ESTABLISHED 99, igi y } New SERIES. VoL. V. No 54. NOV., 1898 Is Bik . "| | ‘| An Illustrated Monthly Record of NATURE, COUNTRY-LORE NYA | y) hs aa La APPLIED SCIENCE ‘s 7 EDITED BY JOHN T. CARRINGTON SSS ERE SSE QA Re: LONDON: SIMPKIN MarsHALt, Hamitton, Kent & Co., Limirep. ASSAU STEAM Press, LIMITED. BERLIN: R, FriepLANDER & Soun, CARLSTRASSE It. [All Rights Reserved] rend bedo SCIENCE-GOSSIP. W. WATSON & SONS, 373, High Holborn, London, W. C, NEW AND INTERESTING Whole Water Spider, Argyroneta aquatica 00 0 Gad Fly, Tabanus bovinus Internal Organs and Alimentary System of Blow Fly, Male and Female .. oe. «-. each Hair of Polyxenus Lagurus, New Test Object oe . Fleas of Sparrow, Male and Female, on one slide Laburnum Moth, Cemoistoma laburnella, opaque, very beautiful Lilac Moth, Gracilaria syringella, opaque, very peautiful New Polycistina trom Ciuff’s Estate, Barbados, transparent _ Chimborazo ” Human internal Ear, section, showing Cochlea.. oocosooo bt be et et et DD CBD BD ,SCRAMRORR FCO | Capitulum of Sunflower.. MICROSCOPIC CIELO Pigment Cells in section of Skin of Negro . Group of about 150 selected perfect Diatoms ee 30 Insects’ Eggs . Type Slide of 50 British Foraminifera, each specie with ‘its name 4 photographed beneath Set of 12 slides illustrating Physiography i in Case », 12 Sections of Typical Rocks in case New Chemical Crystals for use with the Micro- Polariscops, Aconitin, Anemonin, Uratun, iHeliowopin ae «. each oo coor OfOSO Tr eo waE bt es Any of the above Objects sent by return on receipt of remittance for price. CLASSIFIED LIST, vepresenting a Stock of 40,000 first-class Objects, sent post free on application. MICROSCOPES AND APPARATUS. WATSON & SONS’ TRIPOD EDINBURGH STUDENT’S MICROSCOPE Is suitable for investigations with the hi hest powers. The quality and workmanship are the finest possible, and it is unequalled for stability and convenience of manipalation by any otheg medium sized or Student’s Instrument. Price, from £4 5s WATSON & SONS’ VAN HEURCK MICROSCOPE combines every mechanical convenience, with the utmost precision in all the working parts, and is unsurpassed for Photo-Microgr y and all research of the most delicate nature. h WATSON & SONS’ NEW CENTRING UNDERFITTING c can be adapted to almost any make of Student’s Microscope, and permits of the Substage Condenser being made precisely central with the objective. Particulars on application. Full Illustrated Catalogue of Microscopes and Apparatus sent post free on application to W.WATSON & SONS, Opticians to Her Majesty’s Government, 818, HIGH HOLBORN. LONDON, W.C., anD 78, SWANSTON STREET, MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA. Awarded the GRAND PRIX at the International Exhibition, Antwerp, 1894; 37 Gold and other Medals at International Exhibitions including 5 Highest Awards at the World's Fair, Chicago, 1893, for Excellence of Manufactures. MAGIC LANTERNS. NO SMELL. NO SMOKE. NO BROKEN GLASSES. GRAND y . THE MARVELLOUS RESULTS. PAMPHENGOS. -B]| The £4 4s, to £3 40s, Reduced from £6 6s. to £4 4s. MARVELLOUS PAMPHENGOS.—The finest Oil-lighted Lan- tern extant; equals Limelight; stood the test against all imitations. Over 3,000 sold—supplied to the Government and School Boards. Particulars free. The Universal Lantern, 4-Inch double Condensers, Portralt Lenses, Rack and Pinion, four-wick Lamp, reduced to 18s. 6d. GILCHRIST SCIENCE LANTERN.—Oxyhydrogen Micro- ae es, Polariscopes, &c. The Cinematograph for Living ctures. ELEGANT MAHOGANY BIUNIAL, brass fronts, £6 108.; blow-through Safety Jets, 8s. 6d.; mixed Gas Jet, 128.6d. Mr. HuGuEs’s Grandly Illustrated Catalogue, over 160 Original Wood Engravings. Price, 6d.; Postage, 3d. Cheapest, Best and Most Reliable Outfits in the world. ; THE ART OF PROJECTION, AND COMPLETE MAGIO LANTERN MANUAL, by an Expert. Over 100 fine Illustrations, with priceless wrinkles. How to use Oil, Limelight, Dissolving, Electric, Microscopic and Polarising Lanterns, Slide Making, Painting, &c. Prof. MatpEN says:—‘' Thoroughly practical Work; should be studied by the experienced operator and Amateur alike. Price, bound in cloth, 3s. 6d.; Postage, 5d. W. C. HUGHES, Patentae ano Spaciatist, Brewster House, Mortimer Road, Kingsland, London, NW, ’ SEconp-HaND LANTERNS AND SLIDES—BARGAINS, ILLUSTRATED LISTS FREE. 6O Beautifully Coloured Slides on loan for 8/= MICROSCOPICAL. Well-mounted objects, especially suitable for exhibi- bition, for sale (from 6d.), or exchange for good unmounted material in fair quantities; send for lists. OBJECTS SENT ON APPROVAL. FRANK P. 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A few of Nos. 1 to 12 still in print, price 1s. each. The Geological Time Papers and Charts. No.1. The ‘R” Geological Time Scale, price 1d. Nos.o to 3 Charts, 3d. each, Post free 1d. extra. Now ready. London: O'DRISCOLL, LENNOX & CO,, Printers and Publishers, 10 & 12, Elephant Road, Elephant and Castle. 20 Coco ale), ee a ‘ SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 161 THE NOVEMBER METEORS. By Frank C. DENNETT. gee records of the past millennium occasionally refer to magnificent meteor showers in the months of October and November. Professor H. A. Newton, in the ‘‘ American Journal of Science and Arts” for May, 1864, gave a list of thirteen such displays between and including the years go2 and 1833. The earliest of these, 902, occurred on October 12th, and that of 1202 on October roth. In 1366 the record says: ‘‘ Twenty-two days of the month of October being past, three months before exact, five, seven and eight days respectively, later than the same days of the month now used under the Gregorian calendar. In 1799 the shower was on November 11th, and was observed in South America by Humboldt and Bonpland. In 1833 the phenomenon is recorded on November 12th, and in 1866 on November 13th and ry4th. Since more careful observations have been made these showers are all found to radiate from one spot in the heavens, close to a 5°7 magnitude star PaTHS oF 17 LEONIDS OBSERVED AT BRISTOL ON THE MORNING OF Novy, 14th, 1879. Fiom “The Great Meteoric Shower of November.” the death of the king, Don Pedro (of Portugal), there was in the heavens a movement of the stars such as men never before saw or heard. At mid- night, and for some time after, all the stars moved from the east to the west, and after being collected together they began to move, some in one direc- tion, others in another. And afterwards they fell from the sky in such numbers, and so quickly together, that as they descended low in the air they seemed large and fiery, and the sky and the air seemed to be in flames, and even the earth appeared as if ready to take fire.’ It will be remembered that those three dates were given in old style chronology, some days, or, to be more NovemMB_ER, 1898.—No. 54, Vol. V. marked as 7 Leonis by Bode, situated in the middle of the sickle of Leo. To be quite exact, the posi- tion of the radiant spot, as a mean of seventy determinations, is R.A. 149° 28’ and Dec. N., or, as it is sometimes written, +, 22° 52’. These meteor showers are found to recur at intervals of thirty-three years, and therefore the next great display should occur in 1899 ; but, as in previous returns there have been abundant meteors for a year or two earlier, and three or four years later than the display-in-chief, we have much encouragement to hope that this present month will not prove an exception. Last year, it is true, English observers were not favoured with seeing 162 the shower; but some American brethren near the western coast did see numbers of these meteors. There is a special reason this November for keeping a sharp look-out. Next year the moon will be full at 10.18 a.m. on November 17th, and therefore above the horizon with such brilliance as to drown the light of all the smaller meteors, and so generally to spoil the effect of a great display. This year, on the contrary, the moon will be new just after mid- night on the 14th; therefore, given a fine night, or, more correctly speaking, morning, observers would have the best conditions for witnessing the ‘‘ shower.” There are peculiarities which these Leonids possess. Their flight is very rapid; for their own real speed has to be added to that of the earth’s orbitual motion, because the two paths meet each other. Again, they leave a bright trail behind . them, visible for a long time after the meteor has disappeared, and which has a slow motion of its own according to the air currents moving in that high portion of our atmosphere through which the Leonid has passed. There is added interest in this meteor shower when it is found that the meteorites are travelling along an orbit apparently identical with that- of the faint Comet I. 1866, otherwise known as Tempel’s Comet, which Dr. Oppolzer found to have a period of thirty-three years and sixty-five days, and which may be expected to be recovered next spring. The shower itself, according to the investigations of Mr. B. V. Marsh, of Philadelphia, U.S.A., is each year divided into three parts—a preceding, central, and following shower. Thus for the present year the preceding shower expected from 9.30 p.m., November 13th, to 9.30 a.m. on the 14th; the central shower from 4.15 to 8.45 p.m. on the 14th; and the following shower from 3 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. on the 15th. ‘There is, however, yet much uncertainty as to the exactness of the times of these displays; therefore a sharp look-out should be kept; indeed, every available time from November 7th to November 2oth should be made use of to pick up Leonids, for during the whole of this period meteors bearing the stamp of this shower are apt to put in an appearance. All who wish to help in observing these bodies should consult Mr. W. F. Denning’s valuable brochure on the subject (1), reprinted from ‘‘ The Observatory,” which gives some useful hints, with quite a fund of information, on this shower, as well as on that: known as the Andromedes. This latter shower appears to have a path identical with that of Biela’s Comet, and seems to radiate from a point R.A. 25°, Dec. + 43° near y Andromedae. These meteors are (1) “‘ The Great Meteoric Shower of November,” by W. F. Denning, F.R.A.S., Taylor and Francis, 84 in. x 54, 52 pp. portrait and four diagrams. Is. may be SCIENCE-GOSSIP. slow in motion, because the earth’s speed has to be subtracted from their own orbitual motion. They have a period of about six and a-half years, and the present year is one when a maximum display should be expected on November 23rd, the draw- back being that the moon at that time will be eleven days old. There is one striking difference between these two showers. The Leonids cannot be well observed until after eleven p.m., because the radiant point is below the horizon until near that time. On the other hand, the radiant of the Andromedes is circumpolar in England and there- fore always above the horizon. Observations should be made on the early morning of November 23rd after the moon has set, and again during the night and morning of the 23rd and 24th of that month, These meteors usually leave in their wake a train of yellowish sparks. This latter shower may possibly exceed in brilliance that of the Leonids, if it be at all equal to the magnificent displays of 1872 and 1885. To make one’s observations of use, the paths of the meteors should be carefully determined; both the place of their appearance and disappearance should be noted as nearly as possible. Some observers at once mark them down on a globe or map, and this is perhaps as accurate a method as can be followed, and one which involves as little loss of timeasany. The paths of seventeen Leonids laid down on a special chart are shown in the illustration, for the loan of which I have to thank Mr. Denning. If ordinary star maps are employed, only the shorter paths can be accurately laid down. The times of meteors of special brilliance should be noted, as perhaps others may observe them also, and then comparisons can be made and the real paths of the meteors determined. If possible the duration of the apparition should be estimated, that their rate of motion may be calculated. The comparative brightness of the meteors with known objects may also be recorded, as well as the colours, both of the meteorites and their trains. Another point to be noted is whether they burst, and, if so, if there is any sound heard. Usually after a meteor bursts the path is continued for a short distance, although it is much less brilliant, and often the direction is slightly altered. Altogether, given fine weather, there is real in- ducement to all who have any inclination to behold the superb phenomenon to prepare themselves this November to be on the watch. Already the year has proved itself remarkable, both from the number of comets discovered and from the appearance of the new planet within the orbit of Mars. Possibly it may prove exceptional also for its brilliant meteoric displays. Let every observer, therefore, be on the alert. 60, Lenthall Road, Dalston, N.E. SCIENCE-GOSSIP. FLOTATION AND ROLLING OF FORAMINIFERA. By G. H. Bryan, F.R.S. ag [* a mixture of sand and Foraminifera be put into water, the sand will sink and the Foraminifera will float.” Such is the dictum which, like the now exploded nostrum about softening coal in caustic potash in order to cut sections, has been repeated by writers innumer- able. In the hopes of preventing others from wasting hours over trying to float Foraminifera and sink sand when the task is hopeless, a few remarks may be of use. The method very promising at the commencement of the experiment, for as soon as the sand falls into the water a film of floating particles remains at the top. You examine them under the microscope, confidently expecting to see pure Foraminifera. seems To your disappointment you find little else than pure sand; and the more carefully you follow the instructions in the books about washing the salt out and drying the material before ‘‘ floating,’’ the more tenaciously do these sand particles cling to the surface. The writers all ignore the fact that small bodies, such as needles or microscopical cover - glasses, though themselves heavier water, can be easily made to float on its surface, being held up by ‘‘capillarity’’ or ‘‘surface tension”; and in the case of small sand-grains there is the greatest difficulty in making them sink. Unless all the particles of material are made to get wetted all over, it is useless to attempt to remove sand by “floating.” I have partially succeeded in avoiding this float- ing sand-film by introducing the material into the water through a piece of paper folded into a conical funnel with its opening held below the water, and finally closing the opening and remov- ing the funnel with any particles of sand that might be floating inside. By stirring the sand in the water a number of tiny white particles rose to the surface, and by skimming these off, I did actually get a very small pinch of nearly, but not quite, pure Foraminifera in one case. Even here difficulties arise, as the sand has a most unpleasant habit of carrying down bubbles of air, and when these come to the surface and burst, they will bring up a film of floating sand. To make matters worse, bubbles of air very often form in the water itself, round the sides and at the bottom of the water, and these too rise and bring up sand with them. By the time all these difficulties have been got over it is small wonder that many of the Foraminifera have filled with water and sunk. If it is so difficult to get pure Foraminifera on to the top of the water, it is much easier to effect than G a partial separation and bring them to the top of the sand, by imitating as far as possible the action of the waves in depositing those white ridges of Foraminifera and broken shells so familiar about high-water mark on our coasts. This takes far less time to do, as the preliminary washing and drying are avoided. By shaking the material in water in a saucer or soup plate, the Foraminifera and broken shells come to the top, and a gentle rotation—especially if too much water is avoided—will collect most of them round the edges, where they can be removed with a brush. If wished, it might be worth while to dry and attempt to float the material thus obtained, which would be more likely to succeed than treating the sand in bulk. As, however, the foreign matter will consist largely of broken fragments of shells and débris generally, while rounded sand-grains will almost entirely be left behind, it may be well to try the following plan, which I have not seen previously described, and which in several cases where I have tried it has answered very well. Take a sheet of paper and, after turning over one of its edges, lay it on a flat board or book. In the ‘‘ gutter’’ formed by the turned-over edge place a narrow line of the dried foraminiferous material and tilt the whole at a small angle to the horizon, the line of material being at the top.. By getting this ‘‘inclined plane”’’ at a suitable slope, which can easily be done by gradually inclining it till the required effect takes place, and gently tapping it, the débris will s/ide down in small jerks a little distance with each tap, but the rounded Foraminifera will be set rolling and will skip com- pletely off the sheet, when they can be caught ina paper tray placed below for their reception. When the débris have nearly.reached the bottom edge of the sheet they are to be tilted’ back into the groove at the top, and the process repeated till practically the whole of the Foraminifera have rolled off. This operation, depending as it does on the simple principle that a rounded body will roll down an inclined plane which is too rough to allow a flat body to slide down it, is very easy to carry out, and does not occupy one-tenth of the time required for the tedious process of floating. It has, moreover, the advantage that those trouble- some dust filaments and wood chips are entirely left behind, as also are fragments of seaweed, zoophyte, etc. Even a small pinch of material that has been ‘ floated” will yield far cleaner slides after being treated by the ‘‘inclined plane” method. University College of North Wales, Bangor. 2 SCLENCE-GOSSI: A NATURALIST IN SOUTH-EASTERN EUROPE: By MAtLcoLm Borr, F.E.S., F.Z.S. URING the past summer I had the opportunity of visiting some unfrequented portions of South-Eastern Europe. My object was to collect and study in a living state species of Orthoptera which occur in that region. During much of the time I travelled alone, but in addition to the pleasures of collecting over new ground and examining strange and somewhat. out-of-the-way places there was the very interesting satisfaction of making the personal acquaintance of several eminent entomologists, with some of whom I had previously had correspondence. During a short stay at Vienna on the way out, I had the honour of spending the day with Herr Hofrath Dr. Carl Brunner von Wattenwyl. We chatted a whole day on congenial subjects, and the veteran entomologist gave many interesting remin- iscences of the older natural-history authors, He showed photographs of nearly every one who had contributed to the literature of Orthoptera, the order in which we were both chiefly interested. After a most charming day I took leave of the illustrious orthopterist, and proceeded the following afternoon to Budapest. Here I seized the opportunity of giving myself the gratification of calling upon Herr Horvath at the National Museum. Unfortunately I was too pressed for time to be able to see the Museum thoroughly, but I was struck by some fine col- lections of various orders from New Guinea, as yet not worked out. Hearing that I wanted to make a collecting excursion in the neighbourhood of Budapest, the eminent rhynchotist introduced me to Herr Pavel, an assistant at the Museum, who, like Herr Horvath, isa Magyar. So the following morning, June 28th last, Herr Pavel and I started for Wolfsthal, a hill outsidé the town. Theseason was yet too young for perfect Orthoptera, but insects of other orders were swarming with many ‘other animals. Lizards in countless numbers scuttled away from the path as we walked along. The butterfly Avgynnis latona was common, and we took Thecla spini, various species of blues, Papilio machaon, Zygaena carniolica, and several species of Melitaea, Syntomis, Ino, and others. Coleoptera were also numerous, and we saw very many that Herr Pavel told me did not occur in Britain. The beautiful Cetonia awata was common, and another species of the same genus, much more soberly coloured, was sitting in numbers on every tall plant. A small Cicada was stridulating in many directions, and we took some fine Pentatomidae. The heat was terrific, and we could get nothing to quench our thirst. Herr Pavel seemed to revel in the heat, but I was not yet inured to it, and consequently suffered considerable inconvenience. Eventually we came toa kaféhasz, or café, where we partook of a frugal lunch, and then walked on to the barren-looking hill of Adlerberg. There, at almost the first sweep of the net, I took Saga serrata. This is the only living specimen I have ever seen of this magnificent grasshopper, but it was unfor- tunately not yet mature. We also took Decticus verrucivorus, very commonly, and Celes variabilis Pall. It was very tantalising not to find anything but immature Orthoptera, but it was too early in the season. There we found nymphs of Leftophyes, Barbitistes, Locusta cantans and others, the imagines of which would have been very welcome. An untimely accident then unfortunately confined me to my bed for ten days; but, though naturally a dreary time, when I began collecting again I found the season much more advanced. At length, on July oth, I left Budapest and arrived the following evening at Bucarest. It was an interesting if somewhat long journey. In the undulating country of south-eastern Hungary were large numbers of native cattle, beautiful great white beasts, with very long and gracefully curved horns. I was surprised to see also many buffaloes harnessed to wagons and carts. Among birds I noticed Ciconia alba, Pica caudata (in great numbers), Corvus cornix, C. frugeligus, Falco tinnunculus, of some other hawk very much like it, Lanius colluvio, and various small birds that I could not recognize from the train. We reached the grand country of Transylvania in the evening, and the scenery was very beautiful. The locality looked rich in insects, and I yearned to get out at each little station to try and do some hurried collecting, but never had time. About dusk we entered the long and dreary plains of Wallachia, and about ten arrived at Bucarest, where I was met at the station by M. Montandon, with whom I had had correspon- dence for some time. He insisted on my stopping at his house, and I was only too delighted to accept his kind invitation. The following morning, July 11th, M. Montandon took me to some rough fields and a considerable pool on the east of the town, where we saw the poorer part of the population bathing en famille. Fathers and mothers, children and friends, dogs and horses, were all bathing together. ound the borders of this pond we took several species of Stenobothvus, Oedaleus nigrofasciatus De G., Truxalis nasita L. as larvae, Acrotylus insubricus, Oedipoda caerulescens, Stauvonotus brevicollis Eversm, Platycleis gvisea Fabr., Caloptenus italicus L., and one specimen of that magnificent Hymenopteron, Scolia quadri- maculata. Great numbers of white storks were standing all round the pool, and there were others of these birds flying about overhead. Our next excursion was to Comana. This isa wooded hill due south of Bucarest, about half-an- hour away by train on the Bucarest-Giurgevo Railway. Here the insect fauna was quite different, extremely rich, and the specimens were more mature. One little corner seemed literally alive with insects. A sweep of the net brought in several specimens of Poecilimon, Isophya, Chryso- chraon, Podisma, Leptophyes albovittata, and various species of Stenobothrus. Cicada were chirping all round, as were also tree frogs. Large numbers of butterflies, such as Melanargia and Papilio podalirius, were fluttering about. Many Coleoptera and Hemiptera were taken, but the crowning capture was a fine female Onconotus servillei Serv. This is a curious Locustid, closely allied to our English Locusta vividissima, but quite unlike it in appearance. It is a thick-set insect, nearly black in colour, with a very large pronotum, fringed behind, and flat- tened from above’ The whole creature looks very oriental and extra-European. A further walk through the woods brought Tettix bipunctatus, T. subulatus, Thamnotrizon cinereus, T. littovalis, Stenobothrus parallelus and Podisma alpinum var. collinum. The previous year, in this very locality, M. Montandon had taken two species of Orthoptera new to science, one of which, Calli- menus montandont Burr, we especially sought, but invain. This is a great, ungainly, clumsy, black, shining Locustid, as large as a good-sized mouse, and about the same shape. This day’s collecting at Comana was perhaps the best day’s entomolo- gical work I have ever done in my life. Hunting in a neglected district in a foreign land, in beau- tiful weather, in a very rich locality, with an eminent entomologist and charming companion— what more could one desire? It was here also that we took Ascalaphus kolyvanensis, a species of eastern Europe and western Asia, and also the rare and curious Bittacus hageni, that looks like a daddy-longlegs, but is really a Panorpid. The collecting at Comana was so good that I feared any other locality would afterwards seem dull, but Bufta, a little village due north of Bucarest, was not disappointing. There, in a great bed of thistles, we took four males of Onconotus sevvillet, stalking them down by their chirping. Though they are in appearance so unlike their first cousins, Locusta, the chirp is almost identical. At the same time we took also Celes vaviabilis Pall, and Platycleis vittata Charp. This was the last excursion that M. Montandon and myself took together, for on the following evening I left Bucarest. The Roumanian capital is rather a disappointing town. It is not oriental, SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 165 nor yet quite occidental. A few Turks are to be seen about, but most of the natives look like gipsies: their costumes are picturesque and they are fond of bright colours. When spoken, the Roumanian language is very like Italian, and one can often gather the drift of the conversation without actually knowing a word of the language. There are naturally a good many Slavonic and Turkish words interspersed. I arrived at Orsova at three o’clock on the morning of July 16th, and promptly went to sleep forafew hours. About nine o’clock I shouldered my net and went for half-a-day’s collecting. Orsova, famous for its caviare, is just above the Iron Gates, and situated exactly on the corner of the Danube where Hungary, Serbia and Roumania join. Rou- mania was across the river, but I am not yet certain whether the insects that I took that day are from Serbia or Hungary. To get out of the difficulty I label them ‘‘ Orsova,”’ which is near enough. Returning very thirsty I halted for refreshment at a little cottage with the sign ‘Bor, Sér”’ in Hungarian, that is to say, wine and beer. I asked in vain, in my best Magyar, for a glass of beer, about the only words I knew of the tongue; but though I had been understood at Budapest, English would have been here just as useful. It turned out that the mother tongue of these villagers was Roumanian, though much Serbian was spoken. As a matter of fact, of the whole population of Hungary, barely more than half are Magyar. The remainder are mixed Slav races, with a large quantity of Roumanians and some Saxons. Nearly all speak several languages, and a porter at the station at Orsova knew Magyar, German, Rou- manian and Serbian equally well. Imagine an English railway porter speaking four tongues, and each of a different group of languages. The locality seemed good, but the season was not so advanced as near Bucarest. The only species of Orthoptera that I took for the first time that day were Sphingonotus caerulans L. and Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa L. It is a hilly region, and the hills are very dry, but in some places thickly wooded. I saw a great purple-heron (Ardea purpurea L.), and in a clearing in a wood, at quite close quarters, I watched a hoopoe (Upupa epops), the scene re- sembling the plate of this beautiful bird in the ‘Royal Natural History.” At two in the afternoon I started on a weary train journey for Bosna Brod, on the way to Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia, After twelve hours the train reached Szegedin. An hour’s wait, then half-an-hour in the train, then another change, again another change and wait, at last, at midday Sunday, I arrived at Slavish Brod, drove across the Save to Bosna Brod, and found myself in Bosnia. (Lo be continued.) 166 SCIENCE-GOSSIP. EV OF WON we DISCONTINUOUS SVARTAILION: By G. W. Burman, M.A., B.Sc. R. Bateson is one of the many evolutionists who, having weighed the theory of natural selection as propounded by Darwin and found it wanting, have proposed .various amendments and improvements. Like others who have felt the difficulties of natural selection, Mr. Bateson has preferred to try and put a patch on the old view rather than discard it, or propose one entirely new. The reason of this probably is that, in the present temper of biological science, only those who retain at least the old name can hope fora hearing. In effect, each one seems to say, as he removes this or that supporting pillar of the Darwinian scheme: ‘‘ We have taken away this support, but we have inserted in its place a very strong prop. The building stands as firmly as ever.”” The patched garment, they profess, is quite as good as the original. The peculiar difficulties felt by Mr. Bateson may be expressed briefly as follows. Species as we see them in nature are discontinuous, that is there is an absence of graduated series of connect- ing links between them. Now, says Mr. Bateson, the surrounding conditions to which these species have adapted themselves are continuous, therefore, according to the theory of natural selection, the species should be continuous also. familiar difficulty so often urged and so often replied to—the difficulty of conceiving how any character in the initial state of some minute varia- tion can be of any advantage in the struggle for life and so be preserved, is once more brought into prominence. In these again, like other objectors in their special objections, our author carries us with him. It is ground we have already gone over for ourselves. Referring to the usual methods of investigating biological problems on the theory of descent, Mr. Bateson is emphatic as to their unsoundness: ‘In these discussions we are continually stopped by such phrases as, ‘If such and such a variation took place and was favourable’; or, ‘We may easily suppose circumstances in which such a variation, if it occurred, might be beneficial,’ and the like. The whole argument is based on such assumptions as these, assumptions which, were they found in’ the arguments of Paley or of Butler we could not too scornfully ridicule.’’ No one who has studied the literature of evolution with an unprejudiced mind, and is familiar with the genealogical tree, and accounts of how various particular animals have been evolved, will think that this is putting it too strongly. Again, the old © The difficulty felt by Mr. Bateson, of discontinuity of species in spite of continuity of environment, and supposed derivation from continuous variation, is more familiar to us under the title of absence of connecting links. We have all heard frequently the ingenious explanations put forward to meet this difficulty. But we agree with Mr. Bateson’s con- tention, that though ‘‘explained,” this difficulty has not been met. Possibly those who have explained it have convinced themselves—though this is perhaps doubtful, for the elasticity of the scientific conscience is great, and the scientific digestion for crude theory is as that of the ostrich— but they have convinced no impartial critic. The same difficulty occurs in equal force with regard to the past; the numerous intermediate gradations required by the theory are wanting in the geological record. It will, however, be urged: has not Darwin explained this by showing the imperfection of this record? Darwin certainly has shown that the record is extremely imperfect, and most geologists agree with him; but is this enough ? Can the record be imperfect only in one way? Or will any sort of imperfection explain the absence of continuity? We think a similar mis- take has been made here as in the Darwinian explanation of the struggle for existence. Thus the severity of the struggle, the percentage killed off, is dwelt upon as if that were sufficient, irrespec- tive of the nature of the same, to preserve slight favourable variations. Yet, as the struggle might be ten-fold more severe than it has been shown to be, and yet have no tendency to preserve slight differences, so the geological record might be equally more imperfect than even Darwin has proved it, and yet give clear evidence of continuous evolution if such had taken place. What, then, is the nature of the imperfection of the geological record? In an incomplete historical record there might be a continuous and minute narrative of a particular period or course of events, with blanks or gaps relating to others. We do not expect ina mutilated written record to find every alternate page torn out, or every alternate line obliterated. Yet this is something like what Darwin demanded in the geological record: only such an assumption prevents the facts from clashing with his views. Why should the record be imperfect in this way? Studying the nature of the geological process by which the record is written we should rather expect to find it continuous in certain places, with great gaps in-others. Thus a river carrying down its sediments to the sea along with SCIENCE-GOSSIP. remains of plants and animals does so continuously, while species are changing as well as when they are in a state of stability. The ancient oceans in which were laid down certain strata of the geological series lasted long enough to record the change of many species, as indeed they do, but as discontinuous; and to account for the want of continuity we must bring in some supposition of the following nature. Either the species migrated, and were changed elsewhere where no deposition was taking place, coming back as a new species; or else we must suppose that the old species simply died out, and new ones manufactured else- where stepped in. Such suppositions we commend to those who desire to take them. Like the various other objections brought forward against the original theory of natural selection by modern amenders of the same, this lack of continuity has been urged also by critics of Darwinism from the first. Like the others again, it has been replied to by those holding briefs for the older view, in spite of the fact that they themselves may have set forth equally formidable objections and difficulties. If we look back for a moment to Professor F. Jenkins’ able criticism of Darwinism, we will find that he urged the very objections recently brought forward by Dr. Romanes, Mr. Bateson, Professor Eimer, and others. Mr. Bateson tells us how these difficulties arose, and confronted him while he was engaged in the fascinating work of investigating the anatomy and development of Balanoglossus. Now it is said of golf that the man who once gives himself up to it is quickly lost to all sense of duty; the ties of home and kindred are as nothing in comparison with his beloved game. Soit may be believed that the potent charm of tracing the development of any organism, fitting it with a pedigree, and adding another tree to the genealogical forest which forms the play- ground of the modern naturalist, paralyzes the scientific conscience. Those who indulge in it are lost to reason and common-sense, and revel in the wildest and most fantastic assumptions. How, then, has Mr. Bateson, a modern Ulysses, had the courage and strength of mind to bind himself to the mast of reason and common-sense and shut his ears to the sweet songs of the syrens singing of animal pedigrees, while his fellow naturalists were leaping on all sides into the sea of speculation ? How has he escaped the almost universal desire to join the Zoological Heralds’ College and help to fit the animal creation with pedigrees and coats of arms? Has his firm stand been the result of an early saturation with the principles of Euclid? For it seems tc us that only when the imagination has been nurtured on the spare and meagre diet of Euclid, trigonometry and the calculus, is it able to resist the allurements of speculation and bind itself 167 to the stern requirements of fact. Above all, when pasturing in the luxuriant fields of zoology does it grow wanton and indulge in wild guesses. Mr. Bateson has refused to listen to the voice of the charmer, and only fitted Balanoglossus with a pedi- gree, which he now discards, under protest. But, alas! in spite of such heroic conduct, our author has not been able to resist the temptation of pro- posing a theory of hisown. The mathematical or logical bent of his intellect has carried him thus far on a sea of glory, but now has left him to the mercy of the critic. Like the rest of the vendors of new lamps for old, Mr. Bateson seems to wish to make it appear that he has not really departed from Darwinism— or at least to minimise the extent of his departure. Thus he writes concerning natural selection as follows: ‘‘In the view of the phenomena of variation here outlined, there is nothing which is in any way opposed to the theory of the origin of species ‘by means of natural selection, or the: preservation of favoured races in the struggle for life. But by a full and unwavering belief in the doctrine as originally expressed, we shall in no way be committed to representations of that doctrine made by those who have come after.” Yet certain statements seem to imply Mr. Bateson’s belief that some species, at least, have arisen without natural selection. The whole motif of the book, indeed, seems to be the suggestion that species may have so originated. Yet we must do the author the justice to state that he propounds no definite theory. Nor does he definitely state whether he believes discontinuous variations can lead to the differentiation of new species without the aid of natural selection, or whether such varieties must be preserved in the struggle for life just as the continuous variations of Darwin and others must be. Again, like the rest of the objectors, Mr. Bateson . is infinitely more successful in finding the holes which are sinking the barque of natural selection than in his attempts at caulking them. We per- force agree with him when he points out the inconsistency of discontinuity of species existing at present, and a belief in their continuous origin, and when he emphasises the difficulty of supposing that minute variations can be preserved by natural selection, all the more readily because we have felt the difficulties before. But when it comes to the reconstructive parts, when we are asked to believe that new species can be made out of varieties which we have been taught to look upon as freaks and monstrosities, we pause and draw back. We cannot conceive how it can be done, nor does Mr. Bateson help us by suggesting any modus operandi. His position seems to be; you have discontinuous variation, this must be in some way the origin of discontinuous 168 SCIENCE-GOSSIP. species ; but like the French queen in another con- nection, nous ne voyons pas la nécessité. If we are ever to arrive at a plausible theory of evolution by natural selection, Mr. Bateson thinks it will be by the study of variation: ‘‘Of this one thing there is no doubt, that if the problem of species is to be solved at all, it must be by the study of variation.” What constitutes the chief point in Mr. Bateson’s divergent views is that the variations out of which new species are made are not those small variations required by Darwin and others, but what he calls discontinuous variations. That is to say, variations which appear suddenly and perfect, though not necessarily large in amount, instead of being connected by insensible gradations with the normal type. Such variations are usually looked upon as freaks, monstrosities, or abnormalities, and have been usually, we believe indeed universally, rejected by evolutionists as having taken no part in the origin of species. Mr. Bateson shows by a very large collection of examples that such varia- tions are exceedingly common. Among _ these such monstrosities as extra fingers and toes in man, extra digits in animals, extra wings in insects, and such like, figure largely. We suppose that it is out of these that Mr. Bateson would manufacture his new species; but when we ask for evidence of the possibility, or probability, of this taking place, or for details of the supposed modus operandi, we are met by the same ominous silence which hangs over the crucial points in other theories of evolution by natural selection. The same cloud rests over the place where the big step has tobe taken. Faith is required, and our guides invite us to take their hands and step on. With plausible words, scientific platitudes, and occult allusions to the mysteries of nature, they fan the wound which their want of logic is making in the mind of the reader, who, weakened by the loss of intellectual blood, is presently invited to observe that the difficulty is past. Mr. Bateson, however, is properly modest as to what he has shown: “ But, as often happens, that which may not show the right road is enough to show that the way taken has been wrong, and so it is with this evidence.’ This is true; only many of us saw it very clearly without this evidence, and perhaps see it no more clearly for its assistance. Indeed, with the substitution of ‘‘ does”’ for ‘‘ may,”’ the above describes exactly the result arrived at by . all amenders of the theory of natural selection as held by Darwin. Their united testimony, indeed, is strong, for they are unanimous in declaring that the wrong road has been taken, while they all point to different directions as the right one. Mr. Bateson seems to strike the keynote of the matter when he says of the difficulties besetting the usual conception of evolution by the selection exceedingly minute of minute variations: ‘‘ These difficulties have oppressed all those who have thought upon these matters for themselves, and they have caused some anxiety even to the faithful. And if in the face of the difficulties reasonable men have still held on, it has not been that the obstacles were unseen, but rather that they have hoped a way through them would be found.” Or else, we may add, they have, like Weismann, adhered to the oid view in spite of the overwhelming difficulties which they have keenly felt, because the only alternative is the origin of species by design. Surely, however, Mr. Bateson misunderstands the case when he says: ‘‘For, since all the diffi- culties grew out of the assumption that the course of variation is continuous, with evidence that variation may be discontinuous, for the present at least the course is clear again.” Darwin and Wallace did not suppose that species arose from continuous variation because they were unacquainted with the discontinuous form brough forward by Mr. Bateson. They deliberately chose the former as presenting the fewest difficulties, and as most consistent with their general theory. Sudden variations, indeed, are a special difficulty from certain points of views. It required the variations which Darwin assumed to be able to meet the objection, that in all historical time no change of species has taken place, with the usual reply, ‘“‘there has not been time.’’ When Mr. Wallace showed, as he thought, that variation is much greater than even Darwin supposed, he increased one difficulty in smoothing away another. If we are to accept the still larger . variations of Mr. Bateson, this special difficulty will be further increased. Indeed, the removal of any difficulty in this difficult theory seems ever to render another more prominent. Again, the assertion that all difficulties grew out of the assumption that the course of variation is continuous can scarcely be upheld. For one great difficulty, perhaps the greatest difficulty the theory has had to encounter, is that of the requisite isola- tion of the incipient species. Another is the continued existence of low and undeveloped forms of life, which, if variation and natural selection were a vera causa, should long ago’ have attained higher rank in the zoological scale. This difficulty can only be met by the assumption of spontaneous generation, which modern naturalists are loath to admit, though some—we may quote Haeckel and Weismann as examples—perceive that it is a logical necessity. Now, neither of these difficulties can be said to have grown out of the above assumption: all the difficulties felt by Mr. Bateson may have arisen thus, but not all those felt by others. The one thing clearly indicated by the facts is, Mr. Bateson thinks, ‘‘that the discontinuity of species results SCIENCE-GOSSIP. Yet in what Mr. Bateson still professes to believe in the origin of species through natural selection; so we must suppose it is by the preservation of such sudden, or discontinuous, variations in the struggle for existence. He wisely goes into no detail as to how this can happen, or how the isolation of a new species is more probable on this view than on that of small variations. Neither does Mr. Bateson appear to believe in the swamping effects of intercrossing, which, according to others, is one of the greatest difficulties: ‘‘An error more far- reaching and mischievous,’”’ he writes, ‘‘is the doctrine that a new variation must immediately be swamped, if I may use the term that authors have thought fit to employ.” We may note here some eminent evolutionists who have expressed their adherence to this so- called mischievous and far-reaching error. Darwin himself has admitted the swamping effects of intercrossing : ‘It would clearly be advantageous to two varieties or incipient species, if they could be kept from blending.” Wallace has done the same. Only under certain conditions do these authors believe that this swamping effect can be overcome and new species formed. Romanes believed that only under the influence of physio- logical selection, or some other form of isolation, can an incipient species be preserved. Weismann, again, considers swamping to be the usual fate of varieties when natural selection does not pick them out, to use the current misleading phraseology. To these evolutionists, then, Mr. Bateson ascribes a far-reaching and mischievous error. The hit at the inventor of Panmixia is, however, perhaps deserved, at any rate as regards the language: “We may doubt, indeed, whether the ideas associated with that flower of speech, ‘ Panmixia,’ are not as false to the laws of life as the word is to the laws of language.’’ But what does Mr. Bateson say to the answer we receive when we interrogate the breeder and nurseryman on this point? What happens when ihe different varieties of our domestic breeds are not carefully kept from breeding with each other? Do they keep their distinctive characters when artificial selection and isolation are remitted? Why does the gardener require to keep his choice varieties out of the reach of the pollen of every other variety ?> What is the result if the various species of.cabbage are allowed to seed together in the same garden? We cannot complain that the answer to these questions is at all an uncertain one. The testimony is unanimous that any variety will be swamped, or, if the term swamped be objected to, we will say lost, if allowed to breed freely with others. We must confess, again, that Mr. Bateson seems to misrepresent the upholders of natural selection when he asserts that “ the belief that all distinctness from the discontinuity of variation.” way? 169 is due to natural selection, and the expectation that apart from natural selection there would be a general level of confusion, agrees ill with the facts of variation.’’ For surely it would be more accurate to say, ‘‘apart from natural selection there would be a general level of wniformity”—a few simple species, One species, or none at all, according as we suppose there was one primary form of life created, or several, as Darwin suggested; or, pushing the matter further, assume that the first species was the result of natural selection on dead matter. Mr. Bateson himself, as a believer in natural selection, must attribute some of the dis- tinctness of species toit; but how much? Does he, we ask, believe that sufficient distinctness to constitute species may exist without it? If so, natural selection is not required in the origin of species, that is to say, not in the origin of all species. On this question Mr. Bateson seems undecided, whilst apparently wishing to retain natural selection with one hand, to give it up with the other. Thus, like the Czesars who have done so before him, Mr. Bateson as Brutus has shown that he also can call forth spirits of difficulty from the vasty deeps of the theory of natural selection. He has, in my judgment, failed to show that he can disperse them when they come—as they freely do, at his call—by waving over them his wand of Discontinuous Variation. Along with those called forth by other biological conjurers they stand in serried ranks, a great army ready to devour the last remnant of faith in a great theory. 29, Queen's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle-on-Tyne. INDIAN PLAGUE IN EuRopE.—For more than a year past, at the pathological institute attached to the Central Hospital of Vienna, Professor Weich- selbaum and his assistants have been investigating the Asiatic disease known as bubonic plague. These experiments have been conducted with extreme care by those engaged upon them, in case any of the bacilli of the disease should spread beyond the precincts of the special laboratory where the research was conducted. The staff employed consisted of the Professor and Dr. Albrecht, with one other assistant, both of whom have been in India engaged on these investigations. One other person only was admitted to the rooms—an atten- dant, named Barisch. On being appointed, some fifteen months ago, Barisch was asked if he would be inoculated for the plague, but thought there was no need. He had always proved thoroughly trustworthy, and was latterly treated by the staff rather as an assistant than an attendant. Recently Barisch had occasionally returned home late at night slightly intoxicated. This affected his faculties, and he became careless in his work. On Saturday, October 15th, Barisch seemed to be ill, and it was thought he suffered from influenza, but by Tuesday, the 18th, the disease was found to be plague, and he died that evening. His nurses were isolated, but one of them and Dr. Miller, who attended him, have contracted the disease, and the latter has also died. G3 170 SCIENCE-GOSSIP. ARMATURE OF -HELICOLD LANDS ren ries AND NEW FORMS OF PLECTOPYLIS. By GaivsGupE, sZ:s: (Continued from page 135.) LECTOPYLIS lintevae (figs. 88a-c), from Pegu, was described by Dr. von Mollendorff in the ‘‘ Nachrichtsblatt der Deutschen Malakozoologi- schen Gesellschaft,’ 1897, p. 28. The shell is sinistral, solid, discoid, widely umbilicated, pale yellow, transversely streaked and flammulated with chestnut, finely and regularly ribbed, smoother below, decussated with microscopic spiral lines. The spire is slightly conical, the apex scarcely produced, and the suture linear. There are six whorls which increase slowly and regularly, and are a little flattened above and rounded below; the last is slightly angulated above the periphery Fig. 88.—Plectopylis linterae. and around the umbilicus, and descends rather abruptly and deeply in front. The aperture is oblique, heart-shaped. The peristome is white, thickened and strongly reflexed; its margins are united by a strong flexuous raised ridge on the . parietal callus. The parietal armature is composed of a slight median horizontal fold, which proceeds from the apertural ridge, is interrupted for a short distance and then continues parallel with the suture for about a quarter of the last whorl; it then gives off a shortly descending, slightly reflexed arm, which is provided anteriorly at the lower extremity with a short horizontal ridge; the fold then rises obliquely for a short distance and finally bifurcates; the lower avm of the bifurcation is the longer, and descends obliquely, its lower extremity being provided posteriorly with a short horizontal ridge; the upper arm at first continues to ascend obliquely, then deflects horizontally close to the suture; a short, free, thin, horizontal fold occurs below the two lower arms, not extending beyond on either side (see fig. 89d, which shows the parietal wall with its folds). The palatal armature consists of: first, a thin long horizontal fold near the suture and parallel with it; secondly, a shorter but stronger broad horizontal fold, which deflects a little and is slightly indented posteriorly ; thirdly a still shorter, broad, straight horizontal fold; fourthly, a strong broad vertical plate, which intercalates between the two lower arms of the parietal fold; this plate is inclined towards the aperture, and its edge is thickened and reflexed ; near its lower extremity on the posterior side occurs a strong little denticle, which is elongated horizontally ; fifthly, a short thin horizontal fold close to the lower suture, having an elongated den- ticle a little above its posterior extremity. The species is closely allied to Plectopylis achatina, but the spire of the present shell is much more raised, the umbilicus is much deeper, and the whorls more rounded. In the armature this species further differs from P. achatina in the median parietal fold being interrupted and much slighter, the branched portion being relatively much more elevated ;. the lower free horizontal parietal fold is very short, so that this part of the armature, while differing from the typical forms of P. achatina, recalls the condition which obtains in the var. breviplica of that species. The specimen figured, which I received from Miss Linter, was labelled with the habitat, ‘‘Moulmain.’”’ It measures: major diameter, 16 millimetres; minor diameter, 13 millimetres; altitude, 6 millimetres. Plectopylis linterae var. fusca (1) (figs. 89a-f). Mr. Ponsonby possesses a shell labelled P. pachystoma var. minov, which I am unable to separate speci- fically from P. lintevae, but which differs from Fig. 89.—Plectopylis linterae, var. fusca. the typical form of that species in being of a unicolorous dark-brown, in the peristome being livid instead of white, and in the shell being thinner in texture. The armatures are identical in both forms. Fig. 89d shows the parietal wall with its folds, while fig. 89¢ gives the anterior, and (}) Plectopylis lintevae var. fusca, n. var. (figs. 89a-f), differs from the type in being unicolorous dark-brown, a little paler below, in being thinner in texture, and in the peristome being livid. Major diameter, 14°5 millimetres; minor diameter, 12'°5 millimetres; altitude, 5°5 millimetres.— Habitat, Burma.—Type in Mr. Ponsonby’s collection — = oe SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 89f the posterior aspect of both armatures; all three figures are enlarged. Figs. 89a-c show the entire shell in three different views, all of natural size. Plectopylis caivnst (?) (figs. 90a-g). species upon a single unnamed specimen received by me from Mr. Robert Cairns, to whom it was sent I base this new Fig. 90.—Plectopylis catrnsi. by acorrespondent in Singapore. Nothing is known of its origin, but the shell, which is somewhat de- corticated, appears to have come in contact with red colouring matter, so that it is not improbable it was imported with dye material from Burma, which country, judging from the characters of the shell, may reasonably be supposed to be its native ‘place. At first I was inclined to refer the speci- men to Plectopylis achatina, but its more rounded contour led me to suspect that it was an un- (2) Plectopylis caivnst, n. sp. (figs. goa-g), shell sinistrorse, discoid, solid, widely umbilicated, yellowish corneous, finely and regularly ribbed, and decussated with microscopic spiral lines. Spire depressed, apex scarcely prominent, suture distinctly impressed; whorls five and a-half, tumid above, rounded below, increasing slowly and regularly, the last de- scending moderately infront; aperture oblique, cordate, a little inflexed at the upper outer margin. Peristome white, strongly thickened and reflexed; the margins united by a strong raised flexuous ridge on the parietal callus, notched at the junctions above and below. Parietal wall with a strong median fold, given off from the apertural ridge, revolving round about a quarter of the last whorl, but inter- rupted at the middle; near its posterior extremity occurs a branched fold in the form of the Greek letter A, 7.e. an obliquely ascending fold, having anteriorly at its lower ex- tremity a slightly ascending ridge and posteriorly a short support; it is deflexed horizontally at its upper extremity, and at about its middle it gives off an obliquely descending arm, which deflects horizontally at its lower extremity. Palatal folds, five: the first, thin, horizontal, near the suture, a little indented and reflexed opposite the upper extremity of the oblique parietal fold; the second, horizontal, a little shorter and deflexed posteriorly, provided with a small den- ticle a little above its posterior extremity ; the third, still shorter, but broader, horizontal, crescent-shaped, its con- cave side towards the fourth, which is vertical, very strong, inclined towards the aperture; near its lower extremity on the posterior side occurs a minute denticle; the fifth is horizontal, short and very thin.—Major diameter, 18'5 milli- metres; minor diameter, 15°5 millimetres; altitude, 6 milli- metres.—Habitat, probably Burma,—Type in my collection. 171 described form, and this suspicion was confirmed on my opening the shell, for I then found the armature to constitute a connecting link between that of the groups of P. achatina and P. ponsonbyi. I have much pleasure in dedicating this new species to Mr. Cairns, who was kind enough to allow the specimen to pass into my collection. P. caivnsi is flatter and more rounded in outline than P. achatina ; the whorls are more rounded and not angulated, the last whorl widens less at the aperture, the suture is more impressed, the umbilicus less deep, and the peristome is white. The parietal armature differs from that of P. achatina and its allies in the median fold being interrupted in the middle and separated from the branched portion which is in the form of the Greek letter A, and in the total absence of the horizontal fold near the lower suture (see fig. god, enlarged, which shows the parietal wall with its folds). In the palatal arma- ture there are also some minor differences: the first horizontal fold is indented opposite the upper arm of the branched parietal fold, a feature I have not observed in any other species; the vertical plate is also much narrower than in P. achatina, leaving more space for the soft parts of the animal to emerge (see fig. goe, which shows both armatures from the anterior side, and fig. gof, from the posterior side, both enlarged); and, finally, the denticle behind the fifth horizontal fold, present in every other known species of the group of P. achatina, is absent (see fig. 90g, enlarged, which shows the inside of the outer wall with the palatal armature i situ). Plectopylis (2) iamcabensis (figs. 91a, b), from Ceylon, was described and figured by Dr. F. Jousseaume in the ‘‘Memoires de la Société Zoologique de France,” vii. (1894), p. 278, t. 4, f. 8. AsI have Fig. 91.—Plectopylis (?) lamcabensis (after Jousseaume). been unable to obtain a specimen of this species, I have been compelled to rely upon Dr. Jousseaume’s description, and to copy his figures of the shell. It is described as follows: shell subperforate, trochi- form, stout, somewhat thin, striated and surrounded on the last whorl by three threadlike ridges, diaphanous, shining, corneous white, apex obtuse, suture impressed, crenulate; whorls seven and a-half, flattened, the last angulate, not descending ; base more convex, radiately striate; aperture scarcely oblique, subangulate, lunate; peristome simple, straight, columellar margin sloping, near the umbilicus narrowly dilated. Diameter, 4 milli- metres; altitude, 3 millimetres. Habitat, Nuwara, G 4 We Eliya. No mention whatever is made of any armature, and the systematic position of the Fig. 92.—Kaliella (?) eugenit (after Jousseaume). species, therefore, remains doubtful; if it really be a Plectopylis it will in all probability be PREPARATION OF SCIENCE-GOSSIP. found to belong to the section Sykesia. Mr. Sykes has doubtfully suggested (Proc. Malac. Soc. London, iii. (1898), p. 71) that it belongs to the genus Sitala; but I do not think this is probable. In the same work (p. 277, t. 4, f. 1) Dr. Jousseaume described another shell which he also places in Plectopylis, i.e. P. eugenii. In this case also no mention is made of armature; moreover, the figure given, which I have copied for convenient reference (see fig. 92), does not at all give the idea of a Plectopylis, and I agree with Mr. Sykes in thinking that it may belong to the genus Kaliella. NoTE.—By an oversight fig. 78f on page 74 has been placed upside down. (To be continued.) DIATOMACEOUS MATERIALS. By Epwarp H. ROBERTSON. OTWITHSTANDING all that has been written on the preparation of diatomaceous materials for microscopic purposes, it is surprising how few amateurs can deal with these materials in anything like a satisfactory manner. My pre- sent object is to give a brief outline of the methods I have myself practised for half a century, and with almost unvarying success. The following are a few of the indispensables required, both in the matter of apparatus and chemicals; they are mostly inexpensive. One Wedgwood pan, or pipkin, furnished with lid and handle (ordinary shallow evaporating pans are utterly useless for the preparation of micro-material); two or three glass beakers of about half-a-pint capacity each; a few test tubes; sundry common tumblers, or old-fashioned ale-glasses ; three or four stop- pered bottles, each of about one-pint capacity ; a few glass slips; and two or three glass rods, from six to eight inches long, tapering to a point, and about the thickness of a common pen- holder. Of chemicals the following are absolutely requisite, viz: 1 lb. of common hydrochloric acid, at 3d. per lb.; 1 lb. of common sulphuric acid, at 4d. per lb.; 1 lb. of common nitric acid, at 8d. per lb.; 1 or more ounces of chlorate of potash, at 2d. per ounce; a similar quantity of bichromate of potash, at 14d. per ounce: 7 or 8 lbs. of carbonate of soda, at Od. per 12 lbs.; half-a-pint of liquor potassa (Brandish’s solution), at 1s. per Ilb.; sundry quarts of distilled—not simply filtered— . water, at 4d. per gallon; and the same quantity of pure rain water. So much for the outfit of the amateur diatomist. Thus furnished he may safely tackle all but the most refractory materials with the certainty of a favourable result, always provided that he has an unlimited stock of patience. If this excellent - gallipot, quality be not his happy possession, then let him leave the manipulation of diatomaceous materials to those whose it is, and himself purchase slides of diatoms from some of the many first-class dealers in these objects, and—lose half the pleasure of filling his cabinet with his own mounts. If economy be a consideration, and he fertile in resource, the reader will be able to substitute even less costly apparatus for that indicated. It is astonishing what a large amount of useful work may be accomplished with the most unpromising appliances. When, a mere lad, I commenced the preparation of microscopic materials—the subject of this paper—my sole outfit was a common a glass rod, and a few ounces of nitric acid; my laboratory the hobs of the sitting-room stove—to the great distress of the good housewife and the detriment of the fireplace and its appurtenances. Yet with these rude appliances I successfully prepared very refractory guanos, etc. I have, however, long since learned that work may be done with infinitely more com- fort with proper though; perhaps, more expensive apparatus. Fossit MATERIALS. From whatever source obtained, ‘fossil diatoma- ceous materials are almost invariably received by the operator in the form of lumps of rock or earth. Some, for instance the Nottingham, U.S., materials, are almost chalky in consistence, others, as that from Sendai, Japan, are of stony hardness. Hard or soft matters not, the first process must be their reduction to an impalpable powder. This must on no account be done by pounding or breaking with a hammer, which would simply mean the utter destruction of all the finer forms contained therein. Their disintegration may be SCIENCE-GOSSIP. accomplished by either of the three following methods: by exposure to hard frosts; by means of the crystallization of certain chemical salts; or, by the use of mineral acids, either hydrochloric or nitric—but zot sulphuric. In many instances the employment of hydrochloric acid will alone suffice to bring them to the desired condition; indeed, as an invariable rule this acid should, first of all, be applied to the substance to be operated upon, whether recent or fossil. This is to remove every trace of solid calcareous matter by its conversion into the very soluble chlorate of lime. If dis- integration is the result of its application, then the operator’s work is greatly lightened; but if, when all effervescence has ceased, the lumps remain in about the same state, after well washing to remove all traces of acid and lime, they may be submitted to the action of frost. By this process the lumps must always be well soaked in water, then, half immersed, exposed in a saucer or other shallow vessel in some open spot until hard frozen. So-soon as the contents of the vessel are thus congealed the whole may be placed in a warm situation, say, on a fireside hob orina hot oven. Upon the melting of the ice it will immediately be seen that the lumps readily crumble with a touch. One exposure will, however, seldom suffice, and occasionally it is desirable to submit the material to the freezing and thawing process three or four times. It is evident that this plan is not generally practicable; other means must there- fore be employed. This is usually done by the use of certain salts, which by their crystallization break down the hard lumps without injury to the diatoms. The chemicals mostly used are either common saltpetre, 7.2. nitrate of potash, or Glau- ber’s salts, 7.c. sulphate of soda—preferably the last. These salts contain a large quantity of water of crystallization; the crystals are large and quickly formed; their action, therefore, upon the lumps submitted to them is rapid. The material must be dropped into a hot, nearly saturated solution, and should there be allowed to remain for some considerable time; if for several hours so much the better. The solution and lumps should then be set aside in a cold spot, and be undisturbed until thoroughly crystallized. Upon submitting to heat to dissolve the crystals, as in the case of frozen materials, it will be seen that the lumps have been fissured in every direction. More often than not, however, the process has to be repeated, occasionally five, six, or more times, until the disintegration is complete. This will depend upon whether or not the solution has thoroughly pene- trated into the very heart of the lumps. So compact, by the enormous pressure to which they have been subjected, are the materials of some rocks that I have known lumps no larger than a small walnut to remain perfectly dry in the centre 473 after soaking in water for many weeks. This I have proved by splitting open. Hence the frequent failure to disintegrate by two or three exposures to the crystallizing process. This once complete the solid matter should be allowed to subside. The fluid should be carefully decanted and a liberal supply of clean rain or distilled water added. After a good stir up and a few hours allowed for deposit of sediment, the water must be again poured off and this repeated so long as any taste of the chemical used remains. Disintegration accomplished, the material—-well washed—is ready for boiling, and may be trans- ferred to the Wedgwood vessel (or beaker, if preferred, but I never use this latter vessel for sulphuric acid treatment), and allowed to settle. Then as much of the fluid as possible should be poured off, and to the residue two or three times as much sulphuric acid should be added. Immediately a violent commotion takes place, the heat generated converting a portion of the moisture in the material into steam. This action soon ceases, and the vessel may be at orice placed over the lamp or stove, but must be carefully watched to see that the contents do not boil over. By degrees the ebullition ceases, the whole of the water has been expelled from the mixture, and nothing remains but the material and acid. When this point is reached the acid barely bubbles, and the whole is converted into a thick jet-black fluid, or semi-fluid, the result of the car- bonization of the organic matter, dense suffocating fumes of acid being evolved. At this point chlorate of potash may be added, either in powder or in solution. The action of the chemicals upon each other is twofold; the sulphuric acid, having a strong affinity for the potash, at once seizes upon it, and chlorine gas is liberated, this latter converting the jet-black into a snow-white fluid. The process is neces- sarily a slow one, for but a very small portion of either the chlorate powder or solution must be introduced at a time. If the powder be used de- crepitation takes place, and the operator must be careful to avoid accidents. To begin with, let him try a pinch each time, introduced by a spcon or piece of wood. When the solution is used, much greater care must be exercised, as, apart from the chemical action, the sudden introduction of a cold solution into boiling sulphuric acid at more than 600° Fah. immediately converts the solution into steam, explosions follow, and showers of scalding particles of acid are scattered. Even when the solution is added drop by drop portions of the contents of the vessel are ejected, sometimes to long distances. I usually hold before my face a sheet of glass when operating with the solution, but would recommend the young amateur to con- fine himself to the use of the powder. When the 174 bleaching of the material has been accomplished, the vessel and its contents should be set aside to cool. Onno account should cold water be allowed to come into contact with them until the tem- perature has fallen below the boiling-point of water, or a violent explosion will assuredly follow- It is better, when somewhat cool, to pour the contents of the vessel into another of clean rain water, and, after perfect subsidence of the solid matter, the liquid may be poured off, and a fresh portion added, and this may be repeated so long as any acid taste remains. It is desirable to get rid of this persistent acidity as soon as possible. I therefore always after one or two washings, add sundry lumps of common soda to the preparation until all effervescence ceases. Then I allow it to remain quite undisturbed until nextday. Strangely enough, although the solid contents of vessel were white, and the water colourless, they will now be found, the first less white, and the latter almost black, and this effect will be the result of several repetitions of the operation. It may be supposed that the whole process has now been completed, and occasionally such may be so; but more often than not, upon placing a portion of the preparation upon a glass slip under the micro- scope, it will be found that, although the individual diatoms are tolerably clean, they are so much mixed with mineral matter that the whole process must be repeated until the diatoms—clean and SCLENCE-G OS Sir: “e bright—sponge spicules and gemmules and sand alone remain. It is almost impossible here to give instructions as to the best method of dealing with every individual case, as each material requires some- what different treatment. It may, however, be stated that, as a rule, the foreign matter mixed with the diatoms consists of lime and its com- pounds, or of extremely fine particles of silicious matter. The lime may be removed either by hydrochloric acid, or by repeated washings with cold pure rain or distilled water. Lime dissolves but very sparingly in hot water, more readily in cold, and after the preparation has been allowed to stand for a day, the clear water will have become milky. This cloudy fluid must be poured off from the sediment, and clear water added, day after day, until no further cloudiness is to be observed. This is a very tedious process, and the operator will probably prefer the use of hydrochloric acid. When all has been done it is almost invariably better to give the preparation a boil with carbonate of soda. Bring it to a boil, not much more; three or four minutes will then suffice, for if longer continued the diatoms will certainly suffer. A lump of common soda about the size of a walnut will be sufficient for one pint of water if the preparation be tolerably clean, for half-a-pint if it be somewhat dirty. (To be continued.) - CHAPTERS FOR YOUNG NATURALISTS. THE INFINITELY LITTLE. By J. O. Symes, M.D. (Continued from page 141.) GOMING now to the fermentative species. The one which most readily presents itself to our notice is the yeast-germ. Yeast consists of a mass of microscopic cells, or germs, each of which has the power of converting a solution of sugar and water into alcohol. The yeast cell on gaining access to a Sugary solution at once begins to digest it, and the result of that digestion is to convert the compound into alcohol. The cells when dry are cabable of being floated about in the air, and are indeed con- Stantly present there, thus accounting for the fact that any sweet syrupy liquids left exposed soon undergo fermentation. At first it was not known which particular species of germ caused the changes just described; but when once the species had been isolated it was carefully cultivated and its energies devoted to man’s use. We can now buy yeast by the ounce or pound, a curious way of retailing germs. The discovery of this alcohol- producing microbe may appear to many to have been a very doubtful benefit, and such will find some consolation in the fact that whilst there is only one known species of germ capable of making alcohol, there are many capable of spoiling it. In a recent number of a trade journal there was an article entitled, ‘‘ Micro- organisms causing Diseases of Beer,’ and a goodly list was appended. These are the temperance reformers of the World of Germs. Chief amongst them is the acetic acid organism, whose peculiar function it is to convert alcohol into vinegar. In countries where wine is plentiful and exceedingly cheap, vinegar is made by adding this germ to the wine and allowing it to undergo acetous fermenta- tion. In England, however, vinegar, like beer, is made from malt. Alcoholic fermentation is first excited by the addition of yeast, and then the new vinegar-producing microbe, called in the trade “rape,’’ is introduced, and the conversion of the malt is complete. There are many other instances SCIENCE-GOSSIP. - in which bacteriological processes are utilised for man’s service. The flavour of high game, the taste of butter, the qualities of ripened cheese, even the perfect attributes of sublime tobacco are all the result of the efforts of these microscopic creatures on our behalf. Passing from the fermentative to the putrefactive organisms, we may say at once that the work done by these species of bacteria is of the most useful and beneficent character. That a plant cannot digest the same food as a man, or one of the lower animals, is evident to all. Yet animal food contains the elements essential to the life of the plant, arranged in a different form it is true, but the same elements. It is the work of the putrefactive organisms to break up complex bodies, such as animal or vegetable fibre, and to rearrange their constituents in such a way that they may become fit food for plants. Thisis the process which we call ‘‘decay.”” Some putrefactive germs are to be found in air and water, but these are feeble forms working with the evolution of much evil- smelling gas. The true workers of the flock are to be found in the soil, in the upper layers of which they exist in countless myriads. The arrival of dead matter in any shape or form is the signal for them to commence work. It may be a withered leaf or a dead bird—all comes alike to them. In an incredibly short space of time the material is seized upon, devoured and converted into simple chemical compounds suitable for the nourishment of ,vegetable life, and soon to be built up into flower, plant, shrub or tree. These germs act then as a connecting link between the animal and vegetable kingdoms, and keep up the circulation of matter from dead to living and from living to dead. By their agency the decaying offal of to-day becomes the green grass of to-morrow; which in turn is the beef, the man, and the silent dust of the future: and so the cycle is completed. The bacteria are only found in the upper layers of the soil, about the upper eighteen inches; so that things deeply buried do not get the benefit of their action. The gardener has learned this, and digs his dressing into the surface only; the ploughman makes his furrow inches, not feet, in depth. One of the most recently discovered and most useful powers possessed by bacteria of certain forms is the conversion of sewage into harmless inoffensive mud and clear water in which fish may live. The sewage of Exeter and other towns has been so successfully dealt with on these lines that the Government recently decided to appoint a Royal Commission to enquire into the subject. The employment of bacteria promises to revolu- tionize this branch of sanitary work. The pol- lution of rivers will be a thing of the past, and an annual saving of hundreds of thousands of pounds will result throughout the world. It would be w7S difficult to over-estimate the value of this boon conferred on man by the much despised microbe. There is one form of earth bacillus whose action has recently been investigated. This organism is to be found in minute shining clusters on the rootlets of leguminous plants such as peas, beans and lentils. Farmers have long known that to plant two crops of wheat in the same field in successive years is to court failure, for the nutri- tious substances of the soil have been exhausted by the first. If, instead of wheat, the crop for the second year be beans or lentils, the soil is found to become greatly enriched, even though no manure has been added, the gain consisting principally in an increase of the amount of nitrogen present. This nitrogen could only be obtained from the air in the interstices of the soil. The agent at work is a bacillus which attaches itself to the roots of the plants Ihave named. It not only abstracts enough for the use of the plant, but it is able to give off the excess for the improvement of the soil, thus acting as an invaluable assistant to the farmer. As soon as this remarkable faculty became under- stood, the growth of the microbe became an industry, and to-day the nitrifying organism can be bought by the bottle; all that the farmer has to do is to mix them with water and sprinkle his fields. Sufficient to fertilizean acre can be bought for half-a-crown. Phosphorescent bacilli belong essentially to the putrefactive order. They may be detected fre- quently on decaying fish-bones, so that these when viewed in the dark, glow like the top of a wetted lucifer match. Not all fermentative species are as beneficent and harmless in their action as those I have men- tioned. Some elaborate the most virulent poisons, as frequent cases of food poisoning testify. Of course all food contains germs. Every meal we take means the swallowing of an army of harmless forms; indeed, their presence is probably essential to proper digestion, for animals fed on sterilized. food do’not flourish, and, it is said, eventually die. To be told that we are breathing and eating microbes by millions need give rise to no alarm, for those that have a power for evil are compara- tively few, and need special conditions for their multiplication. Just a few words in conclusion on micro- organisms causing diseases in plants and animals. I shall touch very lightly upon this part of the subject, for, as I have said, I have no wish to lay emphasis upon what might be called the criminal classes in the World of Germs. Amateur gardeners are painfully aware how frail a thing is plant life, and with what a host of enemies it is surrounded. Not the least of these are germs of various sorts, such as Phylloxera, which has so often devastated the vines of France, or the potato germs which 176 bring periodic famine to our sister island. Apples, pears and all sorts of fruits have their particular microbe enemies. Even flowers are not exempt, witness a recent epidemic that destroyed one season’s carnations, At first sight these parasitic visitations might seem doubtful blessings, but they serve an important purpose, namely, that of keep- ing the growth of vegetable life within due and proper limits. It has occasionally happened that British plants or herbs have been transferred to foreign soils and have there spread so rapidly as to supplant the indigenous species and become veritable scourges. In such cases it is probable that the controlling microbe has not been trans- ported with the plant, which is then, as it were, a community freed from the struggle for existence, and spared the beneficent ravages of disease. On such small points as these does the balance of nature depend. It was in connec- tion with the diseases of animals that most of our knowledge of germ life was in the early days worked out. There are a large number of dis- eases both in animals andin human beings, the exciting cause of which is now known to be the multipli- cation of microbes within the system. Every year sees additions to this list, and our enter- prising American cousins have al- ready laid claim to the discovery of such species as the = ‘« germ of madness,’”’ and the ‘‘ germ of death.”’ A striking instance of microbial disease amongst lowly forms is the epidemic known as pebrin, which plays such havoc amongst silkworms, and which at one time threatened to extinguish the silk trade of the South of France. The cause of this disorder was first shown by Pasteur to be a minute germ which invades the moth and eggs. This having been ascertained the remedy was easy. The moth, directly it has laid its eggs, is now examined, and — if the germ be detected both moth and eggs are destroyed, and thus the disease prevented from spreading. The science of bacteriology has similarly thrown light upon a score of like diseases, chicken-cholera, splenic-fever, swine-fever, glanders, consumption, and rinderpest, diseases which sweep across a Bee-Louse (Braula caeca). SCIENCE-GOSSIP. continent carrying off stock by hundreds of thousands; all these are the handiwork of creatures infinitely little, but infinitely industrious and persevering. How much of the great work of the world is done by little people. Even disease germs are not without their uses for man. It has been proposed to utilize cultures of certain species for the purpose of destroying vermin, and other pests. In Australia an effort is being made on these lines to cope with the invading hosts of rabbits; possibly the insect powders, rat poisons, etc., of the future will be of a similar nature. We see then that germs though infinitely little are infinitely powerful, and that their action, far from being uniformly prejudicial, is to a great extent essential to man’s welfare. Germs are the scavengers and fertilizers of the world; they play a great part in our industrial and domestic economy, and act as a régu- lating force in the animal and vegetable kingdoms. Without their help both the animal and _ vege- table world would cease to exist, nor would it be possible to keep the world sweet and clean. Their life - history throughout is indeed a striking illustra- tion of the fact that the welfare of the greatest is depen- dent on the services of the very least. 11, Richmond Hull, Clifton, Bristol. PARASITIC DI PTERONE Nie C. J. Watkins, of Painswick, Gloucester- shire, has kindly lent us a series of exquisite micro-photographs from which we have selected one for reproduction. It represents a bee-louse (Brauia caeca Nitz, x 20). This small parasite, about one-eighteenth of an inch long, and ofa rusty-brown colour, is a member of the pupiparous Diptera, which include the forest-fly (Hippobosea equina), the sheep-ticks (Melophagus ovinus), the stag-ticks (Lipoptena cervi), the swallow-fly (Stfenof- tevyx hivundinis), the bat-louse, and other species, winged and wingless. The bee-louse is said to have a preference for the drones. It lives upon the thorax of its host, holding to the hairs by the well-adapted pectinated claws of the tarsi. SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 077 GEOVOGYO FORK TBEGINNERS. AN interestingly-written book for beginners in the study of geology, and an instance of the great improvement which has taken place in such text-books during the last few years, is the new one by Professor Watts (!). It is quite original in its style of inception, and is thoroughly modern in regard toits teaching. Indeed we are inclined to think that a student who is acquainted with all the facts noted in this work will not be disposed __ to consider him- self a begin- ner any lon- ger. Geikie’s ‘* Text-Book” is beyond the reach of _ many pockets, so Professor Watts’ ‘‘ Geo- logy” will come most opportunely. Petrology generally holds an im- portant place, and the broad principles of geology are dealt with in an interesting and masterly manner. We should have liked to have seen more space devoted to strati- graphy, but the syllabus of the Science and Art Department forbids too much emphasis being laid on this portion of the subject. The illus- trations deserve special mention, as the ‘‘ Kodak” has evidently been hard at work, and with excellent results. Geological landscapes are thus produced true to nature; one of these, through the kindness of the publishers, we are able to lay before our readers. . The only fault we have to Photo by] () ‘Geology for Beginners.” By W. W. Watts, M.A., F.G.S. 351 pp. 7in. x 4# in. with 310 illustrations. (London: Macmillan and Co., Ltd., 1898.) 2s. 6d. CARBONIFEROUS STRATA, DONEGAL. find is that most of the illustrations are small, but considering the price of the book this cannot be considered a defect. Rocks, both igneous and clastic, are shown as seen under the microscope. Derivations of all technical words used are care- fully explained by means of footnotes, the Greek or Latin roots being invariably given. One or two simple experiments are suggested for use by the teacher ; in fact, the whole work proceeds on the supposi- tion that wher- ever possible specimens are used to illus- trate each lesson. We commend the useful sugges- tion made in the preface, that the line- drawings in certain cases should be coloured by the student to show their geological value. The chapter on fossils (xvi.) is carefully written, and should be accurately studied by beginners in the science of palaeontology. The zoological classification of fossilsis plainly shown, and useful illustrations of the various classes are given. Too much importance cannot be laid upon the necessity of beginners having a clear conception of the proper method of classifying their fossils, There is also a very. useful and comprehensive index of eleven pages at the end of the book. We should be interested to know where Professor Watts places the Bovey Tracey tertiary formation, as we find no reference toit. The work is one which can in every respect be heartily recommended. BA: MM. [R. Welch, Belfast. 178 THE AUTUMN SCIENCE-GOSSIP. WOODLANDS. By Dr. P. Q. KEEGAN. ek are few spectacles in nature more impressive than the autumn woodlands. The tints or shades exhibited by the leaves are singularly varied and beautiful, when on favour- able occasions they are sun-lit in a way that is most efficient in the development of their highest attractiveness. The sullen sombreness of the atmosphere, the shadowing forth, so to speak, of approaching decay, followed closely by the chilling advent of winter, is only intensified by the last fitful gleams of sunlight. Who would think that the golden and crimson glories of the autumn scene are due to the self-same or closely allied bodies that help to paint the spring and summer flowers and render them richly dight in hues and tints of azure, scarlet, purple, orange or yellow? Yet it isso. I shall endeavour in the following remarks to explain the subject. The poets or close observers of the sylvan enchantments have recognized two phases of colour in the autumn leaves of most of our in- digenous trees. Thus we have ‘‘ the rowan scarlet and yellow; the broad gold pieces of the aspen; the crimson leaf hanging loose on the cherry; the jewels of gold in the hair of the birch tree; the beech leaf yellowing, the oak leaf reddening; the maple yellow-leafed.”” It must be understood, however, in the way of science, that as soon as the chlorophyll green has faded through incipient loss of vitality, then the leaves of our oaks, beeches, poplars, elms, ashes and others turn in the first instance to a bright yellow. This change is brilliantly exhibited, under favourable conditions, in the case of the beech, whose ‘‘ lucid leaves, vary- ing in hue from auburn to gold colour, reflect back the level rays of the descending sun and thus burn with pre-eminent lustre, like a sudden illumina- tion.’ The blaze is especially lustrous in the autumn woodlands for precisely the same reason that the buttercups or other yellow and orange flowers present a brilliant, almost metallic, lustre in the lap of spring meadows. In both cases the pigment is carotin dissolved, perhaps, in the oilof the leaf, a degenerate product of the dying protoplasm. The effect is enhanced by a background of starch, which subserves the function of a reflector. Let anyone who doubts the fact extract and prepare the colouring principle of yellow petals and of autumn yellow leaves. He will see that they respond to the same chemical tests and exhibit chemical reactions in a precisely similar manner. The only palpable difference in the two cases is, that while in the petals the tint is frequently deepened into orange-red or brick-red, as in many garden flowers, such as marigolds and zinnias, in usually dry. the autumin leaves the colour due to carotin never passes further than the fiery gold so vividly dis- played in the beech, birch or aspen. On the other hand, the glorious pageantry of the scarlet maple, the crimson cherry and rowan, or the ruddy oak leaf, proceed from a different principle altogether. They appear only when the yellow tint has disappeared, but before the leaf is quite dead and utterly decayed. Sometimes these ruddy splendours do not appear at all, or are but feeble, as in large towns where the air is vitiated by smoke, when we have only a dry rusty brown. In other cases the influence of the season, whether dry or wet, or occasionally frosty, tells very decidedly on the production of these particular tints. A medium amount of moisture and late frost seem to be the conditions most favourable to the greatest brilliancy of autumnal colour effect. Exceptionally dry seasons occurring in a climate generally moist serve also to call forth distinctive crimson in leaves that would otherwise rapidly pass to a dull brown and muddy shade. On what does all this characteristic or exceptional glow depend? It results from a powerful chromogen called tannin, which exists in red and blue flowers as well as in the leaves in greatest quantity in the autumn. I must explain that when a solution of certain kinds of tannin undergoes concentration in the presence of dehydrating acids, or of certain salts, there are produced a series of anhydrides, that is to say, the tannin has given up, or lost, the elements of water, with the result that various coloured substances are produced, of which the lowest or first formed are crimson, and soluble in slightly acid water, while the last formed are red- brown and insoluble. The former constitute the colouring matter of the red, the latter that of the brown and russet autumn leaves. Such being the case, as praved by artificial experiments, we must endeavour to exhibit how the process is carried out in nature under the natural conditions. There must, it is obvious, be a sufficient concentration of the cell sap in the living leaf as it hangs upon the tree. This may be brought about, as is palpably obvious, by a deficiency of the water-supply from without, when the soil and atmosphere are un- Moreover, this deficiency will chiefly be felt in the case of those leaves which possess, in relation to their size, the largest number of stomata, which, as everyone knows, are the organs of transpiration, that is, the passages in the leaf which permit of water vapour being ejected into the surrounding air. With regard to the first point, the unusual dryness of the season, I have already hinted that SCIENCE-GOSSIP. . a great degree of moisture is distinctly unfavour- able to the production of fine autumnal leaf effects. In fact, it has been frequently noticed in the analogous case of flowers that an unusually dry springtime causes petals normally white to assume pinkish tints. The second point, the relative number of stomata, demands more positive proof. I shall adduce two instances: one where the tree is known to flourish most luxuriantly in damp swamps or moist localities, for example, the scarlet maple (Acer vubyum) of the New England forests. Evidently a tree like this, whose structure is specially adapted to humid surroundings, will be powerfully affected by any temporary deficiency in the supply of water from without; as a special feature of its structure is that the transpiration from its leaves is very great, the number of stomata per square millimetre amounts to about four hundred. Hence the requisite concentration of the cell sap of its broad leaves is easily accom- plished, and the colour effect of the surprising blaze of its autumnal tints, once seen, is not Walia, JsyRlalies lel HE Society held its annual week’s fungus foray this year from the 19th to 24th September at Dublin, where the members were the guests of the Dublin Naturalists’ Field Club. The energetic and indefatigable local secretary, Professor IT. Johnson, D.Sc., is heartily to be congratulated on the excellent programme of arrangements that he made for the excursions, and the subsequent investigation of the finds. On Monday, September roth, the members assembled at the Botanical Rooms, in the Science and Art Museum, Kildare Street, which had been kindly placed at their disposal by the Director, Colonel Plunkett; but as no specimens had arrived for identification, a preliminary ramble was or- ganized to Howth. A list of ‘‘The Fungi of the Counties of Dublin and Wicklow,” by our member, Mr. Greenwood Pim, M.A., reprinted from the “Trish Naturalist’? for August, 1898, was pre- sented to each member with the injunction to go one better, and keep our motto ever to the fore, viz., ‘‘ Recognosce notum, ignotum inspice.”’ Howth demesne proved to be a most suitable -hunting- ground, and seemed not to have suffered much from the prolonged drought. Numerous additions to the list were recorded, amongst which we may enumerate a pretty resupinate Hydnum, H. udum Fr.; one of the scarce tubers, Hydnotvya tulasnei B. and Br.; a rather uncommon Nawcoria, N. evinacea Fr.; and a group of the horrent Lepiota, L. acutesquamosa Weinm. Mr. R. LI. Praeger, M.R.1I.A., President of the Dublin Naturalists’ 179 readily forgotten. On the other hand, if we consider the case of the common ash we discover something very different. This tree also affects moist situations, but it is not particular as to soil ; its leaves are narrow and much divided, or imparipinnate, therefore more liable to become dry than if they were broader and thicker, but they carry only about one hundred and fifty stomata per square millimetre. Hence, in point of fact, they do not readily lose their moisture. Save under exceptional circumstances, they never at any season exhibit any red or crimson coloration, Moreover, as it so happens, the tannin of the ash, unlike that of the maple, does not form coloured anhydrides. Hence if any colour may be produced in its leaves or flowers that would depend on other causes and conditions than those which involve its formation in the corresponding organs of the other denizens of our woodlands. Further, the tint would be like that of a dahlia rather than that of a rose. Patterdale, Westinorland, MMCOLOGICANENS © Cline Field Club, received the members in the evening at the Botanical Laboratory, Royal College of Science. The work of naming the specimens was at once proceeded with, and a large collection of fungi was placed on exhibition at the Museum during the course of the week. Mr. Swann, F.L.S., exhibited a splendid series of photographs of the Saprolegnieae, which were of great interest, and contained at least one new to science. On Tuesday, September 20th, Powerscourt demesne was visited, but the estate had suffered from the long drought, and only a few rarities were encountered, such as the encrusting polypore, Polystictus wynnei B. and Br., and growing on fallen holly-leaves was the pretty Mavasmius hudsont Pers., whose pileus and stem are covered with long spreading hairs. The club dinner was held in the evening at Russell’s Hotel, and universal regret was expressed that their President, Mr. George Massee, F.L.S., F.R.M.S., was un- avoidably prevented from presiding. In his absence the members felt themselves adequately presided over by the acting president, Mr. C. B. Plowright, M.D., who subsequently read an important address at the Lecture Theatre of the Royal College of Science, entitled, ‘‘ Notes and - Comments on the Agaricineae of Great Britain.” On Wednesday, September 21st, the morning was devoted to the determination of the speci- mens collected and also of consignments of fungi, which now came in from all parts of Ireland. In the afternoon a search at Brackenstown, near 180 Swords, was. made, where Hypocrea splendens, Rosellinia manmaeformis P., Nolanea pisciodora cesati, Poria vitvea Pers., and P. cbducens Pers. were found. At the evening meeting a very valuable paper was read on behalf of our member, Mr. Harold Wager, F.L.S., on a ‘‘ Fungus Parasite on Euglena,” in which Mr. Wager recorded his original observa- tions on the life-history of Polyphagus euglenae Schroet., which had not previously been so fully worked out; and Dr. C. B. Plowright made some observations on ‘‘A Clover-Destroying Fungus,” stating that up to the present year he had always regarded Pseudofeziza trifolii Fckl. as a harmless parasite, but that this year he had found it to be an injurious one, owing to the stems of clover being affected as well as the leaves. The election of officers then took place, and Dr. C. B. Plowright was unanimously elected President for the ensuing year, and Mr.C. Rea Hon. Secretary and Treasurer. The invitation of the Cryptogamic Society of Scotland to join their meeting next year or the year after was then considered, and it was decided that as next year was their semi-jubilee the year after would be more acceptable, and that the annual meeting of this society next year should be held in the New Forest. On Thursday, September 22nd, the woods of Ballyarthur were explored, and yielded specimens of Boletus parasiticus Bull and countless ascophores of the pretty cup-shaped Chlovosplenium aevuginosum De Not. on the green-stained oak wood which was formerly employed in the manufacture of Tun- bridge ware. In the evening Dr. C. B. Plowright read a very learned and exhaustive paper entitled ‘“‘An Epitome of Eriksson’s Researches on the Cereal Rusts,’’ a careful consideration of which cannot fail to be of benefit to agriculturists and economists. Friday morning, September 23rd, was devoted to work at the museum; and in the afternoon the demesne of Woodlands, near Lucan, was investi- gated, where fine specimens of the rare Amanita stvobilifovmis Witt. and Cortinarius (Phlegmacium) fulgens Fr. were gathered. In the evening Mr. Greenwood Pim exhibited, under microscopes, specimens of some curious moulds, which in- cluded Botrytis dichotoma Ca., Stysanus stemonitis Ca. var. vamosa, Pimia farasitica Grove, Pupulo- spora sefedonioides Preuss., Myxotrichum chartarum Kunze and M. deflexum Berk, Helicomyces roseus Link, and Rainulavia vapae Pim, etc., and he _added some very interesting notes concerning them. Dr. E. J. McWeeney then made some ob- servations on ‘‘ Two Sclerotia Diseases of Potato.” The one was characterized by large sclerotia in the pith cavity, the other by small crumpled inconspicuous sclerotia firmly adherent to the epidermis of the leaves and stem. The former gave rise to the well-known peziza Sclerotinia SCIENCE-GOSSLEP. eo sclerotiorum Mass., whereas the latter produced a mouse-grey mould, Botrytis ; but the two were quite distinct, and not stages in a life cycle. To eradicate the disease he advised burning the potato haulm each autumn, and the non-cropping with potatoes of the same ground for some years tocome. Mr. Soppitt offered some valuable ob- servations on the Uredineae in general, and more particularly as to the life-history of Aecidium evossulaviae Gmelin, in the elucidation of which he has done good work for many years past. Mr. C. Rea read a few notes on ‘‘ The Different Names Applied by English and French Mycologists to One and the Same Basidiomycete.’’ Hearty votes of thanks were then unanimously accorded to the Dublin Naturalists’ Field Club, the Royal College of Science, the Museum authorities, and Professor T. Johnson, D.Sc. Saturday, September 24th, was the concluding day of the week’s foray, when the members visited the picturesque demesne of Dunran by the kind invitation of Mr. Patinson, who most hospitably entertained them to luncheon and showed them round his well-kept gardens, which contained many rare shrubs and flowers. The demesne proved to be an excellent collecting-ground, and the somewhat scarce purple spored Boletus, B. porphyrosporus Fr., was found in some abundance, together with vast clusters of the giant polypore, Polyporus giganteus Fr., and a solitary example of a Hydnum new to Britain, though previously recorded for the continent of Europe, viz., H. cinereum Buil. Over 430 distinct species of fungi were identi- fied during the week’s foray, of which 150 were additions to the list published by Mr. Greenwood Pim, M.A. CARLETON REA. Hen. Sec. British Mycological Society. 34, Foregate Street, Worcester. SEPTEMBER, 1898.—September last will long be known as a month remarkable alike for its physical and social events. With the latter we are not concerned in these pages; but among the former were the heat wave and dry period—both exceptional maxima. Generally the rainfall was less than half, and in some cases only reached ten per cent. and under, of the average; absolute droughts occurred at about ten recording stations. This seems to be only part of the abnormal dry period that has affected some portions of Europe for the past four years, during which the average rain has been considerably below what is usual. It applies especially to this year, when up to the end of September every month has been deficient in rainfall. The area in Britain most affected by the phenomenal heat of September was south- eastern England. In certain places as much as 93° Fahr. was the shade temperature, and 85° up to go° were not uncommon. The hottest days were from the 3rd to gth and 14th to 17th Septem- ber; whilst it was on the oth that the brilliant aurora display took place, following the commence- ment of the enormous sunspots demonstration, which lasted most of the month. SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 181 aA # BOOK STOR REA ‘aD NES é Py NG NOTICES BY JOHN T. CARRINGTON. Note.—In consequence of the great variety in sizes of books now published, the old descriptions, joa on the folding of the paper on which they are printed, will not in future be followed i these pages. In 1's stead their size, including binding, will be given in inches, the greater being ‘the length and the lesser the breadth, unless otherwise specified.—Ed. _ SCIENCE-GOSSIP. The Structure and Classification of Birds. By FRANK E. BepparpD, M.A., F.R.S. xx + 548 pp. 8#in. xX 5%in. with 252 illustrations. (London, New York and Bombay : Longmans, Green & Co., 1898.) 21s. net. The author of this book, who is the well-known Prosector and Vice-Secretary of the Zoological Society of London, has founded it upon an impor- tant MS. left by the late Professor Garrod, F.R.S., who was also the Prosector to the Society, and who had commenced a work on bird anatomy some time before his lamented death. His succes- sor, Mr. W. A. Forbes, had intended to complete it. and made some notes, with a considerable number of accurate drawings, but death also removed him before the opportunity occurred. So it has de- volved upon Mr. Beddard to publish the book before us, and excellently well has he done his share towards its success. Although there are several books and treatises on this subject, there is not anything quite so concise nor so convenient for English readers. The author’s opportunities are unrivalled for verifying the published state- ments of others with regard to the anatomy of birds and for conducting original research into their structure. His laboratory at the Zoological Gardens supplies every convenience, with ample subjects for examination. We have, therefore, in this book not only the experience of former authors carefully checked by one of the best anatomists of the day, but also Professor Garrod’s material as left in the MS. referred to. The plan of this work entails three chief divisions, viz.: ‘‘ The General Structure of Birds,” ‘‘ Reproduction and Renal Organs,” and ‘‘ The Classification of Birds.” The latter section occupies by far the larger part of the book, taking no less than 371 pages. ‘The illustrations are carefully chosen and admirably drawn, a large number being from Mr. Beddard’s own pencil and some by Professor Garrod and Mr. Forbes. We strongly recommend library committees and others who control the choice of books for students to at once obtain this book, for it is sure to become a classic in its subject. Smithsonian Institution: Report of the Museum for 1895. xxii. + 1,080 pp. 9 in. x 6 in. illustrated by 154 plates and 382 figuresintext. (Washington: Government Printers, 1897.) ‘‘The Annual Report of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, showing the opera- tions, expenditures and condition of the Institution for the year ending June 30th, 1895. Report of the U.S. National Museum,” is the correct title of this remarkable book. It is beautifully illustrated, many of the plates being quite masterpieces of the art of process reproduction. This Report deals . with the general administration. .In the year under consideration the Museum contained twenty- eight organized departments and sections, under seven administrative divisions. During that period the Museum was visited by upwards of 200,000 persons, or a daily average of 644 on the: 313 days when it was open to the public. The Museum library was evidently of much use to the students or visitors, for upwards of 6,000 volumes were consulted. Besides the general library there were twenty-one sectional collections of books. Part iii. of the report gives a summary of the work done in the various scientific departments, and lastly there are nearly one thousand pages of appendices. Some of the papers in this, the most important part of the book to the general reader, are most valuable. They are eight in number, those devoted to anthropology or ethnolog gy of the North American Continent being three, mineralogy two, natural history of Lower California one, tongues of birds one; and another on the taxi- dermical methods in use at the Leyden Museum. Natural. Resources of Indiana. Twenty - second Annual Report of the Department of Geology and Natural Pees of Indiana. By W. S. BLaTCHLEY. + 1,197 pp. 9 in. X 6 in. illus- trated by 25 nisi! 2 maps, and figures in text. (Indianopolis: W. B. Burford, 1898.) The papers devoted to scientific subjects in this. report are several. The first gives ‘‘ The Geolo- gical Scale of Indiana,” with a section in diagram. This is followed by one on ‘‘ The Geology of Lake: and Porter Counties”; ‘“‘A List of September Dragonflies of Whitely County”; ‘‘ A Catalogue of Fossils of Indiana”; a ‘“‘ Bibliography of Indi- ana Palaeontology”; and an admirable descriptive: catalogue of the birds of that state is supplied by Amos W. Butler. This last paper is fully illus- trated by numerous figures of the birds, and in- cludes 321 species known to occur in the state, and eighty odd others, more or less hypothetical! visitors. Contributions to the Queensland Flora. BaiLey, F.L.S. 34 pp. 84 in. x 53 in. and 17 plates. (Brisbane: Edmund Gregory, 1808.) This contribution to the botany of the Colony of Queensland is devoted to the Freshwater Algae of North-Eastern Australasia. It will be useful to European students of that department of crypto- gamic botany for comparative purposes. These Botany Bulletins, of which this is No. xv., may be obtained free on application to the Under Sec- retary for Agriculture, Brisbane, on showing that the applicant is a worker in the subject. An Illustrated Manual of British Birds. By Howarp SauNDERS, F.L.S., F.Z.S. Second edition, revised, 8$ in. x 5% in. (London: Gurney and Jackson, 1898.) 1s. per monthly part. Twelve of the twenty monthly parts of this excellent book are now complete. There are several new drawings, some by Messrs. G. E. Lodge. and C. H. Whymper ; especially notable is one of the flamingo, showing the manner of tucking up the long legs during incubation. The old prints illustrating this bird sitting astraddle on a mound the height of its legs was one of those popular errors which become perpetuated by continuous. copying of one author from another. Mr. Saun- ders is sparing no pains to make this work as completely up to date as possible, and we observe: several very recent records and newly-discovered facts incorporated in its pages. Parts 11 and 12 deal with the ducks, and commence the pigeons. By F. M. On November 4th the Geological Association of London ordinary meeting will be a morning dress conversazione, held at 8 p.m., in the Library of University College, Gower Street, W.C. WE have already referred to a proposed work on British dragonflies, by Mr. W. J. Lucas, He is anxious to obtain lists of localities of well authenticated species. His address is 278, King’s Road, Kingston-on-Thames. Sir ARCHIBALD GEIKIE has recently been speak- ing his mind on science in education in an address at Mason College, Birmingham. After reviewing the condition of science taught in the middle ages and even within this century, he pointed out the present altered views on certain sciences. Sir ARCHIBALD warned the assembled students that though a trainingin science was admirable and necessary at the present time, science alone “‘ failed to supply those humanizing influences which the older learning could so well supply.” Had he in view some persons whose saturation with science, to the exclusion of human nature, makes them, in their writings at least, such unenviable people ? PROFESSOR ViIRCHOW’s address in the second Huxley Lecture, at the opening of the Charing Cross Hospital Medical School on October 3rd, was of exceptional importance. He took for his subject “The Recent Advances in Science and their Bear- ing on Medicine and Surgery.” Speaking in excellent English, he gave a masterly review of the influence of scientific biological research upon modern treatment of wounds and disease. ANOTHER remarkable address was that given by Sir James Crichton Browne, F.R.S., at the open- ing of the present session of the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. Its subject has caused some grave comment, as he spoke largely on poisons and the readiness and safety from detec- tion with which some of them may be administered by criminally disposed persons. THE report of the Committee appointed by the Treasury to consider the establishment of a National Physical Laboratory has been issued. It recommends that such an institution should be instituted for standardizing and verifying instruments, for testing materials, and the deter- mination of physical constants. It suggests the extension of Kew Observatory for this purpose, and that the Royal Society should have the control of the institution. WE have received from Mr. G. W. Kirkaldy, F.E.S. a reprint of a short article by him on ‘“Water-bugs as an Article of Human Food.” It is stated that they make a good fillip to the appe- tite when eaten after the manner of caviare. In the form of cakes the ova and perfect insects of Notonecta and Corixva and their allies, are now being introduced into this country by the ton, as food for insectivorous birds, game, fish, etc. It is an interesting paper. SCIENCE-GOSSIP. THE death is announced of Mr. William Borrer, of Cowfold, Sussex, aged 84 years. He was one of the oldest Fellows of the Linnean Society and a well-known naturalist. Mr. Epwarp NorTH Buxton, whose name is well known in connection with Epping Forest as one of its most active verderers, has handsomely pre- sented an additional twenty-eight acres of woodland adjoining and overlooking the valley of the River Lea. The Lord Mayor in Council, on behalf of the City of London, has gratefully accepted this public gift. WE regret to hear of the death of Mrs. Stainton, widow of the late H. T. Stainton, F.R.S., who, a generation ago, did so much to encourage the study of lepidopterology in this country. His well-known ‘Manual of British Butterflies and Moths”. was by far the best work on its subject published in England. It still has a considerable sale, though modern changes in nomenclature have largely reduced its usefulness. Mr. Tuomas Boras, F.C.S., F.1.C.,.has con- sented to give demonstrations of the adaptability of glass blowing and working for amateurs, in the ‘‘ Photogram’’ Reading Room, on Thursdays, November roth, 17th and 24th, from 3 to 5 o’clock and 7 tog. Tickets of admission are forwarded free on application, with stamped addressed envelope, by Dawbarn and Ward, Ltd., 6, Farringdon Avenue, London, E.C. WE greatly regret to see that the present conductors of ‘‘ Natural Science’’ are unable to continue the issue of that journal after next month. We trust, however, some arrangement may be made so as to avoid its stoppage. We hear, also, that the same fate is in store for an even more pretentious contemporary devoted to the more abstruse departments of science. There appears to be something wrong about some modern scientific publications; either the editors do not cater for their readers palatable mental pabula, or else the scientific world is lacking in the support which ought to be as readily given as it is to most other professional journals. Tue London ‘Daily Mail” of October 13th, gravely announces in its largest head-lines, a ‘‘ New Centipede in England. Curious Entomological Discovery at Colchester.” The scientific culture which dictated those words is not less entertaining than that of Mr. Punch’s railway porter, who, when discussing dog tickets, classed hedgehogs as ‘‘hinsecs.”? The writer to the ‘‘ Mail” gives an account of the discovery of a specimen of Scutigeva coleoptvata, a south European centipede, which, like others of the same species that have occurred in these islands, was probably introduced accidentally. It would have been safer for the writer to have supplied the title as well as the article. A Paper was read before the British Association at Bristol, by R. D. Oldham, in which he described -the great Indian earthquake of June 12th, 1897. The shock was noticeable over an area thou- sands of square miles in extent. Many bridges were overthrown or otherwise seriously affected, whilst railways suffered considerably by the con- tortions of the rails forming the permanent way. Great earth fissures appeared, and from numerous vents sand and water were forced to a height of three to five feet above the ground. ~ Huge land- slips occurred in the Khasia Hills, and in the ‘Himalayas north of Lower Assam. SCLIENGE- GOSSIP: CONDUCTED BY FRANK C. DENNETT. Position at Noon, 1808. Rises. Sets. R.A. Nov. hm. hem, h.m. Dec. Sun PMS ABiiakmy “1s 4c20/piMly aeek455) sr) 10> 40! S. TOM 25 eae 5 Poses OU med Lon LO! BS) coy. Yel 3-55 ReTOMSiy es abor23y Rises. Souths. Sets. Ageat Noon. Nov. h.m. hm. him. as hint. Moon 8... o'24a.mM: ... 7.10 a.M.... 1.42p.m. 23 23 23 HHS) hoo, Betas .. 4.15 p.m. ... 8.49 4 II 39 28). 3.52)p.M.. ...12/26 SOCOM) 4 Ls Position at Noon. Souths. Sent R.A. Nov. h.m, Diameter. hm. Dec. Miercuryueenyn Sas.) 0-30)p:M\ ...0 20 4 15.41 Qian 18... 0.54 see s2KeO 16.44 24° 31! 28meerel5 a BuO 17.45 25° 51’ ers Sle eL.5L/psmy 2..025(- 0 17.2 27250! S bahay ey .. 28" 9 2 16:58) -us260 (36! PAS} ani) BS) bon ep) . 16.39 ZoCR5 6) Mars pba Shag! A GARE Gola tore well oA) are 8'N. 18a. 4.40 5‘ 0 8.35 20° 48! Z8enc ARTS 5" 5 8.44 21 OCA PIteVA wee TO) s.- (9-508... 0. LAM 5 + 13.40) ss 92 49! 3. SQtU/N ese) LO...) 0-55) D5m. Tome) 16145) 5 202 55) 9. Gyanusmeee Lose) (Ost5)p.m Dia HG aon oe a So Neptune ... 18 ... 1.46 a.m Tg BHI sab PbO Maye INIc Moon's PHASES. hm. hm. 3rd Qr.... Nov. 6... 2.28 p.m. New ... Nov. 14... 0.21 a.m. USHA OW urease ay) (2ONe 525) Pel WU eon ey 28) eee 43 Oia. In apogee November 4th, at 1 p.m., distant 251,500 miles; and in perigee on 16th, at 8 a.m, distant 226,000 miles. CoNJUNCTIONS OF PLANETS WITH THE Moon. Nov. 5 us Mars*t+ 4 p.m. planet 3° 41’ N. 12 see Jupiter* Te ASTM tees op! Oey Ilo 15 O08 Mercury+ By EVI0NG - boc OG Ne 15 od Saturn* Tae Glg0Ms bon op. Bediley INI 15 aos Venus} Gog 805 © Gon 59 Baie) So 16 Vestat 7 p.m. ee OSLTOMAIN he i Daylient + Below Epelish inorinemn: THE Sun still shows traces of considerable activity, new small groups being formed since the great disturbance mentioned last month. He should be carefully watched. Mercury is an evening star, but too far south for successful observation. On November 12th, at 3 a.m., he is in conjunction with Uranus in the constellation Scorpio, Mercury being 1° 53’ south ; on the 2oth, at 8 a.m., he is in conjunction with Venus, passing 1° 18’ north of that planet. VENUS is an evening star, but too far south for observation. Mars, in the constellation Cancer, rises about 9.25 p.m. on the ist and near 8 on the 30th. His apparent diameter, though small, is gradually increasing, and many of his markings may be seen with a telescope of comparatively small aperture. JUPITER, SATURN and URANUS are too near the sun for observation, the last mentioned being in conjunction at midnight on the 25th. NEPTUNE is now about 1° 4o’ east of the crab nebula in Taurus, and in good position for observa- tion. 183 Meteors should be looked for on November rst, and, 4th, 6th to 2oth, 23rd, 24th and 27th. Con- siderable displays of the Leonids may be expected from November 7th to 2oth, and of the Andromedes on the 23rd and 24th, about which further informa- will be found on page 161 of this number. GRESHAM COLLEGE lectures on astronomy, by Professor Rev. E. Ledger, M.A., will be given on November rst, 2nd, 3rd and 4th, at 6 p.m. Two new minor planets have already been discovered photographically at Heidelberg Obser- vatory by Professor Max Wolf, on September 11th. THE new Edinburgh Observatory on Calton Hill will probably in a short time be formally opened. One of its instruments is a 22-inch refractor with a focal length of thirty feet. PECHUELE’S comet appears to be identical with Wolf's of 1884, and to have passed its perihelion on July 4th. It will be nearest to the earth at the end of November, when its distance will be 1-40, that of the sun being 1t°o. At the time of its discovery it did not exceed a star of 11th-mag- nitude in brightness. The next return may be looked for in the spring of 1905. THE great sunspot group remained upon the sun and again reappeared round the south-eastern limb at the end of September. On October 3rd, Rev. F. Howlett, of Clifton, found the largest spot had an area of 455,000,000 square miles, or only about one-fifth of its size on September roth. Four excellent drawings were given by an anony- mous correspondent in ‘‘ The English Mechanic” on September 16th. A NEW comet was discovered on September 13th, 16h. r4°3m. Lick mean time, by Mr. Perrine, of that observatory, in R.A. 9h. 41m. 4os., Dec. N. 30° 36’, and described as brilliant. It was inde- pendently discovered a few hours later at Besancon, by M. Chofardet. Its R.A. was increasing about 6°5 minutes daily, and its declination decreasing about 1°, According to Herr Berberich, perihelion would be passed on October 199565 Berlin mean time. THE new minor planet discovered photographi- cally by Herr G. Witt, mentioned on page 153, proves to be a most remarkable object. Its orbit lies within that of Mars. Taking the earth’s dis- tance as I'o, that of Mars is 1°52, whilst the newly- discovered body, according to Herr Berberich, is only 1:46. The nearest point of its orbit is only 14,000,000 distant from our own, and its period 644 days. Its diameter is supposed not to exceed twenty miles. Mr. A. C. D. Crommelin, of the Royal Observatory, discusses the object in ‘*The Observatory.” One of its nearest approaches, that is being in perihelion and in opposition at the same time, occurred in January, 1894. As seventeen revolutions are nearly equal to thirty of our years, it follows that we shall have to wait until 1924 before there is an equally favourable opposition. The last opposition was particularly. unfavourable, happening when near iss aphelicn. The next, in November, 1900, occurs about a month before it reaches perihelion, and at a distance of 0:33 from the earth. It will not again be so favourably placed until 1917, when its least distance from the earth will be only o'15, the least distances of Venus and Mars being 0:27 and 0°38 respectively. Careful observations should be made, therefore, for the more accurate determina- tion of the true solar parallax. In 1894 it would probably have equalled a 7th-magnitude star. ZiT) \y) IY 5 ¢ ED ROW, | GEOLOGY : < ae Sa py PE BE = ly CONDUCTED BY EDWARD A. MARTIN, F.G.S. To whom all Notes, Articles and material velating to Geology, and intended for SCIENCE-GOSSIP, ave, in the first tmstance, to be addressed, at 69, Benshaim Manor Road, Thoriuton Heath, GEoLoGIcaL EpucaTion.—In conducting these columns of geological gossip, it has been my endeavour to place the science in as pleasant a light as possible to those who are not geologists, in the hope that geology, which still lacks workers in every natural history society, may attract those who have as yet not felt the inspiring influence which it breathes. This journal is always open to record the results of original research or discovery, but I am anxious that our notes should have an educational value, and that they should do some- thing towards getting rid of the feeling of apathy towards things geological, which is so frequently found in scientific societies. We may recall with pleasure the remarks made by Professor Logan Lobley, at Croydon, last June, now brought to mind by the issue of the ‘‘ Report and Transactions of the South-Eastern Union of Scientific Societies, for 1898"’: ‘‘Some blame is deserved, I confess, by the geological world itself, which is too much inclined to hide its light under a bushel and to rest content with its own acquirements, without doing much for the spread of its enlightening science. I have had much personal experience of this apathy against which I have had to contend, for, clearly seeing the high educational value of geology, the chief occupation of my life has been the dissemination of geological knowledge.” GEOLOGICAL LANTERN StipES.—The report of the recent Croydon Congress of the South-Eastern Union shows that a series of seventy-eight lantern slides have been got together, illustrative of the Upper Greensand, Gault and Lower Greensand of the south-east of England. These are in circula- tion, and can be borrowed on application to Mr. H. E. Turner, B.Sc., 2, Bouverie Street, West Folkestone, who will also lend a written lecture, which he has prepared to illustrate the slides. PHOTOGRAPHERS AND GEOLOGISTS.—The neces- sity of an amicable plan of working between geologists and those members of local societies who are photographers only, deserves very great emphasis. We have all heard of the photographer who declined to waste a plate on a section which failed to appeal to him from a point of view of beauty. Geological sections are not always picturesque, but those which are the less covered with vegetation and other attributes of beauty are often the most valuable of any. LANTERN AND MICROSCOPICAL SLIDES.—I have had considerable experience of Mr. J. Hornell’s photographic lantern slides, and have pleasure, therefore, in calling attention to his excellent cata- logue, which has just come to hand, of slides and biological preparations. Materials from the Jersey Biological Station may be relied on for trust- worthiness, at reasonable cost. SCLENCE-GOSSIE: LIGHT AND HEAT -OF THE SuN.—The question is frequently raised as to how long the .sun has continued to give out light for the illumination of the earth. It is a question which must always interest geologists, and as these are now apparently willing to take their facts in such matters from the physicists, it is well to note that Thomson and Tait calculated that it may have illuminated the earth for 100 millions of years, but certainly not for 500 millions of years. If the earth were suddenly stopped by an obstacle, the earth would emit at once eighty-one times the heat which the sun emits in one day. The earth would fall in towards the sun, and in-the collision the sun would, in a few minutes, emit as much heat as it now does in ninety-five years. TASMANIAN IGNEOUS Rocxs.—In a paper on ‘‘ The Igneous Rocks of Tasmania,’ read by Messrs. W. H. Twelvetrees and W. F. Petterd before the Australian Institute of Mining Engineers, the authors point out that field-geology in Tasmania has hitherto resulted in describing the massive rocks simply as granite, greenstone and basalt. A more minute study convinces the investigator that he has here to deal with what is really an epitome of the world’s eruptive rocks. The question of classification receives a good deal of attention. Harker has divided the igneous rocks into Plutonic, Intrusive and Volcanic, ie. according to their age, while Geikie, Hatch, Rutley and Teall adhere to the chemical classification. The authors adopt Rutley’s scheme, which is of so useful a nature as to tempt me to print it here. 2 ve : + Limes ff) .U -~- 2 toa) Son SN, yy Gs! ce ‘ Wuart offers in microscopy for Dr. Beale’s '‘ How to Work with the Microscope’??—H. Platt, Priory Villa, Victoria Road North, Southsea. DupticaTes: Paphia, galatea, hyperanthus, aegon, actaeon, tipuliformis, lonicerae, jacobae, neustria, B. quercus and larvae, potatoria, palumbaria, atrata, lunosa, pistacina, c-nigrum, segetum vars., etc.—A. Ford, Rosemount, Hanning- ton Road, Boscombe, Hants. , : WanTeED, Jamieson’s Celestial Atlas, published early in this century. State price; cash or exchange.—John T. Carrington, 1, Northumberland Avenue, London, W.C. ScIENTIFIC Books FOR SALE.—In consequence of Mr. W. H. Nunney having become a confirmed invalid, a number of his scientific books are for sale. They include works on general natural history and entomology, including five vols. (all published) of the ‘‘ Entomological Magazine,” 1833-38. Offers wanted.—For list, apply to Mrs. NuNNEY, 30, Darville Road, Stoke Newington, N.E. Pe ee ee se eo eee, whe Ae ewe See ee ee Pte a ee | ae ee et SCIENCE-GOSSIP. ili WATKINS AND DONCASTER, Naturalists and Manufacturers of Entomological Apparatus and Cabinets, N.B.—For Exceilence and Superiority of Cabinets and Apparatus, references are permitted to distinguished Patrons and Colleges, &c. Catalogue (66 pp.) sent post free on application. Now ready—The Exchange List and Label List, Compiled by Ed. Meyrick, B.A., F.L.S., F.E.S., according to his recent “Handbook of British Lepidoptera.” Exchange Lists, 14d. each, 8d. per doz., oF 4s. per 100. Label Lists, 1s. 6d. each. Plain Ring Nets, Wire or Cane, including stick, 1/3, 2/-, 2/6 Taxidermist’s Companion, §.e.,a pocket leather case, containing Folding Nets, 3/6 and 4)- most useful instruments for skinning, 10/6 Umbrella Nets (self-acting), 7]- _Scalpels, 1/3; Label Lists of Birds’ Eggs, 3d., 4d., 6d. Pocket Boxes, 6d.; corked both sides, od., 1/-, and 1/6. Scissors, per pair, 2/- Setting Needles, 3d. and 6d. per box Zinc Relaxing Boxes, od., 1/-, 1/6, and 2/- Coleopterist’s Collecting Bottle, with tube, 1/6, 1/8 Nested Chip Boxes, 4 dozen, 8d., 1/9 gross : Botanical Cases, japanned double tin, 1/6, 2/9, 3/6, 4/6, 7/6 Entomological Pins, mixed, 1/6 per oz. Botanical Paper, 1/1, 1/4, 1/9 and 2/2 per quire Sugaring Lanterns, 2/6 to 10/6 Insect Cases, Imitation mahogany, 2/6 to r1/- Sugaring Tin, with brush, 1/6, 2/- Cement for replacing Antenna, 6d. per bottle Sugaring Mixture, ready for use, 1/9 per tin Forceps for removing Insects, 1/6, 2|-, 2/6 per pair Mite Destroyer (not dangerous to use), 1/6 per lb. Cabinet Cork, 7 x 3%, best quality, 1/4 per dozen sheets Store Boxes, with Camphor Cells, 2/6, 4/-, 5/-, and 6/- Pupa Diggers, in leather sheath, r/g. Insect Lens, 1/- to 8)/- Ditto, Book Pattern, 8/6, 9/6, and 10/6 Glass Top and Glass Bottomed Boxes, from 1/4 per dozen Setting Boards, flat or oval, 1-In*, 6d.; 14-In., 8d.; 1¥-In., od. ; Label Lists of British Butterfiles, 2d. a-in., 10d.; 24-in., 1/-; 3-in., 1/2; 34-In., 1/4; 4-In., 1/6; Ditto Land and Fresh-Water Shells, 2d. 44-in., 1/8; 5-In., 1/10. Complete set of 14 boards, 10/6 Egg Drils, 2d., 3d., 1/- ; Metal Blow-pipe, 4d. & 6d. Setting Houses, 9/6 and 11/6; corked back, 14/- Our New Label List of British Marco-Lepidoptera, with Latin and Zinc Larva Boxes, od., 1]- Brass Chloroform Bottle, 2/- English Names, 1/6. Our new Catalogue of British Lepidoptera Breeding Cage, 2/6, 4/-, 5/- and 7/6 (every species numbered, 1/-; or on one side for Labels, 2/ All Avticles enumerated ave kept in stock, and can be sent immediately on vecedpt of ovder. The “DIXON” LAMP-NET (Invaluable for taking Moths of Street Lamps without climbing the lamp-posts, 2/6. CABINETS. Sphectal Show Room. The following are the prices of a few of the smaller sizes; for measurements and larger sizes see Oatalogne. Minerals and Dried Minerals and Dried Insect. Eggs. Plants, Fossils, &c. Insect. Eggs. ‘plants, Fossils, &c. 4 Drawers teoe 13/6 e@oovee 12/- e@aeoeoce 10/6 ; 8 Drawers.. 33/- e@eeene 30/- e@eecoce 25/- 6 oe e@oe’ 17/6 eoceen 16/6 eooece 15]- Io a8 ee 45/- 00000 56/- ecccce 45/- A LARGE STOCK OF INSECTS AND BIRDS’ EGGS. Birds, Mammals, &c., Preserved and Mounted by First-class workmen. 36, STRAND, W.C. (Five Doors from Charing Cross). JUST PUBLISHED, ROSS’ N EW With 252 Illustrations. 8vo, price 21s. net, — THE STRUCTURE & CLASSIFICATION Microscope. OF BIRDS. Specially constructed for the use of Agri- culturists, examination of Raw Materials, By FRANK E. BEDDARD, M.A., F.R.S., Produce, Textile Fabrics, and direct Prosector and Vice-Secretary of the Zoological Society of London observations of every kind that do not require oblique illumination or i special arrangements, : LONGMANS; GREEN anp CO: A Fine Adjustment may be added at any time, and Accessories as per Catalogue. en Jinch Objective, ycpiece, Minto, Rack Adhust y LANTERN SLIDES. Lonpon, NEw York AND BomBay. ment, Substage Plate and Glass Dish 3 0 Peers Objectives as asnamed above ... .. each : Ly e Illustrative of all Branchesy ob ZOOLOGY. BOTANY and ine Adjustmen 3 I arto ee aan ee hoch ; Eto ts He: mos ce O75 | PERFECT IN QUALITY, (ens! Avad, urseds Exit 107) BPen Dies Nosepicce se ee al mele Mag Rect ens OL 1080. CHEAPEST IN PRICE. White wood case, stained . APEC Poe ELE OEE Ore ; 5,000 SUBJECTS IN STOCK. Mahogany case PRICE—9/- per doz. Plain; 15/- per doz. Coloured. Send for COMPLETE CATALOGUE of On Hire at 1/- per doz. Plain; 1/6 per doz. Coloured. Microscopes, Telescopes, Photographic Lenses, Zs List Post Free on Application. si Cameras, and Apparatus of all descriptions. GOLD MEDALS AND HIGHEST AWARDS AT ALL M ICROSCOPY,. GREAT EXHIBITIONS. SPECIALITIES: © 48 Botanical Teaching Preparations in Case og el al ROSS, Ltd., 111 New Bond St., LON DON, W. 48 Zoological _,, 4 60 £1 10 Optical Works :—CLarHam Common, S.W. Thousands of miscellaneous Slides in Stock. Contractors to Her Majesty's Governments, British & Colonial, Price List on application. also to the principal Foreign Governments. ESTABLISHED 1830. 1 JAMES HORNELL, BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY, JERSEY. lv SCIENCE-G 1001 THE AUTOMATIC CYCLOSTYLE. THE LATEST IMPROVEMENT IN DUPLICATING APPARATUS. FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS JUST MADE. For printing Reports, Speci- EDITOR of fications, Price Lists, etc., it is invaluable and soon repays its uae Ss cost. “We can well Secretaries of for preparing mant- other documents.” A FEW ADVANTAGES. 1.—No skill required. The work being done, by the Machine’ automatically, a novice can at once obtain per- fect copies. 2.—Great uniformity of copies. The pressure being constant. and regular, the Copies are all alike. 3.—The process of re-ink- Ing is made much easier and * SCIENCE-GOSSIP’”’ says: | (May, ’98, No.) | recommend this Machine to | Scientific Societies and others fold copies of notices or cleaner. One inking suffices for 100 to 200 copies, but, 2,000 copies may be taken from oue stencil. 4.—Equally. adapted for re- producing written or BIB written matter. 5.—Great speed in taking | copies.. It.is only necessary to turn a handle which lifts and | lowers the frame, and time is gained by havingaless number of Fe: inkings. .- 6.—The difficulties which ee quently arise..in the working of other duplicating apparatus entirely dispensed with in the | CYCLOSTYLE. COMPLETE Octavo size, £3 10s.; OUTFIT for REPRODUCING HANDWRITING. Quarto size, £4 15s. ; Foolscap size, £5. Extras for Reproducing Typewriting: Octavo size, 10s. 6d.; Quarto size, 14s. 6d. ; Foolscap size, 12s. ot Fitted with Unmeltable Rollers for Hot Climates, £1 1s. extra, any size up to Foolscap. To those requiring a cheaper process, less easy of manipulation, the following is suitable :— THE “NEO-CYCLOSTYLE” Prices from 25s. HAND-ROLLER PROCESS. Unmeltable Rollers for Hot Climates supplied at an extra cost. ‘THE CYCLOSTYLE CO., 34, SNOW HILL, LONDON, Ee STEVENS’ AUCTION ROOMS, | MARINE BIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION OF THE SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS, INCLUDING ALL KINDS OF Optical and Photographic Apparatus, Electricals, - Mathematical, Surgical and Musical Instruments, and Miscellaneous Property of every description, EVERY FRIDAY. NATURAL HISTORY SPECIMENS . ONCE AND TWICE A MONTH. MR. J. C. STEVENS ’Begs to call attention to his Sales of the above at his Great Rooms, 38, K1nG SREET) COVENT GARDEN, . at £2. 30 every Friday. Goods received at any.time, and included in these Sales. PHYSIOGRAPHY and GE OLO CR COLLECTIONS & MICROSCOPIC SLIDES As advised by Science and Art Directory, arranged by JAMES R. GREGORY & CO., Mineralogists, &c., To Science and Art Department, British, Indian and Colonial Museums, &c. NOVELTIES and RARE GEMS and PRECIOUS STONES. Mineral Specimens for Museums and Collectors, and all purposes. Rock Specinens and Microscopic Sections:of Rocks and - Minerals cut to order. New and Valuable Mineral Specimens constantly arriving. Stores and Offices: 1, Kelso Place, KENSINGTON, W. New CATALOGUES AND LISTS FREE. UNITED KINGDOM. THE LABORATORY, PLYMOUTH. The following Animals can always be supplied, either living or preserved by the best methods :— ‘ Syson; Clava, Obelia, Sertularia; Actinia, Tealla, Caryophyllia, Alcyonium ; Hormiphora (preserved) ; Leptoplana; Lineus, Amphiporus; Nereis Aphrodite, Arenicola, Lanice, Terebella; Lepas, Balanus, Gammarus, Ligla, Mysis, Nebalia, Carcinus; Patella, Buccinum, Eledone, Pecten; Bugula, Crisia, Pedicellina ; Holothuria, Asterias, Echinus ; ‘Ascidia, Salpa (preserved), Scyllium, Raia, etc., etc. For Prices and more detailed Lists apply to _ THE DIRECTOR, Biological Laboratory, PLYMOUTH. TRILOBITES From the Upper Silurian of Dudley. Phacops caudatus, 1s. 6d. to 15s. | Phacops Downingiz, 1s. 6d. to 5s. Acidaspis coronata, 2s. to 4s. Encrinurus variolaris, IS. Gd. to Calymene Blumenbachii, 5s. to 35. 6d. 12s. 6d. | Homolonotus, 3s. 6¢ i. to 7S. “A few Upper Silurian Crinoids, Corals and Brachiopods. COLLECTIONS TO ILLUSTRATE GEOLOGY AND PHYSIOGRAPHY. Catalogues Post Free. THOMAS D. RUSSELL, Mineraioeses 78, NEWGATE STREET, LONDON, E.C. BIRKBECK BANK SOUTHAMPTON BUILDINGS, CHANCERY LANE, W.C. TWO-AND A-HALF per CENT. INTEREST allowed on DEPOSITS repayable on demand, TWO per CENT. on CURRENT ACCOUNTS, on the minimum monthly RKIRMCESE when not drawn below £100. arene and SHARES purchased and sold, . - SAVINGS DEPARTMENT. For the encouragement of Thrift the Bank receives smali sums on deposit and allows Intereat monthly on each Completéd £1. BIRKBECK BUILDING SOCIETY. : HOW TO PURCHASE A 'REEHOLD «LAND. SOCIET te MONTH HOW TO BIREBECK F F FOR 5s, PER MONTH. The BIRKBECK UMANACK, 7 ath fait Wartioninees post.free. EsTaBiisHep 1851. FRANCIS BRAVENSCBOFT, Manager. 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