g and 9, of L. C., Ed. 8, Nos. 1271-9 and 1311-4 inclusive; fresh specimens or, if dried, of this year’s growth preferred.—T. A. Dymes, 16, Lancaster Road, Kensington Park, W. ENTOMOLOGICAL specimens (of any order) would be grate- fully received from anyone having duplicates with no use for them; box sent (prepaid) and return postage.—J. Fleming, 4, Gayfield Square, Edinburgh. Cuckoo eggs wanted, with clutches of foster parents, especially reed warbler, garden warbler, redstart, wren, nightingale, marsh warbler; good eggs in exchange.—W. Wells Bladen, Stone, Staffordshire. ; FIRST-CLASS pathological and anatomical micro. slides offered in exchange for Sunlight soap wrappers, etc.; 12 slides for 100 wrappers; will send on approval.—Edgar Piffard, Hill House, Hemel Hempstead. Rare British shells—Fusus norvegicus, F. turtone, F. islandicus, Buccinum pelagica, Isocardia cor, Xylophaga dorsalis, Modiolaria nigra, Solen_pellucidus, Scalaria turtone; offers——A. Sciater, 43, Northumberland Place, Teignmouth. a OFFERED, SCIENCE-GossIP, 1885-6; “British Coleoptera,” Stephens; Davis on ‘*Mounting;” turntable. Wanted, other vols. of ScrENCE-GossiP, scientific books, diatom slides, land and freshwater shells, etc.—J. C. Blackshaw, 158, Penn Road, Wolverhampton. : “ MIcROSCOPIC JOURNAL,” 1841; Lindley’s “Introduction to Botany”; “Magazine of Zoology and Botany,” Vol. II.; “Entozoa,’ with supplement, Cobbold; ‘Animal Intel- ligence,’ Romanes; “ Mantell’s ‘Invisible World’; Houghton’s “Sketches of British Insects”; “Common Objects, Seashore ” (col. plates), Wood; Beale’s “‘ Microscope in Medicine”; ‘‘ Anatomy and Physiology of Nematoids,” Bastian; ScrENcE-Gossip, 1870. What offers ?—Charles Wright, 9, Farcliffe Place, Bradford. SCIBNCE-GOSSIP. 73 CUR BRITISH SNAKES: By CaTHERINE C. Hop.ey. T seems hardly necessary to say that there are only three species of snakes in Great Britain, since in these days of popular ophiology even a schoolboy knows that the Slow-worm is not a snake, but one of the limbless lizards. A rambler, however, who is not an ophiologist, might conclude by the various names given to our commonest English snake that a great many kinds are to be found. It is the ‘‘green snake’’ of one county, the ‘‘ring snake’ of another, the ‘grass ’ snake,’’ the ‘‘ water snake,’’ ‘‘ hedge snake, etc.,”’ of other localities, all, nevertheless, telling us in- directly of its frequency and its habits. One, at least, of its names describes a conspicuous feature, this is the ‘‘ring,’’ more correctly, collar, of a golden colour, on its neck, which renders it unmistakable, and easily distinguished from the other native snakes. The yellow mark is not so like a golden ring as it is supposed to be, and does not extend entirely round the neck, the under part of which is white. Also the collar is of various shades of yellow, sometimes very bright, sometimes almost inconspicuous, and occasionally perfectly white. Most frequently, however, it is yellow, and rendered still more vivid by the contiguous velvety- black spots behind it. On account of this dis- tinguishing mark it has received the specific name, torquata, or torquatus, and has been usually known as Natrix torquata, or Coluber natrix. Coluber, asa generic name was, however, so generally used formerly, and applied to such a diversity of snakes, that our Coluber natrvix is now more frequently dis- tinguished as Tvopidonotus natrix, the generic from its carinated or keeled scales ; because the majority of the harmless or colubrine snakes have smooth scales, while keeled scales belong especially to vipers. The Latin synonyms assigned to this snake have been suggested by some especial feature, which is more than we always find in scientific names. Its names are few, one herpetologist having given as a specific what another has chosen as a generic name; so that the changes are rung on Coluber natrix, Natrix torquata, Tropidonotus natrix, Natrix tropidonotus, Coluber torquatus, etc. Only the word natyiv remains to be discussed. This, in Latin, a water-snake, indicates the water-loving habits of our common snake, and is made the name of the family or group Natricide. It is not however, one of the true water-snakes, Homalopsidz, which are peculiarly adapted for an aquatic exist- ence; as, for instance, in having their nostrils on the top of the snout. This may be seen in the Anaconda at the Zoological Gardens, a water-snake. Perhaps it were as well to define more accurately the different colubrine snakes, a very large group, comprising two sub-orders. Broadly, the term means of a snake-like form, in contra- distinction to the viperine form. The bodies are long and slender, tapering very gradually from the largest part to the tip of the tail, which is also long. Among them are both venomous and non- venomous snakes. Consequently, the entire snake tribe (the order Opuipia) are arranged under three great sub-orders, viz. :— I. OPHIDIA COLUBRIFORMES, the harmless colu- brines. iS) . OPHIDIA COLUBRIFORMES VENENOSI, the veno- mous colubrines, which, being often so like the harmless snakes, are all the more dangerous. 3. OPHIDIA VIPERIFORMES, the viperine snakes, which, with their broad angular heads, thick heavy bodies and general repulsiveness, are easily recognized. Our two harmless snakes belong to the first sub- order, and our viper to the third. Our British ring snake may be taken as an example of the colubrine forms. Its length, when full grown, may reach four feet. Its head is a trifle broader than the ” ‘neck,’ and is covered with smooth plates; its body-scales are conspicuously carinated. It has large round eyes, and is, on the whole, a graceful, pretty snake. Its colour varies somewhat, but is always darker on the back, and lighter, or nearly white, on the belly ; along the sides, where the two colours blend, are a row of black blotches, and along the back are two rows of smaller black spots. The prevailing tint is of an olive brown, with often a greenish sheen, enough to account for its being sometimes called the ‘‘ green snake,’’ but a mere suspicion of green. The favourite food of Tropidonotus natrix is frogs, after which it can dive in the water, or pursue them on land with equal facility. Other small water-fry, newts, or perhaps an occasional fish of convenient dimensions, induce it to haunt the banks of streams; but it is also seen on hedge- banks, in fields, and even woods, where small 74 SCIENCE-GOSSIP. birds and mice offer a change of diet. It is common not only in England and Scotland but all over the Continent of Europe, except the extreme north. It has been the fashion to give the ring-snake The a string of some fifteen to but little credit for maternal affection. female deposits twenty eggs in a spot where decaying vegetation produces sufficient warmth and moisture to hatch them, and there she is said to leave them. But the more frequent and intelligent observations of late years show that this snake keeps a sort of guard over her eggs and becomes angrily excited when she thinks they are in danger. ment she has been known to incubate them. Among other evidences of the fact, Dr. Stradling informed me that a very tame ring snake of his laid some eggs and coiled herself upon them zealously Tame and unaggressive as this In confine- for some days. snake habitually was, she now viciously resented being molested, and even tried to bite, which she had never done before. Keeper Tyrrell, at the Zoological Gardens, has hatched many broods from eggs deposited there. He keeps them in damp moss at a temperature of 75°. The very young snakes are the prettiest little creatures imaginable, like black satin cords, but very pliant and active, with large bright eyes and distinct collar. To watcha lively tangle of them in their quicksilver movements is most interesting. Coronella levis, the smooth snake, is far~less common than either the ring snake or the viper. It has not been much known, except to science, till within the last forty years. The first captured in Great Britain was a young specimen at Dumfries, named by Sowerby Coluber dumfriesiensis. A speci- men was in the British Museum collection when Dr. Gray published his ‘‘ Catalogue of Snakes,” 1849, and Bell referred to it in his ‘‘ British Reptiles.” It had, however, been long known on the Continent, particularly Southern Europe, where it is far more common than with us. It was described by Laurenti, who named it Coronella austriaca, it being frequent in Austria. In September, 1862, a new interest was attached to it through one being captured near Bourne- mouth, and being exhibited in the window of the office of ‘‘The Field” newspaper, and, after a couple of weeks or so, giving birth to six or eight little Covonellas, to the great delight of all concerned. A good deal was made known about it at that time through the columns of ‘‘ The Field’’ and other publications, and Lord Arthur Russell stated that this was the fifth Coronella captured near Bourne- mouth. Because that brood was born alive it was some- what too hastily concluded that Covonella was a viviparous snake. Careful observation of snakes in confinement has shown that some, usually oviparous, have the power of retaining their eggs when circumstances are not propitious for the deposition of them. Several such cases are on record, and they are proofs of a strong maternal instinct in the despised reptile. Should the snake mother be new to her surroundings and alarmed or timid, or has not a safe, snug corner for some sort of nest, she retains her eggs until the living young are produced. There can be but little doubt that this was the case with Mr. Frank Buckland’s Covonella, when on public exhibition. At the Zoological Gardens several broods of Coronellas have been hatched from eggs in the usual way. It was well known already to the German and Austrian herpetologists, also, that Coronella was sometimes oviparous and sometimes viviparous, and they have given much attention Coronella extends northwards to In Sweden it is the Slat snok, in to the subject. Scandinavia. Germany the Kreuz natter, or Cross snake, from a mark on its head, and also the Kranz natter, or Crown snake, from the position of the head plates; from which it is also the Coronella of science. Its specific /evis refers to the extremely polished smoothness of its scales, sufficiently re- markable to have the characteristic distinguished, and which renders it all the more easily known from both the other British snakes with their keeled scales. Boulenger, however, retains the specific austviaca, to which he considers it better entitled, and as having been always known in Germany under this name. The family Coronellide to which it belongs is well represented in many parts of the world. C. /zvis is usually found on dry gravelly or sandy commons where lizards are frequent, these being its favourite food. The Dorsetshire and Hampshire heaths most frequently reward the English collector. Having been caught as far north as Dumtries, we may reasonably suppose that it may exist in intermediate spots. It has so often been mistaken for the viper that to kill it at once is the bucolic impulse. In size—about two feet and a half—and in colour it certainly does somewhat resemble the viper, but, as has been shown, the two are otherwise quite dissimilar, From its rusty brown colour it has been named C. ferrugineous in SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 75 But it has a silvery iridescent appearance, particularly on the head, which in certain lights has a _ beautiful addition to its other synonyms. bronze-green shimmer. Its head is small, oval, and about half-covered with plates. It has also two rows of small black spots along its back, and Coronella levis has the credit of being spiteful and of biting intruding fingers; but all snakes will do this when their progeny is in danger ; and its bite is harmless. a sort of cloudy stripe along its sides. The sub-order OPHIDIA VIPERIFORMES is divided into two families, Viperide—to which our English viper belongs—and Cvotalidz, belonging more especially to the new world. All have prominently carinated scales, a broad angular head distinct from the body, which is thick and heavy in comparison with the colubrine snakes, and a short tail, tapering suddenly to a point. The English viper is of a much slighter form The head, with .but is covered with small cated scales instead of plates. than the family generally. few exceptions, imbri- Our English viper is one of the few exceptions, having some small plates on the front part of its head; but curiously, as if the peculiarity is not quite an established one as yet, these scales vary considerably, even in members of the same family. I have seen several English vipers in the same cage at the Zoological Gardens and no two alike in the matter of head- scales, which, by the way, are never so large and distinct as in the colubrine snakes. Though it seems impossible to mistake the smooth polished scales of the Coronella for the rough, dull carinated scales of the viper, to distinguish the two it is better to rely on the scales than on the colour, which varies in Though usually brown, it may be darker or paler, or most snakes and very much in the viper. almost grey; but the black markings are perma- nent, beginning on the head where what is called a V mark is very distinct, and continuing in a very conspicuous zigzag line all down the back, quite different from the dots in the other two snakes. I believe that at the present time all our three British snakes are represented at the Zoological Gardens, and no better opportunity of distinguishing them can be presented, than to go and compare them. The viper loves dry, sunny places, and feeds on mice and small birds. It is found in all parts of Great Britain and Wales, but not It is sluggish and unaggressive, except when molested, and is easily avoided. Viperine dentition is peculiar to the whole sub- in Ireland. order. Like all snakes it has the two rows of palate teeth for the retention of its prey, but in the upper jaw it has only the pair of fangs, and these are movable at will; that is, brought forward and erected for use, or lying back prone against the jaw when at rest. The volitional movement is very wonderful, and it is independent. You may sometimes see one fang or the other working more It is connected with a gland from which venom flows through the tooth into the wound. The fang is exquisitely fine, sharp and pointed, it is, so to speak, ‘‘hollow’’ with a tiny slit close to the point, and the venom flowing through the fang is by the force of the bite ejected through this slit into the wound. From the small size of our viper, or less at the convenience of the reptile. and the average coolness of England, the venom is less virulent than in the tropical species. Sunnyvale, Paignton ; May toth, 1894. ThE GREAD AUK AX example of the Great Auk and several eggs have changed hands since our last number went to press. A fine stuffed specimen of the adult bird, together with a handsome egg, were privately purchased by Mr. Rowland Ward, of Piccadilly, London, for the large sum of 600 guineas. Both specimens are said to have belonged to the late Mr. Malcolm of Poltalloch. An interesting sale of two recently discovered eggs of the Great Auk—or to be more correct, the Gare-Fowl—took place at Stevens’ Sale-rooms, on April 24th, when the auctioneer had quite a small romance of discovery to unfold to his audience. The owner of the eggs had recently attended a sale of furniture, we believe at Chatham, and was attracted by a ‘‘lot’’ of fossils and other natural history specimens in a basket, which included an egg of unusual appearance. He decided to invest in this lot, and bid two shillings for it. A lady seemed equally bent on acquiring the specimens, and bid against him, until thirty-six shillings was reached, when she retired, and allowed him to carry off the lot at that sum. Now it was found that there were two eggs in the collection, and these the fortunate purchaser tied up in his handkerchief and carried home some miles away on his bicycle! Careful examination and enquiry showed that both specimens were eggs of the Great Auk—one a finely marked example, though marred by an almost imperceptible fracture. The other was more seri- ously damaged. At the sale the fine specimen realised 260 guineas, but the other was knocked down at 175 guineas. We understand that the former was purchased by Mr. Herbert Massey and the latter by Mr. Munt. E 2 76 SCIENCE-GOSSIP, EE AW NYO Vee: By Harry F. HE sun has set, and the moon, just rising above the trees, casts dense shadows across our path as we are walking along a sombre glade in the forest. All nature is hushed, save for the occasional drone of a beetle, or flit of a moth, when suddenly, from a distant clump of trees, a loud cry sounds forth. We crouch down and remain perfectly still; then the melancholy notes are repeated, and a little further off an answering cry is heard. The sound gradually draws nearer, until at length it is loudly uttered just over our heads, and looking up into the branches above us we catch a glimpse, by the light from the moon, of a tawny owl gliding through the trees. This bird’s cry, or rather hoot, resembles the syllables whoo-whoo-whooo-oo, the first two being very short, while the next is prolonged and finishes up with a short ‘‘oo.”’ It is a very mellow sound; for, except occasionally, it is not heard to screech. One of its scientific synonyms is Ulula aluco, being derived from the Latin, ululave, to cry like a wolf, and this word partially imitates both the cry of the wolf and of this owl; Strix aluco is perhaps the more correct name. The tawny owl is also called the brown owl and wood owl, the two first titles being descriptive of ts tawny brown plumage, the last of its haunts. A thickly-wooded district in England or Wales is almost sure to have its brown owls. It is also fairly common in the South of Scotland, but in Treland it has not yet been found. To those who do not care to roam through the woods at night this bird is, no doubt, little known, for it is not often seen in the daytime. All day it hides in the recesses of the forest, perhaps in the hole of a tree; or sometimes it may be detected seated on a branch nearly touching an old squirrel’s nest, and it then requires a sharp eye to distinguish it from the nest itself. Strong light affects the sight of this bird exceedingly, rendering it almost blind, and it seems as much at a loss when abroad in the daytime as a jay would be at night. It screws up its eyes and blinks in the most curious manner, and on being disturbed, it flies about in an aimless way, and thus attracts the attention of other birds, and by no means pleasantly ; for ina very few moments after it has been frightened from its roosting-place, a jay or missel thrush will find it out, and begin to screech and hiss at it. These birds quickly increase in numbers, and pre- sently the owl will be surrounded by a ‘‘ mobbing flock,” all keeping, however, at a respectful distance from the object of their hatred, for every now and WITHERBY. then the owl will make a dart at one of his tor- mentors, and snap his beak loudly as the smaller bird dodges aside. The plumage of the tawny owl varies considerably in shade of colour, according to the age and sex of the specimen. The female bird is always larger, and usually much more tawny than the male, and indeed this fact led to its once being considered a distinct species. In the male, the back and head and the upper sides of the wings and tail are a brownish grey of various shades, with several large white spots on the wing coverts. The under parts are dull white in ground colour, with brown markings. As will be seen in the illustration, the eyes are very large and perfectly black They are sur- rounded as it were by a disk of bristly feathers, which gives the bird’s face a very solemn and staring appearance. The bill, which is surrounded with bristles, is large and powerful. The upper mandible is longer than the lower, and being curved downwards at the end, it forms an excellent hook, with which the bird tears and carries its prey. The legs of the tawny owl are covered with short white feathers, and the feet have four toes, two pointing backwards and two forwards. These are armed with strong curved claws, and the bird having an exceedingly powerful grasp, the curved claws are an additional help to it in securing its prey. The plumage is abundant, and so very soft that the bird flies in perfect silence, and steals unawares on its prey. oles, rats, mice, shrews, moles, squirrels, small birds, and even insects are pounced upon by this prowler of the night. The prey is seized with the feet, and borne, either in the beak or claws, to a place of safety. The owl then devours it entire—bones, fur or feathers—and by a beautiful economy of nature, when the digestible portion is absorbed, the bird rejects the remainder in the form of a pellet, which is vomited: up. These pellets, grey in colour, are about the shape and size of an emperor moth’s cocoon, and when macerated in water, they are found to contain often three or more entire skeletons of mice, together with the fur. They may be picked up in open ground, or under a tree frequented by owls. This beautiful and most useful bird is still much persecuted by the gamekeeper and farmer, notwith- standing all that has been said in its favour. Occasionally the tawny owl may take a young rabbit ; but why should we grudge him this, when we consider the vast numbers of mice and rats that he consumes. Gamekeepers have said that SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 77 they have seen this owl among their young pheasants, and have therefore shot it; but it has been proved more than once by dissection that the bird was merely catching the mice which were feeding on the corn left by the young pheasants. The usual nesting place of this owl is a hollow tree, but sometimes the disused nest of a crow, magpie, or jackdaw is selected, and we once found their eggs in the top of a fir tree, the branches of which were naturally interwoven, thus forming a sort of platform. These birds make no nest, and if a hole in a tree is chosen the eggs are laid upon the wood dust at the bottom of the hole, while a quantity of pellets and a few feathers are usually found intermixed with the wood dust. They resort bill has no strength, and the finger may be put harmlessly into the mouth. These birds are very easily reared, and become very tame in captivity, although treacherous at times as they get older. They may be fed on almost any uncooked flesh, but young birds and mice are especially relished. Although the tawny owl can live for a long time without water, he, nevertheless, enjoys a bath immensely. Standing in the water, he spreads out his wings and tail and throws it in showers all over himself. He emerges from his bath the very picture of bedraggled misery, but soon dries himself by vigorous pluming. : The old birds defend their young very courage- ously. A man we know was savagely attacked Tawny OwWLs. to the same nesting-place year after year. The eggs are nearly round and perfectly white, and from three to five are laid. The bird commences to sit as soon as the first egg is laid, so that there is often a considerable difference in the age of the young ones found in the same nest. They are hatched in three weeks, and are blind for the first few days. An owlet of a few weeks old is a most grotesque object. Itis covered all over with greyish down, and out of this downy ball appear two large eyes and a beak. If one should look into the nest the owlets snap their beaks and hiss courageously. However, until they begin to get their feathers the snapping by the parent bird, while climbing a tree with the intention of taking some owlets. Hearing his approach the owl flew out of her nest and struck the unfortunate man with both feet, piercing, with the long sharp claw, one of his eyes, so that he lost the sight of it, and all but inflicting the same injury on the other eye. Should the hoot of the tawny owl be heard no more, our woods would lose one of their chief charms by night, and if this useful bird is extermi- nated the farmer will soon find that he has lost one of his best friends. 1, Eliot Place, Blackheath, Kent ; April, 1894. 78 SCIENCE-GOSSIP. THE S20 Wek? "CA MB RIAN SE RITES « WITH SOME SUGGESTIONS. By ALEXANDER RAMSAY. (Continued from page 53.) eS forming a stratigraphic grade scale the first desideratum is clearly a continuous succession of fossiliferous strata covering the whole of the period and merging into the strata representing the ante- cedent and succeeding periods; but these are just the kind of beds which are least adapted for furnishing base lines. Such base lines are best formed by conglomerates, which are, as a rule, far distant from the continuous series of beds used for time-valuing the period; this makes the task of correlating the strata a very difficult one. It often happens, too, that the available sections are largely composed of limestones, the present thick- ness of which may be very different from the aggregate thickness of the original deposit, owing to more or less of it having been dissolved away. This error is partly remediable by carefully measuring the separated insoluble matter when- ever the origin of this can be traced to the solution of the limestone. At present no section, so far as I know, has been examined from this point of view, so that the thicknesses and calculations here given are adversely weighted with the errors due to this cause. Owing to the fact that the Cambrian rocks and Cambrian fossils of geologists are so intimately linked together, and to the further fact that every- where, or almost everywhere, such Cambrian rocks are laid down unconformably upon older rocks, it necessarily follows that there is a stratigraphical break between the rocks generally assigned to the Cambrian and Huronian periods respectively. In order to free myself from this vicious circle of argument I am compelled to cut through it some- where, and this I do by taking the zone of Para- doxides as a provisional time-horizon and measuring from it upwardly and downwardly. The zone of Pavadoxides, in Pembrokeshire, is called the Menevian group of strata, and its highest bed is here provisionally calculated to be the commence- ment of eon 113, or, in other words, the end of it nearest to the present time. It is also supposed that the Pavadoxides beds of the St. John’s group, in New Brunswick, is of the same date. It is further assumed that the L. Cambrian of the typical Cambrian area is represented by the strata corresponding to the eons 116 to 107, both included, which embraces what Mr. Walcott assigns to the lower and middle Cambrian divisions. It will be noticed that I have here made a series of somewhat arbitrary assumptions on the basis of correlations proposed or implied by good paleontologists, which correlations are dependent on the principle that strata are correlatable by means of fossil evidence only. This is done in order to form a temporary link of connection, which may ultimately be dispensed with altogether. I have now brought matters into such a position that it is possible to form a standard column for the L. Cambrian, by means of which it can be determined if the fauna of the typical area does or does not coincide with those found in other strata considered to be of the same age by independent evidence. The typical areaof Wales will first be considered in connection with the formation of a time scale. According to Dr. Hicks the thicknesses and order of succession of the lowest Palzozoic strata are as follows : Feet. je Arenion: Slates and flags I,000 Tremadoc: Slates and sandstones 1,000 Up. Lingula flags: Slates and shales 600 Mid. Lingula flags: Arenaceous and micaceous flags 2,000 L. Lingula flags: Slates, flags, sandstones and shales 2,500 Menevian group: Slates and flags 600 Longmynd group: Harlech grits and Llanberis slates 8,coo 15,700 The lowest two members he assigns to L. Cambrian; the four next above to Up. Cambrian, and the highest to L. Silurian. The summit of the Menevian is here considered to mark the latest point of eon 113, as has already been stated. In the case of the Longmynd group it is considered that 1,250 feet of strata represent an eon; and 1,000 feet of the flags, slates and _ shales. According to this calculation the lowest portion is assigned to the pre-Cambrian, that is, it represents the latest portion of the Huronian period of time, the Cambrian commencing at 3,750 feet from the base of the Longmynd group. This would imply that the sea which existed during the Cambrian period first reached the Longmynd area in about eon 119, while the L. Cambrian is supposed to begin with the earliest part of eon 116. With these assumptions the provisional correlation of the strata with time is thus, the first-mentioned being the oldest : SCIENCE-GOSSIP. Feet. Eon. L.C. eon. Longmynd group 3,750—5,000 .. 116 .. I ” Af 5,000—6,250 .. II5 .. 2 ” » . 6,250—7,500 .. II4 .. 3 ” A - 7,500—8,000 | Menevian i— 600 |} Bee ye) at L. Lingula flags T——T/OOO! te LEZ sen 5 - oh I,0o00O—2,000 .. III .. 6 B - .. 2,000—2,500 ) Mid. Lingula flags .. T= —SeeGOOMN) Heh hh” 1 a on 500—I,500 .. I09 . 8 rr 7 “f 1,500—2,000_ ) a Up. Lingula flags n= Ger) || Hoe ) > i An 500— 600 ) Tremadoc .. I—I,000 | I07 .. IO Arenig bc O6 r— 200 } In America the standard column is provisionally based on the Eureka section in the State of Nevada. The lowest bed is a quartzite, and is at present assigned to the Huronian period. The time-valuing of the other beds is given below. Beet: Eon. Prospect Mt. limestone I— 500 .. I16 ” m1 500—1I,000 115 50 5 I,000—I,500 II4 » 08 1,500—2,000 113 ” os 2,000—2,500 112 5 4) 2,500—3,000 .. III , i 3,000—3,050_—) Secret Caiion shale i= 660 | ae ” 29 Sn goo—1,600_—+/ Hamburg limestone i Gos I) te, » op I50— 650 108 » » 7) ©5017, n50 107 By way of showing how the stratigravhic grade scale can be used for the purpose of indicating the time correlation of strata, based on stratigraphic considerations, a few sections have been summarised on the chart form appended. The time grade is 79 shown at the bottom together with the number of the eon ; the stratigraphic grade and the number of each 1,000 feet of clay are given at the top; the figures are precisely the same, but they have different meanings. The grade numbers occupy much space in the table, but it should be borne in mind that those given refer only to the latest moment of the eon, or to the latest bed of the 1,000 feet to which each respectively belongs. The eonic numbers refer to all the space representing the eon; the asterisk corresponds to a position about midway in eon 115. The same facts could be tabulated by giving the names of the divisions and adding the stratigraphic or the eonic range. For instance, the Pembroke- shire beds, as tabulated below, can readily be compared with the sections given in the chart. (As these scales are probably new to the reader, a few remarks on the way of reading them may obviate some confusion. The larger figures, those of the grades, it will be noticed, increase as we proceed from left to right, that is, the scales commence with the Laurentian and end with the present period. Thus 440,000 at the top of the Menevian means that forty-four per cent. of geological time as represented by strata had then lapsed, and fifty-six per cent. was to come. It also means that forty-four per cent. of the geological column had been laid down and that the other fifty-six per cent. was as yet The smaller numbers increase from _ right to left, because they start from the present and extend backwards in time, or from the surface deposits downwards. Thus 113 means 113 eons ago, as regards time, and that if all the beds were clay, had been continuously deposited, and had retained their original horizontality, the bed at the’ top of 113 would be 112,001 feet below the surface, and would correspond to 112,000,001 years ago.) non-existent. LOWER CAMBRIAN (LOWER TACONIC). 420,000 425,000 116 430,000 II5 435,000 II4 Longmynd Group. WALES Coldbrook Beds. New BruNswIck. NEvADA— ; Prospect Mount. Highland Range Prospect Mount. Limestone. 440,000 eriocoOSAEGnad éodacnaDsasooadorcEonceatiagcogconodoont [beeces Limestone (Beds 2 to 22 AcoanoINcESo0 [Peastnencerccames vcuoccsscccstccsssscncoreutell 445,000 450,000 455,000 460,000 465,000 470,000 112 III 110 109 108 107 idtindla Go oe a . Mid. Lingula Dw Eo = L. Lingula Flags. Flags. a8 98 3 Shen ts! < St. John Group. Sop aaoeto gong: cicoooneinoncoscesoaceyocHoSoUsecOnCHSSLS | Limestone (No. 23 Bed). Secret Cafion Hamburg Limestone. Shale. ITC K GM MR), cxdevccsdescctvoeeess SEIN wohvauvecnerst acre ciacttevasecs cs detecctamncrsmeremmecnenc sss || caaaveccwoncecrene | okeociene baseceocsenenceuancrsecanares 116 II5 II4 113 112 III 110 109 108 107 {20,000 425,000 430,000 435,000 440,000 445,000 * 450,000 455,000 460,000 465,000 470,000 80 SCIENCE-GOSSIP. L. Caerfai group I14,405,000—1I14,150,000 (The lowest bed is a conglomerate, and the earliest Cambrian in this district.) Mid. Caerfai group I14,150,000—1I14,I100,000 Up. - pe I1I4,100,000—113,600,000 L. Solva group I13,600,000—113,450.000 Mid. ,, ea I13,450,000—112,700,000 Wp ye 3 I12,700,000—1I12,550,000 L. Menevian . I12,550,000—1 12,350,000 Mid. _,, 56 I12,350,000—112,100,000 Up. ‘5 2 II2,I100,000—I12,000,000 and so on. The supposed correlation of any number of sections stratigraphically or chronolo- gically can, in either of these ways, be easily seen. Thus, in this’ particular case, the logical inference is that possibly the conglomerate at the base of the L. Caerfai group in Pembrokeshire may be the equivalent in time of the Prospect Mountain lime- stone at Eureka, answering in position to the asterisk shown on the chart, as also with any other stratum assigned to the same position in other sections. If the method here suggested is a sound one, it would enable the geologist to correlate beds with the most precise definiteness, even although they may be located in different continents, present the widest lithological difference in character, or belong to the most diverse conditions. It has generally been considered almost impossible to correlate definitely and minutely the beds of different con- tinents, conglomerates with limestones or marine beds with fresh-water beds, but I believe this can be done with as near an approach to accuracy as is ever attained by the palzontological methods ordinarily used. 4, Cowper Road, Acton; March 26, 1894. LARVZ-NYMPHS OF BRITISH DRAGON-FLIES. By W. H. Nunney. F all insect larvz, those of butterflies and moths are the most easily recognisable; but the larve which are treated of in the present essay are by no means difficult to allot to their respective species. The perfect forms of the more common species are well known, even to non-entomological individuals. Thelarve, however, remain unknown, except to a few specialists. Of these, Messrs. Hagen, Cabot, Roster, McLachan and Dufour, have bred and compared many species, and are the only writers who have described the larve scientifically, the last-named being the first to attempt a tabulation of the characters of some larve-nymphs, as he happily calls them. It is, however, to Frederick Brauer that we are the most indebted for the material from which descriptions of many larve have been made. Much of the economy of certain species has been worked out by the earlier authors, Reaumer, Roesel, Swammerdam, Degeer, Drury, Donovan, Evans, and some others of minor note. The various authors who have treated the subject popularly it is needless to mention, their work being for the most part unsatisfactory. The embryology of one or two species has been described and figured by Brandt, Balfour and Packard. Certain species occur in early geological strata, the Gomphina and Agrionina being in greater numbers specifically. My intention in this article is to give a brief sketch of the habits of the larve and nymphze, together with as good recognitional characters as are possible with our present knowledge. Un- fortunately, the specimens in our National Museum are unnamed, and, although few in number, are scattered in different drawers, and mixed with other insects. The larvz and pupz of the dragon-flies are so similar in appearance, inter se, as to have gained for themselves the semi-popular- titles of larve- nymphs and puppen-larve, with the French and Germans, and their further likeness to the perfect insects, minus wings, has resulted in the term tsomorphus being given to them by men of science. The true larval form exists only for a very short period, and the;insect, after undergoing but one or two moults, attains wing-sheaths, an evidence of its transition to the pupa stage. This latter form occupies the greater portion of the creature’s aquatic life. The pupa is, in consequence, far more commonly captured than the larva, and is usually described under the latter name. In the pupal state, to the description of which, it being the more interesting and better known, I shall confine myself, the insect usually remains slowly growing from eight to eleven months; some species, how- ever, are said to require two or three years in which to arrive at maturity. During this period of growth numerous moults occur. The cast skins may frequently be seen floating on the water, and should be taken whenever possible, as they are useful material for study and comparison of species. The sex of these creatures is differentiated very early in the larval state, and the sexual characters are easily distinguishable. On the ninth segment below in the female are four peculiar leaf-like processes, which are metamorphosed into the vulvar-scale in the female imagos; in the male these processes, when present, are atrophied, SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 81 small scaly projecting plate immediately above and covering the base of the central anal-point taking their place as a sexual feature in the Libellulidae, whilst in the Agrionida the atrophied organs occur in their normal position as small hooks. A somewhat nasty task is that of securing specimens, which usually have to be picked out of the often fetid slime forming the ground layer of some dirty pond. The larve themselves are, however, very cleanly, carefully washing their faces and limbs after nearly every meal. They are ex- tremely voracious, and few aquatic things are able to escape them: the larger water- beetles and the water-scorpions are alone secure from attack. The peculiar ‘‘ mask ’’ forming the lower jaw is fairly well- known to most people, and, as Butler, in his ‘‘ Pond Life,” says, ‘‘ looks something like a Fic. A, The index letters in italics accom- abdominal movements. In swimming, a jet of water is so violently expelled that by its action on the surrounding body of water, the insect is sharply propelled through the medium. In 1700, Dr. Poupart suggested that this was a mode of defeca- These remarks, anent respiration, apply to the Libellulidaw. The Agrionine larve breathe by an entirely different method, being fur- nished with three leaf-like appendages at the tail end of the body, ramified in all direc- tions by small trachez, which extract the oxygen from the water; constantly vibrating, they also serve as locomotive organs. In Agvion proper (Calopteryx, Leach), the respira- tion partakes of that common to both Libellulide and Agrionidze, inasmuch as_ the respiration is internal and rectal as in the former, and external and tracheal as in the latter. This mode of respiration is entirely con- tion. broad-handled ladle, attached by the handle to the lower part of the head.” P. Amans (Revue Montp. [3] 1) has given some new and interest- ing ideas on the mechanism. These larve are as a rule panying fig. A are as follows:—a, antenne; da, eyes; b, occiput; bb, prothoracic-ridge; c, thoracic-spira- cles; d, wing-sheath covers; e, wing-sheaths; /, tubercles on median line of segments; g, caudal appen- dages, I, superior appendage, 2, lateral appendages, 3, inferior or posterior appendages; jt, femora; 1, tibia and metacarpus; j, tarsal- joints. fined to the Calopterygian sub- group, and, as Dufour says, ‘“‘establishes an enormous anatomical distance between Agvion and Cenagrion.”’ In the sub-family Ccena- grionine, the rectal circulation sluggish in their movements, lurking in mud or clinging to or crawling on water-plants. When alarmed or very hungry, Fic. B. Fig. B shows k, the mandible, attached to, and /, the front border of, the mask. however, they move with surprising rapidity. Their legs being ill adapted for swimming, they glide through the water by a strange use of their breathing apparatus, situated at the hinder end of the body. A valved orifice surrounded by five movable spinous processes allows of alternate entrance and expulsion of water by rhythmic does not apparently exist. There may, however, be eventually found some- thing approaching this, as specimens frequently lose their caudz, yet continue to live without apparent discomfort, a greater degree of lamellar oscillation being the only perceptible difference. There are also usually present a pair of thoracic spiracles exposed to view in the Libellulide, but hidden in the Agrionida. They have no direct connection with the rectal circulatory system, during the major part of the pupal life, performing no function. - A day or two prior to the emergence of the imago, they are brought into action, the about-to-be-metamorphosed nymph resting mean- while on some plant or stone, the rectal circulation being discontinued, and the thorax elevated above the surface of the water. Fic. C. The initials in fig. C refer to the female valves; m, of Libelluling ; n, of Aischnine, and o, of Agritontne, E 3 82 SCLENOE-GOSSLE. Before dealing with the species it is desirable to explain in detail the terminology of this stage of the insect. With this intention the accompanying figures, with many others, to illustrate these articles, which are expected to extend to four numbers of SciENCE-GossiP, have been especially drawn by Mr. Walter A. Pearce. Fig. A is a dia- gramatic view of the pupa of Libellula depressa. Fig. B is the ‘‘mask”’ of an /Eschna showing the mandibles and their processes. The three draw- ings under fig. C represent the female valves of (m) Libellulinee, (m) AXschninz and (0) of the Agrioninz. The parts of the body of the various species will hereinafter be referred to according to these figures, which will act as a key to the nomenclature. A question of great interest has been raised by Mr. Harcourt Bath in ‘‘ The Garner and Naturalists’ Gazette’’ for March, 1892, and again in SCIENCE- Gossip for February, 1893, He notices the fact that Dragon-fly larve occur in many places, such as small artificial ponds which entirely dry up in hot weather. The conclusion is that the larve found therein during the season following are the outcome of eggs laid by the mature females on the surface of the mud, where the eggs remain un- hatched until a sufficient supply of rain again converts the hollows into ponds. (To be continued. ) AMS TUDY (OF WASPS) iz Si Ss. HIRTY-FIVE yearsago, in the “‘ Entomologists’ Weekly Intelligencer,’ appeared some articles by Mr. S. Stone, of Brighthampton, in Oxfordshire, entitled ‘‘A Recipe for obtaining Specimens of Wasps’ Nests in various stages of formation.” I remember reading them at the time with much interest and with the firm resolution that when opportunity offered some similar experiments should be conducted by me. That opportunity has not yet arrived, but it was with much pleasure I noticed the other day that the British collection at the Natural History Museum in South Kensington still includes a series of wasps’ nests which had been cultivated by Mr. Stone. These are in good condition and well worthy of examination. Two of them are here figured. Mr. Stone’s ‘‘ recipe’’ commenced with instruc- tions for the preparation of several little excavations in adry bank in some locality frequented by wasps. The object of these holes was to tempt the females in springtime to commence building their nests under his guidance. In this Mr. Stone seems to have been very successful, for he speaks of having twenty colonies under his observation which he had removed to various rooms of an unoccupied house. It will be best without further remark to quote Mr. Stone’s own words, because the which they ’ magazine in appeared is not now generally accessible. ‘‘Choose a bank, the dryer the better, in which form anumber of chambers a few yards apart. These chambers should be oven- like excavations, some five or six inches in diameter. Having formed a chamber, insert a small wooden peg in the centre of the roof to which the nest will be attached. Close up the mouth of the excavation with clay, leaving only an aperture sufficient for the entrance of the insect for whose use it has been prepared. They (the chambers) should be ready for occupation before the end of April and on to the end of May. The season having arrived for the insects to commence their labours, let inspection of the various excavations be at once proceeded with. By removing the clay ‘stopper’ from the mouth of No. 1 you will be enabled Wasps’ Nest.—Two Days’ Work. to see at a glance whether a nest has been begun, and if such should prove SCIBNGE-GOSSIP. 83 to be the case and you decide on securing it for a specimen, carefully loosen with your knife the peg to which it adheres and, having withdrawn it, insert another peg in its place, replace the ‘stopper,’ and then go to No. 2. If you find a nest here in about as advanced a state as that in No. 1 replace the plug and let it remain till sufficient additions have been made to serve as your second specimen. By adopting the same plan : you will be enabled to obtain a series of nests ranging from the very commencement of the work to the completion of the structure. Ay When the colony begins to increase and become strong you will find it con- venient to make the in- spection after nightfall and to introduce within the aperture a few drops of chloroform _ before attempting to secure the nest. The advan- tages of this plan are obvious when we _ con- sider that under ordinary circumstances it is by the merest accident we stumble upon a nest at its commencement. ac: Beside the certainty of obtaining specimens, than which but few objects in nature are more exquisitely beautiful, oppor- tunities are afforded of observing by daily inspection the progress of the work from its commencement ; and when the number of workers has so far increased as to render an inspection of the nest in its original situation no longer agreeable or safe you have only to treat them, after dusk in the evening, to a moderate dose of chloroform, and then, before they have time to recover from the stupor into which they have been thrown, transfer the nest with its inmates to your own house, having previously provided yourself with a roomy glazed box, some eighteen inches to two feet square. In this box let the nest be suspended, but take care so to contrive it that it shall nearly, but not quite, touch the bottom of the box and that it can be gradually raised as the work progresses. . . . By way of encouragement, let the wasps be supplied with sugar moistened with beer or water. Place the box near the window of any convenient room. Let there be a tunnel or covered way from an aperture in the window, so as to allow ingress and egress without permitting them to have the range of the room. In order that you may be enabled to see what is going on inside as well as outside the nest, it will be necessary to clip away with a pair of scissors the shell or covering, so as to expose the combs completely; this should be done as soon as the nest is completely fixed, and before the insects completely recover from their lethargic state. The whole process of cell-constructing, Wasps’ Nest.—Five Days’ Work. egg-depositing, larvee-feeding, etc., will then be revealed to you.”’ Then in a further paper Mr. Stone elaborately treats of the habits and economy of wasps he had under observation. These appear to have been Vespa vufa, V. holsatica, (=V. sylvestris), and V. vulgaris. The papers by Mr. Stone, from which the above extracts are taken, appeared in the ‘‘ Intelligencer,’’ vol. vi,, pp. 69, 77, 84, and 173. Joun T. CarRINGTON. GREEN WOODPECKER AT LEITH HILL. — In recent years the green woodpecker (Gecimus viride) appears to have become more common than formerly. Inthe Leith Hill district of Surrey at almost any time of the day its curious laughing- note may be heard, and if a quiet watch be maintained it may be seen flying from tree to tree in search of its food. Although the bird is so often heard its nest is rarely found. Among the other scansores of the district that are fairly common are the nuthatch, the creeper, the wry-neck, and less frequently the greater spotted woodpecker. Whilst dealing with birds it may be noted that the linnet is this year very abundant in the same locality. This is the more curious in that the furze on the common has been to a large extent destroyed. ‘The linnets in consequence have left the hillside and are building in the hedges and bramble-clumps of the valleys.—D. J. Rice, 7, John Street, Bedford Row, London. oO =a SCIENCE-GOSSIP. A RAMBLE IN GUERNSEY. PEE cheerful voice of the robin tempts us io look out of the window at half-past five in the morning, and the fresh, bright appearance of the outer world irresistibly attracts us to sally forth as soon as possible. The sky is still bright with the varied hues of sunrise as we wend our way through the irregular streets of the quaint harbour town, and through the pleasing outskirts, past gardens all aglow with red camellias and rhododendron ; but by the time we have reached the top of the cliffs, these gorgeous tints have given way to clear blue. A narrow path, know only to the initiated, leads down to the part of the seashore for which we are bound ; but there is much to tempt us into loitering on the way. Primroses peep shyly from retired nooks: violets abound: the milkwortis in bloom, and wild strawberry blossoms gleam like pearls among the soft green moss. The black- thorn is in all the glory of its delicate white blossoms ; the sea-campion forms silvery patches among darker masses of bare rock, whilst, on the slopes, the bright pink campion forms a striking contrast with the bluebell or wild hyacinth, hosts of which are tossing their fragrant bells in the morning breeze, with the charming moiion expressed by their botanical name, Scilla nutans. No wonder that bees and butterflies should haunt this spot. So early as the first of March, the tortoise-shell butterfly might be found here. The pale flowers of ihe cuckoo-pint afiord shelter io numerous insects, and a sharp, quick motion amid the grass betrays one of their enemies, the beautiful green and gold creature known as the Jersey lizard. The ferns, for which the island is so celebrated, are not yet seen to advantage; yet there is a fair show of hart’s-tongue and hard-fern, and many other kinds are putting forth fronds. At last, we reach a rocky plateau, from which the tide has just retired. Here are happy hunting- grounds indeed, for the lovers of marine zoology. The rockpools are stocked with anemones to an almost incredible extent. Some are carpeted with specimens of the long tentacled Antiza cereus, gray or green tipped with violet being the predominating tints. The daisy-anemone, with its infinite variety of hue, vies in number with the elegant Bunodes gemmaceus ; the well-known beadlet, Actinia mesem- bryanthemum, is represented in shades of red, brown and green, whilst the handsome variety known as the “strawberry” (fragaracea) is scarcely less abundant. Here and therea hugespecimen of Actinia crassicornis startles us by its likeness to a full-blown dahlia. In secluded nooks, colonies of scarlet or white Sabellz display their plumes, and a diligent search may be rewarded by the discovery of bright, orange-coloured corals. Of all these creatures, the Actinia mesembryanthemum (including the strawberry variety), and the Bunodes gemmaceus, will be found to do best in an aquarium. The Anthea is difficult to rear, although the young specimens are said to give less trouble than the full-grown, and to reach a good age in captivity. The mollusca are fairly well represented. Frag- ments of cuttlebone may be found lurking among the stones, together with those of the ormer-shell (Halioiis), limpets, mussels, the purple-shell, various kinds of top and periwinkle are too numerous to be counied. Next in number, comes the carnivorous Nassa; the dainty “‘cap of liberty” (Emarginula jissurella) and the cowry (Trivia europza) are also plentiful. The shell of the Nassa is especially affected by the hermii-crab. A very handsome specimen of the soldier-crab may, by the way, now be seen in the aquarium of the Guille-Allez Library. Upon its shell is fixed a splendid crimson and white Sagartia; the snowy teniacles of the anemone wave gracefully in the waiter, as the crab marches along. A pretiy annelid occupies the same sheli as the crab, who will permit this “ lodger,”” but none of the other occupanis of the aquarium, io share his meals. Of all the tales ‘“‘ Nature, the dear old nurse,” has to tell, none can be more pleasing io those who have not lost, “ the childlike in the broader mind.” To return, however, to the rock-pools! The blenny, goby, gunnel and pipe-fish disport them- selves in the water, and here and there, the pale golden-coloured sea-slug, Doris tuberculata, may be seen gliding along the surface of the pools. This pretiy creature is, unfortunately, difficult to rear in an aquarium. Now and then a stray specimen of the sea-hare (Alysia) may be found here, though this is not one ofits favourite localities. To those who find either the Doris or the Afiysia among the weed or rocks, we would recommend io place their capiive in a pool of clear waier, when the clammy, unshapely being wiil be transformed, and asionish those who are unacquainied with iis habits by its graceful agility and marvellous attitudes. After pausing a momeni to explain to a very young companion thai the piece of Aglaophenia he has just picked up is noi a plant, we proceed toa low, outlying, much-weathered rock, which is to the rest of the group what the Tribunais supposed to be to the other departments of an Iialian picture gallery. It is a slippery rock to touch or climb, owing to the masses of Boiryllus with which it is covered ; bui we make straight for one side which has been worn into a deep hollow by the waves, SCIENCE-GOSSIP. and there, amid a host of brown, and purple sponges, abides a colony of exquisitely white anemones (Dianthus antiloba) so fixed to the rock that the rising tide may quickest refresh their tentacles. It is difficult to describe the precise tint of these creatures—white, with a suggestion of rose-colour. The wish to preserve this charming colony from destruction alone prevents the writer from naming the spot where they may be found. But a few steps further on, the rocky plateau along which we have been walking comes to an end, and we behold a small bay, the shore of which is strewn with handsome white and pink pebbles. Here are several fine caverns, and an even more striking natural arch in the rocks. Further pro- gress is at last impeded by the precipitous side of a tall cliff, and we retrace our steps, pausing at times to watch the cormorants diving, or the gannets flitting past, or the great black-backed gulls disporting themselves after their own fashion. The tide is rising now, and the time no longer favourable for collecting, yet it is well worth while to linger, to see the waves swirl and seethe among the rocks, and listen to the grand, weird sounds produced, as the water fills up pool and cavern. A matter-of-fact person persists that ‘‘ someone must be beating carpets hard by,”’ whilst another thinks ‘there are guns in the distance.’ There is green, CRs AL Sake aN Qo 3, really no sound to which it could be compared. Even more wonderful effects may be noticed further on, where the cliff of light-coloured rock is intersected by a broad vein of dark, intrusive material, so weathered as to resemble a huge flight of steps sloping seaward. This vein has, once upon a time, been intersected by a similar one at right angles to it; this second vein has been com- pletely worn away, and now forms a cavern, into which the rising tide has a sore struggle to force its way, as the air, which has filled the cavern whilst the tide was low, opposes the entry of the waves, which are, time after time, thrown back with a peculiar belching sound. The heights above are, in the summer, clothed with the fetid iris, sea- lavender, blue squill and samphire, the roots of the latter acting like wedges and chisels in cleaving the much-weathered rock into ever more numerous fragments, Scenes such as this abound along the coast of Guernsey. Let visitors to the island but venture to eschew the directions of guide-books, and for- sake the beaten tracks, and they will find themselves well rewarded for their pains by the discovery of picturesque and beautiful sites innumerable. E. RENOUF. Maison de Haut, Burnt Lane, Guerisey ; April 10, 1894. BOOKS. BAS BeAr. N a certain ‘kind play-book ”’ known as ‘‘ Love’s Labour Lost,’ Sir Nathaniel speaks of the ‘‘dainties that are bred in a _ book,’ but the dainty bred in books known as the dendritic crystal, which is the subject of this paper, never came within Sir Nathaniel’s observation. It is a curious fact that the dendritic crys- tal, one of the interesting and lovely of crystalline forms, is almost un- known, and has lately come within the ken of workers with the microscope. Still 1 more curious is the fact that most of us possess specimens, and some of us dozens of really fine examples, and we never knew until now that we possessed them. Only the initiated know the home of the most most only Figs. 1 and 3 natural sizes. 2 3 tion of DeENDRITIC CRYSTALS IN Books. dendritic crystal, for, as Mark Twain said of International hackneyed.” Law, the subject is ‘‘not yet 5eing, then, so new to observers, the crystal in question named in text-books. is not even the usual I must, therefore, beg the indulgence of my readers for the frag- mentary and imperfect character of this paper, based solely on personal observation. The dendritic crystal (from the Greek, dendvon, a tree) may be found where Nature is_ hold- ing a perpetual exhibi- specimens at once brilliant, beautiful, practically — in- destructible. Within the printed pages of our books, for years and she has been in silence drawing for us pictures of ee din and Fig. 2 magiified. years, working unseen and in darkness, 86 SCIENCE-GOSSIP; tree-life of such loveliness as Rembrandt, prince of etchers, would have failed to imitate. The accompanying drawing illustrates specimens of dendritic crystals, figs. 1 and 3 being natural size. Fig. 2 is an enlargement, drawn from a micro-photograph of fig. 1, kindly taken by Captain Barnes. The black mark shown in the magnified example appears to be the origin of this beautiful pattern. The dendritic crystal is formed by chemical action set up by the accidental deposition of a minute fragment of copper upon the surface of paper during the processes of manufacture or of printing: the presence of the minute fragments of copper deposited being probably due to the wear and tear of the paper-making or the printing machinery, so far as the mechanism is built up of copper. The agency of manganese -and the action of heat or of moisture in building up the dendritic crystal, tracing its arborescent characters black upon white on the surface, as well as in the very substance of the paper, must be left for a future article. Unlike crystals from saline and other solutions, which may be rapidly formed upon the stage of the microscope ‘‘ while you wait’ as the signboard hath it, the dendritic crystal requires, as far as I have observed, rather more than twenty years before reaching its fullest development. However, just as there is a firm in Chelsea who have been wresting from nature one of the most "hidden of her geological secrets, by transmuting a block of chalk into a block of marble in a few hours, it is amongst the possibilities of the near future that dendritic crystals may quickly be pro- duced in the laboratory, rivalling, perhaps excelling, the specimens hitherto known. I have never as yet seen a specimen in a book older than 1835, or younger than 1882. In the latter case, all the examples of the crystals were small in size, and their arborescent character was not nearly so well defined and luxuriant as in the volume aged three-score years. It would be interesting to learn the experience of brother microscopists, and I would be glad to see reports in ScrENcE-Gossip from those whose experience differs from mine on the point. A somewhat remarkable fact touching this sub- ject is that although I have examined scores of volumes of foreign origin I have never yet been rewarded by the discovery of a single specimen. Never having seen an American or continental paper-making or printing machine, I know not whether the absence of crystals is due to there being no copper in their mechanism. I can hardly imagine any scheme of winnowing away foreign particles, or of pulp-manipulation that would be so perfect as to wholly banish the tiny granule of copper, if any of that metal were in the make of the machine. These crystals vary in size; the smallest are barely visible to the naked eye as, apparently, a minute black dot. A giant specimen would cover a threepenny piece. A good Coddington lens or a two-inch objective is indispensable for examina- tion of the smaller specimens, but much of the beauty of the larger examples is manifest to the unaided eye. With asmall lens one may goona voyage of discovery amongst one’s books in quest of crystalline beauty without any help from the microscope. Non-crystalline marks are hard in outline and of rigidly defined harshness and. blackness at their edges, whilst the dendritic crystal that looks ‘‘blottesque”’ at half-a-yard’s distance is found when closely examined to be fashioned with the utmost delicacy of filigree structure, as if indeed it had been designed in fairyland, and the master-craftsman had made the pattern a blending of the beauty of tree-life with the fantasy of the marine alge. 34, Woodlands Road, Ilford, Essex ; May, 1894. IMPROVED Seid Wei Vie Ss: E have received from Mr. J. J. Hicks, of Hatton Garden, specimens of his new circular spirit levels. So much disappointment has been caused by the almost inevitable failure of circular levels, after a short period of service, that we are sure those readers who make use of the camera in their scientific work will welcome this improvement, in which leakage, corrosion, or absorption is rendered impossible by the spirit being enclosed in a blown glass, hermeti- cally sealed, instead of being enclosed by cement, solder, or other corrosive substance. They are mounted in brass with screw-holes ready for fixing to the camera, andare produced in various qualities and sizes, from eighteen-pence upwards, the more expensive kinds having the glass ground and polished inside and out. We have tested their sensitiveness when attached to the camera, and are well pleased with their performance; there are, however, many other purposes for which a trustworthy circular level offers great advantages over the tubular kind. SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 87 A Dictionary of Birds. By AL¥Frep Newton, assisted by Hans Gapow, with Contributions from RicHarp LYDEKKER, CHARLES S. Roy and RoBpert W. SHUFELDT. Parts l.and II. 576pp., large 8vo., profusely illustrated. (London: Adam and Charles Black, 1893.) To be completed in four parts, each 7s. 6d. net. For some time past a new ornithological dictionary has been wanted. It is many years since Montague’s was brought up to date. The study of birds, like other sciences, has been progressing, even in synonomy. From all points of view no better editor-in-chief could have been found for such new dictionary than the veteran Professor Alfred Newton, of Cambridge. The association of Hans Gadow with him is fortunate, for his supervision of that part which deals with structure and anatomy will ensure great complete- ness. There is a good arrangement for identifying the work of each by printing the titles of their respective articles in different type, thus practically amalgamating two books in one. On looking over the pages of these two parts which carry us to the word ‘* Moa,"’ the result is one of general satisfaction. The feeling comes that these parts are the moiety of a book which is going to be a standard work tor at least the next quarter century, Occasionally we fail to find in it some technical word used in connection with MERLINS. birds, which we think would have been better there, for instance, ‘‘lore,’’ which is often used, but which only appears in some of the more modern general dictionaries. The same omission applies to some local bird-names. Of these Professor Newton says in his prefatory note to Part I. that he has intentionally “kept out a vast number of local names, even of British birds, which could have been easily inserted, though preserving most of if those that have found their way into some sort of literature ranging from an epic poem to an act of parliament ; but I confess to much regret in being compelled to exclude them, because the subject is one of great interest and has never been pr operly treated.’’ We fully share in this regret, for it is when meeting with one of these unfamiliar words, either in conversation or while reading, one most ita Me A Ni 3 SFA yy et at Toa ne ) LY THe Dopo. needs such a dictionary as this. We cannot under- stand the principle of selection or rejection, for we find ‘‘dunnock"’ as a local name for hedge-sparrow, though ‘‘cuddy,’’ which is another name for the same bird used over large districts in the North of England, is not there. Special articles appear in position which are of siderable length. their alphabetical great value and of con- For instance, Anatomy occupies nearly seven pages; Colour, six pages; Em.- bryology, about eighteen pages; Extermination, fourteen pages; Flight (by Roy), twelve pages; Fossil Birds (by Lydekker), eleven pages; Geo- graphical Distribution, illustrated by a map of regions, is a most important article covering upwards of fifty pages, whilst Migration occupies twenty-five pages. Some of these articles, in foundation at least, have appeared in the Ninth [dition of ‘Encyclopaedia Britannica,’ but they are well lifted into this work, for they will be more accessible to many students. The woodcuts and other illustrations are chiefly borrowed from various sources, but they have been well chosen. There are some by Wolf, others by W. Wood and many by Swainson. Through the courtesy of the publishers of the ‘t Dictionary of British Birds,’ we are enabled to give a couple of specimens, one being a quaint sketch taken in 1601, from life, of the now extinct Dodo, the other a drawing of Merlins by that clever artist, Wolf. When completed this excellent Dictionary of Birds will be a valuable addition to the list of books of reference for either student or country gentleman. eee 88 SCIENCE-GOSSIP. Practical Botany for Beginners. By F. O. Bower, D.Sc., F.R.S, Regius Professor of Botany in the University of Glasgow. 275 pp. 8vo. Illustrated. (London, Macmillan and Co., 1894.) Price 3s. 6d. This remarkably concise little work is an abridg- ment of the larger ‘‘ Course of Practical Instruction in Botany,” and we may safely say that it has lost none of the more important points of the author's larger work in consequence. One of the disadvantages of teaching Natural Science by these concentrated text-books, is the production of pupils with a too superficial knowledge of the subjects with which they are ‘‘ crammed,” through such hand- books. As pointed out by Dr. Bower in his preface, there is a dangerous tendency in beginners towards too early generalisation, when they depend upon such a limited area of fact for their knowledge. Against this disadvantage, however, is the fact that many who first learn through text-books, later develop a real taste for their respective subjects, and become serious students in later life. The arrangement and varied type of this latest and most up-to-date treatise upon structural botany, is such, that any person in earnest could very soon get an excellent knowledge of the subject, including the cryptogams. It is one of the most practical manuals we have yet met with, as it gives full instructions for using the elaborate paraphernalia described for a complete study of Botany. Alternating Generations: A Biological Study of Oak Galls and Gall Flies. By HERMANN ADLER, M.D. Translated and edited by CuHarLes R. STRATTON, F.E.S. 240 pp. 8vo, with coloured plates and other illustrations. (Oxford, at the “Clarendon Press,’’ 1894.) Price tos. 6d. net. The delegates of the ‘‘Clarendon Press” have just published a very good book upon a most interesting though comparatively little worked branch of insect economy. Mr. Siratton has faithfully acted his part of translator of Dr. Adler's well-known monograph of the alternating genera- tions of gall-flies. Excellent copies have been taken of the coloured and other plates, the original stones from which they were printed having been cleaned. To the work of Dr. Adler, Mr. Stratton hasadded much information of a collateral character in the form of an introduction and appendices. One of these is a history of Cynips kollavi; another contains a synoptical table of oak-galls; while the third is devoted to a classification of the Cynipide, with their food plants. The first discoverer of alternate generations in one species was Adalbert de Chamisso, the author of ‘‘ Peter Schlemihl,’ who accompanied, as naturalist, Rumjauzon, in his voyage round the world, in 1815. He observed that among the Salpz, a genus of marine mollusca, an individual salpa gave rise to a generation of a different form. Thus a mother salpa did not resemble its daughter or its own mother, but was like its grandmother and granddaughter. Since then other animals of widely apart orders have been found to continue their existence in generations with distinct forms, either alternately or in other numbers, each ancestor producing offspring unlike itself, but like a former parent. Among the better known instances are zoophytes and jelly-fish. Some liver- flukes, parasitic on mammals, propagate a genera- tion of aquatic animals which swim freely for a time. It is the study of this remarkable alternation of generation among the gall-flies that has produced the most interesting work under notice. DIstTrRicTs.—In “RURAL urban districts some restraint can be placed by the operation of the building laws upon the excesses COMMERCIALISM IN and iconoclasm of a selfish commercialism. When the same spirit invades regions outside the control of town boards, it is far more difficult to bring the force of public opinion to bear upon offenders against the interests of rural communities and the amenities and beauties of the countryside. Such a difficulty is found in the short-sighted pro- ceedings now in progress on a very wide scale in the neighbourhood of Hampton Hill and Hanworth, but a little removed from the better known districts of Teddington and Hampton Court. The practices complained of are peculiarly offensive and objec- tionable to all lovers of nature, whether wild or restrained by the hand of man, and if the object was to depreciate a whole neighbourhood, no more effective steps could have been taken. To establish a jam factory and fruit farm, many hundreds of acres have beer secured, intersected by miles of what heretofore were pleasant country roads, with bordering ditches overhung with bramble and bracken, topped by live hedges of maple, whitethorn and elm, over which festoons of honeysuckle, white bryony and hop swung in the wind, with here and there trees of more stalwart growth to break the monotony of the hedge-line: and affording roosting and nesting places for the birds of many species which so richly endow our rural districts with movement and song. In place of these country charms, we find in this unfortunate district lines of hideous corrugated iron hoardings lining the roads and footpaths, with never a break or curve to vary the horrid vista. Trees have been felled, hedgerows stubbed up, and the wild vegetable life of the bordering watercourses removed to check the visits of birds at flowering and fruiting seasons. That birds do take a toll of the ripening fruit may be freely admitted, but that they inflict any appreciable damage in the flowering season is much more open to question. But what is unquestionable, is the good they do to the culturist in fighting his insect foes. England is happy in numerous species of insectivorous birds, the want of them is cruelly felt on the Continent, where insect life, through the insane destruction of the air fauna, has obtained the upper hand. The true and only satisfactory check against the undue increase of insect pests, are the birds which prey upon them. Where the food plants of such insects are aggre- gated in immense breadths, it is the more necessary to secure the presence of insectivorous birds, whose services far outweigh their minor depredations in harvest time. To destroy their nesting places is to put difficulties in the way of their natural increase. This protest is made against the destruction of vegetable life by the roadsides over a large district, and the infliction of crude ugliness upon the inhabitants and wayfarers condemned to traverse such roads.—John Allen, Hon. Sec., Lower Thames Valley Branch, Selborne Society. SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 89 CoNDUCTED By ALICE EVERETT, M.A. (Hon. Secretary of the British Astronomical Association.) Rises. Sets, Position. A.M. P.M. R.A. Dec. him, him. Sun Se LDH AmncenSs56iess) GLO ie. .4:50))..022> 207 ING STPRLOMETeamESTA Sie VOsI7) 12.2) 5548. 2.) 23> 20% Souths. Sets. NOON. Moon ... rt Abeer L2;90) wen 0.41 Rises. Souths. Ozaese 12137 A.M. P.M. Mercury... May 3 ... 3.27... 12.52 ... 5:28 ... 25° 5/N, NUE OMe Stns. eLeS2i cs. (0:47). 2500 24 SE ZOMNeseNE 4 Olteren L650) tees 7:45 ose zoo aa? A.M. Venus one. TEs JOM7aliico) Le40 2-5, (Seng7e Leese 20 ne Os Tl ies, 2,20) se Teo 1g! 2B ceo He ctop CpuD) Gon BEY en IP BY Mars. ... cf 2 cea) 30) ces ORE ROL CO bes mie GL AS) Merde 2a OD 7a vee23:35%.c6, 50 2 Ok Se2-TA, ye AO 6 fe. LO: Bis av P.M. P.M SOME 8s eg TO) ne CB ces GATS too ees ZO GY UVanUs... May eames 15513)... 1012 TAG) cog BS TSE GUO g.. ks ZO. s+» 10.25 14.43 o (6! June io ... ... 8.40 14.32 o° 5/N Moon. 3rd Qr.... May 27... 84p.m. New... June3 ... 10.56 p.m. Ist Qy.... Junero... 1.14p.m. Full... Juner8... 7.6 a.m. OCCULTATIONS OF STARS BY THE MOON. Angle Angle Disappear- from Re-appear- from Date, Star. Mag. ance. N.Pt. ance. N.Pt. May 31 £1 Piscium ... 4h ... 2.40a.m. 207° Juner2 58 Virginis ..6 9op.m. 187... 9.37p.m. 246° 7) 14 BeA.Gi4923) 7-60) LE.20)p. tho... Clb? Ded, 232° » 25 B.A.C.5197 .. 6 9.2 p.m. 108° ... 10.23 p.m. 300° 3 XQ) B.A.C. 6628) <.: 6) To:46pim Boo 2 r2a8ia-m. (267° NEAR APPROACH. June 14, B.A.C. 4700, 6th mag., at 12.41 a.m., angle 23°. THE SuN.—Fine groups of spots still continue to appear at intervals, forming interesting objects for observation. Mercury is an evening star, setting about 1? hours after the Sun in the middle of June. For more than a month this planet will now be unusually favourably situated for observation. It will traverse successively the constellations Taurus, Gemini and Cancer, and on the 15th will be near the 3rd magnitude star § Geminorum. Venus will be conspicuous in the morning before sunrise in the constellations Aries and Taurus, and not far from the bright star Aldebaran at the end of June. Mars is in a somewhat barren region of the sky, Aquarius-Pisces. This planet will soon be visible in the evening, under good conditions. Jupiter is not visible. Satuyn can be observed in the S.W. soon after sunset in Virginis, about 5° north of the bright star, Spica. Uranus lies N.W. of the 3rd magnitude star kt Libre, and close to 5 Libre, 6th magnitude. Neptune is invisible. Minor PLanet Discovery.—Thirty-three fresh additions were made last year to our list of the hundreds of minute attendants of our primary, which circulate between the paths of Mars and Jupiter, forming a sort of missing link between the inferior planets, Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars, on the one hand, and the superior planets, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, on the other. The work of discovery is now carried on entirely by photography, which requires immensely less time and labour than the old method of visual observation by comparison with charts. A planet may be picked up at once on a photographic plate by the fact that owing to its motion among the fixed stars it leaves its impress as a little ‘‘trail’’ instead of by a round dot as a star would. Nova Norm4, the new variable star discovered by Mrs. Fleming on a photographic plate on October 26th, has been found to have a spectrum like that of Nova Aurigz at its second appearance, that is, of a nebular character. CELESTIAL OBJECTS FOR COMMON TELESCOPES. Rev. T. W. Webb. A fifth edition of this useful friend of the amateur astronomer, revised and enlarged to two vols., by Rev. T. E. Espin, is being published by Longmans. The first vol. is now out. FLAMMARION, THE ASTRONOMER.—An interesting account of a visit to the great French astronomer, M. Camille Flammarion, by Mr. R. H. Sherard, appears in the May issue of ‘‘ McClure’s Magazine."’ Flammarion appears to have been a very precocious child, and at the age of sixteen he entered the Paris Observ atory as pupil astronomer. At that time he was already the author of a work entitled ‘‘ The Cosmogony of the Universe,’ which had attracted a good deal of attention. He remained four years at the Observatory, and had the good fortune to be able to make certain observations of comets which have been described as the most interest- ing that have been made during this century. At the age of twenty-two, he joined the staff of a scientific magazine called ‘‘ Cosmos,” and in the following year was asked by Henri Martin to contribute regularly to what was then the most important daily in Paris, the ‘‘Siécle.’’ Whilst taking an interest in Aérostatics and Meteorology, and continuing his literary work he did not neglect his astronomical observations. From 1873 to 1878, he was entirely absorbed by the study of double stars and his catalogue on the subject has since become a classic in every observatory throughout the civilized world. The planet to which he has devoted especial attention is Mars, as he says, “‘ It is the planet about which one has the most reason to hope that definite information may be obtained. Speaking about his past life he says that the three achievements of which he is most proud is the starting of the ‘ Monthly Review of Astronomy,” the founding of the French Society of Astronomy, and the establishment of his observatory at Jussy. go SCIENCE-GOSSIP. i Pee GOSSIP hu isha, lite ASS Sir WILLIAM H. Flower, K.C.B., F.R.S., has been re-elected president of the Zoological Society. THE fifteenth Annual Congress of the French Geographical Societies will be held at Lyons next August. AmonG the arrangements of the South London Entomological and Natural History Society, we note excursions to Reigate Hill, Surrey, on June oth, and to Wisley, Surrey, on July 7th. THE well-known experimental chemists, Wanklyn and Cooper, have been investigating Russian kero- sene, which is distilled from crude petroleum in Baku, with some remarkable results. THE recent Ordnance Survey of Kew Gardens shows that the area of cultivation under glass is no less than 2°604 acres. The linear extent of foot- paths is 14 miles 48 chains. An elaborate remeasurement of the superficial area of France has been completed by the depart- ment of the Army which corresponds with the Ordnance Survey of this country. The remarkable result is that France is found to be 3,000 square miles larger than was supposed. PROFESSOR S. P. LANGLEY contributes to the May ‘‘ Philosophical Magazine’’ an important paper upon ‘‘ The Internal Work of the Wind,” in which he shows that there is no such thing as a ‘steady wind,’ for it always, whatever the strength, consists of a succession of very brief pulsations of varying amplitude. ALEXANDER THEODOR VON Mippenporer, the explorer of Siberia, and zoologist, died recently at his house in Livonia. He was seventy-nine years old. For twelve years he was Secretary of the Russian Academy of Science. He published many zoo- logical works, which, with physical studies, com- manded for him a European reputation. Tue Selborne Field Club has arranged for the following Saturday rambles :—May 26th, Feltham, Middlesex, to Hanworth; June 2nd, Pinner, Oxhey Woods and Watford; June oth, The Brent, Perivale and Horsenton’ Hill, Middlesex ; June 16th, Theydon Bois to Epping, Essex ; June 23rd, Shepperton, Middlesex; June 30th, Rye House to Ware. Tue residue of the legacy of the late Richard Berridge, amounting to £25,000, has been placed in trust for the endowment of a laboratory for bacteriological and chemical examination of public water supply. The large laboratory in course of erection at Chelsea is progressing rapidly, under the direction of the British Institute of Preventive Medicine. THE past winter was exceptionally wet and sunless over the northern portion of the British Isles. During the 119 days previous to March 14th last, the rainfall (including melted snow) at the Observatory on Ben Nevis, reached 104.30 inches, and there was only a total of 23.7 hours of bright sunshine. There was but one hour of sunshine in the month of December. IN a paper read before the Society of Arts, Mr. Chapman Jones points out what a very small proportion of the 4,000 professional and many thousands of amateur photographers of this country know anything of the chemistry or science of photography. THE naturalist to the Fishery Board for Scotland contributes to the May number of ‘“‘ Annals and Mag. of Nat. Hist.” an interesting paper on the rarer Crustacea of the Dogger-Bank. Some of the species found have not before been recorded from the British seas. A course of five Saturday afternoon lectures, by Mr. F. E. Beddard, F.R.S., Prosector to the Zoological Society, commencing May roth, are to be given in the lecture room of the Society’s Gardens, Regent’s Park. The subject is ‘‘Sketches in Geographical Distribution.” The fee for the course is five shillings, including admission to the gardens. The rare phenomenon of an iridescent band has again been observed on one of our English lakes— this time Windermere. It takes the form of a long line of intense prismatic colours on the surface of the water. Among the few previous records of its appearance is one in 1851, and another about twenty years ago, on Windermere and Derwent- water respectively. ‘THE International Journal of Microscopy and Natural Science’’ for the quarter ending April is excellent (if we except its many-worded title). The leading feature is the commencement of a series of articles by Dr. F. Vincentini, of Chieti, in Italy, upon the ‘‘Cryptogamic Flora of the Mouth.” This first memoir deals with the bacteria found in the sputa of whooping-cough. The sub- ject is illustrated by a successfully produced coloured plate. Among other good papers, there is a smart article by Mrs. Alice Bodington, scientifically com- bating the vegetarian theory of human diet. WE have received an attractive prospectus of Mr. Fred Enock’s popular lectures on insect and spider life, and having had the pleasure of listening to several of those mentioned, we gladly call the attention of natural history societies to them. Mr. Enock’s lantern slides are very beautiful and all from his original drawings of nature, whilst his explanatory matter is likewise original, bright and witty, entirely devoid of technicalities yet wonder- fully exact ; a very refreshing contrast to the cold hash of scraps and fragments of books. that too often do duty as the “popular science lecture.’’ The prospectus may be obtained on application to Mr. F. Enock, F.L.S., F.E.S., 11, Parolles Road, Upper Holloway, London, N. East SHEEN Common.—Nature lovers will be sorry to learn that a large part of the surface of this secluded Surrey Common has been denuded of furze, bracken, and other wild growths, to maké way for golfers, much to the indignation and dis- tress of the inhabitants of Richmond and Sheen. This has been done by the consent of a body of gentlemen calling themselves the East Sheen Common Preservation (!) Society, who have secured the manorial rights from Earl Spencer by purchase. A vigorous agitation, headed and directed by the local branch of the Selborne Society, is urging upon the Barnes Local Board the propriety of securing this open space, and thus wresting it from further destruction. When the furze is in flower and the surrounding orchards are in bloom the spot is well worth a visit. SCIENCE-GOSSIP. gI boo aD f AOE CIE 4 “a ANNAES DE SCIENCIAS NATURAES (Oporto, April, 1894). Contribution to the Study of the Freshwater Fishes of Portugal, by Dr. Lopes Vieira (French text).—The first publication on the subject is the preliminary catalogue issued in 1864 by Dr. F. H. Steindachner. The next, also a catalogue, was issued in r880 by De Brito Capello. It is a some- what remarkable fact that no Portuguese work existed containing diagnoses of all the known freshwater fishes of that kingdom, as the two fore-mentioned catalogues contained descriptions only of some new species, so that students of this subject had to obtain their information respecting the ichthyological fauna of their country from the Catalogue of Fishes in the British Museum, by Dr. Gunther. Using this work and L’Histoive Naturelle des Poissons de France, by M. Moreau, as the bases of his operations, comparing the specimens in the Museum of Coimbra with the diagnoses in these two works, the author arrives at the remarkable result that of four genera he is undecided to which species his specimens should be referred. Thus, with the two species of Barbus said to be peculiar to Portugal, Dr. Vieira tabulates the characters and measurements of ten specimens in the Museum side by side with those of the two described species ; taking one series of characters and measurements, they would be referred to Barbus bocagei, but taking another series they would agree with those of Barbus comizo. Similarly with the specimens of the genera Leuciscus, Chondvostoma and Trutta, the author was unable to identify any of them from the diagnoses and he therefore asks, and apparently not without reason, ‘which are the constant characters to permit the distinction between one species and another?"’ Evgo, the species must be re-diagnosed or, what seems a more satisfactory solution, some of them must be merged into the others, which he leaves for more able hands to do, the only remark we are inclined to dispute. An exhaustive list of all the specimens, with exact habitat of each, preserved in the Museum of Coimbra, concludes this able paper. Mr. W. C. Tait continues his list of the birds of Portugal, and the editor his ‘‘ Observations on the nervous system and zoological affinities of some terrestrial pulmonata."’ Dr. Lopes Vieira contributes also a short Paper on The Habits of the Marine and Freshwater Lamprey (with a plate). Mr. E. J. Johnston continues his Floral Calendar of Plants from the neighbourhood of Oporto. ‘On the Malacological Fauna ‘of the Islands S. Thomé and Madeira,” by the Editor, Dr. Augosto Nobre (First part). The mollusca of S. Thomé, collected by M. Moller in 1885 and by M. Castro are enumerated and two new species of marine and one of terrestrial mollusca are described and figured. ANNALEN DES K. K. NATURHISTORISCHEN Hormusevums (Vienna, 1894, ix., No. 1). ‘‘On the Lepidopterous Fauna of the Canary Islands,” by Dr. H. Rebel and A. Rogenhofer. This very important contribution to Lepidopterous literature is based on the collections made by Prof. Dr. Oscar Simony during his three voyages to the Canary Islands in 1888, 1889 and 1890, consisting of about 400 speci- mens, belonging to 120 species, and accompanied by many biological notes, which he presented to the Imperial Hofmuseum of Vienna. The lepi- dopterous fauna of the little-visited eastern islands of this Archipelago was, up to the present time, almost unknown. In addition, the collections made by Dr. Brunner von Wattenwyl in Teneriffe and MWerr J. Richter, in Grand Canary, which were likewise presented to the museum, allowed various comparisons to be made. We learn with pleasure that Lord Wal- singham also contributed a very remarkable series of micro-lepidoptera, collected by Mr. Leech in Teneriffe in the Spring of 1886, which added considerably to the family of Tortricidae, of which but a very incomplete knowledge had hitherto been obtained. A tabulated Systematic Survey of the Canarian Lepidoptera and theiy Geographical Distribution occupies eleven pages, and will be much appreciated by students of distribution. Then follows a chapter on the relations of the two groups of islands (eastern and western) to each other and to the nearest districts, and the authors conclude that the primitive lepidopterous fauna, which originated in the latter part of the Tertiary period, has disappeared in the eastern group almost completely, and in the western islands for the greater part at least. In comparatively later times, probably through changes in the direction of the winds and through human agency, incursions, chiefly of Mediterranean and West African forms, took place, which, under the constant influence of more favourable conditions of existence in the Western Canaries, were mostly converted into ende- mic local races. The second part contains an anno- tated list of the macro-lepidoptera with diagnoses of several new species, and acoloured plate; additions to the micro-lepidoptera, and an alphabetical index, the whole Memoir occupying 96 pages. A Catalogue of the Cryptogams in the Herbarium of the Imperial Hofmuseum (first century), by several contri- butors, with two plates. Reports on the various departments of the Museum by the Director. PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA (Philadelphia, 1894). —Critical list of Mollusks collected in the Potomac Valley, by H. A. Pilsbry. In the introduction the author informs us that the mollusks enumerated in this paper, were collected by Mr. J. E. Ives and himself during the course of a pedestrian tour through parts of Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia, and, judging from the number of species and varieties recorded, the excursion appears to have been very successful. Under the family Zonitideg, Mr. Pilsbry remarks that ‘‘a complete re-arrangement of the American genera of this family is necessary, and although a local faunal list may be considered hardly the place for radical changes in nomenclature, still it may be preferable to the perpetuation of an untenable system.”’ In view of the fact that the genus Zonites of Montfort has no representative in America, we think Mr. Pilsbry has been well advised to distribute the species formerly referred to this genus, into several distinct genera, t.e., Omphalina, Vitrea, and Gastrodonta. Two new varieties of Helix tridentata are described and figured. Homologies of the Alisphenotd and Petromas- totd Bones in Vertebrates, by H. C. Chapman, M.D. Contributions to Life-Histories of Plants. The Origin of Coreless Apples. The relations between Insects and the flowers of Impatiens fulva, by Thomas Meehan, (not concluded). g2 SCIENCE-GOSSIP. {ZOOL LOGS Te WOLVES IN FRANCE.—-From statistics drawn up by M. Galien Mingaud, it appears that wolves are rapidly disappearing from France. In 1883, 1,316 premiums were paid by the Government for an equal number of wolves killed, which number has gradually dwindled down to 327 in 1892. Cucxkoos IN Marcu.—We referred (antz, p. 54) to the early arrivals of summer migranis this season. We have further records, especially re- garding the cuckoo, which was credibly observed frequently, on and after March 25th, in various parts of the country. The middle of April is its usual time of arrival. ABNORMAL STARFISH.—Ai Black Rock, Brighion, my brother found a very curious starfish. It was rather a large specimen of the common five-finger (Uraster rubens); but one of its rays was divided half-way into two branches, which gave it an odd appearance.- We have now placed it in our aquarium, where it seems healthy and active at present.—Catherine A. Winckworth, 11, Old Sieine, Brighton ; April 16th, 1894. PACHNOBIA HYPERBOREA IN IRELAND.—In the ** Entomologist” for May, the Hon. R. E. Dillon records breeding a specimen of Pachnobia hyperborea (=alfina) from a larva picked up in a bog in County Galway, where there are growing many plants of Empetrum nigrum, the crow berry. ‘He does not state the alt titude. of this bog; but we conclude it is a mountain locality. It will be remembered that British examples of this local moth have hitherto only been obtained in Scotland. Waite VireR—On April 11th, a large snake was seen entering a wood near here. On being followed it fmened and hissed, and a child, mis- taking it for the common grass snake, touched Tp and was bitten on the hand. : when killed the snake turned out to be a common viper (Pelias berus), and was exactly identical with Bell’s white variety, which I believe is rather rare. The specimen is twenty-four inches long; the ground colour is a dirty ‘white, and the markings are of a very dis- tinct black. ==/[2 2. 2 Foxwold, Brasted, Kent. THe MoLttusca oF THE Lake District —In the ‘‘ Transactions” of the Cumberland Association for the Advancement of Science, Part 8, there is a Paper by Miss Donald, of Carlisle, on ‘‘ The Land and Fresh-water Shells of Cumberland and Westmoreland.” We there find seventy-five species recorded from the two counties, seven of which are peculiar to Westmoreland. This may be of interest to Captain Farrer, who will find several species recorded therein from his neighbourhood, which are not included in his excellent Paper in last month’ s SciENcE-Gossie. In the same “‘ Transac- tions,’’ Part 9, is an additional list, by the same authoress, giving particulars of other species and localities w Thich had come under her notice since the appearance of the first Paper.—Jas. Murray, Whitehaven ;-May, 1894. THe MoLiusca OF THE Lake District. — During the last few days I have added to the List of Lake Mollusca, published in ScrENcE-GossiP for May, the following species :—Hyalina drapar- naldi, Beck —Garden wall at Keswick; very large but not numerous. Pupa cylindracea, var. albina — Very fine specimens with above. Vertigo moulinsiana, Dup.—Four specimens at Friar’s Crag, Keswick. Balea perversa, L.—On the wall at the back of Armathwaite Park. Succinia elegans, Risso.—Com- mon, but small; about Keswick in marshes.—W. J. Farrer, Chapel House, Bassenthwaite ; May, 1894. DISPERSAL OF SHELLS.—I have myseli caught the Dytiscus marginalis with a Spherium corneum attached to its leg on a reach of the canal supplied with fresh water, between Halifax and Salterhebble. It therefore seems to be a favourite mode of pro- gression for this mollusc. At this season of the year all possessing aquaria, especially in large towns, should make friends with the watercress sellers—the bottom of their baskets being a per- fect paradise for the coleopterist and the shell collector. My fishmonger, who is also a green- grocer, has always a bait tin of mine supplied with fresh spring water, in which he washes his water- cress, and then sends me the can. I search ior Tare specimens, which I keep in ordinary round glass aquaria, and the remainder is emptied into my large aquarium holding some ioo gallons of water, and forms a sort of food supply for my fishes, which thus get a fairly good meal of their natural food.—Henry J. Barber, Brighouse; March 15th, 1894. FRESHWATER SNAILS IN TRAFALGAR SQUARE.— For many years past various authors of books and papers upon British shells have speculated upon the origin of Limnea peregra in the ornamental fountain basins in Trafalgar Square, London. These fountains being supplied from an artesian well at the back of the National Gallery, it was clear that the water snails must have been conveyed there by artificial means. No later than last month, Mr. E. L. Layard referred to these shells in his communication to these pages (ante 61). Without going through the rather long list of speculative origins to which have been aitributed the occurrence of these shells in Trafalgar Square, I think accident has allowed me to give one other possible cause, which is probably the correct solution of the mystery. On a recent morning, shortly before six o'clock, at which time the square is so little used by ‘‘citizens,’’ that the police officers take scant notice of what may be going on, I was crossing near one of the ornamental basins, and discovered an itinerant watercress-seller. With furtive glances in the direction of a sleepy-looking officer of the law, she was dipping into the water one bunch after another, giving each a little shake to refresh the cress before starting on the morning round, with sonorous cries of ‘ fresh creeces! fine creeces!"’ It is not likely that this was the first occasion of this act being committed. What more probable than that young specimens of Limnza, or the mature ova, were upon the bunches of watercress? In that case they, in either stage, would be in a flaccid condition, after many hours away from their native stream, and easily washed into the fountain water. There they would find abundant food in the confervoid growth which appears so rapidly under the action of strong light on the bottom and sides of these shallow ponds. —John T. Carringion, 1, Northumberland Avenue, London ; May, 18094. SCIENGCE-GOSSIP: 93 THE Foop oF FunGi.—There appears to be no end to the queer substances upon which fungi will erow. M. Heine records in the ‘‘ Bulletin of the Société Mycologique de France,’’ a species of A sper- villus whose mycelium was growing abundantly in a solution of sulphate of quinine. LEGUMINOUS TREES AT KrEw.—The collection of hardy ligneous leguminosz near the Pagoda at Kew was, during the past winter, entirely re- arranged, the plants being more conveniently grouped in smaller beds, some beds being filled with a single species. The collection, which is a large one, is expected shortly to prove of con- siderable interest not only to botanists and horticulturists, but also to the general sightseeing visitor. Tue AGE OF A SEQuOIA.—A section through the trunk of a Sequoia gigantea, from California, has been added to the Botanical Department of the Natural History Museum at South Kensington. Its diameter is over fifteen feet. The tree was cut down whilst still vigorous a couple of years ago, and Mr. Carruthers, who has carefully counted the rings of annual growth, finds it had then attained the age of 1,330 years. When Mr. Carruthers visited these Californian giants at home ten years ago, he found trees in various stages of growth, and he does not fear their early extinction. AGARICUS PERSONATUS IN SPRING.—On the 15th of May I found a single specimen of this handsome autumnal fungus. It was on the Downs, near Mickleham, in Surrey, and appeared to have been fully-grown for several days. The characteristic blue colouring was well developed. Whether this is another instance of the abnormally early season of this year, or a case of laying over from last autumn, is hard to judge. In the same locality Agaricus gambosus—the St. George’s mushroom— was common, and in excellent order for cooking. The two forms of our common mushroom, 4. cam- pestvis and A. arvensis, frequently occurred in the same district, some of the latter extending to over six inches in diameter of the pileus. It is remark- ably early for these species.—John T. Carrington. Funeus TRANSITIoNS.—In April, 1893, I found a plant of the common wood anemone, the leaves of which were infested with the parasitic fungus, Ecidium leucospermwm, unmistakable in every way. I marked the exact situation in order to return to the same root thisyear. Early in April, 1894, the leaves from that same root-stock have developed a black spored fungus which is Puccinia fusca. May I ask those interested in the study of micro-fungi whether these two apparently different generic forms are in reality alternating phases in one organism, or not. I believe opinion is divided on the subject, but without actual proof from the direct cultivation of spores, Iam almost driven to the conclusion that both the white and black spored forms mentioned are associated in cyclic life —C. Parkinson. 16, The Tything, Worcester - April, 1894. ABNORMAL BLACKTHORN.—Last month a speci- men of blackthorn (Prunus communis) was brought me, whose flowers had two or three styles each, and ten or more petals. They were very symme- trical, the petals in one whorl only. Nearly all the flowers on a large branch were so duplicated.— [Miss] M. E. Pope, Ramsgate ; May 2nd, 1894. RECENT BoranicaL Works.—We observe from “Nature Novitates’’ the recent publication in Paris of the twelfth volume of Baillon’s ‘‘ Histoire des Plants.’ Volume I. was issued as far back as 1866, and the intervening sections of the work at intervals. The present instalment includes the Natural Orders, Conifer, Gnetacea, Cycadacez, Alismacez, Iridacee, Typhacee, Najadacez, Centrolepidacee, Gramine, Cyperace, Restiacz, Eriocaulacez, Liliaceze. It contains 554 figures. The Monograph on Liliacez, with 180 figures, is also issued as a separate work. BoranicaL Monstrosities.—In 1893, I observed the following abnormal growths of native plants: Cardamine pratensis, fasciated stem appearing like two joined in one with flower buds at the top; Medicago lupulina, with the pedicels developed so as to appear quite like an umbel; Garden Pansy, fasciated, two stems fused together with two perfect flowers at apex ; Chrysanthemum leucanthemum, similar aberration ; Picris hievacoides, two monster fasciated stems about one inch wide, with numerous side shoots; Scabiosa arvensis and S. succisa, one pure white specimen of each.—Edwin E. Turner, Coggeshall, Essex; April, 1894. SALTWORT AS A PeEst.—Salsola kali, the Salt- wort, which is common on our own sandy shores and inhabits saline districts in the greater part of the globe, has a variety tragus in the south-east of Europe, which has been introduced by some means into the Western States of North America. Here it flourishes and reproduces itself from seed with such astonishing prolificness that it threatens to become one of the very worst weeds with which farmers have had to contend. It had become widely established before they had realised its true character. It not merely chokes the crops, but its sharp spine-like leaves make it very injurious both to animals and man. The farmers call it Russian thistle. Last year it was so troublesome that in South Dakota alone the damage inflicted by this plant was estimated at several millions of dollars, and the local authorities despair of effectively combating the evil without special help from the central government. ARABIS STRICTA, Hups.—I forward specimens of a Crucifer for identification. It was collected on the ruins of an ancient fortification or camp on the top of a fairly high hill in this district on May 2nd. I had noticed its presence previously, but it had not come to full flower. I have been led to consider it to be Avabis stricta, but knowing the rarity and narrow localization of the species, I fear my identification is faulty. I have never hitherto had an opportunity of examining A. stricta. Could you also give me any information as to the distri- bution of Evysimum orientale? I have found a couple of specimens here.—D. T. Gwynne Vaughan, Howey Hail, Llandrindod, Radnorshire. [Your crucifer appears to be, without doubt, Avabis stvicta, Huds. Any records of so rare a plant are particularly interesting. Erysimum ovientale is an introduced plant which has been found chiefly in the Eastern Counties. It is not now admitted into the ‘‘London Catalogue.’’— Eps. S.G.] 94 SCIENCE-GOSSITP; eg > THE United States Department of Agriculture has issued a well-illustrated list of the adult tape- worms of cattle, sheep, and allied animals, from which it appears that domestic cattle are infested by eight adult cestodes, the goat by two, the sheep by eleven. SENSITIVENESS OF THE EyES OF FROGS.— Referring to Mr. Perks’ query as to why snakes and fishes are able to dispense with the sensitive- ness to touch on the eyes, which is so character- istic in the higher orders, the integument, which covers the heads of fish and reptiles, is continued over the. eyes and gives protection to these organs. The eye itself is beneath this integument and is thus effectually protected from outside influence. Snakes are devoid of eyelids, and it is this which gives these creatures the peculiar stony stare which they possess; some fishes, ¢.g., sharks, have a nictitating membrane.—/. MacNaught Campbell, Kelvingrove Museum, Glasgow; May, 1894. RAINFALL AT GREENOCK.—Quantity during the month of February, 1894, 14°07 inches ; number of dry days, 2; greatest rainfall in one day, 2°51 (the 6th). February was the wettest month since December, 1852, when 17°06 inches fell, the fall that month being the heaviest of which there is any record in the Water Trust offices. During the past three months the total rainfall over Greenock amounts to 3434 inches—viz., 9°38 inches in December, 10°89 in January, and 14°07 in February, the total for the three months having only once been exceeded—viz., in November and December, 1852, and January, 1853, when 38°25 inches were registered. The rainfall (14:07) inches over Greenock in February represents the enormous quantity of 3,410,568 tons of water. THE CoLourinc MATTER oF Birds’ Ecces.—I would like to know the easiest and best method of extracting the colour from birds’ eggs shells? Secondly, how I could examine the colour to find out what its nature is? I also would like to know if there is any way of examining the colour under the microscope after being extracted, and how slides of colour could be best made and easiest ? Could the colour be properly examined in the solid state of the shell, if finely powdered, under the microscope, so that its characteristics might be noted ? And, lastly, would any cf the methods be likely to be efficient in examining the colouring matter of other kinds of bodies of the same nature, 7.¢., with calcareous matter in them ?— J. H. Barbour, Queen’s College, Belfast; May 6th, 1894. THE ‘SQUEAKING’’ OF SNAILS.—I had heard of snails emitting a noise, which apparently betokens pain, but I had not hitherto actually heard the sound myself. When a day or two ago I was planting some roots in my garden, I came across the first snail I have seen there this year. I dropped it into an aquarium that was near at hand, and in ten minutes, on looking at it, I found it had crawled up the side out of the water, and was standing on the edge with horns extended. I did not wish it to escape, so took it by the shell to pull it away. It immediately gave that shrill little ‘squeak’ which has been noticed, and which seems to resemble the whistle of a locomotive in the far distance. This ‘‘squeak’’ it emitted but once. But it was followed by a series of noises which in tone appeared to be midway between a hum anda low whistle. The cause of the latter sound was the air escaping from inside the shell, between it and the foot, as was shown by the change which it soon made to a hissing noise, caused by the bubbles which followed. It may, of course, have taken some water in during its immersion in its unwonted bath, and this would account for the bubbles. The ‘‘squeak ’’ seemed to proceed from near the operculum.—Edward A. Martin, Ravenswood, Carew Road, Thornton Heath. PLant CoLouRATION.—With reference to Mr. Alder’s note (ante, page 33) on this subject, it may be remarked that the reason why so little notice has been taken of the colours of the other parts of plants than the flowersis that the scientific examina- tion of these partsis much more difficult than that of thecorolla. Everybody has noticed the crimson- edged leaves of the wild rose, or the magenta- tinted under-sides of the honeysuckle leaves and others. The red colouring matter of these organs is absolutely identical with that of the flowers of the same species. Not seldom, indeed, dissolved pigments can be detected in the leaves, and yet there are apparently little or none in the flowers, as in the beech, wild cherry, nettle, etc. All this is quite possible, considering that the colour-pro- ducing substance (starch and its derivative, tannin) is found primarily inthe leaves, and thence proceeds by way of the petiole, stem and peduncle to the bracts, sepals and petals, or fruits. If any of these conducting tissues offer anywhere in its course a suitable condensating structure, the bright pigment is produced ere it reaches the corolla. In the sycamore, for instance, the bright crimson appears in the petioles and never reaches the peduncles or flowers, and hardly ever the seed- cases. Moreover, everybody who has chemically analysed the leaves of birch, ash, beech, elm or horse-chestnut, is aware that they contain a brilliant yellow dye. Most, probably all, leaves carry a small quantity of carotin, whichis identical with the colouring matter of the carrot, the yellow or orange pollens, the orange or brick-red petals and fruits. With regard to the relations of sun- light with the flower colours, the following quota-_ tions express the state of science on the subject: ‘‘The development of colours in flowers is inde- ‘pendent of the local action of light, and the colouring matters are elaborated exclusively at the expense of the substances found in the leaves under the influence of light.” (M. J. Sachs.)— “The development of the soluble colouring matter of flowers depends entirely upon the nutritive matters stored up or on the assimilation by chlorophyll; in the case of xanthin there is a real dependence between it and the direct light of the sun.” (Flahault.)—‘‘ The variation in the brilliancy of the corollas has for a cause the variation in the quantity of radiant heat received, which again is proportional to the duration of the light.” (Bonnier.) The latter observer recognising that the quantity of leaf chlorophyll increases with the quantity of light received.—(Dr.) P. Q. Keegan, Patterdale, near Penrith. 9 SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 95 GREENOCK NaTuRAL History Society.—The usual monthly meeting was held on 26th April, when Mr. M. F. Dunlop read a paper on the Cladocera, with lantern and microscopic illustra- tions. As a typical specimen, Daphnia pulex was described in detail, and thereafter attention was directed to the various species found in the neigh- bourhood, amongst the rarer being Jlyocryptus sovdidus, Sida crystallina, Daphnella brachyura, Holopedium gibberum, Polyphemus pediculus, Evadne normanni, and Peracantha truncata. A specimen of Leptodera hyalina, a very rare species, was sub- mitted, although not yet found in the locality.— G. W. Niven, Hon. Sec., 27, Brymner Street, Greenock. NorFoLk AND NorwicH NATURALISTS’ SOCIETY.— A meeting was held, April 24th, at the Museum, Mr. T. Southwell, F.Z.S., in the chair. Specimens of the owl-parrot (Strigops habroptilus) and the kea (Nestor notabilis) were exhibited, and a short account of the habits of these birds in New Zealand was given by Mr. E. Corder. We understand that both of the cases containing these specimens will be presented, through the liberality of Mr. L. J. Tillett and Mr. Alfred Haldinstein, to the Norwich Museum. Mr. Gurney exhibited a specimen of the Tropic bird (Phaeton ethereus), which was picked up dead at Cradley, near Malvern, forty years ago, and which had recently come into his possession. This rare wanderer, whose home is, as its name implies, the South Pacific and Atlantic oceans, has on a previous occasion, in the last century, been found dead on the sea-coast of Lancashire, and another storm-driven example has been met with in Heligoland. Microscopical exhibits were shown by Mr. H. D. Geldart, Mr. James Mottram, and Mr. W. A. Nicholson. NortH KENT ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL * History Socrety.—The Twentieth Bi-annual Meeting of the above Society was held on Wednesday, May gth, Mr. J. Potter presiding. At the conclusion of the ordinary business, exhibits were made by Mr. A. S. Poore, who had a large number of land and freshwater shells, which included many rare and local forms, also birds’ eggs and larve; Mr. J. Potter, living specimens of Salamandva maculosa; Mr. J. Cooper, some very nicely mounted pieces of wood sorrel, willow and Scotch fir, showing the male and female blossoms, also marine shells; Mr. Allbuary, a series of Lycena argiolus,and other lepidoptera ; Mr. S. Pine, slowworms, and land and freshwater shells; Mr. A. Old, pupa-cases and imagines of the dragon-fly, Libellula depressa; Mr. J. Wilson, larve of Bombyx quercus, Lasiocampa quercifolia and Geometra papilion- avia; Mr. E. Knight, a richly marked variety of Phlogophora meticulosa ; Messrs. W.and H.Broughton, other lepidoptera. The first of a series of object lessons was then given by Mr. Poore for the younger members in the proper mode of preserving, setting and mounting various specimens. The subject selected was drilling and blowing birds’ eggs. The demonstration was followed with muck interest, RoyvaL METEOROLOGICAL Society.—The monthly meeting of this Society was held on Wednesday evening, the 16th May, at the Institution of Civil Engineers, Westminster, Mr. R. Inwards, F.R.A.S., President, in the chair. Mr. W. Ellis, F.R.S., read a paper ‘‘ On the relative frequency of different velocities of wind,’’ in which he discussed the anemometer records of the Greenwich Observa- tory for the five yéars 1888-92, with the view of ascertaining the number of hours during which the wind blew, with each of the different hourly velo- cities experienced during the period. The results of this discussion show that the wind blew for the greatest number of hours with the hourly velocities of ten and eleven miles. Mr. W. Marriott, F.R. Met. Soc., gave an account of a series of observations on the ‘‘ Audibility of ‘Big Ben’ at West Norwood,” which he had carried on for a period of five years. The clock tower at West- minster is 54 miles distant from the point of observation in a north-by-west direction. The large bell, ‘‘ Big Ben,’ was designed by Lord Grimthorpe, and was cast in 1858; its weight is about fourteen tons. It is 9 feet 54 inches in diameter, and 9? inches in thickness; its tone being E. The observations were 976 in number, and were made at the hours of ga.m.andgp.m. The bell could be heard more frequently in the evening than in the morning, and on Sundays it was more frequently audible than on week-days. The direc- tion of the wind most favourable for hearing ‘‘ Big Ben’’ was between west and north. The observa- tions were also discussed in relation to temperature, moisture, cloud and barometric pressure. A paper by Mr. A. W. Moore was also read on ‘“‘ Earth Temperatures at Cronkbourne, Isle of Man, 1880-89.” THE SoutH LoNDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NaturaL History Socrery.—Thursday, April 26th, Mr. E. Step, President, in the chair. The Rev. M. Corden Jones and Mr. Francis Fell were elected members. Mr. Dennis exhibited a bred variety of Pararge egeria, having all the light mark- ings much extended. Mr. Auld, a series of Teniocampa munda, with several examples of var. immaculata, Stgr., taken at West Wickham; also a series of T. populeti, taken at Westerham. Mr. Enock then gave a paper entitled ‘‘ Notes on Com- mon Insects,’ and illustrated it by about fifty slides shown with an oxyhydrogen lantern. The paper dealt largely with common pests and their parasites, such as the sycamore aphis with its numerous enemies, the currant mite, the sawfly of the willow with the insects which attack its larva, the parasites of the Hessian fly, and beautiful examples of the minute fairy-flies, of which he stated he possessed at least 150 species. He laid considerable stress upon the economic side of the subject, and strongly advocated the following the example set by the United States Government in having an entomological section attached to the Agricultural Department. Most of the information given was the result of original observations, and unobtainable in current literature. The admirable manner in which the interesting and peculiar life histories of these minute creatures were portrayed upon the screen and described excited the greatest admiration among the large number of members and friends present. At the meeting of the same society held May toth, Mr. H. B. Laurence, of Anerley, was elected a member. Mr. South ex- hibited a bred series of Boarmia cinctaria, with the parent female, from Glengariff, Ireland. Like the g6 female they were pale, but not so pale as those captured by Mr. Kane some time ago; also the new postal box invented by Dr. Knaggs; a trial was made—insects were placed in it, and after rough usage it was opened, and they were intact, showing it to be a very successful de- vice. Mr. Barrett, on behalf of Mr. Sydney Webb, showed the pick of his valuable and extraordinary varieties of Cheluniide, no doubt un- equalled in the world, viz., Avrctia villica, varying from almost spotless white to nearly black; A. caia, spotless, brown marbled, pale blotched, pink shaded, black suffused, and half one colour and half another, etc.; Nemeophila plantaginis, red and pale; Calli- morpha dominula, yellow, white spotted, pink and dusky ; and contributed notes on the normal and abnormal variation shown by the exhibit. Mr. Frohawk, a specimen of Vanessa urtice, having the blue marginal spots exaggerated and extending into the black border about twice the usual distance. Mr. Adkin, a case containing series of most of the genus Téniocampa, showing extreme variation ; all from the New Forest. Mr. Williams, a bred specimen of Pieris napi, in which only the hind wings had developed. Mr. Turner, specimens of Sivex gigas, from Box Hill and Chichester ; several species of Neuroptera, and aspecimen of Bombylius majoy from Box Hill.—Hy. J. Turner (Hon. Report Sec.) NOMICES TO CORRESPONDENTS. To CoRRESPONDENTS AND EXCHANGERS.—SCIENCE-GOSSIP is published on the 25th of each month. All notes or other communications should reach us not later than the 18th of the month for insertion in the following number. No com- munications can be inserted or noticed without full name and address of writer. Exchanges extending to thirty words (including name and address) admitted free, but additional words must be prepaid at the rate of threepence for every seven words or less. Nortice.—Contributors are requested to strictly observe the following rules. All contributions must be clearly written on one side of the paper only. Words intended. to be printed in italics should be marked under with a single line. Generic names must be given in full, excepting where used immediately before. Capitals may only be used for generic, and not specific names. Scientific names and names of places to be written in round hand THE Editors are not responsible for unused MSS., neither can they undertake to return them, unless accompanied with stamps for return postage. SuBSCRIPTIONS.—Subscriptions to Sc1ENCE-GossIP, at the rate of 5s. for twelve months (including postage), may com- mence at any time. THE Editors will be pleased to answer questions and name specimens through the Correspondence column of the maga- zine. Specimens, in good condition, of not more than three species to be sent at one time, carriage paid. Duplicates only to be sent, which will not be returned. The specimens must have identifying numbers attached, together with lecality, date and particulars of capture. ALL communications, remittances of subscriptions, books or instruments for review, specimens for identification, etc., are to be addressed to Joun T. CARRINGTON, 1, Northumber- land Avenue, London, W.C. CORRESPONDENCE. R. A. Puitires (Ashburton, Cork)—The mushrooms sent are undoubtedly specimens of Agavicus gambosus, Fr.,in a young condition. A. Corspet (Adderley Rectory, Market Drayton).—The specimen sent is Riccia natans. W. J. Birrin (Tenterden, Kent).—Your fungus is Mitrula paludosa, Fr., a species that grows on dead leaves in ditches. It is not common. Gero, T. READ (Stoke Newington).—Your specimens are: No.1, Fania rubens, Lam., a coralline; No. 2, a species of Ceramium, impossible to say which; No. 3, fama rubens, a bleached specimen. E. WHEELER (Bristol),—Not an alga, but the protonema of a moss, too immature to identify. Joun T. Hurst (Harrogate)._Your specimens are Sea-firs (Hydroida): 1, Sevtularia abietina ; 2, Hydrallmania falcata. SCIEPNGCE-GOSSIEP, EXCHANGES. WILL exchange named perfect Belemnites (liassic) and good carboniferous Brachiopods for other fossils from any formation; also good minerals wanted.—Chas. Wardingley, Littleborough, Manchester. QuaApDRANT tandem tricycle or safety bicycle, solid tyres, balls all over, good condition, all accessories, exchange for microscope, lathe, chemical apparatus, or offer.—Walter Kirk, 7, Birmingham Road, West Bromwich. WANTED, to exchange rare British birds’ eggs, side blown and labelled, for fossils from different formations.— Robert Lell, 16, Charleville Street, Belfast. WANTED, British birds’ eggs, falcons, owls, snipes, hawks, heron, guillemot and similar eggs; will exchange eggs (duplicates), British shells, or pair of tame brown owls.— Percy Reader, High Street, Reigate. Rare birds’ skins and eggs, also Captain Brown’s “‘Taxidermy,’’ for exchange ; lists sent.—Davis, 33, Brighton Terrace, Brixton, London. WanTeED, Limnza involuta, Hydrobia similis and Succinia oblonga; also Arion minimus, Geomalacus maculosus and Testacella haliotidea, living or in spirit. Good exchange offered, or cash.—C. H. Morris, Lewes, Sussex. HEDWIGIDIUM IMBERBE and Bryum turbinatum offered on receipt of stamped and addressed envelope.—J. Whitehead, 50, Nile Street, Oldham. WaAnTED, fossil-plants in exchange for fauna of the Jurassic formation.—J. W. Treasure, 60, Conduit Place, Ashley Road, Bristol. OFFERS wanted for specimens of copper pyrites, mispickel, cassiterite, biotite, quartz, wolfram, pikrite, gabbro, grey copper, cuprite, serpentine and hornblende.— W. G. Bennetts, Calumet, Truro. WANTED, cuckoos’ eggs, with those of foster parents ; also ruff, lesser tern, sandwich tern, wood-lark, corn bunting, woodpeckers, water-rail. Good eggs offered in exchange.— W. Wells, Bladen, Stone, Staffs. WANTED, living specimens of any of the orb-weaving spiders (Epeirides and Uloborides), for which cash or good exchange will be given._jno. Rhodes, Technical School. Accrington. S1x dozen British plants, all rare, well mounted, excellent condition, full data; selected from a cabinet awarded a silver medal by the Pharmaceutical Society. Exchange Lepidoptera.—Bond Smith, Potton, Bedfordshire. LIMESTONE sections for the microscope offered for “Starland,” by Prof. Ball, or the recent book on Sir Samuel Baker’s travels —John Simm, West Cramlington, North- umberland. Goop exchange offered in British and foreign shells for any of the scarcer British Sphingide or varieties of the com- moner species.—R. Standen, 40, Palmerston Street, Moss Side, Manchester. SciENcE-Gossip, complete from 1865 to 1887, 23 vols., bound in cloth. What offers?’—W. A. Hyslop, 16, Hope Street, Edinburgh. FORAMINIFERA, named and localised, in exchange for dredgings or shore sands from Australia and the Cape of Good Hope, or other localities.—A. Earland, 10, Glenwood Road. Catford, London. WILL give 200 unmounted fossil spores beautifully separated from the matrix in exchange for tour mounted micro. sections (named) of rocks, fossil-plants, or other objects of geological interest. The fossil spores are from the coal measures, and form extremely interesting micro. slides mounted as opaque objects; several are new and unnamed species.—_W. Hemingway, 13, Wharf Old Mill, Barnsley. OFFERED, Urania rhyphens (Madagascar), O. brookiana, Morphos menelaus and M. ega, Papilio paris, and other fine species in duplicate; also wings of brilliant species for the microscope. — J. Hudson, Railway Terrace, Crop Lane, Manchester. Lrvine Molluscs wanted; Paludina, Valvata, Assiminia, Helicella, Ancylus, Velletia. Well-mounted radulz of the same or other genera offered in exchange.—W. R. May, 35, Dalston Lane, London, N.E. Fine inch objective, by Collins; also 4-inch objective and pair of C eye-pieces by same maker. What offers ?—H. W. Parritt, 8, Whitehall Park, Archway Road, N. Orrers wanted for a polished mahogany cabinet, with 20 drawers, to hold 240 micro.-slides.—W. F. Kelsey, Maldon. Douetas Jackson, Muskalbora Estate, Pollet Belta, South Coory, India, is anxious to correspond with naturalists in view of collecting Indian Lepidoptera or birds for them. OFFERED, L. C., Ed. 8, Nos. 11, 202, 271, 288, 291, 325, 336, 345, 991, 1192, 1198, 1241, 1256, 1389, 1448, 1540, 1559, 1720, 1726, 1760.—T. M. Lowry, 28, St. Lawrence Road, N. Kensington. DUPLICATE specimens ot conchology, entomology, geology, mineralogy, etc., gratefully received for the use of poor East- end children by the Head Master, Custom House Board School, London, E. SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 97 GEORGE JOHN ROMANES, ORN at Kingston, Canada, May 2oth, 1848, George John Romanes died suddenly, though not unexpectedly, at Oxford, on the 23rd of May, 1894, in his forty-sixth year. For some time past his health has been far from satisfactory, and none knew better than himself that his work might terminate abruptly at any moment ; apoplexy being the final result of much patient suffering. The son of the Rev. Prof. Romanes, he whom we have so re- cently lost was of Scotch extraction In 1870 he took honours in the Natural Sciences Tripos, having studied at Cairns College, Cam- bridge. He was Burney Prize Essayist in 1873. A protégé of the Charles Darwin, late whose interest in Ro- manes ripened friendship, he commenced his career with much promise, which time has proved into scientific to have been justi- fied. Naturally, under such aus- pices, he became a firm adherent ‘to the teachings of his master, and few Photo by] have been more successful in furthering the great cause of our greatest modern philosopher. Among the many lectures given by Romanes in after life, perhaps none excelled one of his earliest, which was an address on ‘Animal Intelligence” given before the British Association at Dublin in 1878. That probably secured for him the appoint- ment of Fullerian Professorin the Royal Institution, London. The actual work which first brought him into public prominence, and doubtless caused, ; LE... ERS.) Bb, see 2: fifteen years ago, his election as a Fellow of the Royal Society, was his investigation of some marine animals, especially the nervous system of the Medusz. Fortunately for Professor G. J. Romanes, his financial resources were always ample for his requirements, and latterly considerable in amount. This enabled him to devote his whole mind to such investigations as he may have had in hand. He thus never a sufferer from the blight- ing distractions was of accompanying devices for pro- viding daily ways and means, which haveruined many a scientific future for men who might otherwise havebecomelead- ers among men. Among his more important works may be mentioned ‘‘ Ani- Intelli- gence,”’ ‘‘ Mental mal Evolution in Animals,”’ ‘‘ Men- tal Evolution in Man,” “Jellyfish, Starfish and Sea- urchins,” ‘‘ Dar- win and after Darwin,” and “An Examina- 4 (Maull & Fox. tion of Weis- GEORGE JOHN ROMANES. / mannism.”’ His latter years have been spent at work in the physiological laboratory at Oxford, with the excep- tion of occasional changes for health’s sake Last winter he dwelt at Hyéres in the south of France, from which place he wrote us his congratulations and offers of support in reviving the fortunes of this magazine. Professor G. J. Romanes leaves behind, as a remembrance of his love for biology, a lectureship at Oxford, which was founded by him a little time ago, and bears his name. 98 SCIENCE-GOSSIP. PRACTICAL HINTS ON MARINE ZOOLOGY. By Proressor A. C. Happon. 1.—SHORE COLLECTING. “| BERE is no branch of Natural History more interesting than the study of marine life, not only on account of the wealth and variety of the animal forms, but also from the pleasurable sur- roundings; for, as a general rule, those conditions of coast which give rise to beautiful scenery are just those which afford a good hunting-ground for the naturalist. This is not the place to dilate on the zest to life which is given by the sea-swept breeze, or to recall scenes of sparkling crisp waves, or of the sky and land mirrored on a silent sea, and the air quivering with heat. The genile lapping oi the water or the scent of dried tangle of sea-weed and zoophyies awakens vague memories of happy hours of diligent search, or of, perhaps, equally profitable idling. The marvellous variety of life in the sea is at the same time one of the fascinations and dificuliies of marine zoology. Nearly every group of animals is not only represented in the sea, but far better so than on the land. This is the more surprising when we consider the uniform conditions of marine existence, as compared with the great diversity and constant changes of the land suriace and its climate. The charm of novelty is especially characteristic of marine zoology; we cam never be sure what will turn up nexi, and when something does turn up the question is, what is it? Then comes the excitement of trying to identify it, and the delight of being right, or the pleasure of increased knowledge gained by hunting up its name and finding oui all we can about it. No kind of collecting teaches us so much general zoology as does this; bui- then there is the corresponding danger of becoming desuliory. The two chief drawbacks to marine zoology are the difiiculty of identifying the specimens and the trouble of pre- serving them. I now propose io givea few hinis on what, where, when, and how to collect, and how to name and preserve your specimens. First of .all, it is necessary to determine what to collect. If you are bent on acquiring general information, you must bring home very varied material. I generally take with me Jarge-monthed pickle jars, and I have found a common galvanized iron bucket very useful, as it will contain a considerable volume of water, which will keep most of the animals pretty lively and fresh. When collecting, I always make a practice of changing the water in my receptacles several times. First of all, I thoroughly rinse the vessels, and fill them with the purest water I can find; then it is well, during the middle of the hunt, to glance over the captures and to change the water in any vessel which is at all crowded ; and, lastly, before leaving for home, every tube and receptacle should be refilled with pure water. Besides having pure water, it is necessary to keep the water cool; to do this, one must, as far as possible, keep everything in the shade; if you do not mind appearances, a white enamelled slop pail is a very efficient receptacle, as the lid keeps off the rays of the sun when no shelter is available; I have found this very useful in the tropics. It is well to be always provided with a number of glass corked tubes and small bottles, in order that the rarer and more delicate forms may be isolated and kept in better condition ; these may be kepi cool by letting them float in the bucket of water. Avoid overcrowding, especially if you have any distance to travel home. The bottles should invariably be wide-mouthed. At home you should be provided with a supply of fresh, pure sea-water ; this is best collected when the tide is coming in, and no animals should be kepi in it; also it is necessary to have some pans—glass milk-pans are very convenient, or deep porcelain photographic developing dishes will do nicely; often have I requisitioned the humble pie-dish or soup-plate. These pans are for two purposes, either for the immediate sorting of the material, or as rough and ready aquaria in which sea-beasis can be kepi alive for a longer er shorier period, according io their hardihood, and the care which is bestowed on them. These store-pans should be continually examined, as curious little creatures crawl irom their lurking-places from time to time which otherwise would have escaped unnoticed. Some swimming marine animals are so colourless and transparent that the shadows which they cast when in direct sunlight are more apparent than they are themselves. With such pans as these, a microscope, books and drawing maierials, time never hangs heavy, and even wet days come as a boon, for they necessitate a more careful ex- amination of what you have collecied, whereas fine days tempt yon to collect more and more and far in excess of whai you can proiiably simdy. If you are mosi interested in one particular group oi animals you will naturally pay more aiteniion io this, but by 10 means neglect others when you have the chance of seeing them alive, and, so-io-speak, at home; it is time enough to specialise in the winter months or when only preserved material is available. Remember that naturalists should study nature, and nature is more SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 99 alive than dead; too often modern biologists forget that their own name means students of life, many are mere‘ necrologists’’ or students of death. I would like to see my readers combine the two and to be accurate and thorough students of form and structure in order to better appreciate the life of the animals and their relation to their surroundings. The marine zoologist employs three distinct methods of collecting his specimens, these are shore-collecting, tow-netting and dredging. There is no place so barren that it will yield nothing to the shore-collector, although some localities are very much better than others. Beyond a few molluscs, worms and echinoderms, there is very little to be found alive on sandy coasts, but these are good hunting-grounds for the flotsam and jetsam of storms; chalky coasts, too, are not prolific. The best localities are coasts with reefs of limestone or igneous and meta- morphic rocks running into the sea. So that before fixing on an unexplored locality it is well to have a look at a geological map as well as a detailed survey map, for the latter gives the character of the coast with remarkable accuracy, After a little experience you will soon learn the sort of fauna you may expect to find on various kinds of coast; sample all, not omitting the vicinity of drains. You will find that life is not abundant where there is exposure to a tidal scour, as, for example, in a narrow sound between a rocky island and the mainland; but in the sheltered nooks of such a sound there will frequently be found a remarkable abundance of animal life. The reason for this is obvious, the continual rush of water prevents the fry from settling down, this they can do in the backwaters and the extra flow of the tide carries with it more numerous floating eggs and swimming larve, and the water is always well aérated. Shore-collecting can be and should be carried on at all times of the year. It is very interesting to watch the succession of forms that make their appearance at different seasons, and this aspect of marine zoology has not had sufficient attention paid to it. I would like to suggest to some resident at the sea-side to select a convenient spot which supports a varied fauna, it may be only a yard square, and to accurately determine all the forms there found living ; only the smallest fragments of fixed forms need be taken away for identification, and none of the free-moving animals should be removed. The whole spot and its inhabitants should be carefully recorded in a note-book, and once a month for a year, at least, a visit should be paid and all alterations noted. So far as I am aware this has never yet been done, and I am sure it is worth the doing. Of course shore-collecting can only be carried on at low-tide, and the lowest spring-tides are the best for the purpose. To those of you whose summer vacation is limited I would advise a reference to the almanack before arranging for a holiday, and so timing your excursion that aspring-tide occurs a few days after your arrival. You will require those few days to make preparation, and to discover the most suitable localities; and when you have a low-tide make the best possible use of it—don’t be tempted to loiter on ground which you can examine another day. You will find you can do very little shortly after the tide has turned, although just at the turn of the tide is a very favourable time. Next month I shall have something to say about tow-netting and dredging, with some hints how to preserve specimens. THE EGGRPAYING OF HELES POMATIA. pete years ago Mr.E. J. Lowe communicated to the Royal Society some observations on the growth of land snails, in which he stated that “most species bury themselves in the ground to increase the dimensions of their shells. Helix pomatia and many other shells (sic) retreat for that purpose in summer, having their heads and the mouths of their shells downwards.’’ Although this statement is quoted by Jeffreys (‘ Brit. Conch.”), and most subsequent writers, I have for years doubted its correctness. On June gth, however, I felt sure I was wrong when I saw dozens of shells partially buried in the chalky soil at Reigate. Closer investigation revealed the fact that instead of burying themselves the snails were excavating holes in which to deposit eggs. A number were actually removed from above holes which they had roofed in, all but a small central aperture. Several of these chambers were opened and the eggs removed and counted. The internal space was equal to the circumference of the shell, and the contained eggs varied from seventeen to thirty-one in number. Probably it was the exca- vation of these pits that Mr. Lowe mistook for the commencement of zstivation. If the growth of the shell took place in the manner suggested should we not find a continuously smooth and even surface interrupted only by annual ridges (varices)? To my mind the rapid succession of the lines of growth is evidence that shell-increase takes place whilst the snail is actively engaged feeding above ground. What are the habits of the young fomatia? With most other species of snails the immature specimens are at least equally in evidence with the mature, but one rarely meets with fomatia until it is apparently four or five years old. The inference is that it ‘‘lies low’? among the dense herbage until it has reached a mature age. EDWARD STEP. The Mays, Epsom; Fune 18th, 1894. F 2 I0o0 SCIENCE-GOSSIP. LARVZ-NYMPHS OF BRITISH DRAGON-FLIES: By W. H. NUNNEY. (Continued from page 82.) WILL now pass io the consideration of those British groups and species about which we have any information. As might be expected from their habits, the number of known larval species is small compared with that of known perfect forms; the future will probably enable us to complete the history of each species. For this purpose it is necessary to patiently trace the grades of development, and to accurately describe and figure them. They may probably all be reared in ordinary aquaria, feeding them on blood-worms and other aquatic life. Care must be taken, how- ever, to exclude the larger water beetles. Separate the species and do not overcrowd. The Odonate larve fall naturally into groups, in some measure co-equal with those to which the perfect insects are assigned, the polymorphosis of ceriain of them, notably of the members of the Libelluline and Gomphine groups, rendering classification difficult. There are two main groups, Libellulide and Agrionidz, each admitting several subdivisions. The larve of the typical group, Libellulidz, are usually dull-coloured, frequently hideously ugly, with an alarmingly aggressive appearance culminating in the #schnz ; the Corduliine alone, however, in Britain approach the grotesque hideousness of their foreign congeners. _ The Agrionines are, on the contrary, usually brighier- coloured and extremely delicate in contour. Standing at the head of the whole tribe of dragonflies is the sub-family Libellulina, the members of which are unfortunately so little known that characters for distinct individual recognition cannot at present be assigned them. Brauer has, in his ‘‘ Neuroptera Austriaca,”’ given certain general characters, which, for want of better and more definite ones, must suffice. A close study of the Libelluline larvze will probably result in the final remergement of Newman’s sub-genera into Linné’s original eclectic genus Libellula. Brauer notices three main variations from the primary Libellula form, and the following species of the group are, so far as I am aware, the only ones that have, up to the present, come under the observation of naturalists. The pre-eminent type, both of the dragonflies as a whole and the Libellulina in particular, is LIBELLULA depressa. This species is short, and is of a dark greyish-green or brown colour. The spineless body, which is dilated about mid-way, is entirely covered with minute hairs, some of which spring from small tubercles situated in the middle of the dorsal surface of the first segments. The wing-sheaths extend about half the length of the body; occasionally (as in all Libellulz, in which tribe these are relatively longer than in f2schnz), being quite as long. On the prothorax, above the scales covering their bases, are two transverse oval spiracles, such as are found normally in other insects ranged along the sides of the abdomen. The three upper caudal appendages are of nearly the same length. The middle one is broad and conical and the two inferior portions are curved inwards at the point, and are slightly longer than the others. The legs are occasionally faintly spotted. This species occurs in stagnant waiter, small ditches and streams, and is generally distributed. LEPTETRUM gquadrimaculaitum, a member of the second sub-group, has the head flat, the eyes small and prominent, the body sparsely haired, the tenth segment prominent and, with the others, bearing oblique spines. This generally distributed species occurs in stagnant pools, as well as running water. : ORTHETRUM cancellatum is one of the earliest- described dragon-fly larvz. Anold writer, Muraldt, having published in a now rare Latin work, entitled ‘« Ephemeris Naturz Curiosorum,”’ a loose general description illustrated by a rude engraving. The colour is wholly cinereous ; the eyes are prominent and of a clear bright green; the antennz are short, thick and pilose. On both sides of the head beneath the eyes are hairs, and the mouth is also pilose. The abdomen is broad, tapering towards the point, which is pilose, and is hairy at the sides. Several blackish transverse lines ornament the head, and the abdomen is distinctly marked along the sides with blackish spots. Thereare also some spots in front, and two lines on the tarsi. The mask is two-thirds the length of the head. This species is local and apparently confined to the South. LEUCORRHINIA jpecioralis has the vertex of the head hollowed. The eyes are small and pro- minent, the hairy body is slightly longer than broad, and bears centrally above a row of beni hairy teeth. The two last segments are without spines, and the sides are spineless. Roesel figures this species as Libellula vulgata which it resembles. No British locality can at present be given for the occurrence of this larva. SYMPETRUM vulgatum is, according to Brauer, like the preceding species. I believe I have a living nymph, but cannot at present speak with certainty as to the specific characters. SCIENCE-GOSSIP. S. scoticum has the vertex of the head slightly arched, the eyes large and prominent ; the body is nearly as long as broad, almost circular. It is hairless; central line spineless; the two segments prior to the last are provided with short, straight spines at the sides; the wing-cases are very long, reaching nearly to the last segment; the side pieces of the caudal apparatus are slightly longer than the middle piece. Generally distributed in stagnant ponds. The nymphs of this genus are the smallest of the Libellulinz. So far as I am aware, the eyes of the members of this group have never been accurately described, IOI indistinct, being visible only under a high power of the compound microscope. A reference to the figures will render this matter more clear. The nymphs of the sub-family, Corduliine, are of singular aspect, with nearly naked, sub-cylindrical bodies armed with stout hooks or spines on the back and sides. SOMATOCHLORA wmetallica—The head of this nymph is nearly pentagonal, the angles slightly rounded, and has a wavy ridge fringed with fine bristles behind the eyes. The tenth segment is very short. Dorsal hooks occur on the third to ninth segments, and lateral spines on the eighth Fig. 1 represents Libellula depressa, after Dufour; a shows a fore-foot; 6, the helmet-shaped ‘‘mask”; and cand dtwo aspects of the peculiar eyes of the Libelluline. Fig. 3 of Sympetrum vulgatum, a, the upper, and b, the underside. Fig. 2 is of Orthetvum cancellatum. — Fig. 4 shows Leucorrhinia pectoralis. Fig. 5 represents Somatochlova metallica, figs. 5A and 6 showing the bodies of that species and Cordulia enea. previous writers speaking of them as being mere bead-like projections, occupying the upper four corners of the head. Ona cursory inspection they appear so, but on a closer examination they are seen to be of a most peculiar shape, a kind of twisted broad-based cone, somewhat rounded at the apex, and with a slight backward prolongation to the disc of the head. These characters are extremely difficult to see clearly in living specimens; but spirit-preserved larve show the form of the eyes very well, the chitinous outer walls being thrown in sharp relief against the partly-bleached skin of the head. The facets are very minute and and ninth segments; the sixth carries a ventral sac. The only localities that can be mentioned for this nymph is Rannoch Wood, in Perthshire, and, I believe, the Lakes of Killarney, the imago being rare. CORDULIA enea is extremely like the last. Dorsal hooks occur on the same segments, but are thicker, except on the ninth segment, where they are only indicated. The chief differences are: raised line on head less prominent and finer than in metallica; two black transverse marks on each side of head, one being near the foremost ocellus, the other above the antennal base. The thorax has a black dorsal band, and two cross markings 102 on each side, prothorax sharper at sides. The abdominal extremity is slightly more truncated, and the caudal points are shorter than in the fore- going species. Occurs not uncommonly in ponds and marshy waters of Great Britain and Ireland. The nymph of Oxygastra curtisii is, unfortu- nately, unknown. The only known localities in the world for the occurrence of the imago, are the New Forest, and a few others in the South of England ; also Portugal, and the South of France. Ponds in well-wooded places are the most likely lurking-spots for the nymph. The three foregoing Corduliines occupy a singular and interesting position, inasmuch as S. metallica and C. @nea are direct migrants, whilst O. curtisii is an excellent example of a tropical form enduring in a country which has undergone a vast change from the heat of the carboniferous period to a period of sub-arctic cold. Now follow the nymphs of the family Atschnidz, sub-family Gomphine. Those of the division Gomphina may easily be known by their antennz of but four joints. LINDENIA forcipata has only been taken here in the imago form once. Its nymphal characters are: head, heart-shaped ; mask, one-fourth longer than broad; middle third, a rounded lobe with teeth and a comb of flat scales; spines at sides of segments two to nine (not three to nine, as in Gomphus), but merely rudiments of dorsal hooks; the triangular caudz are sharp, and slightly longer than final body-segment. Dr. Hagen’s characters for Lindenia nymphee do not apply to L. (Onycho- gomphus) forcipata. 3 GOMPHUS vulgatissimus is somewhat like a mole-cricket, with the legs similarly formed for burrowing in mud. The abdomen is flat, without dorsal hooks, but with spines at the sides of segments six to nine. In the female the abdomen is slightly broader than in the male, and at the end of the eighth ventral segment is a small bifid tubercle. The front tarsi are all two-jointed, the hinder pair three-jointed. This larva, at first greyish, turns green as it matures. It is scarce, and confined to the Southern Marshes. CORDULEGASTER annulatus is a synthetic form, allying the true Gomphina with the 4schnina. The nymph has conical eyes. The antennz are seven-jointed, as in the ASschninze. The mask is, as in Libellulina, spoon-shaped; it extends be- yond the middle pair of legs, and covers the mouth and upper lip. The abdomen is almost cylindrical, and tapers towards the tip; the anal appendages are pyramidal, and rather long; the tarsi are all three-jointed. This species inhabits swiftly flowing streams, and is generally distributed but local. (To be continued. ) |ERRATUM.—On page 81, line 37, second column, read “abdominal” for “lamellar.” SCIENGE-GOSSIE: RISKS IN, INCUBATION: By Davin J. Rice. DN MORAL has oft times been pointed and a tale adorned by writers on the evil attaching to bird-nesting. Although in no sense an advocate for the wholesale robbery and destruction of eggs, I should like to point out how much more destructive is nature herself, comparably with collectors and schoolboys. I have carefully observed a number of nests in a small area, chosen so that the chances of human interference were of small degree. The nests were all found on one day, and visited seven days after- wards with the following results :— (x) Nest of bullfinch (Pyrrhula europea), built on the lower branches of a fir-tree, containing one egg. On revisiting, found the egg broken and nest deserted. (2) Nest of chaffinch (Fringilla celebs), built close against an oak-tree, seven feet from the ground, ready foreggs. On revisiting, found three eggs broken in the nest. (3) Nest of hedge-sparrow (Accentor modularis), in a small holly shrub growing up in a haw- thorn hedge; two eggs. On revisiting, three eggs broken in nest. (4) Nest of song-thrush (Twvdus musicus), in a clump of furze and bramble, three feet from ground; three eggs. On revisiting, four eggs broken in the nest. (5) Nest of chaffinch (Fringilla celebs), in a holly- tree; three eggs. On revisiting, the eggs broken in the nest. (6) Nest of song-thrush (ZIwrdus musics), in a hawthorn hedge ; four eggs, hard sat. On re- visiting, young birds four days old, dead in the nest, and being rapidly eaten by ants. (7) Nest of chaffinch (Fringilla celebs), in a beechen hedge; five young ones newly hatched. On revisiting, young birds dead—two in the nest, the remaining three beneath it. (8) Nest of great-titmouse (Parus major), built in an old jay’s nest ina holly-tree; twoeggs. On revisiting, found the eggs still there, but the nest was deserted. The last three cases were undoubtedly the result of heavy rains, that of the titmouse being only natural from its unusual position, the nest being open to the sky, and consequently quite unprotected. The other nests were normal in position, and the broken eggs were, I should say, the work of jays and like birds, squirrels, and possibly mice and rats. A heavy storm in the middle of the breeding season does more harm in a few hours than all the schoolboys in any year. It would be of interest to the readers of SCIENCE- Gossip if students of bird-life in their various districts would pay some attention to this question | of the mortality of young bird-life and its causes. These notes are the result of somewhat general observation, and will, I hope, be followed by a more special enquiry. 7, Fohn Street, Bedford Row, London, W.C. SCIENGE-GOSSIP: 103 BUTTERFLIES IN MID-WALES. By T. A. W. REEs, F.R.M:S. OT many butterfly-collectors exist in Mid- Wales. We, of the ring-net, have to train a disciple, to know of a companion. So it happens that we find local insects in spots which we have all to ourselves. In the dells, where the light streams down through occasional openings in the dark woods, we know of no fellowship save that of the humming-bee or sportive butterfly. Few are the tourists that know the loveliness which clothes the vale of Teify. Few, therefore, are their sons who go insect hunting, while parents and sisters go to view and sketch the land. Speaking of Llandyssul as a locality, the comma butterfly (Vanessa c-album) is here found in company with the silver-washed fritillary (Argynnis paphia), often sporting with faphia in her lofty gambols, to return to the same twig or flower which before had formed its resting-place. Even more than the painted-lady (Vanessa cardui) is the comma noted for this habit of repeatedly visiting the same spot. Not long ago, when spending a day among these woods, I saw one perched ona twig. Bang! blackberry blossoms, sprays and comma were all in net. Taking in the situation long before I could further act, my butterfly slipped craftily out under the net. After I had become aware of the trick, and had disengaged my net, behold, there, on a leaf not two yards away, was perched the comma, as unconcerned as ever. The exact operation was repeated, and again, after a somewhat hurried flight through the glades, it returned, and was espied on a neighbouring bush. The third attempt, however, proved effectual, and the ‘‘ artful dodger ”’ was secured. I have noticed that on the breezy heaths where the dark-green fritillary (Avgynnis aglaia) loves to roam over the fern-tops to visit the straggling brambles; the high-brown fritillary (A. adippe) is not so abundant. But down in the valley where the sweet clover grows luxuriantly, or beneath the forest trees, adippe is more frequently met with then aglaia, and seems much more widely dispersed over the fields. The grayling (Satyrus semele), is a very local insect, and being more marked in its leisurely flight than the meadow-brown (Epinephele janiva), and ringlet (Epinephele hyperanthus) is easily distinguished from them. The under side of the lower wings are marvellous examples of Nature's art. This insect is here confined, I believe, to the dry hill- side near Fairdregawr Farm, and the rough fields near Dollan Woods. Across the river on the upper meadows near Dollan, is to be found the marbled-white (Melanagria galathea), this spot being one of the Welsh homes of this lovely insect, which is also found somewhere between Tenby and Carmarthen. Down near the river, sporting through the forest glades, is seen the wood-argus (Pyrarge egevia), with eye-like markings and lively flight; and in various spots around the neighbourhood, the brown and purple hairstreaks (Thecla betule and T. guercus). The first brown hairstreak I captured, was seated on the leaves of the common hawthorn (Cratzgus oxyacantha). Very kindly taking into consideration the fact that I then had no net with me, the butterfly calmly allowed me to take it between my thumb and forefinger, for which privilege I felt duly indebted. As for the rollicking painted-lady, she spreads her charms over many a flower, but has chosen her capital, Craig Wytheirn, the rocky site of a bard-sung battle between the Cymri of Gwalia and the fair-haired sons of Hengist. On this lofty ridge she enjoys full view of hill and dale and gushing river, lulled through the night by the cawing of the rooks from away across the tree tops, and enjoying by day the company of many of her more immediate relatives, the Vanesside. There came a red-letter August in 1892. The clouded-yellows (Colias edusa) roamed over every hillside, frequently straying among the flowers of the valleys. Here, as in all places that season, edusa was the gem of every spot. She even rested on the trellis of the garden arbour, to sun her gorgeous wings of yellow and black. The prettiest name I think I have ever heard bestowed upon a fragile quivering creature is that given in the language of the Cymri to the butterfly. Never dreaming of the pompous name of Rhopalocera, the Welsh peasant calls the little wanderer that flits before his eyes adown the glowing clover his ‘little summer hen"’ (lar fach yr haf). This term of endearment is at once homely and touching. It breathes of the pure air, of an atmosphere where pity and love for these lowly creatures reign supreme. The same mind that grasps the glories of the beloved nightingale’s vesper, when evening is still, drinks in the beauty of the fluttering butterfly, when the summer noon is filled with the low hum of active insect life. I think the most inquisitive of butterflies are the small-tortoiseshell (Vanessa wrtice), and speckled- wood (P. egeria). I have often been surprised by one of these insects settling on me. Llandyssul, Cardiganshire; Feb. 1894. 104 SCIENCE-GOSSIP. FORESTS AND CLIMATE. By HERBERT C, FYFE. ie is only within the last twenty years or so that the question of the climatic influence of forests has been discussed from a scientific standpoint. As is the case in somany other branches of science, the best work has been done in Germany; Weber, Ebermayer, Zolluz, and Muttrich having all con- tributed to the subject. In England, Mr. John Nisbet, and in America, Mr. B. E. Fernow, have also done good work. But though we have numerous observations, extending over several years, it is not safe, for the present, to draw any deductions as to the influence of forests on the precipitation of aqueous vapour, owing to the con- flicting nature of the results of these observations. The Russian peasants declare that since the Steppes have been planted up the summer rainfall has considerably increased. On the other hand, American observers say that the re-wooding of a tract exerts no perceptible difference on the amount of the aqueous precipitations. One observer, Lendenfeld, has endeavoured to prove that the clearance of woodlands in Australia has resulted in a better climate and an increase of rainfall, as the soil under eucalyptus remains hard as stone and unabsorptive, while it is rendered lighter and more porous by grass. Weber draws the conclusion from an examina- tion of readings at 192 points of observation in Germany that ‘‘ At high altitudes large extents of forest may considerably increase the local rainfall.”’ It will be seen from the foregoing remarks that there is much to bewilder the mind of the average reader who is endeavouring to arrive at a clear understanding of the subject. Mr. Fernow says in his book on ‘‘ Forest Influences,” published at Washington last year: ‘‘As a consequence of deforestation we should expect an effect on the climate of the deforested area in three directions —(a) extremes of temperature of air as well as soil are aggravated ; (b) the average humidity of the air is lessened, and possibly (c) the distribution of pre- cipitation throughout the year, if not its quantity, is changed.” Of the value of woodlands from a national- economic point of view, we think there can be no doubt. Lessened streams must inevitably come with lessened forests. Observations made in Switzerland, Prussia, and Bavaria, show that nearly one-fourth of all the precipitations of aqueous vapour is intercepted by the forest trees, and is given off again by evaporation, or is gradually conducted down the stems to the soil. The great value of the forest lies in the fact that it acts as a barrier against the floods, which, but for their kindly intervention, would carry away the banks of the rivers, and swamp the richest pasturage. In Russia such disastrous results occurred from the devastation of forests that the Government issued a law for their pro- tection. This, of course, is not directly connected with the question, ‘‘ Do forests affect rainfall ? ’ but they are nevertheless interesting facts indirectly bearing on the subject. The only true way of arriving at a solution of this most important question is by carefully observing the rain-gauges kept at different stations. So long ago as 1769 Heberden showed, in a paper printed in the ‘“‘ Transactions of the Royal Society of London,”’ the remarkable influence of altitude on rainfall. He stated that a gauge on Westminster Abbey, over 150 feet above the ground, caught less than half as much as a gauge on the ground. This diminution was due to the influence of the eddies of wind around the building and the mouth of the gauge. Quite recently Brandis and Blandford, from ex- periments with guages in the forests of the central provinces of India of different altitudes, showed that the high gauges in the forests gave four per cent. more rain than the high ones in the open fields. Another gauge at lower altitude gave two per cent. greater catch in the forest than in the open land. People might at first think this definitely established the fact that forests do influence climate, but it ought to be remembered that the high forest gauges experience less wind and consequently catch more rain than the high open land gauges, owing to the fact that the former were at a height de- cidedly less than the ninety feet by which the gauges in the open lands were elevated above the ground. Before closing these remarks a few words as to the sanitary influence of forests may not be out of place. Forest conditions, as faras we know, are unfavourable to bacteria growth. The germs of cholera and enteric fever can be carried by water. These diseases, when epidemic, usually break out in thickly populated towns, where it is impossible to submit the soil-moisture or the water supply to the filtrating action of belts of woodland. The value of larger parks in citiesis inestimable. They establish air currents that bring fresher air to the ground; they reduce the temperature by their shade ; they purify the soil by absorbing the results of decomposition from animal matter; and lastly, they prevent, or at least in great manner reduce the dust and bacteria in the air, and thus keep it purer thanit would otherwise be, 80, Elsham Road, London, W.; March, 1894. SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 105 A FRESHWATER POLYZOON. By Epwarp F. J. Bryan. pocues wonderful may have been the appear- ance of many of the forms of Polyzoa which the zoologist has viewed, he who has failed to subject to microscopic examination that marvellous animal which inhabits our ponds and rivers— Cristatella mucedo—has missed one of the most gratifying experiences which nature holds out for his acceptance. He may have viewed in countless numbers members of other groups, beautiful in outward form and whose interior members are a source of unmitigated wonder, as examples take the genera, Melicerta and Vorticella, in which are combined a delicacy of formation most truly marvellous; still when through the microscope’s magic lens, he shall have viewed the graceful attitude and perfection of form of a Cristatella, his gratification will be unbounded. I. CRISTATELLA MUCEDO, What then are the characteristics of this creature which is to call forth such inexpressible tokens of surprise in him who beholds it for the first time ? What are its habits, and the manner in which it passes its existence? Suppose that it is the month of either July or August, a period when all nature is most widely unfolded from the mantle in which it has lain concealed, and when all ponds and running streams are most suited to be the habita- tion of the thousands of microscopic forms of life which have in the delicate lace-like leaves of the water-crowfoot, potamogeton, and other aquatic plants, their birthplace and home. Let us proceed to a pond which we may consider of a likely nature, and stooping down close to the water very carefully examine the stems of the aquatic plants as they are growing in the water, for when plucked out of their native element they present such a tangled appearance as to render the finding of any attached polyzoa extremely difficult. First we may notice some small, round, dark-coloured F 3 masses, scarcely larger than a pin's head, and whose peculiar faces, convex on one side and concave on the other, render them particularly noticeable. These are but statoblasts or discs which have been produced by former specimens, and as such are of little importance save that they make the presence of polyzoa in those waters an indubitable fact. Proceeding with our examination we at last discover what appears to be an elongated mass of jelly, on an average slightly over an inch in length, and of a yellowish colour. This is the object of our search, although it is as yet but in its embryo state, and must accomplish its germination before it assumes its most beautiful form. Still further search may disclose the fully-developed specimens which are required for examination. Having discovered their oblong, jelly-like colony, mainly 3. THE SAME WITH TENTACLES WITHDRAWN. 2. A SINGLE POLYP. by reason of their feathery exterior, basking amid the tangled growth of conferve and floating scum, great indeed is the satisfaction with which we transfer this most highly prized of the freshwater polyzoa to our collecting bottle for examination at home. Regarding its position in the scale of animal life Cristatella mucedo is, like it neighbours A/cyonella fungosa, Fredricella sultana, and the Plumatelle, in its external form very closely allied to the Hydrozoa, or phytoid zoophyte group; still, its internal structure renders it identical with the mollusca, more especially, however, with the sub-group Ascidize, which includes all molluscs of a tunicated nature. Still the Ascidians are not altogether identical with the Polyzoa, for while the former possess a heart and vascular system, the latter are wholly devoid of these important arrangements. Fxamining a colony of Cristatella we find it is about an inch and a half in length, almost oval in form, and of a yellowish-brown colour. The 106 colour is, however, darker in some parts than in others, the darker spots’ being statoblasts, or small buds produced on the funiculus, which continue clustered together by their marginal spines until they are set at liberty by the destruc- tion of the colony, and, attaching themselves to the weeds, in time produce a new generation of life. Around the convex upper margin of the cenzcium or dermal system, we have a regular series of Polypides, while in the central portion there are none. The flattened muscular disc of the under surface, is the means by which it attaches itself to the aquatic plants, and by which it is enabled to move from place to place. Projecting outwards from the mass are the tentacles, some seventy to eighty in number. They are hollow as in many similar forms, and communicate with the interior perigastric mass. These tentacles are covered with extremely fine cilia, which, by reason of the currenis they produce, are the means of supplying the colony with food, and by a directly opposite motion of the cilia on the other side of the tentacles, are the means of producing respiration. The form of the individual Polypides will be better understood by reference to fig. 2 than by any written description. They will be seen to consist of a sac (g), the only features external, which are the tentacles or ciliated organs of re- spiration. Within the sac is an alimentary canal, marked 6, within which is combined the cesophagus, stomach and intestines, and which will be seen to double round and form an anus at ¢, not far distant from the mouth. Running through the whole length of the animal are the retractor muscles (¢) by which the tentacles are withdrawn within the sac for protection on any alarm of danger, as seen in fig. 3. The reproductive organs lie on the lower portion of one of the sides, and are represented in the sketch by f; while the small protrudence (d), below the tentacles on the side nearest the anus, is a nervous ganglion, or organ of sensation. In Cristatella, unlike the other species, there is only one investing sac, the endocyst, the ectocyst being absent. The epistome, or tongue-like organ, is small, and in many cases very indistinct. In addition to the muscles by which the tentacles are withdrawn within the sac, the muscular system also provides for the rotatory action of the crown, and those rigid states in which the Polypide remains when the tentacles are drawn into the inierior. Reproduction is effected by ova, by gemmz, and by the statoblasts already referred to in this paper. The ova, after escaping from the ovary into the perigastric cavity, receive their impregnation from free spermatozoa, and most probably escape by the rupture of the cells. The gemmz spring from the endocyst as projections into the perigastric space, but after a time appear as vesicles projecting from SCIENCE-GOSSIP. the exterior, out of which the Polypides at length develop. Cristatella mucedo prefers for its home a clear lake or running water, and is rarely found where the water is very muddy. As an exception to the general rule they are not at all partial to dark habitations being often found flourishing in bright sunlight, hence there is not the necessity to guard against the admittance of light when keeping them alive in a vessel of water, as with other species of Polyzoa. When keeping them for examination great care must be taken to supply them with an abundance of food, for they are most voracious feeders, and need constant attention. Nothing is more interesting than to watch the gradual development of this wonderful object, and mark the stages which the Queen of Polyzoa has to pass through before her development is complete. Eversley, 123, Pembroke Road, Clijion, Bristol ; 31st May, 1804. BIRD NOT ES: By H. Meap-Brices. CUCKOO PAUSING ON FIRST NOTE.—Can you tell me if it is a usual occurrence for cuckoos to pause on the first note? I have generally found such is the case towards the end of the season. On the 23rd of April I heard one that repeatedly stopped short on the word “‘ cuck’’—a very early date. PIEBALD Roox.—A curious specimen of this year’s rook (Corvus frugilegus) was shot at Stour- mouth on May 5th, having five white primary feathers in each wing, the base of bill and throat white, also white claws and partly white toes; eyes grey. In every case it is to be noted that the extremities are white, except the tail, which is the usual colour. JacKDaw anp Younc Ducxs.—A farmer in this neighbourhood has recently lost ten young ducks, which he avows have been killed by a jackdaw. I have personally interviewed him on the subject, having no doubt, however, in my own mind that a hawk or a rat was the cause of the mischief: but he and a farm-hand still stick to its being a jack- daw, as they have seen it. The nest was pointed out to me in a hole in a tall elm tree, and, upon climbing up, I certainly found a jackdaw’s nest ; but no evidence of ducks, nor can I say I expected to. According to the farmer’s statement the ducks are killed and partly devoured by this sirange bird on the spot, never in any case being carried away, and I think this in itself ought to be one very good reason for supposing it to be the work of rats, for a jackdaw would hardly kill the ducks, unless for his brood, which were far too young in this case to appreciate such delicacies. A hawk would have hardly left his spoil in every instance upon the scene of slaughter, whereas a rat might, as the object of the rat is to get at the crop and eat the meal and other food of the duckling. I do not doubt that the jackdaw had been having his picking off the dead victims; but it is highly improbable that he killed them in the first instance, although I believe rooks have been known to do so. Can any- one enlighten this British farmer on the subject ? 17, St. George's Place, Canterbury. SCIENCE-GOSSIP. PEANTS IN 107 WESTERN ENGLAND. By C. PARKINSON. MONGST the rarer plants which exhibit a marked tendency to increase in the area of distribution in our western river-valleys, I think the Saponaria officinalis (soapwort) is a notable example. It is by no means rare upon the Severn banks, above Worcester; it is extremely plentiful by the Monnow, and upon the Usk, near to Abergavenny. It thrives best where the stiff marl gives place to red sand, and the seed dissemination must be both extensive and readily accomplished. Halfway between the old border castles of Skenfrith and Grosmont, in the Monnow valley, there is a shelving bank, resplendent in the early autumn with a regular grove of Inula elecampane, each stem standing four to six feet high, which it is well worth a ten-miles walk to see in perfection of golden yellow bloom. Campanula patula, a plant which I find best distinguished by the slightly toothed edges of the calyx, is dis- tributed through the three counties of Worcester, Hereford and Monmouth. In the first-named, it is fairly plentiful in Wye forest; I have also gathered it in Shrawley Wood and at Madresfield. On the Monnow I first saw it three miles from the fishing inn at Skenfrith; and in Herefordshire it grows close to Ross. For the first time I have gathered a single specimen of Campanula vapun- culus at Hartlebury, Worcestershire, during the last week in July. It grew by the roadside in a deep cutting of the new red sandstone. Near to Worcester, Centaurea solstitialis has appeared sporadically in waste ground. It had not been cultivated in an adjacent garden, nor had its appearance before been noted in the neighbour- hood. The angular stem is winged in a peculiar manner, the wings passing here and there into leafy bracts. Another introduced plant, a yellow crucifer, puzzled me for a week, I searched in vain through English, French and German botany text-books. By the. character of the silicule, it answered to the genus Lefidium, but no species could I find with perfoliate upper leaves and terminal yellow flowers, It grew freely by a mill on the Tame, near Worcester. An unfailing correspondent, Mr. J. C. Bruce, of Oxford, identified it for meas L. perfoli- atum, from the Black Sea area, whence it had probably come with imported grain. I can claim Ultricularia minoy as a truly Worcestershire plant though rare in occurrence. Two varieties of the marsh veronica (V. scutellata) seem to grow together. The typical form has leaves, stem and capsules perfectly smooth, the variety (pubescens) being hairy in all its parts. On Bredon Hill, an outlying spur of the Cotswold oolites, a humble little plant, possibly overlooked, grows freely ; that is the quinancy wort (Asperula cynanchica) with delicate, valerian-like flowers, almost hidden in the coarse turf. In a deserted quarry Cnicus eviophorus grows in all its glory, a plant which is attractive, if only for the curious webbing between the points of the involucre, as if industrious spiders had been most diligently at work. On the main ridge of the Cotswolds I find A tropa belladonna (deadly nightshade) not uncommonly distributed, notably at Birdlip, and at Horsepools. At the latter place Habenaria viridis (the frog orchis) and Herminium monorchis (musk orchis) grow freely. The Neottia nidus-avis (bird’s-nest orchis) is wonder- fully fine in Cranham beechwoods, a semi-parasite, I presume, amongst the leaf-mould on which it thrives. At Leckhampton, above Cheltenham, the other parasite Monotropa hypopitys (yellow birds- nest) is found attached to the roots of fir-trees. The greatest rarity of the Cotswolds is Cephalanthera vubya, with two or three flowers only, which I have myself gathered, the specimens being strangely small and stunted after the luxurious growth of the Swiss plant. On the Black mountains, near to Llanthony, the attractive Vaccinium vitis-idea (cowberry), grows amongst the common whortleberry plants. It is readily distinguished by evergreen, box-like leaves curiously spotted on the lower side; and when in fruit, by the crimson-red berries in clusters of two or three, or sometimes singly. In a stubble field on the lower slopes, I found a small broom-rape parasitic on the clover roots; from the bilobed stigma, the position of the stamens (slightly hairy at the base) on the tubular corolla, the purplish hue, the pair of sepals suddenly converging to points, and the shape of the bract, I think it is Ovobanche minor. The plant does not exceed five inches in height ; in the fresh condition it had a sweet scent, though by no means so powerful as O. cavophyllacea, which I know at Baveno, in Lake Como. With regard to the occurrence of Polypodium calcaveum on the Herefordshire side of the Black mountains, I take it that the fern is admittedly rare on the old red sandstone. Between Pandy and Llanthony, Cystopteris fragilis grows amongst the rocks, in which I find manifest traces of lime. The P. calcaveum assuredly needs something of this nature for its growth, and I suspect the necessary lime exists in the rock. 16, The Tything, Worcester. 108 Tue May number of the ‘' Proceedings of the Geologists’ Association’ (published by Stanford), is well worth reading. It contains Dr. F. Hume’s paper on the ‘‘Genesis of the Chalk.” This is illustrated by a map of the cretaceous ocean in Europe, and by a page of sections representing the variations in thickness of the upper cretaceous zones for some of the principal localities in the British Isles. The paper is well written, full, interesting and suggestive, and should prove useful to those interested in the cretaceous period. The same number also contains Mr. H. B. Woodword’s Presidential Address to the Association, delivered in February last, and entitled ‘‘Geology in the Field and in the Study,” which will be pleasant reading to all interested in geology. SOMERSET Fossits.—In the month of February and March I collected from the Middle Lias round South Petherton and MIlminster the following fossils of Cephalopoda: Ammonites communis, A. planorbis, A. varians, Belemnites mucronatus; of the Lamellibranchiata, Unio and Anodonta, and Pecten beavevi; of the Brachiopoda, Rhynconella, which was exceedingly plentiful. From the cretaceous formation, which crops out on a spur of the Blackdown Hills, near Chard, where a fine section of the chalk can be seen, I collected of the Echinoderms, Micraster cov-anguinum, and Tenechinus excavatus; of the Cephalopoda, Ammonites varians and Nautilus danai ; of the Lamellibranchiata, Plagiostoma obliqua and Pecten.—-Rev. A. C. Denman, Fivehead, Taunton, Somerset; April 11, 1894. ‘NATURAL SCIENCE” for this month has an inter- esting article on the question ‘‘Can the sexes in Ammonites be distinguished ?’’ Many well-known palzontologists have maintained that secondary sexual characters are manifested in the shells of the Cephalopoda, and that many forms now bearing different specific names are really only male and female of the same species. Those of our readers who are interested in Ammonites are referred to the conclusion arrived at by Messrs. Buckman and Bather. After a careful examination of the evidence on this point, we give it in their own words: ‘‘ We suggest that the characters in question are auxologic or bioplastic rather than sexual, being in some cases phylogerontic, in others merely ephebic or gerontic, and we conclude that sexual dimorphism has yet to be proved for Ammonite shells.”’ BristoL GEOLoGIsts’ ASSOCIATION. —We are indebted to Mr. Frederick Ellis for information respecting this newly-formed society, of which he is the Honorary Secretary. The Association has been in existence about six months and has a membership of eighteen. It aims at meeting a want, inasmuch as it is the first geological society formed in Bristol, although there is a section devoted to geology in the Bristol Naturalists’ SClENCE-GOS sir: Society. The distinctive features of the Associa- tion appear to be a small subscription (1s. per annum), Sunday meetings and frequent excursions on the same day of the week. The summer programme shows that two excursions per month is the rule from May to October inclusive. There have also been meetings held at the houses of members for the reading of papers, the exhibi- tion of specimens and the study of text-books. The members would be pleased to afford information respecting local rocks and fossils to any fellow readers of ScIENCE-GOSsIP, on com- munication with the Honorary Secretary, whose address is 22, Senier Street, Bristol. THE Limgs oF TRILOBITES.—In the June number of the ‘‘ Geological Magazine’ there appearsa further contribution, under the heading ‘‘ Woodwardian Museum Notes,’ upon the Fossil Trilobitide, and Mr. Chas. D. Walcott also has an interesting paper upon the recently-discovered locomotive organs of the same animals. The limbs are arranged in pairs at intervals along the sides of the body. They are many jointed and in some cases provided with supernumary appendages in the shape of bristles, basally jointed and fringed apically. The number and arrangement of these limbs serve to connect the trilobites more closely than ever with the crustacea. GEOLOGY AND THE RELIEF OF THE GLOBE.— This was the title of a remarkable lecture delivered by Professor Lapworth to the Geologists’ Association, on the ist June. The lecture was substantially the same as one he had read before the Geographical Society a few weeks previously, and in whose ‘‘ Proceedings’”’ it will probably be reprinted. The object of the lecture was to find some unit in the varied relief of the globe, which would correspond to the species of biological classification ; and, further, if such a unit could be found, to trace the laws regulating its associations and arrangement, whereby the relief of the globe is caused. The lecturer skilfully laid before his hearers the reasons by which he had been led to the conclusion that a simple undulation was the unit underlying the physical features of the earth’s surface. He then proceeded to show that the distribution of land and water may be very closely reproduced by a membrane resting on water, which is caused to vibrate along six lines, three at right angles to the other three. The positions of the parts of the vibrating membrane above and below the surface of the water then corresponds to the positions of the continents and ocean basins of the globe. The lecturer, however, did not rest here, but showed how the same law held good when applied to Schiaparelli’s map of Mars. Again, he traced it through the whole geological history of the British Isles. By drawing a line of time, and marking off along it the oscillations of this part of the earth’s crust during each of the geological formations, a remarkable similarity of curves was obtained. We believe we did not misunderstand the Professor’s remark that ‘‘ These things are not so because the earth is a contracting sphere, but because they are in the nature of things.’’ Prof. Lapworth’s method of approaching the subject was a strictly logical and scientific one, and if his views will stand the test of closer examination and study, geology will have entered on a new era of its history, and a new path to knowledge will have been opened up, leading to far-reaching results whose importance cannot be over-estimated. SCIENCE*GOSSIP. 109g PHOTOGRAPHY ape accompanying figure is a reproduction of a micro-photograph taken by Lieut.-Col. Linlay Blathwayt, F.L.S., of Batheaston, Bath. It is a representation of hairs from the larva of Tiresias serra, a small beetle of the family Dermestide. The larve in this family are peculiar in their hairiness, and Tivesias is no exception ; the last four segments of the body are clothed with thick tufts of very long and delicate hairs, which are finely feathered and end in a sort of blunt spear-head, with four round knobs at the base, below which is a small cup. The larva, which has the power of erecting these hairs and spread- ing them out like a fan, is figured by Westwood in his ‘‘ Classification of Insects,’’ p. 156, figs. 14, 18. Most of the photographs that have been sent for reproduction have been micro-photographs, but we see no reason why naturalists should not utilise the camera more than they do for larger objects. There is no limit to the subjects that, if successfully focussed and exposed, would be of interest and assistance to the student. Why should not the botanist supple- ment his dried specimens of certain plants by photographs of the living specimens in the place where they grew ? There are many subjects —trees, bushes and climbers—of which he can only include minute portions in his herbarium; but if with these he had a good photograph of the complete plant, a new value would be given to his specimens, for it could be seen at a glance whether the species grew solitarily or in masses, erect or trailing, on hedge- banks, rocks, by streams, or otherwise. To the lepidopterist the camera should be very useful, inter alia, for depicting larve in their natural positions on the food plant, and at different periods of growth. The conchologist might, in addition to his collection of shells, keep an album of photographs of living snail and shell combined. The oologist, instead of being content with his clutch of eggs might have a faithful picture of the nest im situ, before the eggs were removed. The geologist can carry away from a section, not merely specimens of its fossils, but an undeveloped FOR Harrs FROM LaRVA OF TIRESIAS SERRA. Magnified 160 diameters. TELE UO NATURALS §: negative showing the position of the beds and their dip. It were idle to multiply instances of the camera’s potential aid naturalist in almost any section; the few we have mentioned will imme- to the diately suggest to the reader ways in which he could utilise such an instrument. If proof of its practical-value be needed let him glance at those magnificent photographs of living corals and sea-anemones taken by Mr. Savile Kent for his work on ‘‘The Great Barrier Reef,’’ or at Mr. Gambier Bolton's portraits of mammals, published in Major Nott's ‘‘ Wild Animals.” Probably the majority of our readers are mem- bers of local scientific societies, and many are in the habit of reading notes or delivering lectures upon some phase or other of our work. All such know the labour involved in preparing diagrams on a scale sufficiently large to enable their audience clearly to follow their remarks. The possessor of negatives taken from ! the natural objects themselves can, in a comparatively few minutes, prepare a lan- tern slide that will enable him, with the aid of the lantern, to throw a greatly enlarged figure upon the screen, giving every detail of form and marking. Evenso small an object as a fruiting moss may, without any aid from the microscope, be so successfully photo- graphed natural size, that, when enlarged upon the screen, it will stand forth as a living thing, showing the character of the leaves and stem, habit of growth, form of capsule and calyptra, even of the peristome in many cases. For some years I have made such slides of mosses and the larger fungi, and found them most useful for lecturing purposes. In many societies the value of the lantern in scientific demonstration is properly understood, although a few years ago it was regarded as a toy, suitable only for the amusement of children. An optical lantern should now form part of the outfit of every scientific society, and an officer should be specially appointed to have charge of it. EDWARD STEP. The Mays, Epsom; Fune 7th, 1894. IIo : 7 2. ay 6: f- (= SNA] PN (Ge Wea WA ; =F(. NS NA ENN Ar yy g aS ¢ y Bo > ALLEN’S NATURALISTS’ LIBRARY. Eee some time past expectancy has been increas- ing in the promised new series of books, which will bear the collective title of ‘‘Allen’s Naturalists’ Library.” The preliminary announce- ments justified us in looking for a useful series of works on various biological subjects, which, under the editorship of Dr. R. Bowdler Sharpe, F.L.S., would be to ordinary persons taking a general interest in nature what Sir William Jardine’s ‘Naturalists’ Library’? was on its issue years ago. In fact, this series may be described as a modernised edition of Jardine’s library. We have now before us the first two volumes of Messrs. W. H. Allen and Co.’s new venture. So far from being the result of mere book-making, we find two really good handbooks on special groups. They are well arranged, concise, without being too much cut. down to be useful, carefully printed and handsomely illustrated with full-sized coloured plates. One of these two volumes is devoted to the birds of Britain, and the other to certain characteristic animals of Australasia. “ Allen’s Naturalists’ Library” will be appreciated not only by educated persons generally, but is sure to find a place in the reference department of every public library in the Kingdom. A Handbook to the Birds of Great Britain. By R. Bowdler Sharpe, LL.D., Zoological Department, British Museum. Vol. I., pp. xxii and 342. 8vo, with 31 coloured plates and other illustrations. (London: Allen’s Naturalists’ Library, W. H. Allen and Co., Limited, 1894.) Price 6s. As a new guide over so well beaten a path as the study of British Birds, Dr. Bowdler Sharpe has little chance of displaying originality, for, truth to tell, it must be most difficult to bring forward anything new either about species, life-histories, distribution, migration or other facts appertaining to the birds of this country. There remains, how- ever, the writing of books which will attract future students to ornithology, and Dr. Sharpe has succeeded in producing one which cannot fail for years to come to be the cause of many becoming such students. to this work, the knowledge of the subject is far from complete. In his arrangement of matter, Dr. Sharpe has rendered reference easy, and appears to have included in small space whatever is really required for identification and a knowledge of the habits of any species. All the salient points are dealt with under distinctive headings such as Adult Male, Adult Female, Young, Range in Great Britain, Range outside Great Britain, Habits, Nest, Eggs, and other points where specially needed. This volume concludes with the martins and swallows. The plates have the usual fault of being too highly coloured, but still there will not be much difficulty in identifying the birds by them in most instances. We should have thought that a little attention to Still, as pointed out in his preface . SCIENCE-GOSSIRP- subduing the more brilliant tints might have been expended with advantage upon this new issue. A Handbook to the Marsupialia and Monotremata. By RicHarp LyDEKKER, B.A., F.G.S., etc. pp. xvii and 302. 8vo, with 38 coloured plates and other illustrations. (London: Allen’s Naturalists’ © Library, W. H. Allen and Co, Limited, 1894.) Price 6s. We believe the two groups indicated in the title have never before been treated in a popular hand- book at a price within reach of the ordinary book buyer. Still more pleasing is it to find that this handbook is under the care of Mr. Lydekker, for we can consequently depend upon the facts stated therein. There are no more interesting mammals than these, though among the lowest of that great order. They are very little understood by most people, even including many with some pretentions to scientific knowledge. This especially applies to the monotremes or egg-laying mammals, which are confined to Australia, Tasmania and New- Guinea. They derive the name monotreme from the circumstance that there is, as in birds and reptiles, but a single aperture at the extremity of the body, from which are expelled all the waste products of the body, as well as the reproductive elements. Reproduction is effected by means of eggs, which are laid and hatched by the female parent, the young, after being hatched, are fed with milk produced in a most unusual manner. The plates in this book are in most cases good for those done in colours. Several new ones have been especially drawn, so as to illustrate species recently discovered, thus bringing the book quite up to modern knowledge of the subject. This work forms one of the most interesting we have met with for some time past. Domestic Hygiene. By Thomas Dutton, M.D. 199 pp. 8vo. (London: Henry Kimpton and Hirsch- field Bros., 1894.) No price stated. This is one of those useful little works which have a tendency for good without pretending to be more than a simple teacher of a subject on which the general public are even still sadly ignorant. The simple rules or suggestions in this work are within everyone’s reach, and if followed are sure to contribute to healthiness of the individual, with consequent benefit for society at large. Object Lessons from Nature: A First Book of Science. By L. C. Miatr, F.R.S. Two vols. Fourth edition, 8vo, 240 pp. in each part. 57 illustrations. (London, Paris and Melbourne: Cassell and Co., Limited, 1894.) Price 1s. 6d. per vol. ; Professor Miall’s experience as teacher of biology at the Yorkshire College at Leeds has been so extensive and so well known that any work from his pen is sure to command attention. That these two little volumes have been a success is assured by the fact that they have reached their fourth edition, which, in the hands of their publishers, means a very considerable circulation. As aids for giving a first taste and interest among young people in the common objects of nature around us these handbooks are admirable. The subjects chosen for illustration are among the most familiar, whilst their pithy treatment is such as to lead on the reader to further enquiry. We strongly com- mend these inexpensive little books to all who have intelligent children, as an easy means of instructing them in the familiar things around them. SCIENGE-GOSSIP: Life and Rock. A collection of Zoological and Geological Essays. By R. LyprExkker, B.A., F.G.S., F.Z.S. pp. xi. and 221, 8vo. Illustrated by 53 figures. (London: The Universal Press, 1894.) Price 5s. This work is a collection of articles which originally appeared in our contemporary, ‘‘ Know- ledge,’ and is published in the ‘‘ Knowledge Series”’ by Messrs. Witherby and Co. All these essays are most entertaining, and ‘‘ Life and Rock” will be found to be one of those books one can always take up for recreative reading. The subjects are varied and their treatment pleasantly dealt with. They include such as ‘‘ Elephants, Recent and Extinct,” ‘Moles and their Like,” ‘‘Spiny Animals,” “Parallelism in Development,”’ ‘‘ Toothed Whales and their Ancestry,’ ‘‘Ruminants and _ their Distribution,’’ ‘‘The Oldest Mammals,” “ The Oldest Fishes and their Fins,” ‘The Origin of Flint,’ and many others. The illustrations are good, two of them we reproduce as examples, by permission of the publishers. They are the bichir, from the Upper Nile, said to be one of the oldest IIitl Field-Path Rambles. By WALKER MILEs. West Kent Series. 232 pp., with illustrations and maps. Price 4s. Also Round Dorking. 64pp. LUllustrated. Price 6d. (London: R. E. Taylor and Son, 1893 and 1894.) To the explorer of his own country the labour is made easy if accompanied by these useful guides in the localities they describe. It is only necessary to follow the paths indicated to find some of the best walks in the respective neighbourhoods. With what can be learned from these pages and what one can observe on the way, walks such as these add a new interest to life. Walton and some Earliey Writers on Fish and Fishing. By R. B. Marston. 264 pp. small 8vo. (London: Elliot Stock, 1894.) Although this charming and artistically produced little work has no pretentions to be scientific, it savours so delightfully of country-lore that we have no hesitation in including it among our ‘ Books to Read.’’ Mr. Marston’s long association with fishing as an art and a sport fits him better than THE BICHIR. A EE y SSeS SSS ——= SSS ASSES SRR LES Ss SEER EN SSSR SSS SASRSENS SRLS AN Extinct GANOID FIsuH. known vertebrate animals now existing in a living state, and another representing an extinct ganoid fish. They are placed in comparison for a study of development of the fins. In a chapter headed — somewhat unfortunately, perhaps, ‘ Living Fossils,” as it appears rather like a contradiction, the author gives an interesting series of instances of recent animals which are also found in a fossil state. At the end of most chapters are summaries or general conclusions which are both useful and instructive. The Royal Natural History. Super royal 8vo. 36 monthly parts. Price rs. (London: Frederick Warne and Co.) We have already noticed the earlier portion of this fine work (ante p. 16), and have since received further parts, seven of which are already out. The high character of the book is fully maintained, with regard both to letterpress and illustrations. Part VI. is largely devoted to dogs and their allies. The domesticated ‘‘races"’ of dogs are enlarged upon and extensively illustrated. In Part V. are the members of the cat tribe, including notices of those used as household pets. (From “Life and Rock.”’) (From ‘“ Life and Rock."’) any man whom we know to have critically examined and collated what is known about the early literary fathers of the angle. His extracts from their writings, with his careful comments and personal observations, form one of the most delightful additions to the already voluminous literature of the subject, that it has been our lot to read for a long time past. The Country Month by Month. and Professor G. S. Boutcrr, F.L.S., F.G.S. May and June. 64 pp. each, 8vo. (London: Bliss, Sands and Foster, 1894.) Price 1s., and 2s. cloth. : We have received the current parts of this series of books, these making four out of the proposed twelve months. It may be that the season covered by May and June lends itself to inspiration, for these latter essays are distinctly improved in their interest. For instance, we may take that called “The Old Chalk Pit,’ which reminds one of Gomshall and some other Surrey sunny spots. The dissertations on the plants and animals to be found in such a locality is good, and suggestive of many visits. By J. A. OWEN y we Zi = 3 th SCIENCE GOSSIP | GOSSIP | Ue MSW ae ez — iz es DA 7 Mr. CHARLES BARON CLARKE, F.R.S., is the new president of the Linnean Society. Tue gold medal of the Linnean Society has this year been awarded to Prof. Ernst Haeckel, of Jena, for his researches in invertebrate zoology. HERR H. SILBERMANN has been investigating the constitution of crude silk fibre, which he finds to consist of two parts, viz., fibroin, the true thread substance, and sericin a gelatinous body which surrounds it. An idea of the abundance cf codfish off the Norwegian coasts may be gathered from the statement that during the past’ winter twenty- nine millions of codfish were alone brought into Lofoten. THE two loftiest mountains on the North American Continent are said to be Mount St. Elias, 18,000 feet and Mount Logan, 19,500 feet, both of which are in Alaska; Mount Orizaba in Mexico does not exceed 18,300 feet. Tue third part of the monograph on the *‘Annelides Polychétes des Cétes de Dinard,” by Baron de Saint-Joseph, appears in the last issue of “Annales Sciences Naturelles (Zoologie).” It is beautifully illustrated by four plates of engravings of some of the worms and their anatomy. THE treatment of the momentous question of ‘‘ Legislation and Jurisprudence in relation to Forest Trees’’ is concluded in the ‘‘ Revue des Eaux et Foréts”’ for May last. It would be as well if some of our own legislatcrs were to cull a few hints from the proposed code. WE regret to announce that, on account of failing health, Professor C. V. Riley has resigned his post of Entomologist to the United States Department of Agriculture. The high standard of reputation of the Entomological Section of that Department is largely due to Dr. Riley’s energy and acumen. Tue new Fellows of the Royal Society are: William Bateson, G. A. Boulenger, Dr. jak Bradford, Professor W. W. Cheyne, R. E. Froude, Professor M. J. M. Hill, Professor J. V. Jones, E. H. Love, Richard Lydekker, F. Penrose, D. H. Scott, Rev. F. J. Smith, J. W. Swan and V. H. Veley. Waat is claimed to be the earliest known photo- graphic portrait was taken early in 1840, by Professor John W. Draper, of New York. It is of his sister, and is by no means a bad picture. It is now stated, however, that a sun portrait was taken at Philadelphia and exhibited before the American Philosophical Society on December 6th, 1839. PROFESSOR C. V. Ritey has commenced in the “‘ Scientific Americen”’ an important article upon the so-called seventeen-year locust. He refers to races, the one being septendecim or seventeen years’ generation, and the other tredecim or thirteen years’ race. Apparently there is no difference between the insects of either race, and both may occur in one locality. SCIENCE-GOSSIP. THE ‘‘ Journal de la Société Centrale d’ Agriculture de Belgique’’ for April, prints two most interesting memoirs by E. Baun and A. De Pitteurs-Hiégaerts. One relates to insectivorous birds in their relation to the continuance of vegetation, giving a very full list of the various species useful to the agriculturist from the economical point of view of reducing the large number of insect pests attacking forest trees. The other memoir concerns the formation of wooded districts from uncultivated lands. THE June number of the ‘‘Comptes Rendus de l’Académie des Sciences’’ contains a note by M. L. Ravaz, upon a disease of the vine, caused by the growth of a minute fungus, Botrylis vitrea. He remarks that the growth of this parasite is extremely rapid, especially under the favourable conditions afforded by viniculture. The spores reach their full development in less than six hours, and appro- priate to themselves the nourishment necessary to the successful growth of the vine. Nosopy has yet carried off the prize of £1,200, sterling, offered by the French Government for the discovery of a means of effectually destroying the phylloxera and ridding the vineyards of this per- sistent scourge. The chief and most efficacious method of combating the phylloxera which has hitherto been applied, wherever the locality permits, is, in the opinion of Mr. Ward, one of our Consuls, the temporary flooding of the vineyards with water. Where this is not practicable, the roots are treated with sulphuretted carbon. A CommitTEE of English sportsmen and naturalists has urged upon the British South African Chartered Company, the necessity for protecting many species of the larger animals which are in danger of total extinction through reckless slaughter. Among these may be especially mentioned the giraffe, zebra, eland, gnu, koodoo, osirich, and various smaller antelopes. This isa most important subject, when we remember the several animals which have become extinct in modern times through the agency, if not the greed, of man. ProFessor R. A. Litter’s (of Munich) great work on Paleontology, in six volumes, has just been iranslated from the original into French, under the direction of M. Charles Barrois. The second volume deals with the subject entirely in its botanical aspect. The illustrious Alsatian paleo- botanist, Schimper, inaugurated the volume, but it has been drawn toa conclusion by Professor Schenk, of Leipzic. The knotty questions relating to the classification of fossil plant remains have been very fully treated, as have also those depending upon a knowledge of the distribution of plants in the geologic series. OvrR contemporary, the ‘‘ Scientific American,” for June, prints a photogravure illustrating a most singular abnormality in tree-growth in De Ruyter, New York. Two beech trees standing about twenty feet apart, each somewhat over a foot in diameter, have become joined at about half their height by an almost straight and horizontal bough. The appearance of the whole being thus like a huge letter H. It is impossible to tell from which tree the originating bough sprang, there being no point of junction apparent along its length. Our readers will probably call to mind the close intertwining of two trees formerly in the grounds of Charles Waterton of Walton Hall, and humorously named by him the Church and State, but the present instance of abnormal growth in trees is really unique. SCIENCE-GOSSIP. ASTRONOMY, We Vil alk | ay ‘uly I \ n a Nit j ee CoNnDUCTED BY ALICE EVERETT, M.A. (Hon. Secretary of the British Astronomical Association.) Rises. Sets. Position. A.M. P.M. R.A. Dec. him, him. Sun Pee | Ulyamecene emma dOleee Sst 1. O40) 25.0290 oles CMNLORCOMErA Mme OG | sve) 743 iicss 1 2ie -20e Souths. AM. Moon ... " 2) ae WONT RG Souths. Sets. P.M. A.M. Mery Ov sere ZH een ead 5 Rises. Souths. A.M. P.M. Mercury. UNE SON eee 5-50N---) 51-43) o 8.18 .... 182 307 N TWUSY Ho) coe! EMSS) toon BE odo. Eh beiccae GP GRY Pe 20m CABO eee 10050 tee F555) see 150 40! A.M. Venus ... . Teese 4)... Q:23) 4.1 18° 37! py 1.35 O:33 i e-t4-50)|-+-1 20-040) ye ek 1.37 0.44 5.40 ... 22° 10! P.M. Mays... _ I 11.48 5-AOb ees) 0:23 o° 43/ S we Lk II.19 5.2 0.46 1° 29/ N i OE TONS) ean SRE 7 3° 30! A.M. Fupiter + tog BeBe cos MONSIG) Gea | a(D con SS SEY In|, Pax 1.2 9.39 3 22° 55! P.M P.M. SMI eee UAC OMe set TLOl ese O:S aur eLSs02) 2.0 4° 54LS A.M. July 20 TLed Sines jeolerelSsLdu coe 50.03! : P.M. P.M, OCHGUUS ee UNC US OM cea tGs05) esol ees ASO) eee TAS BS, Funo ily SV ee — see e725, o WABI Gay, Sel Sig Moon. 3rd Q7.... June 26... 10.3 a.m. New... July 3 5.46 a.m ish Ov... July o..10.05 pum. ull se, july 17/2 10.3) pm: 3rd UF. ... ) 25ss0) 0.7) DL. OCCULTATIONS OF STARS BY THE MOON, ; Angle Angle Disappear- from Re-appear- from Date. Star, Mag. ance. N. Pt. ance. N.Pt. July 17 A Sagittarii... 5 842 p.m. 55°... 9.52p.m. 286° » 20 50Aquarii ... 6 10.33 p.m. 354° ... ) 21. B.A.C. 7835 ... OF 2.1 a.m. 47° ... 3; 25 Ig Arietis’ ... 6) rr.30 p.m.’ 60° 10.57 p.m. 315° 3.20 a.m. 241° se E2025 a.m. 243° NEAR APPROACH, July 18, B.a.c. 7197, 6th mag., at 8.55 p.m., angle 346°. THE Sun.—The spots afford a field for study, though there is reason to suppose that the solar activity so conspicuously shown during the last two years is on the wane. THE Moon.—On July 3rd, the day of New Moon, our satellite will set about an hour after the Sun. It may be possible, under favourable circumstances, and with the aid of a good opera- glass, to make out the thin crescent when its age is only about fifteen hours. Mercury will be invisible to the naked eye after the first three or four days of July. Mars is traversing the constellation Pisces. _ Jupiter may be seen in the morning in Taurus, a little to the north-east of the bright star Aldebaran. 113 Saturn is in Virginis about 5° north of the first magnitude star Spica, and close to and east of the star @ Virginis (fourth magnitude). Venus is in Taurus and later will be in the constellation Gemini. About uy 7th, there will be an interesting conjunction of this planet with the first magnitude star Aldebaran, Venus lying 3° 45’ north of the star. ‘Venus rises about two o'clock in the morning. Uranus cannot be seen with the naked eye. It lies in Libra, slightly to the west of the stars a, u and 5 of this constellation. Neptune is not now visible. The small planets Vesta and Ceres will be in conjunction on July 12th, Ceres lying about 2° 30’ to the north of Vesta, and for a month the two will be close neighbours and pursue parallel paths. THE CaNnaLs OF Mars.—Mr. J. R. Holt, of Dublin, has put forward a new theory as to the origin of the canals. He supposes that the funda- mental difference between the cases of the Earth and Mars is as follows:—In Mars a thin crust was early formed and ruptured, the ‘‘canals’’ being the fissures formed by the rupture. The gas then escaped and the fissures served as vents for the internal volcanic energy, so that the crust has remained almost in its primitive condition ever since. On the Earth the crust was not formed so early; im comsequence it escaped rupture as a whole and was able to compress the gas. The volcanic energy, not having any preformed vents, . deformed the crust considerably, and formed vents for itself here and there. These, however, were insufficient to allow of a complete escape; in con- sequence the surface has suffered from volcanic action to an amount contrasting considerably with the case of Mars. A FLOATING TELESCOPE.—In the May issue of “Knowledge,” Sir Howard Grubb has an article describing a plan for floating the greater part of the tube of a large reflecting telescope in a great tank, which he thinks would enable the instrument to be mounted with sufficient stability for purposes of celestial photography. Sir H. Grubb considers it is now an important problem to overcome the difficulties of mounting, which have heen an obstacle in the way of using large reflectors, as, he says, it is not likely that in the future it will be possible to get discs of optical glass of sufficient size to construct an object glass for a refractor, which would equal in light grasping power such an instrument as Lord Rosse’s six-foot reflector. A NEw TRIPLE ACHROMATIC OBJECT-GLAss.— At a recent meeting of the Royal Astronomical Society, Mr. H. Dennis Taylor described a new and ‘‘ perfectly achromatic’ object-glass, which he has for some time been engaged in perfecting. It consists of three lenses of three different kinds of glass, all made by Schott, of Jena. By ‘‘ perfectly achromatic,’’ Mr. Taylor explained that he meant that the chromatic aberration to be expected in an objective of two feet aperture is no greater than that introduced into a reflector whose focal length is seven and a half times its aperture, when a one- inch Huyghenian eye-piece is used. Messrs. Cooke and Sons guarantee the permanence of objectives made on this plan SUD SAAD aS CID SSeS 2 RSIS ANATOMICAL SECTIONS.—In making anatomical sections, to be converted into lantern slides, should sections be mounted in any particular medium, stained in special manner, or left unstained ?— B. Vernon, Clarges Street, London. New Siipes.—From Mr. C. W. Maw, of Brad- ford, Yorks, we have received the following slides, all transparent mounting: ovary of Jris, transverse section; antenna of Cavabus violaceus; transverse section of grape-vine stem; and a mixed group of Diatoms, from Hatfield Swamp, New Jersey, U.S.A. We have also received two capital slides of rock sections from Mr. John Mearns, 52, Jasmine Terrace, Aberdeen. The first of these is an example of gneiss rock from the Den of Murtle, Aberdeenshire, and the second a section of granite from Tyre Bagger Quarry, Aberdeenshire. THe USE oF THE MicroscopE.—In his second lecture on ‘‘ The Modern Microscope,” at the Royal Institution, Dr. Dallinger, F.R.S., pointed out that the vast strides made in recent years in the con- struction of the microscope has greatly altered its fitness for use in the hands of the amateur. The necessity for considerable manipulative skill, he says, is greater with the modern instrument, not because its wonderful recent improvements have introduced complexity—on the contrary, they have simplified it—but, being the outcome and embodi- ment of mathematical certainty, it is by using it on scientific principles—easily learned—that the finest results can be obtained. CIRCULATION IN PLANTS. — Hydrocharis morsus- van@, or frog-bit, offers another excellent example of cyclosis (ante pp. 8, 34). This is a floating plant with rootlets dependent from the base of the leaves. These rootlets are furnished with numerous and stiff hairs, which are easily visible to the eye. Cut off a portion of the root-point, and place it on a slide with a little water, covering with thin glass in the usual way. If some of the hairs be then focussed with almost any power, a vigorous and interesting rotation of the protoplasm (which is very abundant) will be observed; the hairs are long, and, as is usual with root-hairs, unicellular. The-movement here is termed ‘‘rotation,”’ taking place like that in the Vallisneria, around the inner margin of the cell-wall. In the case of such hairs as those of the nettle, Tvadescantia and others, however, the movements are much more complex, often passing in threads and bands transversely or obliquely through the cell-sap, and ‘‘streaming’’ in various directions in a most wonderful manner, and it is to these movements only that the word ‘‘circulation”’ is applied. By the way, the term used by Mr. Smith, viz., ‘‘circulation of the sap,’’ has long been discarded as incorrect and misleading. In the case of the Vallisnevia, the movements of the protoplasm appear to continue as long as the cells retain their vitality; if care be taken to prevent the evaporation of the water, the exhibition will remain unimpaired, not only for days, but for weeks together.—W. R. May, 35, Dalston Lane, London. SCIENCE-GOSSIP. Gi as (] jaa Wl Be BS AIZA id (COUNTRY LORE} } ages UL. \ Seeman eteeeS Mottusca IN MeEpicinE.—To the ordinary British mind the thought of eating snails is repul- sive, though, perhaps, after all, it is only a matter of educated taste. What oysters are to the luxuri- ous so are whelks and periwinkles to the poor ; though to the wealthy they would be as unpalatable as Helix aspersa or Helix nemoralis. The Latin races, especially in Southern Europe, universally look to all the larger Helices for delicacies. Most people who have visited the markets in Paris have seen heaps of Helix pomatia and H. aspersa piled up on stalls or floor. JI do not now write, however, from an alimentary point of view, because it is doubtful whether any number of toothsome recipes would overcome the insular prejudices of this country against snails for food. Although rarely eaten as an ordinary dish, there does not appear to have been in past times any serious objection to the use of the land molluscs for medicinal purposes. The earliest books on simples and domestic medi- cines contain prescriptions in which snails formed an ingredient. In a quaint old book entitled ‘‘A Rich Storehouse or Treasurie for the Diseased: first set forth for the benefit of the poorer sorts of people that are not of abilities to goe to the physicians,’ Master Ralph Blower says, ‘‘ Snales which bee in shells, beat together with bay salt and mallowes, and laid to the bottomes of your feet and to the wristes of your handes before the fit cometh, appeaseth the ague.’’ In Dr. John Quincey’s ‘‘ Pharmacopceia Officinalis’’ is described ‘‘ Decoctum Limacum, or Decoction of Snails.” James Jenks, in his ‘‘ Complete Cook,” prescribes an ‘“‘ admirable and famous snail water,’’ consisting of a peck of garden snails washed in small beer, and then put in a hot oven until they have done making a noise, when they are to be taken out and well wiped from the green froth that is upon them. Bruise shells and all in a mortar, to which add a quart of earthworms scoured with salt and slit open, then beat all together. Then lay in the bottom of ‘‘ your distilled pot’’ two handfuls of angelica and two handfulls of celadine upon them, to which add two quarts of rosemary flowers, bearsfoot, agrimony, red dock roots, bark of barberries, betony, wood sorrel, of each two hand- fuls; rue, one handful; then lay the snails and worms on the top of the herbs and flowers, then pour on three gallons of the strongest ale, and let it stand all night. In the morning put in three ounces of cloves, beaten ; six-pennyworth of beaten saffron, and on the top of them six ounces of shaved hartshorn; then set on the limbeck and close it with paste, and so receive the water by pints, which will be nine in all. The first is the strongest, whereof take in the morning two spoon- fuls in four spoonfuls of small beer, and the like in the afternoon. It cureth a consumption and dropsie.”’ Even in modern times, snails have been pressed into the service of the dishonest dairyman; after having been divested of their shells, bruised in milk and boiled, they are used for the manu- facture of cream.—Flova Winstone, Epping, Essex. SCIENGE-GOSSIP, 6 -*, ox ee A ( Ve, SCIENCE ABROAD), ATS PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA (Philadelphia, 1894). Mr. Meehan continues his interesting series of Contributions to the Life-Histories of Plants, with Afetalism and Seed Propulsion in Lamium purpureum. This pretty occupant of our waste places appears to have gained a footing, like so many other European weeds in the United States, for Mr. Meehan informs us that it occurs somewhat commonly on his grounds at Germantown. While examining the flowers closely to find whether any difference existed between the small, pale lilac form and the larger rosy one, he was surprised by having his face peppered by the seeds which had been expelled with considerable force from the calyx. He further informs us how he found in the early part of July, large numbers of the upper flowers apetalous, the calyx being perfect, the stamens of the usual length and the anthus profusely laden with pollen; the pistil appeared also perfect in every respect, but not a trace of corolla existed. The stamens which are normally united to the petals, were in this case hypogonous. He also records the fruiting of Robinia hispida which appears to be a very rare occurrence both in the wild and the cultivated state. On the vitality of seeds of Antivrhinum glandulosum ; plants were raised from seeds ten years ago and the ground subsequently covered with earth from the cellar several feet deep. No plant of it has, to a certainty, been there until this season, when, the earth in one spot being turned up a few feet, one plant came up and flowered. Dimorphic flowers were noticed in Dracocephalum nutans, some plants having all the anthus sterile, while the flowers producing the polliniferous anthus were much larger and more showy, thus giving rise to dicecism, 7.c., male and female flowers being on separate plants. Mr. Pilsbry describes and figures a new pupa from Nicaragua. Observations on the Geology of adjacent parts of Oklahoma and North-West Texas, by E. D. Cope. List of Port Jackson Chitons and Revision of Australian Acanthochitide, by H. A. Pilsbry, with three plates of species, several of which have hitherto been unfigured. REVUE BIOLOGIQUE DU NORD DE LA FRANCE (Lille, Vol. vi., Nos. 1-8, 1893-94). Some remarks on the Embryological Classification of Metagoa, by Prof. Paul Hallez. From an examination of the em- bryological characters the author derives the following classification :—(1) Mesogoa, (2) Porifera, (3) Ca@lenterata, (4) Echinodermata, (5) Ctenophora, (6) Vermes, (7) Arthropoda, and (8) Chordata ; of these divisions No. 6 is divided into eight subordinate groups, 7.¢., Polyclales, Mollusca, Amphineura, Nematoda, Rotifera, Annelids, Brachiopoda, and Bryozoa. No7is split upinto Crustacea and Tracheata. Dr. Raphael Blanchard enumerates two Hirudinze collected by Dr. Theodore Barrois, in 1887, in the Azores, and six others collected by him also, in Syria, in 1890, in great numbers. Dr. C. O. von Porat monographs the Myriopoda collected by the 115 same traveller, in Syria. Hitherto the myriopodic fauna of Syria was almost unknown, but five species having only been recorded. The present contribu- tion contains an account of nineteen species, six of which are new to science. A plate with figures of six species accompanies the memoir. Researches on the auditory nerve, its branches and ganglions, by André Cannieu, with a plate. An historical account of the subject is followed by a minute exposition of the structure of this nerve in man, ruminants, cats, rats and mice. Note on the Marine Acarina, Hala- cavide dredged by M.P. Hallez in the Pas de Calais, by Dr. E. Trouessart, with four figures in the text. Twelve species, of which one is new to science, are recorded. On some Arthropoda found in Ants' Nests, by R. Moniez, with four figures in the text. Mr H. Drouet describes and figures two new Unionidz from Borneo. Contribution to the Study of some Lakes in Syria, by Professor Theodore Barrois. The thermal, physical, geographical and faunal con- ditions of six lakes are exhaustively treated in this able memoir. THE CANADIAN ENToMoLoGist (London, Ont., vol. xxvi., No. 5), contains a useful article for those studying the distribution of the Rhopalocera of the Holarctic region. It is entitled Butterflies Common to Norway and Arctic North America, by F. M. Webster, of Wooster, Ohio. He mentions that Dr. W. H. Schoyen, the state entomologist for Norway, has given a list of 1,267 species of Lepidoptera inhabiting that country. Of these, thirteen butterflies also occur in the Northern portion of the American Continent. These include Papilio machaon, Pieris vape, P. napi, Colias paleno (var. lapponica), C. hecla, Vanessa antiopa, V. atalanta, V. carduwi, Argynnis chariclea, A. polaris, A. freija, A. frigga, Evebia disa. Mr. Webster has done wisely in giving the latitude of the occurrence of species, instead of localities which appear on few maps. THE AMERICAN NATURALIST (Philadelphia, vol. xxviii, No. 330).—Mr. Henry L. Clarke, of the University of Chicago, writes upon The Meaning of Tree-life. He treats the subject from an evolu- tionary point of view, tracing tree-life from early geological times to what is now growing upon the earth. To quote the author ‘ The history of plants records a constant two-fold struggle; on the one hand the effort of plant-life as a whole to perpetuate itself by improving its methods of reproduction; on the other, the stand for self- preservation made by each distinct individual or species or group. As the highest outcome of evolutionary progress in the character of floral organs we point to the orchids, among Monocotyls, and the kindsmen of the golden-rods and asters, among Dicotyls; as the monarchs of vegitative energy Stand the tree-ferns and towering palms of the tropics, the redwoods of California, the euca- lyptus of Australia, and our forests of mighty oak.”’ Mr. Fred. S. Lee completes his communication on The Scope of Modern Physiology. In conclusion he criticises the address of Prof. Burdon Sanderson, as president of the British Association, remarking that ‘‘I cannot repress the thought that the author of the Nottingham address viewed his subject more in the waning light of a day that is ending than in the brightening beams of a coming dawn.” In the same number are illustrated articles upon the limit of the ice sheet in Central Ohio and one upon the unusual flights of the grouse locust in North Eastern Illinois. 116 SCIENCE-GOSSIP. oie gin “SP «J WHITE Vipers. — Since my letter about the white viper, two more, almost exactly identical with that recorded by me (ante, p- 92), have been killed within a hundred yards of the spot where the other was seen. They measure eighteen and. twenty inches respectively, and were killed on the out- skirts of a dense patch of heather and gorse in which several vipers of the ordinary colour have been killed in previous years]. T. Pym, Foxwold, Brasted, Kent; June 7th, 1894. WuHuite VipeEr.—During April I visited Lingfield Chart a continuance westward of the same low hills and a few miles from Brasted, where Mr. Pym records a variety of Pelias berus, and there saw a similar variety. It was really beautiful, the contrast between the cream ground colour and the deep black being very distinct. Is there a local race in that district or is some special protection there needed? I shall in future look closely for other specimens whenever in that neighbourhood. Does anyone know where Bell’s white variety was originally observed.—Hy. J. Turner, 13, Drakefell Road, Hatcham, S.E.; June, 1894. RaceR Craps.—A friend of mine, a master of a steamer, recently arrived from Lagos, West Coast of Africa, has brought me a curious Crustacean which proves to be Ocypode cursor, and is, as its name implies, a swift runner. He saw it running about on the sand and carefully approached within a yard of it, when it darted away; after making several ineffectual attempts to capture it, he lost all patience and shot it with a charge of small shot, as he was out shooting small birds at the time. The great peculiarity of this crab is the position of the eyes which are upon and around two stalks about 2inch long. These stalks terminate in a “ brush” a stiff hairs about Zinch long. It does not seem to be definitely known what are the uses of these hairs. Stebbing, in his ‘‘ Crustacea,” seems to think they are connecied with the auditory nerves ; it also has the orifices of the branchiz between the first and second pairs of legs which I believe is an arrangement common to the genus. I find they have no representative of this species at South Kensington.—W. Manger, 100, Manor Road, New Cross; May 26th, 1894. SCYMNUS PULCHELLUS IN SUFFOLK.—In search- ing for coleoptera during the early part of last month, in this parish, I had the good fortune to take in numbers the very rare insect Scymunus pulchellus=4 lunulaius. Yn order to make perfectly sure that I had determined it accurately I forwarded a carded specimen to the Rev. Canon Fowler, of Lincoln, who replied stating my deter- mination was correct. I believe it has been taken once or twice beiore in England, but only singly. I have secured up to the present time ninety-one specimens, which are all carded, and doubtless if I desired I could obtain more. They were taken off the Pinus sylvestris by beating. All were taken off one particular tree, and although I searched diligently upon trees of the same kind, many of which were growing in close proximity, not one could I find upon them. I have taken as many as six at one time in my net with one stroke of my stick I use for beating purposes. I shall be happy, as far as-I can, to supply entomological friends and correspondents who may wish to possess this rarity, and are willing to assist mein my desiderata. Should any application be made tome and not replied to, it must be understood that my supply is exhausted.—Frederick Fox, Coddenham, neay Needham Market, Suffolk ; June 1ith, 1894. A NIGHTINGALE IN NortH WALEs.—A nightin- gale (Daulias luscinia) has honoured us with a visit here. I find on enquiry that it is many years since a similar event has taken place. The bird was first heard on May toth, in a coppice called Wepre Wood, situated on the slopes of a small valley, through which runs a litile stream. This valley is spanned by a bridge, on which crowds of people congregated, night after night, to listen to music which many had never heard before. I believe the crowd amounted at one time to nearly a thousand, many coming from Flint, Holywell and other places, in waggonettes, carts and cony eyances Of Every description. The bird continued to sing, dispite all this, until Sunday, May 27th, on which day some people living in the immediate neighbour- hood of its haunt decided to drive it away. This they apparently effectually accomplished, provoked to it by the damage done to their gardens and fences by the crowd, and not by thoughiless cruelty. The curiousthing is that the bird actually commenced io sing again on May 3ist. The novelty having somewhat worn off, it was allowed comparative peace, and I sincerely hope will nest here, as I believe the hen bird io be with it.— A. H. Bastin, Ewloe Wood, Norinop, Flinis. THe Mottusca oF THE Lake MDisrricr.— Through the kindness of the Rev. H. A. Mac- pherson, of Carlisle, I have been enabled to see the paper by Miss Donald on ‘‘The Land and Fresh-water Shells of Cumberland and Westmore- land,” referred to by Mr. Murray, oi Whitehaven, in the June number of Science-GossiIP (p. 92), and I find from it that with the single exception of Spherium corneum, L., mentioned as being found in the Derwent at Piel Wyke (a locality “I have searched in vain for it), I have taken all the species listed for this district, and have considerably added to the number. During the past iew weeks I have taken the following further additions to those men- tioned in my communications on this subject (aniz pp. 58 and 92): Heliz pulchella, Mull.—Curiously enough I have found this species only on the roof of an old building in Bassenthwaite village living amongst the moss-grown slates; Pupa anglica, Far—Fine and very dark specimens amongst moss on the banks of Chapel Beck, Bassenthwaiie ; Aricula lineata, Drap.—lI was much pleased to find a specimen of this species whilst searching for the above, and on taking home a basket full of the moss, drying it in the oven and sifting thoroughly, I found no less than forty aduli specimens, as well as many young.—-W. J. Farrer (Capi.), Chapel House, Bassenthwaite ; June, 1894. Notes ON SHELENESS.—The following lines are penned in the hope that they may be of use to someone who wants to collect shells as well as spend a pleasant sea-side holiday. Since 1784, when Boys and Walker published their book on the small shells found near Sandwich, the Shellness beach has been a well-known hunting ground, and is still worth visiting. For this purpose Deal is the best place io stay at, as it is easily accessible . SCIENGE-GOSSIP, 117 and there is plenty of accommodation. To reach Shellness one can either walk over the sand-hills— about three miles—or take the train to Sandwich and go to the shore by the path leading to the second coast-guard station —a distance of one-and- a-half miles. This second route is preferable. Sandwich is a quaint old place and well worth visiting for its own sake; it still has the remains of its wall and moat, though the only use of the wall now is to afford a pleasant promenade. The shell beach extends for about two miles from the first coast-guard station, nearly to the mouth of the Stour. A great variety of shells is to be found there. Three short visits to Deal, consisting in all of fifteen days, resulted in a list of 118 species of mollusca, including land and fresh-water species. Among the best finds were Emarginula vosea, Scalavia clathvatula, Defrancia linearis, Eulima polita, Velutina levigata, Leda minuta, and Solen vagina. All the British species of Pholas ocgur, but they are usually only as single valves. A search among the rejectamenta of the Stour, near the ferry on the Ramsgate road, produced Achatina acicula, Hydrobia jenkinsi and many other fresh-water species. Helix cartusiana is abundant on some of the sand-hills near the shore, and on the other side of Deal, near Kingsdown, a large variety of Helix virgata is rather plentiful.—J. E. Cooper, 93, Southwood Lane, Highgate, N.; April 12th, 1894. CrEciDoMyIA (DIPLOSIS) PYRIVORA.—This pest has been very destructive in my garden this spring, having destroyed almost the whole produce of some of my pear trees. The kinds which have been most attacked have been Marie Louise, Catillac and Josephine, though other kinds have not been spared. The insect which causes the injury is a very small fly of the same family as some of our most destructive pests, as, for instance, the wheat midge and the hessian fly. The affected pears may be detected very early ; the fly lays its eggs in the blossom, and the little pears thus attacked swell more quickly than the sound fruit, and instead of being pear-shaped are spherical and bloated. On being cut open a number of small larvae will be found in the core. When they are mature they leave the pears, and falling to the ground bury themselves and remain quiescent until the Spring. The life history of this insect has been very carefully investigated by Professor Riley, in America. His account will be found ina Report of the State Entomologist, Charles V. Riley, for the year 1885, pp. 283-289. One of the earliest notices in England of the habits of this insect will be found in ‘‘ A Treatise on Insects,” by Vincent Kollar, translated by J. and M. Loudon; and a notice will also be found in the ‘Ent. Monthly Magazine,” vol xxiv., p. 273. Although in all cases the infected pears are misshapen and bloated, yet in some varieties they are small and inconspicuous, as, for instance, in the Josephine, while in others they are much larger, and in the Catillac especially they are very conspicuous. I believe this pest will be found to be common, but as the injured pears soon fall off it is doubtless often overlooked. In gardens where the trees are dwarfs or espaliers, it is easy to check or even get rid of this pest: The distorted pears should be collected and burned, or effectually destroyed. This should be done not later than the middle of May, since soon after that time the larve leave the pears and bury themselves in the earth.—(Rev.) E. N. Bloomfield, Guestling Rectory, Hastings ; June, 1894. PROPAGATION OF ANASTATICA.—I have a very fine specimen of Anastatica hievochuntica, and am anxious to propagate it. What is the best method to adopt for this purpose ?—Phabe Allen, Ileden, Bonchurch, Isle of Wight. [The plant, though it retains its hygroscopic properties, is dead, and cannot be propagated unless the capsules still contain seeds. These might be induced to germinate in a sandy soil.—Eds. S.-G.) POTAMOGETAN UNDULATUS IN IRELAND.—Mr. Arthur Bennett, F.L.S.,communicates to the “Irish Naturalist’ the discovery of a dried specimen of this local pond-weed, marked ‘‘Six-mile River, Co. Antrim, June 5th, 1882, S. A. Stewart.’’ It seems to be the variety jacksoni of Fryer. He is not aware of any other Irish specimen. Arc#.—In No. 3 of “ Science Progress,’’ Mr. George Murry of the British Museum contributes a lengthy article upon the progress of recent knowledge of the Algz. Inthis article he refers to fourteen published papers or more important works. NorTH OF ENGLAND LICHENS.—The Rev. W. Johnson of Sheldon, Darlington, has undertakén to issue at intervals, in fasciculi of handy form, dried specimens of lichens indigenous to the counties of Northumberland, Cumberlandand Durham. These collections will be valuable as a basis for studying this obscure group of plants in connection with the new ‘‘ Monograph of British Lichens’’ lately issued by the trustees of the British Museum, which we shall notice in our next issue. FascIATED THISTLE.—Ienclose part ofa fasciated example of Carduus lanceolatus which may be worth noting. It looks as though four or five had grown side by side and combined to form one stem of four times the usual width. The flower heads resembled ‘“cocks-combs,’’ but although the involueral bracts are well developed the florets seem to be wanting. There were two specimens of C. Janceolatus in this state growing with the type and C. nutans, C. pycno- cephalus, etc., on the slope of a chalk down near Swanage. The two. fasciated plants were much shorter than the usual type.—/J. E. Coofer, 93, Southwood Lane, Highgate, N.; June 14th, 1894. DuckWEEDs.—At a recent meeting of the Linnean Society a paper was read on the habits of three species of Lemna, by Dr. H. B. Guppy. The author gave the results of experiments made by him during a period of twenty months, and showed that Lemna gibba can pass the winter either in the gibbous form or with fronds, which appear to resemble those of L. minor. The flowering of L. gibba was observed in July, when it was found that the gibbous plants were producing thin flat fronds, which were also in flower, and floating detached. In both cases the flowers were hemaphrodite, but they had the appearance of being unisexual, on account of the flowers of the gibbous plant pro- truding the pistil only, while those of the fiat fronds evolved only the stamens. The paper con- cluded with a table of temperatures relating to the germinating, budding and flowering of these plants. 118 SCIENCE-GOSSIP. Toap DisGorGine.—Can you, or any of your readers, tell me how to induce a toad to disgorge the contents of its stomach, without injury to itself ?>—G. M. Levick, 5, St. Paul’s Studios, West Kensington. Mr. Puncu’s NaturaL History.— Mr. Punch {June 16th, 1894), has a cartoon with the following inscription : Bob (who’s alimentative)—‘‘ What’s the gun for?’ Jack (who’s esthetic)\—*To shoot the sparrows, confound them!’’ Bobh—'*Why? Sparrows eat the caterpillars off your gooseberry bushes, and save your gooseberries ; and gooseberries turn into gooseberry tart, and gooseberry tart’s very good to eat!’ Jack—‘‘I don’t care a fig for gooseberry tart; and caterpillars turn into butterflies, and butterflies are very nice to look at. So I like my caterpillars to have a good time! ’’ Shame on you, Mr. Punch! Did you ever know a sparrow which ate a caterpillar off a gooseberry bush, or a cater- pillar of a butterfly, which fed upon gooseberries or their leaves ? ABUNDANCE OF CLAUSILIAS.—On Bank Holiday, August, 1893, we found what I take to be almost a record find of Clausilias. Mr. Harry Sticks and I spent this holiday at Stocksfield-on-Tyne, and during the whole of the day had wretched luck. At night, just when we were hurrying to the train, upon the bend of a wall overhung with trees, we came upon Pupa ringens, Clausilia laminaia and C. rugosa in hundreds ; the proportion of vingens to laminata was quite four to one. All the specimens of C. vugosa appeared to be fully matured, but among the C. laminata were large numbers of half- grown individuals. I should like to know if this is net a very unusual occurrence.—Harry S. Wallace, Art Gallery, Newcastle-on-Tyne. (The Clausilias usually occur abundantly where they are found, but remain hidden during the day at the roots of trees. In the evening they become active and ascend the tree-trunks, and on moist warm nights they are exceptionally abundant.— Eds. S.-G.j FLIES PREYING UPON GNATs.—Standing over a small pond in Epping Forest on Sunday last, the 3rd June, I noticed a number of very black-looking flies swiftly flying close to the surface of the water. Every now and again one of these flies would dart suddenly down upon some object, and then began a terrific struggle ; the fly whirled round and round, and jerked to right and left some inches on the surface, and occasionally another would come to its assistance and join in the conflict. When the flies resumed their flight after a battle of about a minute’s duration, I observed what appeared to be the lifeless body of a gnat floating away. Am I right in assuming that these flies are the natural enemies of the gnats, and destroy them when they appear on the surface to undergo the change from pupa to imago? I witnessed several encounters in the space of a few minutes. Can any of your readers enlighten me in this matter ?—Sidney J. Tindall, Woodford. FSS SS irene RANSACTIONS = _ = > os. Fe 5 MIDLAND RAILWAY NATURAL History SOciETY.— The second monthly meeting of this newly established society was held at Derby on June 4th, Mr. T. Hey, President, in the chair. After the ordinary business of the meeting, Mr. F. W. G. Payne exhibited numerous entomological specimens. The president showed Carychium minimum, Heliz hispida, H. concinna, H. pulchella, Pupa umbtlicata, Cochlicopa lubrica, Zonites fuluus, Z. nitidus, and several Lepidoptera and Diptera. WOLVERHAMPTON NATURALISTS’ FIELD CLUuB.— On Saturday afternoon, June znd, the members made their second excursion, the place selected being Sutton Park, near Birmingham, a happy hunting ground for the botanist, where there are to be found half the genera, and two-thirds of the natural orders of the flowering plants of Great Britain. The Secretary read a Paper on ‘‘ The History of Sutton Coldfield,” and Mr. W. Stevens one on ‘‘ Entomology.” —/no. Darty, Secretary. NORFOLK AND Norwich NATURALISTS’ SOCIETY. —A meeting was held at the Museum, Norwich, on 29th May, 1894, Mr. T. Southwell, F.Z.S., in the chair. Mr. Patterson read some notes for April and May, in which he mentioned the capture, by rod and line, of young pollacks, at Yarmouth. These pretty fish do not occur every year, but, perhaps, once in three or four years. For the first time on record, the bergyli, or Norway haddock, was caught off the Norfolk coast on 29th April. It appears to be an inhabitant of the Arctic seas, extending its range a little more to the south. Mr. Patterson thinks the dogfish is not so common in our seas as formerly. On 23rd May six common sandpipers were seen flying in a flock on the Bure. The President (Dr. Plowright) sent a note, with photographs, illustrating the May-day customs at King’s Lynn. These, he thinks, are survivals from pagan times, having a much deeper significance than is generally supposed. An interesting dis- cussion on the subject followed. The President also sent a short account ofa solar halo observed at Lynn on Friday, 25th May. It was first noticed at 11 a.m., and remained distinctly visible till Ave p.m. NorTH STAFFORDSHIRE NATURALISTS’ FIELD Cius.—The second excursion of the season took place on the 19th of May, when forty-two members, under the leadership of Mr. Wells Bladen, visited Burton-on-Trent. The party proceeded to Trent House, the ‘residence of Dr. Mason, when they were joined by about twenty members of the Burton Field Club, with Mr. Jas. G. Wells as leader. Dr. Mason received them, and they were conducted to his museum, where an hour was but too short a time to get even a glimpse of his treasures. The extent of Dr. Mason's collections include British mammals, birds, birds’ eggs, reptiles, mollusca, insects, Rye’s collection of Coleoptera, F. Smith’s Aculeate Hymenoptera, J. Scott’s Hemiptera, Crustacea, Echinodermata, Polyzoa (recent and fossil), Hydrozoa (recent and fossil), Phanerogamia, Filices, Musci, Hepatice, SCIENCE-GOSSIP. Algz, Lichens, Fungi, Diatomacez. There is also a full set of the glass models, made by Bloscka, which illustrate British mollusca, etc. The united clubs then drove to Rolleston Hall, the residence of Sir Oswald Mosley, Bart., the High Sheriff, for the purpose of inspecting the collections, first made by the grandfather of the present baronet, which have recently been re-organized. The chief interest lay in the splendid collection of British birds, Amongst the rarest of those obtained in this county are peregrine falcons, rough-legged buzzard, goshawk, golden oriole, black grouse (from Cannock Chase), dotterel, spoonbill, shoveller, Bewick’s swan, and great northern diver. The party was joined by the Rev. Canon Feilden, the rector, who conducted them to see a very fine and ancient preaching cross, which had been brought from Needwood Forest. THE SoutH LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NatTurAL History Society.—May 24th, 1894; E. Step, Esq., President, in the chair. It was announced that Mr. T. W. Hall, F.E.S., had been elected a Vice-President in the place of the late J. Jenner Weir. Mr. C. A. Briggs exhibited a var. of the underside of Lycena argiolus, having several spots considerably lengthened into streaks and some united; alsoa var. of Vanessa io, L., with the eye only partially developed. Mr. Hall, a specimen of Dicramuwa bicuspis, with its cocoon, and remarked how closely the cocoon harmonised with the bark of the tree where pupation occurred. Mr. Fremlin, a large number of bred vars. of Vanessa urtice, one series being of premature varieties ; another showing variation in number and size of the characteristic spots in the centre of the fore wing, and ranging from only one spot present to four blotches, and a third series showed more or less suffusion of the orange colouration ; one specimen was almost black. Mr. Dennis, a number of similar vars. of the same species, and one specimen having a perfect and several an imperfect band on the upper wing. Mr. k. Adkin, a long and variable series of Boarmia cinctavia, bred from co. Cork ova, one extreme var. having only a broad marginal dark band, a central light band and a basal dark patch; also living larve of the same species. Mr. Henderson, a specimen of Macroglossa bombyliformis, Och., taken at Brocken- hurst during Whitsuntide. Mr. Billups, the follow- ing new and rare Diptera: Chortophila setavia, Mg., from Dulwich; Blepharoptera inscripta, Mg., from Oxshot and Bromley; Heteromyza atricornis, Mg., from Oxshot; Hypostena medorina, Schnr., from Oxshot; Lepsis punctum, F., and Callomyia amena, Mg., both from Bromley ; also, on behalf of Mr. Manger, a small collection of Australian Coleoptera and Homoptera. Mr. Hamm, a series of Chryso- phous phieas, L., vars., one being an intermediate var. schmidtii; Agyvotis saucia, Hb., all very light and following the female form; and other lepi- doptera. Mr. Williams, a long bred series of Pieris napt, L., showing extreme variation, and read a short paper thereon. Mr. Sauzé, insects taken at Seal Chart during the Society’s Field Meeting on May 19th. Mr. Turner, two specimens of the rare Homopteron, Centvotus covnutus,, taken by Mr. Lewcock at the same place; also specimens of Helix lapicida, L., from Box Hill. Mr. Step, Helix lapicida, L., Clausilia laminata, Mont., with var. albinos, Mog., and var. pellucida, Jeff., Physa hypnorum, L., and a striking banded var. of Limnea peregra, Mull. Mr. Step read a paper entitled ‘‘ Land Crabs.” —June 14th, 1894. E. Step, Esq., President in the chair. Mr. R. Adkin exhibited on behalf of Mr. 11g Tugwell, a series of vars. of Spilosoma lubricepeda, the product of a cross between var. vadiata and var fasciata, and read notes; on behalf of Mr. R. A. Adkin, a very variable series of Cyclostoma elegans, Mill, taken during the Society's field meeting at Reigate; three specimens of hybernated Vanessa antiopa, from Montreal, Canada, with pale margins ; a series of Asteroscopus nubeculosa, bred from Rannock ova, and some of which had been in pupze three years; also bred specimens of Aleucis pictaria, from the New Forest. Mr. Frohawk, on behalf of Mr. Fremlin, a var. of Apatura ivis, from Berlin, intermediate between the type and var. iole, of Schiff; on behalf of Mr. South, a dwarf-captured specimen of Euchlie cavdamines, measuring only 14 inch in expanse, and another specimen with the apical patch of two shades of yellow; also an ovum, in situ on a nettle leaf, of Vanessa c-album, together with larve of the same species showing all five stages of growth. Mr. Edwards, specimens of Papilio priamus and P. hewitsonti. Mr. West (Greenwich), specimens of Cryptocephalus nitidulus and C. coryli, from Box Hill; also two very rosy males of Smevinthus populi, which had been attracted by a bred female. Mr. Filer, a long bred series of Smervinthus popult, one male was of the female colouration. Mr. Turner, a series of Cymatophova videns from the New Forest, a larvz of the same species and a pupa of Melitia aurinia. Mr. Step, a series of Helix vufescens, Penn., Lymnea peregva, Mill, var. acuminata, from Epsom, and a side blown egg of Helix pomatia, L., of which many were found at Reigate. A long discussion ensued as to the Oviposition of this mollusc; also the early stages of growth of Osmunda vegalis, with a series of drawings enlarged to show details, and described the gradual development at length. The report of the Field Meeting at Reigate was then read.— Hy. J. Turner (Hon. Report Sec.). NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS. To CoRRESPONDENTS AND EXCHANGERS.—SCIENCE-GOSSIP is published on the 25th of each month. All notes or other communications should reach us not later than the 18th of the month for insertion in the following number. No com- munications can be inserted or noticed without full name and address of writer. Exchanges extending to thirty words (including name and address) admitted free, but additional words must be prepaid at the rate of threepence for every seven words or less. Noricre.—Contributors are requested to strictly observe the following rules. All contributions must be clearly written on one side of the paper only. Words intended to be printed in italics should be marked under with a single line. Generic names must be given in full, excepting where used immediately before. Capitals may only be used for generic, and not specific names. Scientific names and names of places to be written in round hand. Tue Editors are not responsible for unused MSS., neither can they undertake to return them, unless accompanied with stamps for return postage. SuUBSCRIPTIONS.—Subscriptions to ScrENCE-GossiP, at the rate of 5s. for twelve months (including postage), may com- mence at any time. . Tue Editors will be pleased to answer questions and name specimens through the Correspondence column of the maga- zine. Specimens, in good condition, of not more than three species to be sent at one time, carriage paid. Duplicates only to be sent, which will not be returned. The specimens must have identifying numbers attached, together with Iccality, date and particulars of capture. ALL communications, remittances of subscriptions, books or instruments for review, specimens for identification, etc., are to be addressed to JoHN T. CARRINGTON, 1, Northumber- land Avenue, London, W.C. CORRESPONDENCE. : R. M. Soutsy (Liverpool).—We submitted your slide to Mr. H. Morland, who very kindly examined it for us, and reported that your diatoms appear to be from the deposit of Abashiri, in Japan, described in the third part of Dr. F. Pantocock's Beitvage zur Kentniss der Fossilen Bacillarien 120 SCIENCE-GOSSIP- Ungarns. Only the lighter forms appear on the slide, the heavy ones being absent. The chief forms of the deposit are Actinoptychus areolatus, Ebr. ; Zi) ri =} As a > SS Sopp i oi { d Y IL LE FiveE-LEAVED CLoverR.—In answer to A. H. Teague’s query in last month’s issue, I have specimens of four- and five-leaved clover, sent me by the Rev. J. E. Vise, of Forden Vicarage, found by him in September, 1890.—Edwin E. Turner, The Printing Office, Coggeshall, Essex ; Nov. 12th, 1894. FIVE-LEAVED CLOVER.—The five-leaved clover (ante. page 211) is perfectly known by the botanists. It is mentioned by G. Maugin in the ‘Bulletin de la Société Botanique de France”’ (1871), page 225. Moquin-Tandon, ‘‘ Eléments de Tératalogie Végétale”’ (1841), page 349, says that four, five, and even seven leaflets may be found on trifolium. I do not doubt your botanist masters in England, as Jager in Dutch and other authors of vegetable tetrological works, have some similar instances. An English work I know, but only by its French translation, made in 1746-1748 (‘‘ Universal Dictionary of Medicine, Surgery, Chemistry, Botany, Anatomy, Pharmacy, Natural History,’’ by James), tells of clover being ‘‘ with three, rarely four or five, leaflets.” Linnzus, ‘‘ Critica botanica”’ (£737), page 193, declares: ‘wil differt a trifoliato magis quam homo sex digitis ab alo.’ Our botanist, Tournefort, ‘‘ Institutiones Herbariz’’ (1700), page 406, names the “Trifolium Pheum fuscum luxuvians quaternis quinis et senis foliis.” C. Bauhin, ‘““Pinax”’ (1671), page 327, treating the trifolium, adds: ‘‘ foliis quateynis quinis aliquando septenis dona- tur.”’ Leaving the ancient authors and coming to our days. For my part, I have in my herbarium several specimens found near Beauvais, Doullens and Paris. Two of my specimens have each three leaves with five leaflets, one with four, and several of the ordinary three-leaved form. Notwith- standing, the several-leaflet clover is rather rare and its finding is said to bring good luck. This I believe, because it is reserved for attentive and patient persons, and I therefore send to Miss Jane Woolas my best wishes and felicitations.— C. Copineau, Juge au Tribunal Civil de Doullens, Somme, France. PROLIFEROUS RusH.—To cross the ocean is need- less for finding instances of a rush’s proliferation (ante page 211). The greater part of continental floras indicate, among others, Juncus supinus, Moench, fa. viwipara, or var. vivipava, Roth, for instance, in his ‘*Tentamen Flore Germanice,”’ pages 155 and 156, gives var. vivipava of J. agquaticus and J. bufonius. As for English authors, Richard Relhan, in his ‘Flora Cantabrigiensis,”’ issued as far back as 1785, names at page 123, J. vivifarus. That name is adopted by Abbot; and Smith, in his ‘ Flora Britannica’”’ (1804), I., page 380, gives that name as asynonymy for J. uliginosus. I found it often from Northern and Southern France, and it seems to be nowhere rare. I send you a specimen collected in Sweden by Erik Parson, and labelled : Juncus articulatus, L. var. vivipavus. Gotland: Silte Socken, ‘‘Stora Rdandlen,” i Mastermyr den 23 July, 1891.—C. Copineau, Juge au Tribunal Civil de Douilens, Somme, France ; November ath, 1894. SCIENCE-GOSSIP. . Ps : wre y CoNDUCTED By ALICE EVERETT, M.A. (Hon. Secretary of the British Astronomical Association.) Position at Rises. Sets. Gvreenwich Transtt. him, him. R.A. Dec. A.M. P.M. am, Sun ere, DeCe 30 ni) FdOneren Soe nS) cas PAG? SS) A, loro, ee ee, SHO) LN cee Beh) et “Souths Sets. P.M. P.M. Moon Dec. 3 4.51 oe 9.31 A.M. pe LO=Diee me LOOMret ONS 0 Rises. Souths. P.M. A.M. p GPs COREA) con Spot A.M. oy cg OE con OE Souths. Sets. A.M. P.M. Mercury... Nov.28 ... 10.29... 3.17 14.58 14° 28S IDV, 3} oo HCHO oo Sh 15.49 18° 43/ 77 LO een ULeCiee (323 OWS on BE Zeal! P.M. A.M. Mars Nov. 27-28: 8:53... 3.40 ... 1.20... 8° 28! N DECI 7-She oslo 63/0) aes) 1l-24e-e- Ome ZTe by GR 9 Thace PHI) Gog BER kee MO? GA? Rises. Souths. P.M. A.M. Fupiter Dec 7-sene des cherie) eee Ontdl. 223° of A.M. Saturn ... mp 8) cas SEG cco, OKO) (14.8 TOGNOMSs) P.M. Neptune Nov. 27-28 ... 4.26... 12.27 ... 4.54 ... 21° 3’ N Moon. New... Nov. 27... 8.54 a.m. st Qy. ... Dec. 5. ees p.m ee DCC i L2i 174 ON SHO Versein sy) LO)esa Leo) a. PASSAGE OF VENUS BEHIND THE SUN ON NovEMBER 30th.—On the occasion of the con- junction of Venus with the Sun on November 30th, the planet will pass behind the Sun’s disc. The passage will be slow, as both bodies will be moving in the same direction. Venus will disappear about II p.m. on Nov. 29th, when the Sun is below our horizon, and will reappear about 2.30 p.m. on Dec. Ist. Observation of the reappearance will be difficult as a dark-glass dark enough to tone down the Sun’s brilliancy may be too dark for the planet. THE Sun.—Although the maximum period has passed the Sun still continues fairly spotted. Mercury will be visible in the morning under excellent observing conditions till December 17th, having been so since November 14th. So longa period of visibility is a somewhat rare event in the case of this planet, and the opportunity should not be lost by those interested. There will be an interesting conjunction of Mercury with the bright star Antaves in the Scorpion on the morning of December 14th, when the distance between the two will be about 5° 15’, Mercury being the more northern. Venus will return as an evening “‘star’’ after the first week in December, but will be too near the Sun and too low down to be easily seen with the naked eye. 237 Mars, the ruddy planet, is still under favourable conditions for observing, and is the most con- spicuous object in the sky in the early evening, being in the south about 8 o'clock, north-west of the star o Piscium. The planet will be near the Moon on December 8th. Mars is passing through the constellation Pisces to Aries, and will be in conjunction with the stars y and B Avietis in turn. Jupiter. Later in the evening than Mars, as he does not pass the meridian till after midnight, Jupiter becomes conspicuous. This planet is the most brilliant object in the heavens at present, shining with a brightness only equalled by Venus. He rises about dusk in the north-east, near the star » Geminorum, and will be in conjunction with the 3rd magnitude star u Geminorum on December 3rd, the planet being 34’ north of the star. Jupiter attains his shortest distance from the Earth in December, being in opposition on December 23rd, at 2 a.m. Saturn is a morning ‘‘star,”’ and may be seen east of the bright star Sfica in the Virgin. With its beautiful ring this planet, as seen in a telescope, is perhaps the most striking of all celestial objects. Uranus is invisible. Neptune (a telescopic object) is in Taurus, near 106 Tauri. SHOOTING STARS.—As Stated last month, there is an important shower from November 23rd to 27th, characterised by slow-moving meteors. Another leading shower is due on December toth, its meteors exhibiting a short, swift flight. TRANSIT OF MERCURY ON NOVEMBER 10.—Few observations have as yet come to hand. At Greenwich, and several places on the South Coast, clouds prevented the transit from being seen, but an observation of the time of ingress was secured by an Oxford astronomer at Sidmouth. We learn that it was also observed at Belfast. NEBULA NEAR THE PLEIADES.—In addition to the nebulous matter in which the group of the Pleiades itself has for some time been known to be involved, Prof. Barnard, of the Lick Observatory, California, has discovered that masses of faint nebulosity exist in the neighbourhood of the group at some distance outside it, he having secured a record by a photograph of very long exposure. PRESENT-DAY Astronomers must be glad that fate did not make them subjects of the Chinese Emperor Chun King, when they read that he put to death Hi and Ho, the astronomers, on account of their neglect in observing the eclipse of the Sun. It seems that very severe punishments were inflicted by the ancient Chinese rulers upon calculators who made mistakes. COMET ON ECLIPSE PHOTOGRAPHS OF 1893.— Closer examination of the English photographs taken in Brazil and Africa of the solar eclipse of April 16th, 1893, have verified Prof. Schaeberle’s discovery of a comet near the Sun, shown on the Chile photographs of the expedition from the Lick Observatory. On the English plates the comet is very faint, being more or less lost in the coronal rays, and would have escaped observation, but on the Chile negatives it is quite obvious, and the evidence of motion relatively to the Sun given by .the comparison of the plates taken at the three stations, seems to place the nature of this in- teresting discovery beyond a doubt. Natur unD Haus (Berlin, October and Novem- ber, 1894).—Herr Josef von Pleyel contributes an interesting article on an Australian Parrot (Psittacus undulatus), illustrated by well-drawn woodcuts, while Herr Max Hesdorffer describes the various species of Iris in cultivation, five of which are depicted. Collectors of fossil shells will find many useful hints in an article by Herr Cronberger. The South American diurnal lepidoptera are described, and this will be welcomed by lepidopterists, especially as a chromo plate accompanies the text. COMPTE-RENDU DE LA SOCIETE PHILOMATIQUE (Paris, June 6th, 1894).—His Highness Prince Henri of Orleans exhibited a new turtle, belonging to the genus Geomyda, which he had discovered in Tonkin, while M. Leon Diguet exhibited a collec- tion of fishes from Lower California, consisting of thirty-seven species, of which three appeared to be new, two fresh-water and one marine. A note on the fishes of the family Siluridez belonging to the Madagascar fauna was read, including description of a new species presented by M. Grandidier. M. Bouvier described two animals who live in a state of symbiosis in the interior of certain free madrepores, where they inhabit a tubular cavity, twisted spirally. The form of this cavity led Deshayes to consider them as _ gasteropodous mollusca. Both forms were dredged in the Mediterranean by Dr. Jousseaume, at a depth of eight metres. REVUE BIOLOGIQUE DU NORD DE LA FRANCE (Lille, October, 1894).—M. Paul Hallez, in a pre- liminary note, describes a new land planarian from Cayenne. Eleven specimens had been forwarded by M. Marie, a marine officer, who unfortunately died shortly afterwards, so that nothing definite of the habits of this new planarian can be made known at present. As, however, the genus to which it has been referred is one of two of whose anatomy nothing is known, some addition to our knowledge may be looked forward to in the forth- coming communication. The sponges of the English Channel are exhaustively treated by M. Emile Topsent, who, stationed at Le Portel, near Boulogne, for about thirty days, dredged no less than seventy-three species, among which is one new to science, which he dedicates to Professor P. Hallez, the able director of the Faculty of Sciences of Lille. The present nomenclature is compared with that of ‘‘ Bowerbank’s Monograph,” which will prove extremely useful to students of spongiaria. Dr. A. Peytoureau has the first instalment of an important article on The Organisation and Compara- tive Anatomy of the Last Segments of the bodies of Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, and Hemiptera. FEUILLES DES JEUNES NATURALISTES (Paris, November, 1894).—In this number we welcome the commencement of the twenty-fifth year of its exist- ence. M. Adrien Dollfus commences a series of articles on The Idoteide of the Coasts of France. These are isopod crustacea of elongated form and somewhat large size, reaching as much as five centimetres in length. Some fourteen illustrations SCIENCE-GOSSIP. in the text will enable the uninitiated to: follow the descriptions. M. R. Hickel, Assistant Inspector of Woods, has a paper on Insects Injurious to Pines in the Champagne District; various remedies for their destruction are suggested. Mr. H. Hua gives a report of the meeting of Botanical Society of France in Switzerland, from which we learn that the Swiss Botanical Society had invited the sister society of France to hold its extraordinary annual meeting in Geneva, to celebrate the centenary of. the founding of the De Candolle Herbarium. It NATURALISTA SiciL1ano (Palermo, August, 1894).—Signor E. Ragusa reports the capture of new tortrix in Sicily. Signor De Stefani continues and concludes his series of articles on The Hymenop- tera of Sicily. Dr. L. Facciola on The metamorphosis of Conger balearicus. PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA (pp. 194-288), 1894.— Professor E. D. Cope contributes a Third addition to a knowledge of the Batrachia and Reptilia of Costa Rica. The material upon which this paper is based was communicated by the ‘‘Museo Nacional of San José.” The author informs us that this is only preliminary to a second illustrated memoir, which, it is hoped, will present the subject in some completeness. Of batrachia five, and of reptilia seven new species are described. Dr. Hart Merriam describes a new sub-family of marine rodents, with description of a new genus and species anda synopsis of the known forms, with several illustra- tions in the text, and a plate. Descriptions of four new species and two sub-species of white-footed mice, from the United States and British Columbia, by Samuel N. Rhoads. Dr. C. Hart Merriam describes further eight new pocket mice of the genus Perognathus, with seven illustrations in the text, of sculls. Mr. C. W. Johnson has a list of the Diptera of Jamaica, based on a collection made by Mr. W. J. Fox and the author during April and May, 1891. In addition to the species collected, all those previously recorded from the island are given. Several new species are also described. BULLETIN OF THE. BOTANICAL DEPARTMENT (Jamaica, June, 1894).—The influence of Eucalyptus Plantations on Malarial Districts, by Professor Dr. A. Laveran. Paludism, according to our author, has disappeared almost completely from a great number of localities formerly very un- healthy, not only in Europe, but also in countries were endemic paludism is very severe, for instance, Algeria. Among some of the most efficacious measures are drying of the morass, drainage, and last—not least—cultivation of the soil. The drying of the soil by cultivation and other methods appears to modify the media in which the parasites of paludism are developed, and the soil becomes less susceptible to their multiplication. The plan- tation of eucalyptus made during the last twenty years in many marshy countries have already rendered great service, instances of which are Corsica, Algeria and Italy. Ramel is said to have been instrumental in importing Eucalyptus globulus in Jamaica. Eucalyptus globulus appears to be the best-known species and was first introduced in Europe, but latterly Eucalyptus rostratus has replaced it, especially in Algeria. The older species does not resist cold or great heat, while besides it requires good soil, neither too dry nor too wet, and it perishes soon in too marshy soil. On the other hand Eucalyptus rostvatus is more hardy and will therefore gradually replace the other species in countries where the temperature varies much. SCIENCE-GOSSIP: LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND THE SovUTH Narurat History Socirety.—October 25th, 1894 ; E. Step, Esq., President, in the chair. Mr. Hy. Lamb, of Maidstone, and Mr. Arth. Cosway, of Watford, were elected members. Mr. Jobson exhibited a var. of Abraxas grossulaviata, from his garden, having only a few black scales in place of the usual markings. Mr. McArthur, bred series of Hypsipetes sordidata, from North Devon, the lighter specimens from bilberry-fed larve, and the darker ones from sallow-fed larve. Mr. Frowhawk, xanthic examples of Epinephele hyperanthes and E. janiva, A long discussion ensued as to the causes of this class of variation and the effect upon the imago of injuries to the larva and pupa with the bearing of Weismann’s theory thereon. Mr. Tutt, perfectly white vars. of Emydia cribrum, from the Alps, with New Forest examples for comparison ; also two specimens of the new British species Cataplectica farrenti, {rom Cambs. Mr. Mansbridge, the dry carcase of a mole taken from a barn door, which was covered with lepidopterous cocoons and pupa cases. Mr. H. Moore, two specimens of the violet carpenter bee, Xylocopa violacea, from Podensac, Gironde. Mr. R. Adkin, bred series of Asphalia videns, from the New Forest; and a Lycena ezon, from Oxshott, having the two costal spots on the underside of the lower wing united. Mr. T. W. Hall, a species of Julicide found at Stephens’ sale rooms. Mr. Step read the report of the successful fungus foray of the Society on October 13th, at Esher and Oxshott. The methods of preserving fungi were discussed at some length. Mr. Tutt read a paper, entitled ‘‘ Zygena cayniolica, Scop., and its Varieties,” in which he gave a graphic descrip- tion of the scenery at the foot of Mont Blanc, and the delight afforded to an entomologist by the beauty and abundance of the lepidoptera to be obtained there.—November 8th, 1894; E. Step, President, in the chair. Mr. R. South exhibited a large number of species of lepidoptera representing his captures of the season, and stated that it was the most barren year he had ever experienced. Among the speci- mens were a bred series of Cidaria tvuncata, Hufn., var. Centum-notata, Fab., a unicolorous Hepialus velleda, and a series of Crambus margavitellus. Mr. Frohawk, bred specimens of Vanessa atalanta, with an incipient white blotch in the red band, and a pale Thecla rubi, L. Mr. H. Moore, a turnip with the rootlets extensively clubbed by the action of a fungus Plasmodiophora brassica, and a series of Chrysophanusphleas. Mr. Edwards, specimens of many scarce species of lepidoptera, including Plusia moneta, Phibalapteryx lapidata, Noctua depuncta, Acidalia immorata, Dasycampa rubiginea, being among them. Mr. R. Adkin, bred series of Dicvanuva bifida, from Bucks, and of D. furcula from Hants, and in remarking upon the similarity of the two species, pointed out their distinguishing features. Mr. Fremlin, nice varied series of Emydia cribrum, from the New Forest, and a series of Dasycampa vubiginea, from Berks. Mr. C. A. Briggs, very fine varieties of Lycena bellaygus, from Kent, among them were (1) an underside with the black spots Z50 much elongated, (2) an underside with most of the black spots absent, (3) an underside with a considerable increase in size of all the white and lighter markings. Mr. Fenn, a Shetland form of Cidavia immanata, and Scotch forms of Hepialus humuli, Emmelesia albulata, Pygeva pigva, Hypsipetes vubevata, and Phibalapteryx lapidata. Mr. Trenerry, a light var. of Chrysophanus phieas, from North Cornwall. Mr. Manger, a very large Vanessa cavdui, the unusually fine band containing a white spot. Mr. Carrington gave an interesting account of his visit to Central Canada, from which he has recently returned, more especially referring to the flowers, their similarity to the European flora, and autumnal magnificence. He exhibited a large case of galls attached to various plants gathered near Lake Manitoba, and a quantity of shells from the shores of that lake; also a fine example of a large water-bug (Belostoma grandis), over two inches long, which was common on warm evenings in September around the electric lights in Winnipeg. Mr. Tutt read a descriptive account of his observa- tions of Zygena achillee, in the Alps, illustrating his remarks by a large number of specimens taken this year. On December 13th, Mr. Wm. Mans- bridge will read a paper on ‘‘ The Lepidoptera of the Indian Territory, U.S.A., as observed by him- self in 1893-4, with special reference to allied British species.”—Hy. J. Turner, Hon. Report Sec. NorFOLK AND NorwicH NATURALISTS’ SOCIETY. —A meeting was held on October 3oth, in the committee-room of the Norfolk and Norwich Library, Mr. T. Southwell, F.Z.S., in the chair. Seven new members were elected. Mr. J. T. Hotblack read a paper on ‘‘ Some Questions about Herrings.”’ Mr. Southwell read extracts from a list of the Aculeate Hymenoptera, found by Mr. W. H. Tuck in the village of Tostock, by which it appeared that out of a total of 375 known British species he had obtained 160, the number of species recorded for the county of Norfolk by Mr. Bridgman being 232. Mr. Southwell also read a communication from Mr. Amyot, of Diss, in which he called to remembrance the visit of the society to the celebrated Winfarthing Oak, on July 7th, 1874 (see Transactions, vol. ii, p. 12). Up to that date, from 1796, time seemed to have injured the fine old tree very little, but since the visit much mischief had been done. On September 5th last, Mr. Amyot again measured the tree, and was surprised to find that since 1873 it had lost eighteen inches in its circumference, being now only thirty- eight feet six inches. He had also been informed on good authority that the great Cowthorpeoak hasalso diminished in girth to an even larger extent, a result not easily to be accounted for. A very beautiful variety of the nightjar sent to Mr. Southwell by Mr. George Wilkinson, of Holt, for the Norwich Museum, was exhibited. The bird, which has the throat, breast, wings and central tail feathers pure white, is described by Mr. Stevenson, in the“ Birds of Norfolk,” vol. i., p. 349, and was shot at Holt, by the late Mr. Barker, in September, 1858. Variation in the plumage of these birds is of rare occurrence. Mr. Patterson exhibited a copy of a portrait of Lilly Wigg, the original of which is in the library of the Linnzan Society, and which had been presented to the Yarmouth section by Sir James Paget. Mr. Gurney exhibited a specimen of the yellow-browed warbler, killed at Cley by Dr. Power, aspecies new to Norfolk; also a red-breasted flycatcher, from Cley. The president (Dr. Plowright) sent some SSL SS SESS. ae ~~ eee $s Sa ee oat 240 SIOBNCE-GOSSTP. flints, coated with sulphide of iron, from a gravel- pit at Middleton, near Lynn. They occurred in a seam from six to eighteen inches wide in the middle of the pit, giving the appearance of a black line running across the perpendicular face of the gravel. Dr. Plowright stated that the pit is of river gravel, and is also interesting for other reasons. Mr. Patterson read his ‘‘ Notes from June to September,”’ in which he recorded many interesting observa- tions. ACCRINGTON NATURALISTS’ SocrEty.—This Society held on Saturday, November 3rd, a ‘‘ Microscopical Exhibition,” to which the public were invited. There was a good attendance and many exceedingly interesting exhibits were made. NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS. To CoRRESPONDENTS AND EXCHANGERS.—SCIENCE-GOSSIP is published on the 25th of each month. All notes or other communications should reach us not later than the 18th of the month for insertion in the following number. No com- munications can be inserted or noticed without full name and address of writer. Noricre.—Contributors are requested to strictly observe the following rules. All contributions must be clearly written on one side of the paper only. Words intended to be printed in italics should be marked under with a single line. Generic names must be given in full, excepting where used immediately before. Capitals may only be used for generic, and not specific names. Scientific names and names of places to be written in round hand Tue Editors are not responsible for unused MSS., neither can they undertake to return them, unless accompanied with stamps for return postage. SuBSCRIPTIONS.—Subscriptions to Sc1ENCE-GossIP, at the rate of 5s. for twelve months (including postage), may com- mence at any time. Tue Editors will be pleased to answer questions and name specimens through the Correspondence column of the maga- zine. Specimens, in good condition, oi not more than three species to be sent at one time, carriage paid. Duplicates only to be sent, which will not be returned. The specimens must have identifying numbers attached, together with lecality, date and particulars of capture. ALL communications, remittances of subscriptions, books or instruments for review, specimens for identification, etc., are to be addressed to JoHN T. CARRINGTON, 1, Northumber- land Avenue, London, W.C. CORRESPONDENCE. J. Laine (Crewe).—Limestone (of uncertain age) with Terebratula. W. Cotton (Barmouth).— No. 1, stilbite; No. 2, witherite; No. 3, calcite. W. DomaiLLE,—The shells are of the following genera: a, Bulla; b, Nevitina; c, Pupa. J CLEMENT FIELDING.—No. 1 is the pale variety of Helix virgata ; No. 2 are typical specimens of the same species. H. W. Heapon (Denmark Hill)—The Hon. Secretary of the South London Entomological and Natural History Society is Mr. S. Edwards, Kidbrook Lodge, Blackheath, S.E. Joun Mearns (Aberdeen).—No. 1, undetermined, in- sufficient specimen; No. 2, quartzose conglomerate; No. 3, quartzite. J. T. Pym (Brasted). No. 1, Sevpula; No. 2, Rhynchonella mantelliana; No. 3, Terebvatula carvnea. There is a useful little book on British reptiles by Miss Hopley, which may guide you. GeEorGE Nissett (Edinburgh).—Yes ; leeches can be used several times, as you suggest, after an interval. See any manual on Materia Medica. Wholesale druggists usually supply them. EDWARD Ransom (Sudbury).— The best list for labelling a collection of British Lepidoptera is ‘‘The Entomologist Synonymic List of British Lepidoptera,” printed on one side only, price 2s.: West and Co., 54, Hatton Garden. The names used therein are those generally accepted by the leading entomologists in Europe, and should be followed in communications to SCIENCE-GOssIP. EXCHANGES, Noticr.—Exchanges extending to thirty words (including name and address) admitted free, but additional words must be prepaid at the rate of threepence for every seven words or less. WANTED, well-mounted slides of Desmids.—Lists to J. G Wright, Tettenhall Wood, Wolverhampton. WanTED, Henslow’s Catalogue of British plants.—J. Bracewell, 22, Lydia Street, Accrington. WANTED, microscope; first-class exchanges; also a speci- men of Iceland spar.—J. Sclater, Strand, Teignmouth. Microscopr. slides (mostly test diatoms) in exchange for others of any objects.—E. A. Hutton, Broadbottom, Man- chester. WANTED, living water-mites (Hydrachna) from all parts of England.—C. D. Soar, 20, Cartayne Road, Hurlingham, London, S.W. BritisH land and fresh-water shells offered for British beetles; also F. islandicus, Isocardia cor, Pinna rudis with beard, for other marine species.—F. W. Wotton, Rothesay. OFFERED, British Lepidoptera, many species, all localised desiderata, northern and local species, or offers——A. H- Shepherd, 81, Corinne Road, Tuffnell Park, London. ANATOMICAL and pathological tissues (plain and injected) ready for section-cutting, in exchange for cleaned diatomacez, or any good micro. material.—Geo. Harris, 17, York Street, Nottingham. WanTeED, “British Desmids and British Fresh-water Alge,”’ by M. C. Cooke; ‘‘Fresh-water Polyzoa,” by G. J. Allman; ‘ British Entomostrace,”’ by Dr. W. Baird; and “ British Diatomacez,” by W. Smith.—F. Daunou, Margate. WANTED, a correspondent in phonography, on Natural History subjects, especially in connection with the micro- scope.—J. Burton, 9, Agamemnon Road, West Hampstead, N.W. BEGINNER has a few good British and foreign shells to offer for insects of any orders, preserved star-fish, echino- derms, corals, birds’ eggs, etc.—A. H. Bastin, Ewloe Wood, Northop, Flints. , GotpsmitTu’s ‘‘Animated Nature,’ complete, 2 volumes, well bound, nearly new, cost 42s.; exchange British Lepidop- tera, entomological apparatus, or books (allied subjects) equal value.—Chas. Hall, 39, Kearsley Road, Sheffield. OFFERED, good collection (100 species) of British land and fresh-water shells, named and localised. Wanted, good 3, 2, or t-inch objective—J. A. Hargreaves, 40, Ramshill Road, Scarborough. FORAMINIFERA.—Series 1 and 2 of S. Louis’ catalogue, containing 48 samples of cleaned earths. What offers, micro. slides or other material ?—Chas. Wright, 9, Farcliffe Place, Bradford, Yorks. WANTED, cuckoos’ eggs with those of following foster parents—pied flycatcher, redstart, stonechat, wheatear, grey wagtail, thrush, blackbird, house-sparrow, twite, 1red-backed shrike, etc.—Send lists to W. Wells Bladen, Stone, Staffs. OFFERED, ‘‘ Quekett Journal,” second series, Nos. 1 to 23 inclusive, and 34.—What offers in books and pamphlets on Diatoms, to William E. Loy, 409, Washington Street, San Francisco, California. OFFERED, H. obvoluta, L. burnetti, V. substriata, V. angustior, V. pusilla. Wanted, V. moulinsiana, H. pomatia var. albida, B. obcsurus var. alba, B. montanus var. alba, and other white varieties.—W. Sutton, Blezard’s Hotel, Ingleton, Yorkshire. WanTED, to exchange for good microscope, my Dollond’s Student’s Telescope (3-inch), including three celestial and one terrestrial eye-pieces, and 5-foot mahogany stand; new three years ago, excellent condition, cost 15 guineas.—S. Walker, School House, Wiggonley, Wigton, Cumberland. WANTED, microscope and accessories, electrical apparatus or camera; exchange magnificent 34-inch Gregorian reflect- ing telescope, metal speculzm pillar and claw stand, all brass, cost £15; splendid collection of 400 Indian ferns in portfolio, 28 x 20; or fancy exhibition Barb pigeons, very valuable.—Thomas Brown, Esq., Rose Mount, Church Lane, Old Charlton, S.E. Kirpy’s “European Butterflies and Moths,’ new; New- man’s “British Butterflies and Moths,’ new; Hooker’s ‘“Student’s Flora of the British Islands;” John’s “ British Birds in their Haunts;” ‘‘ Birds’-nesting,” by Miller Christy; ‘‘ Larva-Collecting,” by St. John; “ Entomologist,” 1890-1894; ‘“‘ Entomologist Record,” 1894, in exchange for other books; Unio margaritifer, fine specimens, in exchange for Lepidoptera, postage-stamps, or microscopic slides.— Rev. W. W. Flemyng, Coolfin, Portlaw, Co. Waterford. SCIENCE-GOSSIP. DR. BUCHANAN Beats BUCHANAN WHITE, ».p., F.L-s., F.E.S., died somewhat unexpectedly at his residence, Annat Lodge, Perth, December 3rd, 1894, from a heart affection, at the early age of fifty-five years. Dr. White might with justice be called ‘the ‘Scottish naturalist,’ for he did more in his generation to popularise and develop an interest in the natural science of the fauna and flora of He was the means of adding several new plants and animals to the Scotch lists. a fault he unstintingly, for many years, worked for North Britain than any other person. Modest and retiring almost to the good of the natural history of Perthshire. He was the 1867, and first president of the Perthshire founder, in Society of Natural Science; than which there are few asso- Ys ciations of a like character Uiges % that have done better work. From very small beginnings, Dr. White was privileged to see it grow under his fostering ~ care to one of the foremost in the country, owning a hand- some block of buildings, con- taining the museum, lecture- room and library, at Perth. In his early efforts to bring this he liberally supported by the late about result was Sir Thomas Moncrieffe, Bart., who took a deep interest in the society. Others also helped, such as that well-known ornithologist, Colonel Drummond Hay, of Seggieden, and Mr. Henry Coates, of Perth, the present president. Even now further extension of the Museum is in progress, in which Dr. White took especial interest. He also founded the Perthshire Mountain Club, the members of which were frequently conducted by him to the secluded haunts of many a rare plant and moss. So late as during the past summer he was at one of the club's excursions. Dr. White founded also the Cryptogamic Society of Scotland, and the East of Scotland Union of Naturalists’ Societies. For some years Dr. Buchanan White was editor of the ‘‘ Scottish Naturalist,” which is now carried rae Gi hit S77 YY U, A / Vb 1 hg Sa Dr. BUCHANAN WHITE, F.L.S., F.E.S. M 241 WHITE. on as the ‘‘Annals of Scottish Natural History.” As a scientific writer he was for a long time prolific, but always trustworthy. His more im- portant work was the report he prepared on the insects brought home by the Challenger Expedition, which appeared in the official Challenger Reports. A monograph on the ‘‘ Willows of Great Britain ” was another important work, which was printed in the ‘‘ Transactions of the Linnean Society,’’ as was also a paper on the ‘‘Genital Armiture of certain Lepidoptera.” His various papers are somewhat scattered, and anyone printing a correct list with dates and places of their appearance, would do useful work, as they occur not only in English scientific periodicals, but also in some on the Continents of Europe EY and America, all being more or less of scientific value. Asanaturalist, Dr. Buchanan ee White possessed marked versa- tility. An excellent botanist, especially cryptogamic, he was even a better entomologist, excelling in a knowledge of several orders. He also took a keen interest in geology, and the structure of the rocks around did much to elucidate Perth. As a collector he was patient and plodding. When he had decided upon “ turning up’ any particular species it was merely a question of time before it appeared to him if there. As a companion on such collect- ing rambles, Dr. White was most entertaining and genial. We had the pleasure of spending some six months in the summer and autumn season of 1875 with him at Rannoch, in Perthshire, our These have His stalwart figure, walks being almost daily together. le(t many happy memories. in his accustomed grey kilt, was one of great power and endurance, little short of perfect physical training enabling one to keep pace with him in those long mountain rambles. His manner was gentle and courteous in the extreme, though when roused a bitter sarcasm could be uttered. His chief recreation was curling, he being an honoured member and skip of the Scone and Perth club. 242 SCIENCE-GOSSIP. Dr. Buchanan White had seldom sat for a photograph, and we have failed to find a recent portrait. We are, however, indebted to his old friend, Henry Coates, Esq., for obtaining the use of the picture which illustrates this notice, as also the data on which it is founded. The son of Dr. Francis Isaiah White, of Perth— who, by the way, is, we believe, an English gentle- man—Dr. Buchanan White was destined also for IN SOS, SONRUD) N the December number of SciENCE-GossipP (page 228) the editor entered a protest against the use of the word “‘scientist,’’ in which he said, “Its application is not satisfactory, and is usually the offspring of a paucity of erudition and ex- pression which comes of the modern system of cramming with text-books, and general hurry in education. Why not speak of nomenclators as ‘nameists,’ of a sempstress as a ‘sewist,’ or a conchologist as a ‘shellist.’ All these words may come into use among ‘progressivists,’ but are equally abominable with ‘scientists.’ The word was apparently first coined by Whewell in 1840, in «Philosophy of the Inductive Sciences.’’ This extract was copied into several daily papers, and caused some comment, adverse to the word. Feeling the importance of an authorative declara- tion as to the use of this word ‘scientist,’ we have asked for such from eight personages whose opinions would carry weight with the public, seven of whom at once replied. The following are the answers received :— His Grace the Duke of Argyle, K.G., K.T., F.R.S. Gosford, Longniddry, N.B. ; December 8th, 1894. Sir,—In reply to your question, I can only answer for myself, that I never use the word ‘Scientist ’’ in any serious literary work, and that I regard it with great dislike. Yours obediently, ARGYLE. The Right Hon. Sir John Lubbock, Bart., M.P., F.R.S., wrote: High Elms, Farnborough, R.S.O., Kent ; 7th December, 1894. Sir,—I quite concur with you as to the word ‘* Scientist,’ and have never used it myself. Why not retain the old word ‘‘ Philosopher.” I am, your Obedient Servant, Joun Luggock. Professor Alfred Russel Wallace, F.R.S., replied : Parkstone, Dorset ; December 8th, 1894. Dear Sir,—I thought the very useful American term ‘‘Scientist’’ was now adopted, and I see Dr. the medical profession. He was educated for that purpose, and graduated with honours; but after marriage, becoming possessed of a considerable competency, he devoted his whole attention to scientific work. He leaves a widow and numerous family, several of whom, both son and daughters, inherit his literary ability. We ‘cordially sym- pathise in their sad loss. A peas be BG S(CiU SAN IN Syl Armstrong used it at the Chemical Society, yester- day. As we have Biologist, Zoologist, Geologist, Botanist, Chemist, Physicist, Physiologist and Specialist, why should we ot use ‘‘ Scientist ’’ ? And what have we to use instead? It seems to me that it has, as the Americans say, ‘‘ come to stay,” and it is too late in the day to object to it. Yours very truly, ALFRED R. WALLACE. Mr. Grant Allen, the popular writer, says: The Croft, Hind Head, Haslemere ; December 20th, 1894. Dear Sir,— Personally I dislike the word “Scientist,” and never admit it into my own vocabulary. No fellow is compelled to use any particular word himself unless he chooses. ‘‘ Man of Science’’ seems to me to do the duty well enough for any purpose. But I fully recognise the fact that languages grow, and grow irresponsibly. lf the majority of the persons who speak a particular language choose to adopt a new word, however ill- formed, it is mere pedantry for individuals to object to it. We have swallowed ‘‘ Sociology ” ; we have swallowed ‘‘ Altruism’; and I don’t see why, after camels like those, we need strain at a comparative gnat like ‘‘ Scientist.” It has come to stay. Many of us don’t like it; but I am afraid we have only the usual alternative—of lumping it. Faithfully yours, GRANT ALLEN. The Right Hon. Lord Rayleigh, F.R.S., writes: Terling Place, Witham, Essex ; toth December, 1894. Dear Sir,—I dislike the word ‘“ Scientist,’ and have never used myself; but I forsee a difficulty in avoiding it unless a substitute can be provided. Lord Kelvin’s suggestion of reverting to the wider meaning of ‘‘ Naturalist ” might afford a solution. Yours faithfully, RAYLEIGH. The Right Hon. Thos. H. Huxley, F.R.S., says: Hodeslea, Staveley Road, Eastbourne ; December toth, 1894. Sir,—To any one who respects the English language, I think ‘‘ Scientist” must be about as pleasing a word as ‘‘ Electrocution.” I sincerely trust you will not allow the pages of ScIENCE- Gossip to be defiled by it. I am, yours sincerely, THos. H. Huxtey. SCIENCE-GOSSIP. Dr. Albert Giinther, F.R.S., the learned head of the Zoological Department of the British Museum, writes : British Museum, Cromwell Road, London, W.; December 13th, 1894. Dear Sir,—The illegitimacy of formation of the word ‘‘ Scientist’ has been sufficiently exposed in the daily press of a week or so ago. I believe it has been shown to be an American importation. However, as within the last quarter of a century a crowd of writers has sprung up who dabble in science, and especially in the great scientific questions of our time, the word “ Scientist’? might be retained as an appropriate term for this class. Yours truly, A. GUNTHER. Joun T. Carrincton, Esq. 243 There appears to be a general opinion that the word is of American origin. This is not so, as its first use, accompanied by an explanation, was by Whewell, as already stated, in the 1840 edition of his ‘‘Philosophy.’’ There he says, after mentioning the word ‘‘ physicist '’: ‘* We need very mucha name to describe a cultivator of science in general. I should incline to call him a ‘ scientist.’"" That it is American we allow, in so far as it has there been nursed through its childhood and adolescence, but we do not think that it would have ever reached its majority had it depended for support on the majority of educated people of the land of its birth. ILLUSTRATING SOUND-CURVES. By JosepH Gootp. O have this interesting subject treated concisely, two classes of readers must be disappointed— those who know much about it, and those who know little. The former will be wearied with elementary facts; the latter will find themselves bewildered with a strange phraseology. I will strive to have mercy on both, but mercy to the one generally means cruelty to the other. Sound-curves are compound- “ vibration-figures, the simplest forms of that enormously com- prehensive class of natural phenomena. Almost the total energy of creation—so far as we know—is conveyed to our earth and to other worlds as compound vibrations through the medium of the universal ether. Few, if any, natural forms are built up by any mode of energy not included in the vibration category. Gravitation itself acts, in most cases, simply as a component of some form of compound vibration. It is useless for us to try to trace the deft and subtle methods of the first cause whilst we are in utter ignorance of the mechanism by which it starts and keeps the work in operation. We haveno faculties capable of discriminating the function in its methods. A harmonic vibration is the to-and-fro motion set up in < Suspenssore Rod __ Cun, hee. Suspensson Grow Epo oe: Goold’s Twin-elliptic Pendulum. an elastic body, as the result of a momentary impulse communicated to it from without. This to-and-fro motion, once started, would continue for ever if the vibrating body moved without friction and met with no opposing force, for vibration does not consume energy but transforms it. Theenergy of a vibrating body is perpetu- ally being transformed from the kinetic to the potential condi- tion, and back again from potential to kinetic. Which is the cause and which the con- sequence it is impossible to say ; but inseparable from this perpetual transformation of energy is an incessant variation of velocity. When its energy is entirely kinetic the velocity of the vibrating body is quick- est; when its energy is entirely potential its velocity is nil. A clear and precise idea of the order of this variation of velocity may be obtained thus: imagine a straight line to move across a circle at right angles to the diameter at such a rate =. ae as to pass through equal por- Beane, tions of the circumference in equal time-periods, its motion across the diameter will then be the motion of a harmonic vibration. A perfectly and completely ‘elastic’? body is a body (of any mass whatever) so fixed that, when at rest, the forces holding it in position are equal z XKamdfe «aac aa \ Maandtbcunidy |eantens Charl memrabei: weight bamgeny heard. Yone ad patra Ata Sqhection Werke 244 in all directions. | Motion communicated to such a body in any one direction produces a harmonic vibration, and the resultant of two or more such motions simultaneously communicated is a com- pound vibration. The point to be remembered is this—ihat a compound vibration is a continuous motion built \ SS SS LY S=> Fig. 1—Twin-elliptic curves. up of any number of separate mo- tions. Thisis why a simple wavy line on a phonographic ‘record ” is equiv- alent to any num- ber of simulta- neous sounds. For the same reason the human ear- mechanism can embody any com- bination of sounds in one resultant motion. Such motions aresound- 2.—Twi a Wy yy] ———— (Aas: EF iff ———. SSS = = EA — > ———_— Fig. 4—Twin-elliptic curves. SCIENCE-GOSSIP. curves or compound vibration figures. Their variety is not only inexhaustible, but inconceivable, and they affect almost the whole of nature in its most minute and most stupendous particulars. In short, com- pound vibration-figures are nothing less than the alphabet of natural geometry—the very keys of creation. Bui natural vibration-figures are gene- Fig. 3—Twin-elliptic curves. raliy vastly more complex than pen- dulum or other laboratory figures can demonsirate. In fact they are chiefly intersection figures resulting from the overlap- ping and intersec- tion of various systems of com- pound vibration. Tt seems highly probable that the configurations of the nebulz are -ellipiic curves. SCIENCE-GOSSIP. of this class; and here I will venture to suggest that the curious “ rice-grain markings ’’ observed on the surface of the sun are simply intersection figures Fig. 6.—Twin-elliptic curves. resulting from the super-position of cloud and vapour currents, which are themselves compound vibration curves. I would venture to further suggest that in such considerations will be found the order of operations that determine the markings and figura- tions of the coats of animals, insect wings, flower-petals, etc. Here, two considerations must be borne in mind. First, vibration figures may be produced without vibration; a circle with a pair of compasses for example; second, a vibra- tion is not necessarily a quick movement; it may have any period whatever, its chief characteristic being that it will be recurrent as long as the con- ditions that give rise to it remain unaltered. Sound-curves are not essentially different to vibration figures in general; but musical curves include the simplest possible combinations of vibration. The twin-elliptic pendulum (which I exhibited at the Royal Society’s Soirées in April and May last) is a simple and effective apparatus for the production of such combinations of motion. By this arrangement (see diagram) friction is reduced to the lowest possible minimum, and there is nothing to interfere with the absolute freedom of natural motion beyond the structure and stability of the suspension-point. The chief, or fundamental, suspension-point, on which the whole system swings, is the extremity of 245 a }-inch sphere, made of the very hardest steel, firmly fixed in the point of a strong “ ceiling- hook.” The point in the ‘‘suspension-crank’’ bearing directly upon the steel sphere is a polished cavity in a steel slab, also extremely hard. From this point of contact there is a motion of the whole structure, always in some phase of the ellipse. Fixed firmly to the under side of the carrying- board is a strong brass plate, from the centre of which hangs a stout silk thread carrying the ‘ de- flection weight.”’ This weight also moves in an ellipse, considered in reference to its own sus- pension-point. These two elliptic motions are simultaneously communicated and received by the two pendulum-masses. The consequence is that in reference to the pen-point, which is a fixed point— outside the pendulum system —the visible resultant is a combination of the two ellipses. Every movement of the pendulum is therefore a twin-elliptic curve, and every such curve represents (it is verily the vibration-path of) a musical interval, whose vibration ratio is identical with the com- parative rates of vibration of the two ellipses, which is the same thing as the ratio of the elliptic periods; or, in common words, the rate at which the whole pendulum goes round, in comparison with the rate at which the deflector goes round. The possible ratios for an ordinary pendulum (from eight to fourteen feet in length) are from about 3:2to 4:1. Between these extremes there are about 200 available distinct ra- tios, and for every ratio an endless variety of phases and modifications of amplitude. Fig. 8.—Twin-elliptic curves. ————,. ——— = Fig, 7.—Twin-elliptic curves. - Beyond this inexhaustible variety of initial forms or outlines, every figure admits of a wide range of M 2 246 modifications in the way in which it is filled up. These variations are chiefly effected by altering the friction at the pen-point by means of small weights which are added or removed from the pen-holder. This method, of course, affects the four repre- sentative vibrations simultaneously; but it is possible to modify their rates of diminution of amplitude either separately or in groups. The specimen figures here shown are chiefly of the 3:1 ratio, corresponding to the interval of the ‘‘ perfect twelfth”.—the most prolific of all the ratios under ordinary conditions. Figs. 2 and 3 are strongly deflected specimens showing compound change of phase; a slow change between the two ellipses, and a rapid change in the deflecting ellipse. Figs. 1, 4 and 5 are super-posed figures, one SCIENCE-GOSSIP. figure being traced over another. In these cases the deflecting movements are very faint, sometimes scarcely perceptible. Fig. 6 is a unison, with varied rates of diminu- endo, done with the main pendulum only. Fig. 7, a 5:2 ratio, corresponding to the ‘‘ major tenth.”” The deflection is very faint, a single figure of one continuous line. Fig. 8, a 20:7 ratio counter-current, nearing the 3:1ratio. Itis discernible asa series of diminishing squares, gradually revolving. All the principal outlines of twin - elliptic curves may be found amongst the lathe-figures known as “‘ bi-circloids,’’ but without any reference to their geometrical constitution. (Zo be concluded next month.) THE DECOMPOSITION OF CARBON. HEN chemists altered their notation about thirty years ago, a very definite and precise meaning was assigned to the term ‘‘atomic weight of an element,” which was then placed upon a simple and intelligible physical basis. Density of the vapour of the different chemical substances was taken as the guiding principle, and the atomic weight of an element was defined as the smallest number of units of weight of that element existing in the standard volume of any compound contain- ing that element. The smallest number of units of weight of oxygen in the standard volume of the vapour of any oxygen compound is sixteen, there- fore the atomic weight of oxygen is sixteen. The smallest number of units of weight of chlorine in the standard volume of the vapour of any chlorine- compound is 35°5, therefore the atomic weight of chlorine is 35:5. There are many compounds of oxygen and many compounds of chlorine in which the weight of the oxygen exceeds sixteen in the standard volume, and the weight of the chlorine exceeds 35°5, but in all these cases the weights are multiples of sixteen or 35°5 respectively. It is recognised that if any chemist were to find any compound of oxygen wherein there was less than sixteen units of weight of oxygen in the standard volume of the compound, he would be entitled to proclaim the decomposition of oxygen; and if any compound of oxygen could be found containing any quantity of oxygen other than a multiple of sixteen in the standard volume, then the atom of oxygen would be decomposed. Now just sucha task has been accomplished in the case of that wonderful organic element, carbon. For a generation it has been recognised that the weight of the carbon- atom is twelve. An almost countless multitude of carbon-compounds is known to chemists, and until a few months ago, in not one single instance had anything been recognised except twelve or twenty- four, or some other multiple of twelve units of weight of carbon in the standard volume. The announcement made by Professor Wanklyn in the Chemical Section of the British Association, at the recent meeting in Oxford, that seven carbon- compounds had been discovered in Russian kero- sene, wherein the carbon-atom is six, is in reality a statement that the carbon-atoms have been decomposed in the extraordinary mixture of liquids forming kerosene. It appears that most laborious fractionation of Russian kerosene has disclosed the existence of twenty-five distinct liquids, of which seven have been proved to be the so-called half-carbon bodies. The reading of Professor Wanklyn’s communica- tion proveked discussion and moved Professor Odling to severe criticism, in reply to which, Professor Wanklyn concluded with the observation “That the atomic weight of carbon is six, is not opposed to any known fact, and the recognition of the true atomic weight of carbon will bring into view a region of organic chemistry, which up to the present time has been hidden from our sight.” In chemistry questions of words and names, and questions of atomic weights and numbered atomic combining power (styled atomicity) are pregnant with an infinity of practical application. The new liquids extracted from kerosene will find many useful applications. Some of them have medicinal virtues, others will find a field of usefulness as scent-giving and flavouring materials. The employment of them as illuminantsis so obvious that it hardly calls for mention at all. But Wanklyn and Cooper’s work is by no means confined to petro- leum; it embraces the spirit industry, to which it promises new intermediate alcohols, with a train of derivatives almost numerically infinite. SCIENCE-GOSSIP. Wanklyn and Cooper, whose work commenced in the laboratory, and whose operations were at first carried out in glass vessels, as is usual in the laboratory, have devised and patented a new still for manufacturing purposes, and with that still, for the first time, vacuum - distillation, or partial vacuum-distillation, becomes generally practicable and efficient. No still hitherto described permits of a sufficiently rapid escape and disposal of the vapour generated in the boiler. The Wanklyn and Cooper still provides for the escape of vapour as 247 rapidly as it is: formed in the boiler, which is so perforated that it loses the character of the steam boiler altogether, and no pressure can be got up in it, no matter how the fire may be urged. The perforation is sufficient to allow the vapour to pass . out as rapidly as it is formed, and the sufficiency of the condensing and exhausting apparatus, co- operating with the pressureless boiler, enables distillation at reduced pressures to become prac- ticable and economical, and of great utility in various processes of manufacturing industry. ANIMAL HAIRS. By Joun R. Lorp. jie an early chapter in the history of the develop- ment of the multicellular animal from the ovum, the germinal area is composed of three layers: an outer one (the epiblast), an inner one (the hypoblast), and an intermediate one (the mesoblast). From the epiblast there are ultimately developed the central nervous system, the epidermis, the hair, the nails, the enamel of teeth; in birds the feathers; in fishes and other organisms the scales and the sensitive epithelium of the special sense organs. From the hypo- blast the secretory epithelium of the alimentary canal is developed together with all the glands opening into it. The rest of the systems are developed from the mesoblast. In a previous number of SciENCE-Gossip (O. S. 1893, page 54) I placed before the reader some facts in connection with the structure and uses of feathers. I will now deal with another derivative of the epiblast, which is the hair. sidering the varieties and uses of hair it will be better to study its structure. The structure of the hair with its appendages is very similar to that of the skin. There are facts which point out hair as being only a modification of the skin. Such being the case, it will be necessary to touch i briefly on the structure of bape the latter. The skin is divided into two parts: the dermis or cutis vera and the epidermis. The epidermis consists of stratified epithelium placed not on a specialized basement membrane, but on a hyaline _Jayer in which is imbedded a reticulum of fine Betore con- M Fig. 2.—A diagra- matic section of a hair inits follicle—[J.R.L.] © Fig. 1.—The cuticle and cortex of a hair.—[After Landois. | elastic fibres. The dermis consists of connective tissue arranged in bundles, which cross and re-cross, forming a network, the meshes of which are coarser the deeper they are placed The epidermis is composed of several layers of cells, and with the microscope it can be seen that these layers present different character- istics. The lowest layer is known as the stvatum Malpighii. It consists of several rows of irregular cuboid cells, the cells being peculiar in the fact that they are joined together by bridges of protoplasm, leaving channels for the circulation of lymph. The lowest cells of this layer are in a rapid state of division, and in a favourable section several karyokinetic figures may be seen. The cells of this layer proliferate rapidly, forcing the older cells upwards to form successively the strata above. The next layer is the stratum granulosum, a very thin layer composed of granular cells, the granules being composed of an intermediate substance in the formation of keratin. The stvatum lucidwn, another thin layer, is placed imme- diately above, and is com- posed of homogeneous and transparent elongated cells. These two layers are pro- bably used in the formation of the nails. Superficially the stratum corneum is placed. att It is a horny layer, the Bite aG deeper cells of which retain their nuclei; but the more superficially the cells are placed the more flattened they become, till on the surface of keratin. On examining and horny are found scales ‘the surface of the skin certain ridges or furrows can be seen. Into the furrows open the ducts of x 2) 248 SCIENCE-GOSSIP. the sebaceous glands, and projecting obliquely from the latter are the hairs. The hair and its appendages consist merely of these elements somewhat displaced and modified. The epidermis becomes pitted in, and from the bottom of the pits or hair follicles there grow the hairs. The sivatum cor- neum is only continued about a quarter of the distance down the follicle. The stratum Malpighit is continued down the follicle as the outer root sheath; at the Z b c bottom of the follicle it covers a vacular pa- pilla, and from this and its covering the hair is formed. The stvatum granulosum and stratum lucidium form Henle’s and Huxley’s layers of the inner root sheath and are reflected over the hair, the former as the cuticle of the hair, the latter as the cuticle of the follicle. External to the outer root sheath is a thin hyaline layer, a kind of basement membrane; and a strong fibrous covering, the inner fibres of which are arranged circularly. The latter have been erroneously thought to be non-striped muscle cells. Dr. Wilson has noticed in the nose ten hairs projecting from one com- mon follicle. The hair itself is enclosed in a layer of squames called the cuticle. They are imbricated so that the margins of the cells point upwards. The cuticle of the follicle is also composed of imbricated squames, the free edges of which look down- ward. This is an important arrangement, for it is princi- pally by it that the hair is held in position, the two lay- ers interlocking in a dovetail fashion. When the hair is pulled out of the skin it carries with it the layers forming the follicle, thus they have been called the root-sheaths. The hair consists of a cortex and a pith or medulla. In the hairs of some animals the medulla is absent, such as woolly hairs. Occasionally one sees a human hair with more than one medulla. The cortex consists of horny spindle- of a cat; h, wool from sheep. Fig. 3—Hairs of a few familiar animals x 300.—[J.R.L.] a, large hair of a mouse; 5, from the back of a mouse; c, from the hog’s back; d, from the back of a badger; e, f, from the back of a rabbit; g, from the back Fig. 4.—k, human head hair; 7, human beard hair; m, hair from the back of orang-outang.— [After Cunningham.] shaped cells arranged longitudinally. The medulla consists of rectangular cells in one or several rows, arranged differently in different animals, and air spaces. By their arrangement the hair of different animals, as will afterwards be shown, can be dis- tinguished. This recognition is occasionally some impor- tance in medico- legal cases. At about the posi- tion where the stvatum corneum stops in its con- tinuation down the follicle the secretion of certain glands is emptied. This secretion, called “sebum,” which protects the hair and follicle, is not a secretion in the ordinary sense of the word ; certain cells, free in the lumina of the gland, bodily degenerate, and thus form sebum. This sebum is all that is necessary for the good keeping of the hair, and if people would wash their hair occasionally in tepid water only, no outside preparation such as oil or pomade would be necessary. When nature perceives that outside material is being applied to the hair, she promptly stops her supply of sebum. Attached to the true skin and to the bottom of the follicle, stretching across the obtuse angle formed by the hair and the skin, is a muscle, which, by its contraction, erects the hair. This muscle is known as the avrrector pili muscle. It is supplied by the pilo-motor nerve, which is probably in connection with a pilo-motor centre in the brain. By contraction, the arrector pili muscles cause ‘‘soose skin.” The gland opening into the hair follicle is placed in the triangle formed by the skin, hair and arrector pili; thus contraction of this muscle cannot take place without the gland being compressed and its secretion forced out. The pilo-motor nerves have been traced in the monkey and the cat. The pigment, which gives to the hair its colour, is placed partly in the fibres and partly between the fibres of the cortex. The following is a scheme of the layers entering ; - : | 2) 8 | ] B a B e@ SCIENCE-GOSSIP: 249 into the composition of a hair and its follicle, showing also the corresponding layers of the skin (fig. 1) :— 1) Longitudinal fibrous layer ( Dermal layers (2) Circular fibrous layer ( ( | 3) Hyaline Stratum Malpighti » gvanilosum (5) Henle’s layer Inner » lucidum (6) Huxley’s layer root + * ee Cuticle of follicle} sheath » gvanulosumn (8) Cuticle of hair 5, coyneum (9) Cortex of hair » Malpighii (10) Medulla of hair (To be concluded next month.) 4) Outer root sheath NEW CONCHOLOGICAL SOCIETY. WE understand a meeting was held at the Borough Road Polytechnic (near the Elephant and Castle, S.E.) on November 23rd, to discuss the desirability of forming a London Branch of the Conchological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. The Rev. J. W. Horsley, Rector of St. Peter’s, Walworth, at whose instance the meeting had been called, gave reasons for the formation of such a branch, and read letters from absent members approving the scheme. It was thought that a London branch with monthly meetings for dis- cussion, for exhibition and for exchange, could not fail to be of advantage, and must tend to an increase of members, especially from the ranks of those who were comparative beginners in Con- chology. The branch would in no way bea rival of the Malacological Society, but probably a feeder toit. The meeting unanimously determined to form the branch, and to hold the first meeting on Thursday, January roth, 1895, at 7 p.m., in a room kindly lent by the Governors of the Borough Road Polytechnic, which is a most accessible spot from all parts of London. The subscription was fixed at 2s. per annum. The attendance of any con- chologists in or near London will be welcomed at this meeting, and they are especially invited to bring small collections or specimens for exhibition and exchange. It is unfortunate the same night has been selected for meeting as that already occupied by the South London Entomological and Natural History Society, which covers the same Sau and contains many members interested in shells. ARTHUR ©” RANYARD: RTHUR COWPER RANYARD, F.R.A.S., the proprietor and editor of our contempo- rary ‘‘ Knowledge,” died at his residence in Bloomsbury, London, December 14th, 1894, in the 51st year of his age. Mr. Ranyard was educated at Cambridge. On leaving the University he studied for the bar, and was called in 1871. He was one of the founders and first secretary of the London Mathematical Society, and became a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society in 1864. In the years 1870, 1878 and 1882, he formed part of the expeditions to various parts of the world to study the total solar eclipses, and afterwards was engaged in working out the results. For certain experiments i in astronomical photography he gained considerable celebrity. We understand Messrs. Witherby and Co. have acquired the property of . “Knowledge.” ANIMAL LIFE IN INDIA.* peeeeet my dog, I have no other pets, because I am away from my bungalow for so long, that I could not look after them, and they might be neglected. There is really no need for domesticated live animals here, for there areso many about which keep and are responsible for looking after them- selves. I am very glad to see them all in my verandah and garden, but have to prevent some kinds from entering my rooms. The biggest wild animals that come into the compound are the jackals; they make a tremendous noise at night, but are seldom seen, and when one does see them one feels very sorry for them; they are not like the sleek nicely-coated beasts at the Zoological Gardens, but very thin and miserable-looking, like lost dogs. The commonest mammals about are the squirrels; they are very pretty little beasties, grey heads, limbs and tail, and a white body with longitudinal brownstripes; they are very inquisitive, and rush across the drive into the verandah and climb up the chics (openwork blinds) on the door andlook in. Then they scamper back again and up a tree, and tell all their friends what they have seen. They chatter and laugh about it till a cart goes along the road, or something else fresh turns up to talk about. Then in my rooms live three species of animals; the biggest is the brown rat, but I have never seen one except when caught in a trap; then comes a pale bluish grey creature with pink nose and feet and a tiny black eye (the musk shrew, commonly called the ‘‘ musk rat’’), he sits in the corner, peering out into the room, but, I think, cannot see half-way across it. When he goes for a walk, he trots all round the room, keeping close to the wall lest he should lose his way, singing softly in a little shrill voice to himself all the while to keep up his spirits. Sometimes he and I come round a corner and meet unexpectedly; then he pulls up short, and simply shrieks with surprise, and runs away. He is not a coward by any means. He will go into the rat and mice traps to eat the toast provided for the rodents, and when found there, or otherwise cornered, turns to bay most fiercely and gallantly, and sits up on his hind legs, gives shrill shrieks of defiance, twists his long nose about, and shows his sharp-pointed little teeth. If it comes to fighting, he will do so till death supervenes. The third and smallest animal is the brown mouse. That small but active person seemed ubiquitous in my rooms at first, though I have thinned the ranks of them considerably. The first thing in the morning, while I was having ‘‘ chota hazri"”’ (tea and toast) by the light of a solitary * Extract from a letter by Lieut. Stanley S. Flower, 5th Fusiliers, Benares, November 3rd, 1894. (Communicated by Sir William H. Flower, K.C.B., F.R.S., (South Kensingtcn 250 SCIENCE-GOSSIP. candle, they used to watch me (their sight is good enough) from behind boxes and chair legs to see if I dropped any crumbs, and if I did, they made a mental note of the exact spot so as to rush out and secure them as soon as I went out. Then there are all the birds, from the solemn old vultures to the perky little mynahs; also my chief friends, the lizards, the geckoo, or house lizard, on the one hand, and on the other that most splendid reptile, the garden lizard. I caught a “‘butcha’’ (= baby) one this morning, about five inches long, in barracks, and put him in the breast pocket of my jacket, but when I was (as orderly officer) inspecting the children’s school, it climbed out and ran across the room and out at the door. There is a grey zebu cow in my compound, and every now and then a party of water-buffalo come in to eat the grass. SCHIAPARELLYS VIEWS ON MARS. HE iollowing is an abstract of an article by Prof. Schiaparelli, translated by Prof. Pickering in ‘‘ Astronomy and Astro-Physics,” an American journal. Among the earliest features of Mars which attracted attention from Astronomers were two brilliant white spots which remained motionless, while other markings were rapidly displaced by the planet’s rotation. It was therefore concluded that they must occupy the poles of rotation of the planet, and they are consequently known as the polar caps. And, not without reason, it is conjectured that these represent upon Mars that immense mass of snow and ice which siill prevents navigators from reaching the poles of the earth. The southern snow cap of Mars has the peculiarity that its centre does not coincide exactly with the pole, but is nearly 180 miles from it. From this it is concluded that when the area of snow is shrunk in summer to its smallest extent, the south pole of Mars is uncovered, and therefore the problem of reaching it is perhaps easier than upon the earth. This southern snow is in the middle of a huge dark spot, which with its branches, occupies nearly one-third of the whole surface of Mars, and is supposed to represent its principal ocean. The mass of the northern snow cap of Mars is, on the other hand, centred almost exactly upon its pole. It is situated in a region of yellow colour, which we are accustomed to consider as representing the continent of the planet. From this arises a singular phenomenon which has no analogy upon the Earth. At the melting of the snows accumu- lated at that pole during the long night of ten months and more, the liquid mass produced in that operation is diffused around the circumference of the snowy region, converting a large zone of sur- rounding land into a temporary sea, and filling all the lower regions. This produces a gigantic in- undation, which has led some observers to suppose the existence of another ocean in those parts, which does not really exist—at least, as a permanent sea. The outer part of this zone branches out into dark lines which occupy all the surrounding region, and seem to be distributary channels (the so-called canals) by which the liquid mass may return to its original position. Something similar would occur upon the Earth, if one of our poles came to be located suddenly in the centre of Asia or Africa. We may find a miniature image of these conditions in the flooding that is ob- served in our streams at the melting of mountain snows. Some very small white spots, more or less persistent, are seen in the torrid zone of Mars. Perhaps these may be due to the existence of mountains capable of supporting extensive ice-fields, a supposition borne out by other recently observed facts. The polar snows of Mars seem to prove that this planet, like the Earth, is surrounded by an atmosphere capable of transporting vapour. These snows are in fact precipitations of vapour, con- densed by the cold and carried with it; and how carried, if not by atmospheric movement ? The existence of an atmosphere charged with vapour has been confirmed also by spectroscopic observations, principally those of Vogel, according to which the atmosphere musi differ litile from our own and be rich inaqueous vapour. If this be true, ther the temperature of the Arean climate must be of the same order as that of the Earth, since water could not exist in the form of a liquid or vapour at a very low temperature. From the fact that the atmosphere of Mars is nearly perpetually clear, enabling the markings to be seen, Prof. Schiaparelli concludes that it very rarely rains upon that planet, but that the climate must resemble that of a clear day upon a high mountain. By day a very strong solar radiation hardly mitigated at all by mist or vapour, by night a copious radiation from the soil, and hence marked refrigeration. And as on the Earth at altitudes of 17,000 to 20,000 feet, the vapour of the atmosphere is con- densed only into the solid form producing these whitish masses of suspended crystals known as cirrous clouds, so in Mars it would be rarely possible to find collections of cloud capable of producing rain of any consequence. The varia- tion of the temperature from one season to another would be noticeably increased by their longer duration. Alice Everett, Greenwich; December, 1804. ———— ee SCIENCE-GOSSIP. ANEW. BRITISH FISH, ESSRS. Holt and Calderwood describe, in ~ Mr. Ernest W. L. Holt’s report on his North Sea Investigations, continued in the last numiber of the ‘‘ Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom’’ (New Series, vol. iii, No. 3), a new ray under the name of ‘the Blonde,” and scientifically as Raia blanda. This species, which is new to science, was first met with on the west coast of Ireland as large specimens, but more recently a nearly complete series was obtained from the North Sea. It has hitherto been overlooked among the spotted rays (R. maculata of Montagu), to which it is closely allied. Raia blanda appears to be a distinct species differing from R. maculata in several points. We quote from Holt and Calderwood’s summary following the diagnosis: ‘‘The difference in spinulation is very strongly marked, since R. maculata never attains anything like the same development of the asperities of the upper surface, as is present in R. blanda. The anterior border of asperities on the under surface is also entirely wanting in R. maculata; the greatest degree of ventral spinulation attained by that species throughout life taking the form of a few scattered asperities on the snout, about the pectoral region, and on the tail. Moreover, the maximum width attained by R. maculata hardly exceeds twenty inches, and its egg purse only measures about two and a half inches exclusive of attachment processes (f. blanda exceeds a width of over thirty inches, and egg purse five and a half inches). Though the size of the spots on the upper surface is subject to variation, they are always larger and more numerous than in R. blanda of thesame size and never extend to the margins of the disc. In some examples they are altogether absent. There may, or may not, be asingle conspicuous ocellus on each wing, but if present it is always surrounded by a ring of largish spots, which are frequently more or less coalesced.” The figure of R. maculata in Day’s ‘ British Fishes,’’ say these gentlemen, ‘‘is undoubtedly taken from an immature male of R. blanda,’’ while Crouch, in his work, ‘‘ evidently selected a specimen of FR. blanda for special description, but his general remarks apply to both species, and his figure to neither, though probably taken, at least so far as the spots are concerned, from R. maculata.” It is pointed out that ‘‘if our ichthyologists have hitherto failed to distinguish between R. maculata and FR. blanda, the same reproach cannot be urged against our fishermen and fish merchants. Under the names of homelyn and blonde, or blund, respectively, these two species have long been recog- nised as distinct at Grimsby. The name ‘ blonde’ is said to be derived from the Belgian fishermen.”’ 251 EDIBLE FUNGI IN SURREY. By Cuarves A. Briaes, F.E.S. Rowen tS on singing the praises of fungi as food, I am met with the question, ‘do they taste like veal mushrooms?” and I find that many, or I might say most, people seem quite unable to grasp the idea that almost each fungus has its own distinctive flavour, which one can no more contrast with that of Agaricus campestvris than one can describe the flavour of beef by reference to that of mutton, or of veal by lamb, or soles by salmon. Each is good but all are different, many are superior to campestris. Dr. Badham, the father of British Mycophagists, in the introduction to his ‘‘Esculent Fungi of England,” says: ‘‘ No country is perhaps richer in esculent fungi than our own; no markets might be better supplied than the English, and yet England is the only country in Europe where this important and savoury food is, from ignorance or prejudice, left to perish ungathered.”’ These words are nearly as true now as when Dr. Badham wrote them in 1847, for although enthusiasts here and there venture to try these luxuries and revel in the result ; yet in the British population as a whole, prejudice and ignorance are as rampant now as then, and tons upon tons of delicious and wholesome food are each year wasted in every county. Occasionally hunger or curiosity induces an experiment, only too frequently followed by the coroner’s melancholy task. Surely instruction in this knowledge as in that of all other useful or poisonous plants should be given in all our village schools. There must in every district be some one —clergyman, doctor or teacher—with sufficient botanical knowledge to enable them to point out the distinctive characters of at all events the larger edible species, and the knowledge thus imparted would spread and spread until this blot upon our national thrift was removed. It is with a view of rousing this class with whom it isa matter of prejudice rather than ignorance that I add a few notes of species eaten and enjoyed not by myself alone but by our whole household during the present year. (1) Agaricus campestris, the common mushroom, and (2) Agaricus arvensis, the horse mushroom, need no comment, they are frequently confused, but the latter may always be known by its turning yellow when bruised. (3) Agaricus gambosus—the white St. George's mushroom, one of the earliest to appear and one of the nicest. The flavour is nutty and the flesh very firm and almost crisp in its shortness. (4) “Agaricus vubescens—the well-known ‘ warty cap,” so called from the little rough patches on the 252 pileus or skin, has a rich full taste making it a most welcome adjunct to the breakfast-table. (5) Agaricus vaginatus—easily distinguished from vubescens by the stem growing out of a sheath; is equally good and perhaps slightly more delicate in flavour. (6) Agaricus prunulus var. orcella is delicious in taste, very silky and delicate. (7) Agaricus personatus—the well-known “ blewit,”’ par excellence the mushroom of late autumn, also affords a tasty dish, and, lasting as it does until really hard frosts set in, affords an excuse for many a winter’s ramble. Our last large dish was cut on December 11th, and the species is still about. (8) Agaricus nudus—the blue-cap, another of the autumn ‘‘blewits,’’ is equally good, but not so common in this district. (9) Boletus lutens—so abundant in the fir woods; is good, but the flavour is rather coarser than that of Agaricus. Possibly, as on the continent, it should be eaten dried. All the above species may be cooked either ina frying pan, or baked in one of the common enamelled iron dishes now so much used, another dish being inverted over it all the time of cooking, and not lifted or removed until the dish is placed on the table, so as to retain all the favour and aroma. (z0) Lycoperdon plumbeum, and (11) L. bovista— our common puff-balls, gathered young and eaten very fresh, are delicious when cut in slices, dipped in egg and crumbs, and fried. (12) Morchella esculenta—so highly prized (and ‘when dried so highly priced!) are most delicious when stewed in a good gravy. (13) Sfarassis crispa—frequently making a growth as large asa man’s head, and sometimes so large that two men can scarcely carry it, is as good-as the morel, which it greatly resembles in flavour ; unfortunately it is rare. (14) Fistulina hepatica—the beef-steak fungus, growing to a large size on the stems of oak trees, is said to be very good. To my own taste they extract such a flavour of tan from their host, that I cannot praise them. I have been told thai, unlike all other fungi, they should not be eaten young. Perhaps tannin is confined to youth. The above are all large species easily recognized, but many of the small ones are equally if not more palatable. Thus the chantarelle and the champignon have a universal reputation, while the genus Clavaria—the “‘ fairy fingers” of the children—and the shaggy caps (Coprinus) are excellent; but in these smaller species, mistakes are more likely to occur and greater care should be used. This district is no doubt a most prolific one for fungi. We have chalk downs, fertile valleys, commons, extensive old woodlands and large tracts of fir woods, so rich in Boleti. But in every district some, at least, of the species I have -named after Agaricus arvensis could be found and utilised. When will our insular prejudices cease and our people take a lesson from their continental neigh- bours ? Leatherhead, Surrey ; December 17th, 1804 A New Hepatic.—Cephalozia hibernica, Spruce, MSS., is described and figured on a full platein the “Trish Naturalist ” for December. This addition to our cryptogamic flora was found by Dr. David Moore, at Killarney as long ago as 1865, and again by Reginald W. Scully in 1889. The article is by Mr. W. H. Pearson. SCIENCE-GOSSIP. Siw yg j y (¥) ce AN THE ComMInG OF WINTER.—Up here among the Welsh hills, winter comes early. - The Starlings generally collect in flocks about September, and in the ev enings fly to their common resting place in the spinney. "A few short stories, a brief exhortation by one of the elders, and they haste to sleep, that their dreams of fat slugs may be sweet and many, through the long silent night. The robins come in twos and threes to my garden, not so tame asin the depth of winter, when the snow lies between them and the lob-worms they so much adore, but just sufficiently careful to remind one that they are to be considered neighbours henceforward till, with the coming of the Spring, their parental instincts once more shall prompt them to move io the hedgerows, and there bring up their callow young. My ants—busy litile folks that have been rapidly multiplying among the chambers of their hill, and storing up winter supplies of sweet things —are now geiting drowsy after their summer toils, and will soon go to their sleep beneath the frosty surface of the earth. Their underground galleries occupy the sheltered side of my garden, just where the morning sun first greets the flowers, among which, in the more active hours of summer, the little creatures wander as we ourselves would stroll down shady lanes. A hopeful family of short- tailed field-mice, which I have discovered in a warm nest near the foot of-a furze bush that occupies the corner of a neighbour's field, have all removed to winter quarters in the hayrick and are now safely housed, iogether with the friends of last year’s.company. Under the evergreens the hives have all been stacked and made snug, so that they appear almost like models of rustic cottages. There the com- munity is at rest. The drones, indeed, have all perished or been slain by the workers. They are too expensive to keep on hand in times of scarce provision. At noon a single sentinel may be seen at the narrow portal, keeping guard lest snail or Weary caterpillar should seek an entrance from the cold north wind. The spiders are not now so industrious as when flies and small beetles were more plentiful. On a particularly warm morning one may still see their sirands hanging across the path, or from branch to branch of the rose bush. If you are keen sighted, and the rays of the sun are favourable, you may also see other members of the spider family float by, supported by long filaments which they have spun to bear them, as parachutes, to unexplored regions. Sad, indeed, would be the end of these ‘‘ Baldwins” were our friend the robin to get them within the focus of his bright optics. The salmon have come up from the sea to the further reaches of the Tivey, and are busily forming ‘* buries.” With their snouts in the river bed, they make furrows in which to deposit their spawn, afterwards covering it with fine gravel; but the trout are very fond of salmon spawn, and make frequent visits to the ‘‘ buries,’ to feast on the rich ova. Later on the eggs will hatch, and the young salmon, which are called “‘ peel,” will roam about SCIENCE-GOSSIP. the pools in shoals, now and then fleeing from some lusty trout. A little while ago, just at the end of the salmon season, many were the monsters which eagerly rose to the angler’s fly, and afterwards graced his table. The trout of this river run from four ounces to six pounds in weight. One trout, old in crafty ways, was caught, some years ago, and found to scale eleven pounds. At this time the rods hang on the rack; and the gun, frequently, however, used on the hillside, has become the stand- ing invitation to a country ramble. The woodcock has already forsaken the frozen North, where the icy winds roam over the wilds, screaming among the gaunt pines or whistling through the rush-lit hovel as they pass. Down among the reedy banks of our murmuring streams, or, if the weather be unusually hard, near the fountain-head of the never-frozen hillside springs, worms and other necessaries of woodcock-life are more easily ob- tained. A short while ago, towards evening, an old deaf woman, whilst loitering among the tombs of the village churchyard, found one of these birds sheltering within the holy precincts of that quiet sanctuary. Not recognising that there the little one should have found an undisturbed abode, she captured the poor weakling after an exciting chase, and brought it to the Vicar’s daughter, when the sojourner was placed in a brown paper bag and given to a hard-hearted man, who treated it harshly and squeezed its breast-bone till it became weary of its life. It will be ultimately placed among strange companions, beneath a covering of glass, looking very beautiful, and almost perfect save for the beauty of that spark of life which had been taken away in sacrifice to the accursed thirst for ‘‘specimens.”’ It is just now that one likes to see a bright fire, the gun standing in a corner, the fishing basket behind the study door, and books, family portraits and pretty trifles grouped care- lessly around, or peeping from dearly-loved shelves. Out in the garden, the cabbages bear marks of greedy caterpillars, but are at present left in peace, for these spoilers have been overtaken by winter’s repose, and have entered a third, inanimate stage of insect life. Peasticks are stacked against a south wall, and behind them sleep my tortoises, waiting with tortoise-like patience, till spring shall come again. The wren, always meeting the gravest problems with a flick of her apology for a tail, hops in and out among the bare undergrowth, caring nothing for the anxieties of her friends, the bachelor chaf- finches, which have congregated in flocks and flown to other fields. One can almost read the thoughts of a wren in her actions. The cheeky little bundle of brown, with wee feathers all ruffled by a cross wind, hops down on the fallen trunk which lies across the path. She stands erect and quiet for one moment, then the humour of the situation seems to strike her. Down goes head, up goes tail, out flicks the tiny wing. ‘‘ Dear me!” she hurriedly exclaims, ‘‘ Dear me! what fun! fancy me in quiet meditation!’ And then the middle of the nearest bramble hedge is explored, and the small voice completes the action. ‘*' What fun! Dear me!”’ I hardly think a wren could possibly be at rest for more than an instant. Sometimes I find prizes near the roots of the tree that stands alone in the middle of the field near by. There, in the rich mould, are to be discovered, by perseverance, some objects ugly to all but anaturalist’s eyes. Even the mole, which is generally so fond of robbing me of these treasures, deigns to leave a few of the ugliest behind. These are pupe, beautiful things 253 swathed in a garment of sombre hue, brown or black, that later, by my gentle nursing near the fireside, are induced to‘issue forth robed in blue and rich chocolate and red and velvety black, magnificent as hawk moths. Not long ago a Welsh peasant woman came into the village from the potato-fields in order to see me. I found that she carried, carefully hidden in the folds of her coarse apron, the pupa of a death's- head hawk moth, which she was desirous of be- queathing to my care. Not at all disdainful of her good nature, I accepted the charge, and am now eagerly awaitiug the metamorphosis of the perfect insect. I learn that this moth is par- ticularly numerous in this locality. The larve feed on potato leaves, and the imago some- times measures six inches across the wings. But now as I[ write, the fire burns low. It is the mid- hour. I extinguish the lamp and draw up the window-blind. The moon has rolled up into the midst of a panorama of twinkling stars. Faint beams are thrown upon the study walls, from which stuffed polecats glare down upon my insect cabinets. I gaze upon a snow-clad earth, wrapped with the first of this winter’s garments—a pure white winding sheet for so much that in the now forgotten summer throbbed with life. Yet Nature wears a face of hope. The very stars that now peep down upon this sleeping sphere shall soon smile upon the glory of a transformation, at a time when a myriad reawakened forms of insect life shall be sipping cool nectar from the lilac blooms that open to their nightly visitants.—T. A. W. Rees, F.R.M_.S., Llandyssul ; December 6th, 1894. GILBERT WHITE’S LETTERS.— We hear that during January or February next, there will be offered by public auction in London, a collection of the Rev. Gilbert White’s original letters. Most, if not all, of them were written in the happy days in dear old Selborne, under the peaceful shade of the ‘‘ Hanger.”’ CountTRY LorRE IN ‘‘ GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE.’ —From the earliest times of its publication, the “Gentleman’s Magazine’’ always welcomed articles on Country Lore, during the two thousand months of its issue. The present ‘Sylvanus Urban, Gentleman’”’ and editor, has in most issues something of the kind. Take, for instance, the three last numbers. In November, Irving Muntz criticised that apostle of country lore, Richard Jefferies, often miscalled ‘‘ Jefferies, the naturalist,”’ to which title he had little claim. His reviewer is evidently his lover, which indeed he may well be, as an admirer of Jefferies, the word- painter. We agree with many of the conclusions drawn, although we think Irving Muntz is a little enthusiastic. In December last, Percival H. W. Almy discourses upon Weather Wisdom, and he has gathered together a number of old and quaint sayings about weather signs. He does not quote one seasonable one, however, not uncommon in the North of England, ‘‘If the sun shines through the apple-trees on Christmas day, apples will be abundant next year.” In the new January number, Clifford Cordley summarises the fishing lore from Shakespeare’s works. Gtow-Worms In Autumn.—Is not October 28th a late date for glow-worms to be shining? On the evening of that day I was dining with a friend near Staplehurst, in the Weald of Kent, and we saw two glow-worms emitting their light within a few yards of each other on a roadside bank. The evening was a mild one, after a very rough stormy day.— J. Herbert Allchin, Maidstone; November 7th, 1894. 254 SCIENCE-GOSSIP. “4 Ure " A ly sy. Sis ns na LAN ais In the Guiana Forest : Studies of Nature in Relation to the Struggle for Life. By JAMES Ropway, F.L.S., author of ‘‘ A History of British Guiana.” With an introduction by Grant ALLEN. xxiii and 242 pp. large 8vo, with 16 full-page illustrations. (London: T. Fisher Unwin, 1894,) Price 7s. 6d. Theintro- duction to this delight- ful book is fullofeulogy forthe work, but it speaks none too strongly of its excel- lence. Mr. Grant Allen refers to ‘the educa- tional value of a sojourn in thetropics not merely for the bio- logist, but also and perhaps al- most equally for the gene- ral thinker. The tropics are nature. Certainly it is most notewor t hy 2 that the veryidea of evolution and of the survival of the fittest is toagreat ex- tent a direct product of tropical travel. It occurred to Darwin later prophets, like Bell and Fritz Miller, were tropical travellers to a man: it was only the stay- at-home Owens and Virchows, the laboratory naturalists, who sturdily opposed it. . . . Now the best thing, of course, to show us what the tropics are like is to goand see them. Failing that, the next best thing is to be personally conducted round the great estate by a thoroughly competent and observant showman, on printed paper. For this purpose Mr. Rodway is one of the best guides I have ever come across, for he ‘is fortunate in superadding to the eye that sees, the tongue that speaks, well aided by the pen of a ready writer.’”’ One of the first things that strike one in reading this book, is the high order of literary style which frequently “asserts itself in its pages. Many of the author’s descriptions are fascinat- ing in their simplicity and _ truth- fulness to nature. One unconsci- ously drifts into his thoughts,un- til, startled to find we are not with him under the moist, hot, sombre shade of the dark green canopy of the virgin forest, but surrounded by murky and grimy London. For instance at page three,in des- cribing our native fel- low subjects of Guiana, he says: ‘‘To the native Indian the forest is never dull. However deserted it may appear, he knows himself dur- where to ing his tro- look for the Pical ex- acourie and periences labba, or on in South what trees America monkeys while he was aah q Was l een and parrots ° SILK CoTToNn TREE, CROWDED WITH EPIPHYTES. : voyaging : : a are likely to in 7 he From ‘Jn the Guiana Forest. be found. ‘“‘ Beagle” ; The Indian it occurred independently to Alfred Russel Wallace amid the shady depths of the Malayan forests. Bates half anticipated it on the banks of the Amazons; Huxley had stored up facts for it in his coasting trips along the northern shore of tropical Australia. Its treads softly so that not a twig or leaf rustles under foot, yet he trips along much faster than the white man can follow. To him the pathless woods are familiar ; he knows every hill and valley ; the little streams which trickle downward have their destina- SCIENCE-GOSSIP. tions, and he can tell you whence they come and where they go. - Then, hundreds of great trees are quite as well known to him as public buildings to the inhabitants of the city. If in a strange locality he bends down a young sapling at intervals, so that the under-surface of the leaves may be visible on his return and point the way. His white companion misses him as he hurries along and stands up be- wildered. At a short distance his reddish-brown skin harmonises with tree trunks, and as his move- ments are absolutely noiseless he cannot be seen or heard. . On they go again, until perhaps a small creek is reached, over which stretches a fallen palm. On this the red man lightly trips and is going straight along into the forest, expecting the other to follow. But who could walk in boots on such a slippery bridge? The white man gives “On THE WAR PaTH.” From ‘ By Vocal Woods and Waters.” the bush call, hoo-o0-00-00, and the Indian comes back again, looking surprised that this convenient bridge could be any more an obstacle to another than him. The novice trys to explain, but before he can understand what is taking place, he is in the arms of his companion and over the creek.”’ Again, speaking of trees (page 12): ‘‘ How firm and stately are these great monarchs of the forest! They have gained their positions years ago, and are now strong enough to hold their own. They have good armour, well-tested, have killed off thousands of young rivals and might be thought secure. But no, mere strength may not overcome them, but craft will. Like Sinbad, they take some apparent weakling on their shoulders, and he soon develops into another ‘Old Man of the Sea.’ When the forest giant gets old and feeble his enemies come round him in force. He can no longer continue the great struggle, and quickly succumbs, perhaps to two or three of his own children who have grown up under his shadow.” Above all things Mr. Rodway is a lover of plants, and his chief interests set forth in this book are in the fights of the various species for a temporary ascendancy in life. The adaptation of one kind to its surroundings to the destruction of its neighbour, or host, as the case may be. Much is said about the parasitic plants upon trees. Small in them- selves they are individually as nothing, but growing as they do in British Guiana, a short time only is needed to slay the monarch of the forest. With the permission of the publisher we reproduce an instance as photographed by Mr. Rodway. It is a silk cotton-tree crowded with epiphytes and lovely orchids. The density of the forest, its solidity and want of detail make the photographic illustration difficult to reproduce. Still many of the pictures which accompany this book are such -s to dwell over and examine with minute care. 255 With regard to the struggle among the forest plants for the right -to live and obtain air and light, we may, once again only, quote (page 225): ‘‘ In great cities the struggle for existence develops more individuality than in villages, where there is a tendency to perpetuate old manners and customs. A similar thing happens in the forest with a throng much denser than is possible in any city. We can only compare the trees to a great mob gathered in one place and struggling with each other to gain the best point of observation. In such a crowd, although there is.a certain amount of unison as far as the striving to obtain the same object is concerned, nevertheless, selfishness reigns supreme, and the weakest get trodden under foot. So it is in the forest ; each individual strives to get a share of the sunlight and elbows everyone that stands in its way, in some cases climbing upon their shoulders and in others trampling them down.” ‘In the Guiana Forest ”’ is indeed a book of the month, and one that will give intense pleasure to the lover of nature, whether with scientific tastes or the more simple reader who cares for vivid description of unfamiliar beauty and its bitter struggle for existence. ouste 2p%v [J.1.C.] Cloudland: A Study on the Structure and Character of Clouds. By the Rev. W. CLEMENT Ley, M.A., F.R: Met. Soc. 208 pp., with numerous coloured plates, photographs, charts and diagrams. (London: Edward Stanford, 1894.) Price 7s. 6d. net. Considering its great importance to mankind, it is remarkable how comparatively little progress has been made in the science of meteorology. How few are there among the better educated of this country who can accurately describe any ordinary grouping of clouds. We often hear of remarkable aqueous effects in the high atmosphere, but as a rule their description rarely conveys more than the fact that they appeared exceptional. The author has in this work attempted to place before his readers in practical form, with the assistance of coloured and other pictures, the whole subject of cloud nomenclature, their generic grouping, and Moet at ULM Bboy, Weeg, a ler in “A Datnty Morset.” From “ By Vocal Woods and Waters.” influence in assisting a forecast of the state of weather for some little time after their appearance. It is much to be regretted that the limited number of buyers of this class of book render its publication so expensive. It is one which should be in the hands of the thinking multitude, and we trust Mr. Stanford may find sufficient encouragement to issue it in cheaperform. The coloured illustrations of the classification of clouds are generally good. One of the most interesting plates is No. vi., being of ‘‘Cloud distribution in a typical cyclone.” With the aid of this plate one gets quite a com- 256 prehensive grasp of the effects of atmospheric disturbances upon the formation of clouds. One , could almost estimate the position and probable duration of rough weather with the assistance of the illustration and its attendant description. This carefully-prepared book, which is evidently the result of years of observation, forms an important contribution to the literature of meteorology. [J.T.C.] Review of Reviews. Mr. Stead has, with that extraordinary energy which characterizes him, carried this successful review through its fifth year of publication. The summary of Science literature appears monthly, and will be found useful to our readers, though it would be still more valuable if the titles of all the articles were given, rather than an arbitrary selection ofa few from each magazine ; the choice seeming to be governed by the ‘‘ catchi- ness’’ of the title rather than by the substance of the contents of the article it represents. The monthly list of new books is particularly important. By Vocal Woods and Waters: Studies from Nature by Epwarp STEP. 254 pp. 8vo, illustrated. (London: Bliss, Sands and Foster.) _ Price 5s. In a prefatory note Mr. Step describes this book as a ‘‘ sheaf of gathered leaves,’’ which would have been a better title than that he has chosen. Most of the chapters have already appeared in serial literature, and the author has been well advised to collect and elaborate his ‘‘sheaf of gathered leaves,” for in this form they will doubtless reach a multi- tude of readers beyond those who have already enjoyed them. The work consists of twenty-two essays, treating of the habits of animals and plants, in which the author now and then shows a quaint humour, and has the charm for the ordinary reader of an absence of technical names. Perhaps the best among the chapters are under the headings ‘‘ A Wasp’s Nest,’’ ‘‘ Out of Their Element,’’ ‘‘ Vegetable Vagrants,” ‘My Day with a Dog,” and especially “About my Toads.” We may quote from this chapter : ‘‘ To some peculiarly-constituted persons the idea of making a pet of the toad is repulsive, or, at least, eccentric ; but he is greatly to be preferred to some pets. The toad has virtues, but, so far as I have been able to discover, no vices. He does not presume upon the kindness of his master or mistress, and arrogantly assert his claim to the softest cushion or the warmest part of the hearth- rug. He does not make night hideous, nor torture the invalid or light sleeper by his piercing howls at the nocturnal cat. He does not require a licence, nor is there any fear that he will infect his human friends with hydrophobia. He knows his place and keeps it, doing his appointed work with un- remitting assiduity, yet making no fuss about it. According to his ignorant traducers, the toad is slow and deformed, he is dirty and repulsive, he is a standing danger to life and health, all of which is evidence of the ignorance of his detractors.” In the same chapter are graphic and amusing descrip- tions of the staiking and capture by one of the author’s pet toads of a worm and a stag-beetle. Less successful is Mr. Step when he becomes speculative, and weaves in among ideal crude thoughts of the most primitive men, translations from the highly-cultured Greeks with the misleading remark ‘‘ as another poet of the period put it” (pp. to and 11). The book deserves to be widely known, and is sure to be appreciated by those who have . the fortune to meet with it —[F. W. ] The Vaccination Question. By ARTHUR WOLLASTON Hutton, M.A., Librarian of the National Liberal SCIENCE-GOSSIP. Club. 128 pp. 8vo, and frontispiece. Methuen and Co., 1894.) Price ts. 6d. This work, which, previously to being issued in its present form, was the substance of a letter addressed to the Home Secretary, is controversial rather than scientific, From his own point of view, as an anti-vaccinationist, Mr. Hutton has treated his subject very ably, but we think our readers would generally disagree with him while respecting the earnestness of his intentions. (London : A Laboratory Manual of Organic Chemistry. By W. R. OrnpvorFF, A.B., Ph.D. Systematically arranged to accompany Professor Ira Remsen’s ‘‘ Organic Chemistry.’ 8vo. (Boston, U.S.A.: Heath and Co.; London: Isbister and Co., 1894.) Price not given. Professor Remsen contributes a short preface in which he states he has examined the eighty experiments set forth in this manual, and finds that they have been carefully prepared and are trustworthy. For students investigating the com- pounds of carbon this book will be of some aid. A Handbook of the Primates, Vols. i. andii. By Henry O. Forses, LL.D., F.Z.S., &c., Director of Museums, Liverpool. (Allen’s Naturalists’ Library), 582 pp. 8vo, 29 coloured plates and eight coloured maps. (London: W. H. Allen and Co., Limited, 1894.) Price 6s. per volume. In the July number of this magazine we noticed (page 110) the re-issue of Sir William Jardine’s Naturalists’ Library, by Messrs. Allen and Co., under the editorship of Dr. R. Bowdler Sharpe, F.L.S., of which there are now, we believe, five volumes published. In selecting Dr. Forbes to do the two volumes under notice, the editor of Allen’s Naturalists’ Library was most judicious, for few men know more about, or have had better opportunities of studying, the anthropoid apes, monkeys, and their allies. The result is that these volumes con- tain more accurate information and more recent facts about monkeys than any other book on the subject. The whole of the coloured plates have been redrawn up to the present knowledge of the species they represent, which was most necessary, for,as pointed out in his preface by Dr. Sharpe, the old plates in Jardine’s Library were little better than caricatures which were positively libellous. One of the most important features of Dr. Forbes’ monograph is that part which deals with the geographical distribution of the species of the order Primates, which is illustrated by the coloured maps. Several new species are brought forward, and all are fully though simply described, as are their habits, both in a state of nature and in cap- tivity. Altogether Dr. Henry O. Forbes has produced the best popular book on monkeys yet written.—| J. T. C.] A Handbook to the Ovdey Lepidoptera. By W.F. Kirey, F.L.S., F.Ent.S., Department of Zoology, British Museum. Vol. i. part i., Butterflies (Allen’s Naturalists’ Library), Ixxiv. and 261 pp. 8vo, also 37 coloured and other plates, and extra figures in the letterpress. (London: W. H. Allen and Co., Limited, 1894.) Price 6s. Mr. Kirby, than whom no one is more fitted to have undertaken the volumes on the lepidoptera for this ‘‘ library,” has accomplished the difficult task of striking out a new design in the plan of his work. Hitherto writers on butterflies have generally written on either British or exotic butter- flies separately or asa whole. Mr. Kirby is to be congratulated on the happy thought of guiding his SCIENCE-GOSSIP: readers through the British species on to a study of the wider field of the butterflies of the world. In selecting the material for the new plates to illustrate his work, the author has chosen figures chiefly representing recently-described and hitherto unfigured species. The introduction is a useful piece of writing, which will easily and pleasantly help many coming students over the initiatory scientific drudgery, which so many ‘‘ butterfly- catchers’ sadly shirk, leaving themselves always in the category of collectors. We consider this work an instalment of what bids fair to be one of the most important, recently published for the guidance of the British entomologist.—{J. T. C. } An Introduction to the Study of the Diatomacee. By FREDERICK Wm. MILLs, F.R.M.S., with a Biblio- graphy by JuLIEN Desy, F.R.M.S. pp. xi. and 243, large 8vo, with some illustrations. (London: Iliffe and Son. Washington: The Microscopical Publishing Co. 1893.) Price ras. net. This useful introduction will be found valuable to the students of diatoms, as may be supposed from some of the headings of the ten chapters into which the work is divided, such as Structure, Movement, Classification, Reproduction, Collecting, Mounting, and How to Photograph Diatoms. The illustrations are hardly what we might expect, as they are con- fined to microscopes and apparatus used in the study of these organisms. The introduction proper only occupies seventy-seven pages and the bibliography 183 pages. This is the most important part of the book, and seems to have been prepared with con- siderable care. It would have been additionally useful if Mr. Mills had given the limit of date of Mr. Deby’s compilation, as much of it refers to papers in various scientific magazines. The preface is dated April, 1893; but those interested in later search will not know where they are to take it up for more recent literary material.—[J. T. C.] Farm Vermin, Helpful and Hurtful. By various writers. Edited by JoHn Watson, F.L.S. 85 pp, 8vo, illustrated. (London and New York: William Rider and Son, Limited.) Price 2s. 6d. This is No. 6 of ‘‘ Rider’s Technical Handbooks,” and we think it too highly priced for those whom it is intended to benefit, considering how little novel matter it contains. The dozen illustrations are, as a rule, crude and inartistic, being of small use to those who live on farms. We do not see the advantage of giving pictures of such well-known ‘‘vermin’’ as a fox, a rabbit, squirrel or hedgehog for the guidance of our farmers. Ponds and Rock Pools, with Hints on the Collecting for and the Management of the Micro-Aquarium. By HENRY SCHERREN. 208 pp. 8vo and 66 figures. (London: Religious Tract Society, 1894.) Price 2s. 6d. Although much has been written in many books upon this subject'there was still room for such a popularly written book on micro-aquatic animals. This is eminently a beginner’s guide, and the com- mittee of the society which has published it will, doubtless, be rewarded by having created many new workers in this field. Founded on articles which Mr. Scherren wrote for the ‘‘ Leisure Hour,” the chapters of the book before us have been much added to and largely redressed. The figures will be enticing to the tyro who does not know how to begin collecting aquatic microscopic objects, and will materially assist his first efforts in that fascinating pursuit. It makes a handy and useful manual. a O%s CWE AALS : Re ch THE well-known firm of R. and J. Beck, of 68 Cornhill, London, issue free to microscopists, their new illustrated catalogue of microscopes, object glasses and apparatus, just published. Being nicely bound and profusely illustrated, it hardly ranks with the ordinary trade catalogue, but forms a useful dictionary, brought up to date of publica- tion, of instruments used in microscopy. Microscopic PREPARATIONS.—We have received from Mr. Ernest Hinton, 12, Vorley Road, Upper Holloway, London, two preparations for examina- tion. The first is Volvox globatoy, showing the beautiful golden resting spores. It is a very striking object when shown with paraboloid. The- other is a leaf of the carnivorous plant Drosera votundifolia, showing captive insect being held down by the glandular hairs. It would be a good subject for photography on account of its pleasing colour. SELECTING TEstT Diatoms.—Can any reader ot SCIENCE-Gossip inform me how Méller and other “professionals” arrange the “‘ test’’ diatomaceae in groups. In most cases it is easy when diatoms have been dried on a slide to pick them off with a hair, or a fine thread of spun glass, and as a matter of pure preference I use glass. This plan answers fairly well even with such delicate species as Grammatophora marina, and the larger Pleuvosigmas ; P. attenuatwn and P. balticum to wit, may be safely picked off a slide, provided that they were well washed in distilled water before spreading, and that they have not been left too long on the slide after drying. Any attempt, however, to remove P. angueatum, Suvivella gemma or Navicula rhomboides from the slide generally results in the destruction of the diatom, and to my annoyance I smashed up the only specimen of a fine Astevomphalus from a Mediterranean gathering, in trying to select it. Such species are therefore too delicate and fragile to be selected after the material has been dried. In a letter I received some years ago from M. Tempére, the well-known diatomist, in reply to a question on this subject, he said, ‘‘To select the smaller Pleuvosigma you must place on the cover a drop of distilled water containing a few valves, when the water is nearly evaporated you will find it an easy task to move and arrange the diatoms as you wish, taking out the extra ones. Allow to dry, and mount as usual ; Plewrosigma are better mounted dry, should you require them in balsam add a little gum to the water.’ This cannot, however, be the plan used in mounting the ‘‘ Typen platten”’ where a number of different species have to be picked out of different gatherings, for there must be some way of transferring them from one cover to another to get them all together. I can scarcely suppose that this method is a ‘“‘ trade secret,’ for life is far too short and eyesight too valuable for any ordinary mounter to attempt to emulate Méller. It would be useful to be able to select these delicate diatoms when they happen to be found on a slide on which the material has already been dried.—G. H. Bryan TAYLor’s ‘“‘ BritisH MoLiusca.’’—On page 62 of Part i. of Mr. J. W. Taylor’s recent work on “‘ British Extramarine Mollusca,” reviewed in SCIENCE-GOSSIP page 230), the author states, that ‘‘fluviatile species tend to develop alengthened shell under the influence of a steady andrapid current.” It appears to methat, even if this generalization is true, insufficient evidence is adduced to show it. In cases of this kind it is necessary to consider those instances in which the theory is not exemplified as those which tend to prove its truth. I should like to offer a few remarks on local observations on shell forms. The River Wye, near Hereford, is distinctly a rapid river, but not a torrent. Limnea peregya here occurs as a small very fragile form, with rather a shorter spire, if anything, than the pond forms. The palustroid variety occurs exclusively in still, streamless ponds. A variety of L. auriculavia occurs in the Isis as large, fragile, and inflated; the Herefordshire pond form is distinctly more like typical L. peregra. L. truncatula, as found in the Wye, differs only from the ordinary ditch type in being smaller. The most produced L. stagnalis I have seen are from the Hereford and ‘Gloucester Canal; the specimens from the Isis are much broader in comparison to their length. To turn to the Acephala: Unio tumidus and U. pictorvum, from the Wye, are distinctly less produced than ‘specimens from the Hereford Canal and ponds near ‘Staplehurst, in Kent, respectively. Margaritana margavitifeva, which seems only to occur in rapid streams, is by no means an elongated species. Mr. Taylor himself states that the specimen of U. pictovum, var. platyrhincoidea, which he figures, comes from a ‘‘lake.’” So much for rivers. The L. pevegra and L. truncatula, from mountain torrents in Radnor Forest and the Black Mountains (eleva- tion 1,200 to 1,800 feet), are a short form, less produced, in fact, than the type. Finally, one remark upon the converse proposition, that ‘‘ short spired forms, of otherwise elongate shells, more or less characterise species inhabiting lakes and other large bodies of water.’’ I presume Mr. Taylor does not intend to emphasize the large size of the lakes, etc. In a small artificial pond, with no weed except self-introduced, I placed a large typical pevegrya in 1893. This spring the species abounded, and an average specimen measured 17°5 by II mm., most certainly not a ‘‘short-spired form.’ This, however, does not really bear on the question, as the experi- ment was made under more or less artificial conditions. In conclusion, it seems obvious that further evidence is necessary before this theory can take rank as a law.—Arthuy E. Boycott, The Grange, Hereford ; Dec. 20th, 1894. AMERICAN ZYGNID#.—Could anyone inform me whether any species of Zygzenidz occur in America ? Kirby (‘‘ European Lepidoptera,” page 88) says: ‘“One species has been recorded from America, but probably in error.’’ Now, in a small collection of South American insects, I have two specimens which aimost certainly represent two species of Zygena. J append a short description. (No. 1) About the size and shape of Zygena filipendule, but SCIENCE-GOSSIP. with the abdomen a little stouter; all the wings smoky brown; antennz brown, with white tips; filiform and not clubbed; head and thorax brown; at the junction of the head and thorax is a spot of a metallic green colour, and a metallic red spot on either side of this; at the junction of the head and thorax is agreen band and three red spots arranged in the form of a triangle; abdomen brown down the back, shading off into green along the sides; beneath the abdomen is brown, with a red spot at the anal extremity; legs brown. (No. 2) About the same size as the preceding; primaries dark brown, with what are in filipendule spots 1 and 3 marked in crimson; secondaries dark brown, with a crimson border; head and thorax, base of fore- wings and both extremities of abdomen of a metallic blue-green colour; beneath, spot 1 does not show through, and the base of all the wings is of a brilliant blue colour.—_T. B, Fletcher, 78, Thornlaw Road, West Norwood, S.E. RarE SUSSEX Birps.—We were pleased to find on a recent visit to the Booth Museum of Birds, at Brighton, that the Corporation of the town, to which body Mr. Booth left his collection, is still adding to it. The additions since Mr. Booth’s death include the following more or less rare species from the county of Sussex. An arctic blue- throat or blue-throated warbler (Cyanecula suecica), a little bittern (Avdetta minuta), three avocets (Re- curvivostva avocetta), a Baillon’s crake (Cvex baillont), a great snipe (Gallinago major), a case of seven Lapland buntings (Calcavius lapponicus), an Iceland gull (Larus leucopterus), a glossy ibis (Ibis falcinellus), and a gold-crested wren (Regulus cristatus). The majority of these specimens are from the neighbour- hood of Brighton; the little bittern having been taken alive near the Dyke Road, and not far from the Museum. The bird is a beautiful specimen, though somewhat immature. It was photographed whilst alive and set up in most natural attitude from the picture. Two other species have also been added to the museum, viz. :—a honey buzzard (Pernis apivovus), and a couple of forked-tailed petrels (Procellavia leucorrhoa). The cases contain- ing the additions since Mr. Booth’s death are, we understand, to be placed down the centre of the room, distinct from those which were cased under his own supervision. It is mentioned that there may be some slight rearrangement of these latter, so as to bring, as far as possible, those of each genus nearer together. The Corporation has voted a sum of £100 for the printing of a new descriptive catalogue of the museum, which was needed on account of that prepared by Mr. Booth being nearly out of print. There is a proposal on foot for opening this museum on Sunday afternoons ; we hope it may be soon carried out.—_[J.T.C.] ANTLERS.—In reply to the query under the above head (ScIENCE-Gossip, New Ser., p. 211), I may mention during a seven years’ stayin Canada, where I was engaged on surveys for new lines of railway through the bush, as far north as Lake Nipissing, I frequently asked old hunters and Indians what became of the cast antlers, and although I have travelled many hundreds of miles through the woods, I have never seen any myself, nor ever heard of anyone who had.—Fvank Baker, Vernon House, Canterbury ; November 1oth, 1894. [This does not apply to Manitoba, where the cast antlers of Wapiti deer are still found, both in the north and south of the province. I have seen many a settler’s house ornamented outside with trophies of horns picked up in the bluffs.—_{J.T.C. ] SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 259 Wye, We Nes Aievary Entomologist’s Record, year to the proprietorship of that magazine. IES), of ‘‘ The the editor ” succeeds at the end of this He will probably, for a time, at least, issue it fortnightly. Messrs. DuLau and Co., of Soho Square, London, have issued two important sale catalogues of books, one appertaining to botany and the other to geology, mineralogy, etc. THE old public favourite, ‘‘ Duke,” one of the best of the Zoological Society’s lions, died just before Christmas. He had been nineteen years’in the society's menagerie at Regent’s Park, London. He will be much missed by many young zoologists. “THE Report, for 1893, of the Botanical Exchange Club of the British Isles”? recently issued, states that the number of specimens contributed is in excess of the average for the past few years. The report included thirty-two pages of notes upon rare or exceptional forms or localities of plants, which have circulated among members of the club. Mr. A. Ramsay has issued No. 6 of ‘‘ The Scientific Roll,’ an arduous compilation for the benefit of those who study the baric condition of the atmosphere. By reference to this publication much time and useless labour will be saved in looking up what has been written by former students of this subject. WE understand that ‘‘ The Journal of Malacology”’ has changed hands. It will in future be edited by Mr. W. M. Webb, F.L.S., of the Essex County Council Laboratories, and Brentwood, Essex. The late editor, Mr. W. E. Collinge, remains as co-editor with Mr. Webb. This month's number of the journal contains a short notice of Mr. Collinge’s work, illustrated by a portrait. In the Essex County ‘‘ Biology Notes” for November, under Laboratory Notes, instances are given of horses having died through eating dried bracken which had been given as food after being passed through a chaff-cutter. Injury is also mentioned to some calves which had been sucking dried bracken which was used as bedding. THE December number of the ‘‘ Entomologist ”’ contains a summary of the lepidoptera added to the British list during the past ten years. There are enumerated over ninety species, including three butterflies. An average of nine new species per annum speaks well for the energy of the British lepidopterists, considering how closely our fauna has been worked up. AN enquiry into the distribution of ergot (Claviceps purpurea), in the County of Essex, England, has been instituted by Mr. David Houston, of the County Technical Laboratories. He supplies an interesting and concisely written report, which. is printed in No. 2 of ‘ Biology Notes.” The first result of the enquiry shows that although the fungus is common throughout the county on cereals and cultivated grasses, it is comparatively unknown among the ‘agriculturists. This clearly shows the advantage of the action of the County Council in establishing laboratories and teachers of scientific facts affecting every day life and food supplies. Many cases of cows slipping their young after feeding on grass affected by ergot are mentioned, yet ‘the farmers have never troubled to learn the cause. Mr. BERTRAM Geo. RyE, F.E.S., son of the late eminent coleopterist, has entered upon a great undertaking, we trust after fully considering its magnitude.’ He is about to issue by subscription “A Handbook of the British Macro-Lepidoptera’’ with hand-coloured illustrations by Miss Maud Horman-Fisher. The parts are to be _ issued quarterly at 2s. 6d. each, and contain two plates and eight pages of letterpress. ‘‘THE Journal of the Marine Biological Assccia- tion’’ recently issued, contains much of great interest to the students of the denizens of the sea. Besides a description of a new fish, referred to elsewhere in these pages, there are several articles of im- portance, such as that by Walter Garstang, on “ Faunistic Notes at Plymouth,” with observations on the breeding seasons of marine animals. The able naturalist at the Plymouth Laboratory, summarises the Fishery Publications of the United States of America. CoNSIDERING the amount of work done, and in progress, under the direction of the Council of Marine Biological Association, it is positively deplorable that the Association is so badly sup- ported by the general public. The annual subscriptions only reach about £180, though from other sources the revenue nearly touches £2,500. There must be numbers of wealthy persons who would become members, if they knew of the valuable results attained by the Association and the facilities for study at the Plymouth Laboratory. An editorial notice appears in the November ‘‘ Transactions of the Cage-Bird Club,” requesting exhibitors who lose any prize-winning canaries, to send the dead birds to Mr. W. H. Betts, of 36, Gt. James Street, Bedford Row, London, the Editor of the ‘‘ Transactions,”’ ‘‘ who will forward them to the British Museum, where the authorities are arrang- ing a complete collection of the different breeds of canary. As this collection will be a valuable record hereafter, it is suggested that only prize winners be sent,” WE have received Nos. r and 2 of ‘Biology Notes,’’ a sixteen-page monthly journal, issued from the County ‘Technical Laboratories at Chelmsford. These parts are nicely illustrated by figures explanatory of Practical Botany Lessons. There are nine of these lessons in the two parts. We presume the County Council propose to circulate this magazine, for we do not find any particulars as to price or other indication that they are for sale. If a large enough circulation can be arranged, these useful pamphlets cannot fail to do much good. Tue Trustees of the Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, Mo., have issued their sixth announce- ment concerning Garden Pupilsand the Scholarships granted by the trustees, with a tabulated course of study. These scholarships are practically appren- ticeships to the scientific growing of plants; the scholars receiving from £40 to £60 per annum and free lodgings during the four years apprenticeship. The ages of candidates must be within 14 years and 20 years. An examination of Candidates takes place on March 5th next, at the Botanical Gardens, St. Louis. ) ~ a) oa) Si WP REVUE BIOLOGIQUE DU NORD DE LA FRANCE (Lille, November, 1894).—Dr. A. Peytoureau con- tinues his elaborate article on The Organisation and Comparative Anatomy of the Last Segments of the bodies of Lepidoptera, Coleoptera and Hemiptera, the present instalment occupying the entire part; it is accompanied by three partly-coloured plates of anatomical figures of Bombyx mori, Acherontia atvopos, Satyrus janiva, Callimorpha hera, Pieris brassicae, Zeuzera cescult. CompTE RENDU DES SEANCES DE LA SOCIETE PHILOMATIQUE DE Paris.—At the meeting of November roth, M. Bouvier read a communication on the Branchial Apparatus of a Crab of the group Dromia (Dynomene filholi), in which he demonstrated that the structure of the branchia of this animal much resembles that of Homarus (lobsters). At the base of the largest branchia eight rows of filaments are found, which are successively reduced to six and finally to two. At the meeting of November 24th, M. Bouvier communicated the result of his Researches on Recent and Fossil Dromias. The oldest fossil representatives of this group of crabs are Prosopons, which make their appearance in the inferior oolite. They appear to differ con- siderably from the common Dyomias, but have the same structure as Homolias, and certain recent Dromias which have preserved the primitive characters of the ancestors of this group (Homalo- dvomia, Dicvanodromia, etc.). The consideration of the succession in time of these forms indicates as the origin of crabs, Homarias, which are much more ancient. This paleontological argument supports that drawn from their morphology as explained at the previous meeting, while embryological studies lead also to the same conclusion. FEUILLES DES JEUNES NATURALISTES (Paris, December, 1894). M. Adrien Dollfus continues his series of articles on The Idoteide of the Coasts of France, illustrated with figures in the text. In a short note on The Mollusca collected at Saint-Jean- de-Luz and Guetharvry, M. Dautzenberg records ninety species of marine mollusca from these two localities. Natur uND Haus (Berlin, December, 1894).— Herr Robert Voegler contributes an instructive article On Preparing and Stufing Mammals. Werr Paul Matschie has a note on a rare and little- known rodent from North Africa, Ctenodactylus gundi, known by natives as ‘‘gundi.” A life-size illustration gives a good idea of the appearance of this interesting little animal, which hitherto appears not to have survived in captivity more than a fortnight. Herr Bernhard Cronberger communicates his experience with regard to a new preserving material which promises fairly to oust alcohol from its time-honoured position as universal preservative medium. The substance in question is Formic aldehyde, known in Germany by the name of Fovmol (chemical formula, C Hy, O). For ordinary purposes it is diluted with water, a solution of from three to five per cent. being all that is necessary. In addition to being con- SGIENGE-GOSSIE. sequently much cheaper than alcohol, it has still other qualities which recommend its use to curators of museums, since in case of a fire the contents of the vessels would of course rather prevent than assist the spread of conflagration. But above all it has the advantage of preserving the objects in its natural colours. The writer, during a visit to Frankfort 0/M., was shown by Professor Dr. Boettger some reptiles preserved in this medium, which looked as if but recently killed, while as a matter of fact, they had been in the liquid for several months. Slugs also remain almost perfectly life-like. For plants and fruits this medium appears very desirable, as it is unable to extract chlorophyl. It NATURALISTA SICILIANO (Palermo, September, 1894). On The Leptomastax of Upper Italy, by Prof. Andrea Fiori. The Cynipide of Sicily, by T. de Stefani. The author gives a tabular review of the synonymy of the gall-wasps of Sicily, in which the parthenogenetic forms are compared with the sexual forms, and several of the galls are described and figured. Signor Augusto Paulumbo continues an article on The Zoology and Botany of the Selinus Shore, the last instalment appeared in the same publication four years ago. ANNAES DE SclEncIAS NATURAES (Oporto, i. No. 4, October, 1894). Dr. Lopes Vieira contri- butes a note on Lepzdopus argentens, accompanied by two plates, illustrating two specimens in the Museum of Coimbra. The editor, Dr. Augusto Nobre, catalogues the marine mollusca collected by Senor Joas Cardoso, junior, in the Cape Verde Islands. Mr. Edwin J. Johnson continues his Floral Calendayv, and Mr. W. C. Tait his article on The Birds of Portugal. The editor gives another instalment of his Observations on the Nervous System, and Zoological Affinities of some Terrestrial Pulmonata, the present number containing Helix aspersa (the common garden-snail), and Plutonia atlantica, with two plates of anatomical details. JouRNAL DE L’ANATOMIE ET DE LA PuHysio- LOGIE (Paris, 1894, reprint). Researches on Experi- mental Dwarfing, by Henri de Varigny. The learned doctor informs us in his prefatory remarks, that he was led to experiment upon the influence of environment by the curious results obtained by certain Japanese horticulturists, as witnessed during the International Exhibition of 1889, in Paris. He also refers to Carl Semper’s experiments with the pond snail (Limnega stagnalis), which induced him to repeat ihis eminent zoologist’s work. He took as subjects, Limnea stagnalas and L. auricularis, and gives his results under different headings, 7.c., (r) influence of temperature, (2) influence of quantity of food, (3) influence of aération, (4) in- fluence of volume, (5) influence of surface, (6) in- fluence of number, (7) influence of the nature of the water, and he concludes that the first factor, within a certain compass, may be eliminated ; likewise the second and third, while the fourth appears to be of importance, since within certain limits, as the volume of water was increased, so the size of the snails increased; beyond five litres no difference in size could be ascertained; while increase of surface, within limits also, had a still more apparent effect; both the former conditions being identical» the increase of number of snails had a dwarfing effect. Want of space prevents us going into further details of this very interesting paper, and we must therefore refer our readers interested in the subject to the paper itself, which forms a very important contribution to biology. SCIENCE-GOSSIP. AST CoNDUCTED By ALICE EVERETT, M.A. (Hon. Secretary of the British Astronomical Association.) RASESMMESELS. Position at Noon, him. hom. R.A, Dec. 1894-5. A.M. P.M MN, Sun RID ECHAL) Vocch (GIQMEIMENS #571) ro LOsd9) se 2OunL Se ian Toe es Siowerenean4) | 6s) 10190)/-09 2lesor Ny) ZON ean AS Meee 25) oc) ZOO) 5, 2Omge Souths. Sets. P.M. P.M. Moon - IDyetes SRY cg pA2) nS NG) A.M. JEN WEF oa ZIG} con Rises. Souths. P.M. A.M. yn LS=TA aes Fs20ncs 2552 A.M. AD coo, SS) coo!) Gort Souths. Sets. A.M. P.M. Mercury... He con Wanye | SYS 18.25 24° 434 S P.M. Pe RE Sonn, BIE) coc earth 19.36 ... 23° 38? fo ES coe ASTI) ce Gi) PROG? mp Ao 10! Venus ... i) EL Peeeo'Q ares 14.32 19.21 23a! Sy able Gos EGE co eleS{a) 20.14. 21° ro! 9 2B co Bei 5.31 21.6 Do Ad A.M. WIG x8 mp 2 con GAH een Paulo) 1.52 12° 38’ N MINA ono (Oi ea 2.8 T4012! A) BIER non) OLAP cae ha) — oon HS 15° 5 Rises. Souths. P.M. P.M. Fupiter ... cen BAS) cco BHI) ope, NOHO) cnn sie Gi! 1 BR doa ashe eco CMO) eicpa yeaa) og ele 27/7 A.M. A.M. Saturn... he? PP pa FRSIO) Vand LEtesLE) goo THO Ss EE) ec. ASE Geo 2 OS See i itlong etna] Uranus ... » 2 By cco aH) ee BENG. om a? SY Sh P.M. P.M. INQPUTHO cos py ecm PAR MOS ace) ESL aca Bel G77 INIo Moon’s PHASES. New ... Dec. 27...2.20am. 1st Qy. ...Jan.4 ... 7.52 a.m. Pull... Janu. w+. 6.50a.m. LastiQr.... 4; 17... 10.55 p.m. Meteors.—A large meteor shower is due on January 2nd. Radiant point at a 230° 8+ 53°. THE NORWEGIAN STATIONS FOR THE TOTAL SoLar EcLipsE oF AuGusT, 1896.—At the meetings of the Royal Astronomical Society on December 14th, and of the British Astronomical Association on December 19th, Colonel Burton Brown, R.A., F.R.A.S., F.G.S., gave an account of his recent explorations in Northern Norway, with a view to looking for observing-stations for the 1896 eclipse. The interior of the country was practically trackless and inaccessible. Accommodation was very scarce, and no reliance could be placed upon guide-books. Those who desired to climb to mountain sites would find it difficult to obtain assistance in carrying impedimenta, and conveyance of heavy instruments to stations far from a village or road would be out of the question. A mountain site, however, in any case, would probably not be advantageous, as cloud banks seemed to collect about the summits. There were several feasible stations on the west coast, where, however, the sun would be very low at the time of the eclipse. But the western stations were considerably nearer England than the eastern, and - probably those who did not wish to make accurate 261 scientific observations would find it their best plan to take a steamer and cruise about in the region of the track of totality. On the east coast, beyond the North Cape, there was a town, Vardo, where the conditions were nearly as good as on the central line, and where second-class hotel accommodation could be obtained. Vadso, further south on the Vavanger I*jord, was on the central line, but was merely a fishing village. Probably, however, by arrangement beforehand, some temporary structure might be erected to serve as an hotel. INSTRUMENT FOR THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF MerTeEors.—The incomparably greater accuracy with which the direction and radiant point of a meteor can be obtained by photography as com- pared with eye observation, has led the authorities of Yale University Observatory to have an instru- ment made for the purpose. It consists of a tubular axis about twelve feet long with cross-axes carrying four or more cameras which can be directed to different parts of the sky, the whole being driven by clockwork to counteract the Earth’s diurnal rotation. ‘WHAT SHALL WE DO WITH OUR PHOTOGRAPHS ?”’ —This question, which in view of the rapid pro- gress of celestial photography is becoming a very important one, has been recently discussed by Professor Turner in ‘‘The Observatory.’’ To explore a photograph fully two elements must be measured, the position of any point and the density of the photographic deposit at that point. For determinations of position a micrometer is used, for determinations of density some kind of photo- meter or light-measurer, such as Captain Abney’s, which measures the amount of light obstructed by the photographic deposit at any point of a negative, by the method of revolving sectors. An account of this instrument, in whose powers Professor Turner has strong faith, is given in his article, and he considers it to be certainly the instrument with which to explore photographs of nebule, and possibly thus to obtain some information as to changes in these wonderful bodies. Professor Turner concludes his article with the following remarks: ‘‘ There is abundance of work for any number of these instruments, with the certainty of reward in results of great interest. . . . New work is not only possible, but is urgent. There are plenty of people taking photographs—nay, there are plenty of photographs already taken—to keep employed a whole army of workers for years to come. Many, who cannot afford an observatory or even a large telescope, may be able to afford a micrometer or photometer, or both, and may measure some of the photographs which others have taken. The amateur of moderate means may do work of the greatest value without the necessity for great expense and without the discomforts of open-air observing to which Dr. Roberts refers so feelingly in his beautiful book of photographs. Surely it is time to think seriously of these things! ”’ A propos of recent metropolitan events, it is curious to read that a well-known German astro- nomer has been obliged to move his observatory on account of the distraction caused by a neigh- bouring music-hall. Apparently no less a move would suffice than one to another and distant town ; so things must have been pretty bad, though history does not state whether it was in the observations or their makers that the regrettable disturbance of equilibrium occurred. Roya InstTiTuTIon.—A general monthly meet- ing of the Members of the Royal Institution was held on the 3rd December. Sir James Critchton- Browne presiding. The following gentlemen were elected members. The Rev. J. O. Bevan, Messrs. H. T. Brown, F.R.S., H. S. Keating, G. Lindo, S. Morse, E. Steinkopff, G. J. Stoney, F.R.S., C. L. Tuckey, M.D., A. E. Western, C. Wightman, and G. W. Wolff, M.P. The special thanks of the members were returned to Mr. Ludwig Mond and Dr. William S. Playfair for donations towards the fund for the Promotion of Experimental Research at Low Temperatures. The following lecture arrangements were announced: Professor J. A. Fleming, F.R.S., six lectures (adapted to a juvenile auditory) on ‘‘ The Work of an Electric Current’’; Professor Charles Stewart, twelve lectures on “‘ The Internal Framework of Plants and Animals’”’: Mr. William Samuel Lilly, four lectures on ‘‘ The English Humourists of the Nineteenth Century ”’ ; Mr. L. Fletcher, F.R.S., three lectures on “Meteorites’’: Dr. Samuel Rawson Gardiner, three lectures on ‘‘ Three Periods of Seventeenth Century History ’’—(1) The Monarchy; (2) The Commonwealth; (3) The Restoration. Dr. E. B. Tyler, F.R.S., two lectures on ‘‘Animism’’; Mr. Lewis F. Day, three lectures on ‘‘ Stained Glass Windows and Painted Glass from the point of view of Art and Craftmanship’’; Dr. A. C. Mackenzie, three lectures on ‘‘Music,’’ with musical illustrations; The Right Hon. Lord Rayleigh, six lectures. The Friday evening meetings will commence on January 18th, when Professor Dewar will deliver a discourse on ‘‘ Phosphorescence and Photographic Action of the Temperature of Boiling Liquid Air.” Succeed- ing discourses will probably be given by Sir Colin Scott-Moncrieff, Mr. Henry Irving, Dr. G. Sims Woodhead, Mr. Clinton T. Dent, Professor A. Schuster, Professor A. W. Riicker, Professor Roberts-Austen, Professor H. E. Armstrong, The Right Hon. Lord Rayleigh, and other gentlemen. Roya METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY.—T he monthly meeting of this Society was held on Wednesday evening, the 19th inst., at the Institution of Civil Engineers, Great George Street, Westminster, Mr R. Inwards, F.R.A.S., President, in the chair. Twenty-six new Fellows were elected. Mr. H. Southall, F.R. Met. Soc., read a paper on ‘‘ Floods in the West Midlands,” in which he gave an interesting account of the great floods which have occurred in the rivers Severn, Wye, Usk and Avon. He has collected a valuable record of the floods on the Wye, at Ross, which he arranges in three classes, viz.:—(I) primary or highest of all, those of 14 feet 6inches, and above; (2) secondary, those with a height of 12 to 144 feet; and (3) tertiary, those with a height of 10 to 12 feet. The dates of the floods above 14 feet 6 inches are as follows :— 1770, November 16th and 18th; 1795, February rith and 12th; 1809, January 27th; 1824, Novem- ber 24th; 1831, February roth; 1852, February 8th and November 12th. The height of the recent flood on November 15th, 1894, was 14 feet 3 inches, SCIENCE-GOSSIP. which was higher than any flood since November, 1852. The flood on the Avon, at Bath, on November 15th, 1894, is believed to have been the highest on record. Mr. R. H. Scott, F.R.S., gave an account of the proceedings of the Inter- national Meteorological Committee, at Upsala in August last, with special reference to their recom- mendations on the classification of clouds and the issue of a cloud atlas. A paper by Mr.S.C. Knott was also read, giving the results of meteorological observations made at Mojanga, Madagascar, during 1892 to 1894. THE SovuTH LonDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NaturaL History Socirety.—22nd November, Mr. E. Step, President, in the chair. Mr. Barrett exhibited on behalf of Mr. Sydney Webb, of Dover, a grand series of varieties of Arctia villica, varying from one with very few black markings to one almost wholly suffused with black. Also, on behalf of Major Still, specimens of Lepidoptera taken on Dartmoor this year to show the apparent influence of the extreme humidity, among them being a black example of Plusia gamma, a deep-toned Cidaria sitevata, with a green marginal border on the hind wing, a much suffused black form of Polyommatus phigas, and dark vars. of Pararge megeva, and P. egevia. Mr. R. Adkin, on behalf of Mr. R. E. Dillon, a number of Irish lepidoptera, including Tenocampa gothica, var. gothicina, a red var. of T. gracilis, a dark specimen of Aflecta nebulosa, and an almost black Boarmia repandata. Mr. Tutt, a large number of Rhopalocera captured near Aix-les-Bains on August 22nd, including Leucophasia sinapis, Colias edusa, C. hyale, Satyrus arethusa, and vars. S. briscis, with a very fine var., Erebia aethiops, and several of the genera Argynnis, Lycena, and Melitea, and he read notes on them ; also specimens of Lycena egon, and L. argus, asking if anyone could point out satisfactory differentiating charac- ters. A discussion ensued. Mr. Fremlin, a fine specimen of Cherocampa celevio, captured at the S. Foreland lighthouse on August 12th, 1894. Mr. Mansbridge, two bred series of Selenia bilunayvia, from Horsforth and York, including a few juliavia, Haw. One female had only the central band developed. Mr. Moore, Pieris daplidice, from Blois. Mr. Tutt read a paper entitled, ‘‘Zygena transal- pina, Esp., and its varieties,’ and exhibited a large number of specimens, one being set to show the curious tufts of feather scales, said to be scent glands, which exist at the anal cavity. Mr. Adkin read a paper entitled ‘ Reflections upon odd Rambles upon the Sussex Downs,” and: exhibited a number of specimens captured near Eastbourne during his holiday there. A discussion ensued on the various habits Rhopalocera have for effectually concealing themselves. Mr. Tutt re- ferred to Erebia tyndarus, Esp., which drops down, falls over sidways and so wriggles on the cow- paths of the High Alps until it reaches some overhanging tuft of grass under which it rests — NORFOLK AND NORWICH NATURALISTS’ SociIETY. —A meeting was held at the Library, on 27th November, the President (Dr. Plowright) in the chair. Mr. W. G. Clarke, of Thetford, read a paper on ‘Norfolk Flint Implements.’ After referring to the great antiquity of man, and the comparatively recent dawn of civilisation when compared with the great pre-historic period which embraces the Paleolithic, Neolithic, Bronze, and part of the Iron ages, the different divisions were reviewed separately. When primeval man roamed the land, he found the necessity for weapons and SCIENCE-GOSSIP. utensils, and from desultory throwing of stones at wild animals, would conceive the idea of chipping them to a certain shape, and other implements would inevitably follow. Discoveries made in the river gravels of England and France furnish the oldest remains of man we yet possess, as it has yet to be definitely proved that man was pre-glacial. Reference was then made to the discoveries of lake- dwellings in the meres of West Wretham, and to the discovery of oyster-shells with charcoal at Thetford. Excavations for flint first took place in the Neolithic age, and the methods of working at Grime’s graves were described, and also the process of manufacturing implements after the flint had been raised. The varieties of implements embrace arrowheads, axes, adzes, chisels, awls, fabricators, daggers, hammers, sling-stones, scrapers, knives, saws and borers, the word ‘‘celt’’ having been dis- carded by scientific men. The varieties of each class were then enumerated, also the specimens of Neolithic surface-implements, about 160 in number, to illustrate the paper. The Brandon forgeries and the specimens present were mentioned in detail. In the discussion that ensued much interest was manifested in a double-edged saw, not two inches in length, and yet with over thirty teeth on each edge, a double hollow scraper, a small awl, fabricator, and a slingstone made of ivory, presum- ably from a mammoth’s tusk. Mr. H. D. Geldart, on behalf of Col. Feilden, read ‘‘ Notes on the Flora of Spitsbergen,”’ in which Col. Feilden described the aspect of the country about Advent Bay, which opens on the south side of Ice Fiord, at the foot of a valley at present free from glaciers and not occupied by permanent snow or ice, well watered, and sheltered to the north and east by precipices. This situation, and the influence of the warm Atlantic current, which sets into Ice Fiord, render the neighbourhood of Advent Bay one of the most fertile spots in the whole of the Polar area, and it abounds in various yellow Ranunculus; white and yellow Drabas ; purple, white and yellow Savxifrages, Silene acaulis, Dryas octopetala, Pedicularis hirsuta, and Casstope tetvagona ; while close to the sea the shore is fringed with Mertensia maritima, the only blue flower of the Arctic flora. Col. Feilden had only the opportunity of collecting plants for a few hours during the first week in July in three localities, viz., Advent Bay and Green Harbour in Ice Fiord, lat. 78°, N., and at Danes Island, lat. 80°, N., but he succeeded in obtaining between forty and fifty out of the 116 flowering plants known to be found in Spitsbergen. The exact number he got being un- certain, on account of the difficulty of identifying the species of Dyaba, most of these plants, including all mentioned by him in his notes, were exhibited, and remarks made as to their distribution, by Mr. Geldart, who also alluded to the sad and sudden death of Capt. Townely-Parker, with whom, in his yacht, the Saide, Col. Feilden sailed this year. Dr. Plowright exhibited a specimen of the black variety of the water-vole, killed at Walsingham in June last. Mr. J. B. Bridgman, F.L.S., exhibited a fine specimen of a female ichneumon (Pezomachus corruptor), bred from the larva of Cionus scrophularia, a beetle Mr. Thouless took at Horsford in August, 1894. This was interesting, as it was the first instance Mr. Bridgman had met with of any member of the genus Pezomachus having been bred from Coleoptera. HERTFORDSHIRE NatTurAL History SocieETy.— The annual Fungus Foray was held on Saturday, October 13th, Aldbury. The members, who numbered more 1894, in the neighbourhood of. 263 than at any previous fungus foray of the Society, assembled at Tring Station at half-past ten, and walked through the village of Aldbury and up the slopes of Monebury Hill to the Bridgewater Monument, being busily at work all the way. Some then walked to Little Gaddesden for lunch, while the most enthusiastic fungologists prosecuted their investigations. The meeting was under the direction of Mr. Hopkinson, and the fungi which were collected were determined by Mr. George Massee, of Kew, Mr. Saunders, of Luton, recording the Mycetozoa. About 180 species were found, being the largest number hitherto met with at a fungus foray, and including many new to the county. AsTON NaTurAL HistoR AND PHOTOGRAPHIC Society.—The distribution of medals and certifi- cates awarded at the recent exhibition of the above society, was made at Burlington Hall, on Thursday, November 22nd, by Mr. A. W. Wills, J.P., Dr. Richard Norris presiding. At the close of this part of the programme, Mr. Wills gave a lecture on ‘‘Burmah and the Burmese,” profusely illus- trated with photographs, taken during a recent visit to that country. The views were of a most interesting description and comprised pictures of bamboo forest, jungle and temples. The people were described as advanced, industrious and chaste. The remaining part of the evening was taken up with an exhibition of members’ work, some mag- nificent pictures being thrown on the screen. GREENOCK NaturAL History Society.—The first ordinary meeting of the seventeenth session was held on October 22nd. Mr. John Ballantyne, of Rothesay, gave a demonstration in mounting microscopic slides, in the course of which he showed how to prepare and mount various animal and vegetable tissues. A large mumber of beauti- fully- mounted slides, which had been prepared by Mr. Ballantyne, were shown under numerous microscopes. Mr. Ballantyne also exhibited a specimen of Claudiuwm mariscus, which he had found last August in the Bull Loch, Bute, and which has not been previously reported from that neighbour- hood. Mr. M. F. Dunlop exhibited under the microscope a living specimen of Cristatella mucedo, which he had found in a neighbouring pond for the first time. The Secretary exhibited, on behalf of Mr. William Horn, samples of raw beet sugar and beet molasses extracted from beetroots cultivated in Greenock. The beets had an average weight of 1°35 pounds, and showed on analysis 12°8 per cent of crystallisable sugar. The beets were uprooted on October 13th, and subjected to the process adopted in Germany, by Dr. Baumann and Mr. Wm. Horn, of the Roxburg Street Sugar Refinery, Greenock, the result being the very excellent samples submitted to the meeting. The experiment is important from the fact that this is probably the first instance in Scotland, of the actual production of sugar from beetroots by the process indicated.—On 26th November, the President, Mr. Andrew Kerr, read a paper on the ‘‘Structure of Seeds,’’ illustrated by the microscope. Mr. IT. L. Patterson, F.1I.C., F-C:s., exhibited a number of plants of sorghum sugar- cane, which had been grown at Gartcosh by Mr. John McGlasham, who contributed some interesting notes regarding his experiments. The seeds were planted in May, some in the open air in a protected position and a southern exposure, and others in a box of earth in a greenhouse, and after the plants had attained 264 a height of about three inches were transplanted into separate pots. The canes grown under glass were kept at the usual temperature of a vinery until they had attained a height of two feet, when they were transplanted into a hothouse in which the temperature rose during the day to 100° Fahr. Canes grown in this way attained a height of seven and a half feet, and two of the specimens exhibited had grown fine heads, The best plant grown in the open air, attained a height of only ten inches. The best results, Mr. McGlasham thought, would be attained by planting the seeds early in March, and growing each seed in a separate pot from the first, so as to avoid damaging the roots when transplanting.—G. W. Niven, Hon. Sec., 27, Brymner Street, Greenock. THE CAGE-BirD CLUB.—We have received the « Transactions,” for October and November, of this club, which has its headquarters at the Inns of Court Hotel, London, W.C., where the honorary secretaries may be addressed. The club list now numbers no less than 5,000 persons, who may be described as actively interested in the study (or pleasure of keeping) cage-birds. Dr. W. F. Green is Chairman of theclub. Atits meetings the papers read and discussions are interesting to others than those possessing a taste for the objects of the club. The ‘‘ Transactions,”’ which are elegantly produced (published by Elliot Stock), appear to be issued monthly, and contain the papers read at meetings, with reports of the discussions. The paper read at the October meeting was upon ‘‘ Hybrids,” by Dr. J. Denham Bradburn. In speaking of hybrids between goldfinch, canary and bullfinch, the lecturer drew a diagram of a triangle, placing gold- finch at its apex, canary at the left-hand angle and bullfinch at right angle. The line from canary to goldfinch is marked ‘‘easy,”’ that from goldfinch to bullfinch ‘‘ difficult, but certain,’ and the lower line from canary to bullfinch ‘‘ very difficult, but to be done.” The canary seems to be the bird, as one might expect from its artificial condition, which will most readily hybridize with other finches. Dr. Bradburn places the following order as that in which canary mules are obtained. Gold- finch-canary, then linnet-canary, redpole-canary, siskin-canary and greenfinch-canary being frequent, the last, like the bullfnch-canary, being attended with some difficulty. The lecturer stated that only from very healthy parents on both sides, might hybrids be expected. The paper is one of con- siderable interest, and evoked an active discussion which included albinism in mules.—{J.T.C. ] NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS. To CORRESPONDENTS AND EXCHANGERS.—SCIENCE-GOSSIP is published on the 25th of each month. All notes or other communications should reach us not later than the 18th of the month for insertion in the following number. No com- munications can be inserted or noticed without full name and address of writer. Noticre.—Contributors are requested to strictly observe the following rules. All contributions must be clearly written on one side of the paper only. Words intended to be printed in italics should be marked under with a single line. Generic names must be given in full, excepting where used immediately before. Capitals may only be used for generic, and not specific names. Scientific names and names of places to be written in round hand. Tue Editors are not responsible for unused MSS., neither can they undertake to return them, unless accompanied with stamps for return postage. SUBSCRIPTIONS.—Subscriptions to Sc1ENCE-GossiP, at the rate of 5s, for twelve months (including postage), may com- mence at any time. SCIENCE-GOSSIP. THE Editors will be pleased to answer questions and name specimens through the Correspondence column of the maga- zine. Specimens, in good condition, oi not more than three species to be sent at one time, carriage paid. Duplicates only to be sent, which will not be returned. The specimens must have identifying numbers attached, together with lecality, date and particulars of capture. ALL communications, remittances of subscriptions, books or instruments for review, specimens for identification, etc., are to be addressed to Joun T. CArrINGTON, 1, Northumber- land Avenue, London, W.C. CORRESPONDENCE. T. B. FLETCHER (West Norwood).—‘‘ Natur und Haus”’ is published in Berlin. Write to the Editor, who will give you the particulars. H. Poort (Shanklin).—We are sorry to say that your specimens were so crushed in transit through post-office as to be lost. All delicate objects should come in a strong box, A tin match-box would have done. A. Draprer (Sheffield)—Mother Carey’s (chicken) is a sailor’s corruption of mater cava, and is generally applied to all the ocean petrels, but more especially to the storm-petrel. In like manner the great black petrel (Procellaria gigantea) of the Pacific Ocean is called Mother Carey’s goose. GEORGE OLpFIELD (Norton Malton). — Your Chipping Norton fossil is Cypriardia intermedia of Mid Lias, We could not find anything in the two small black paper packets. E W. HETHERINGTON (Nenthead).—“‘ The Mineral Collector” is published at 58, Pearl Street, New York, monthly, price ten cents, or one dollar per annum; we do not know that it is sold in England. The insect is the common cockroach (Periplaneta orientalis). Rest next month. EXCHANGES. Norice.—Exchanges extending to thirty words (including name and address) admitted free, but additional words must be prepaid at the rate of threepence for every seven words or less. OFFERED, 500 specimens of Aculeate hymenoptera (un- named), collected in Perthshire in 1894. Wanted, lantern slides of insects.—I. M. McGregor, The Mills, Morse Cross, Perth. PoLISHED Geological specimens of Devonian corals and sponges, British shells, fossils, unmounted microscopic objects to offer. Wanted, Iceland spar, also a microscope ; first-class exchanges.—J. Sclater, Strand, Teignmouth. OFFERED, several specimens of Bullcea hydatis, and a quantity of foreign shells. Wanted, preserved British sea- urchins, starfish and marine shells——H. Poole, Uplands, - Shanklin, tsle of Wight ““Tr NATURALIST’S JOURNAL,” from July to December, and ‘‘ The Ornithologist,” from January to July, 1894.—What offers in side-blown birds’ eggs to R. J. Waller, 4, Pier Terrace, Lowestoft. WANTED, cuckoos’ eggs with those of foster parents, especially thrush, blackbird, pied flycatcher, house-sparrow, tree-sparrow, lesser redpoll, red-backed shrike, cirl-bunting. —W. Wells Bladen, Stone, Staffordshire. OFFERED, Lepidoptera — ophthalmicana, octomaculana, graminis, variata, firmata, munitata, lignata, comitata, populata, imminata testata. Wanted, various Lepidoptera, butterflies preferred—R. H. Watt, 4, Buchanan Terrace, Paisley. ; WaAnTED, L.C., 8th Ed., 1326, 1338, 1341, 1342, 1345, 1349, 1350, 1359, 1768, 1774, 1776, 1779, 1780, 1784, 1786, 1795, 1797, 1805, 1808, 1810, 1823, 1827, 1830, 1831, in exchange for rare and local South of Ireland and other plants.—R. A. Phillips, Ashburton, Cork. OFFERED, eggs of gannet and fulmar-petrel. Wanted, Many common species of British birds’ eggs.—W. Hy. Heathcote, M.C.S., Preston. For exchange, 100 eggs of osprey in sets, also noddy, sooty and Caspian terns, and 100 other species of rare eggs, likewise fine birdsand skins —W. Raine, 181, Bleeker Street, Toronto, Canada. SECTION-CUTTER (Valentine’s knife) in exchange for photographic accessories, as dishes, printing-frames, etc., or cash; knife is almost new.—A. H. Locock, 26, Courtfield Gardens, London, S.W. : Wuat offers for microscope; Roy, Zeiss, Rocking and other microtomes; objectives by Zeiss, Spencer, Ross, Wray; bacteriological and photomicrographic apparatus ; botanical and anatomical unmounted sections? —A. J. Doherty, 63, Burlington Street, Manchester. WANTED, Helix aspersa, vars. conoidea, nigrescens, grisea, unicolor, marmorata, albofasciata, albescens and virescens; Limmnzea palustris, vars. fasciata, roseolabiata, glubosa, obesa and angulata. Offered, marine shells.— James Simpson, 6, St. Andrew Street, North Aberdeen. Britisu, land, freshwater and marine shells, a few foreign, foreign stamps and set of Tuck’s door-panels, ‘“‘ Autumn Leaves,” new, cost 158, What offers?—M. A. Oldroyd, Faversham, Kent. SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 265 SCIENCE-GOSSIP—NEW SERIES. IMPORTANT. ANNOUNCEMENT. R)N consequence of the repeated suggestions made by friends and subscribers of ScrENcCE-GossiP a circular with voting-card attached accompanied the Magazine last issued, asking the opinion of the readers generally as to whether it was advisable to somewhat increase the number of pages and illustrations, and improve the production of Sc1ENcE-GossIP, raising the price to Sixpence Monthly. It is highly satisfactory to find by the very large proportion of these voting papers returned how universal among its readers is the interest taken in our Journal. It has been equally satisfactory to find, from day to day, how closely the average of voting for and against the proposed alterations has been sustained. The result of the poll has been a fraction over 94 per cent. in favour of the change. Many of those who have voted against the enlargement have explained that they did so fearing that it might lead to the loss of some subscribers. Another interesting and useful result of this poll has been the valuable suggestions we have received as to the conduct of the magazine. This we very fully appreciate, and it shows the advantage of a closer relation between editor and reader than appears in most magazines. We ‘sincerely trust that our readers will more frequently take the trouble to give us their opinions, and criticise the management of SciENcE-GossiP; nevertheless, we cannot help observing how many of those who complain that their special subjects are neglected, are just those who never contribute even a short note to our pages. Our readers must remember that a magazine such as this depends largely for interest upon what some of the writers appear to consider to be notes of little value. Such communications often produce new facts, for it is those which are understood and discussed by the many, whereas the obscure subject passes without discussion, in consequence of few readers knowing anything about it. Whatever may be our own views on the question of change of price, we do not consider that we should hesitate when so large a proportion as 94 per cent. have voted in favour of the alteration. Therefore, the new volume, commencing with the next number, will be subject to the increased price and enlargement. With regard to our annual subscribers, the magazine will be posted immediately on publication. The Subscription, including postage, will in future be Six SHILLINGS AND SIXPENCE per annum. It is now due, and should be sent to JoHn T. CArRRINGTON, 1, Northumberland Avenue, London, W.C. We have pleasure in stating that more space will be given to notes and articles relating to Microscopy, and a department opened for correspondence among the readers. JOHN T. CARRINGTON, Editor. 266 SCIENCE-GOSSIP. THE FAUNA AND FLORA OF IRELAND. By R. F. ScuarrfFr, Ph.D., B.Sc., M.R.1.A. WiekY naturalists still look upon the animals and plants of Ireland as representing nothing but an impoverished British fauna and flora. Though the Irish fauna and flora are poor as compared with they exhibit some features of extreme interest, some species being present which are not found else- where in the British Islands, but in such distant lands as Southern Europe or North America. Great Britain, Writers of monographs on portions of the fauna and flora of Great Britain and Ireland have gone so far as to more or less ignore the latter country. Even at the present day treatises are being issued on the fauna of the British Isles without Ireland ever having been visited by the authors, or without their having even examined a complete series of I hope, therefore, that the few general remarks which I propose to make, on specimens from there. some of the more noteworthy animals and plants occurring in Ireland, may induce some of the English and Scottish naturalists to devote more attention to their sister island than they have done hitherto. When we consider the fauna of Ireland as a whole, what strikes a casual observer first, is the absence of such familiar forms of life as the common shrew mouse, the mole, the weasel, the various kinds of voles, and many other mammals. Instead of the common English hare, we find in Ireland the arctic or moun- tain hare. But here it is not confined to the mountains as in Scotland, the Pyrenees or Alps; it lives in the plain as well as in the mountains. To the philosophic naturalist this fact suggests an interesting problem as to the origin of the arctic hare. The fact, at any rate, flatly contradicts the view generally upheld of this hare having been driven to the mountains because the climate of the plain, after the glacial period, became unsuitable for its requirements. Moreover, in Ireland this hare does not change its dress to white as it does in cold countries, but remains in its brown summer fur throughout the winter. Ornithologists will look in vain for the nightingale in Ireland, whilst birds familiar to the English naturalist, such as the wryneck, red-backed shrike, reed warbler, and green woodpecker are so scarce as not to deserve being admitted into a list of the Irish fauna. Snakes are altogether absent from Ireland, and the whole class of reptiles is represented by only a single species, viz., the common viviparous lizard (Lacerta vivipava). Even the frog, which is abundant enough in Ireland, is by many Irish naturalists denied the right to be considered a true native, and among the newts only one kind has hitherto been observed. When we examine the invertebrate fauna of Ireland, we find that in many groups the numbers of species compare favourably with those of Great Thus in the land and freshwater mollusca Ireland is not far behind Great Britain in point of the total num- Britain, being in some cases almost equal. ber of species, whilst the former include some very peculiar species altogether absent from the rest of the British Isles. A beautifully spotted slug (Geomalacus maculosus) occurs among the lichens which grow so luxuriantly on the rocks in the counties of Cork and Kerry, but has not been found elsewhere except in North Western Spain and Portugal. Not far from whence this remarkable slug was first discovered lives a water-snail in a small and almost inaccessible lake, the like of which It has hitherto been known as Limnea involuta, though it is more occurs nowhere else in the world. likely to belong to quite a distinct genus, Among butterflies, moths and beetles, there are some varieties, though probably not more than one or two species, peculiar to Ireland. A couple of caddis-flies have recently been discovered in Ireland which had not previously been recorded as British, and the large Irish house - spider (Tegenaria hibernica), and also a woodlouse (Tvicho- niscus vividus) are not known in Great Britain. Almost all of these more remarkable invertebrates have been discovered on the west coast of Ireland, but the fauna as a whole is much less rich in species than the East coast. An interesting fact is that the great majority of these animals are either found in Southern Europe or have their nearest relations there. Now when we examine the flora of Ireland, we also notice that although as a whole it is poorer in species than that of Great Britain, some interesting forms are confined to the former country. Thus the strawberry-tree (Arbutus unedo), the London- pride, or St. Patrick’s cabbage, as it ought to be called (Saxifraga umbrosa), the large bell heath SCIENCE-GOSSIP. (Menziesia polifolia), the Mediterranean heath (Erica mediterranea), and the large - flowered butterwort (Pinguicula grandiflora) occur nowhere else in the British Islands ; however, all these reappear again in Southern Europe. Every one of them, too, is found on the west coast. But besides these southern plants, two species occur on the west coast of Treland, which, though unknown elsewhere in Europe, have been found in North America. These are Spisanther gemmipara and Sisyrhinchium anceps. All these facts of the geographical distribution of animals and plants are of much greater importance than it would at first sight appear. The southern relationship of not only the few more remarkable species which were mentioned, but that of the whole Irish fauna and flora, points undoubtedly to a former land connection of Ireland with the south. Whether a direct land passage existed between the south-west of Ireland and Spain, as the late Prof. E. Forbes believed, or whether Ireland was con- nected with France by way of the south-west of England, are questions which have not as yet been definitely settled. Ireland has also a good many species in common with Scotland, so that it may be 267 assumed that these. two countries were also con- nected at no very distant geological period. The soundings made in the Irish Sea have brought to light the interesting fact that there is a deep hollow, over one hundred miles long, which, at the time when Ireland may have been connected with the south-west of England in the south and Scotland in the north, probably formed a fresh-water lake. These and many other attractive problems sug- gest themselves to naturalists as a result of a study of the fauna and flora, and they are of much help to the geologist in mapping out the changes in the physical geography which the British Islands have undergone during the recent periods of geological history. Ireland still offers a great field of study to the zoologist and botanist. Many new discoveries and additions to the fauna and flora have been made known to the world in the columns of the ‘ Irish Naturalist,’ which should be consulted by all those who wish to spend their summer holidays in visiting the still unexplored regions of the west coast. Science and Art Museum, Dublin; Fanuary, 1895. DENDRITES. By Joun T. CarRINGTON. will be remembered by readers of ScIENCE GossIP that there was figured (ante page 85), a group of dendritic crystals, observed by Mr. A. F. Tait, in the pages of a book. This subject has evidently excited con- siderable interest, as manifested by the fre- quent communications which have been sent to this magazine since Mr. Tait’s notes appeared. Recently Mr. W. Gamble of New Brompton, Kent, kindly placed at my disposal for examina- tion, a box containing a large number of specimens of fractured flints found in the neighbourhood of Chatham, showing various arborescent patterns upon them, caused by dendritic crystallization of some metal oxide, probably oxide of manganese or peroxide ofiron. Three of these examples I have had figured as illustrations of the extremely beautiful arborescence in flints which may be found by those who have patience to look for such specimens. [2 Dendrite on Flint in Mr. W. Gamble’s collection Before quoting Mr. Gamble’s notes on this sub- ject, it may be well to recapitulate what has previously been written about it. As far back as 1814 Maculloch communicated a paper to the Geo- logical Society, which was printed in their ‘‘ Transac- tions’’ (vol. ii., page 516), on ‘‘ Vegetable Remains in Chalcedony,” referring especially to the moss-like groups in Mocha-stones, which were then, of course, well understood, as indeed were they in 1763, for in that year we find from ‘‘ The New and Complete Dictionary of Arts and Sciences, by a Society of Gentlemen,’’ that persons were warned not to think the patterns were of plant origin in ‘‘ Dendrachates,” which was a name used for ‘figured agats’’ or ‘‘Mocoa stones,” or ‘‘ phassachates.”” Maculloch, however, tried hard to prove these patterns were fossilized mosses or sea-weeds. His paper was carefully argued, and illustrated by drawings. Many metals, when held in solution in water which percolates into fissures of rocks, stones or flints, are slowly deposited as crystals, which partake of these tree-like patterns. In most collections of minerals such groups are shown, one of the most frequent being copper. There are fine examples of the kind in the Jermyn Street Museum, London, and also in the Natural History Museum at South Kensington. 268 In the ‘Journal of the Chemical Society ’’ (vol. vi., 1868, page 274), Mr. W. C. Roberts, now Mr. W. Chandler Roberts-Austin,C.B.,F.R.S.,of H.M.Mint, described and figured plant-like forms found in col- loid silica obtained by Dialysis. He says in that article: ‘‘ By bringing together 112 grains of silicate of soda, 67:2 grains of dry hydrochloric acid, and 1 litre of water, and dialysing for four days, a solu- tion of soluble silica (containing 4’9 per cent. of silicic anhydrite) remains on the parchment paper, the chloride of sodium and excess of hydrochloric acid having diffused away. This solution becomes pectous somewhat rapidly, forming a solid jelly, which may be dried into a lustrous hydrate by two days’ exposure to vacuum over sulphuric acid, or by a more protracted evaporation inair. The solid thus obtained is remarkably similar to opal from Zimapan, but contains 21°4 percent. of water. All the specimens of jelly dried in the air contained Fractured Flint, with Dendrites. From Mr. W. Gamble’s collection. dendritic forms, varying in size from o’2 millimetre too5mm. At first it seemed probable that they might be indications of the passage of colloid into crystallized silica, but when magnified to go linear, they appeared radiating fibres, and when magnified 700 times each fibre resolved itself into a series of elongated bead-cells, with clusters of circular cells at intervals.’’ On further examination these forms were found to be allied to certain common blue moulds or mildew. Proceeding, the author says, “Tt is possible that in natural agates many cellular structures may have been produced as indicated above and subsequently filled in with mineral matter.” In SciencE-Gossip, April, 1869, Dr. M. C. Cooke, the editor at the time, wrote a three-column article on ‘‘ Spots on Paper,” with an illustration, to which SCIENCE-GOSSIP. drawing there does not appear to be any reference in the letterpress. Dr. Cooke dealt with two kinds of spots—the dendritic crystals of metallic origin, then not clearly understood, and several species of true fungi—pointing out that there could be no chance of confusing the two even without the aid of a microscope. One species of fungus staining papers, viz., Myxotrichum chartarum, is described by Mr. A.H. Church, F.C.S., in ‘Annals and Magazine of Natural History,” January, 1862, with illustra- tions, one of them being like a dendrite when drawn natural size, but appearing very different when magnified. Mr. Archibald Liversidge, in ‘“‘ Journal of Chemi- cal Society’’ (vol. x., 1872, page 646), mentions that previous to his chemical examination in 1872, den- dritic or plumose spots appearing on paper do not appear to have received scientific treatment in view of ascertaining their origin, though botanists and microscopists had frequently examined them with- out arriving at any satisfactory conclusion. Indeed, Agardh and Lyngbye named the spots Conferva den- dvitica; and Schumacher placed them amongst fungi under the name Dematium olivaceum. Mr. Liversidge’s experiments with the blowpipe, which areset forth at length in his paper now referred to, proved the dendritic spots on paper to be caused by crystals of copper in combination with sulphur. Thus it appears that dendrites may have two sources of origin. In some instances, possibly by cryptogamic vegetable patterns being replaced or filled up by the infiltration of some solution con- taining metal oxide, which crystallizes in the cells formed by the vegetation; for instance, in some Mocha-stones. Most commonly, however, they are caused by a very slight fissure admitting of a thin film of saturated solution containing a metal oxide, which, on drying, leaves the crystals in tree-like forms, after the manner of the beautiful ice patterns on window-panes, made, as the children say, by Jack Frost. To return now to the arborescent flints we have figured in illustration of dendrites, which may be readily obtained by any persons who have access to flints. They make an exceptionally pretty collection, and one of some interest. We will, however, quote Mr. Gamble’s own words upon the subject : ‘“‘ The flints in question are the grey cherty flints, often partly or completely enveloping nodular black flints. These, with green-coated flints, form the flint-bed on top of chalk, and base-bed of the Thanet sands. This layer of flints is embedded in dark brown earth. Over that is from two to three feet of greensand, and probably Thanet sand and glauconite. Above that is the ordinary Thanet sand and brick earth. I give the strata because the two questions I am anxious for answers to are— whether the minerals or oxides producing the den- SGIENGE-GOSSIP: dritic formation are derived from the strata over- laying the flints, or whether the cherty flints contain the minerals in themselves. ‘‘Tn examining broken flints with a pocket-lens, many; minute cavities can be seen, containing what appears to be oxide of some mineral, with small fragments of Inoceramus and other chalk fossils. After these freshly- broken flints have been ex- posed to the atmosphere for a few days, oxides of minerals appear on the freshly-fractured surface. Flints thus treated do not produce dendritic forma- tions.. To find this arbor- escence we must with care select likely-looking complete specimens, and search with the pocket-lens for signs of a very fine fissure, so fine that it would not contain the thinnest gold leaf. Having discovered such a fissure, experience in using the hammer is necessary to enable one to produce good results. The flint being broken along a continued line of the fissure, the dendritic formation is exhibited, in fac-simile, on both faces of the old fracture which constituted the fissure. ‘The forms assumed are very varied indeed. Some remind one of Arabic writing, This forma- tion seems to overspread old dendrites that can only be faintly seen, and which appear to have become obliterated by age or exposure. A second deposit or re-formation has taken place, hence the Arabic-like characters. In other instances the den- Fractured Flint with Dendrites. Mr. W. Gamble’s collection. 269 drites form quite a landscape picture, with fore- ground, hills, valleys, and woodland in the distance. These are very wonderful, and extremely beautiful. ‘“‘T have artificially produced dendritic patterns on the clean surface of fractured flints. The way to proceed is to break the flint with a hammer; if they hap- pen to have an even surface place the two parts together again. The space between will differ very little from a natural fracture or fissure pro- duced by atmosphericinfluence. Take another flint in which there are oxides on the broken surfaces. Wash these off with water, which pour into the clean fracture of your broken flint, care being taken that the parts fit closely. Now bind with cord to prevent the two parts moving. Then place in the sun or a warm oven until all the moisture is dried out and disappeared. Then separate the two parts, and find the artificial den- drites on both surfaces of the broken flint. It is therefore certain that dendrites are produced in a very short space of time, under proper conditions.” In his investigations of the dendrites on fractured flints, the points on which Mr. Gamble would be glad of information are whether these crystals are of manganese; if so, from whence does it come, and what brings about the arborescent patterns in crystalization ? From ZXIN MEA ERAS. By Joun R. Lorn. (Concluded from page 249.) Oe examining with the microscope the hairs of different animals, they are found to present different characteristics; the size of the medulla, the arrangement of the cells forming it, and the presence of air within it, greatly tend to alter the microscopic view of ahair. In the rodents the cortex seems to send septa into the medulla, dividing it into a multitude of compartments. Such is the appear- ance when the septa are in a direct line with the observer’s eye, but if the septa are seen obliquely, a chain-like appearance is produced (fig. 3—, /). Occasionally very intricate and complicated patterns are seen (fig. 3a), and some hairs seem to have very little cortex, and a very wide medulla. A transverse section of the hair ofa pecari will show fibrous septa radiating from a central pillar to the cortex. The ’ the light falls straight upon it. N hair of the bat is seen to have successive whorls of pointed lance-like projections, like leaves without stems (‘‘Carpenter’s Microscope,” 3rd ed., p. 711). The greater part of the surface of the human body is covered with hair, but in certain positions it is found in profusion. These very small hairs which cover the body generally (/anugo), have no medulla. Races of men are characterized by different kinds of hair. The negro hair is oval in cut section, and is placed in a curved follicle; this is the reason of its curly appearance. The English hair is not quite circular in cut section, but the Japanese hair is. Dr. Lathan disputes the existence of ‘ black hair’’; he says: ‘‘anegro’s hairis black only when When seen in a cross light it has a red tinge—red, redish or brown ; 2 270 more red, however, than aught else. As the black decreases the colour becomes chestnut, auburn, bright red, sandy, flaxen, yellow, and white (so- called). However, there is no such thing as truly black hair. The word means merely—very dark.” The mode of wearing the hair is a national feature in some countries, as in China and North America. In the Anatomical Museum of the Uni- versity of Edinburgh there is the hair of a South Sea Islander chief. It is a very interesting speci- men, and a full account is given in the ‘‘ Proceed- ings of the British Association for 1892." Whena child the hair is gathered in bundles like quills and wrapped with vegetable fibres. This is carried on until the bundles are of a considerable length and the hairs are allowed to shoot ont at the end some- thing like a feather brush. The appearance of this specimen when tied around the middle is like a small corn stack, It is worn quite loose. The number of hairs in one bundle has been counted and multipled by the number of bundles, and the result is approximately 900,000 hairs on the whole scalp. The inhabitants of the Anadaman Islands shave the head completely. The people of onerace, whose name I forget, pluck out the hairs from the face, leaving them only on the tip of the chin. Barrow, in describing the hair of the Hottentoi, says: ‘‘It does not cover the whole surface of the scalp, but grows in small tufts at certain distances from each other, and, when clipped short, has the appearance and feel of a hard shoe-brush, except that it is curled and twisted into small round lumps about the size of a marrow-fat pea.”’ The length to which the human hair grows is variable. In females, excepting of negro races, its average length is about twenty-six inches. There are cases on record where the hair has grown to a most abnormal length. One often treads about hair being four to six feet in length. There was a man in the neighbourhood of the English lakes whose beard was so long that he could wrap it round his neck for a comforter. Catlin records that the hair of a chief of the Crow Indians was ten feet seven inches in length. Some American Indians allow their hair to grow very long, and keep it carefully strapped up, except on state occasions. At nearly every country fair curious growths of hair are exhibited. We shall study the function of hair in lower animals first and then in man. (i) Hair keeps the body dry. One often notices a dog in a shower of tain, how the water drains from him as it does from a house roof. Sebum is insoluble in cold water, and thus protects the roots of the hair from moisture. (2) Hair keeps the body cool in hot weather; this it does because it is a bad conductor of heat. Similarly (3) hair keeps the body warm in cold weather by preventing the heat produced in the body from radiating outwards. SCIENCE-GOSSIP. (4) The colour of the hair to some animals is a protection. It is quite evident that the hair of man is not of as much importance to him as the hairy coat is to other mammals. To men and women hair is perhaps more of an ornament than a useful structure, a remark which applies par- ticularly to the latter sex. The power of the hair to keep the head dry and to protect the brain from cold or heat, is certainly nowadays not appreciated. The eyelashes prevent particles from entering the eye, and the eyebrows prevent perspiration from flowing on to the eyelids. The moustache prevents, to a certain extent, dust, etc., from entering themouth and nostrils, a fact fully appreciated by masons and millers. The whiskers and beard protect the throat. Men who have periodic affections of the throat have greatly benefited by growing whiskers. Commercially hair is used to a greater extent than usually thought. Everybody knows that wool is the hair of the sheep. Wool differs from ordinary hair in that its scales stand out much more prominently, or are much more imbricated, causing the individual hairs to interlock, a condition of much importance in such processes as felting. Hair is also used to make carpets, lines, cement, in making micrometers, and as surgical stitches, etc. Hair is cast, like a feather is cast, after it has lived for a certain time. Baldness is a very common condition and is difficult to explain. It seems to be due in some measure to the pressure, on the blood vessels supplying nourishment to the scalp, caused by the unyielding and tight-fitting rims of felt and silk hats. It is curious to note that grey or white hair has a less tendency to fall than other kinds have. We read in Lempriére’s Classical Dictionary that 4Zschylus was very un- lucky in possessing a bald head: “‘ An eagle, with a tortoise in her bill, flew over his bald head and, supposing it to be a stone; dropped her prey upon it to break the shell, and #schylus instantly died of the blow, in the 69th year of his age, 456 B.C.” In conclusion, I would point out that hair, when one considers its great relative flexibility, elasticity and strength, the simple ingenuity of its structure and of its physiology, is entitled to be ranked with some of the best of nature’s handicrafts. By an error, the inscriptions under figs. 1 and 2, OD page 247, were transposed. New University Buildings, Edinburgh; Sept. 25th, 1894. Scarcity OF ButtTERFLIES.—Although constantly walking about the country, I do not recollect to have met witha single orange-tip (Euchle carda- mines) in 1894. These are usually plentiful in the neighbourhood, and I should not think I have ever before failed to have seen them. As an instance of the difference in succeeding seasons, in September, 1893, | counted thirty small copper butterflies at one time on the marigolds at Ealing Broadway Station.—A. Sewell, 68, Ranelagh Road, Ealing. SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 27M THE POLECAYL, By T. A. W. Rees, F.R.M.S. (pee polecat has, as its nearest of kin in the British Islands, the stoat and weasel. It is scientifically known as Mustela putovius. It has a slender, supple body, short muzzle and legs, thin wiry tail, small round ears lying flat on the skull, and sharp, cruel teeth. Whilst exceeding both stoat and weasel in size, it is comparatively thicker, too, in build and general appearance. The crea- ture is enveloped in soft, close coat of very fine fur, dirty-yellow in colour, but a coarser covering of hair, black or dark brown, stands out sparsely over this garment. On the back and tail this coarse hair is long, but short on legs, face, and throat. During the polecat’s visits to rabbit-warrens, all dew or damp loam is collected on this long hair, and does not reach the closer fur beneath, which under- garment is consequently protected from becoming matted, and the skin from growing diseased. The snout is tipped with white. On the approach of old age, the polecat assumes a venerable gown of grey. Parasites are generally found in plenty on the polecat, and in confinement the animal is usually attacked by mange. When enraged it has the power of erecting the hair along the spine and tail just in the same way as that in which an infuriated cat shows her displeasure. Its food is, to speak tersely, flesh, blood and water. Ravenous habits, the outcome of insatiable desires, are the chief characteristic of this untiring murderer, which— like a wasp that, deprived of its abdomen, still clutches its prey—would almost glory in its blood- thirstiness whilst sweating in the throes of death. Where rabbits are numerous, the polecat exists chiefly upon the brains of these rodents, though an occasional rat, field-mouse, mole, or bird is not despised as a change of diet. It hunts its prey by scent, following the trail as surely as the steadiest beagle, moving with a quick, sinuous motion, alter- nating in a series of short leaps. When pressed, a rabbit takes refuge in its warren, to be mercilessly ejected thence by its enemy and chased from burrow to burrow until, hidden in the farthest corner of its lair, or among the tangled undergrowth, the poor frightened thing is fain to give up the struggle for life, and unresistingly await, with fluttering heart, an awful death. The fittest sur- vives, the weakling goes to the wall—such is nature’s inexorable law. Sometimes, however, there is a happy exception to the rule. Perchance a violent kick from the rabbit’s hind feet may lay bare the entrails of its foe; or, if the burrow is tenanted by many occu- pants, the polecat may be baffled by the strong taint which lies on the much-frequented paths to and from the neighbouring covert. Should a par- ticular warren be frequently visited, its inhabitants will invariably migrate, in a body, to other quarters, until, in turn, driven out from these retreats, they go back to their former abode after the vile odour, which a polecat always leaves behind it, shall have passed away. The breath of putovius is strong and offensive ; its skin emits a powerful scent, and— worse than all this—a gland near the tail is full of a rank fluid, which the creature discharges at will, but only when much enraged. Terriers have been known to give up their attack directly upon the arrival of this effective aroma upon the scene. I once treated a polecat that had been trapped alive for me by holding it down with a fire-tongs at the bottom of a deep cask, whilst I stunned and after- wards killed it with a poker. Although I can put up with many a trifle, I very much question whether I could have held my nasal organ over the cask for more than the time which was occupied in be- labouring that polecat to death. The polecat chooses for its home an old drain or rabbit burrow. It will even utilise the abode of an evicted stoat, enlarging it as necessity prompts. The locality of its haunt will generally depend upon the size of the occupants ; for the polecat, though generally measuring about sixteen inches from nose to root of tail, sometimes attains a length of twenty inches. Five is the average number of the litter of young. Whilst suckling these in the warm nest of leaves or hay at the bottom of her burrow, the polecat is even more than usually ferocious; and it is at this season that the female is most generally seen, whilst hunting some fat coney from over the way among the evening shadows. Were it not for the hunger of maternity night would come before the cautious mother ventured forth. In days now past, we who were schoolboy naturalists pursued our studies of Nature’s face among the dingles and woods of what was known as the Tunnel, froma deep gully, overhung with precipitous rocks some two hundred feet high. Whilst, one day in early spring, we of the brother- hood were walking along at the foot of these crags, to visit a pond in quest of objects for our micro- scope, some loose earth and stones came crashing from the summit. Judge of our astonishment when we saw that a struggle was going on among the rolling débvis. We rushed to the spot, sticks in hand, to find that a large polecat was holding on to a kicking, squealing rabbit. The former was at once despatched, a female with teats large and flesh-coloured. The rabbit, incapable of thinking about anything but squealing and kicking, was N 3 2072 perfectly hysterical with fright, so one of us stowed away the frightened bundle of fur under his coat and carried it home, to be comforted, fed, and set once more at liberty. We found that the polecat had seized her prey by theeyelid. This is generally the point of attack, and one can well imagine the agony of the victim whilst a cruel monster is endeavouring to get at its brain, first of all tearing away the eyeball and devouring it. Sometimes SCIENCE-GOSSIP. the brain is reached from immediately between the ears, more rarely through the orifice of the ear itself. Such, then, is a brief history of this representative of the weasel family, which, accord- ‘ing to rustic belief, fascinates its victim with its piercing gaze, thus bringing on a hypnotic trance, during which the medium is incapable of self- defence. Llandyssul ; Fanuary, 1895. LARVA-NYMPH OF BRACHYTRON PRATENSE. By W. J. Wee such gorgeous and fascinating creatures as the dragon-flies are not more generally sought after by entomologists seems somewhat inexplicable, since, of course, naturalists do not share the popular prejudice which arms the insects with a sting. The reason why the larva-nymphs should meet with neglect is perhaps not so far to seek, for they have little beauty of colouring or grace of movement that we can admire, and their habitat is usually as unsavoury as it is inaccessible —the mud and decaying vegetation of stagnant ponds and slow-running streams. quaintance with these peculiar early forms of the Odonata will, however, speedily awaken a lively interest in anyone who will take the trouble—if trouble it is—to rear them. To such a one the following short note on the last stage of the nymph condition of Brachytron pratense, Mill., will perhaps be interesting. On March 23rd, 1894, while searching over some dead sticks, taken from the Basingstoke Canal, near Byfleet, in the county of Surrey, with the hope of discovering on them the fresh-water limpet (Ancylus lacustris, Linn.), specimens of which had on a previous occasion been secured by this means, I found several larva-nymphs of some A®schnine dragon-fly, of whose identity I was uncertain. Being of the same sepia-brown tint as the dead sticks, and resting with their bodies closely adpressed to them, the insects were extremely well protected from casual, as well as from close observation. Even when the sticks that bore them were held in the hand, they might have been, and indeed were, passed over as pieces of loose bark or something of that nature. It would be interesting to know whether this ‘‘ protective resemblance’’ was offensive or defensive—whether, that is, the insects were lurking in search of prey or themselves hiding from some dangerous enemy. If the truth were known, the former would probably turn out to be the case. Unfortunately but half-a-dozen specimens were taken, these being placed in a sandwich-tin with some moss. An hour or so later a boggy spot was A closer ac-. LUCAS. passed and here the moss was replaced by a quantity of wet sphagnum, in which the insects remained without taking harm from about mid-day till quite late at night, when they and the sphagnum were placed in water. The fact that they will live thus out of water, so long as they are kept damp, suggests a very convenient method of sending larva-nymphs through the post. Having no living provender with which to supply my captures, I tried small pieces of white of egg and meat, but these they treated with disdain. In consequence they remained almost without food until April 4th, before which date one of their number had been killed and partly eaten by its fellows. On April 4th, I obtained and gave thema number of fresh-water shrimps (Gammarus fluviatilis), and it was not many minutes before two at least had caught one each and commenced devouring them with evident relish. Indeed no food was taken so readily as these little. crustacea, which are easily obtained from any briskly running pebbly brook and are no less easily kept alive to assuage periodically the ravenous appetite of the youthful dragon-flies. I several times watched a capture. The hungry nymph did not attempt to hunt down its prey, but remained perfectly still and waited till a shrimp passed within striking distance of its formidable claw-like lower jaw. If the stroke was successful, notwithstanding its struggles, the shrimp was at once made a meal of. If not, the wily hunter remained as before perfectly still, till another passed, when perchance a more successful stroke was made. So suddenly is the jaw shot out and returned that an onlooker is not able to make out its shape. I once thought I would give my prisoners a treat by supplying them with some lively young tadpoles. Several were soon caught, but after being held for a short time were invariably set free, their captors seeming by their actions to show feelings of dislike. Tadpoles as food have been suggested, and possibly all dragon-fly nymphs may not be equally fastidious. I ought to say, however, that the tadpoles after- wards disappeared and may have been eaten after SCLENCE-GOSSIP. all. But nevertheless, anyone breeding the nymphs of the larger dragon-flies could not do better than try Gammarus fluviatilis first. Crawling along the surface of the mud or stones at the bottom of the water, the motion of these crea- tures is sluggish enough, but in case of need they have another means of locomotion. Breathing is carried on by extracting from it the oxygen dis- dissolved in water, and expelling the exhausted liquid rythmically from the aperture at the pos- terior end of the body surrounded by the five spines. By a forcible expulsion, the insect is enabled to move rapidly through the water by a series of jerks. As an instance of the force with which the water can be 21,3 moulting, while its body was soft and unprotected, a small one was preserved in spirit for future refer- ence, and two emerged, a male on May 19th, anda female May 24th. The latter, in the nymph state, had been deficient in partof its right middle leg, and the imago also appeared with but half that useful appendage. In colour, the larva- nymphs of Brachytron pratense are a fairly uni- fom dark sepia-brown, though slightly mottled in places. Segments six to nine of the somewhat long and slender abdomen bear a pair of short lateral spines. Of the five anal spines, the ventral pair are the longest, the lateral ones shortest, and the dorsal one blunt. Along the cen- tral region of the dorsal surface of the abdomen is expelled, I may mention a broadish that on one occasion a vague line, spot was ejected two feet rather dar- from the receptacle in ker than which the insects were the ground living. The legs are used colour and to assist the forward LARVA-NYMPH OF BRACHYTRON bearing a motion somewhat as a Pee Bae A central, frog’s are in swimming, B, processes at base of fore- narrow, being kept close to the fees Rene nS slightly sides during the progress lighter of each dart forward and spread out at the com- mencement of the next. On one occasion I noticed a nymph swimming on its back. Of my six specimens, one died when on the point of emergence, two were killed and partly eaten by their fellows, one of them just after line. There are also on each segment a few tiny black dots regularly placed. The processes at the base of the fore-legs are close together, the anterior one being about twice as long and but half as broad as the posterior. Gordon Road, Kingston-on-T hames ; Fanuary 3rd, 1895. ILLUSTRATING SOUND-CURVES. By JosEPH GOoLp. (Concluded from page 246.) M Y few explanatory remarks must be chiefly con- fined to what may be called ‘‘ musical curves”; that is, curves whose vibration ratios are identical, or nearly so, with those of common musical intervals. It should be remembered that the vibration figure corresponding to a single musical sound is nota curve but a straight line. This proposition will not, however, bear reversing; for the possible varieties of motion in a straight line are infinite ; and a combination of motion in two straight lines may represent or reproduce any plane figure whatever—a fact most clearly demonstrated by Professor Gray’s ‘‘ Tel-autograph.” Let us now see what conditions determine the forms of musical curves, especially those produced by pendular motion. First consider the outlines or initial forms only. The outline of a curve depends on the number of vibrations in its constitution, and on their three variable elements—ratio, phase and amplitude. 274, Absolute truth must not be looked for here. The subject is essentially a matter of comparison, and the facts to be described may, quite correctly, be presented in very different aspects; for any vibration may be the resultant, and therefore the equivalent, of any number of other vibrations. Any description of any curve is, therefore, but one view out of a possibly unlimited number. Consider two similar simple pendulums, each capable of free vibration in one plane. Their ratio (comparative rates of vibration) will be the simplest possible, because their lengths are equal. Set them going with equal amplitudes (equal lengths of swing), and let their directions be at right angles to each other. Now, in order to clear away unnecessary difficulties, we may overlook inessential points, such as the slight vertical curvature of the pendulum paths, and the impossi- bility of constructing perfect peridulum. If both pendulums start at the same instant, the respective movements will meet at the centre of their paths; then, what will happen? That which must happen; for if the laws of nature are not identical with the laws of necessity, there certainly can beno antagonism between them. But the laws of necessity are no other than the laws of mathe- matics—whether written or unwritten. The pendulum movements, at right angles to each other, being both started at the same instant, and having met at the centre of their paths, will, from that point, continue to vibrate in a straight line equi-distant between their original courses. The straight line is therefore one of the vibra- tion paths or vibration figures of the unison. For the unison, in respect to its audibility, is merely the motion form assumed by the sonorous molecule conveying to the ear its own peculiar combination of virbrations; and the laws of motion are the same whether applied to pendu- lums, points, or planets. In the foregoing experiment the second pendulum is simply a convenient vehicle of motion. What- ever means are employed for conveying the second impulse to the first pendulum, the same result must follow: the second vehicle may there- fore be disregarded. Now suppose the second impulse to hit the pendulum at the end of its path. At the moment of collision the mass will be acted upon by two equal forces at right angles ; one entirely potential, the other entirely kinetic ; both alternating in equal periods from one condition to the other. The result will be that the pendulum will move in a circle, and will continue so to move as long as it is not interfered with; but if there be any wasting of the original forces through friction, the ampli- tude of the circle will be promptly and propor- tionately diminished. Whilst the wasting process SCIENCE-GOSSIP. continues to act evenly, the motion will remain circular (or, more strictly, spiral). Irregularities in the wasting process must produce corresponding changes in the figure. Generally, the circle approximates to a straight line; sometimes in one direction, sometimes alternating. There is no room for question as to the identity of pendulum-figures with the actual paths of sonorous molecules. We assume the truth of the laws of motion and the elasticity of matter; all the rest is plain arithmetic. We may, therefore, correctly refer to the various figures as being synonymous with corresponding musical intervals. The unison—as we have just seen—has two principal phases, the circle and the straight line; it may also have any possible phase of the ellipse between these two limits. The ellipse is thus the comprehensive mechanical equivalent of the unison; but the unison has one other remarkable phase, in respect to which there exists no parallel amongst other intervals—the phase of dead antagonism. If two unison-pendulums meet each other in direct opposition at the centre of their course, the whole of their visible motion will disappear ; molar will be transformed into molecu- lar motion—that is, into heat. The acoustic equiva- lent of this phenomenon becomes apparent to us in the form of ‘‘beats”’; but its practical effect consists rather in the actual loss of sound, which occurs when many voices are heard together. Due consideration of the facts here stated will lead to the conclusion that musical intervals generally are correctly represented by combina- tions of two ellipses, rather than by com- binations of two straight lines. Let anyone who doubts this statement refer to the sound-diagrams in Tyndall’s book on ‘‘Sound,” copied by Young from the actual vibrations of pianoforte wires. I have no space for the history of the subject, except to mention the names of some of its chief investigators. Chladni, Young, Wheatstone, Strohe, Blackburn, Lissajous, Airey, Tisley, Melde and others have done much to extend our knowledge of the mysteries of vibration, but the apparent magnitude of the task increases with every new accession of light. Much important information respecting the varieties and typical forms of vibration curves has also been accumulated by worthy labourers in other fields of knowledge, who have had no suspicion of its relationship in this direction. Such are Bazley’s ‘Index to the Geometric Chuck,” Perigal’s ‘‘ Contributions to Kinetics,” and the many excellent works on ornamental turning. Even Young and Tyndall and other eminent philosophers have missed the meaning of phenomena, which their labours have brought to light. 68, Shakespeare Street, Nottingham; December, 1894. SCIENCE-GOSSIP. A NEW BOOK ON LEPIDOPTERA. R. Bertram George Rye, F.E.S., and Miss Maud Horman-Fisher have issued to their subscribers the first part of a ‘‘ Handbook of the British Macro-Lepidoptera.”’ We must confess that when we heard that a new work of this kind was to be issued in parts, the news was received with a certain amount of de- pression of spirits, having in mind other books which have appeared in parts on this and kindred subjects. Some of these have so woefully disap- pointed their subscribers that the system of books in parts, issued over long intervals, has become sadly discredited. The first part of Mr. Rye’s and Miss Horman- Fisher’s work will do much to dispel the suspicion and prejudice hanging over such works, for it is really excellent as a whole, especially the coloured plate. If they keep up this standard as they pro- ceed, which appears probable, for both author and artist are evidently in earnest, the book will be one well worth possessing. One naturally turns first to the plates in a work of this kind. In the part before us there are two, one being plain, illustrating portions of the anatomy of butterflies—neuration, an ovum, larva and pupa of Pieris brassice. More care should be expended by the lithographic printers, and attention given to clean and sharp printing of their work. The ‘‘ key’ upon which the hand-colouring is placed, in the second plate, is much too heavy. Work of this kind makes it quite impossible for Miss Horman- Fisher and her colourists to do justice to her art. This second plate contains six figures, which, had it not been for the distinct fault referred to, would have been all that could be desired. They are, Papilio machaon, Aporia crategi, males and females each of Pieris rape and P. brassice. On Plate I. are diagrams illustrating the veins and cross-nervules, with reference letters explaining the nomenclature of these for descriptive purposes, also of the different parts of the wings treated in a like manner. The letterpress of Part I. is of necessity intro- ductory, and deals with Metamorphoses and Classification ; one species, P. Machaon, only being reached in the general descriptive portion. We gather from the introduction that the chief object of this work is to illustrate the local races and more permanent varieties of the butterflies and moths of Britain. If the selection of illustrations are chosen with care, not repeating too many of those forms generally figured in other works, there is sure to be a demand for this hand-book. The size of the pages is crown 8vo; there are eight of these and two plates in the part, which costs two shillings and sixpence. The letterpress is printed and the work published by Ward and Foxlow, Church Street, St. Marylebone, London. 275 THE WORD “SCIENTIST.” eee interest has been aroused in the daily and other papers by the question we have raised as to the value of the word ‘‘scientist.’’ In nearly every case, when quoting ScrENCE-GossIP on this subject, objection to the word has been expressed. We have also had a number of letters upon the discussion. Some are from persons favouring the admission of the word to our pages, but a far larger number object to the word. What seems to be wanted is a better expression to super- sede it. As an example of the distance from which some of these have come, we may quote the following : “174, Rua da Piedade, Oporto; January 12th, 1895. ‘‘Do the objectors to ‘scientist’ never use the mongrel word ‘starvation’ (starvvatio), nor the barbarous phrase, ‘cobra di capello’? I wish you would raise your voice against this absurdity. The early Portuguese naturally described what they saw, a hooded snake, and they gave it a significant name, which in the modern language would hold good, viz., ‘cobra de capello.' People seem to have confounded this with Italian, and introduced the word ‘di,’ that has no meaning to a Portuguese. I hope you will take this point up, and others will no doubt be suggested, and intro- duce or rather preserve an interesting educational feature in SCIENCE-Gossip.—Yours faithfully, “Rost. H. MorETON.” Our contemporary, ‘‘ Nature,’’ commenting on the discussion, in its issue of roth January, says: ‘“‘ScrENCE-GossiP is now one of the brighest and most diversified monthlies for the lover of science. The January number is remarkably good. Mr. J. T. Carrington, the editor, contributes a number of replies he has received to a letter asking for an opinion upon the use of the word ‘ Scientist.’ The word is never allowed knowingly to appear in contributions to ‘ Nature.’”” We cannot do less than thank our neighbour for its good opinion and kindly expressions about SCIENCE-GossIP. WHITE RAINBOW. ©* Saturday, January 5th, the unusual phe- nomenon of a white rainbow was visible for about three-quarters of an hour, from 12.15 to I p.m., at Westnewton, Cumberland. The arc was nearly three times the breadth of an ordinary rainbow, and uniform yellowish-white in colour, with the small patches of cumulus forming at the time. Light snow was falling just before the bow appeared. The bow was in the higher cloud zone, and apparently formed on sleet. Near the centre it was broken by a patch of cumulus from which it appeared to proceed, the tint of the bow and the cloud being exact. The rainbow was clearly at aconsiderable elevation. Irregular cirro-cumulus was seen to condense and form cumulus at the time. Very cold weather followed. On the two or . three occasions when I have seen this phenomenon, very stormy weather has followed in a few days. Westnewton, Aspatria; Fan. 8th, 1895. S. BARBER. 276 SOME SCARCE \ { INERALOGISTS are familiar with the form of sulphide of antimony named Stibnite, which has long and slender crystals, in appearance not unlike highly polished steel. To enable such of our readers as may not have had opportunity of seeing this beautiful mineral to obtain a better idea of its formation we have had drawn a group of the crystals through the courtesy of Mr. Samuel Henson, of 97, Regent Street, London. He has for some time past been receiving small consignments of this mineral from a nephew in Japan, who now sends the doleful intelligence that the mine from which they were obtained no longer produces these fine specimens. They will there- fore be probably unobtainable. The longer crystal we figure is thirteen inches in length. There is a magnificent group of Stibnite from this source in the national collection at the British Museum, South Kensington, which includes about 120 crystals, some thirteen inches in length, and from half- an-inch to two and a half inches in width, the whole group weigh- ing no less than 150lbs. This is doubtless one of the most re- markable instances of metallic crystallisation ever met with. Ona recent visit to Mr. Henson’s studio, he drew our attention to an instance of an immense crystal of Thorite doubly terminated. This crystal is two and a half inches long by seven-eights of an inch wide, whereas the usual length is less than half-an-inch. This specimen is from Sweden, and has also been added, through Mr. Henson, to the British Mu- seum. A pretty association of minerals in one piece is repre- sented by the crystals of Rubellite with Lepidolite from California. The base is the delicate sparkling * grey Lepidolite, the pink crystals of the Rubellite being beautifully grouped in contrast. Another interesting specimen was of the intensely blue Boleite from Boleo, in California, whence this mineral takes its name. This is perhaps one of the largest known crystals of Boleite, being no less than three-quarters of an inch square. Among the examples of the precious metals in a natural state which have passed through Mr. Henson’s hands were some remarkably fine native crystals of gold from Ballarat, in Australia, consisting of rhombic- Group oF CrystTaLts oF STIBNITE. (33 inches long.) SCIENCE-GOSSIP. MINERALS. dodecahedron, octahedron, and cubo-octahedron, ranging in size from one-eighth to one quarter of an inch. A lovely and very valuable specimen of Proustite or ruby silver, some nine or ten inches long, is exceptionally beautiful on account of the rich deep ruby-red crystals. Some specimens of auri- ferous quartz from the celebrated Coolgardie reef indicated no less than seventy-five per cent. of gold. Tasmania has latterly been sending over to England minerals. some beautiful specimens of rare One we saw was a gorgeous piece of Crocoisite, or native chromate of lead, in association with Cerus- site. The brilliant red crystals of the Crocoisite contrasting richly with the silky white Cerussite. Another especially beautiful group of crystals of Crocoisite measured seven inches by five inches across the upper surface of the specimen. Another association of minerals forming groups of beauty, are the golden-brown hair-like crysials of Rutile penetrating through the mass of rock-crysials. Ruiile is a well-known species of mineral from Brazil, consisting of oxide of Titanium. It does not always occur in this hair-like form, being generally found in masses or heavy crystals. Nature appears with this mineral to have been playing fantastic tricks with the rock-crystal. How these beautiful ‘‘hairs” of mineral came io be mixed with the crysial, in the utmost disorder, seems incon- ceivable. It may be that in the first instance when these fairy-like crystals were formed, they were supported by some other medium, which in course of ages decom- posed, to be in turn replaced by the quartz with which they are now surrounded. To those interested in dendrites Mr. Henson can show a splendid collection, made in India, of some 200 specimens of most carefully-selected cut Mocha stones. The moss-like patterns of these crystals are strangely like vegetation in shape. It is surprising that more people do not take a closer interest in mineralogy, considering the great beauty and many surprises there are among the specimens of different species to be obtained. We shall always welcome in these pages notes or remarks upon new or scarce minerals —{J.T_C. SCIENCE-GOSSIP. DAE TKOSS “ECLIPSE” MICROSCOPE. Eck those beginners or students who find a microscope indispensible, Messrs. Ross and Co., of 111, New Bond Street, London, have provided Tue Ross New ‘“ Eciipse”’ MICROSCOPE. (Rigid form.) an instrument which, though plain, simple, and low-priced, will be found invaluable to earnest workers. It is in two forms, the one rigid and the other with inclining limb. The points of advantage are combined stability, strength at the working parts, and moderate cost. The foot is ingenious in view of the perfect steadiness required and as allowing the instrument to revolve on its own upright pillar, without liability to flexure. The body tube has the standard screw of the Royal Microscopical Society and carries eye-pieces of the Continental size, and in the simpler instrument is extended by means of a draw-tube to eight inches. The instrument is fitted with one-inch and quarter- inch object-glasses, and compactly placed in box with accessories, the price being £6 5s. The second and more generally useful form of the ‘‘ Eclipse” is one with knee-joint below the stage, which enables the student to place the instrument at any angle, including horizontal for micro- photography. Again the pillar rotates on the base, reversing the instrument on the circular foot. Each form of instrument carries a double nose- piece adjusted to focus on the same plane, which is an important matter. This instrument can be mounted on a tripod foot. The cost is £7 ros. Messrs. Ross have designed also a most useful instrument, which they are supplying to South Kensington and many other laboratories both at home and abroad, this is the Petrological Micro- scope, which is attached to the eclipse stand. It is purposely made for students in petrology. The stage is circular, revolving, and the periphery divided to 360°. The eye-piece is furnished with crossed webs and readily drops into a slot. The analyser, which can be drawn out when not needed, is fitted into the lower end of the body tube, where also a slot is cut at an angle of 45° for the insertion of the quartz wedge. The polarizer is pivoted to swing immediately out of the field when so required, and it has a circle divided into 8, clicked at 0° and 180°, to indicate when the Nicols are crossed. The milled head of the micrometer screw is divided to measure <4, of an inch motion of the fine adjust- ment. Plane and concave mirrors are provided. There are some other novelties in this instrument, the price of which is £10. No other microscope at this price contains so many useful working parts, nor is more suitable to medical and scientific institutions as well as those working specially at petrology. THE Ross NEw “ Ecripse”’ MICROSCOPE. (With Inclining Limb.) 278 SCIENCE-GOSSIP. ACETYLENE: A NEW ILLUMINANT. ROPE SSOR Vivian B. Lewis gave an im- portant address before the Society of Arts, in London, on January 16th, on a remarkable dis- covery which will affect the illumination and heating of our houses and public buildings without the aid of coal. The meeting was largely attended by managers and others connected with gas-supply, the chair being occupied by Dr. William Anderson, F.R.S. Professor Vivian Lewis called his paper ‘‘ The Commercial Synthesis of Illuminating Hydro- carbons.”” He reminded the meeting that the two methods most used determining the in chemical science for composition of bodies, are “Analysis ’’ or the breaking up of compounds into their ultimate constituents, and ‘‘ Synthesis,”’ which is the building up of the compound from the elementary matter which forms it. He then pro- ceeded, after further introduction, to describe the production of Acetylene, the following paragraphs occurring in his paper : “Tn all the phenomena of ordinary combustion which we employ to provide us with heat and light, there are no compounds of greater interest than the class of organic bodies which, being formed of carbon and hydrogen in various proportions, have been termed hydro-carbons, and it is to this class of bodies that all the gases which can be used as ordinary illuminants owe their luminosity. Amongst the hydro-carbons, the simplest compound is acety- lene, in which two atoms of carbon are united with two atoms of hydrogen; and it has long been known that, if a stream of hydrogen is passed through a globe in which the voltaic arc is pro- duced between carbon points from a sufficiently powerful current, this gas is produced in minute quantities. The direct combination of carbon and hydrogen in the electric arc is a true case of syn- thesis, and if we could form acetylene in this way in sufficiently large quantities, it would be perfectly easy to build up from the acetylene the whole of the other hydro-carbons which can be used for illuminating purposes. For instance, if acetylene be passed through a tube heated to just visible red- ness, it is rapidly and readily converted into benzol ; at a higher temperature naphthalene is produced, whilst by the action of nascent hydrogen on acety- lene, ethylene and ethane can be built up. From the benzol we readily derive aniline, and the whole of that magnificent series of colouring matters which have gladdened the heart of the fair portion of the community during the past five-and-twenty years, whilst the ethylene produced from acetylene can be readily converted into ethyl alcohol, by con- secutively treating it with sulphuric acid and water, and from the alcohol, again, an enormous number of other organic substances can be produced. Thus acetylene can, without exaggeration, be looked upon as one of the great keystones of the organic edifice, and, given a cheap and easy method of preparing it, it is hardly possible to foresee the results which ‘will be ultimately produced. ‘‘From acetylene we can produce all those bodies which we are accustomed to look upon as the most important ones in our coal-gas, and which, up to the present time, have never been produced from anything but coal, hydrocarbon oils, or other organic matter undergoing destructive distillation, but it has often occurred to those of us who are interested in the manufacture of illuminating gas, that as the supply of coal gets smaller, and as oil in time begins to share the same fate, some new sources for our illuminants and our fuels must be sought; and in my mind, at any rate, the synthetic production of hydrocarbons has long been a day dream, which I, however, never expected to see possible on a commercial scale. “Asis so usual in the history of discovery, the factor which has endowed us with the power of doing this was not the outcome of an elaborate research, but was found by chance during the search for something else. Whilst working with an electric furnace, and endeavouring by its aid to form an alloy of calcium from some of its compounds, Mr. T. L. Willson noticed that a mixture containing lime and powdered anthracite, under the influence of the temperature of the arc, fused down to a heavy semi-metallic mass, which having been examined, and found not to be the substance sought, was thrown into a bucket containing water, with the result that violent effervescence of the water marked the rapid evolution of a gas, the everwhelming odour of which enforced attention to its presence, and which, on the application of a light, burnt with a smoky, but luminous flame. “Investigation into the cause of this phenomenon soon showed that in a properly constructed electric furnace, finely ground-up chalk or lime, mixed with powdered carbon in any form, whether it were char- coal, anthracite, coke, coal, or graphite, can be fused with the formation of the compound known as calcic carbide, containing forty parts by weight of the element calcium, the basis of lime, and twenty- four parts by weight of carbon, and that, on the addition to this of water, a double decomposition takes place, the oxygen of the water combining with the calcium of the calcic carbide to form SCIENCE-GOSSIP. calcic oxide or lime, whilst the hydrogen unites with the carbon of the calcic carbide to form acetylene, the cost of the gas so produced bringing it not only within the range of commercial possibilities for use fer se, but also the building up from it of a host of other compounds, whilst the production of the calcic carbide from chalk and from any form of carbon, renders us practically independent of coal and oil, and places in our hands the prime factor by which Nature in all probability produces those great underground storehouses of liquid fuel upon which the world is so largely drawing to-day. ‘* Calcic carbide is a dark grey substance, having a specific gravity of 2°262, and, when pure, a pound of it will yield on decomposition 5°3 cubic feet of acetylene. Unless, however, it is quite fresh, or means have been taken to carefully protect it from air, the outer surface gets slightly acted upon by atmospheric moisture, so that in practice the yield would not exceed five cubic feet. The density and hardness of the mass, however, protects it to a great extent from atmospheric action, so that in lumps it does not deteriorate as fast as would be expected, but in the powdered condition it is rapidly acted upon. “For commercial purposes the carbide will be cast direct from the electric furnace into rods or cylindrical cartridges, which, when twelve inches long and one and a quarter inches in diameter, will weigh one pound, and will give five cubic feet of gas. ‘“The acetylene so made, when analysed by absorption with bromine, the analysis being also checked by determining the amount present by precipitation of silver acetylide, gives ninety-eight per cent. of acetylene, and two per cent. of air, and traces of sulphuretted hydrogen, the presence of this impurity being due to traces of sulphate of lime—-gypsum—in the chalk used for making it, and to pyrites in the coal employed. “Acetylene is a clear, colourless gas with an intensely penetrating odour which somewhat re- sembles garlic, its strong smell being a very great safeguard in its use, as the smallest leakage would be at once detected ; indeed, so pungent is this odour that it would be practically impossible to go into a room which contained any dangerous quantity of the gas. ‘This is an important point to remember, as the researches of Bistrow and Liebreich show that the gas is poisonous, combining with the hemoglobin of the blood to form a compound similar to that produced by carbon monoxide, whilst the great danger of the latter gas is that having no smell, its presence is not detected until symptoms of poison- ing begin to show themselves, so that no fear need be apprehended of danger from this source with acetylene. “The flame of acetylene, in spite of its high 279 illuminating value, is a distinctly cool flame, and in experiments which I have made by means of the Le Chatelier thermo-couple, the highest tempera- ture in any part of the flame is a trace under 1,000 degrees C., whilst with coal-gas burning in the same way in a flat-flame burner, the temperature rises as high as 1,560 degrees C. If the heating effect of the flames be contrasted for equal illumina- tion, it will be seen that the acetylene flame has so small a heating effect, considering its area, that it would not be much greater than the ordinary electric incandescent lamp. ‘‘The intensity of the light will make small acetylene lamps of enormous value for lantern pro- jection, for railway signals, and, coming down to smaller things, bicycle lamps, whilst I should imagine the ease of production specially adapts it for such purposes as lighthouse illumination, or for floating buoys, and the small cylinders can also be arranged in the form of portable lamps, whilst for use in the country, where no gas is available, a large cylinder of the liquid gas placed in an out- house would supply a country house with light for a very long period; and there is no doubt that there is a very great field for it in this direction, as by utilising suitable burners a consumption of half a cubic foot an hour will give a light equal to from twenty to twenty-five candles. ‘Perhaps the most valuable suggestion which has been made with regard to the utilisation of this remarkable method of making acetylene is, that advantage should be taken of the method of preparation to utilise the body of portable lamps for dining and drawing-rooms in places where no gas supply exists. To do this a strong steel cylinder, four inches in diameter and sixteen inches in length, is fitted, with an opening in the top of such size that a pound cartridge or stick of the calcic carbide can be passed through it. The cylinder has a second opening at the bottom, closed by a screw, for cleaning out the lime left by the decomposition. The right proportion of water is put into the cylinder, and the stick of carbide, coated with a slowly soluble glaze, is inserted, and the head of the lamp screwed on. This head contains a double reducing pressure valve, which brings down the pressure existing in the cylinder to that necessary for the proper con- sumption of the gas, it also being fitted with a valve. The gas can then be burned from a suitable jet at the rate of half a cubic foot per hour, which will give a light of over twenty candles for something like ten hours.” In the discussion which followed the reading of this paper, it was acknowledged this discovery was of a most important character, and, as the chair- man pointed out, after all, the best way of utilising electricity for illumination would be to convert it into light by the method exhibited by the lecturer. Mi ee EFA Aux afi PGK WHI 3 Text-Book of the Diseases of Trees. By Professor R. Hartia, of the University of Munich. Trans- lated by WiLt1aAm SomeERVILLE, D.Céc., B.Sc., F.R.S.E., F.L.S. Revised and edited, with a Preface, by H. MarsHaLtt Warp, D.Sc., F.R.S,, IBILAS)5 IBIRIELS, 1249). sayy navel sighe, Watilol 050) Illustrations. (London: Macmillan and Co., 1894.) Price tos. net. The pathology of plants has only within com- paratively recent times received systematic atten- tion from properly trained scientific in- vestigators. That the subject is one of inestimable value to mankind, from an economic point of view, there cannot be any doubt, apart from its great interest to its students. The important contribu- tion now before us will do much to encourage others to work in the same field of knowledge. The thanks to all connected with the introduction to an English audience of Professor Hartig’s well-known labours are due from the many who have now an opportunity of obtaining a guide to a better knowledge of the diseases of forest trees. It must not be imagined, however, that there is nothing more to learn about the sub- ject, which is, in fact, only in its embryonic stage, though rapidly maturing. Indeed, there are laurels in plenty to be won by the accurate and conscientious investigator. As a type of that kind of student, Professor Hartig himself stands pre-eminent, as pointed out by Professor Marshall Ward in his preface to this work. He instances Hartig’s admirable discussion of the complex phenomenon of ‘‘ Leaf-Casting,” on pages 110-117, as a model of thoughtfulness and scientific accuracy and acumen, to which all workers in this branch of botany must look up. _ An important feature of this edition is the adapta- tion of the instances and examples of the diseases treated to our native flora, instead of literally following the text of the original, which was designed for German readers, with local examples, some of which do not occur in these islands. In Pine SHootT Twist DISEASE. (From ‘‘ Text-Book of the Diseases of Trees.) SCIENCE-GOSSIP. this selection, Professor Marshall Ward, as editor, has been as judicious as in the rest of his control of the text, by giving Hartig the full benefit of his experience, without overshadowing in the least the original author. The introduction to this work is important and interesting. Like the rest of the book it is thought- fully prepared, and practically sums up the present knowledge of the diseases of plants, after giving a short history of the development of the science. From this chapter, as from the whole work, much may be learned by the ordinary reader without requiring any special knowledge. In treating the subject, Professor Hartig summarises the diseases into five classes, according to the external influences which induce them, which are: (1) Those induced by phanerograms, (2) those induced by cryptogams, (3) wounds, (4) unfavourable conditions of the soil, and (5) unfavourable atmospheric conditions. Remarking upon the second factor in this list, he says: ‘‘ There are a great number of fungi which can only attack a certain species of tree when plants of another species occur in the vicinity on which the particular fungus, at certain seasons of the year, may complete its de- velopment. Locali- ties in which many aspens grow impart to the pines a pre- disposition for the disease known as pine-twist (caused by Melampsorva Tremule pinitorquum). Rho- dodendrons abound- ing in a district make the spruces liable to ‘leaf-blister’ (caused by Chrysomyxa rho- dodendri). The mere existence of unin- terrupted woods, composed of a single species of tree, may give rise to dangers leading to extensive epidemics. Pine larch woods away from mountainous regions almost always succumb to canker, whereas larches mixed with other trees may remain unaffected.” With regard to the susceptibility of trees to a certain class of diseases through wounds, the author says: ‘‘ When a tree is pruned it thereby incurs an abnormal predis- position for a series of wound diseases, infectious or otherwise, which can be got rid of by the application of timely and appropriate—that is to say, antiseptic dressings. A hailstone strikes the cortex of a tree and injures it. This creates an abnormal condition, which may lead to an in- fectious disease should certain fungi settle on the cortex.”’ We strongly recommend this work to our more thoughtful readers, and especially as one suitable for the many public libraries now arising around us. We have to thank the publishers for the use of the accompanying illustrations. Jest (Co SCIENCE-GOSSIP. Summer Studies of Birds and Books. By W. WaRDE Fow.er, 288 pp. 8vo. (London and New York: Macmillan and Co.) Price 6s. Most of the essays in this work have already appeared elsewhere, but, as it is stated in a prefatory note, they have been to some extent rewritten. Every line of the chapters on birds shows the author’s intense love and appreciation of his feathered friends. He does not write only asacritic, but as one who has lived with them and loved them. The chapter ‘“*On Wagtails’’ for instance, gives, even to the uniniti- ated reader, a conception of the habits of those graceful frequenters of our marshes, meadows and lawns. Writ- ing of the pied wagtail, he says: ‘‘In the breeding season a freshly-mown lawn hasa great attraction for him; the meadow grass is then either growing to hay, or getting so thick and coarse that it is not easy to find insects init. I fancy too that all wag- tails like to use their little legs freely, unhampered by thick stalks of crowded herbage; on a lawn they can see insects at a distance, and run with sudden spurts, half flying too, sometimes to seize them. While eating and while running the tail is mostly still: but no sooner is the run over and a fresh morsel pounced on, than it is moved up and down rapidly, showing plainly the two outer white feathers.” This book is not in any way a scientific treatise, but comes more within the department of country lore. In ‘Summer Studies of Birds and Books ”’ there are many brightly-written pages, which will appeal di- rectly to lovers of country scenes. yp y_ Practical Inorganic Chemistry : Analysis and Sketches. A Class-book for the ElementaryStage of the Science and Art Department. By EBENEZER J. Cox, INXCS, Gye Wak EhKoy and illustrations. (Lon- don: Rivington, Percival and Co. 1894.) Price ts. The author is head- master of the Technical Science School of Bir- mingham, and, as such, conceived the idea of thus helping students through their examinations of the Science and Art Department, the book being adapted to the syllabus for 1894. As a text book, which has reached its third edition, it appears good, but we greatly fear that it is just one of those instances of encouraging students to pass examinations by “cram ”’ and with as little knowledge of their sub- jects as enables them to get through without failure. DoRMANT EYE oF BEECH-BARK, (From ‘“Text-Book of the Diseases of Trees.’’) A YounG PINE KILLED BY AGARICUS MELLENS. (From “ Text-Book of the Diseases of Trees.’’) 281 Butterflies and Moths (British). By W. Furneaux, F.R.G.S. 358 pages, 8vo, with twelve coloured plates and numerous illustrations in the text. (London: Longmans, Green and Co., 1894.) Price, Ios. 6d. net. When such an old-established firm of publishers of the high standing of Messrs. Longmans and Co. issue a book, the public have a right to believe that firm takes the responsibility of the book being trustworthy and correct from an educational point of view. Consequently large numbers are sold solely on the reputation of Longmans and Co.,as publishers of the best educational works. This must surely have been the origin of the first words of the preface to the work now under notice. They say, ‘‘ The favourable reception with which the ‘Out-door World’ has been greeted, has encouraged the publishers to issue a series of volumes dealing with the various branches of Natural History treated in that work.”’ Hence we have this volume. In April SclENcE-GossiP (ante, page 39), we noticed the ‘‘ Out-door World,’ and plainly gave an indication of the incapacity of the author to write such a book. In certain literary circles there are books known as “ fudged,”’ this inelegant word meaning that the ‘‘author” has compiled a book, without any personal knowledge: of the subject, from the writings of others, generally with less than more accuracy. It has never been our misfortune to meet with worse cases of ‘‘ fudg- ing”’ than these two books advertised by Messrs. Longmans as the first of their ‘‘ Out-door World Library.” Why a firm such as theirs could not find some writer with at least a rudimentary knowledge of the subjects treated, is inexplicable. We have never met, nor even previously heard of this ‘‘author,’’ but if we are to have a series of such works inflicted upon us, it is quite time to offer a vigorous pro- test in the interests of that ever-rising army of beginners, who will have more to unlearn from one of these books, than the time so occupied would, under proper guidance, if applied to some subjects, make them fairly proficient. The aptitude the com- piler has shown for picking out of old-time books, and perpetuating long ago exploded and corrected statements, is truly remarkable. The first part of the book is occupied by a summary of ‘‘ Kirby and Spence’s Entomology,'” and ‘‘ Knaggs’s Lepi- dopterist’s Guide,’’ oc- cupying 137 pages. The butterflies are dealt with in about sixty pages and the moths in another hundred or so pages. That part of the book which fulfils its title being chiefly a series of extracts from ‘““Newman’s British Butterflies and Moths,” and the second volume of “ Stainton’s Manual.” - Then follows a partial reprint of the ‘‘ Entomo- logists’ Synonymic List of British Lepidoptera,” which is described as ‘‘ South’s List” (!) (being. 282 SCIENCE-GOSSIP. hardly fair to Dr. Staudinger), with Newman’s English names added, as far as they will go, the more recent additions to our fauna being absent. Lastly, we have a selection from “‘ Merrin’s Calendar.” This is what the publishers invite an uninitiated market to buy aiien shillings and sixpence net. Had they only enquired from any collector of British lepidoptera of one year standing, he would have returned the manuscript marked as it deserved. The unfortunate part of this unfortunate business is that the book is handsomely produced and illustrated, though the coloured plates require some editing—showing that it was Messrs. Longmans’ endeavour to do their part well, had they noi fallen into such a deplorable error of judgment in the selection of the compiler. jhe: A Ditiionary of Birds. By AtFrRep NEwToN, assisted by Hans Gapow. Part iii. (Moa—Sheat- bill), pp. 577 to 832, large 8vo., profusely illus- trated. (London: Adam and Charles Black, 1894.) Price 7s. 6d. net. We had the pleasureof noticing the first two parts of this excellent work (aniz page 87) in June last. Part iii, fully keeps up to the standard of the former sections issued. The lucid articles of special subjects are most insiructive. They include in this part *« Monsitrosities, *’ “Muscular Sys- tem” (occupying about eighteen Pages), ‘‘ Nervous System,” ‘* Nidia- cation” (six pages), * Pterylosis ’ or plumage consid- ered in regard io the distribution of its growth, “‘Repro- ductive Organs,” etc. Popular names of birds are appar- ently rather more freely treated than in Parts i. and ii. The article on that curious group, the nightjars, is very interesting ; we are enabled to repro- duce one of the illustrations from it (through the courtesy of Professor Newton and ithe publishers), being of the pennani-winged night- jar. In two African species, the males have enormously elongated second primary feathers, which in some examples extend upwards of seven- teen inches. Not much seems to be known about the habits of these rare birds. The long feathers with spatulate tips are nearly the same colour as the grass heads, among which they wave in ihe wind when the bird is ai rest. j-2:€. The Eavth: An Introduction to the Siudy of In- organic Naiuve. By Evan W. Smatt, M.A.,BSc., F.G.S, 228 pp. 8vo. With 71 illustrations. (London: Methuen and Co. 1894.) Price 2s. 6d. The useful books included in Messrs. Methuen’s PENNANT-WINGED NIGHTJAR. *“ Dictionary of Birds.’’) (Prom Professor Newion’s ‘University Extension Series ’’ are now well known for their conciseness and variety of subjects. This story of ‘‘ The Earth ” is a collection of lectures by the author upon ‘“‘ The Earth as a Planet,” ‘“‘ The Materials of the Earth,” ‘‘Work and Energy,” “‘How the Materials of the Earth’s Crust were formed, and the ‘‘ Evolution of the Earth.” Con- sidering the space available in a lecture, Mr. Small has, by judicious elimination of unnecessary words, successfully put his subjects plainly before his readers. The list of books of reference at the end of each lecture enables those who desire further knowledge to readily proceed with their investiga- tions. It is a pity some of the illustrations were not more professionally drawn, though they indicate what the author desires to illustrate. The Essex Naiuralist, being the Journal of the Essex Field Club, edited by Wirttam Core, Hon. Secretary. Vol. viii., 1894, 192 pp. large 8vo, illustrated. Published by the Club, Buckhurst Hill, Essex. Price 6s. 6d. The volume just completed of ‘‘The Essex Naturalist” is well up to the average, and possesses an interest far beyond the limiis ofthe county. The contenis are ex- ceedingly varied, covering many branches of physi- cal and natural science, also folk- lore and archzo- logy. Irrespective of the many items of local conse- quence, which have, from time to time, been brought before ihe meet- ings of the Club, there are several papers which will be useful to those working upon the distribution of our fiora and fauna, one of the most imporiant being «A Provisional List of the Marine Algz of the Essex and Adjacent Coast.” Prof. R. Meldola, F.R.S., read a very useful essay before the Club, upon ‘“‘ Photography as an Aid in Physical and Natural Science,” a lengihy abstract of which is included in this volume. The Country Month by Month. (London: Bliss, Sands and Foster. 1894.) Price is. sewed, and 2s. cloth. These are the eighth, ninth, tenth and eleventh instalments of the series; and the authors are keeping up the interest in the country as they proceed. The essays are all upon seasonable subjects. In October ‘“‘A Fungus Foray” is treated, and “‘ Bird Migration’’; November includes “‘Lichens” and “Chrysanthemums”; January treats of ‘“‘A Winter Garden and Christmas Roses ’’ and “‘ Snow Crystals ’—all pleasant chatty chapters to pass away a lazy evening hour. SCIENCE-GOSSIP. ws Dr. P. Q. KEEGAN gives notes in the‘ Naturalist” for January, upon ‘‘The Chemical Analysis of Certain Rosacez,” with the object of investigating ‘‘the connection between the vivid and powerful pig- ments exhibited by the floral organs, leaves, etc.” It is a valuable contribution to such investigations. Tue Sixth International Geographical Congress will be held in London from 26th July to 3rd August next. There will be an exhibition in connection, of everything applying to the science of geography. It is expected that the meetings will be held at the Imperial Institute. The Secretaries may be addressed at 1, Saville Row, London, W. Dr. G. M. Dawson, F.R.S., son of Sir William Dawson, has been appointed Director of the Geological Survey of Canada, in succession to Dr. A. R. C. Selwyn, who retires on superannuation. The appointment of Dr. Dawson is in every way a good one, for his previous experience in the Survey is such as to have made his reputation. Though only in his forty-sixth year he has inves- tigated immense regions in the Dominion. “TxHE International Journal of Microscopy and Natural Science,’ for January, is a varied number. One of the most important communications is Mr. J. Sydney Turner’s address at the Fiftieth Annual Meeting of the South Eastern Branch of the British Medical Association, held June 13th, 1894. Entitled ‘‘From Dust to Dust,” it is a philosophical enquiry into the origin of life and a history of its cycle, as applied to human beings. THE province of Ontario is to have a great reservation wherein the animals and plants fast disappearing before the ruthless march of civiliza- tion, will be preserved by the legislature. The Algonquin National Park will consist of about a million acres, or, 1,466 square miles of forest country. No hunting, trapping or other destruc- tion of animal life will in future be permitted in this home of the moose, the beaver and many other interesting beasts and fishes. Cannot Manitoba follow suit, somewhere north-west of the Lake Dauphin district ? Dr. CHARLES Broneniart, of the Paris Natural History Museum, has recently published one of the finest works on Fossil Insects which has hitherto appeared. It is entitled ‘‘ Recherches pour Servir a l’Historie des Insects Fossiles de Temps Primaires,” 4to, 2 vols., one being an atlas of thirty-seven plates, most of which are beautifully coloured and produced with accuracy. A large folding plate represents at natural sizea restoration of Meganeura Monyii, an old-time dragon-fly, which exceeded two feet in expanse of the wings. The fossil was found in carboniferous measures of Commentry (Allier), France. This is not an ex- pensive book in comparison with some others, costing fr. 1oo=/4. Mr. Oliver Janson, 44, Great Russell Street, London, is the agent for this work. The text is, of course, in French. 283 WE regret to have to notice that the ‘‘ British Naturalist’ is no longer to be published. We are sorry, for every magazine of its kind helps to keep up an interest in nature and does some good. We shall be pleased to offer the hospitality of our pages to its contributors. In future the ‘‘ Journal of the Quekett Micro- scopical Club” is to be issued half-yearly instead of quarterly. This is a cause for regret, for it generally includes some articles of value to micro- scopists. The December number contains two upon Rotifers, by Mr. George Weston, F.R.M.S. Tue Eighth Annual Report of the Liverpool Marine Biology Committee and their Biological Station at Port Erin is now issued. We find that a useful little museum of local marine zoology of the Isle of Man is being formed at the Aquarium, which will be most useful to those who take one of the tables at Port Erin for investigation and study. Quite a number of additions to the marine fauna of the Irish Sea are recorded. ALTHOUGH ten years have passed since George Rainey, the well-known teacher of medical and surgical sciences, of St. Thomas’s Hospital, died in his eighty-fourth year, the sketch of his life and scientific work, by Mr. W. W. Wagstaffe, just issued by Adland and Son, London, as a reprint, with portrait, from vol. xxii. of that hospital’s report, will be welcomed by many of Rainey’s old pupils andadmirers. Among his numerous writings were some dealing with vegetable and animal structure. TuHE last meeting of the Entomological Club of London was held under the presidency of Mr. George H. Verrall, of Newmarket, at the Holborn Restaurant, London, on the 15th January. Up- wards of forty members and visitors attended, who were afterwards hospitably entertained, according to Mr. Verrall’s generous custom. This clubis, we believe, the oldest entomological society in the world, and is strictly limited to a very small membership. It possesses a fine old collection of British insects of all orders, now in charge of Dr. Lowne, of ‘‘ blow-fly ”’ celebrity. THE Rev. W. K. Suart, M.A., read a carefully prepared paper on ‘‘ Researches in the theory of In-breeding’”’ before the meeting of the Cage Bird Club, held at the Inns of Court Hotel, London, on December 22nd. His conclusions are that in-breeding is not contrary to nature, and that with judgment in only selecting the strongest offspring, artificial varieties of canary birds may be developed to a much further extent than is generally supposed. The members of the club, in the discussion which followed, did not appear to agree with the lecturer; but we think his con- clusions are largely founded on fact. NICOTINE PoIsoninc.—Smokers, without doubt, though few are ready to acknowledge the fact, are more or less sufferers from mild but constant poisoning by nicotine. Anything which reduces its action, is of benefit to both the present and future generations. We have had submitted for examina- tion the ‘‘Biltor’’ cartridge filter, as adapted to tobacco pipes and cigarettes. This simple arrange- ment effectually filters all the nicotine held in suspension in the tobacco smoke, which has to pass through a porous cartridge. It is not possible for this filter to fail, because when it becomes ineffective the smoker cannot any longer use the pipe, until the filter isreplaced by anew one. These cartridges are quite inexpensive and easily changed. NaTURAL History ExHisiTion.—The City of London Entomological and Natural History Society hold an exhibition of subjects within the scope of the Society, on Tuesday, February 5th, at the London Institution, Finsbury Circus. The ad- mission is free by ticket, to be obtained from Mr. C. Nicholson, 202, Evering Road, N.; or Mr. J. A. Clarke, The Broadway, London Fields, N.E. LATE APPEARANCE OF PEACOCK BUTTERFLY.— I saw a fine specimen of the peacock butterfly (Vanessa io) on the wing, when shooting at Billing- boro’, in Lincolnshire, on Saturday, November 17th. Although I did not capture it, I had abundant opportunity for examination, as it fluttered round some old willow stumps, evidently seeking a winter residence for hibernation. The insect was in splendid condition, and the specimen would not have disgraced any cabinet, notwithstanding the late time of year.—Herbert A. Hole, Harbury, Harcourt Road, Newarvk-on-Trent ; November 28th, 1894. Names WANTED.—Will some reader of SCIENCE- Gossip kindly furnish me with scientific names of undermentioned, viz.: 1. The so-called ‘soldier beetle.” 2. The active black spider which abounds in the gardens and cultivated fields during the summer months, and which may be seen darting about over clods of dirt, carrying its greenish-blue bag ofeggs. 3. The two dipterous flies which ap- pear in such myriads in the first warm days of spring, one a very hairy, sooty-black fly, about three-quarters of an inch long; the other smaller, but with a smooth yellow body.—Edward J. Robertson, Woodville, Greenhouse Lane, Painswick, Gloucester. New Micro-Stupies.—We have received from Mr. James Hornel, Director of the Jersey Biologi- cal Station, specimens of the subscription series of micro-studies, which, for their beauty, are worthy of a place in any cabinet; but to the biological student they will have a much greater value, on account of their being such carefully selected and skilfully prepared type specimens. The two botanical sections are exquisite examples of section cutting and double staining. There are four Marine subjects which are fully equal to the best studies issued from the Jersey laboratory, one being a particularly successful mount of Obelia geniculata with the polypes extended. EGG wiTH THREE Yorxs.—A white Leghorn hen laid an egg on November 23rd, which weighed 5% oz., length 34 inches, width 2} inches; this is probably not so abnormal to be much noticed, except as coming from a small breed of fowls. There were in it three yolks, and I can hear of no such other instance. May I ask you if you ever knew of two chickens being hatched from a double-yolk egg? I know a large poultry fancier who has for years set all double-yolk eggs and has never succeeded in getting two chickens. A few days ago a gentleman told me he once set five duck-winged game eggs under a buff Cochin hen in a locked-up place, and had six chickens.—Henry Ward, 12, Norham Gardens, Oxford; Dec. 13th, 1894. SCIENCE-GOSSIP. PRESERVING FuncGI.—Could any of your readers tell me, through the columns of Sc1ENcE-GossIp, the best way to preserve fungi ?—B. Jackson, Newbury. GINGER-BEER PLANT.—Can any of your readers inform me anything about the so-called ginger- beer plant, and where I could obtain a specimen ?— Clement Fielding, Halifax ; November, 1894. Ponp Lire.—Can anyone recommend mea good and fairly cheap book (illustrated preferred) on Pond Life? I want one, if possible, in the same style as Slack’s ‘‘ Marvels of Pond Life,’’ but more comprehensive, and not so brief as Cooke’s “Thousand Objects for the Microscope,” with regard to the descriptions. In short, what I want is a sort of combination of the two.—C. Nicholson, Clapton, London, N.E. PROTECTION OF WILD Brirps.—Some little time since, the Home Secretary, by letter, called the attention of certain County Councils to the new Act of 1894 (57 and 58 Vict. cap. 24) which throws upon the County Councils the responsibility of putting the law into force. Itis, however, optional on the part of the County Council whether the Act shall apply in the county, or any part of it under its jurisdiction. This Act makes it penal to take the nests and eggs of ordinary wild birds, or to incite others to do so, the fine not exceeding one pound for every egg taken or destroyed. The Council, on adopting the Act for any district, is bound to give three weeks’ notice by advertisement and public announcement before conviction can take place. THE WEATHER AND BUTTERFLY LIFE. —A butterfly vivarium I kept out in the open air in the late cold and wet season, which should have been summer by the almanac, has enabled me to make some interesting observations upon the effect of the weather on butterfly and moth life. Papilio sinon and P. machaon seemed on the whole indifferent to the low temperature and damp atmosphere, but a violent thunderstorm we had on the toth of August killed them off wholesale. In the case of P. machaon, the cold weather retarded the emerg- ence of many of the imagos from the pupa state, and some, even, did not come out till late in August, and I have two living pupz# now from which the butterflies have not come out yet (December 12th). They will certainly remain in the chrysalis state until next summer. Aforia crategi emerged at about its usual time, but the butterflies seemed susceptible of cold and all died off when the tem- perature fell; thus disappointing my hopes of obtaining ova from the females. A batch of pupz of Melitga auvinia were so retarded by the chilly weather that the butterflies never came out at all. I am rather surprised at this, as the variety merope occurs in Switzerland very near to the snow line. Excepting that they were perhaps more sluggish than usual the common English butterflies were not much affected by the low temperature. My specimens of Vanessa urtice, which emerged in the autumn, were rather backward in emerging and were somewhat dwarfed. I think if entomologists knew the pleasure to be derived from an insect vivarium there would be more keep one. Lepi- dopterists who have learned all there is to know about the dead and pinned-out specimens of British butterflies will find a new field of research open to them in observing the habits of living ones, about which there is still much to investigate.—Albert H. Waters, B.A., Devonshire Road, Cambridge; December 12th, 1894. SCIENCE-GOSSIP. THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO,— The twenty-fifth Annual Report of this society, being for the year 1894, is issued by the Depart- ment of Agriculture of the Province of Ontario as a ‘‘ Blue Book,” and is illustrated with portraits of Professor William Saunders and Mr. Augustus Radcliffe Grote, A.M., besides containing many smaller illustrations in the text. This important society has been established upwards of thirty-two years. The annual address, by the retiring president, Mr. W. Hague Harrington, F.R.S.C., is an interesting véswmé of entomological work in the Dominion for the past twenty-five years and the different directions in which it might be with advantage continued in the future. This meeting was held at London, Ontario, on November 7th last, there being both day and evening sessions. This report contains several very interesting papers, one being on the use of English names for Canadian lepidoptera, which is advocated, as tending to popularise a taste for natural-history. Another is an illustrated paper on Eastern Canadian butterflies. PHOTOGRAPH OF GALE’S COMET, TAKEN AT THE LicK OBSERVATORY, CALIFORNIA.—A repro- duction of one of several successful photographs of Gale’s comet, taken by Professor Barnard with a six-inch portrait lens, and two and a quarter hours’ exposure, was given recently in “Astronomy and Astro-physics.” Professor Bar- nard remarks, ‘‘ The peculiar characteristic of this comet is its slender tail and round head. There was no apparent development of the head as usual in comets possessed of a tail—that is, there was no apparent diffusion of the material of the head to form the tail.’’ The tail could be traced for fully 10°, as aslender, nearly straight, ray. On a plate taken on May 3rd it shows a tendency to split up into strands. On May 4th it is as long and slender as on May 3rd, but, singularly enough, it tapers down to a point and vanishes nearly one degree before reaching the head. There are, how- ever, two short tails that spring out from the head on each side of where the main tail should join. On May 5th a fine photograph was obtained, which shows a rather complicated tail leaving the head as a thin streak, and then gradually widening out. A Mirtp DecEemsBer.—All over the South of England the month of December, 1894, was charac- teristic of mildness and absence of frost. On Christmas Day thrushes and blackbirds were com- monly singing in shrubberies and copses between Finchley and Hendon, in Middlesex. Mr. D. J. Rice gathered on that day a fine bunch of primroses in the woods on the southern side of Leith Hill, in Surrey, where they had been in bloom for more than three weeks previously. Violets and bramble flowers were found in the same locality, but the rain and damp had bleached the latter. Wallflowers were plentiful in cottage gardens. Elder bushes were in some places green with young expanded leaves. At Beckenham, in Kent, ripe blackberries were gathered on Christmas Day. Mr. A. Henwood Teague writes on December 27th: ‘‘ The following are in a collection of wild flowers picked to-day during my afternoon walk in the suburbs of Penzance. Tavaxacum densleonis, Lychnis diurna (staminate and pistillate flowers), Hypocheris glabra, Bellis pevennis, Ulex euvopeus, Rubus fruticosus, Anagallis arvensis, Veronica serpyllifolia, Senecio vul- garis, Hevacleum sphondylium, Geranium robertianum, Hedera helix, Fasione montana, Potentilla veptans, and Capsella bursa-pastoris.”’ 285 BEC) VPESCO VY EVES = ‘GEOLOGICAL MaAGAZINE.”’—We understand that M. Horace B. Woodward has been appointed one of the assistant editors of this excellent magazine. His connection with the survey, and extensive knowledge of geology generally, should make him a welcome addition to the editorial staff. PITHECANTHROPUS ERECTUS.—Some little time since the scientific world was startled by the state- ment that remains of an extinct animal had been found in Java, which would supply the place of what the world at large chooses to call the missing link. Much as such a discovery is desired it has yet to be made, for there appears to be a serious mistake about the very imperfect remains described and illustrated in a monograph by Mons. E. Dubois, of a supposed erect anthropoid animal connecting man with the present larger apes. GEoLoaists’ AssociIaATION.—At the meeting of this society which took place on the 4th January, Mr. G. F. Harris, F.G.S., read a paper ‘‘ On the analysis of Oolitic Structure.’’ He gave a detailed acount of the microscopic structure and peculiarities of oolitic grains of various ages, from many different parts of the world, and showed that the horizon and locality of a piece of oolitic rock could be determined from an examination of the internal structure of its component grains. Instances were also mentioned where the grain had been dissolved by percolating water, so that a vacant space remained in the body of the rock, the nucleus, of course, if insoluble, remaining behind. The paper was illustrated by a beautiful series of lantern slides, prepared from the micro-photographs of Messrs. Harris and Chapman, and was followed by an interesting discussion. In the absence of Lieut.-Gen. McMahon, the chair was taken by Professor Blake. At the next meeting of the society Lieut.-Gen. McMahon will deliver the annual presidential address on the ‘‘Geology of the Himalayas” SECTION OF CHALK AT CROYDON.—A somewhat curious section of the chalk, showing its junction with the Thanet (?) sand, is to be seen on the road from South Croydon to Sanderstead. The chalk appears to be broken and tilted, and presents an extremely uneven surface, the clefts or fissures being filled in with buft-reddish, iron-stained sands. The dip of the chalk seems to be very great, although from the smallness of the section one might be easily deceived on this point, while another small section, recently opened a few hundred yards away, showed but a very slight inclination. The only explanation I have been able to think of, after examination of the ground in the neighbourhood, is that the road here crosses a fault. But on showing the section to a friend he was inclined to think that the curious appearance of the section was due to the washing down of the sand over the face of the chalk, although he could not demonstrate it on the spot. Perhaps some of the readers of SCIENCE- Gossip can offer an explanation of the section.— A. Absell, jun., 245, Selhurst Road, South Norwood, January, 1895. a WA ; {SCN ABROAD ABROAD| + Sr Za vA I < HE LN PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL Sciences. (Philadelphia, 1894, pp. 289--384.)— A Proposed Classification of the Fossovial Hymenoptera of North America, by William J. Fox. Recent Mound Exploration in Ohio, by G. Fowke and W. K. Moore- heed, with diagrams. New Species of Fungi from Various Localities, by J. B. Ellis and B. M. Everhart, a lengthy communication occupying some sixty pages, not concluded. COMPTE RENDU DE LA SOCIETE PHILOMATIQUE. (Paris, December, 1894, Nos. 4and5.) M. Bordas communicated a note on The Salivary Glands of the Honey-bee. Dr. Jousseaume contributes a note containing diagnoses of new shells collected in the Red Sea. The work will be published in detail in the ‘‘ Bulletin,” and contains no less than twenty- nine new (?) species. An interesting note on longevity is recorded in the case of Bulimus deflersit, which, after being enclosed in a box during two years, revived and lived several months. A second recent species of the genus Plesiothyreus, known only in the fossil state until the publi- cation of a species by Mr. Sowerby, is also of interest. : BULLETIN DE L’AcAaDEMIE IMPE&RIALE DES SCIENCES DE ST. P&TERSBOURG. (Fifth series, volumei., 1894.) The Imperial Academy of Sciences has made an alteration in the manner of publication of its work. In future it will publish (1) ‘°a Monthly Bulletin” containing reports of the meetings of the Academy, annual reports on scientific research, reports on prizes conferred by the Academy, and reports on the work of its museums. In addition it will contain scientific memoirs not exceeding certain limits, while those of greater bulk will be made known by extracts edited by the authors. These will be printed in sucha manner that each paper can be detached if required, so as to form a separate article, while each part will be sold separ- ately. (2) ‘‘Memoires de l’Académie Imperiale des Sciences,’’ divided into two independent series, one devoted to the physical-mathematical section and the other to the historical and philological section of the Academy. Part i. contains an article by A. Karpinsky, on The General Character of the Movements of the Terrestrial Crust in European Russia, and one by S. Korshinsky, on Ancient Vegetable Remains in the Ural, with a map; alsoa note by the same author on Some Plants of European Russia; all the foregoing in the Russian language. The following articles are in French: A New Method of Preparing Alkaline Metals, by N. Beketoff; Variations of Latitude of Poulkovo, with a chart, by A. Ivanof. Part ii. contains ; Note on Some Species of Pirinea, by S. Korshinsky ; Observations on the Spots on Jupiter's Disk, by W. Seraphimof, both in French, and the continuation of Crustacia Caspia, by G. O. Sars, in English, with eight plates. Part ili. contains; On the Laws of Variation of Terrestrial Latitudes, and Observations on Planets, both in French, by A. Ivanof. Part iv. contains a further continuation of SCIENCE-GOSSIP. Professor G. O. Sars’ valuable Monongraph on Caspian Crustacea, with eight plates (English text) ; A paper on Free Energy (in Russian text), by B. Galitzine, and title-page and index to the volume. FEUILLES DES JEUNES NATURALISTES (Paris, January, 1895).—M. Géneau de Lamarliére con- tributes a first instalment of A Symnoptical Table of the Perisporiacea, with a page of figures. M. E. Fournier has A Sivatigvaphic Study of the Nerthe Chain neay Marseilles, and the editor continues his Monograph of the Idoteide of the French Coasts, with four figures in the text. Under the nom-de- plume of ‘‘ Un vieil amateur” an interesting note is given on introduced plants. It deals with the naturalisation or rather invasion of American plants in France. About fifteen years previously Amsinckia intermedia had been noticed to have invaded the island of Billancourt, near Paris, but whence it has since disappeared. A single ‘specimen was subsequently found near Montmo- rency, but it has not since been seen there. This year (1894) the author has again found it in great abundance in the Valley of Chevreuse. Lepidium virginicum has been found to cover from time to time certain spots near Paris, such as, for instance, Charentin or Billancourt, to disappear entirely afterwards, but while once established on the French coast of the Gulf of Gascogne, it has sent out colonies into the Pyrenees, along all the railway lines. Attention is drawn to the importance of these latter, with regard to the dissemination of plants, in support of which the words of an old botanist are quoted. M. Fourcade, of Bagnéres-de-Luchon, who died a few years since, said to the author: ‘‘ When I was young and wanted to find new plants I went to the mountains, now I am old I go to the railway-stations.’’ Careful notes have been made year by year how Méelilotus alba travelled from station to station on the Ligne du Nord (Northern Railway). Italian plants, such as Amaranthus patulus, Galinsoga parviflova, Stenactis annua, have penetrated the valleys of the south-east. This year another railway traveller has been observed, 2.¢., Matricaria discotdea. This has long been known in Germany. In 1878 the dismantled fortification, Hesdin (Pas de Calais), was covered with it. At present it has overrun the whole of Picardy, and in due time it is expected to arrive in Paris. Calepina corvint, which was previously only known to occur at Bale, according to M. Bouvier, was this year found plentifully at Geneva even on the lawns of the railway-stations. In addition to railways, rivers are accredited with effectual dissemination of plants. The banks of the Seine, between the two bridges of Argenteuil, were carefully examined and yielded eight species indigenous to the south of France, besides some from Galicia and Bohemia. The author concludes his paper with a mention of Salsola tvagus, which has been found near Lausanne. This plant has also invaded Dakota, where it is called the Russian Thistle; there it has done con- siderable damage to agriculture, to such an extent that laws have been passed to effect its eradication. A curious fact is recorded by M. Ph. Zurcher, of Toulon. He states that he noticed a large number of winged ants rise from an ants’ nest. About a dozen dragon-flys were hovering just above them, and caught the unfortunate ants one after the other with great address, devouring the abdominal part while dropping the remainder of the bodies, » great numbers of which were found crawling about in apparent agony. SCIENCE-GOSSIP. /y eS " jay 5 ae jah gets en = WSL SS ‘ =v} gee eee PLANTS FLOWERING IN WINTER.—On the 31st December I found in this neighbourhood no fewer than 42 different specimens of plants in flower. They belonged to the following natural orders: Composite 13, Caryophylle 4, Rosacez 4, Umbelli- ferze 3, Geraniacez 3, Leguminosz 2, Ranunculaceze 2, Boraginacez 2, Labiatz 2, Cruciferze 1, Primu- laceze 1, Violaceze 2, Apocynacez 1, Gentianacez I, Euphorbiaceze 1; the following being the list as regards colour—yellow 14, white 13, pink, etc., 10, blue 4, green 1.—Foseph Halliday, 2, George Street, Wellington, Somerset. Borany 1n Fiction.—It is difficult to be quite accurate throughout a whole book, even a novel being subject to mistake. A friendly correspondent points out that Mr. W. H. Chesson, in his story ‘““Name this Child,” has, by implication, con- founded the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) with the common corn poppy (Papaver rheas). On page 134, a little boy is described as becoming ill through eating the latter flower. ‘‘It is all right,’ says the father, afterwards, ‘‘ but your boy has, as you say, too much nature. Will you believe it, he was inviting me to the feast. ‘ They will make you quite sleepy’ he said. ‘My boy’ I answered, ‘ leave them alone, we oversleep half our lives already.’’’ We fear this boy must have been very sick before he went to sleep on the petals of our corn poppy. LEGUMINOUS PLANTS IN ABERDEENSHIRE.—lIt is of value to notice that the sulphur-coloured trefoil (Trifolium ochreulucum), has acclimatized itself in Mony-musk, in the Don Valley. This has evidently been the result of being introduced among agri- cultural seeds. When I saw plants of it there several years ago, they were in flower in the month of July, and had evidently thoroughly established themselves. While hop-trefoil (Trifolium procumbens) at one time only occurred at the outside of its limits, when its seeds were introduced among agricultural seeds, it is now supporting itself in some parts by the seeds of the local grown plants, pro- ducing plants, being an advance from the time when the seeds did not mature sufficiently to germinate or at least strong enough to produce plants. The common vetch (Vicia sativa), which has always been occasionally met with here on agricultural fields, has of recent years established itself in manner similar to the last-mentioned, along various tracts of the Valley of the Don, where its attractive flowers adorn the landscape among the other flowering plants. I have been unable He find large birds-foot trefoil (Lotus major Scop.), i Alford, where it was once found. Although I uve seen it in Midmar, nearer the sea coast, growing on damp pasture. Birds-foot trefoil (Lotus cornicu- latus) has not been so abundant here for some years as it once was, but perhaps the increase of any particular class of animals might cause this for some seasons, which might just revert to the former quantity during the next few years, or there might be a permanent decrease.—W. Wilson, Alford, Aberdeen. RoyaLt METEOROLOGICAL Society.—The Annual Meeting of this Society was held on Wednesday evening, January 16th, at the Institution of Civil Engineers, Great George Street, S.W., Mr. R. Inwards, F.R.A.S., President, in the chair. The Council, in their report, reviewed the work done by the Society during the past year, and also stated that additional accommodation had been provided to meet the growing needs of the library. Forty- five new Fellows had been elected during the year. Mr. Inwards, in his presidential address, dealt with the subject of ‘‘ Weather Fallacies,’ which he treated under the heads of saints’-day fallacies, sun and moon fallacies, and those concerning animals and plants. He also referred to the almanac makers, weather prophets and impostors who have from time to time furnished the world with fit materials for its credence or its ridicule. Mr. C. Harding read a paper on ‘‘ The Gale of December 21st-22nd, 1894, over the British Isles.” This storm was one of exceptional severity, especi- ally over the Northern portions of England and Ireland, andin the south of Scotland. It developed energy very quickly and travelled with great rapidity. The self-recording anemometers show that the greatest violence of the wind occurred at Fleetwood, where the velocity was 107 miles in the hour between 8.30 and 9.30 a.m. on the 22nd, and for four consecutive hours the velocity exceeded too miles. . This is the greatest force of wind ever recorded in the British Isles, and is ten miles an hour in excess of the highest wind velocity in the great storm of November 16th—2oth, 1893. At Holy- head the wind in squalls attained the hourly velocity of 150 miles between 10 a.m. and noon on the 22nd. The strongest force was mostly from the north-westward. SouTH LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL History Society.— At the meeting of January roth, 1895, T. W. Hall, Esq., Vice-President, in the chair. Mr. Thornhill, Castle Cosy, Ireland, and Mr. Brooks, Grange Hall, Rotheram, were elected members. Mr. C. G. Barrett exhibited a speci- men of Hydvilla palustris from Wicken, and four specimens of Caradrina ambigua from the Isle of Wight. One of the latter had an indentation in the hind margin of the fore wing which was perfectly ciliated. The malformation had caused the orbicular and reniform on that side to coalesce. Mr. Tutt stated that the species he had reported as C. superstes, Tr., had turned out to be a form of C. ambigua, but he was of opinion that some of his Deal captures were C. superstes. Mr. W.A. Pearce, a bred specimen of Achenontia atropos. It was stated that the pupa of this species had no free segments and was thus unable to work its way through the earth. Mr. Carrington, the sections of wood naturally stained, which had recently been described and figured in SciENCE-GossiP, also a series of Dendritic Crystals on flints, from Chatham, Kent, and described their origin and composition. Mr. R. Adkin, bred specimens of Vanessa urtice, from Sutherland, one of which had 288 the central cosial and the inner marginal bloich united. Mr. Tutt gave an interesting account of a change in habit of spots of a race of Zygena trifolit, within the last fifteen years. In the dis- cussion which followed several members gave instances of a small six-spotted Zygena being taken early in June in various localities. Mr. Carrigion gave a short summary of the spread and imcrease ot melanism during the lasi twenty years. Com- munications were read from the President, and from Mr. Brooks, Rotherham. Mr. Tutti read a paper on “Zysena ochsenheimerit, Zell, and its varieties,” and exhibited a long series in illusira- tion. The Annual Meeting was held on January 2ath, when Mr. T. W. Hall, F_E_S., was elected President of the society for the coming year. In the absence of Mr. Step, the retiring president, who some time since went to reside in Cornwall, his presidential address was read to the meeting. In it he dwelt, among other things, upon the increasing tendency to describe both plants and animals in «« Scientific Volopok,” which, in his opinion, delayed knowledge rather than spread it. Several instances were quoied, with examples of simpler language, which would have equally or better served ihe purpose. —Hy. J. Turner (Eon. Rep. Sec). THe Cace Birp CLus mei at the Inns of Conrt Hotel on Saturday, January roih, 1895, Dr. W. T-. Greene, M.A., in the chair. The election of new members was adjourned until the February meeting. Mr. Howard Williams was elecied auditor and scrutineer. The subject of blindness in birds was considered, and a prescription given which had cured an e imenial case. A lecture by Dr. W. T. Greene, M.A. F.Z.S., on “ Hard-Billed British Birds” was delivered to an inieresied audience. A discussion followed, and votes of thanks io the lecturer and chairman closed the meeting —Wiham H. Betis, T. Marshall (Hon. Secs.). NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS. To CorRESPoONDENTS 4ND ExcHANGERS.—ScIENnce-GossiP is published on the 25th of cach month. All notes or other communications should reach us not later than the 18th of the month for insertion in the following number. No com- munications can be imserted or noticed withont full name and address of writer. Nowice.—Contribuiors are requested to siticily observe the following rules. All contributions must be clzaviy written on ofe side of the paper only. Words intended to be Printed in salics should be marked under with a single line. Generic names must be given in full, excepting where used immediately before. Capitals may only be used for generic, and not specific names. Scientific names and names of places to be written in round hand. THe Editor is not responsible for unused MSS., neither can he undertake to return them, unless accompanied with stamps for return posiage. Susscrirtions.—Subscriptions to Scrence-Gosst. at the rate - 6s. 6d. for twelve months {including postage), are now due. Tue Editors will be pleased to answer questions and name Specimens through the Correspondence column of the maga- zime. Specimens, in good condition, oi not more than three species to be sent at one time, carriage paid. Dmuplicates only to be sent, which will not be returned. The specimens must have identifying numbers attached, together with lccality, date and particulars of capture. AEL communications, remittances of subscriptions, books OF instruments for review, specimens for identification, cic, are to be addressed to Joun T. Carzmmerton, 1, Northumber- land Avenue, London, W.C. SCIENCE-GOSSIP. CORRESPONDENCE. Gzorce OLDFIELD (Norton Malton).—Terebraiula maxilaia and a small species of Terebratula, the other is a Rhynconella. W. Hetsezmeton (Nenthead).—They are both specimens of Avagomsie, A. LorpErLt.—({1) Gibson’s “Flora of Essex; (2) in the * Journal of Conchology ;” (3) we will enquire. R. R. Hurcemson (Tunbridge Wells.)—Bell’s “British Repiiles” is best, but a little ont of Gate; Miss Catherine Hopley’s work is popular, but useful. Dr. M. C. Cooke’s ““Qur Reptiles-and Batrachians” is most recent; it was reviewed in Scr=nce-Gossr in April, page ao. C. Hucuzs (Edgbasion)—_The pinned beetle is Aphodius vujipes, that on card is Ofiorrhynchus sulcatus. The shells are Helix votundaia. W. P. Hawirton (Shrewsbury)—The “blight” on the palm-leaves are scale imsects (Coccidide) of the genus Aspidioius, apparently A. efidend7s. lt is an inhabitant of hot-houses, and affects various kinds of plants. The desituction of these insects and their eggs may be accom- plished by spraying or syringing with the following mixture, accurately meade: Sofi soap, 2 oz.; parafim, 1 quart; soft water, 3-gallon. Dissolve the soap in the water heated to boiling, then add the parafim and churn the mixture aniil creamy with garden syringe, which result thickens on cool- ing. Diluie with nime or ien times its bulk of soft water, and syringe the plani in cool, dull weather. If stronger than this formula the miximre may do harm. This is an excellent inseciicide for Aphids and other plant enemies, both indoors and in the open garden. Yes, those on fem are another genus. EXCHANGES. Noticze,—Exchanges extending to thirty words (including hame and address) admitted free, but additional words must be prepaid at the rate oi threepence for every seven words or less. CaszeLta’s Travellers’ Pocket Altazimuth, good as new, lately adjusted by the maker; cost £6 6s. Wanied,in ex- change for this, a “ Richard” Registering Aneroid Barometer. —H. G. Madan, Bearland House, Gloucesier. A Larcs quantity of silkworms’ eggs to exchange for pup= or birds’ esgs; many common kinds.—Leslie Lewis, Bimsied Reciory, near Arundel, Sussex. Wantep, Geikie’s “Text Book of Geology,” fossils and modem shells, in exchange for books, eic.; state wanis.— Charles Rowland, 32, Essex Road, Action, W. ABout 400 species of exotic land and freshwater shells, also zon species of Mitra and Nassa, offered in exchange for exotic land shells.—Miss Linter, Tannenfels, Florence Road, Boscombe, Hants. OFFERED, Scr=nce-Gossir, im paris, from 1876 to end of first series. What offers in Natural History books—W. Sim, Gourdas, Fyvie, N.B. DurrLicaTes—British Lepidopiera,some scarce; desider- ata, ioreign showy buiierflies—W. H. Scoit, 89, Prospect Hill, Leicester. A woumBeze of foreign and some British shells for exchange ; foreign correspondents desired.— Mrs. Heitland, The Priory, Shrewsbury. A conFERrva from Persia, Spheeroplea annulina, with beautiful red spores.—Send lisis to Rev. A. J. Smith, Carring- ton, Wootton Gardens, Bonrmemonih. WantTED, 2 copy of Tryon’s “Situct. and Syst. Con- chology.-—W. A. Gain, Tusford, Newark. OFFERED, “ Natural Science,” 1891; ‘‘Knowledge,” Jan. (o.p.), Feb., March, May, June, Sepi., 1894, all unbound. Wanted, foreign shells or fossils.— Rev. R. A. Bullen, Shoreham Vicarage, Sevenoaks. BritisH and foreign shells offered for Liassic and Oolitic fossils or recent botanical works —A. Loydell, 10, Chancer Road, Acton, W. WanTz=D, by collecior, used stamps, old or present issue, from East, West, Ceniral and South Africa. No dealers need apply.— Miss Graham, 42, Tisbury Road, Hove, Brighton. : OFFERED, Natica islandica, N. greenlandica, Astarie triangularis, Leda minuia, Montacuta subsiviata, Buccinum undatum, var. peligica, Siylifer turioni, Xylophaga dorsalis. Wanted, rare marine or land and feshwater shells.—_ William Dow, 124, Loch Sirect, Aberdeen. Antwan Harzs—Small packets of 12 different kinds of hairs, ilk ing Mr. Lord’s articles, offered in exchange for one good laniern slide or stereograph._J. W. Wilshaw, 210, Myrtle Road, Sheitield. vs mS * ae > ’ + ae : Z > a fon « ” _ mil i “ 2 & . * 7% §, . . , * . * * ‘ F ‘ . ml <— ' : , 6+ bee é . ~ . i. — ‘ = SSS EEE eee ookbinders, Printers, and Stationers, 58, VICTORIA STREET, LIVERPOOL. SSS EE | | : C. TINLING & CO,, re, Se