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FOR THE PEOPLE FOR EDVCATION FOR SCIENCE
LIBRARY
OF
THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF
NATURAL HISTORY
‘ at '
pee NCE -GOSSIP
AN ILLUSTRATED MONTHLY RECORD OF
MolURE AND COUNTRY-LORE
AND
APPEIED, SELENECE
EDITED BY
JOHN T. CARRINGTON
VOL. IV—NEW SERIES
LONDON: SIMPKIN MARSHALL, HAMILTON, KENT & Co., LIMITED THE NASSAU PRESS
BERLIN: R. Frieprinper & Sonn, CARLSTRASSE II
"‘IN ORDER THAT KNOWLEDGE MAY BE ACQUIRED, IT IS BEFORE ALL THINGS NECESSARY TO
DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE UNDERSTANDING AND THE IMAGINATION.” —B. de Spinoza, in Correspondence, 1666,
“ERROR CONSISTS MAINLY IN WHAT THE POET CALLS ‘THE FALSEHOOD OF EXTREMES ’—THAT IN ALLOWING ONE OPINION SO TO ABSORB US AS TO TAKE NO ACCOUNT OF ITS OPPOSITE."’
° —Samuel Laing, in ‘‘ Modern Science and Modern Thought.”
\s,
15 - G4 5o~r q
Our ANnNuAL GREETING.
V E have again to pen an Annual Greeting to our Readers on
the conclusion of another year’s work. The thanks of the Editor and Publishers are due to the numerous Contri- butors to the pages of SciENcE-Gossip, which in this volume contain so much of value. Thanks are especially tendered to the following gentlemen for the instructive and interesting articles appearing in the present volume from their pens: A. E. Boycott, G. W. Bulman, R. Godfrey, F. J. Gray, G. K. Gude and J. Smith. A special tribute of thanks is also due to J. H. Cooke, F. C. Dennett E. A. Martin, and the Rev. E. A. Woodruffe- Peacock, who have so generously conducted for the Magazine the respective departments of Microscopy, Astronomy, Geology and Botany; also to Miss Flora Winstone, for interesting contri- butions under the head of ‘Science Abroad,” and for much general assistance afforded the Editor.
In the new Volume our aim will be to make the pages of Science-Gossip still brighter and more entertaining, whilst fully maintaining the instructive and authoritative character of its articles. We therefore hope to receive not only the continued valuable support now given to the Magazine, but extended help, both as to literary contributions and increased subscriptions, so necessary for the improvement of our Journal.
May, 1808.
CONTENTS.
VOLUME IV.—NEW SERIES.
Abbott, G., 272
Barber, H. J., 71, 85
Barbour, J. H., 108, 228
Barham. G., 43, 107
Barnes, Edward, 358
Bastin, A. H., 77
Bechervaise, A. H., 95
Bell, F. W., 124
Bladen, W. Wells, 25
Bowell, E. W. W., 6
Boycott, A. E., 132, 161, 194, 226, 255, 290, 322, 343
Briggs, C. A., 272
Brine, H. C., 299
Britton, C. E., 59, 122, 129
Bromley, H., 211
Brown, G. F., 150
Bullen, Rey. R. A., 113, 150, 317
Bulman, G. W., 281, 309
Burr, M., 123, 136, 188
Carrington, J. T., 19, 20, 25, 40, 46, 53, 59, 63, 82, 85, 91, 97, 98, 114, 115, 123, 127, 142, 144, 164, 171, 173, 198, 205, 210, 211, 233, 243, 254, 265, 272, 283, 294, 296, 299, 320, 329, 330
Clarke, A., 124
Climenson, Emily J., 18, 104, 299
Cockerell, T. D. A., 25, 45, 229
Cooke, J. H., 57, 86, 113, 120, 148, 178, 181, 208, 222, 236, 295, 269, 332
Cooper, J. E., 85, 124, 223
Dennett, F. C., 23, 49, 51, 83, 119, 147, 177; 207, 239, 267, 297, 331, 339
Dickson-Bryson, R., 130, 341
Doncaster, L., 29
Duncan, F. M., 167
Edwards, A. M., 253 Edwards, T., 272, 300 Eyre, W. L. W., 151
Flower, Sir W. H., 66 Flower, S. S., 66
Acneus, Antennae of, 87 Adrianes, Antennae of, 87 Agriolimax laevis, Teeth of, 9 Amblyophis viridis, 346 Antenne of Coleoptera, Some, 87
es of Insects, Some, 86
5) of Male Phengodes, 88 Arrenurus buccinator, 187
+ 5 female, 187
rs festivus, 187
of) zachariae, 187 Audubon, J. J. L., 327
Balsam, Royle’s, 319 Bartlett, A. D., r Blackbird, A Tame, 47 Bolboerus, Antennae of, 87 Bulimus decollatus, 17
Calcarina candidissin:a, Teeth of, 9 Caltha palustris, 11
CONTRIBUTORS.
Garlick, C., 318
George, C. F., 187
Godfrey, R., 204, 224, 261, 286, 315, 325, 349
Gray, F. J., 199, 219, 259
Greening, L., 123 5
Gude, G. K., 10, 36, 70, 102, 138,:170, 231, 263, 284
Hamilton, W. P., 58, 203 Henley, A., 2
Hole, H. A., 151
Horsley, Rev. J. W., 254, 272
Jones, H. J. L., 123 Jones, K. H., 79
Keegan, Dr. P. Q., 236, 292, 300 Knight, Col. H. S., 258
Lett, H. W., 151 Littler, F. M., 358 Lones, T. E., 58
Marriott, W., 213
Marten, C. J., 142, 151, 152
Martin, E. A, 26, 150, 157, 172, 180, 190; QII, 212, 242, 273, 299, 300, 334, 350
McIntire, N. E., 25
Mead-Briggs, T. H., 358
Meade, R. H., 151
Meehan, T., 15, 38, 80, 105
Mercer, Guy, 142
Morris, S., 243
Mott, F. T., 61
Niven, G. W., 155, 305, 364 Nunney, W. H., 2
Oswald, F., 4, 74
Palmer, T. C., 65 Parritt, W. H., 140 Peacock, Mabel, 85 Pepworth, W. H., 163
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Chava, mounting of, 88 Chaulmugra Fat Crystals, 121, 237 Chigoe, 361 ~ Part of Proboscis of, 361 oH Developing Eggs of, 361 Chivonomus, Antennae of, 86 Clausilia swinhoet, 17 Cochlostyla philippinensis, 17 Connulus fulvus, Teeth of, 9 Corymbites, Antennae of, 87 Cribraria violacea, 361 Cypraea arabica, 16
Darwin Statue at Shrewsbury, The, 127
Dendroides, Antennae of, 87
Descending a Big Cliff, 235
Diatoms, Apparatus for Testing Vege- table Nature of, 65
Dickson, Baron Oscar, 31
Dineutes, Antennae of, 87
Dover Colliery, Section of Boring for, 157; 159, 192, 193
Pereira, C. P. A. de‘L., 217 Perks, F. P., 85, 152, 211, 358
Rea, C., 168 Rollason, W. A., 172 Rowell, J., 25
Sauzé, H. A., 13, 124, 364 Schuster, E. H. J., 307,345 Sewell, S. A., 116 Sheppard, T., 29, 61, 93, 125, 185, 364 Sich, Frank, junr., 123, 299 Smith, F. W., 151
Smith, H. E., 26
Smith, J., 250, 287, 320 Soames, Rev. H. A., 150 Stokes, Dr. A. C., 68 Stuart, Major, 123
Swann, H. K., 137
Symes, Dr. J. O., 100
Taylor, A. T., 123
Teasdale, M. J., 243
Thompson, W., 327
Tremayne, L. J., 28, 29, 60,72, 91, 93, 154, 214, 244, 274, 304, 336
Turner, Creswell, 25
Turner, E. E., 59, 179, 299
Turner, G. C., 25, 152
Turner, H. E., 32
Turner, H. J., 27, 28, 60, 90, 153, 184, 214, 243, 303; 363
Vevers, C. C., 301
Walker, J. W., 152
Ward, John J., 11
Webb, J. C., 123
Welch, R., 47
Wheldon, J. A., 110
Whiteway, P. and F., 47
Wilson, Wm., 123
Winstone, Flora, 22, 52, 89, 117, 146, 182, 213, 241, 274, 277, 302, 317; 335
Woodruffe-Peacock, Rev. E. A., 59, 152,
183 Wright, C. E., 336
Dust Particles in the Air, 178 Dyes, Diagram of effect of, 301 Evythraea littoralis, Fries., 110 55 var. intermedia, 110 a a and centaurium, Apex of Sepals, 111 Euglena acus, 307 deses, 307 » — Spwogyra, 345 m9 viridis, 307
Fat Crystals, Chaulmugra, 121, 237
n e Human, 237
a m) of Monkey, 237
Fern, Swimming, 270
Flea from Owl, 149
Freezing-Box and Microscope, Taylor's, 120
Grouse, Red, 526
House-Fly, The, 271 Hyalinia alliaria, Teeth of, 7
n _ céllaria, 7 » nitidula, = 7 ” pura, ” 7
Infusoria, British, 307, 345
Lachnosterna, Antennae of, 87 Luridus, Antennae of, 87
Marine Telegraph Cable, Broken, 95 Mars, Clouds seen on, 258 Megalodon ensifer, 136 Microbes in Air of Schoolroom, 179
= Atmospheric, 178 Micrometer Measuring Apparatus, 333 Microscope, New type, 296 Mollusca, Odontophores of, 7, 9 Mokomokai, or Dried Human Head, 165 Moon, The, Map of, 339 Mounting Chara, System of, 88 Mushroom, A Double, 272
Naturalist, a Primitive, 247 Neuropteris ravinervis, 191 = Scheuchzeri, 190
Obsidian, Microscopic Crystals in, 180 ne Red, Thin Section of, 180 Orange Mite, 209
Phacus longicaudus, 307 » plewronectes, 345
ABNORMAL RaINBow, It Acetylene Gas: its Value to Scientific Aerial Torpedo cs) joes,
After Darwin, 309 Ee Agriolimax laevis, 9 Amber: where it is found, 341 Amblyophis viridis, 335 American Naturalists, Two Eminent, 293 Ants and Aphides, 317 Arrenurus buccinator, 187
am = female, 187
ie Sestivus, 188
” zachariae, 188
ASTRONOMY.—23, 51, 83, 119, 147, 177; 207, 239, 267, 297, 331, 359 imary Star, Rapid, 119 D’Arrest’s Comet, 119 Hour-Glass Sea of Mars, 83 upiter, Satellites of, 83 and Greenwich Equatoreals, 51 Mars, Diameter of, 147 Meteor, A Brilliant, 11 s A Remarkable, 297 Meteors, August, 177 " November, 23 Moon, The “ Second,” of the Earth, 297 Nebula, A Singular, 331 New Observatory for London, 23 Perrine’s Comet a 1897, 207 ”s Comet 6, 1898, 35 Photographic Telescope,
119 Pons-Winnecke’s Comet, 207, 267 Potsdam Refractor, Large, 240 Red Stars, 23, 51, 83, 119, 147, 177, 207,
299, 267, 297, 33% Saturn's Ring System, 177 Sun. Parallax of, 267 «+ Object Crossing, 33: Sunspot, Group of, March, 359 Sunspots, 63 Venus, Diameter of, 147 Yerkes Great Lens, 51, 359 Vetkes Observatory, Dedication, 119 Axtumn Tints, 292
ompson’s,
Bastirett, Aswanau Dex, 1 Blood as a Microscope Object, 64 Bog Flow in Kerry, 112
CONTENTS.
Phacus pyrum, 345
» trigueter, 307 Photoscope, 50 Pigeon, Passenger, 2r Plectopylis ian 103
> anda, 264
+ brahma, 170
a diptychta, 284
> emortens, 37
+ Seddent, 171 Jovia, 138
- leucochtlus, 231
* lissochlamys, 71
4 macromphalus, 10 oy magna, 70
a minor, II
> muntpurensts, 263 ae murata, 284
> musprattt, 10
» oglet, 263
* perrierae, 232 - phivaria, 139 a polyptychia, 102
AY pseudophis, 170
» quadrast, 71
” reserata, 37
» schistoptychta, 103 ” schlumbergert, 138 7 Secura, 231°
= shanensts, 36
5 stenochila var. bastlia, 36
fr trochosptra, 285
+ trochospira v. boholensts, 285 ” villedaryt, 139
ARTICLES, NOTES, ETC.
Books To READ, 20, 21, 53, 54) 55; 82) 115) 116, 142, 143, 173, 174, 175) 205, 233) 265, 266, 294, 326, 327, 328, 355
ABC of the X-Rays, 115
Audubon and His Journals, 327
Bibliography of Gilbert White, 115
Botanical Laboratory, 294
British Game Birds and Wild Fowl, 20, 82, 143, 204, 356
By Roadside and River, 265
Companion for the Queensland Student of Plant Life, 115 i
Concise Knowledge Natural History,
5 Critical Period in the Development of the Horse, 174 : Descriptive Catalogue of Useful Fibre Plants of the World, 175 Dictionary of Photography, 53 : Electricity and Magnetism for Begin- ners, 52 Elementary Chemistry, 356 a Physics, 294 : Entomological Society of Ontario, Annual Report of, 20 Essays of George John Romanes, 53 Essex Technical Laboratories, Journal of the, 20 Evolution of the English Alphabet, 143 Experimental Farms of Canada, 294 Farm and Garden Insects, 21 Fauna and Flora of Radley and the Neighbourhood, 115 Field Columbian Museum Report, 328 Fishes and Reptiles of Somaliland, 328 Flora of the Alps, 20, 143, 266 Geology, General, 356 ” of Indiana, 234 Glass Blowing and Working for Amateurs, 294 Guide to Zermat and the Matterhorn,
142 Handbook of the Birds of Great Britain,
55 Handbook of the Order Lepidoptera, 55 Harvey, William, Dr., 234 Humane Science Lectures, 142 Humanitarian Essays, 265 Iustrated Manual of British Birds, 205, 265 Induction Coil in Practical Work, 53 ohn Hunter, Man of Science, etc,, 175 ournal of Malacology, 266
V
Poltta excavata, Teeth of, 9
Pond-sweep, A, 57
Prehistoric Man, Remains of, near Men- tone, 173
Pu Tor, Dartmoor, 55
Prionocyphon, Antennae of, 87
Pyvalis farinalis, 122
Rainbow, Abnormal, 113 River Road, The, 265 River Valley by a Mountain Stream, 54
Shells, Some Sciagraphs of, 17 Stemonitis splendens, 361 Stratford-on-Avon Church, 233 Succinea, 45
Tachea, Two Species of, 133 Telea polyphemus, Antennae of, 86 Te Pehi Kupo, 164 Trachelomonas volvocina, 346
< hispida, 346
Unknown Object in Flint, 358 Vitrina pellucida, Teeth of, 9
Water-Mites, 187 Willow Warbler, Pallas’s, 205 Wookey Hole Cave, 217, 218
Books To REap—continued.
Journals of Walter White, 233
Laboratory Arts, 328
Lepidoptera of the British Islands, 234
Lessons with Plants, 329
Machinery of the Universe, 175
Medical Botany, 175
Memoir of Wm. Pengelly, 173
Memory, Cultivation of, 355
Mineralogical Geology, 82
Missouri Botanical Garden, Annual Report of, 174
Nature-Chat, 116
Natural History (Vertebrates) of the British Islands, 326
Naturalists’ Directory, 21, 137, 328
New Astronomy, 328 » Method of Studying Neuration,
323
North American Lemnaceae, 294
Orthoptera, British, 356
Phylogeny and Taxonomy of Anglo- sperms, 294
Pictorial Instruction Object Lessons, 14
Practical Acoustics, 53
Publications of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 115
pocensiand Aborigines, 328 mbles Round London, 116
Royal Natural History, 21
Shakespearean Guide to Stratford-on- Avon, 233
Short Synopsis of English History,
143 Smithsonian Institution, Annual Report of, 143 Some Phenomena of Nature, 265 Storm and Sunshine in the Dales, 294 Story of the British Coinage, 266 iy Life in the Seas, 326 Wy the Earth's Atmosphere, 20 i Germ Life, 174 Vi Photography, 356 Text Book of Botany, 355 ) of Geology, 54 Through a Pocket-Lens, 175 Tourist Guide to the Continent, 116 Transactions of the English Aboricul- tural Society, 266 Waste and Repair in Modern Life, 54 What is Life? 265 With Nature and a Camera, 234 Young Beetle-Collector's Handbook, 20
Vi
Botanical Competition, 46, 198, 353 op Exhibition, Novel, 46 A Notes, 69 a Rambles Round Edinburgh, 130
BorTany.—59, 69, 116, 152, 183
Abnormal Cowslip, 59
cf Marsh Marigold, 59 Adaptability of Plants, 152 Albanism, 183 Anchusa sempervirens in Lincolnshire,
59
Anemone appenina in Essex, 59
op appenina in Ireland, 59 Bladderwort, 152 Blue Jacob’s Ladder in Somerset, 59 Botanical Exchange Club, 59 British Grasses, 59 Double Flowers, 152 Fasciated Daisy, 59
sf Rose-Stem, 317 Hepaticae, British, New List, 116 Orchidaceae in Surrey, 25, 59 Rare Plants in Lincolnshire, 59 Sandhills at Flushing, 116 Solomon's Seal in Hants, 59 Trifolium filiforme in Lincolnshire, 59 Verontca montana near Louth, 59 Xenodochus carbonaria in Wales, 152
British Freshwater Mites, 187 » Infusoria, 307, 345 », Mosses, 325
Bulimus decollatus, 17
Calcarina candidissima, 9
‘Caltha palustris. 11
Casual and Alien Plants in North Lon- don, 223
Christmas Island, 106
Clausilia swinhoet, 17
Climate of the Yukon Basin, 335
Coal in Kent, 32, 97, 157, 190
Cochlostyla philippinensis, 17
Coloration and Variation of British Extra- Marine Mollusca, 161, 194, 226, 255, 290, 322, 343
Coloration and Varieties of Mollusca, 254
55 and Zonulation in Tachea, 132
Colour of Blood, 4
Coming of the Rains, 66
Confusion in Nomenclature, 2
Congress, Annual, of the South-Eastern Union of Scientific Societies, 42
Connulus fulvus, 9
Contributions to the Life-Histories of Plants, 15, 38, 80, 105 *
CORRESPONDENCE, 62, 94, 156, 186, 215, 306
Crystallizations of Fats, 237 Crystals, Rings and Brushes of, 236 Cypraea arabica, 16
Darwin Av SHREWSBURY, 127
Denton Collection of Butterflies and Moths, 232
Dickson, Baron Oscar, 31
Disseminating Yeasts, 292
Dust, 100
Earty Man In Eeyrt, 47 Earthworms, Destruction of, in Essex, 314 Earwigs, 188 Eclipse of the Sun, January 22nd, 264 Energy, Rhythmic, in Plants, 39 Erythvaea, Variations in, 110 Euglena acus, 308 7 deses, 308 » Spirogyra, 345 ) viridis, 307, 308 Evolution of the Animal Cell, 250, 287, 320, 347 EXCHANGES, 30, 62, 94, 126, 156, 215, 246, 276, 306 Eyes of Insects, 113, 338, 366
FERMENTATION GERMS: HOW THEY ARE SPREAD, 222
Fern, Swimming, 270
Fighting an Insect, 313
Flowering of Dead-Nettle, 129
Flagellata Eustomata, 307, 345
CONTENTS.
Flying Fish, 79
Foreign Varieties of British Land and Freshwater Mollusca, 45, 229
Fossil Bacillaria in New Jersey, 253
GEOLOGY, 150, 180, 181, 212, 242, 273, 300, 334, 357 Age of the Earth, 273 », Pre-Cambrian Series, 273 Ancient Glaciation, 273 British Jurassic Brachiopoda, 334 Carboniferous Flora, Yorkshire, 357 Cause of Ancient Submergence, 273 Chalk—Croydon to Oxted, 150 » Rock, 334 “ Challenger” Notes, 357 Cheadle Heath Oak, 334 Correlation of Ancient Faunas, 212 Devizes, Geology of, 242 Egyptian Geology, 181 Eolithic Implements, 356 Erosion in the Nile Valley. 334 Evidence of Glaciation, 273 Fossil Club Mosses, Foreign Boulders in Chalk, 242, 300 9p Stones in Chalk, 273 Formation of Boulder Clay, 334 Geological Dates, 273 i. Photographs, 283 * Records of South-East England, 180 Geological Titles of Formations, 242 Glacier Garden, 181 Gravels of South England, 356 Greenland Cretaceous Flora, 150 Growth of the Glaciers of the Alps, 181 Humus, 242, 300 Igneous Fragments in Bagshot Beds, 300 Indiana Petroleum, 300 Intensity of Glacial Period, 273 Interstratified Quartzite, 212 London Geological Field Class, 357 Manganese Deposits at Harpenden, 25 Mediterranean, An American, 212 Microlites and Trichites, 180 Natural Gas, 300 Opal Pseudomorph, 356 Palzontological Review, 181 Permanence of Ocean Basins, 242 Phosphatic Chalk, 334 Pleistocene Beds at Carshalton, 212 Pot Holes, 181 Prestwich Collection for Forres, 181 Problem of Diamond Making, 180 Pyritised Fossils, 242 Rate of Denudation, 273 5 Flow of the Lava Streams of Etna, 181 Shale Oil, 357 Streatham Water Supply, 357 Sussex Pleistocene Cliff-Formation, 212 Thurlow Meteorite, 181 Triassic Outlier, A Submarine, 357 Underground Fuel, 180 Village Built on a Boulder, 181 Worms, Work of, 357
Greenwich Observatory, Annual Visita- tion of, 49
HeEticoip LANDSHELLS, ARMATURE OF,
I0, 36, 70, 102, 138, 170, 231, 263, 284, 332 Heliophytum, Fecundity of, 38 Helix nemoralis in Ireland, 352
m ». The Virginia Colony of, 67
Honey-glands of Flowers, 80 How Flowers Attract Insects, 281 Humus, 242, 300 Hybrids in Nature, 81 Hypericum, Pellucid Dots in, 15
Infusoria, British, 307, 345
Jackson-HARMSWORTH ARCTIC ExPEDI- TION, 137 June Ramble, 77
Kent CoaL-FIELDs, 97, 157, 190
Lamium purpureum, Flowers and Flower- ing of. 105
Latent Life in Seeds and Microbes, 295
Living Lamps, 167
Maori TaTTOOING, 164
Marine Biological Association, Journal of, 139
Marine Fauna at Folkestone, 140
Mars, Clouds seen on, 258 », Physical State of, 74, 258
Megalodon ensifer, 136
METEOROLOGY, 152 Immense Meteoric Stone, 152 Strasburg Conference, 354 Waterspout oft Cromer, 152 Weather Signs at Whitby, 152 Microbes in Air of Schoolroom, 179 x Atmospheric, 178 Micrometer Measuring Apparatus, 333 Microscopical Sections, Making, 260
Microscopy, 57, 58, 86, 87, 88, 120, 122, 148, 149, 178, 179, 208, 209, 236, 237, 238, 269, 270, 271, 295, 333, 360 f ,
Acetylene Gas in Photomicrography, 208 Algez, Preservation of, 149 Alkaline Glycerine, 209 Amoeba villosa, Sporular Development of, 296 Antherozoids of Zamia, 271 Assimilation of Green Plants, 238 Atmospheric Dust, 178 Bacteria of Corn, 271 » , size of, 333 Bactericide, A New, 295 Bacterium Living in Alcohol, 149 Bird Lice, Economy of, 57 Baldness Microbe, 122 : Balsam, Preparation of, for Mounting,
2i, 210, 3325
17! Balsam, Tolu, Test for, 238 Chaulmugra Fat Crystals, 120 Chigoe, The, 360 rn Clearing of Vegetable Microscopica
Sections, 237 Coccidia, Life Cycle of, 208 Colour Reaction, 148 Composition of Peat, 332 Condenser, A Simple, 208 Crystallization, Processes of, tar of Fats, 237 of Oils, 120 a5 of Salts, 269 Crystals, Preparation of, 332
, Rings and Brushes of, 236 Culture Medium for Protozoa, 295 Curious Swimming Fern, 270 Diatoms, Reproduction of, 88 x Mineral Particles,
Separation of, 179 Diatoms in Stomachs of Oysters, 238 Discoloration of Flowers, 148 Dissemination of Disease Germs, 208 Drinking-Water and the Microscope,
” ”
etc.,
20 Parth’s Development, The, 122 Eggs of Insects as Objects for the Microscope, 148 Fig Scale, The, 270 Filtering Medium, a New, 178 Flour Weevils, 122 Fly's Foot, A, 236 Foraminifera, 58, 333 § 5 Pelagic Distribution of, 122 x Recent Research in, 87 or Recent Research on, 360 Food Supply of Fish, 295 Formation of Gold Nuggets, 333 Fossil Bacteria, 121 Freshwater Mites, British. 86 Fungi, Influence of Nutrient Media on the Development of, 295 Fungi, Influence of Light on, 88 Fungus, A Mystifying, 179 Glycerine, 179 Haddontia, 269 Haematoxylin and Safranine, Double Staining with, 360 Haematoxylin Stain, The, 361 Harvest Bug, The, 333 Hen Flea, The, 149 House-Fly, The, 271 Hydra, Distribution of, 87, 120 Indian Ink in Microscopy, 360 Inter-Relations of Insects and Yeasts,
209 Invisible Friends and Foes, Our, 332
Microscopy—coniinued, Life-History of an Aphis, 14S of the Flea, 148 of Mealy Bugs, 87 » of the Water Mites, 122 Life Latent in Seeds and Microbes,
» ”
295 Light, Influence of, on Fungi, 88 Lignite, Cutting Sections of, 269 Manipulative Hints, 380 Marine Diatoms, Reproduction of, 121,
149 Marine Microscopic Life, 58 Meridum circulare, 121 Microbe of Ambergris, 178 Microbes of Disease, 120 a of Paris, The, 360 5 Street, 178 Microbiology, 332 Micrometer Measuring Apparatus, 333 Micro-Objective, A New, 332 Micro-Photography, 295 Microscope, Ross’ Industrial, 269 Microscopes, British, Honours for, 238 Microscopic Fungi, 87 ~~ Worm, A New, 178 Microscopical Preparations, 269 = Research, 58 = Studies, 145, 179, 208 Microstereograms, 269 Microscopy, Practical, 209 Micro-Structure of Alloys, 270 Minute Flowering Plant, A, 269 Mosquitoes, 149 Mounting Aphides, 238 7 Chara, 88 = Foraminifera, 269 = Hairs, 179 ~ Medium, 148 = Volvox, 236 =. Wings, 86 Mushroom Spores, 120 : Mycetozoa of Antigua, The, 360 yes, British, During Sixty Years,
Mycorhira of Roots, 295 Myxomycetous Parasite, A, 296 Nerves of Mouse's Ear, 179
mosis ee g Germs,
Noctiluca aearin Vhatopente Func- tions of, 361
Objectives, How to Test, 121
Odontophores of Snails, 236
Oolitic Grains, Microscopic Sections
of, 296 Orange Mite, The, 209 Organisms, Photogenic, 361 Oysters, Enemies of, 148 Ova, Preparation of, for Microscope, 88 Parasitic Enemies of the House-Fly,
269 Petrological Slides, 57 Phosphorescence of the Limans, 295
* of Wood, 333
Photo-Micrography, 238 Photo-Micrography of Opaque Stem
Sections, 205 Pliocene Diatomaceae, 209 Pond Life, 57
» Sweep, A New, 57
» _ Gatherings, Preserving, 86 Powders Identified by Pollens, 121 Protoplasm, Mechanism of, 332 Protozoa of Salt Lakes, 208 Rabies, Parasite of, 360 Readers, To our, 360 Refractive Indices of Certain Liquids,
236 Rotiferian Specie Mongers, 87 Safranine Stain, The, 361 Sapphire, Microscopic Bubbles in a, -)
2
Seales of Lepidoptera, Taxonomic Value of, 204
Sections, Eatting the, 361
Section, Mounting the, 361
Seeds as Objects, 53
Senses of Insects, 66
Shepherd's Purse, 64
Sponge Spicules, 179
Staining Insects’ Wings, 57
Stains, Methods of making the, 361
Stereum hirsutum, 432
Stigeoclonium, 210
Tissue ee L)
Varnish, Dead-black, 236
Vaucheria, Spores ot, 54
CONTENTS.
Microscopy—continued. Volvos, Fruiting-time of, 122 Water Mites, Preservation of, 57 Yeasts, Action of Light on, 238 Mild Winter, The, 254, 272, 299 Millport Marine Biological Station, 351 Mineral Phosphorescence and X-Rays, 285 Mokomokai or Dried Human Head, 165 Moon, The: Has it an Atmosphere ? 339 Moths, Assembling, 342 Museums, Sir John Gorst’s Committee's Report on, 16 Mycological Society, British, Annual Foray of, in Sherwood Forest, 168
NatuRAL History ExuIBITION, 12 Natural History in New Forest, 72 5) History Societies and Technical Institutes, 272 Naturalist, A Primitive, 247 Naturalists’ Directory, The, 137 Es Young, Chapters for, 140, 167 Nature Notes from Ireland, 228 Neuration, New Method of Studying, 113 Neuropterts, 191
NOTES AND QUERIES.—25, 26, 58, 85, 123, 124, 150, 151, 172, 211, 243, 272, 299, 336, 358
Abnormal Cucumber, 123
> Oranges, 26
4 Primrose, 25
. Walnut Leaf, 85 Albino Sparrow, 172 Aquaria in Winter, 299 Badger in Sussex, 151 Bird-Song in Durham, 25 Black Pepper-and-Salt Moths, 243 Booth Museum, The, 336 Botanical Plates, 211 Cinnamon Variety of Blackbird, 123 Claytonia perfoliata Don., 358 Cleaning Lenses with Pith, 299 Colt's-Foot, 299 Derivation of Microlestes, 123
Destruction of Bird Life in Tasmania,
8 Destruction of Hornets, 243 Double Mushroom, 272 Early Flowering of Cowparsnip, 299 ” ” Elm, 299 Earthquake Shock, 172 Effect of Adder's Bite, 211 Egg, Great Auk, 358 Flounders in Fresh Water, 85
A eke Foraminifera in London Clay, 25 Foster-Parents of Cuckoo, 25 Fungoid Pigment, A, 209 Habits of Buff-tip Moth, 151
=F, Leaf-Cutting Bees, 124
Ti Owls, 299
A Sparrows, 211 Harvey, Dr. William, 272 Hedgehogs carrying Fruit, 85, 123 Heltx arbustorum Sub-Fossil, 150 Honeycomb Weathering on Stone, 27 Little Owl in Sussex, 243 Manganese Deposits, 25, 58 Marine Mollusca of North Devon, 85 Maternal Instinct of Spider, 151 Mollusca in Country Antrim, 58 Natter's Bat in Co, Down, 151 Newspaper Nat. History, 85, 272, 299 Nortolk Plover in Sussex, 336 Object in Flint, An, 358 October in Cornwall, 172 Orchidaceae in Surrey, 25 Original Research, 150 Paludestrina ulvae, Varieties, 150 Phenological Notes, 211 Phenology in Aberdeenshire, 123 Popular Collecting-Grounds, 211 Preservation of Rare British Animals,
123
Primitive Trepanning, 243 Rabbit Hunted by a Cat, 150 Ragged-Robbin in Winter, 272 Rare Fungi near Croydon, 211 Ringing Mounts, 58 2: Sclentist’s” Natural History, 85 Sirex juvencus, 123 Skua, The Great, in Sussex, 358 Slugs, 123, 151 Snallsin Roadside Hedges, 336 Spirula perontt in Devonshire, 150
vil
NoTES AND QuUERIES—continued,
Spring Arrivals, 358
Swiney Lectures on Geology, 151 Tellina radiata in Ireland, 150 Travelling Illustrated Lectures, 123 Varieties of British Butterflies, 25, 206 Varying Distance of Sun, 273, 299 Winter Flowering ot Plants, 299 Yucca Flowering in Winter 272
Notes of a Home Naturalist, 18, 104 » on Plant Life, 292
OBITUARY. Abercromby, Hon. R., 206 Allen, Dr. Harrison, 293 Bartlett, A. D., 1 Béchervaise, A. H., 298 Bessemer, Sir Henry, 329 Chamberlain, Humphery Barker, 51 Clark, Alvan G., 83 Cope, E. D., 19 Denton, J. M., 19 Dickson, Oscar, 31 Dodgson, Chas. L., 266 Dunning, J. W., 210 Geddes, J. Gamble, 19 Hardenham, Dr. R. P. H., 206 Hart, Ernest, 266 5 Hicks, Dr. John Braxton, 145 Horn, Dr. George H., 293 Houghton, Dr. Samuel, 206 Kammermann, Arthur, 298 Kirk, Professor, 354 Layens, G. de, 261 Leuckart, Rudolf, 354 Lindemann, Dr. E., 298 Marco, Jules, 354 Marks, Henry Stacy, 266 Marquand, Teceaele 240 Marth, Albert, 18 Matthews, Rev. Andrew, 176 Mojsvar, Prof. von, 176 Muller, Daniel, 84 Nobile, Dr. A., 118 Parker, Thos. J., 266 Ramsay-Gibson-Maitland, Sir James,
206
Rogers, Prof. W. A., 330 Schroeder, Prof. W. von, 298 Stone, Edward James, 19 Stumpe, Dr. Oscar, 298 Taschemberg, Prof. E. L., 268 Watson, Capt. E. Y., 206 Winnecke, F. A. T., 267
Obsidian, Microscopic Crystals in, 180 ' Red, Thin Section of, 180 Odontophores of Mollusca, 6 Orcadian Rambles, 204, 224, 261, 286, 315, 349
PATRON OF SCIENCE, 31 Phacus longicaudus, 309 » plewronectes, 345 » pyri, 345 » — trigueter, 309 Photography, Orthochromatic, 301 Photoscope, 4 Physical and irertanieat Disinfection, 14 Plants of Killarney, 108 Plants, Life-Histories of, 15, 38, 80, 105 Plectopylis, 284 Polita excavata, 9 Prehistoric Man, Remains of, near Men- tone, 173 Preservation of Rare British Animals, 63
Rare ANIMALS IN LONDON, 142 Rare Plants in Lincolnshire, 59 Repairing an Electric Cable, 95 Rocks of the Isle of Man, 199, 219, 259 Royal Institution Lectures, 232, 317
» Society, New Fellows of, 25
» Society's Soirée, 12, 56 Royle’s Balsam, 318
Saturn's RING SysTEM, 177
Sciznce ABROAD, 22, 52, 89, 117, 146, 182, 213, 241, 274, 302, 335, 302 Aeademvioe ' afta "Sciences, Phil,
22, 52, 89, 362 Album de Natur, 402 American Journal of Science, 146, 182
Annaes de Sciencias Naturaes, 22, 52
viil
SciENCE ABROAD—continied.
Annali del Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Genova, 22
Bolletino dei Musei di Zoologia ed Anatomia Comparata, 302
Bulletin de la Société Philomathique de Paris, 89
Bulletin de la Société Zoologique de France, 89, 146, 302, 362
Canadian Entomologist, 52
Catalogue of a Collection of Birds of Somaliland, 117
Climate of the Yukon Basin, 335
Coastaland Plain Flora of Yucatan, 117
Cosmos, 146, 182, 241, 302
Feuilles des Jeunes Naturalistes, 22, 52, 117, 146, 241, 274, 302, 362
Intermediare, L’, des Biologistes, 241
Karpinski, Prof., 22
Moniteur Scientifique, Le, 241
Nature, La, 146, 182, 213, 302
Osprey, The, 89
Portland Society of Natural History, 117
Proceedings of the American Philo- sophical Society, 146
Revue Linnéenne, 89
Revue Scientifique, 182
Természetrajzi Fiizetek, 117, 241, 362
Transactions Acad. of Science, St. Louis, 241
Victorian Naturalist, 52, 274
ScrENCE-GossIP, 24, 56, 84, 118, 145, 176
206, 240, 268, 298, 330, 354
Alga, A New Irish, 118
Andrée, M., His Ballooning Expedition, 24, 84
Antarctic Exploration, 84, 118
Bacillus of the Indian Plague, 84
Balloon, Experimental Ascents, 354
Biograph, The, 206
Bird Protection, America, 354
British Association Meeting at Toronto, 118
British Flora, A New, 354
Burial-place of the Chuds, Discovery ot a, 176
Butterfly, Marbled White, Var. of, 206
Canada, Nickel Ore in, 24
Coccides and Arthropoda, 24
Cormorants at Ullswater, 240
Early Man in Egypt, 47
Earthquake in Bengal, 56
a of Assam, 354
Entomological Society tor Quebec, 24
Flora of Russia, 24
Flying-foxes, Edible, 24
Flying-fish, 79
Glaciology, Norfolk, 169
Helix arbustorum in Ireland, 84
Hens’ Eggs, Specific Weight of, 330
CONTENTS.
ScrencE-Gossip—continued. Hepaticae, Irish, 24 Hooker, Sir Joseph, and the Flora of British India, 145 Hybrids, 24 International Journal Microscopy, dis- continued, 176 Jubilee Congratulations by Men ot Science, 84 Jubilee Honours, to Men of Science, 5' Kangaroos in Britain, 71 King Fish, Capture of, 118 Lampris luna, 118 Marsh-marigold, Abnormal, 12 Meteor, A Remarkable, 330 Mirage at Wady Halfa, 118 Moa, Skeleton of, 240 Mount St. Elias, Canada, Origin of, 145 Natural History and Wicken Fen, 113 Nomenclature, 2, 277, 353 Non-marine Molluscs of Essex, 145 Ornamentation on Prehistoric Pottery, 206 Orthoptera, North American, 145 Physical Laboratory, A National, 118 Royal Society Honours, 206 Rockall visited, 240 Russian Thistle, Spread of, in North America, 176 Salsola kali, 176 Science Examination, Intermediate, Protest against the New Regulations, 240 Scientific Degrees, Bogus, 145 Scientific Societies, Union of South Eastern, 40 Slime Fungi, 163 Stork, White, in Sussex, 142 Strata of the Quaternary Periodin Algiers, Discovery of Remains in, 24 Streblonema minimum, 118 Telegraphy without Wires, 56, 145 Underground Zoology, 240 Vertebrate Fauna of Shropshire, 321 Water Divining, 56 West Ham Museum, 240 Wettest Winter on Record, 24 Wild Horse in Kildare, Discovery of Remains of, 268 Science and the Education Grant, 46 x in Some Magazines, 90, 114, 144, 171 Scientific Literature, Serial Popular, 203
ScrenTIFIc Societies, Metropolitan, 156, 186, 216, 246, 276, 306, 338, 365
ScienTiFIc SocieTiEs, Notices of, 30, 62, 94, 126, 186, 205, 215, 245, 305, 337; 305
Shells, Nomenclature of, 353
»,. Réntgen Rays Pictures of, 16 Studies, Some Neglected, 105 Succinea, 45 Strange Insect, A, 136
TACHEA, Two SPECIES OF, 133 Tame Blackbird, 47 Te Pehi Kupo: An Example of Tatooing, 164 Thanet Sands, 43 Through the Marshes, 107 Trachelomonas euchlora, 346 cA hispida, 346 5p volvocina, 346
TRANSACTIONS, 26, 60, 90, 124, 153, 183,
213, 238, 241, 243, 274, 303, 336, 342, 336
Cambridge Entomological and Natural History Society, 29, 184, 214
City of London Entomological and Natural History Society, 28, 91, 124 184, 214, 244, 304, 363
Conchological Society, 124
Cork Naturalists’ Society, 24
Greenock Natural History Society, 155, 304, 364 “i
Hertfordshire Natural History Society, 245
Hull! Naturalists at Spurn, 124
Hull Scientific and Field Naturalists’ Club, 29, 61, 84, 93, 185, 364
Lambeth Field Club, 172
North London Natural History Society, 27, 60, 91, 154, 184, 214, 274, 304, 330
Nottingbam Naturalists’ Society, 215
Preston Natural History Society, 240
Quekett Microscopical Club, 270
Royal Institution, 232, 303, 317
Royal Meteorological Society, 26, 60, 213, 244, 274, 303, 330, 364
Selborne Field Club, 26
South London Entomological and Natural History Society, 30, 60, go 153, 183, 214, 243, 303, 363
Tunbridge Wells Society, 205
Woolhope Naturalists’ Field Club, 153
VARIEGATED LEAVES, CAUSE OF, 293 Vegetable Nature of Diatoms, 65 Virginia Colony of Helix nemoralis, 67, 118 Vitrina pellucida, 9
WatTeER-MITEs, 187 Wild Traits in Tame Animals, 247 Wookey Hole Cave, 217
ZooLoGIcAL NOMENCLATURE 277
NASSAU PRESS, ST. MARTIN'S LANE, W.C.; AND SOUTHWARK, S.E.
SCIENCE-GOSSIP.
ABRAHAM DEE BARTLETT.
R. A. D. BARTLETT, late Superintendent of
the Zoological Society's Gardens, Regent’s
Park, was born in London on October 27th, 1812. He received a simple education in London, and at a very early age evinced a great delight in all matters connected with natural history. Mr. Bartlett commenced business as a taxidermist in a house in Little Russell Street. In those early days of his career scientific men and collectors of rare birds, and especially birds’ eggs, made his house a resort, and the reputa- tion of his extraordinary art in taxidermy became so widely spread that he was obliged to move into larger premises. There are few, if any, of those early zoologists and col- lectors left to remember that he removed his busi- ness to a large house in
Great College Street, Camden Town. In that place his circle of admirers
increased and his first connection with the Zoo- logical Society of London
attending to endless other matters of a similar character in various places. After working labo- riously for the Crystal Palace Company up to 1859, and at the death of Mr. John Thompson, then superintendent of the Zoological Gardens, Dr. P. L. Sclater, the then newly-appointed secretary, in course of conversation with Mr. Henry Walter of The Times, remarked that they were seeking a new man for the post. Mr. Walter at once recom- mended Mr. Bartlett, and he was immediately communicated with, and accepted the post, which he has held ever since up to the time of his death. It would be difficult, and beyond the limits of this notice, to give a detailed account of the vast amount of work carried out by the Zoological Society on their menagerie during the years from 1859 to the present day. We are, however, given to understand these par- ticulars will be compiled before long in a collected
commenced. His first and chronological form.
communication to that Mr.Bartlett wasawarded society occurred in 1839, THE cate Mr. A. D. BartLett. the medal for taxidermy and from that time he From a photograph by F.C. Brook, Walton-on-Naze. at the 1851 Exhibition, worked not only for the the bronze and_ silver
society, but for nearly all the scientific men and established museums, including Her Majesty the Queen and H.R.H. Prince Consort. It was in that house he prepared ali his exhibits for the 1851 Exhibition, and among them were, by permission, several of the Queen's specimens, which are believed to be now at Windsor Castle. After the close of the Exhibition of 151, the Crystal Palace Com- pany started, and not being able to find a more proficient naturalist to take charge of the collection of living animals which was established there, he received the appointment. This collection was placed in the south transept, and afterwards were added the aviaries, etc., in the north transept About this time Mr. Bartlett was occupied with
Jenn, 1897-—No.
37, Vol. 1V.
medals of the Zoological Society, and a very long series of the highest testimonials from different societies and exhibitions. He also received the bronze medal, conjointly with his eldest son Edward, at the 1872 Exhibition, and also testi- monials, with his sons Edward and Clarence, at the Colonial Exhibition. The latter son has for some time past assisted his father in the onerous but successful duty of caring for the welfare of the very numerous and valuable denizens of the finest zoological gardens in the world.
During his life in the Zoological Gardens, Mr. A. D. Bartlett devoted his energy with great success to the study of captive animal life. All who knew him can testify to
whole
those
2 SCIENCE-GOSSIP.
his being a man of vast resource and quick perception, and in many most difficult cases he was always ready to help those around him out of what frequently appeared to be an almost hopeless position. Naturally of a most amiable temperament, Mr. Bartlett was ever kind to all classes of society with whom he came in contact, but at the same time he was of a retiring nature. Few men were better known or respected than
THE CONFUSION
Mr. Bartlett, and his long association with the Zoo made him a favourite with succeeding generations of delighted visitors, to whom he would often, in spite of his many duties, find time to tell quaint facts and anecdotes about his animals, which long lived in the memories of the visitors. He died in his eighty-fifth year, on May 7th, after a long and painful illness, and rests in the family grave in Highgate cemetery.
IN NOMENCLATURE.
By W. H. Nunney.
apne publication in the recent pages of
SciENCE-Gossip of notes on this important subject, as well as of an epitome of the code of zoological nomenclature compiled by the German Zoological Society, which appeared in ‘‘ Nature” of the 5th March, 1896, and the issue, in November last, of Lord Walsingham’s and Mr. Hartley Durrant’s ‘‘Merton Rules,” will have attracted the attention of naturalists. A few additional thoughts on this subject, with a view to render- ing the confusion somewhat less, may not be ill-timed.
These sets of rules necessarily differ, but in the main may be said to be based on the Stricklandian code which has done such excellent service, the German code being somewhat the more concise. It is, however, hardly requisite to publish the sets side by side.
Both the ‘‘Merton’” and the German rules are restricted in their use to purely zoological nomenclature, whilst the Stricklandian deals also with botany. The latter assumes that a name should be utilised once only in any department, and that it shall not occur in both botany and zoology. With this I practically agree. Unfortunately, however, the dual use is in vogue. It may, nevertheless, be said that under the existing and probably increased future conditions of forced specialism it must be very evident that the average zoologist, for instance, has quite enough to do to gather and retain knowledge relative to his own subject, without being able, if desirous, of giving sufficient attention to botanical matters to enable him to steer clear of clashings in that connection. Under the Stricklandian code and the law of priority, much, in my opinion, needless labour is forced upon the describer of species and the creator of fresh divisions. Few zoologists are acquainted with zoological and botanical nomenclature; the botanists’ wish to retain a name familiar to them must also be considered. The advancement of science is of course retarded by the ensuing altercation as to the questions of familiar use, priority, etc. I myself fail to see why
the contemporaneous use of one name in two such great divisions of nature should not be allowed ; as, for instance, Corydalis, occurring in both entomology and botany, as a matter of fact could not lead to confusion. Granted the same root- word, a varying termination would surmount the difficulty.
It has indeed occurred to me that perhaps the very best thing that could happen would be the introduction of a kind of scientific Volapik, or arbitrary means of manipulating the terminations of all the words of the greater divisions of each class, so that by first of all having committed to memory the whole number of terminations, one could, upon becoming acquainted with a word new to one’s vocabulary, tell by its final consonant or vowel to what main and (if the principle were carried far enough) even perhaps to what sub- group the corresponding species belonged. Such terminations might at first be looked upon as somewhat uncouth, but would, I am inclined to think, prove a vast advance upon the present loose system of like endings in many groups of all grades, as formerly used by lepidopterists.
In considering zoology alone, and in the depart- ment of entomology, I would group the generic names somewhat as follows: coleoptera, all names ending in the letter ‘‘a,” thus, Emusa /irtus, Staphylinusa cesay; in neuroptera, the vowel *‘e,” Sialise fervuginea, and so forth. This would hardly, I think, clash with rule 4 of the German code, to the effect that names differing only orthographically be considered identical, and I publish the idea for what it isworth. Under this rule, and consider- ing odonata, the use of the words schna and Eshna, for instance (see Mr. W. F. Kirby’s “Catalogue of Odonata”), must be discounte- nanced, and I think rightly, especially as the first of these names should strictly, with regard to the law of priority and the theory of types, be deleted.
The law of priority, the main principle of all the codes quoted, is, as has often been remarked, by no means an unmixed blessing, though by its aid
SCIENCE-GOSSIP.
alone some naturalists have contended will the existing confusion be eventually counteracted and nomenclature established on unalterable principles. Until the arrival of this golden age, however, must we still hug the mortification of having frequently to unlearn what has been acquired by a no means easy process, and destroy the harmony of associa- tion of well-established names with the species to which they refer? Much time usually elapses before a name freshly utilised serves to call to mind its peculiar genus or species, and we have no guarantee that it will not be soon again upset in favour of some prior name. The most advisable course to adopt, so far as I am able to judge, where an organism has been named and the name given has by continued use caused its species to be readily called to mind, would be to waive entirely the law of priority and to follow the usage. The main requirements of a system of nomenclature having been met, all other names appertaining to the same species to be ranked assynonyms. With regard to odonata alone, there are many sufficiently definite and well-established names that under a strict application of the law of priority must need be sunk in favour of other designations far less expressive of specific traits; because they have been rescued from an obscurity to which they would be well again consigned. Such a case is presented by the use of ‘Sympetrum (Newman), instead of the equally expressive and far better known Diflax of Charpentier, the former having been alluded to in few terms in the “Entomological Magazine.” The argument for the use of Symfetrum is that a type was assigned to it, whilst Diflax was instituted without, and with insufficient characterization.
It is here, however, surely better on many grounds to follow usage rather than priority. Thus in this instance, Diplax has many derivative names—Sympetrum none, and naturalists can ill afford to neglect such aids to the study of affinities as are to be found in the indications to their authors’ views of relativity as are furnished by the use of derived names. If, under the laws of priority, Sympetrum is to take the place of Diplax, these indications are at once lost sight of, and nothing had in exchange but needless obscurity. This point seems to have been entirely lost sight of in the melée of nomenclators. I argue, if Newman's ground-generic name Sympe- trum be retained, that such derived names as Theadiplax should be altered to Thecasympctrum; or, what and regular on account of the number of derivatives, the holding to Diplax as the general typical generic name. Gomphus is another instance ; in this case there are no less than twenty-eight derivatives, Mr. Kirby argued in the Introduction to his “ Catalogue," the change of this name to Zshna, its co-equal: thus
is far more simple
I
; 5
3
Crenigomphus should then be Crenieshna, and so forth. Fabricius’s name is, however, inadmissible, inasmuch as the spelling is erroneous and conflicts with sciina, the name of a totally different group, which should, strictly on that account, be renamed. Fabricius, however, did not indicate a special type for 2shna, whilst Leach, in leaving this latter name unrecognised, indicated the species vulgatissimus as the type of his genus Gomphus. This name should therefore stand. It occurs also in botany, (in fungology), but the prior use is in odonata. Yet another instance from the odonata. There are many derivatives of the name Agvion, this name meaning the smaller species termed by Mr. Kirby, Cenagrion. Heconsiders Latreille to have assigned the species termed by the French, ‘‘ Demoiselles,”’ as types of this genus. This Latreille, how- ever, does not especially do, and the prolonged usage of the name in connection with such species as puella should be sufficient to allow of that conception remaining intact, otherwise the de- rivatives should be altered to Megapocoenagrion, Anomalocoenagrion and such-like ineuphonious and anomalous appellatives.
Numerous instances in other departments will doubtless occur to the reader. This then is in itself perhaps the weightiest argument for a con- tinued use of well-established titles. Granting that scientific nomenclature commenced with Linné, until lately systematists could not agree as to which edition, the tenth or twelfth, of his ‘Systema Nature ”’ should be accepted as a basis of priority. The whole question as it now stands is a splendid farce. Dr. Pascoe has well remarked that the law of priority, if carried out in its entirety, even with regard to insects, would make confusion worse confounded. It is certain we cannot safely carry the law further back than Linné, for who cay say what were the Cossus and Buprestis of the ancients ? Without doubt, the Cossus of Graeco-Roman times ranked with the coleoptera and not with lepidop- tera, as at present accepted.
In connection with generic titles, it isa great pity that names of like derivation cannot be restricted to one group of animals. As matters now stand we have Lesfes in odonata, and Microlestes in mammalia. The first title has many derivatives in odonate genera ; I think none elsewhere, with the exception mentioned; Microlestes again means “small Lestes,"”’ and by “ the eternal fitness of things " this latter has been tacked on toa mammal many thousand times larger than the odonate. The German tend to eliminate such undesirable usage.
Another point of great moment is with regard to the significance of names. Specific or generic, they should be expressive character possessed by the species, Towards this end it for future nomenclators to
rules
of some
would be as well
2
4 SCIENCE-GOSSIP.
entirely discontinue the naming of species after persons, however eminent in their own branch of study. I am afraid a person’s name is frequently given as much out of indolence in searching out a fitting title, as the desire to honour a specialist. It is evident that scientific advancement is best served by purely descriptive names, though the personal title-giving is somewhat less reprehensible for botanical purposes, bearing in mind the horti- cultural aspect ; in that connection the malpractice is very frequent.
The theory of priority based on types is at first sight good ; but it is, I think, extremely questionable whether in the case of the resuscitation of a lost-sight-of type, in conjunction with the law of priority, it is not better to allow usage to prevail.
Where no type has been definitely assigned by the erector of a genus containing in its primitive condition a heterogeneous collection of species, I hold a succeeding author well within his rights when creating new genera from the old material, in making not only the first species on the list the type of the old genus, but any of the contained
species most agreeing with the old generic characters. The first-named method is, however, usual. Thus, in odonata, I consider Leach to have definitely fixed several important types by the creation of his genera Gomphus and Calopteryx, rather than that, for instance, the type of the latter were fixed by Latreille’s usage of Linnean material. The German code favours my view, which, of course, in the main, brings us back to the desirability for keeping to the use of established names and popular types rather than in all cases the author’s own.
The wish of all naturalists must be to see the various open questions of nomenclature finally settled, for both present and future satisfaction and future advancement, and it is to be hoped that this will soon be done through the agency of an International Congress of interested men of science. Shiftiness of nomenclature is one of the greatest stumbling-blocks in the way of the study of species and the encouragement cf students.
Stoke Newington; May 15th, 1897.
THE COLOUR OF BLOOD.
By FELIx Oswatp, B.A. Lonp.
x LOOD-RED "is so familiar an adjective of
colour, as to readily convey the impression that the blood of all animals is red. Such, however, is far from being the case, for although the possession of red blood is a characteristic common to all vertebrates(1); yet when we come to examine the invertebrates, which are far more numerous both in species and individuals, we find that blood of a red colour is a relatively rare occurrence. In the majority of cases it is colourless; but it may be even green, blue, or yellow.
It has often been a subject for speculation why the life-fluid of higher animals should have so vivid a hue, seeing that it is normally concealed from view, and seldom or never plays any part in determining the surface-colouration, excepting in a blush. It is only a partial explanation to say that the redness is due to hemoglobin, and that it is an inherent physical characteristic of this body. The reason for the red colour is quite as difficult to explain as to account for the distinguishing colours of gold, silver, or copper. It is no ex- aggeration to say that hemoglobin is the most important substance in the complex combination called blood, for it is hamoglobin which absorbs oxygen from air or aerated water, conveying it to all tissues in need of that vital gas, receiving carbon
(1) There appear to be only two exceptions to this rule, viz., the lancelet (Amphioxus), which is the lowest vertebrate,
and the transparent little fish Leptocephalus, now regarded as the larval stage of the eel.
dioxide in return, and finally giving up the excess of this waste-product of combustion to the sur- rounding medium. Hzmoglobin can be artificially separated from blood to form crystals, differing in shape according to the animal. Usually, as in man, they take the form of prismatic needles or rhombic plates. It can furthermore be resolved into hematin, a dark-brown amorphous powder, and an albuminous substance called globulin. Under the spectroscope it exhibits a very characte- ristic absorption-spectrum(*), by means of which Lankester and others have been able with absolute certainty to demonstrate its presence in the blood of certain invertebrates.
The hemoglobin in the blood of vertebrates is contained exclusively in little circular dises(*), thered corpuscles. In the few instances in which it occurs in invertebrate animals, it is generally diffused in the plasma, e.g. in the blood of the earthworm and many other Chetopod worms, in some leeches (the Gnathobdellidz), in some Nemertine worms (e.g. Polia), in the freshwater mollusc Planorbis, in a few small crustaceans (Cheivocephalus and the water-flea Daphnia) and in the so-called bloodworm (the larva of the midge, Chivonomus). Less frequently it is
(2) It is interesting to note, as Prof. Church points out, that hemoglobin possesses the same conspicuous absorption- band in the ultra-violet as chlorophyll, although, of course, the rest of the spectrum is very different.
(3) Elliptical in fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds andin the camel family. In the lampreys, however, the red corpuscles are circular.
SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 5
found concentrated in corpuscles, eg. in the bivalve molluscs, Solen legumen and Arca noe, ina few Chztopod worms (e.g. the Polychzta Glycera and Cafitella),in some Gephyrean worms (Phoronis, Thalassema, Hemingia), in some Nemertine worms (e.g. Cerebraiulus), and in a few Echinoderms (Thyonella, a sea-cucumber, and Ofhiactis, a brittle Starfish). These examples occur sporadically among such widely-separated groups of animals that hemoglobin must evidently have been indepen- dently acquired several times in the animal kingdom. It is clear that the possession of it does not in itself indicate any relationship.
Arterial blood is scarlet owing to the hemoglobin containing a rich supply of oxygen; on the other hand, the dark purple colour of venous blood is due to an excess of carbon dioxide. Both gases, however, are present in arterial as well as in venous blood ; indeed, the former actually contains more carbon dioxide than oxygen. The difference in colour, therefore, is merely a question of varying proportion, for an artificial solution of hemoglobin changes colour from purple to scarlet when a current of oxygen is passed into it. It is indeed probable that the oxygen enters into a state of unstable chemical combination with the hemo- globin, and that the red corpuscle does not merely hold it as a sponge. In this way the presence of hemoglobin is an absolute necessity for the more remote internal parts of the body to receive a due supply of the vivifying oxygen and to get rid of the waste carbon dioxide. Indeed, it is doubtful whether vertebrates could have reached their great size and dominant position in the world without the possession of hemoglobin in its valuable capacity for storing up oxygen. Hamo- globin, however, is not confined to blood, but is contained in the voluntary muscles of the higher vertebrates (hence the red colour of raw flesh) as well as in the tissue of the heart. Among fishes, however, it is entirely absent from the muscular tissue of the body, excepting in the fin muscles of the graceful little sea - horse (Hippocampus). Among invertebrates it is found in the muscles of the pharynx of a few molluscs (Chiton, Patella, Littorina, Paludina, Lymnaus and Aplysia), but, strange to say, not in the blood of these creatures. In the Chatopod worm, the sea-mouse (Aphrodite), it is even restricted to the nerve centres.
In reviewing the habits of those invertebrates which possess this valuable coloured substance, we are able to infer that either (1) they show increased activity compared to their nearest relations, as in the case of the Neapolitan razor-shell (Solen legumen) ; or (2) they live under circumstances in which oxygen is not easily obtained, as in the case of the bloodworm in the mud of stagnant pools, etc. ; this is probably the main cause, and the power of being able to store up oxygen, whether in blood
muscle, or nerve, must be a valuable aid in such adverse conditions ; or (3) there may be a combina- tion of these reasons, as in the leeches, which inhabit miasmic localities and yet show great activity, leaping upon any unfortunate man or animal invading their marshes. In the case of the bloodworm, Professor Miall has shown that it could live as long as five days in water that had been deprived of its oxygen by boiling. The view that hemoglobin has been primarily acquired merely as an expedient in conditions unfavourable to easy respiration, is supported by the fact that the insect Chivonomus possesses it only in its larval (bloodworm) stage, but when it reaches its final and winged state, its blood is colourless. The disappearance of hemoglobin in the blood of the perfect insect is indeed a highly remarkable fact ; yet it is not surprising when, we consider how thoroughly air is distributed to every tissue in an insect’s body through the air-tubes or tracheze. The excessively delicate ramifications of these tracheze extend into every muscle and even penetrate between the cells of the eye and of the nerve centres; hence, since every part of the body has direct access to the oxygen of the air, there is no need for this gas to be conveyed by the blood ; consequently the circulatory system in insects is very imperfectly developed, and the blood is colourless.
Hemoglobin does not, however, stand alone in the animal kingdom in its function of storing up oxygen. In the blood of certain tube-forming worms (Sabellide and Serpuline) a greenish substance, chlorocruorin, occurs which has similar powers of absorbing oxygen and yielding it up to all parts of the body in need of it. It is, therefore, within the range of possibility, that if the ancestor of the vertebrates had developed chlorocruorin in its blood in preference to hamoglobin, our blood might be green, instead of red, and our admiration aroused by a verdant instead of a pink complexion.
49, Blomfield Road, Maida Hill, London, W.; April, 1897.
Yerkes Great Lens.—After having taken about five years to make and grind, the great lens has been mounted and brought into use at the Yerkes Observatory, Chicago. This enormous lens has a surface diameter of forty-one and a- half inches, and weighs no less than five hundred and fifteen pounds. It was first used on the night of May 2tst, in the exploration of Jupiter. Much is expected from the astronomers who have control of this splendid instrument.
PuotocrarHic MATERIAL.—We have received from Messrs. George Houghton and Son, of 89, High Holborn, London, their very comprehensive catalogue of photographic cameras, and every other imaginable article used in the practice of photography. It forms a large and bulky volume, which cannot fail to be useful to both photo- graphers and dealers in their material,
6 SCIENCE-GOSSIP.
THE ODONTOPHORES OF MOLLUSCA.
By E. W. WakE BowELt.
ie these days, when the microscope has become
part of the necessary outfit of the naturalist, it is somewhat remarkable how little attention is given to the odontophores of our native Mollusca. Most of the current manuals of British shell-lore inform us that ‘‘these beautiful objects’’ may be extracted by means of a spirit-lamp, test-tube and caustic potash. Statistics have also been published in such books explaining that certain species have sO many rows of so many teeth each, totalling up to so many thousand teeth. Learned professors have concocted Greek names for various forms of odontophore only less remarkable than the objects themselves. It seems to be generally understood that odontophores are worthy of study; and yet how seldom do we come across anybody who knows anything about them. We are told that it is a question .of ‘internal anatomy’’; but if it be so, the difficulties attending the study are not prohibitive, and it might well be taken up by naturalists, who would pause before dogmatising concerning the intestinal convolutions of a slug. It is in the hope of interesting some of the less advanced students of malacology that the following notes are written.
The majority of workers at this subject, so far as I can gather, do not stain their preparations ; and they mount, notin balsam, but in glycerine jelly. I think there are good reasons for departing from their practice. An unstained preparation may be intelligible in the case of the larger species, but when we come to such forms as Conulus or the Vertigines, very little can be made out, even if the form of the “teeth” is previously known to the investigator. I find that all species are very much better for a stain. One cannot expect to get a sharp definition of the teeth (by staining) at the middle and front of the odontophore, but one can often get preparations showing with wonderful distinctness the recently-formed ones at the extreme back of the organ. It is just these teeth which are worth studying. Those which are in actual use generally get rubbed down very soon, and show a blunt apex; such have frequently been figured as the normal form of the tooth. It is practically convenient that these last-formed teeth should be the subject of our quest, since that part of the membrane is much more easily extended to advantage on the slide.
My process is briefly as follows: (1) in the case of the larger species the radula sac, with its muscles, is dissected out—generally a very easy operation, The smaller snails are, if possible, separated from their shells. The portion of the
animal thus obtained is boiled up with a few drops of liquor potassze in a watch-glass. Some care is needed in this operation, and it is well to do it as slowly as possible. A test-tube is hardly to be recommended, because of the great probability of violent projection of potash and contents; also it is exceedingly difficult to find a small radula in a test-tube. The softer parts will be destroyed by the caustic alkali, leaving the desired radula and the ‘‘jaws”’ or maxilla. (2) These are fished out of the watch-glass and washed in water, the vessel in which this is done being dependent on the size of the objects. Next the radula is separated from the maxilla, which may be dehydrated and cleared for a second preparation. (3) I then stain on a clean slide with Ehrlich’s hematoxylin, not dilute. The time taken in staining varies from three to ten minutes, according to the character of the radula ; but any over-staining can easily be corrected by a momentary sojourn in alcohol (or water) just faintly acidulated with hydrochloric acid. This must, however, be done after the blue colour of the hematoxylin has been brought out by washing in tap-water. One can then see whether the blue stain is too deep. (4) It may be that the points of the teeth, as well as the outlines of the basal- plates, are clearly enough indicated in the specimen as it stands; but this is not generally the case, so we add a second stain which will bring out these important details. The very best medium that I have come across is a satu- rated aqueous solution of ordinary eosin (1). I have tried a great many other coal-tar colours, but none is as good as the eosin, which, moreover, stains very quickly (five to ten minutes), and is not removed in toto by subsequent operations. I may as well add that all preparations of carmine that I have tried are absolutely useless for the purpose (*). The hematoxylin staining is not in all cases essential, but it generally very greatly improves the effect even when it does not stain the points of the teeth. It has a way of slightly staining the edges of structures which renders it very useful, especially when followed by eosin, which, so to speak, does the filling up. A Testacella radula very slightly stained with hematoxylin is a great advance on an unstained one, though there is no difficulty in this case in seeing the teeth with the naked eye. (5) The next process is dehydration with alcohol, followed by clearing with oil of ceda
(1) Mine was obtained, through a chemist, trom Messrs. Hearon, Squire and Francis. The haematoxylin is best from Griibler. d
(2) Mr. A. E. Boycott states that one sometimes gets interest- ing and curious results with picro-carmine.
SCIENCE-GOSSIP. Gj
Aniline oil may be used, and in this case it is not necessary to dehydrate further than with recti- fied spirit. The eosin is not entirely removed unless one leaves the aniline on for a very long time; two minutes is generally quite enough. Aniline has the disadvantage of eventually asserting its presence by a rather unpleasant yellow colour in the resulting preparation. This will be of small consequence if the radula is thin and consequently there is little of the
mounting medium used, but for the larger objects the cedar-oil process is to be recommended. Oil of cedar does not attack eosin, (6) Finally, having taken care that there are no bubbles in the pre- paration, and having arranged the end of the radula in its permanent position, dry off as much of the clearing agent as possible with cigarette paper. With care one may flatten out the radula a little with the paper. Put a small drop of Canada-balsam (preferably in xylol) on the object, and gently let down the cover-glass. There is no
object in using a great deal of Canada-balsam, the less the better, in reason. Do not forget to label. This process may seem tedious, but the results make it worth doing. It occupies from first to last about twenty minutes, and several specimens may be made concurrently. I have tried with some success a single stain made from violet graph-ink, a substance whose exact composition it may not be safe (scientifically) to state with more exactitude. This is quite useless for certain
OponTorHoORES OF MOLLUSCA.
Fig. 1, Hyalinia cellaria (second row); fig. 2, Hyalinia alliaria (second row); fig. 3, Hyalinia pura; fig. 4, Hyalinia nitidula.
species, though it gives good results in others. Its permanence may also be suspected. If one is in a great hurry, and does not want a preparation that will last, one cannot do better than with methylene blue. Methyl green is also very good, and so is safranin, occasionally. Another fairly good but uncertain stain is Nicholson's blue. I have preparations (in balsam) done with this reagent which have lasted perfectly well for eight months, and show no signs of fading; but it is a rough-and-ready method. The colour in methyl]
8 SCIENCE-GOSSIP.
green preparations of the same date has dis- appeared.
The ‘accompanying figures are designed to illustrate the genus Hyalinia as met with in this country, together with a few of its closer allies. I may mention that I shall be glad of living specimens of other species, especially those of this group, and any proximate Continental forms which may be figured in a subsequent paper. The genus Hyalinia has the reputation of being a difficult one. No one who has not tried it can fully appreciate how hard it is to bring out in a drawing the really important points of difference between the shells of the various species. In avoiding Scylla we fall into Charybdis, we exaggerate the differences so that the unfortunate collector finds that his shell is not eligible to be this or that or anything at all. The wise and learned gentlemen whose nomenclature we profess to use have fallen into similar difficulties before us. We find that the appropriate name Jucida has been applied to nearly all the species in turn. Nitens has been another rock of stumbling ; and when we examine plates and descriptions of foreign forms, our eventual state of mind and expression of it is liable to be unparliamentary. If we examine the radula of the confused species light begins to dawn. Variation within the limits of the species is here very rare, much rarer in fact than in most other mollusca. A T. nemorvalis with two or three teeth in each row confused is not an unusual find ; but I have never noticed such a thing in the Hyaliniz, unless we reckon Polita excavata, Bean., as belonging to the genus Hyalinia. The actual number of marginal teeth may vary a little, but very little. H. cellavia, Miull., and H. alliavia, Miller (figs. 1 and 2 respectively), have somewhat similar arrangements, but there is no chance of confusing the two (1). The central tooth is quite different; the marginals number half as many again in alliavia. These examples are interesting as showing ina marked degree what I take to be the more notable characteristics of the most typical Hyalinie :
(2) The central tooth is small in comparison
with the laterals and marginals ;
(0) There is a very small number of laterals,
three only in the case of these two species ;
(c) The marginals are very long, and have only
one point ; they are never bifid as in Conulus fulvus, etc.
If we now look at fig. 3 (H. pura, Ald.) and fig. 4 (H. nitidula, Drap.), we find a departure from this very definite type. The central tooth is about the same size as its neighbours, a condition which
() Since writing the above, Mr. W. Moss has most kindly furnished me with a photograph of the radula of H. glabra, Stud. The true g/abya appears to be rare in Britain; but I propose to treat more fully of this question in a subsequent paper.
is, so far as I know, found in all other British Pulmonata, except Testacella, in which it is remarkably small, and the typical Hyaliniz already mentioned. Pura has still the orthodox three laterals only, but nitidula has four, and one transi- tional tooth which resembles the marginals, except for its being bicuspid to a small extent- When we get to the species forming the great bulk of the old genus Helix, we shall find that transi- tional teeth are so frequent that it is practically impossible to draw the line between marginals and laterals (1).
In figs. 3 and 4 we note again that pura has a great many more marginals than alliaria or cellavia, and that the otherwise more aberrant nitidula has more still. They are not all shown in fig. 4; the type remains the same throughout, but the extreme ones dwindle down to a very small size. This increase in numbers is accompanied by a diminu- tion of size in the individual marginals, but as yet each tooth is only single-pointed, and of the regular form which we associate with the marginals of Hyalinia.
From Hyalinia to Agriolimax (A. laevis. Mull., fig. 5) may seem a great leap, but perhaps it is not so great as we should be inclined to think. Here we see that the teeth are individually quite of the Hyalinia type, but in respect of numbers there is considerable difference. There are eleven laterals and about twenty marginals, the transition being much less abrupt, but yet not by any means difficult to make out. On account of the large number of small teeth I have only drawn a typical lateral and the first and last marginal.
There are several groups which formed part of the old genus Zonites, as understood by Gwyn Jeffreys and Moquin-Tandon, which for various reasons have been or are being split off from our Hyaliniz. We have, for example, the Polita group (P. excavata, Bean., fig. 6), which pleads guilty to the possession of that very improper instrument for a Hyalinia, the spiculum amoris, or ‘‘ love-dart ’’ (?). Polita excavata is not very much unlike nitidula in respect of tongue, but it has nine laterals, instead of four, and its rather numerous marginals, though not bicuspid, are relatively small. The arrange-
(1) I use these terms in the sense in which they are found in Mr. Taylor’s Monograph (p. 152), the laterals being those which are immediately at the sides of the central tooth, and the marginals the remainder from the last distinct lateral to the outside edge. This is also the usage of Pilsbry and most modern authorities. It seems likely that the laterals are homologous with the highly-developed teeth of the Pectinibranchiata, and the marginals with the uncini, which sometimes occur in that group. Some support is given to this view by the fact that where the laterals are abruptly distinguished from the marginals they are generally more elaborate and fewer innumber. The figures accompanying the present paper will show this to be true in the case of this particular group. The further inference, which I need not press any more at present, is that Hyalinia is the proto- type of a great part of the Pulmonata, Vitrina, Testacella and Limax branching off from it in one direction, and Avion, Patula, etc.,in another.
(2) It is right to add that this organ is supposed not to be homologous with the spiculim of the Helicide.
ment of the basal plates is strongly suggestive of Helix, and in an unstained preparation the whole thing looks utterly unlike Zonites, but the transition is as abrupt as can be wished.
Conulus fulvus (fig. 7) introduces us to a new state of things. There are eight distinct laterals, and so far, except in their number, no great devia- tion from the Hyalinia type; but the marginals are now very distinctly bicuspid, and their basal plates are elongated in an opposite direction to
that usual with the species we have been discussing. This kind of basal plate is what we meet with in the regular Helicidz and the Pupide.
To return to the laterals. In cellaria (fig. 1) and alliaria (fig. 2) there is an endocone and a mesocone. Inthe second group, represented here by pura (fig. 3) and nitidula (fig. 4), there is a mesocone and an ecto- cone; but in Conulus we have all three points distinct. There is a slight indication of the endocone in Agriolimax (fig. 5). It is practically important not to confuse these points with the edges of the basal plates, as is easily done if the preparation is not Stained.
The curious conti- nental species, Calcarina candidissima, Dr., was placed with some hesi- tation by Moquin-Tandon amongst the Zonites. Fig. 8 shows samples from its radula, and it is pretty safe to say that if allied to Hyalinia at all it
must be a very distant cousin. the form of the teeth, as usual, at the newly-formed edge of the odontophore, and though they certainly
suggest some amount
actuaJly the case Fig
Vilrina pellucida, Mill.
The figure shows
9 shows the teeth of There is a good deal of general resemblance to Conulus, both in numbers and in form; but the Zonitoid in the form of their basal plates, and the transition is more abrupt
SCIENCE-GOSSIP.
9
ralizations on the foregoing facts. My object is rather to demonstrate to such fellow snail-hunters as may read these pages, what an interesting field
of study is here opened, and to suggest, if I may
OpontorHores OF MOLLUSCA.
Fig. 5, Agriolimax laevis; fig. 6, Polita excavata; fig. 7, Conulus fulvus; fig. 8, Calcarina candidissima ; fig. 9, Vitrina pellucida.
most constant. classify according to
Ot ALY
Ze) w AN
1 OY
organization,
venture, that it may be patronised more largely. It may be worth while to add that of all distinctive characters which I have yet examined in a com- parative way, the odontophore seems to offer the It would be absurd, of course, to:
tongues only, but we certainly ought to amass. and arrange all the in- formation we can about this interesting organ. There is much work to do, especially as too many of the old records on the subject are in- adequate because of imperfect microscopical methods.
As most people are aware, we find the minute structures of animals less liable to variation than the parts which are, on account of their size more in evidence. Thus, amongst the snails, of whose radule we have spoken above, it would be quite easy to find a specimen of H. vadiatula bearing a_ sufficiently close resemblance to cellavia to deceive any naturalist who had not given the genus his special attention. Such instances might be multi- plied almost ad lib, for they seem to occur in every part of the animal kingdom, but more especially amongst inver- tebrates. The explana- tion appears to be that there has been a great
r
deal of convergence of typical form with respect to the exterior characters, a convergence pro- duced doubtless by similar climatic conditions ; this is not while those parts of the animal which are not concerned with protection or climatic adjust- ment retain for the most part their primitive These are matters of detail which
are more till require close study, and that study should
be diligently pursued by all naturalists who take
an interest in the Invertebrata.
It is not proposed to found any hasty gene-
BY
(To be continued.)
10 SCIENCE-GOSSIP.
ARMATURE OF HELICOID LANDSHELLS, With A NEw SPECIES OF PLECTOPYLIS. By G. K. Gupve, F.Z.S.
(Continued from Vol. iti., page 332.)
LECTOPYLIS muspratti (3) (figs. 45a-/). Witha number of Plectopylis kindly sent to me by Colonel Beddome for inspection, were three shells which he thought would prove to be new. Upon examination I found them to differ from all the described species, and now, therefore, publish this form as a new species under the above name, which was suggested by Colonel Beddome. Plectopylis muspratti in outward appearance some- what resembles Plectopylis nagaensis (vol. iii., p. 206, fig. 33), but the armature is quite different. The parietal armature (see figs. 45¢ and d) consists
Fig. 45.—Plectopylis muspratti.
of a strong, vertical lunate plate, strongly deflected posteriorly below, the convex side towards the
(1) Plectopylis muspratti, n. sp. (figs. 45a-f).—Shell sinistral, discoid, widely and deeply umbilicated, pale ccrneous, streaked transversely with dull brown; finely striated and decussated with spiral lines, which are very distinct on the upper surface, but less so below. Sutvre impressed, spire a little conical. Whorls six and a half, scarcely convex, slowly increasing, the last widenin towards the aperture, slightly angular above, descending suddenly in front, and a little constricted behind the peristome. Aperture roundly lunate, peristome white, thickened and reflexed margins converging. Parietal callus with a strongly raised flexuous ridge, which is separated from both margins by a little notch. Umbilicus wide and deep. Parietal wall with a short enter- ing flexuous fold united to the ridge at the aperture, becoming attenuated inwardly, and at one-third of the circumference from the aperture, with a strong, crescent-shaped vertical plate, which is suddenly deflected posteriorly at the lower extremity; below this, on the anterior side, occurs a very short, horizontal fold. Palatal folds six, horizontal, short; the first free, with a small denticle posteriorly ; the second, third, fourth, and fifth connected with each other by a vertical tidge, which deflects below the fifth fold posteriorly and terminates in a small, oblique denticle ; the sixth again free. —Major diameter, 13 millimetres; minor diameter, 11 milli- metres; axis, 6 millimetres.—Habitat, Naga Hills, Assam. —Type in Colonel Beddome's collection,
aperture; below, on the anterior side, is a very short horizontal fold; a short, entering, flexuous, horizontal fold occurs at the aperture and is joined to the flexuous raised ridge which unites the two margins of the peristome. The palatal armature consists of: first, a free, short, horizontal fold with a small denticle posteriorly; next, four short, horizontal folds connected by a slight vertical ridge about their middle; the posterior halves of the folds being thinner and slighter than the anterior halves; the vertical ridge is continued below the fifth fold, where it suddenly deflects posteriorly and terminates in a small oblique denticle; below the fifth fold, a little nearer to the aperture, is found a sixth fold, which, like the first, is quite free (see fig. 45f, which shows the inner side of part of the outer wall with its palatal folds, and fig. 45d, which gives the posterior view of the parietal and palatal armatures).
Plectopylis macromphalus (figs. 46a and 6) was de- scribed and figured by Mr. W. T. Blanford in the “Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal,” xxxix. (1870), part 2, p. 17, t. 3, f. 14, and in Hanley and Theobald’s ‘‘ Conchologia Indica,"’ t. 83, ff. 8-10. The armature was figured by Lieut.-Colonel Godwin-Austen in the ‘‘Proceedings of the Zoological Society.’’ 1874, t. 73, f.1. The species has been recorded from the Khasia, Dafla and Naga Hills, in Assam. The shell is sinistral, widely umbilicated, light corneous, with in- cremental curved plicae, decussated by spiral lirae above, somewhat smooth and shining below It is composed of 44 to 53 flattened narrow whorls, the last being scarcely wider, subangulate above, a little descending in front. The peristome is whitish, a little thickened and reflexed, slightly
Fig. 46.—Plectopylis macromphalus.
flattened on the upper, outer margin; the margins converge a little, and are joined by a thin callus on the parietal wall. The parietal armature (see fig. 46a) consists of a strong vertical plate, which has a minute, slightly elongated, horizontal denticle posteriorly to its lower extremity. The palatal armature is in two series (see fig. 46b, which shows the inside of the outer wall). The anterior series
SCIENCE-GOSSIP. II
is composed of four short, broad, flattened, straight horizontal folds. The posterior series consists of ix narrow horizontal folds, which are shorter than those of the anterior series; the fourth and fifth are a little obliquely depressed posteriorly. The specimen is in Mr. Ponsonby’s collection, and measures 6 millimetres in diameter. Two speci- mens in my collection also measure 6 millimetres in diameter.
Plectopylis minor (figs. 474-1), from Darjeeling, was described by Lieut.-Colonel Godwin-Austen in the *‘Annals and Magazine of Natural History’ (5), iv. (1879), p. 164. As the species has never, to my knowledge, been figured, I have much pleasure in illustrating it. Mr. W. T. Blaniord mentioned a var. minor of Plectopylis macromphalus in the *‘ Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal,”’ xxxix. (1870), part 2, p. 18, which is probably the same form. The shell is sinistral, openly umbilicated, discoid, hirsute, finely ribbed, decussated by spiral lirae above, pale corneous with equidistant trans- verse brown striae; the spire is a little raised, the
suture impressed. There are five regularly coiled
a t J k + FZ 1
Fig. 47.—Plectopylis minor.
whorls, the last being sub-angular at the periphery, a little wider than the preceding whorl and a little descending in front. The cuticle is produced into distant, transverse, brownish, raised plaits, which are each provided with four coarse, deciduous hairs, forming four lines which pass round the The aperture is lunate, flattened on The
peristome is white, a little thickened and reflexed ;
body whorl the upper outer margin, and a little oblique.
the margins are connected by a slightly raised The umbilicus is moderately deep and wide, but narrower than in ectopylis macromphalus. The parietal armature
ridge on the parietal callus
B.
consists of a strong vertical plate, a little deflexed below anteriorly, having posteriorly two minute denticles, one above and one below. A very thin, free horizontal fold occurs below the vertical plate, revolving as far as the parietal ridge at the aperture, where it becomes much attenuated (see fig. 47f.); this fold appears to be somewhat variable, for in a specimen in Mr. Ponsonby’s collection, shown in fig. 47/, it is very short, and scarcely extends beyond the vertical plate; while in another specimen, also in Mr. Ponsonby’s collection, shown in fig. 47d, it is absent altogether. Lieut.-Colonel Godwin-Austen, in his description of the species, states: ‘‘ Parietal vertical, lamina simple, with no distinct horizontal plica below it.”’
The palatal armature is in two series, the anterior series consists of four thin horizontal folds, and the posterior series of six horizontal folds, the first of which is very minute, the next four a little broader and shorter than those of the anterior series, the fourth and fifth a little deflexed posteriorly, and the sixth very small and thin (see figs. 47g). The specimen shown in figs. 47a-e is in Mr. Ponsonby’s collection, and measures—major diam., 5 millimetres; minor diam., 4 millimetres ; alt. 2°5 millimetres. The one shown in figs. 47f and g is in my collection, while that shown in figs. 47h-l belongs to Mr. Ponsonby, who informs me that it was obtained from Mr. Hungerford, labelled, ‘‘P. plectostoma from Sik- kim.” At first I was inclined to refer this specimen to Plectopylis hanleyi, but upon further examination it appears to me to pertain to the species now under consideration; the measure- ments are the same as in the specimen from Darjeeling. An immature specimen in my collec- tion, with four whorls completed, has the armature near the end of the fourth whorl, and identical with that of a mature shell, except that it is smaller. A specimen in Colonel Beddome's collec- tion, from the Naga Hills, labelled with the manuscript name, Plectopylis minuta, Bedd., 1 also refer to this species; it is, however, a little smaller, measuring only 4 millimetres in diameter ; it is also a little more raised in the spire, and is more shining and darker.
(To be continued.)
ABNORMAL MARSH-MARIGOLD.— While observing specimens of Caltha palustvis, 1 met with a curious sport, viz., a flower bearing all its parts in perfect order, but in addition to its five coloured sepals, about one inch below the flower on the flower- stalk, bearing an additional petaloid sepal, giving the appearance of a coloured bract. This seemed to me a rather unique form,—Jolin J. Ward, 15, Foleshill Road, Coventry; tath May, 1897.
12 SCIENCE-GOSSIP.
ROYAL SOCIETY’S SOIREE.
(eee was the usual brilliant gathering at
Burlington House on the evening of May 19th, at the Soirée of the Royal Society. The exhibits were as diversified as formerly, and the votaries of nearly every branch of science found some specially interesting feature bearing on their studies. Physicists who work in investigation of electrical phenomena surrounded Mr. Wimshurst’s remarkable new machine for producing a spark of thirty-four inches between the terminals and twelve feet on the tables. This is three times the power of his former construction. Professor Roberts- Austen showed his combined camera-microscope which takes wonderful micro-photographs of metals and alloys under high magnifications. As an instance, carbon is shown in_ steel as minute diamonds. Dr. Norman Lockyer sent a series of photographs taken in Nova Zembla and at Kio Island during the visit there on the Solar Eclipse Expedition last year. These include one of importance—of the chromosphere of the sun, of which it is probable more will yet be heard. Spectrum researches were well in evidence. Zeeman’s discovery was demonstrated for broaden- ing the spectrum lines by the action of a magnetic- field on the source of light. The analysis of stellar light was illustrated by Dr. Norman Lockyer, by a series of wonderfully accurate photographs of the spectrum. The Astronomer Royal contributed splendid photographs of the moon, taken by the new Thompson 26-inch telescope at Greenwich. These are taken by an enlarging lens at secondary focus, equivalent to a focal length of 105 feet. Other views of the moon were by Loewy ,and Puiseux, published by the Paris Observatory. Further exhibits of physical interest were by Mr. J. W. Swan, of the effects of convective electrical discharges upon viscous resinous sur- faces; and he explained the mode of preservation of such surfaces for future examination. The duration of explosion, pressure generated, and other effects were exhibited by an apparatus invented by Sir Andrew Noble, of Elswick. The transmission of the Hertz wave-motion was shown by a most ingenious model arranged by Professor Sylvanus Thompson. Mr. Eric Stuart Bruce lent a remarkable series of photographs of optical projections in space. The instrument for their creation is not new, but its application in con- junction with a camera has produced some wonderful photographs which would be dear to the hearts of enthusiastic spiritualists. Mr. J. Gould conducted attractive experiments on the transmutation of sound. Sir David Salomons had a rotating mirror running at the rate of 48,000 revolutions per minute. Messrs. Barnard and Carver showed a new means of controlling an
electric arc. Professor Ayrton lectured during the evening on ‘‘ Electrical and Mechanical Analogues.”
Biology was represented by a considerable exhibit by the Marine Biological Association, from the biological station at Plymouth, in illustration of commensalism, or the association, whilst living, of different marine animals for their mutual benefit. These included the frequently-shown instances of hermit-crabs and sea-anemones; also that of Nereis, a worm which lives in the upper whorls of a whelk-shell, and comes down for food: Eupagurus, also a hermit-crab, and its companion anemone; a worm (Acholoe) which lives in a groove under a starfish; another worm (Malmgrenia) living in similar manner on heart-urchins. These and some other animals in like association formed an important exhibit. The effect of heat during the pupa state upon the alteration of colouration of certain lepidoptera was shown by examples sent by Mr. F. Merrifield, of Brighton, and Dr. Standfuss, of Zirich. Ethnology was represented by Mr. Warren, with bones found by Professor Flinders Petrie, in Egypt, of the ancient Naquada race, which existed some five thousand years ago. Africa also sent, through Mr. J. E. S. Moore, animals of varied forms from Lake Tanganyika. Biologists were favoured by the opportunity of hearing Professor J. B. Farmer lecture on ‘‘ Nuclear Division in Animal and Vegetable Cells.”
NATURAL HISTORY EXHIBITION.
qr City of London Entomological and Natural
History Society held a successful exhibition on April 27th, at the London Institution, Finsbury Circus. Besides the members of the society, many leading entomologists kindly contributed exhibits. Mr. J. A. Clark sent full representation of all our known British butterflies, amongst which were a long series of male and female Chrysophanus dispar, hermaphrodite specimens of Dryas (Argynnis) paphia, Plebetus (Polyommatus) @gon, Polyommatus tcavus, and black vars. of Limenitis sibylla. Aber- rations in Mr. C. Nicholson's Vanessids included : Pyvameis atalanta, with partial bleaching of red band on right-hand wing; P. cavdui, with an additional white spot on fore-wings; and Aglais (Vanessa) urtice, approaching var. ichnusa. Mr. A. W. Dennis, a xanthic Epinephele janiva, Pavarge egevia, female, with male colouration; Pyvameis cavdui, much suffused with black: Argynnis adippe, with median black band on all wings; Cupido (Polyommatus) undersides with spots obsolete ; Spilosoma lubricipeda, with central fascia on all wings; S. menthastri, with spots much enlarged. Mr. Robt. Adkin, all known British species of ‘clear-wings,” series of Endyomis versicolor, Lusiocampa quercifolia and L. ilicifolia,
minima,
SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 3
ete., Camptogramma bilineata (black forms from Kerry and banded from Shetland), banded Thera juniferata from Orkney, black Amphidasys betularia from Yorkshire, vars. of Boarmia repandata and Abraxas crossulariata. Mr. J. W. Tutt’s Zygenids included Zygena hippocrepidis, a species usually confounded with Z. jilifendule; amongst his Geometers were a series of aberrations of Cidaria immanata from Lochgoilhead, and a hybrid between Amphidasys strataria and A. betularia. Mr. W. M. Christy, Zygena jilifendule and Z. trifolii, with vars. Macroglossa bombyliformis, with scales all over the wings, as found prior to their use, and Nyssia lapponaria, with N. zonaria and Continental relatives for comparison. Mr. C. G. Barrett, British and European Psychids, with their curious larva-cases; long and variable series of Agrotis cursoria and A. tritici; Leucaniide, with Leucania Javicolor. n.sp., lately determined by himself, and vars. of female, spotted, the latter belonging to Mr. G. F. Mathew; and a moth from Unst, Shetland, agreeing with Hadena maillardi (St. Cat.), placed on the table as a form of Crymodes exulis, but if of specific rank would be an addition to British fauna. Typical C. exulis and one inter- mediate form belonging to Mr. Percy M. Bright were also exhibited. Mr. F. J. Hanbury, Noctue, Noctua festiva var. conflua being largely represented, and the Xanthiz and Catocalz were much admired. Mr. L. B. Prout, bred series of Coremia ferrugata and C. unidentaria to illustrate the influence of heredity. Mr. G. Elisha, a fine exhibit of twenty drawers of micro-lepidoptera of the greatest beauty as to freshness of moths and regularity of setting. Mr. D.C. Bate, larva of Orgyia gonostigma. Mr. J. Riches, larve of Afamea ofhiogyamma on their food-plant, variegated ribbon-grass. Mr. C. Nicholson, preserved larva of Lasiocampa quercifolia, showing the “‘lappels.” Mr. S. Edwards, a valuable and immense collection of Papilioning from allregions. Exotic lepidoptera were exhibited by Messrs. J. A. Clark (Morphine, Atlas, Cecropia, Thysania agrippina, etc.), A. Bacot (South African), E. M. Dadd (American) and Dr. J. S. Sequeira (Indian). The subject of ‘‘ Mimicry,” or the assumption by persecuted species of similar or nearly similar colouration to that of species protected by scents, colours, or presumed nauseous- ness of flavour, from birds and animals, was well illustrated by Messrs. Watkins and Doncaster and Messrs. O. E. Janson and Son. Mr. H. Heasler, coleoptera, being the material for his ‘‘ London List,” which includes Molorchus Oodes helopivides, Aphodius lividus, Rhinoncus bruchoides. Messrs. O. E. Janson and Son, case of Phasmidz or stick insects, twig-like when quiescent—a further development of the “ protective mimicry" principle. Mr. W. J. Ashdown, odonata, showing the Anax imperator and Leptetrum quadrimaculata var. pranubila,;
minor,
=)
can be captured in Surrey, Mr. J. A. Clark, nests of vesfa britannica from Forres, on fir, birch and heather, and from New Forest on ivy and yew. Dr. J. S. Sequeira, ‘‘insect products,’’ such as silk, wax, honey, cochineal, shellac, etc. Mr. R. M. Wattson’s “life in a pond"’ exhibited dragon- fly nymphs, water-beetles, water-scorpions and other inhabitants of our ponds and pools. Mr. D. C. Bate, a ‘‘ cat’s-eye”’ electric lamp for sugaring. Mr. R. A. Adkin, mollusca: Turricula terrestris (Helix elegans), from Dover; a large Limnea peregra, with body whorl abnormally humped. Mr. G. K. Gude beautiful varieties of Helices. Mr. C. Oldham, polished agates; also mosses and lichens from Merioneth. Mr. F. J. Hanbury, Italian Alpine plants and rare or extinct British plants. Comm. Thomas Hanbury, fresh fruits and curious seed- pods from La Mortola, Vintimiglia, Italy, including many varieties of Citron and Solanum; Ficus repens, the climbing-fig; Eucalyptus globulus, the blue-gum ; also the ‘“ bottle-brush,’’ from Australia; cotton, sissal hemp, and seed-pods of Canavalia ensiformis, Martynia proboscidea (the ‘‘ wait-a-bit ” thorn), and Pithecoctenium muricatum (family Bignoniacez), a double-valved husk covered with blunt spines, holding innumerable closely-packed winged seeds, with a hinged ‘‘septum’’ between the valves. Birds’ eggs were shown by Messrs. A. F. and W. M. Bayne and F. S. Cottell. Cases of birds and mammals adorned the side tables, Mr. F. J. Han- bury exhibiting terns, corncrake, shrews, pole-cats (rapidly becoming extinct in this country). Mr. J. A. Clark, rotche, smew (male and female), cinna- mon-coloured blackbirds; and Dr. J. S. Sequeira, great northern diver, laughing-jackass, sirral cat (a musteline) and porcupine ant-eater (Echidna hystrix). Microscopists displayed Melicerta conifera and Stephanoceros eichornii (tube-building rotifers), Lophopus crystallina, Plumatella vepens, Volvox globator, etc. Dr. W. A. Kibbler exhibited illuminated photo-micrographs, Gerard Smith, Esq.,M.R.C.S., etc., gave a demonstration of X-rays phenomena twice during the evening, and Mr. Fred. Enock, in his happiest style, gave a lecture on ‘ The British Trap-door Spider.”’ Lord Walsingham, an honorary member of the Society, visited the soirée early and addressed the members on the value and pleasure of a study of nature. A programme of music was delightfully rendered in the course of the evening, and light refreshments were served to all visitors.
H. A. Savzt. 4, Mount Villas, Sydenham Hill Road, London, S.E.
Presipenr McKinctey and Secretary Sherman have recommended that Congress shall make an appropriation of $350,000 for the representation of the United States at the Paris Exposition of 1900,
I4 SCIENCE-GOSSIP.
PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL DISINFECTION.
MEETING of the members of the Civil and
Mechanical Engineers’ Society was held on April 22nd, in the Westminster Palace Hotel, when a paper on ‘Physical and Mechanical Disinfection’’ was read by Mr. W. Noble Twelvetrees. This subject, interesting alike to civil engineers and others concerned in municipal affairs, was dealt with in a comprehensive manner and illustrated by a number of interesting diagrams showing the various forms of apparatus used in laboratory practice and in public institutions.
Favoured inhabitants of the world in the present year of grace are perhaps occasionally apt to overlook the useful work done in past generations, and those who imagine that efficient hygienic regulations originated during the present epoch are reminded by Mr. Twelvetrees that, in the earliest ages, disinfection and sanitary precautions received due attention. Amongst the earliest evidences of this fact, are mentioned the laws of Moses and of Lycurgus, and of heathen religious practices, all showing an intelligent recognition of the value of disinfection. Having called attention to the practical good sense the ancient Romans evidenced by their attention to drainage, ventilation and water-supply, and by the appointment of State physicians in their cities and towns, the writer pointed out that in the middle ages the civilized world suffered a relapse, diseases and epidemics being regarded as ‘‘dispensations of Providence, which it would be sinful to combat, save by prayer and penance.’’ The growth of a revived interest in sanitary science was next traced, also the recent development of the germ theory, which, aided by the practical science of bacteriology, has rendered the most invaluable assistance to those responsible for promoting the health and well- being of the community.
Speaking of bacteria, or micro-organisms, which have been proved by eminent men of science to be at the root of all diseases, and injurious changes in organic substances, Mr. Twelvetrees remarked, “It is probably not exaggerating matters to say, that the self-respecting citizen has no better opinion of a microbe than an ordinary police magistrate has of a cyclist.” He pointed out, however, that the large majority of these omnipresent organisms performed useful work by resolving organic substances into their constituent elements. The physical forms and characteristics of micro- organisms were next dealt with as affording an indication of the means to be adopted for extir- pating or reducing the numbers of harmful species,
Mr. Twelvetrees next described and illustrated the various forms of collecting, cultivating and
sterilizing apparatus in laboratory use, then proceeded to discuss the question of disinfection by physical means. The drawbacks attached to the use of hot air appear to be the high temperature required and the length of time necessary for sterilization. Steam is recommended as the most efficient and convenient agent, but an important distinction is drawn between the relative values of superheated and saturated steam, the former, at a temperature of 285° F., being no more efficient than hot air, whereas the latter, even at 214° F., is extremely rapid in effecting sterilization. Satu- rated steam may be applied in modern apparatus, either under varying pressures or in the form of a continuous current, at atmospheric pressure. The leading types of English, Continental and American apparatus were fully described and illustrated, the results of experiments by leading authorities being quoted in detail. Among English forms of apparatus one including a novel and ingenious feature is that invented by Dr. Thresh, Medical Officer of Health for the County of Essex. The “Thresh’’ Disinfector, used on the ‘current steam’ system, utilises the well-known physical fact that water containing substances in solution possesses a boiling point proportional to the specific gravity of the liquid. By using a solution of calcium chloride (specific gravity, 136) a temperature of 225° F. is attained, steam being given off at about 220° F., thus ensuring absolute sterilizing efficiency. The apparatus is very simple in construction, and being open to atmospheric pressure there can be no risk of explosion.
Mr. Twelvetrees next illustrated the most im- portant points to be observed in the construction of public disinfecting stations, and passed on to the consideration of incineration asa means of destroy- ing infectious matter which is not of sufficient value or is otherwise unsuitable for treatment in an ordinary apparatus. Chemical disinfection, according to authorities quoted, though not with- out its uses, is not to be regarded as a satisfactory means of sterilization. Mechanical disinfection, including natural and artifical filtration, was discussed somewhat fully, as being of the greatest public importance. Sand filtration has been found by Dr. Frankland to remove 98°4 per cent. of the organisms from Thames water. The assistance rendered to filtration by settling reservoirs, in which the water is purified by deposition, by oxidization, and by the destruction of harmful germs by inoffensive species was instanced, as also the valuable results obtained by the use on a large scale of the Porter-Clark and other systems of water-softening apparatus.
SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 15
After a reference to the desirability of pure and abundant water supplies, Mr. Twelvetrees pointed out in conclusion that disinfection, in the widest sense of the term, involves much more than comparatively limited processes in public disinfect- ing stations, and that nothing short of universally-
created hygienic conditions will remove from our homes the evil presence of disease, and enable the weak and sickly children of our large towns to grow up into ‘healthy citizens, strong and ready to bear their part bravely in the great battle of life.”
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE LIFE-HISTORIES OF PLANTS.
By THomas
Pexitucip Dots iN HyPErRicuM. ANY species of Hypericum present small black dots on the stems, leaves or other portions of the plant. In H. corymbosum, Muhl., the stem and lower leaves have these dots profusely scattered over the surface, those on the stem being generally somewhat elongated, after the manner of suber cells as usually seen in the young bark or epi- dermis of woody plants. Examining the series of leaves in succession up the stem, we find the uppermost leaves nearly destitute of black dots, a few being found chiefly near the margin. Starting again from below upward, we find that as we advance, the pellucid dots, wholly absent in the lowermost leaves, begin to be comparatively scarce near the midrib. As they come into existence, the black dots disappear. The pellucid dots increase in numbers with each series of leaves—the black dots seem to give up the ground to the pellucid ones—till, when the much-reduced leaves beneath the flower are reached, scarcely any but the pel- lucid dots are found. They reappear again in numbers on the petals.
It is singular that though there is an evident Correspondence in the increase of pellucid dots and the decrease of the black dots, no genetic relation- ship can be discovered. In no instance was there any evidence of a transmutation of a black dot toa pellucid one.
The dotted structure of other species growing on my ground was therefore examined. These were Hypericum perforatum, H. buckleyi, H. kalmianum of our country, and H. androsemum, H. calycinum and H. moserianum of the old world. H. perforatum furnished the most interesting subject for com- Parison. The lower leaves, given up wholly to black dots in H. corymbosum, had only pellucid dots» and in none of these were black dots numerous. Indeed, it was only in the uppermost leaves that a few black dots were found, and these sparingly distributed near the outer edges. On the petals also the black dots are sparingly found.
It is apparent from what has been stated in regard to H. corymbosum that the energy productive of the black dots is different in degree from that
(@) Extracts from papers read before the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
MEEHAN. (?)
productive of pellucid dots. We may further conclude that these varying degrees of growth- energy had but little to do with the differentiation of these two species. One species could readily be transformed to the other as each degree of energy was in control. In H. kalmianum and H. buckleyi pellucid dots are profuse. No trace of black dots could be found. From what has been already noted, they are not to be expected where the pellucid dots abound.
In the European H. andvosemum the whole surface is minutely pellucid-punctate. The mid- rib and veins are also pellucid, At various points along the lines of these veins are, however, small swellings, more or less orbicular, as if they had been originally pellucid dots, and that lines had been thrown out to connect the dots with each other. In H. calycinwm there are similar connec- tions, and beside a few scattered pellucid dots ; but these are not round but pyriform, one end tapering into a narrow tail. If a little more prolonged, we shall have just such connections as we find in H. andvosemum. In H. mosevianum, we find the surface profusely covered with dots, not very pellucid, apparent though they are when held up to a bright light. Some of these are wholly individualized and isolated, but others have sent out a line as yet unconnected, but the great majority have had the lines connected, and have formed a mass of reticulated veinlets unequalled in any otherspecies [have seen. Turning to Hyferium prolificum 1 find many semi-pellucid dots in the petals, especially near the margin, and some of them elongated, andin a number of cases they have met others and formed an elongated pellucid vein. .
I think these pellucid dots are the initial steps taken by the plant in the formation of veinlets and veins. It cannot for an instant be conceived that nature first makes a skeleton leaf and then covers it with parenchymatous tissue. These strengthen- ing ribs must be constructed out of cell-tissue only as the organism needs them. And this construc- tion can only go on under a regularly arranged system. There can be no theoretical reason against the view I have taken of the nature and office of these pellucid dots.
16 SCIENCE-GOSSIP.
I think little has been written regarding the variable character of these dots. The only author I have found is Bromfield, who was, in a measure, my early patron and preceptor in botanical study. In ‘‘Flora Vectensis,” writing of H. perforatum, he takes occasion to note the difference in the character of the dots in various species, which, in some, take the form of anastomosing pellucid veins. “T do not find,’ he concludes, ‘‘any notice taken of this character by any author I have consulted.” I have seen none since his work appeared in 1856.
ORIGIN OF THE FORMS OF FLOWERS.
In my intercourse with intelligent and observing botanists, who frequently do not place their con- clusions on record, I find a growing tendency to discredit views, till recently widely prevalent, that external conditions have any more than a feeble influence on the evolution of the forms of flowers. Thought is in the direction that various degrees of internal energy seem rather the chief agents in effecting change.
Listening to some verbal remarks before the Botanical Club of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, at Buffalo, New York, by Mr. David F. Day, I was struck by his point that irregular flowers were usually associated with the curving or twisting of the peduncle, while regular flowers and straight peduncles were usually closely related. I saw this subsequently well illus- trated in lilies. In the class to which belong Lilium philadelphicum and L. catesbei, the upright flowers are perfectly regular; irregularity, in some of the floral parts, characterizing the nodding ones. The nodding peduncles, after flowering, become erect, and in the seed-bearing stage the seed-vessels are erect on perfectly straight peduncles in both classes. It.is evident from this fact that in the species with drooping flowers the expansion of the perianth occurred before the uncoiling energy had been exhausted, and during a rhythmic rest. It is further evident that the growth-waves prevailing in the development of the flower varied in intensity in different parts, and that varying forms must neces- sarily follow from these varying degrees of energy. Unequal pressure by reason of the curve ought to be accountable for this inequality. It is, however, evident that outside agencies could not have had much, if any, influence in the curving which results in irregularities of these lilies. Some excellent illustrations are often seen where an erect flower occasionally occurs on a plant which generally has the pedicels more or less curved. Some gloxinias and other Gesneriaceous plants will readily recur to the intelligent observer. Gesneria elongata, a South American species, popular in garden culture, often has these erect flowers. In this case the flowers are perfectly regular, and of a different character in other respects from the normal ones.
(To be continued.)
SCIENCE AND ART MUSEUMS.
Sik JOHN GORST’S Committee on the Museums
of the Science and Art Department, in conse- quence of the evidence brought before it and the personal examination by its members, of the buildings at South Kensington, has issued an interim report urgently drawing the attention of Parliament to the peril to which the priceless collections are exposed of destruction by fire. The Committee consider that such a lamentable event might have long ago occurred but for the great care exercised by the police in charge. The buildings are at best only temporary, and largely constructed of varnished wood, lath and plaster. The Committee recommend that the exhibits should be immediately withdrawn from public inspection, and the buildings properly constructed and completed. Considering that the Kensington Science and Art collection is almost unequalled in value, we imagine the public would not begrudge the spending department at once finishing the permanent buildings for its housing.
RONTGEN RAYS PICTURES OF - SHELLS.
E are indebted to Mr. Wilfred Mark Webb, F.L.S., for the use of the accompanying interesting ‘‘sciagraphs"’ of shells, which appeared as Plate iii. of ‘‘The Journal of Malacology”’ for May (vol. vi No. 1). The portraits were taken by Messrs. W. Watson and Sons, of High Holborn, London, for Mr. Webb's journal. They show how useful the Réntgen rays may be for examining the inner structure of a shell, and suggest quite a new means of studying the interiors without having to break up the shells for that purpose. The follow- ing is an explanation of the figures :
Figs. 1 to 7 are a series of shells of a cowry, Cypraea avabica, from the South Pacific Isles, showing the changes which take place during growth.
Figs. 1 and 2.—Young specimens in which the shell is a simple spiral one with a thin unreflected lip. N.B.—The spires are somewhat worn at the tip.
Fig. 3.—In this shell the lip has expanded, the edge has curled inwards, and a row of ‘‘teeth”’ is beginning to make its appearance there.
Fig. 4.—Here another row of ‘‘teeth”’ is to be seen on the body of the shell approximately parallel to that on the edge of the lip.
Fig. 5.—This shell is thicker, owing to the deposition of layers of ‘‘nacre” upon its outside by the mantle flaps which are protruded by the animal and which cover the shell and meet in the middle line on its dorsal surface. The ‘‘teeth” are now more evident.
SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 17
Fig. 6.—The thickening process is being carried on, the shell being considerably heavier and more massive.
Fig. 7—The adult shell in which almost the maximum of thickening has been reached, and the
which loses its top whorl as it grows ; the partition which divided the uninhabited portion of the shell from the rest is shown.
Fig. 9.—A young shell of the same, still retain- ing its apex, and from its position on the plate
Some SCIAGRAPHS OF SHELLS.
broadening of the shell achieved: the longitudinal expansion of the lip, too, has now hidden the spire of the younger shell
Figs. 8 to 11 are sciagraphs of three landshells which show the columella and the interior of the shell as well as other points noted below
Fig. 8.—A shell of Bulimus decollatus from Malta,
showing how much shell has been discarded by fig. 8.
Fig. 10.—Clausilia swinhoet from Yormosa, showing the clausium or clausilium which guards the entrance of the shell.
Fig. 11.—Cochlostyla philippinensis from the Philippine Islands.
18 SCIENCE-GOSSIP.
NOTES OF A HOME NATURALIST. By Mrs. Emiry J. CLimENsoN.
pees dreadful cold winds are now retarding what promised to be a very forward summer. By April 8th a nest of young robins in our garden were flown. Two swallows were seen flying out of our cowhouse, where there is an annual nest, on April 11th. A cuckoo was heard, first at Shiplake on April r4th, and a nightingale the same night. April 27th a wryneck was heard, and on the 30th a corncrake. Swifts were observed on May 7th. On April 8th I was told of an owl that the gardeners had observed for some three weeks or more sitting in the top of a cedar-tree on a terrace below the house. It was a large wood-owl, and with the exception of a day or two the ow] sat in the same tree, on the same branch, for about a month, when it disappeared. The cedar-tree is not twenty yards from the house. As there are five other splendid cedars in our garden, some further from the house, it was singular its choosing this par- ticular one. According to the wind, it sat with its face turned one way or another, motionless the whole day, though at night it was occasionally heard making a loud hooting. Barn-owls breed freely in the chalk pit hard by our garden, but I fancy a wood-owl perching so near the house is rather remarkable. In a glass jar in the drawing-room window I had a black larva that was quite different from most Ephemeride I have kept. It had a broad, black head, two sete at tail instead of three. The branchial organs were like exquisite feathers, which it continually waved. It could swim rapidly about the jar. Sometimes it lay in the little layer of mud at the bottom, sometimes clung to the Anacharis weed. On March 28th, on looking for it, I missed my larva, but instead, on the rim of the vessel, was a beautiful, clear-winged, black insect, with two small wings and two much larger ones, two long setze as before, minus the claspers which the larva had. It remained on the jar drying its gauze- like wings for two days, and then disappeared. Can anyone tell me what it was? Mr. Bateman, in his book of aquaria, mentions the genus Baétis having only two sete, but the feather-like branchie are not mentioned, which were totally different from any I have had before. Since this I have had another larva like it,except having three setz unfortunately, for some unexplained cause, it died. In a jar containing a dip from a ditch a perfect eruption of Hydra viridis took place on April 28th ; they were literally in hundreds. I have never found them before; only possessed those my correspondent, Mr. Nicholson, kindly sent to me. As I had had the dip for some days without perceiving any, they must have been suddenly born. In the same odd way a fine Hydra fusca,
on April 25th, suddenly appeared on a watercress plant, which had been in a jar for a month or more. In the middle of February, Mr. F. O. Warner, our parish schoolmaster, brought me, in a small box, a piece of what he called ‘‘animated cotton.”” It turned out to be a thread-worm (Gordius), looking exactly like a piece of Coates' No. 40 white cotton, about four inches long when stretched out, but writhing and twisting itself into veritable gordian knots, lifting a snake- like head, which tapered toa point. I kept it alive for a few days, damping the earth slightly in which it lay, but it died curved into quite an ornamental twist. The colour turned from white to a pale yellow, it was perfectly hard and resembled a piece of twisted vermicelli. I could only see an opaque mass through my microscope, and not having a live-trough, or box, I had not tried to look at it alive. Mr. Warner had found some a year or so before, when digging.
In a wood some three miles from here, on March 26th, I found an uncommon plant Chrysosplenium alternifolium, or alternate golden-saxifrage; of course not in flower, only in leaf. As early as the first week in March, a lime hawk-moth (Smerinthus tillig) was found emerged from a glass frame, and a second in third week of that month. I omitted in my April Notes in SciENcE-GossiP, to mention that the rooks which daily go to the school-house for food come from the rookery some quarter of a mile off ; also at the sound of the school bell at two o’clock, in order to search the playground for scraps dropped by the children from their dinner pieces; as well as attending the schoolmaster’s meals. They must understand the sound of the bell, as their nests are out of sight of the school house.
Shiplake Vicarage, Oxon.; May 13th, 1897.
BritisH AssociaTion.—The preparations for the meeting to be held next autumn, at Toronto, in Canada, are already progressing rapidly, and a hearty welcome is to be offered to the members who attend. Every grade of society in Canada will offer assistance. The Governor-General and Lady Aberdeen are to give a reception in the fine Legislative Buildings in Toronto, which cannot fail to be a success, when we remember the courtesy and kindness which characterize their Excellencies on such occasions. It seems probable that the English visitors may be outnumbered by our American cousins from south of the border-line. Several of the U.S. Universities will officially send delegates, and the Botanical and Geological Societies of America are to meet in Toronto just before the great assembly for the British Associa- tion, so that their members may attend the latter gathering. Public banquets are to be given to Lords Kelvin and Lister and to the President-elect, Sir John Evans. The railway companies have arranged for long and short excursions at remarkably low rates. Indeed, the 1897 meeting promises to be a brilliant success
SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 19
= — =
NOTICES BY JOHN T. CARRINGTON.
Epwarp DRINKER Cope.— By the death of Professor Cope America has prematurely lost one of her greatest leaders in science. He died, aged fifty-seven, on the 12th of April last, at his house in Pine Street, Philadelphia, surrounded by his books and his fossils, which had served him to such good purpose. He may be truly said to have died in harness, for on the Tuesday preceding his death he passed for press elaborate articles upon his latest opinions on the classification of the vertebrates. In character he may be shortly described as typical of so many of those who have contributed to the splendid advance of civilization which will make this present century celebrated on the western continent. Thoughtful, con- sistent, original, and above all guided by a manly independence, Cope will rank as one of America’s greatest science teachers. Enthusiasm, as dis- played with his judgment, did more than anything else to create a lasting interest in the subjects he expounded. When only seven years old evidence was forthcoming of the natural aptitude for a love of natural history, which was carefully fostered and developed by his father. It was in the neighbourhood of his native city his work began, and he lived to become the leading professor of its University, and there end his days, as one of the world's most learned men of science. In his early days, that is in his later teens, young Cope had | many opportunities of studying nature at her wildest in the more remote parts of his native State. At that period his range of investigations included botany as well as zoology. At the age of about nineteen he went to work in the Smithsonian Institution, under Professor Spencer F. Baird, especially upon reptiles. In 1863 Cope travelled in Europe, never losing a chance of enlarging his knowledge in our chief continental museums. He began there his especial studies in ichthyology, in which he was later to become such a learned authority, in connection with his vast palzonto- logical research, which commenced about the year * 1865. This was during his_ professorship of natura! science at Haverford College. It was in 1868 that Professor Cope first published his ‘ Synopsis of Extinct Amphibia.”” Asa result he was attached to the U.S. Geological Survey, which gave him splendid opportunities for study of fossils, and so largely helped to found his vast knowledge of prehistoric vertebrate life. Born in en a on July 28th, 1840, Professor Cope descended from a much-respected line of Quaker ancestors, who ore early settled in Pennsylvania. He married, 1865, Miss Annie Pym, another name well Pree in the Society of Friends. A list of the works and lesser papers by Professor Cope would indeed be long, and will doubtless appear when a proper biography is undertaken, and such will be certain, for few men’s work has been more important. At a meeting of the Academy on April 13th the following minute was passed * The Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia has received with profound sorrow the announcement of the death of
Professor Edward Drinker Cope. It is fitting that this meeting should place on record a minute expressive of its sense of the loss sustained. The Academy witnessed the beginning and the end of his long labours. It was to its halls he came as a student in 1859, and it was to them he paid his last visit before his final illness. The lustre thrown upen the Society by his researches is but a reflex of the spirit of this remarkable man who exhibited, in a way rarely equalled in the history of science, the consecration of a powerful intellect to the pursuit of the knowledge of nature. To an almost unerring accuracy of observation he conjoined admirable judgment. He was unexcelled as an expert in the field of vertebrate zoology of both present and extinct forms; he discovered great numbers of genera and species; he announced startling and epoch-making schemes of classifica- tion; he framed comprehensive systems of philo- sophy based on biologic premises.
EpwarpD JAMES Stone.—There died at Oxford, from acute pneumonia, on Sunday, May oth, Edward James Stone, the Director of the Radcliffe Observatory in that city. By a curious coincidence his death took place on the anniversary of the death of his predecessor, the Rev. R. Main, whom he succeeded in 1879. Mr. Stone was born in London in 1831. His moreimportant astronomical appointments were as Chief Assistant at Greenwich in 1860. He became Her Majesty’s Astronomer at Cape Town in 1870, whence he went to Oxford as above stated. Perhaps he is best known by his catalogues of stars of the southern hemisphere, one of which numbered 12,441 stars, published in 1881. Mr. Stone received the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society in 1868; Lalande Prize of the Paris Academy of Sciences in 1881. He was one of the Presidents of the Royal Astronomical Society and a member of the Council of the Royal Society. His work in organizing the observation of the Transit of Venus in 1882 was most successful, as he had previously observed a like phenomenon whilst at the Cape, with a seven-inch equatorial. His high reputation was attained by his accuracy in meridian observations, which faculty was largely developed at Greenwich under Sir George Airy.
.Mr. Stone was a member of Sir George Baden-
Powell's expedition to Nova Zembla, in August of last year, where he, for a second time, had the opportunity of observing a total eclipse of the sun ; the first having been in Namaqualand.
Joun M. Denton.—Canadian entomologists have lost two of their active workers. Mr. Denton was born in Northampton, England, on September 1gth, 1829, and died March 24th last. Brought up in England as a tailor and draper, he emigrated about 1855 and settled in London, Ontario, where he gradually built up a successful business as a merchant tailor. During his leisure Mr. Denton cultivated a knowledge of economic entomology and fruit farming, and also microscopy. He was an original member of the London Branch of the Ontario Entomological Society, and served as one of its Vice-Presidents, and then President, in 1878, and several years following ; he was also an active member of the Fruit Growers’ Association.
J. Gamp_e Gepprs.—Captain Geddes was also an ardent entomologist, and wrote frequent articles in the ‘‘Canadian Entomologist.’ Born in Montreal in 1850, his early death, on April 3rd last, has caused much sympathy. He, in turn, se arved as Treasurer, Secretary, Vice-President and President of the Ontario Entomological Society. He was a bank manager by profession.
20 SCIENCE-GOSSIP.
4 [BOOKS TO! READ Ws Cs y =
NOTICES BY JOHN T. CARRINGTON.
The Young Beetle-Collector’s Handbook. By Dr. E. Hofman, with an introduction by W. Egmont Kirby, M.D. 178 pp. 8vo, illustrated by 20 coloured plates. (London: Swan Sonnenschein. es Macmillan and Co., 1897.) Price 4s. 6d.
If brightly-coloured pictures will help to induce young people to take up the study of the coleoptera, we should find a large accession to the numbers who take active interest in beetles. The collector, with the aid of this little work, will be able to make out without much difficulty at least the generic characteristics of most of the beetles he meets with, and so be led on to getting his specific identification elsewhere for the more obscure species. The work was originally published in Germany by Dr. Hofman, who is the curator of the Royal Natural History Museum at Stuttgart. It therefore contains figures of some species which are not counted as British. This is an advantage, as it will, we hope, lead the collector of our native species to broader lines of thought than used to be common among English entomologists. Those British species which are figured are clearly indicated in the text, so there need not be any confusion as to which are native or otherwise.. Dr. Kirby’s introduction is commendably short, and contains instructions for collecting and preserva- tion. We should like to have seen a little more space devoted to suggestions for breeding these insects, whose life-histories are so little understood when compared with those of our butterflies, moths and saw-flies. The coleopterists have an immense field still open for such investigations, as the cycle of metamorphosis and individual habits of but few of our three thousand species have ever been worked out. Any field- naturalist taking up that branch of study has full opportunity of becoming celebrated. The plates contain upwards of 500 figures, and those of many of the larger species are excellent; but we fear, beyond getting an idea as to the generic character, many of the smaller are not much use for identification. This is almost certain to occur with coloured figures of the more obscure, because their differentiation depends upon structure rather than colour. Asa whole we can recommend this work as being one which is likely to induce many to collect, and be to their assistance until they get past the stage of beginners’ books.
Entomological Society of Ontario. Twenty-seventh Annual Report, for 1896. 127 pp. royal 8vo, illustrated by 103 figures. (Toronto: Ontario Department of Agriculture, 1897.)
The entomological societies of Canada are far in advance of those in this country, in so much as they get their publications issued at Government expense. This is a most fortunate thing, as it is the means of much information being circulated which could not otherwise be placed at the disposal of the public. The report now before us contains
a mass of information of all kinds relating to insects. One paper is devoted to ‘‘Some Insec- tivorous Mammals,” with illustrations. Another, also illustrated, is on ‘‘Entomology for Rural Schools,” and another on ‘‘The Importance of Entomological Studies to an Agricultural and Fruit-growing Community,” which latter takes for its text: ‘‘ The study of entomology is necessary, that the agriculturalists and fruit-growers may make the most of their insect friends.’’ In fact, we can easily trace, in the great attention which is given by the Canadian entomologists to the economic aspect of their studies, the Government financial assistance which is so envied by our societies in this country. We hardly expect to find that their influence will gain such pecuniary aid, even in a small degree, from our county councils, while the whole attention of their members is devoted to species splitting and the nomenclature of Insecta. There are few countries where the economic side of entomology is more neglected by the ordinary collector than it is in Britain.
The Flora of the Alps. By ALFRED W. BENNETT, M.A., B.Sc., F.L.S., with 120 coloured illustra- tions. Vol.i., part 2. (London: John C. Nimmo, 1897.) Price 2s. 6d. net.
We fully noticed this handsome work in our last issue, and can only add that every one interested in wild flowers, either whilst travelling in mountainous Europe, or in growing them at home in Alpine gardens, should at once subscribe for this book. Part 2 contains thirteen coloured plates.
British Game Birds and Wild Fowl. By BEVERLEY R. Morris, M.D. Revised by W. B. TEGETMIER, F.Z.S. Illustrated by coloured plates. Vol. i part 2. (London: John C. Nimmo, 1897.) isiies 2s. 6d. net per part.
The second part of this work has reached us, and contains descriptions of black-grouse and red- grouse, with plates of the latter and ptarmigan. The re-issue of this work is a grand acquisition to the library of sportsman-naturalists. As stated last month, the work is to be completed in twelve parts.
Journal of the Essex Technical Laboratories. No. 26. April and May, 1897. 28 pp. 8vo, illustrated. (Chelmsford: County Technical Laboratories.) Price 3d.
The excellence of this publication is well maintained, and this number is full of useful information. We recommend many of our readers to subscribe for this serial as being of more than local interest.
The Story of the Earth's Atmosphere. By DouGLas ARCHIBALD, M.A. 208 pp. 16 mo, illustrated by 42 figs. (London: George Newnes, Limited, 1897.) Price ts.
It has seldom been our pleasure to find so much information compressed, in most readable form, in so small a book. Mr. Archibald has the faculty for telling such a story as this in the most enter- taining manner. The same in the hands of some men would have left the printers a mass of high and dry science, doubtless scrupulously correct, but unreadable by the multitude. We cannot too strongly recommend our readers to get this work ; to most of them it will open new lines of thought, where food for it may be daily found surrounding them. The author’s style is just what is wanted for this series—free, but not flippant, and im- pressive in his knowledge of the subject.
SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 21
The Royal Natural History. Edited by RicHarp LypbDEkeER, B.A., F.R.S. Illustrated by 72 coloured plates and :,600 engravings. Second edition. (London and New York: Frederick Warne and Co.. 1896-97.) In 72 weekly numbers, price 6d. each.
This new edition of the Royal Natural History is indeed a wonderful instance of modern cheap publishing. Each number contains forty-eight pages of letterpress, many engravings, and a coloured plate. In this edition new coloured plates have been added in some instances, such as for tigers, leopards, etc. The letterpress has been revised and brought quite up to date by the editor as published. The work has reached its fifty-second
WY; pe
aitie gs,
a short general introduction to entomology, and directions for identifying, prevention and eradication of the pests. There are also some life-histories and many excellent illustrations. There is a short appendix containing several animals of allied classes to insects, such as mites and centipedes. The arrangement in treating with the subject is to select the order of plants likely to be attacked, and then to describe the insects to be expected.
The Naturalists’ Directory, 1897. 102 pp. 8vo. (London: L. Upcott Gill, 1897.) Price ts.
This is the third edition of what in time will doubtless become a useful and important work for naturalists. The present issue is decidedly improved
PASSENGER PIGEON.
From Warne's * Royal Natural History.”
part. It contains all that appeared in the first edition, with some extra features. When complete the book binds up into six handsome volumes
Farm and Garden Insects. By WiLLiam SoMER-
VILLE, D.CZ%c., D.Sc., F.R.S.E., F.L.S 125 pp. 18 mo, illustrated by 46 drawings. (London and jew York Macmillan and Co., Ltd., 1897.)
This little work will be found useful to many who live in the country, or are cultivators of suburban gardens For those who desire to do good by educating rural workers to a better knowledge of insect pests, it affords an opportunity for giving a useful but inexpensive aid to the attainment of suchinformation. Its pages contain
in many ways, and far more complete than the last. There is, however, still much to be added to a new edition, especially in regard to finding out those very numerous silent workers who do so much but are rarely heard of. The work is now well worth its price, but we predict that it will have to be largely augmented before the directory becomes anything approaching perfection.
Messrs. Ross and Co., 111, New Bond Street, London, have sent illustrated catalogues of new instruments, including the Photoscope, and a pamphlet on "The Electric Are Light" for lan- tern projection, by Mr. Cecil M. Hepworth, which contains description of the Ross-Mepworth arc lamps and the new patent eccentrical carbons.
22 SCIENCE-GOSSIP.
y
RU YES (SCIENCE ABROAD),
:
CONTRIBUTED BY FLORA WINSTONE.
ANNALI DEL MusEo Civico DiI Stor1aA NATURALE DI GENOVA (Genoa, 1897).—The English articles in this number are chiefly devoted to collections that have lately been made in Somaliland. Mr. G. A. Boulenger, F.R.S., writes on the ‘‘ Reptiles and Batrachians collected by the late Prince Eugenio Ruspoli in Somaliland and Gallaland in 1893." He also gives a ‘‘Report on Captain Bottego’s Second Collection of Reptiles and Batrachians from Somaliland.’’ This collection, which was given into his care by Marquis G. Doria, President of the Italian Geographical Society, consists of 247 specimens referable to fifty-six species, all of which have been previously described. The specimens were collected between Brava and the confluence of the Web and Ganana, in Southern Somaliland. Mr. Boulenger gives notes on several species which are little known, and adds some synonymic rectifications. M. D. Vinciguerra and M. F. Silvestri also contribute articles on collections made by Prince Ruspoli in Somaliland. M Ch. Kerremans, M. Carlo Emery, and Mr. Thomas Oldfield have further notes on Captain Bottego's collections from the same country, Mr. Oldfield’s being on the mammals obtained. A full account of Prince Ruspoli’s expedition and collections have already been published in the ‘‘ Bollettino della Societa Geografica Italiana,” 1895. M.E. André has a long article entitled ‘‘ Etude sur les Mutillides existant dans les Collections du Musée Civique de Génes.’’ He writes exclusively of the Mutilles of India and Australia, which are better represented in the Museum at Genoa than those of any other country ; besides is a list with ample notes of each species, including twelve that are new. M. André gives a synoptical table of the species he has mentioned or described. Healso adds an appendix descriptive of some Mutilles which lately arrived at the Genoa Museum, they were captured and presented by Lieutenant F. Derchi, from Erythrea. Mr. Martin Jacoby gives a ‘‘ List and Descriptions of the Phytophagous Coleoptera obtained by Dr. Modigliani from Mentawei Islands.” Amongst the Phytophagous Coleoptera obtained by Dr. Modig- liani from the islands south of Sumatra are some which seem to be new, and Mr. Jacoby says are probably peculiar to Mentawei. They belong chiefly to Galerucine and MHalticine. Mr. Jacoby mentions that he knows of no previously described insects from these islands. Professor J. Thorell contributes an article on the explorations of Leonardo Fea in Burma and the surrounding regions. This is the second of a series, the first having been devoted to the spiders of Burma. The present article is on the sub-order Parallelo- dontes of Araneae, collected by M. Leonardo Fea. Many new species are mentioned and described. M. Leonardo Fea himself contributes a long and well- illustrated article on the ‘‘ Zoology of Burma and Neighbourhood.”'
La FEUILLE DES JEUNES NATURALISTES (Paris, May, 1897).—M. Etienne Rebaud contributes an article on ‘‘ Cellular Division,’’ illustrated with eleven figures showing the development of cells. M. Henri Hua writes on the underground life of Convallavia majalis, with five figures illustrating various forms. The series of articles on the French shore of the Channel by M. Adrian Dolfus are continued in this number, with a page of photo- graphs of species of Cardium, Tapes pullastva and Donax vittatus. M. G. de Rocquigny-Adanson contributes an article on the geographical distribu- tion of the large moth, Saturnia pyri. After a year of enquiry and research M. de Rocquigny- Adanson has obtained the results which he publishes, with a map showing the distribution of this moth in France. It is never found in the North of France, and the lines which limits its northern distribution are between the 48th and 5oth degrees of latitude.
“PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA”’ (February and March, 1897).—Among a number of valuable papers are ‘“« New Fossorial Hymenoptera from New Mexico,” by T. D. A. Cockerell and William J. Fox; “Demonstration of the use of Oxygen by Diatoms,” by T. Chalkley Palmer, and one of importance on ‘‘Meadow-larks of Northern America,’’ by Witmer Stone.
ANNAES DE SCIENCIAS NATURAES (Oporto, January, 1897).— In this number are papers by Dr. L. Vieira, on ‘‘ The Reptiles of Portugal”; Mr. W.C. Tait, on ‘“ Birds of Portugal”; Sig. Augusto Nobre, continuation of ‘‘ The Molluscs of Portugal,’’ etc.
Tue French Government has awarded 4,000 fs. to Dr. P. Gréhant, Professor of Physiology in the Paris Museum of Natural History, to promote his researches on the application of physiology to hygiene.
ProFEssoR KarPINSKI-—-The Committee on the Hayden Geological Memorial Award, which is managed by the Philadelphia Academy of Sciences, has conferred the medal and interest on the fund © for 1897 on Professor A. Karpinski, of St. Peters- burg, Director of the Geological Survey of Russia. Professor Karpinski has long been the most promi- nent figure among Russian geologists, and, in spite of the claims upon his time and energy of the geolo- gical survey of Russia’s gigantic domain—very far the largest region in the world under the direction of a single man—he has found time to contribute valuable additions to our knowledge in many different fields. Some of these are: ‘‘ Geological Investigations and Exploration of the Coal Deposits of the Eastern Urals,” 1880; ‘t Remarks on the Sedimentary Formation of Russia-in- Europe” ; ‘‘ Origin of the Iron Ore in the Donety Basin”’; ‘‘ Geographical Observations on the Urals”’; ‘Sedimentary Beds of the Tertiary of the Eastern Urals’’; ‘‘ Reference to the Occur- rence of Permo-Carbonic Measures in Darwaz- minca,” 1884 ; ‘‘ Ammonites from the Ural,” 1884 ; ‘« Fossil Pteropods,”’ 1884; ‘t Essay on Unification,
etc.,” 1884; Geological Map of the Urals, 1884; ‘‘ Materials for the Study of the Methods of Petrographic Research,” 1885; Geological Map of Russia, Sheet 139; ‘‘ Orographic
Description,” 1886. Professor Karpinski has been prominent in the councils of the International Geological Congress. his ability and eminence suggesting his selection as the President of the general committee of organization of the coming Congress.
SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 23
CONDUCTED BY FRANK C, DENNETT. Position at Noon.
Rises Sets. R.A. Am, hm. him, Sun 3-47 a.m. ... 8.10 p.m. ... 4.59 344 ew 8.17 eve S42 3-46 «.. 5-19 BP as Rises. Souths. Sets. Moon . + 9-3448.M. ... 4.51 P.M. ...1T.50 p.m. ~ T0020 p.m. --. I-12 a-m. ... 6 0.4 a.m. ... 9.0 Souths. Semi h : Diameter. Mercury... Venus Mars Jupiter .. Saturn 5 Uranus .. 9 2
Neptune...
ham. ist Qr. ... Full ... June 14 ... 9.1 p.m. 3rd Qr. ... Wes sy) 30) .:-12:55 acm.
In perigee, or nearest the earth, the distance being only 223,400 miles, on June 13th, 4 p.m. Ww i Githest from the earth, or in apogee, on 25th, at 10 p.m., the distance will be 252,100 miles.
OccuLTATIons.—June 14th, the variable star X* Saggittarii, 4th- to 6th-magnitude, will disappear at 11.14 p.m. 105” from the vertex, the highest point of the moon’s limb above the horizon. The angle is reckoned towards the east, and continued up to 360°. The star re-appears at 0.27 a.m. on 15th, 257° from vertex.
June 16th, o Saggittarii, 2-3 magnitude, disappears at oo a.m., 140° from vertex, and re-appears at 0°47 a.m., 212° from vertex.
; ; E i by my
ted in error X in our May number (vol. iii.,
versight.
- 337),
CONJUNCTIONS OF PLANETS WITH THE Moon: June I
planet 1 49
- 8 38 Sy RexTe SS.
° p.m, Daylight.
+ Below horizon in 1 Engl and. Scux.—Spots of considerable size occasionally make their appearance. No spots were noted
with a small instrument from April 22nd to 28th, but on the next day a large spot had come round the limb, and some tiny pores appeared a little north of the middle of the disc
Mexcuny may be observed in the early morning in the middle of the month, reaching its greatest elongation west, 22° 48’ at 6a.m., on June 16th, when it rises some 55 minutes before the sun. It was readily seen that time after sunset, even in smoky on May 3rd, by the writer without optical aid. It is unfortunate that on zgth it will be bright daylight when Mercury is in conjunction
London,
with Neptune, only 13’—less than half the diameter of the moon—separating the two planets.
VeNus may be observed as a morning star all the month, rising rh. 25m. before the sun on June ist, and 2h. 21m. before sunrise on June 30th. It reaches the greatest brilliancy about midnight on June 3rd. Her path lies in a very barren region of the constellations Aries and Taurus.
Mars sets just after midnight on 1st and about 10.34 On June 30th, but he only presents a very tiny disc.
JuritTER is fast sinking towards the west, setting about half-an-hour after midnight at the beginning of the month, and just before eleven at the end. His surface, however, presents a noble sight, even with comparatively small instruments.
SATURN is in good position all the month, and presents a splendid sight. On June rqth the major axis of his outer ring subtends an angle of 42°57”; whilst the minor axis is 17°08”, just greater than the diameter of Saturn. At 8 p.m. on r8th, Saturn is in conjunction with Uranus, which is situated 2° 3’ to the south. Saturn is in Libra, not far from the 4th-magnitude star 7.
Uranus is in good position, but suffers even more than Saturn from its great south declination.
NEPTUNE being in conjunction with the sun at 5 p-m. on roth, is quite out of the reach of the observer.
Meteors should be specially looked for on June 6th and 7th, but also about 22nd, 29th and 30th.
RED Stars are some of the most remarkable objects in the star depths. They vary in colour from a reddish tint to a deep blood-red. Many of them are variable in magnitude, and some in colour. They present, too, a spectrum peculiar to themselves, the dark lines being grouped in such a manner as to present the appearance of what is known as being fluted. The spectroscope fitted to a telescope so small as three inches aperture will show this. We will reserve until next month our first list of these objects.
Tue November MeEtTeEoRS.—In April, 1867, the late Professor J. C. Adams’ paper, “On the Orbit of the November Meteors’’ was published, and had become scarce; but the Royal Astronomical Society have just re-issued it in their Monthly Notices for March. It should prove welcome in view of the expected return of the Leonids in about three years.
Dr. Kart Boutin, of Upsala, succeeds the late Professor Gyldén as Astronomer to the Royal Academy of Sciences at Stockholm, and Director of the Observatory.
ROTATION PERIOD OF VENUS, was the subject which took up a great part of the time at the last meeting of the British Astronomical Society, at 2ssex Hall, Strand, W.C., which may probably prove the new quarters for the meetings of that society. The satisfactory proof of the true rota- tion period is seemingly very slow in being worked out.
THe New OsservatToRY FOR LONDON. Progress seems to have been made with this institu- tion, for at the meeting above referred to it was announced that the Director of the Solar Section, Miss Grown, had given £50 towards the expenses, whilst the President, Mr. Nathaniel I. Green, had offered his eighteen-inch silver-on-glass reflecting telescope towards its equipment; and Mr. George Calver had offered optical aid
24 SCIENCE-GOSSIP.
| Foe wey es GOSSIP 23 em Gee is SEES So) fe
OS OND) MERE ee SOI EE Oo
Tue Canadian Electrical Association will meet on June 2nd, 3rd and 4th, at Niagara Falls, Ontario.
AN exhibition of Agriculture and Forestry will be held in Vienna by the Imperial and Royal Agricultural Society, from May 7th to October gth, 1898.
THE Zoological Society of Germany will hold its seventh annual congress, at Kiel, from the oth to the r4th of June, under the presidency of Herr Bitschi, of Heidelberg.
M. Lovis LicEr has recently contributed to “Comptes Rendus”’ some important particulars of certain Coccides living with Arthropoda, and describes several new species.
Tue Botanical Section of the St. Petersburg Society of Naturalists propose to publish a full herbarium of the flora of European Russia, similar to the “‘ Herbarium Normale” by Fries.
Iy ‘Science,’ April 30th, Mr. F. A. Bather, of the British Museum (Nat. Hist.) replies to a review, by Mr. F. A. Lucas, of his paper, ‘‘ How may Museums best Retard the Advance of Science.”
TuE Cork Naturalists’ Field Club seems to grow steadily, and is evidently popularising a taste for natural science in its district. The annual report shows much vitality and useful work accomplished.
THE past winter seems to have been, in the south of England, one of the wettest on record. At Croydon the annual average was reached during the seven and a-half months following September tst last.
It was decided by the Budget Commission of the French Government that the sum of four thousand pounds should be voted for the Pasteur Institute at Rhia-Trang to encourage Dr. Yersin’s researches on the plague serum.
PRINCETON University will send its fourteenth geological expedition to the West during the coming summer. The party, under the direction of Professor Scott, will make paleontological and geological studies and collections in South Dakota.
PROFESSOR LAWRENCE BRUNER, of the Nebraska University, sailed for Buenos Ayres on April 27th. He purposes to spend a year investigating the injurious locusts which have recently increased enormously in three of the eastern provinces of the Argentine Republic. :
In the ‘ Proceedings’”’ of the Royal Irish Academy, 3rd series, vol. iv. No. 1, Mr. D. M’Ardle describes the Hepaticze of the Hill of Howth. His list of species includes no less than fourteen liverworts not previously noted in the County of Dublin, two being new to Ireland.
M. O. Pome has found in Algiers, in strata of the quaternary period, the remains of a bear (Uysus libycus); a hyena (Hyena spelea), probably identical with the hyena of the caves of Europe; two cats, Felis spelea and F. antiqua; a jackal (Canis aureus), resembling a common jackal, and several domestic dogs.
WE are pleased to welcome a new quarterly journal of which a couple of numbers have been published under the title of the ‘‘ Aeronautical Journal.” It is the official organ of the Aeronau- tical Society of Great Britain. It is brightly edited and illustrated. The two numbers contain much of interest to aeronauts and others.
Dr. Tuomas P. Lucas, in a paper on the flying- foxes of Queensland, read before the Royal Society of that Colony in June last, reminds us that the flesh of these bat-like animals is ‘good gamely food.” He further suggests that the gastric juices of their stomachs might be utilized to assist human digestion, after the manner of pepsin.
Mr. GeorGE H. CARPENTER, B.Sc., the Director of the Natural History Department in the Science and Art Museum in Dublin, has caused extensive re-arrangements of the collections to be made. The effect will be a great improvement, especially as it will provide for the new Irish collection formed to show the present fauna of the country. This should be of great value to students.
A NEw entomological society has been formed in the City of Quebec. At present it is affiliated as a branch to the Ontario Society. With such an ardent entomologist as the Rev. T. W. Fyles, F.L.S., as president and organiser, we predict its early secession, and would congratulate the members on independence; considering the size of the province the new society will have to work.
Mons. A. SucHETET, of Chateau D’Antiville Bréauté, Seine-Inférieur, has long been studying hybrids between various animals. He recently published a volume on such cases among mammals, and is now collecting material of a like character among insects, fishes and reptiles. M. Suchetet would highly value particulars of trustworthy cases. He may be addressed in either French or English.
Canapa is much exercised in spirit over a source of her mineral wealth. In Ontario are vast deposits of nickel ore. A Government commission of experts from the United States some time ago was sent to examine the districts where it occurs, which are in the neighbourhood of Sudbury. The commission reported an estimate of 650,000,000 tons of nickel ore in sight. This, coupled with the fact of the comparatively new use of nickel-steel for guns and armour plates, has awakened great attention and some alarm. It seems possible that the intention was to get private control of these valuable mines in order to supply European powers with the material.
BALLooninG in the Polar regions is to be again attempted this season, and by more than one expedition. The Andrée party start immediately, with an increased lifting power, many square feet of extra gas accommodation having been provided in the balloon. A French expedition has also been arranged by M. Louis Godard, under the auspices of four Parisian journals. A committee of superintendence has been formed with M. Rambaud, the Minister of Public Instruction, as president ; it also includes five members of the Académie des Sciences. The balloon is to carry seven persons. When in sailing order this machine will have to lift something like 25,000 lbs. weight, including itself. It is estimated the balloon will, when ready, be able to float from forty to sixty days. This expedition, like that of M. Andrée, will make Spitzbergen the base of operations.
SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 25
PORAMINIFERA IN LonpoN CLay.—Could any of the readers of Science-Gossip inform me whether foraminifera or diatoms have been found in the London clay now being taken out of the tunnel of
the Central London Railway. I have found only crystals. I find they are plentiful under Piccadilly. —A_. Henley, 303, Strand, London, W.C.
Brrp-Sone in Durnam.—There is a remarkable absence of bird-song this season in our part of Durham. The birds, especially song-thrushes and blackbirds, are almost absent in Twizell Dean and in Pit-Hill Plantation, where they used to be commonenough. This seems to be the result of the ruthless killing off of everything alive in our district—John Rowell, Twizell Colliery Durham. [The absence of these birds is evidently local, because we never remember more wild birds than are now to be seen in almost every part of this country. —Ep. SciencE-GossIP.]
OrcHIDACE® IN SurREY.—During a ramble on the chalk hills, south of Horsley, in Surrey, on the 23rd May, a small party, including several field- botanist, found the following orchidaceous plants just coming into flower: green-winged meadow- orchis (Orchis morvio), early purple orchis (0. mascula), spotted-palmate orchis (O. maculata), great-butterfly orchis (Habenaria chlorvantha), bee orchis (Ofhrys afifera), green-man orchis (Aceras anthropophora), bird’s-nest orchis (Neottia nidus- avis), tway-blade (Listera ovata), and heleborine (Cephalanthera grandiflora). The season could not be described as at all forward, although some Spring plants were well over their flowering stage, while others, which usually appear about the same time, were still in full bloom.
New Fettows oF THE Royat Society.—The following have been selected by the Council for election: Robert Bell, M.D., B.Sc., LL.D., Assistant Director of Geological Survey of Canada; Sir Wm. Hy. Broadbent, F.R.C.P., Physician to H_.R_H. the Prince of Wales; Chas. Chree, D.Sc., M_A., Superintendent of Kew Observatory; Hy. John Elwes, F.L.S., F.Z.S., President of the Entomological Society in 1893-4, and Ornithologist ; John Scott Haldane, M.D., Lecturer in Physiology, Oxford; Wm. A. Haswell, M.A., D.Sc., Vice- President of Linnean Society of New South Wales; George Bond Howes, F.L.S., Assistant Professor of Zoology in Royal College of Science, London; F. Stanley Kipping, Lecturer in Chemical Depart- ment of City and Guilds of London Institute; Geo. Ballard Mathews, Professor of Mathematics in University College of New South Wales; Geo. Robert Milne Murray, F.L.S., F.R.S.E., Depart- ment of Botany, British Museum; Francis Henry Neville, M_.A., Lecturer in Natural Science, Sydney College; H. Alleyne Nicholson, M.D., Regius Professor of Natural History, Aberdeen University; John Millar Thompson, F.K.S.E., F.L.C., Secretary of Chemical Society ; Fred. Thos. Trouton, D.Sc., M_A., Assistant Professor Natural Philosophy in Dublin University; Herbert Hall Turner, M.A., D.Sce., Secretary Royal Astronomical Society
FosTER- PARENTS OF CucKkoo.—I have just received information from Dr. E. Rey, of Leipzic, that another foster-parent of the cuckoo has been discovered. He says, on May 14th, 1895, in Lebuja, Sevilla, Spain, a nest of Cyanopica cooki (the azure-winged magpie) was taken containing five eggs, with one of Cuculus canorus (cuckoo). Eggs of the great spotted cuckoo have on various occasions been found in nests of this species. This addition to my list published in the ‘‘ Trans- actions’ of the North Staffordshire Field Club, 1896, brings the number of recorded foster-parents of the cuckoo to 146.—W. Wells Bladen, Stone, Staffs; April 24th, 1897.
ABNORMAL PRimROSE.—I enclose a sketch of an abnormal form of Primula veris, which I have not noticed before. The plant from which the flower was taken is growing in a garden at Desborough, Northamptonshire. It was brought last year out of one of the neighbouring fields, and there was, apparently, nothing unusual in the form of the flowers, but this year they show a decided tendency to sport in the direction of the specimen shown, though some of the flowers are normal. It will be seen that the petals are surrounded by a whorl of five leaves, which reproduce the form of the normal leaves, but are much reduced in size; the calyx is wanting. In the specimen figured there were only three stamens, and the form of the stigma was flat and leaf-like. I shall be glad to know whether any of your readers have observed a similar form.—G. Creswell Turner, Parkhurst, Upper New Walk, Leicester ; April 24th, 1897.
VARIETIES OF BRITISH BUTTERFLIES.—It ‘may be well to call attention to the varietal nomencla- ture in Mr. Tutt’s recent work, ‘‘ British Butter- flies.’ Although Mr. Tutt’s knowledge of the literature of his subject is admittedly great, he has, on this occasion, re-named several varieties (or mutations) and omitted several others. Cenonympha pamphilus ab. pallida, Tutt, seems to be the albescens of Robson and Gardner, 1885. Polygonia c-album ab, pallida, Tutt, appears to be hutchinsoni, as has been pointed out elsewhere. Polyommatus corydon ab. minor, Tutt (as new) is minor, Ckll., Entom., July, 1889. Colias edusa ab. obsoleta, Tutt, is fseudomas, Ckll., Entom., February, 1889. Colias hyale ab. pallida, Tutt, is not the form pallida, Robson and Gardner, 1885, so it will need to be re-named. It may beas well to remark that the *‘ very probable explanation’ on p. 235, respecting Pieris protodica and P. vap@ in America, is a pure product of someone's fertile imagination; the two insects are entirely different, and are placed by Scudder in different genera.—T. D. A. Cockerell, Mesilla, New Mexico, U.S.A.; April, 1897,
MANGANESE DeEposits.—Last summer I came across a bed of impure manganese oxide in agravel deposit at Harpenden, exactly similar to that described by Dr. Lones at Watford (SciENCE- Gossip, vol. iii., p. 322). This is some miles to the north of the area he mentions I was rather puzzled as to its origin, and was glad to see the suggestion made in the paper. The object of this note is to ask Dr. Lones whether the stratified gravel at Harpenden, which now forms the floor of the dry valley running nearly due south through the village, and seems to merge into the more extensive spread on ‘No Man's Land’’ near St Albans, had a similar origin tohis Watford gravels? I have generally considered that the former was formed by the denudation of tertiary beds, and deposited ‘along a river which once flowed down
Ht ae
26 SCIENCE-GOSSIP.
this valley. Outliers of Woolwich and Reading beds are left in places on the flanks of the valley. The only erratics I have found here were pale- coloured grits or quartzites more like the grey- wethers of the south than the quartzites of the northern drift. I should also like to ask whether the deposit of boulder-clay, near Bricket Wood, contains erratics from the Nuneaton district, or whether they have not come from a north-east direction? I have seen it mentioned that beds of manganese ore occur in the Bure Valley in Norfolk. —N. E. McIntire, 6, Linden Road, Bedford.
ABNORMAL ORANGES.—I see that you have some notes and an inquiry with regard to what your correspondent thinks to be an abnormal form of orange. (Vol. iii, pp. 307, 341.) This can scarcely now be termed a sport, as it is grown by the million in California, and has been a common form on all the markets of this country for years under the name of ‘‘ navel” orange, so termed from the resemblance of the end to the umbilicus. I do not know the method of its pro- duction, but it is an example of a successful effort to produce a seedless fruit. The fruit-growers of California claim that they will be able in course of time to produce seedless grapes and other things. That State is, I believe, the only place where this orange is grown, though it first made an appearance at Florida, but the frost of a few years ago un- fortunately did so much damage to this variety of orange-trees that there has been very little fruit from that State since. I think I saw a paragraph in the papers some time back saying that grafts of this orange had been introduced in Europe. The fruit is a very fine one. I have seen specimens on the market here fully eight inches in diameter, and I am somewhat surprised that it is still looked on as a curiosity in England. California oranges have much improved in the past few years; and this winter there were sent to market quite a number of cases of blood-oranges finer than those imported from the Mediterranean.—H. E. Smith, Chicago; April 29th, 1897.
SELBORNE SocieTyY FieLtp Crus. — The first summer gathering of the Croydon Selborne Society took place on Saturday, May 8th, when the members met for an afternoon ramble at Sander- stead station. The route taken was by Sanderstead Church, along the Upper Warlingham Road, and across the fields to Riddlesdown and Kenley. The weather was all that could be desired. Many spring flowers were found to be still in blossom, the lesser celandine (Ranunculus ficavia) being still met with, whilst primroses (Primula vulgaris) were very plentiful. Wild hyacinths (Agvaphis nutans) were at their best, a few white specimens being found. A few early bugles (Ajuga veptans) were in blossom, but ‘the arum (Avwn maculatum) had not yet opened their spadix or hood. The creepers have not yet reached the hedges, but the discovery of the early purple orchis (Ovchis mascula) rewarded some of the party. Portuguese laurel and holly were in blossom, but the hawthorn was not yet out. Nightingales were repeatedly heard singing, as well as our spring visitors, the cuckoos. A few partridges were seen. Entomologists bottled water- fleas and the pupae of gnats, which exist in a wingless stage beneath the water. On Riddlesdown fossil sponge-remains (Ventriculites) were found in flints, and growing amongst the grass were seen early specimens of milkwort, both blue and white (Polygala vulgavis). The members of the Lambeth Field Club joined the society on this occasion.— Edward A. Martin, Hon. Sec.
METEOROLOGICAL Society. — The
RoyAL monthly meeting of this Society was held on Wednesday afternoon, the 19th inst., at the rooms of the Royal Astronomical Society, Burlington House, Mr. E. Mawley, F.R.H.S. President, in the
chair. Mr. F. Gaster, of the Meteorological Office, read a paper, by himself and Mr. R. H. Scott, F.R.S., on ‘‘The Mean Monthly Tempera- tures of the British Isles.’ The authors dealt with the means of the daily minimum, average and maximum temperatures for the various months of the year in the twenty-five years of 1871-1895. They pointed out that there is a great difference between the amount of range of temperature at the coast stations and that recorded inland. The range between January and July amounts to about sixteen degrees at coast stations, but to more than twenty-three degrees at the inland stations. The contrast between the temperature of the air at inland and at coast stations at different times of the year is due to the following causes: (r) the constant tendency of the sun to heat the surface of the earth ; (2) the equally constant tendency of the earth to radiate its heat into space—both of these being modified greatly by the aqueous vapour and the clouds suspended in the atmosphere ; (3) the fact that the solid portions of the earth absorb and reflect heat much more rapidly than the water; and (4) that while the ocean to the west- ward is of enormous size and great depth, the sea to the eastward is, comparatively speaking, limited in area and shallow, and separates the eastern shores of the British Islands from those of conti- nental Europe by a small distance. A paper by Mr. C. V. Bellamy on ‘‘ The Rainfall of Dominica, West Indies,” was also read. The author gave an interesting account. of the climate of the island, and then discussed the monthly returns of rainfall from twenty-seven stations during the four years 1893-6. The rainy season extends from July to November, the other months representing the dry season. The month of November, 1896, was the wettest on record.
SoutH LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL History Society.—April 8th, 1897. Mr. R. Adkin, F.E.S., President, in the Chair. Mr. South exhibited the following Geometridae from Europe and Eastern Asia. Eustroma reticulata and var. eyosa, the latter larger and more golden yellow than the type; Cidaria silacegta, Chinese specimens, both larger and smaller than European; C. corylata, Eastern examples, very similar; C. picafa, some Chinese specimens, larger and more yellow; Mela- nippe procellata, some were larger than European and some with ground-colour suffused with a fuli- ginous shade. Mr. Lucas, specimens of an exotic earwig, Amisolabis annulipes, which could be distin- guished from British species by two white joints near the tip of the antennz; the distinctly ringed femora gives it its specific name; it was found in 1894, at Tavistock, but the specimens exhibited came from Surrey. Mr. Adkin, a fine series of red forms of Teniocampa gracilis from the New Forest
SCIENCE-GOSSIP. Dy
and Rannoch. Mr. Tutt read a most interesting paper, entitled ‘‘Some Considerations of Natural Genera and Incidental References to the Nature of Species."—April 22nd. Mr R. Adkin, F.E.S., President, in the chair. Mr. Malcolm Burr, Bellagio, East Grinstead, Sussex, was elected a member. Mr. Waters exhibited a number of the “casts"’ of both owls and rooks. These rejecta- menta were examined, and the former contained bones, starlings’ skulls, etc., while the latter con- tained corn-husks and beetles’ wings mainly. Mr. Barrett, the only known Scottish specimen of Colias hyale, captured in Dumbartonshire by Mr. Mallock. He also exhibited a variety of Crymodes exulis, taken by Mr. Percy Bright in Unst, a form at one time considered a distinct species and termed Hadena maillardi, together with the same species from Rannock and Iceland. Mr. Auld, a varied series of Cucullia chamomille from Lewes. Mr. Robt. Adkin, a series of Hybernia marginaria (progemmaria), the progeny of a pair received from Mr. Hewett, of York; about sixty per cent. of the males were of the black form and followed the parents, while the whole of the females were dark. He also made remarks upon the scaling and pigmentation. Mr. Mera, a larva of Callimorpha hera, which had fed all the winter and was in its last stage. Mr. Perks, a specimen of morel (Morchella esculenta), which fungus came from an iron-yard in Greenwich. Mr. Step, the following specimens of spider crabs from Portscatho: Macropodia rostratus, male and female, with a ecard of dissections to show sexual differences, curved hooked hairs, upper and under sides of the chelx, etc.; IJmachus dorynchus and I. leptochirus ; Pisa tribulus, with a red sponge covering the whole of the carapace; and photographs of Maia squinado. The Secretary then read a paper on the above exhibit communicated by Mr. Step, entitled ‘Some British Spider Crabs."'"—May 13th. Mr. R. South, F.E.S., Vice-President, in the chair. Mr. Stanley Edwards exhibited a small scorpion, which he had captured at Digne, in the South of France, together with a specimen of the field cricket from the same locality. He also exhibited a pupa of Charaxes jasius, and stated that Dr. Chapman had sent him larve of this species from Cannes, earlier in the year. Mr. Tutt made remarks upon the condition of vegetation and insect life as observed by Mr. Edwards and himself during a week's holiday at Easter in the south- east of France. The weather there was superb, but yet the vegetation there was, at 1,900 feet above the sea, but little in advance of that in the south of England. With the development of insect life there was no comparison, for in one day he had seen no less than fifty-two species of lepidoptera. In the corner of one field were to be seen all our three species of the genus Melitza, flying together. Mr. Edwards exhibited, on behalf of Mr. Lamb of Maidstone, specimens of the flowers of Ophrys aranifera (spider orchis), Orchis purpurea, Smyrnium olusatrum and of the whortle- berry, all from that district. Mr. Lucas exhibited a mature and two immature specimens of an Indian species of cockroach (Leucophaa surinamensis-indica), taken in the forcing-pits at Kew Gardens. Mr. Montgomery, young larva of Apamea ophiogramma in the stems of the ribbon-grass, and contributed notes on its habit of leaving its old burrow and selecting a new stem. Mr. South, a series of Amphidasys strataria (prodromaria), and remarked on their small size, while the larva had been unusually large. Mr. Auld, a varied series of Boarmia
cinctavia, taken this year in the New Forest. Mr. H. Moore, specimens of the rare insect, Pseudopontia favadoxa, with drawings showing its anomalous venation, its bifid scales and the isolated position of each scale on the wing-membrane. He con- tributed notes on the species which he said had come from Mombasa, East Africa, and about the position of which insect there was the widest divergence of opinion; some authorities placed it with the Rhopalocera, some among the Geometers and some among the Bombyces. Mr. Clark, a series of photographs of sections of the stems of various trees and plants. Mr. Turner, on behalf of Mr. Clarke, of Reading, specimens of Tephrosia crepusculayia, taken in the wood, which Mrs. Bazett had said did not produce the species. Mr. Tutt read a paper, sent by Professor Grote, A.M., entitled ‘“‘Autumnal Notes from the Butterfly Camp by the Shores of Lake Erie.”—Hy. J. Turner, Hon. Report. Sec.
North Lonpon Naturart History Society.— February 11th, 1897, Mr. C. Nicholson, President, in the chair. Exhibits: Mr. Prout, bred specimens of Eupithecia castigata, from Sandown, and E£. jasoneata, from North Devon. Mr. Bacot, larve of Bombyx guerycus (received from Mr. Goymour), and of B. spartiti and B. quevcus from South France (received from Mr. Warburg), on which he read notes. Mr. Battley, thirty-eight species of Pyralides. Mr. Woodward also exhibited. Mr. Dadd remarked that all the female Ayctia plantaginis: which he had taken in Germany had red hind- wings instead of the ordinary yellow tint. Mr. L. J. Tremayne opened a discussion on ‘ Over- collecting and its Remedies.’ This question, he said, had been before the public some time, and. though over-collecting might not be responsible for
so much injury to species as some supposed, there:
was no doubt that it did exist and did a great deal ofharm. It was very difficult to know how to stop it, principally on account of the differences of opinion as to the proper remedy. The three main remedies seemed to be boycotting, legislation, and enclosure of the land. MHaving referred to the appointment of committees on the subject by the Entomological Society of London and our own society, Mr. Tremayne proceeded to deal with these three remedies separately. The first two he thought could only be made useful as auxiliaries, but real good might be done by a judicious enclosure of some of our collecting-grounds, and he suggested the formation of a central committee, elective if possible, with power to grant passes to respectable naturalists on the recommendation of their societies. This, he thought, with the assistance of an Act of Parliament, and the cultivation of a higher spirit in the rising generation of naturalists, and an attempt at boycotting the over-collectors, would do something towards meeting the evil. He was quite willing to see some of the collecting- grounds temporarily enclosed altogether, if neces- sary for the protection of species. It would also be necessary to define over-collecting with regard to certain species, and the Committee in our own society had been formed largely with the view of recommending limits to the collecting of certain species amongst ourselves. But if any success were to be achieved, naturalists must pull altogether and leave no stone unturned tostop theevil. It was clearly the duty of our society to do what it could in the matter, and we must each submit to be loyally bound by the will of the majority. Mr. Bacot thought that over-collecting would probably diea natural death—in fact, it was already
28 SCIENCE-GOSSIP.
doing so. As knowledge of animals and plants grew gradually more complete, there would be less need for collecting; and the knowledge that would then be required would be chiefly that about living animals and plants, and the bother and trouble of private collections would lead to their inclusion in museums. The approach of collectivism would also aid in this, as the ‘‘money-value,” now one of the chief reasons for extensive collections of Lepi- doptera, at any rate, would cease to form a factor in their continuance. The money-value was, of course, only an indirect cause of over-collecting, but was, nevertheless, a very powerful one. The extermination of many species would, of course, continue, and must do so as long as men increase and multiply. But it seemed doubtful whether over-collecting ever did more than finish off slightly more rapidly the already rapidly diminishing species. These remarks applied to scientific col- lecting. As regards commercial collecting, such as killing birds for aigrettes or plumes, or butterflies for wall-decorations, that was quite another matter. Agitation would probably do much good, but he did not think at present that any legal steps could be taken, especially as the chief offenders seemed to be among the older school of entomologists, who had already filled their series; whilst any Jaws on the subject would press hardly on the younger men, who, he thought, were far less likely todo harm. He was strongly opposed to any idea of enclosure of the land. Mr. Frost followed. Mr. Battley thought the idea of reducing collecting to a system was too dreadful. He was informed that Mr. Tutt’s recent statements in the ‘‘ Record,” as to Lycena avion were inaccurate, and he saw great difficulties in the way of legislation. Many of those who were now doing the most shouting in the matter had themselves been the greatest
exterminators. Mr. Wattson thought that of the
remedies suggested by Mr. L. J. Tremayne boy- cotting was the most feasible, and suggested the possibility of introducing a rule into our society, limiting the number of exhibits in certain species. Miss Simmons deprecated the publicity of the matter, and urged the cultivation of a high moral tone among the rising generation. Mr. Simes pointed out that publication would advertise the best spots for insects. With regard to the difficulty arising from the ‘‘money-value”’ of certain species, he thought this might be met by careful transplanta- tion from Continentalstocks which would undermine the value of Lycena avion, for instance, in the British market. Mr. Woodward pointed out that the long series sometimes seen in collections are not necessarily the result of over-collecting, being often obtained by breeding, suggested that it might be advisable to label those thus obtained. Mr. Dadd thought that exchange had a great deal to do with the matter. Mr. Harvey wanted to know whether Mr. L. J. Tremayne suggested the lands were to be closed to everyone, or only to naturalists. If so, how was the naturalist to be distinguished? Mr. R. W. Robbins thought we should discourage as much as possible the purchase of British specimens and spread the idea that a British specimen was of no more value than a foreign one. He pointed out that the pass system was already in vogue at Chattenden Wood, where it had been of very little use in stopping over-collecting. He agreed with previous speakers in opposing enclosure of the land. Mr. Bacot proposed the following resolution: ‘‘That this Society is strongly opposed to legislation or the closing of collecting-grounds to entomologists or others.” This was seconded
by Mr. Simes, and carried by twenty toone. Mr Prout said that if the dealers were left to do their very worst we should only lose about twelve species. Mr. Prout proposed the following supplemental resolution: ‘‘But that, while deprecating action on the lines indicated, the Society renews its pledge to the Entomological Society of London to assist their committee by all the means in their power.” This was seconded by Mr. Bacot, and carried unanimously. A vote of thanks to Mr. L. J. Tremayne terminated the proceedings, — February 25th, 1897, Mr. C. B. Smith, Vice-President, in thechair. Exhibits: Mr. Bacot, larve of Bombyx quercus (received from Mr. Goymour), also of B. spartii and B. quercus (received from Mr. Warburg), on which he read extensive notes. Mr. Battley, a few Abraxas gvossulaviata selected from a large number bred from Stamford Hill larve. One specimen had the yellow in the transverse band almost absent, owing to the spread of the black spots. Mr. Prout, four continental examples of Thera vaviata, Hb., and four examples of T. obelisca, bred from St. George’s Hills, Weybridge, which latter Doubleday held to be a distinct species. Mr. Prout said it was highly probable he might prove to be right. ossler said that the form vaviata occurred on the Pinus abies, the var. obeliscata on Pinus sylvestvis. Mr. Prout also exhibited two continental specimens of Dianthecia luteago, and two Irish specimens of the strikingly contrasted var. barrettii. Mr. Harvey recorded three Nyssia hispidavia and several Hybernia leucophearia and others of the genus Hyberynia, from Epping Forest, taken February 14th; but on a later day he had seen only HA. marginavia, and on February 19th he had only found H. marginavia, one Cheimatobia brumata, and two Anisopteryx escularia. He had not seenany Asphalia flavicornis. Mr. Prout remarked that Asphalia flavicornis had been out at Wimbledon for about a week. Mr. C. Nicholson read a paper, entitled ‘Stars, Star Clusters and Nebulz,’’ which was very heartily received, and a vote of thanks to Mr. Nicholson terminated the proceedings.—Lawyence J. Tvemayne, Hon. Secretary. City oF LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL History Society.—Tuesday, February 16th, the President in the chair. Messrs. W. R. Dadd and Norman E. W. Merton were elected members of the society. Exhibits: Mr. Bacot, two broods of Teniocampa stabilis with their female parents ; No. 1, of nineteen specimens, contained seven males (36°8 per cent.) and twelve females (62:2 per cent.) ; No. 2contained ten specimens, thesexes being equally divided. All the specimens were much smaller than their female parents (hardly larger than T. cvuda). Mr. Bacot also exhibited twenty-two speci- mens of Demas covyli, bred, during August, 1896, from ova laid by a female taken in Epping Forest by Mr. A. F. Bayne last April. These contained twelve females (or 54°5 per cent.) and ten males (or 45°5 per cent.). Mr. Bacot also exhibited twenty- three specimens of Ennomos quercinavia, containing thirteen males and ten females, bred in 1896 from a male and female of his 1895brood. The parents of both broods were also exhibited. Mr. Bacot said that a comparison of the 1896 brood with the far larger brood of 106 specimens reared in 1895 showed that the proportion of males to females was almost exactly reversed; the figures for the 1895 brood were 56°6 per cent. females and 43-4 per cent. males, while for the 1896 brood they were 43°5 per cent. females and 56°5 per cent. males. Lastly, Mr. Bacot exhibited three male and four female specimens of Ennomos quervcinavia bred in
SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 29
July, 1896, from ova given him by Dr. Buckell. One had no trace of suffusion, the remaining six all being strongly marked in this direction, and one male in particular having the whole ground colour of both wings of a smoky hue instead of the usual bright yellow. Mr. Bacot read notes on all his exhibits. Mr. Heasler exhibited a specimen of Dromius quadrinotatus, on which he read some notes.—Tuesday, March 2nd, 1897, the President in the chair. Mr. C. Fenn, F.E.S., was elected a member of the society. Exhibits: Mr. Dadd, Tephrosia crepuscularia and T. biundularia (?), var. of Hypsipetes sordidata, Lythria purpuraria, Hadena satura and H. adusta, Sphinx pinastri and other species from Dakota, U.S A. Dr. Buckell, exhibiting as a visitor, showed specimens of Cenonymphatyphon, on which he read notes. Mr. Bacot exhibited 122 speci- mens of Amphidasys strataria, bred during 1896 trom the ova ofa male and female of one of his 1895 brood. He also exhibited the 1895 brood together with its parents, which were bred from larvz beaten in the New Forest in 1893. Mr. Burrowsexhibited (a) larve of Orgyia gonostigma, hatched July, 1896, hibernated in bag out of doors on oak ; (6) same species a full generation ahead, hatched September rst, 1896, hibernated indoors; (c) a single larva believed to be Afamea ophiogramma, embeded in root-stem of striped-ribbon grass. With regard to the double broods of O. gonostigma, in 1887 the imagines emerged on June 28th, the ova hatched on July 18th, and the larve pupated on August 30th. In 1893 the imagines emerged on June 14th, the ova hatched on June 27th, the larve pupated on August 13th; and the imagines again emerged on August 25th, and the ovaagain hatched on September 15th. In 1896 the imagines emerged on June 22nd, the ova hatched on July 2nd, the larve pupated on August 3rd; the imagines again emerged on August 15th,and the ovaagain hatched on September 1st. Mr. Garland exhibited Aglaia (Vanessa) urtice, taken at rest upon a brick wall at Harrow Green, Leytonstone, about 1o o'clock in the morning of February 19th, and bred male varieties of Hybernia defoliaria, being larger than captured specimens. Mr. Newbery exhibited Bruchus lentis from Egyptian lentils. He read notes: ‘‘ This —— is erroneously stated to be without a thoracic tooth by both ‘Cox’ and ‘Fowler,’ although the contrary is stated in the original description.” Mr. Tutt read a paper entitled ‘‘ The origin of the Lepidoptera,” in which he gave a summary of the latest facts at our disposal on this subject, from which it appeared that the opinion is pretty generally held that lepidoptera and trichop- tera, originated from a common neuropterous stock, and that there is considerable probability that the Diptera originated from the same source. Dr. Buckell suggested that it might be as well to consider how broad was the base which we were trying to discover. Our present species had not necessarily evolved from a single species or a single pair. There was very likely more than one stem.— Lawrence J. Tremayne, Hon. Sec.
CAMBRIDGE ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL Histoxy Society.—A meeting was held on April goth, the President in the chair. Dr. Sharp called attention to a peculiar structure which he Haticted some years ago in Chrysiridia madagascarensis, better known as Urania rhiphens. On each side of the second abdominal segment there is an ear-like opening, usually much concealed by overlapping scales, giving entrance to a chamber which extends to the middle line and forwards towards the base of the abdomen, so that a considerable space
in the anterior and upper part of the abdomen is occupied by the chambers. At the anterior external part of this depression or chamber there is a second vesicle-like chamber formed by a delicate mem- brane. He considered this structure to be some kind of sense organ, and thought it must be of great importance to the creature, as it occupies a large area of the abdominal region. It is independent of sex and, apparently, occurs in all the members of the families Uraniide and Epiplemide. Mr. Oberthur had kindly supplied him liberally with dried specimens for the examination of this organ, but fresh individuals, or some well preserved in spirit, are necessary before any of the finer details of the structure can be ascertained.—L. Doncaster, Hon. Sec., King’s College, Cambridge.
HuLt SCIENTIFIC AND FIELD NATURALISTS’ Crius.—The usual fortnightly meeting of the Club was held in the Friendly Societies’ Hall, Albion Street, Hull, on Wednesday evening, the r2th May, the President, Dr. J. Hollingworth, M.R.C.S., occupied the chair. Mr. J. F. Robinson read a detailed report of the excusions made by the Club the two previous Saturdays, viz., to Little Weighton and Swine respectively. On the former date the members joined the Hull Geological Society in a ramble along the wolds. Hornbeam (Curpinus betulus) was noticed growing in a wild state in the hedgerows between Little Weighton and Blue Stone Bottoms. At Swine the party had a very profitable outing, especially the botanists. In addition to a magnificent show of orchids, bluebells, broom, etc., specimens of a rare plant for this district, the bistort (Polygonum bistorta) were secured in Coniston Coppice. Mr. J. R. Boyle, F.S.A., conducted the party over Swine Church, and also gave a description of ‘Castle Hill” on this occasion. Mr. Phillip referred to the diatoms found on these excursions, and showed some of the most beautiful with the aid of the microscope. Photographs of the country in the neighbourhood of Little Weighton were handed round by the President. Mr. C. Waterfall gave an account of a visit he had paid to Hornsea Mere the previous Saturday, and handed round several of the plants he had collected, two of which, Tevaxacum officinale var. palustre and Salix tviandva are additions to the list of East Riding plants. The exhibits included a boulder of rhomb-porphyry from the beach at Hornsea, by Mr. Waterfall ; several interesting cretaceous and other fossils by Mr. J. W. Boult; a collection of ancient British flint arrow-heads and ‘‘scrapers” found on the fields at Hunmanby, by the Secretary, on behalf of Mr. Leppington; and some botanical specimens by Mr. Knight. Mr. Wm. Nicholls was elected a member of the Club. Mr. G. H. Hill read a note on the dog’s mercury (Mercurialis ferennis), which he illustrated with some beautifully coloured diagrams. The lecture of the evening was then delivered by Mr. i F. Robinson, on ‘ Spring Flowers.’ In a delightfully interesting manner the lecturer described the plants which adorn the woods, ditches, fields and hedgerows at this season of the year. In addition he gave the results of his observations relating to the colouring of these early flowers. It appears the majority of ‘the flowers that bloom in the spring’’ are either yellow, green or brown, and Mr. Robinson stated what he thought was the reason for this. The lecture was illustrated by numerous specimens of spring flowers collected in the neighbourhood. —T. Sheppard, Hon. Sec., 78, Sherburn Street, Hull.
at. -> 2a
30 SCIENCE-GOSSIP.
NOTICES OF SOCIETIES. Tue GeEoxoaists' AssocIATION OF Lonpon.
Excursions and Conductors.
June 5 to 8.—Whitsuntide. Cheltenham (Gloucestershire). E. Wethered. F.G.S., and S. S. Buckman, F.G.S. » 19.—Whole day. Leighton (Bedfordshire). A. C. G. Cameron. », 26.—Merstham (Surrey). Se db Hinde, Ph.D., F.R.S., and W. Whitaker, F.R.S.
July 3.—Woking. F. Meeson.
10o.—Whole day. Peterborough (Northamptonshire). A. N. Leeds, F.G.S., and A. S. Woodward, F.G.S.
i ST caer SHO Stortford (Herts.). Rev. Dr. Irving,
-G.S.
26 to 31.—Long Excursion. Edinburgh. Prof, James Geikie, LL D., D.C.L., F.R.S.; J. G. Goodchild, F.G.S., and H. W. Monckton, F.G.S.
Sept. 4.—Whitchurch, Oving, Quainton. A. M. Davies, F.G.S. Baker Street, 9.37 a.m. for Waddesdon Manor.
18.—Holmesdale Valley. W. J. Lewis Abbott, F.G.S. Victoria (L. C. and D. R.), 1.30 p.m. for Otford.
For particulars of these excursions, apply to Horace W. Monckton, Esq., Secretary for Excursions, 10, King’s Bench Walk, Temple, E.C.
Lonpon GEOLOGICAL FreLtp Criass,—Conductor, Professor H. G. Seeley, F.R.S. (Vide SciencE-Gossip, Vol. iii., p. 328.)
June 12.—Coulsdon to Merstham. Cannon Street, 2.17 p.m. ,, 26.—Aylesford to Maidstone. Cannon Street, 2.37 p.m.
July 3.—Halling to Rochester. Cannon Street, 2.42 p.m. » 10.—Hildenboro’ to Sevenoaks. Cannon Street. 2.23 p.m.
» 17.—Upnor to Rochester. Cannon Street, 2.37 p.m. Hon, Sec., R. H. Bentley, 43, Gloucester Road,
South Hornsey, N.
THe SourH Lonpon EnTomMoLoGicaL AND NATURAL History Society. June 5-7.—Field Meeting: Ashdown Forest (Members intending to go please write to Secretary, Mr. H. J. Turner, 13, Drakefield Road, S.E.) July 3.—Reigate.
Nortu Lonpon Naturat History Society.— The following are amongst the fixtures for next session:
June 4-7.—Excursion to the New Forest.
s, 10.—Debate: ‘Is Vivisection Justifiable?”
>, 19.—Half-day Excursion to the Lea Valley.
ss 24.—‘‘Clothes-Moths.” J. B. Casserley.
There will also be a special-family discussion, entitled “The Liparidz,” to be opened by A. Bacot on some date not yet fixed.—Lawrence J. Treimayne, Hon. Secretary.
LAMBETH FIELD CLUB AND SCIENTIFIC SociETY.—We have received the following list of fixtures for the forthcoming session :
June 7.—Whit-Monday.—Outing to Cheshunt.
» 19.—Outing to Caterham. H. Wilson, Hon. Sec., 14, Melbourne Square, Brixton Road.
Hutt Scientiric AND Fietp Naturatists’ CLus. Excursions. May 29.—Barton and South Ferriby. Boat from Corpora- tion Pier at 1.40 p.m. Return fare 1s. June 7.—Goole Moor.
12,—Aldbro. 26.—Pelham Woods,
”
» Meetings.
June o9.—‘‘The Extinct Animals of Holderness.’ Mr. T, Sheppard.
», 23.—''Crabs.” Mr. F. W. Fierke, M.C.S. 5
For particulars, apply to Mr. T. Sheppard, Hon. Sec., 78, Sherburn Street, Hull.
LEICESTER LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.
June 5 to9.—Excursion, — 5 23.—‘‘ Notes on Arancide (Spiders) of Leicestershire.”
”
NorrrnGHamM NATURAL SCIENCE RAMBLING CLUB.
Geological Section.—Leader, Mr. J. Shipman, F.G.S. May 29.—Trowell, Strelley, Kimberley, etc. Meet Midland Station, 2.30. p.m. June 26.—Drive to East Leake. Meet front University Col- lege, 2.30 p.m. Fare, including drive, 24 miles, and tea, 2s. 6d.
July 10.—Trowell, Stony Cloud and Sandiacre. Meet Midland Station, 2.30 p.m.
Aug. ee outed Excursion, Lincoln. Fare (special train), Is. 6d.
Sept. 11.—Hucknall Torkard and Long Hills. Meet Midland Station, 1.30 p. m.
Botanical Section.—Leader, Mr. W. Staftord.
June 19.—Lambley Dumbles. Meet G.N.R. Station, 2.40
July 24.—Red Hilland Bestwood. Meet opposite Mechanics’ Hall, 2 30 p.m.
Aug. 14.—Nottingham Arboretum. Meet Waverley Street Entrance, 2.30 p.m.
Sep. 18.—Radclifte and environs, Meet G.N.R. Station, 1.45
p.m. Oct. 16.—Annual Meeting, Rambling Club, Natural Science Laboratory, University College, Nottingham, 4 p.m. Tea, soirée and exhibition of collections made during season. W. Bickerton, Hon. Sec., 187, Noel Street, Nottingham.
NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.
To CoRRESPONDENTS AND EXCHANGERS.—SCIENCE-GOSSIP is published on the 25th of each month. All notes or other communications should reach us not later than the r8th of the month for insertion in the following number. No com- munications can be inserted or noticed without full name and address of writer. Notices of changes of address admitted free.
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THE Editor is not responsible for unused MSS., neither can he undertake to return them, unless accompanied with stamps for return postage.
SusBscripTions.—Subscriptions to Sc1ENcE-GossIpP, at the rate of 6s. 6d. for twelve months (including postage), should be remitted to the Proprietors, 86, St. Martin’s Lane, London, W.C.
Tue Editor will be pleased to answer questions and name specimens through the Correspondence column of the maga- zine, Specimeus, in good condition, of not more than three species to be sent at one time, cavviage paid. Duplicates only to be sent, which will not be returned. The specimens must have identifying numbers attached, together with locality, date and particulars of capture.
ALL editorial communications, books or instruments tor review, specimens for identification, etc., to be addressed to Joun T. Carrineton, 1, Northumberland Avenue, London, W.C.
EXCHANGES.
Norice.—Exchanges extending to thirty words (including name and address) admitted free, but additional words must be prepaid at the rate of threepence for every seven words or less.
WANTED, eggs of cuckoo, with those of foster parents.— W. Wells Bladen, Stone, Staffordshire.
Micro slides or cabinet wanted in exchange for 5o-in. astronomical telescope; several good diatom slides for exchange.—R. Borrows, 18, Pensbury Street, Darlington.
Eccs For ExcHance.—Black-headed gulls, crows, terns. Wanted, herons or razorbills.—John Duguid, 95, Gallowgate, Aberdeen.
Wanrep, specimens of minerals and pebbles in exchange for interesting and beautifully dried plants (British or foreign) or cash.—David S. Fish, 12, Fettes Row, Edinburgh,
Nata butterflies, set and named. What offers?—E. G. H. Tyrrell, 42, Raven Street, Pietermaritzburg, Natal, South Africa.
OFFERED, two honey ants (Camponotiss inflatus) from Cent'al Australia, in exchange for twenty typical mineral specimens; forty ants available.—E. J. Bradley, Engineer- in-Chief's Office, Adelaide, South Australia.
Core’s ‘Studies in Microscopical Science”; cash offers requested for above, complete, unbound. The accompany- ing slides are in polished pine cabinet, with glass door. Only accepted offer answered.—A. W. Dennis, 48, Mansfield Street, London, N.E.
SCIENCE GOSSIP. 31
A PATRON
HERE died on June 6th last, in his seventy- fourth year, at his estate, Almniis, near Hjo, Lake Wetter, Sweden, Baron Oscar Dickson, the well-known patron of scientific explorations. He was best remembered by his great services in assisting in the equipment of expeditions to the Arctic regions, one of the most successful with which he was associated being that of Professor, afterwards Baron, Nordenskidld in the ‘‘ Vega” in 1878-1880. That expedition was initiated on the representation of Professor Nordenskiéld, in 1876, when he placed his plan before the King of Sweden and Norway. The King warmly took up the proposal on account of the great experience Nordenskidld had gained in two former explorations of the Northern Palaearctic coasts ; first in a walrus hunting sloop, the ‘“ Proeven,’ and after- wards in a steamer named the “Ymer.”’ On the invitation of King Oscar, an important dinner party took place in January, 1877, to discuss the project. Among those invited by the King to meet the projector was Dr. Oscar Dickson, a wealthy Gothen- burg merchant, and the subject of this notice. There were also there Baron F. W. von Otter, the Minister of Marine, a sailor who had gained experi- ence in Arctic waters in 1868 and 1871, and others who had also been in like expeditions. After dinner Nordenskidld's pro- gramme was laid before the meeting, which became lively with discussion on the probabilities of success, by no means all the speakers being in its favour. in the end, His Majesty declared himself convinced of the practicability of the proposed voyage to discover a north-east passage to the Pacific Ocean. Further, the King volun- teered his official patronage and private financial support. Dr. Oscar Dickson also offered financial help, and became the banker of the “ Vega” expedition, the cost in the end being borne equally by the King, Dr. Dickson, and another patron of exploration of the Arctic, Mr. Sibiriakoff. This was not the first assistance given to a like
cause by he who was destined to become Baron
Jeuty, 1997-—No. 3%, Vol. IV.
Baron Oscar Dickson.
OF SCIENCE.
Dickson. In 1868 he helped an expedition to Spitzbergen, also others in i870 and 1876, to the Yenisej. His energies and purse were directed to the more practical side of these scientific voyages, such as the opening of a trade route to the Siberian rivers, Lena and Yenisej, which are numbered among the greatest streams of the world.
At a later period Baron Dickson found dis- appointment awaiting his efforts to form an Antarctic expedition. Though all his powerful influence was used to bring about that voyage of discovery, it failed for want of support and had to be abandoned. The frequent visits to this country of Baron Dickson caused him to be well-known here, where he always found friends. Among his recreations the subject of this notice cultivated scientific breeding of horses, the result being that he much improved the class of those animals in the neighbourhood of his own estate. He was a con- siderable buyer of high-class stud horses on his visits to England. These were sent to Sweden for the purpose of raising the standard of breed among horses in his own country.
Considering the number of men in modern times who have amassed _ great riches, it is surprising that more have not become patrons of science. It is hardly necessary to remind those who can well afford to do so, how many are the ebjects connected with science which could be benefited by their generosity; nor how splendid may be the results for mankind. It would be ungracious, however, not to feel grateful to such men as Dickson, Lick, Monde, Harmsworth and others, for their munificence. To them the world of science is under deep obligations; for if we review the past and probable scientific result of their rich gifts, much which is now common know- ledge would have still been among the unknown. Could any earthly satisfaction be greater than to feel that one has been able to help in the progress of scientific knowledge and thus do a great and
lasting good for one’s fellow creatures ?
32 SCIENCE-GOSSIP.
COAL
IN
KENT.
By H. E. Turner, B.A.*
qT present month has seen the successful
flotation of the third company that has been formed with the object of exploring the county of Kent for the mineral wealth that is supposed to be buried deep below the surface. The capital of £250,000 required by the promotors of the ‘‘ Kent Coal Exploration Company ’’ has been subscribed three times over in two or three days. Considering that this latest venture is a purely speculative one, inasmuch as no coal has actually been discovered within the area of its proposed operations, the result of the Company’s appeal for funds must be regarded as an eloquent testimony to the con- fidence now reposed in the deductions of geologists. Disparaging allusions have often been made to geology as the most speculative of all the sciences, and to a certain extent it may be open to that reproach. In its practical application to mining, however, geology has rendered services that no one who is qualified to express an opinion can fail to appreciate. Many a fortune has been made by following its guidance, and many a one lost by neglect of its teachings, while vast stores of mineral wealth have been rendered available that would otherwise have remained hidden and unknown.
The question of the existence of coal under our south-eastern counties is a most momentous one. It touches us as a nation whose unparalleled advance in wealth during the present century has been due, in no small measure, to those bountiful supplies of coal and iron which have given us our manufacturing supremacy. Bountiful, it is true— but not inexhaustible. Our present coalfields have an enormous output, but they have to meet an ever-increasing demand; their boundaries may be far wider than we anticipate, but they must have a limit. Whether our coal supply is sufficient to last 275 or 1,275 years longer—to take the divergent opinions expressed in the report of the Coal Commission of 1871—the fact remains that we are living, not upon our interest, but upon our capital. It behoves us, therefore, as the stewards of posterity, to lose no opportunity of rendering available those hidden supplies of wealth that doubtless exist, and thus to provide a measure of compensation for our present lavish expenditure. However pressing the claims of posterity, they do not appeal to us with the same force as present interests, and so this coal question probably touches us still more closely as inhabitants of a
* Abstract of a paper read before the South-Eastern Union of Scientific Societies at Tunbridge Wells, May 22nd, 1897.
district which at present is further removed than any other from our great centres of supply. Our solicitude for the comfort and prosperity of generations yet unborn must necessarily be of a somewhat platonic character, whereas our peace of mind is apt to vary inversely as the demands upon our pockets. A reduction in the price of coal by one third or one fourth would doubtless be viewed with equanimity by most householders in this part of the country, if not by the railway companies north of the Thames. Except in the unlikely event of a monopoly, such a result would probably accrue from the establishment of successful collieries in our southern counties.
It is not from the side of political economy or individual finance that I wish to view this question, but I feel a very special interest in the realization of a bold theory propounded by an eminent geologist forty years ago, to most minds based on very slender evidence, often ridiculed, but now triumphantly vindicated. Probably few of us have had the time, the opportunity, or the inclina- tion to study this theory, and to form our own opinions upon it. Other branches of science may have claimed our attention, and so a brief resumé of the arguments and course of events that have led to the discovery of coal in Kent, with all its contingent possibilities, may not prove unwelcome.
It would be well, however, to make a few preliminary remarks respecting the geological position of coal, and its mode of occurrence in what are known as ‘‘coal basins.” It is well known that this important mineral is practically confined to the geological formation termed the “‘coal measures” which form the upper division of the Carboniferous system. The two other principal divisions in descending order are the millstone grit, a shallow water deposit varying from 500 to 1,000 feet in thickness, and the carboni- ferous limestone, formed as a rule in deeper water, and from 500 to 2,500 feet thick. The whole system is of vast antiquity, belonging as it does to the group of ancient sedimentary rocks known as the palezozoic or primary, of which, however, it is one of the most recent members. The coal measures are sometimes of enormous thickness—from 10,000 to 12,000 feet. For instance, in the South Wales coalfield, the coal is being distributed in seams more or less throughout, but these form a very insignificant proportion of the whole, being often separated by massive beds of sandstone, shale and clay. The most profitable seams occur in the upper and middle part of the coal measures. The thickest
SCIENCE-GOSSIP.
seam in England is the ten-yard seam of the Dudley coalfield, but this is quite exceptional, a few feet being generally the maximum. These coal seams represent successive periods during which a luxuriant and very characteristic vegetation covered an old, low-lying swampy land surface, which was subject to frequent oscillations of level and consequent incursions of the sea, each of which resulted in the deposition of sand and mud on the peaty matter that had accumulated during the previous period of vegetable growth. At last a marked upheaval brought about conditions unfavourable to further development of these in- cipient coal beds, thus bringing the Carboniferous period to a close. Subsequent disturbances eventually modified in large measure the general distribution of the coal-bearing strata. Together with the underlying formations they were thrown into a series of longitudinal and transverse folds. Nature's ceaseless agents of destruction—air, frost and water—came into play, and slowly but surely removed the crests of these folds, wearing their way down to still lower and lower strata, until the coal measures, and in many cases the underlying beds, disappeared. On the other hand, the coal measures between the folds being from their position less exposed to denudation, remained comparatively intact, but isolated from those with which they had formerly been continuous, lying in troughs or basins surrounded by older rocks.
Thus one of the folds above referred to extended north and south from the Cheviots into the heart of the Midlands, forming a ridge now known as the Pennine Chain, with its strata dripping east and west. Untold ages of wear and tear have, however, stripped the summit of this ridge of its coal measures, laid bare the millstone grit below, and to a large extent the carboniferous limestone also. In this way the coalfields on the east of the Pennine Range became separated from those on the west, while a similar disturbance and denuda- tion that appears to have taken place subsequently in a transverse direction through the northern parts of Lancashire and Yorkshire have cut off the Northumberland and Durbam coalfield from that of Yorkshire, and also isolated the Cumberland from the coalfields. In a similar manner, the coal basin of the Forest of Dean has The intervening country is now largely occupied by rocks far older than the carboniferous limestone—- No better examples The coal measures occupy a dish-shaped hollow formed by the underlying millstone grit which crops up all round, and together with the carboniferous lime-
Lancashire
been separated from that of South Wales.
all exposed by denudation could be given of coal basins than these two
stone below forms at the surface the edge of the
basin The South Wales coalfield is bounded on the
¢
33
south by a tract of rocks consisting of carboniferous limestone, which in many places has been denuded down to the underlying formation known as the Devonian or Old Red Sandstone. These occupy the extreme southern portions of Pembrokeshire and Glamorganshire, but their continuity is inter- rupted by the bays of Swansea and Carmarthen, and also, just south of Cardiff, by the estuary of the Severn, but on the eastern side of the estuary they reappear in the form of the Mendip Hills of Somersetshire. Still further east they disappear under newer formations, the whole tract being one of the transverse folds formed after the close of the Carboniferous period, and as we shall see later it has an important bearing on the question of coal in our southern counties. On the northern flanks of the Mendip Hills we find the millstone grit and coal measures of the Bristol coalfield, largely hidden, however, by newer deposits of secondary age, and only appearing at the surface where these have been removed by denudation.
We are now in a position to appreciate the reasoning by which Mr. Godwin-Austen, in 1855, was led to put forward the theory that an exten- sion of these western coalfields might be found at a workable depth under our south-eastern counties. At first sight the idea seemed a wild one. In proceeding eastwards from Bristol we meet in succession immense thicknesses of newer secondary rocks, all dipping eastwards in such a manner as apparently to place the palwozoic rocks at a depth of at least six or seven thousand feet below the surface in the neighbourhood of London, and consequently entirely beyond our reach. Besides, there seemed no guarantee that deposits of carboniferous age existed at all so far east; the formation might thin out, or, if not, might change its character in so great a distance—a not unlikely possibility. Mr. Godwin-Austen was able to reveal, however, certain points of similarity between the coalfields of Belgium and north-east France and those of Somersetshire and South Wales, and also between the Ardennes district and the Mendip Tlills, which respectively bounds those coalfields on the south. The Ardennes form an elevated region of paleozoic bearing on their northern slope a series of long narrow detached coal-troughs, stretching south-west along the valley of the Meuse from Aix-la-Chapelle through Liége and through Mons and Charleroi to the French frontier, and then north- west by Valenciennes and Douai to within ten miles of St. Omer or thirty from Calais. From
rocks,
Namur, and continued
the physical structure of the district, the litho- logical character of the strata, and the organic remains which they contain, Mr. Godwin-Austen was convinced that the anticlinal or ridges of the Ardennes was a continuation of that of the Mendips, and that if we could strip south-east England of its
2
34 SCIENCE-GOSSIP.
present covering of secondary rocks, we should find this paleozoic ridge pursuing a devious, though generally east and west course, approximately parallel to, but south of, the Thames and Kennet, with coal measures on its flanks, preserved in long narrow basins like those of Belgium. He considered, moreover, that the superincumbent secondary rocks would be found to thin out in an eastwardly direction, and to rest upon this palzeozoic floor at no great depth below the surface.
It was not long before evidence was forthcoming of the general soundness of Mr. Godwin-Austen’s views. On the advice of Mr. (afterwards Sir) Joseph Prestwich, the Hampstead Water Company had been boring at Kentish Town through the tertiary strata and underlying chalk and gault of the London Basin in order to tap the plentiful supply of pure water which it was anticipated would be reached in the Lower Greensand below. Before Mr. Godwin-Austen’s paper was printed, the result of the boring came to hand, and proved to be of a most unexpected character. His theory of the thinning out of the secondary rocks in this direction was more than realised. The whole of the secondary rocks below the gault, including the Lower Greensand, Wealden, Jurassic and Triassic were found to be absent, for at 1,100 feet from the surface, red sandstones and shales were met with, which are now generally regarded as belonging to the Devonian or Old Red Sandstone period, and therefore antecedent to the Carboniferous.
That Mr. Godwin-Austen’s palzeozoic ridge had been actually struck was soon confirmed by many deep borings in the London basin, all undertaken with the purpose of finding water. One at Cross- ness, on the south bank of the Thames, reached similar rock at about 1,000 feet down, but the absence of organic remains again rendered the determination of its age somewhat uncertain. In 1877 more positive evidence was forthcoming. A boring for water to supply a brewery at the corner of Tottenham Court Road and Oxford Street