IRONING PLANTS.-Enclosed is a drawing of an instrument (fig. 226) made and used by myself for ironing botanical specimens, which will meet the travelling needs of your correspondent "M." The size of the apparatus depends on the size of the iron used, and the best shape is that indicated on the drawing. The footboard-1 inch thick, made of seasoned wood-should be rather longer, and 1 inch wider than the iron. Two pieces of iron wire 4th inch thick should be bent twice at right angles, so that the ends being firmly inserted into holes inch deep, near the corners of the board, the iron may be supported 4 inches at least from the board. A small trough, made all in one piece, of thin sheet

iron, serves to hold some spirit or wood naphtha,-a few trials sufficing to ascertain the quantity requisite to heat the iron to the proper temperature. When travelling, the wires are removed, and, with the iron, laid flat on the board; the trough (containing a box of matches) packs under the iron handle. The whole is wrapped up in a stout piece of canvas, secured by a strap. The canvas, when properly folded, serves as a protection to the hand from the hot iron.-J. B. Spencer.

TRICHINOSIS-A SUGGESTION.-The terrible outbreak of the trichinous disease last winter in the town of Hedersleben, in the Hartz, produced, as is well known, a state of dreadful excitement amongst the inhabitants of that and the neighbouring towns -an excitement which extended to our own shores, and indeed throughout Europe. The deadly nature of the disease gave but too just a cause for the alarm and anxiety which prevailed. Death, after a few days' illness, seized upon those persons who had unwittingly partaken of the diseased pork; and a post-mortem disclosed the fact that their bodies swarmed in every part with the parasitical trichinæ. The astonishing rapidity also with which these parasites were capable of propagation was incontestably shown by the experiments of Professor Hertwig, who gave small pieces of trichinous meat to young and healthy pigs, and the effect was astounding. In a few hours these pigs all became ill, one of them died, and upon examination it was found that not thousands but millions of trichina were present." The terrible nature of the disease must plead my excuse for venturing to give publicity to the following suggestion, as perchance affording a subjectmatter for consideration to the medical practitioner, in case it may not already have been tried. The proposed remedy is Picric Acid, which, as my readers may be aware, is formed by the mixture of carbolic acid with nitric acid-the carbolic acid being a product of coal oil, obtained by distillation from coal tar. Picric Acid is a beautiful substance, crystallizing in light yellow plates, somewhat resembling sliced topazes. It is frequently used by brewers, as it gives the highly-prized bitter flavour to their beer. It has also been tried medicinally as a substitute for quinine, but it is now rarely thus employed-its affinity for animal matter being so great that it imparts a yellow hue to the skin of the patient. This remarkable affinity for animal matter, so powerfully possessed by Picric Acid, has led me to think that it may possibly prove an ameliorative, if not a specific, for the trichinous disease, inasmuch as the trichinæ have pre-eminently their seat in the muscular tissue.-H. Wright, Thuxton Rectory, Norfolk.

WHERE DOES THE KINGFISHER ROOST ?-As regards this question, I may state that I had a live bird of this handsome species brought me some time since by a fisherman, who at the same time told me he caught it by hand, and knew of the roosting-places of several others, viz., under a railway bridge which crosses the bed of the river. Whether this is their usual roosting-place or not I am unable to say.-G. B. C.

NEST OF THE BULLFINCH.-I am inclined to agree with "W. R." about the materials of which this nest is composed. All that I have met with were of small twigs, fibrous roots, grass, and sometimes a few hairs, getting finer towards the completion of the nests. I never noticed either moss or wool.H. M., Ipswich.

THE FOOD OF THE NIGHTJAR (C. Europæus).— This bird appears, as usual, to be rather common here. On the evening of July 31st I shot a pair, with the intention of stuffing them, which I proceeded to accomplish on the following evening. On skinning the first, I was surprised to see the size of its "crop," and curiosity led me to cut it open, when out flew two moths, whilst several others crawled out of their viscous tomb, after twenty-four hours' confinement. I caught the two which flew out, and secured the others which the crop produced, as follows:-Eleven of the Antler Moth (C. Graminis), one of the Yellow Underwing (T. Orbona), three C. selasellus, and five C. culmellus. Seven of Graminis were still living; all the others were dead. The crop of the other bird produced three of the common beetle (G. stercorarius), and one of the Antler Moth. It is a generally-received opinion of the rustics in this and the New Forest district, that the "Night-hawk" is a bird of prey, destroying any unfortunate “small bird" which happens to cross its path. It is known to many by the name of Gnat-hawk."-G. B. C., Ringwood.

BIRDS POISONING THEIR YOUNG.-In support of the observations of "W. P." and Mr. Ullyett, in the August number of SCIENCE GOSSIP, allow me to state that a boy in this neighbourhood had a brood of six unfledged Starlings (S. vulgaris) in a cage fed by the old birds for a week, at the end of which period the whole brood was found dead, doubtless destroyed by something their parents had brought them.-G. B. C., Ringwood.

NEUTRAL GLASS-PLATE.-I should be very much obliged if one of your numerous correspondents would give me a few directions as to the proper mode of using the neutral glass-plate for making drawings of microscopic objects. I purchased a microscope some time ago, intending to make sketches of all interesting subjects I might see, but I found that, although by using the plate as directed, I could get a very brilliant image of the object on white paper, yet, on trying to draw it, I could not see the point of the pencil at all. 1 then did away with artificial light, and tried the effect of daylight only, and by substituting a common plate for the paper, I found I could then see the image and the pencil at the same time, although by continuing steadily to look at it, the image seemed gradually to diminish until it appeared only half the original size, and all my attempts have proved equally unsuccessful.-C. S. Gardner.

DOES THE GLOWWORM PREFER DAMP OR DRY? From my little experience I should say a damp situation is preferred, as the insect seems generally to be found amongst densely-grown fern or on hedge-banks; and they are in some instances not unlike young frogs, in their commoner appearance after a shower of rain.-G. B. C., Ringwood.

SLUGS IN THE HOUSE. - To destroy slugs or snails, let a few handfuls of common salt be taken, and fill all the crevices in the floor of the closet with the salt, pressing it firmly down into the holes. Do the same also to the wall, pasting a strip of strong brown glazed paper over each crevice after the salt has been pressed in. Then sprinkle salt all over the floor to the depth of a tenth of an inch, having first removed every article from the closet. Boys often kill snails in this way by placing them in salt, which half dissolves them.-H. A. Allbutt, Leeds.

66

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WHELKS' EGGS (Buccinum undatum).-Harvey, in his "Seaside Book," p. 64, 4th edit., says: Each of these little membranous sacs (each about a quarter of an inch in breadth, flat on the inside, and convex on the outside) contains a soft yolk, in which is gradually formed a young univalve mollusc." Is not this an error? On examining a mass of these sacs the other day, I found in each a number of little kidney-shaped objects, which I took to be eggs; each sac also was full of water. Thus from each sac would proceed several young molluscs, instead of one as above.— C. A. I.

WANTED TO KILL.-Can you or any of the readers of SCIENCE GOSSIP tell me how to get rid of woodlice and armadillos, commonly called sowbugs. I find them very troublesome in my fernery; they get under the blocks of wood and stones in the day, and at night devour the young fronds of the ferns and other plants, several of which they have quite destroyed. They have a particular fancy for L. cristata, having killed all my roots of that kind.-H. M.

GOVERNING NUMBERS.-The governing number in Star-fishes is five; in Medusæ it is four, and in Jelly-fish four, or some multiple of four. In endogenous plants it is three, or some multiple of three; in exogens it is four or fire, or some multiple of those numbers. These are approximations to rule, but are not without exceptions.

NIDIFICATION OF RARER BIRDS.-Can any of your readers inform me if the common and Honey Buzzard, Marsh, Hen, and ash-coloured Harriers still breed in Great Britain, and where? I have collected British birds' eggs for the last nine or ten years, and have never been able to obtain authentic specimens of any of them, although I have offered in exchange almost any "good thing" from my cabinet.-J. S.

ASPHALTE VARNISH.-I have twice made an attempt at making the asphalte and india-rubber varnish recommended by Mr. Davies in his book on mounting, and have used different naphtha each time; but the effect has been each time the same, namely, that the asphalte has swollen up, but has not dissolved. I have used each time half the quantities given by Mr. Davies. Perhaps you or some of your contributors will be able to tell me wherein I have failed. I have brought in the aid of heat, with no better effect.-J. H. McK.

HORSE ANTS. All ants are particularly attentive to their pup. Your correspondent "A. Bloomfield" must have seen the Horse Ants (Formica rufa) he describes, carrying, not their eggs-for ants' eggs are very rare things-but their young larvæ. They take them out for an airing in fine weather, and are first-rate judges of atmospheric changes; for immediately they notice a prospect of rain, off they rush with both larve and pupa to a place of safety. The workers are the nurses, and as perambulators are unknown in Ant-kingdom, these nurses take up their little charges and carry them about. There are some ants that really get up regular forays to carry off the larva and pupa of other species, make downright war upon their neighbours, and bring up the captives they make as slaves. They are sometimes called Amazon Ants, but are never, I believe, found in Great Britain.-Helen E. Watney.

INSECT AQUARIUM.-Being much pleased with "H. R. B.'s" account of her Insect Vivarium in SCIENCE GOSSIP for September, I should like to gain more information on the subject. 1. Would spiders thrive in one? 2. How often is fresh food to be given? 3. How is it to be managed during the winter months? 4. How is it possible to remove the glass for fresh flowers and food without the flying insects going off? 5. Is there a hand-book for the Insect Vivarium ?-E. S.

GRAND LORY.-I believe that the bird called Grand Lory is scientifically known as the Eclectus grandis. Wagler puts it in the genus Eclectus. It is found in New Guinea, and is most beautifully plumaged. The Lory-birds are members of the Parrot family, but they do not eat the hard nuts and seeds that most parrots delight in. They have a much more slender bill and a softer tongue, showing that their natural food consists of pulpy fruits and the juices of various plants.-Helen E. Watney.

PYGMIES OF MALACCA.-Apropos of "the Track of the Pygmies" noted in your July and September numbers, I could wish that some of your readers who may be living near Malacca would give you a brief yet clear account of a race of small men and women who are said to dwell in trees in the interior of the Malacca district, and among whom the labours of a resident French priest have been not altogether without success. When I was a resident in the Straits, some years ago, I heard some particulars, but never got over to see them; and I think any certain facts respecting them by those who can speak with personal knowledge would be interesting at this time. I presume you to be acquainted with the fact that on many of the less easily accessible hills of India there exist to this day numbers of wild races. I could soon count up a score who would seem to have been aboriginal and to have been driven to their present retreats by the advancing wave of the forefathers of the present Hindus. Those of them that I have seen in Árracan are, if I remember rightly, shorter in stature than the average Hindu, yet not deserving the name of dwarf.-W. T. H.

A DETONATING FIREBALL.—I am reminded by the perusal of a letter by Mr. Herschel on Detonating Fireballs, of a magnificent phenomenon of that kind which I saw and heard about fourteen or

fifteen years ago. Walking on the outskirts of Newcastle, on a late autumnal evening at about eight o'clock, my attention was arrested by the sudden illumination of the entire neighbourhood, and turning rapidly to the left, from which direction the light appeared to proceed, I saw a splendid fireball, in apparent size about one-third that of the moon. It moved with considerable speed from N. to S., parallel to the horizon, and at an altitude not greater than 30°. At the moment of its extinction, it burst into fragments, and within two seconds of the time of its bursting I heard a deafening report, very much resembling that produced by a large cannon when it is fired within a distance of a few yards of a spectator. Not being at the time specially engaged in astronomical or meteorological investigations, I did not collect such evidence as would have enabled me to determine its precise elevation from the earth. It must, however, have been very near, as, judging by the short interval between the explosion and the report, it could not

have been more than half a mile from me. I have never had the good fortune to witness a similar phenomenon either before or since that time.-T. P. Barkas, Newcastle-on-Tyne.

SANGUINARIA. The following extract is from a paper entitled Brazilian Sketches," which appeared in Once a Week, December 24th, 1864. I should feel obliged if you, or any of the readers of SCIENCE GOSSIP, could inform me what plant is therein referred to, and whether it has yet been introduced into England.

"I was particularly struck with one magnificent shrub; it has bunches of leaves just like scarlet velvet, surmounted by small cup-like flowers of bright orange. I was told that it is called amor di viúva (widow's love); and I can only say that, if typical of Brazilian widow's love, the latter must be of the most fiery nature. The plant is also called Sanguinaria."-J. F. C.

CEMENT FOR MARINE AQUARIA.-Can any correspondent inform me how to make a cement for an aquarium that will be proof against the action of sea-water? I have one, the sides and ends of plate glass, and bottom of slate 3 feet long, 1 foot wide, and 1 foot deep; a mahogany frame, with pillars of the same at each corner, grooved to receive the glass, with an iron bolt passed through each to fasten top and bottom securely. It was framed together with putty, and held rain water. But the salt water soon found its way through. I have tried various expedients, one after another, and all without success-viz., pitch, French polish, marine glue, pitch and white wax, mixed, &c. I was at last advised to try a mixture of india-rubber and shellac, dissolved separately; and I did this for three weeks almost daily, and thought surely I was now safe. I procured a nice variety of seaanemones and some pure sea-water, and was preparing to stick it; when, to my disappointment, last night the water found its way through on to the carpet. The poor anemones are waiting in basins and bottles, waiting till their home is ready.-F. E. W. K.

EPITHELIUM CELLS.-The cells which form the scarf-skin or cuticle of the human subject can be obtained in several ways. They are always interesting, and sometimes they form beautiful objects for polarization. Thin sections of a callosity, or thickened part of the cuticle, as also thin sections of corns, are of the latter kind. The skin which covers the fluid of a blister sometimes shows not only the cells of the cuticle but the pores of the skin also. The best way of getting individual cells is by scraping the roof of the mouth with a blunt knife. They lie loosely on the surface of the skin, and are easily removed with the small quantity of saliva which is necessarily collected by the knife in the operation. The colour-mixing knife, which has not a sharp edge, is the best for this purpose. Cells obtained in this way are best examined when fresh; but they may be mounted dry, as they preserve their form and character a long time.-Thos. Brittain.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

M. F. D.-" Ferns, British and Foreign," by John Smith, published by R. Hardwicke, 192, Piccadilly, will perhaps suit your purpose. A work on Foreign Ferns, giving figures of all the species, could hardly be portable.

N. E. C.-We could not attempt to name a foreign fern from a barren frond. Both your specimens are barren.

A. Y.-You should wash your specimens over with a solution of corrosive sublimate, applied by means of a soft brush, or you will not succeed in keeping insects from them.

A. H.-Consult "Our Reptiles," published by Hardwicke, 192, Piccadilly. We cannot afford space to reply in full.

R. M. B. See notice, with figures, in the present number. T. H. G. is referred to a notice which appeared in our last. Facts alone are admissible.

J. M. A.-Only one notice can be inserted at a time from the same individual.

GLASS CELLS.-Mr. Brittain, Fallowfield, Manchester, offers to procure for any one these cells at 9d. per dozen, if stamps are also sent to cover postage or carriage.

W. B.-The plant Rue" (Ruta graveolens) is evidently meant by Scott in the lines quoted. It is often carried at funerals, and thrown upon the coffin, especially in rural districts.

W. D. C.-You had better state' what branch of entomology you purpose to pursue. For general purposes, "Westwood's Introduction" would be useful.

J. G.-On rose, an early condition of Sphærotheca pannosa. The Polyporus at present uncertain. The Rhizina is R. undulata.

R. P.-" Sowerby's English Botany; " 45 parts are published.

H. G. E.-The Lichen is Peltigera canina.

A. D. M.-Herbarium labels for flowering plants were formerly obtainable of Mr. Pamplin; but whether to be had anywhere now, we cannot affirm positively this month.

H.-Hedgehogs are insectivorous-your suspicions are probably right.

T. B. We can make no pledges.

J. R. Although our space is too limited for the subjects included, we deem it imprudent to add either to size or price, or the number of our "sections."

F. O. We know of no improvement on the "vasculum." LEEDS. If there is a Naturalists' Field Club in or near Leeds, with the secretary, send his name and address to H. A. A., care of the Editor.

DESMIDS AND DIATOMS.-H. J. Bacon wishes us to announce that as he had ninety applications in response to his offer in our last number, he could not supply all at once. He will endeavour to furnish all who have applied, if they will kindly allow him time to do so.

S. F. C.-Such pugnacity in the blackbird is not un

common.

T. D. M. is thanked for bottle of rhubarb wine. It would be much better five years hence.

G. E. P.-The muddy appearance of the water is most likely due to an excess of light. It is unsightly, but not injurious to the inhabitants of his tank.-T. C.

J. W. L.-It is very probable that some of the illustrations will hereafter be reprinted. The plan you suggest would not pay.

T. G. P.-No. 2 is Tubercularia vulgaris. No. 1 is Stegono. sporium cellulosum.

T. S.-No. 1, an assemblage of imperfect forms, so that it is impossible to say which is intended, or what any of them may become. No. 2 is Nemaspora crocea; No. 3 an apparently undescribed Phoma, probably not autonomous.

E. T. S.-We can discover no parasite, though we examined every spot on the specimens sent.

SECTION MACHINES.-Having received descriptions of four new machines, for which illustrations would be required, we must postpone them for the present. It would be invidious to make a selection where each possesses some advantage.

J. R. B. M.-One group has the authority of one natutalist, and one of another; so that there is no general system such as you allude to.

J. F. C.-The seeds are those of Abrus precatorius, common in Asia and Africa.

A. E. B.-The cocoon belongs to Lasiocampa quercifolia. T. H. H.-No. 1 is Leucania pallens; No. 2 Triphena pronuba.

E. B.-It is Calamintha acinos.-W. C.

M. J. P. AND J. H.-The Orchis is Epipactis media.W. C.

G. M.-The plant is a Veronica; but the specimen is too small to name specifically.-W. C.

H. G.-Undoubtedly your "last plant from the Land's End" is Atriplex Babingtonii.-N.

W. L.-The plant is Thalictrum flavum, Linn.-W. C.
J. B.-Please forward the MSS.

H. S.-Probably it is Lumbricus minor, the Marsh-worm, or Red-worm, to which you allude.

MINUTE STAR-FISH, or "Brittle-Star," in exchange for British Lepidoptera.-J. M. Aston, Stevenage, Herts. FLY FUNGUS Sporendonema musca). Well mounted specimens offered for other objects (mounted) of interest.-G. W. Webb, 8, White Rock-street West, Derby-road, Liverpool.

PODURA.-Lepisma, or hair of Seal (mounted), for mounted specimens of Barbadoes Earth, Foraminifera, or other objects of interest.-A. R. Betts, St. John's Park, Upper Holloway. BRITISH BIRDS' SKINS for local specimens of either sea or land Birds' Eggs.-J. Aspdin, Richmond, Yorkshire. MINERALS and FossILS for British Lepidoptera.-J. G. Marsh, jun., 242, Old Kent-road, London, S. E.

HOBBY EGGS wanted for British Birds' Skins or Eggs.J. A. Harker, 12, York-place, Perth, N.B.

SMALL BRITISH MAMMALS, such as rats, mice, voles, shrews, &c., wanted (in the flesh) for examination.-T. G. P., Museum, Park-street, Bristol.

SILVER-WASHED FRITILLARY offered for other British Lepidoptera or Beetles.-W. H. O., Stapletou House, Dorking. BRITISH BIRDS' EGGS and Suffolk Crag Fossils offered for other eggs.-H. Miller, St. Lawrence, Ipswich.

ACTINIE. The rarer marine species wanted from Menai Straits, Isle of Man, or Irish coast. Would be purchased.Address at first to A. J., care of the Editor.

CYPREA TESTUDINARIA and several species of Conus offered for exchange.-G. Potter, 7, Montpelier-road, Kingsdown-road, Upper Holloway.

CUTICLES of Equisetum, Aloe, Cactus, &c. (mounted), offered for objects of interest.-G. Moore, Dereham-road, Norwich. MARCHANTIA POLYMORPHA in flower, wanted by H. J. Bacon, 44, Camberwell-road, London.

NOTICE. Our correspondents in this department are earnestly requested to conduct their exchanges in a manner beyond reproach.

PHEASANT EGGS.-One silver and two Gold Pheasants' Eggs for British Butterflies.-T. H. Hedworth, Dunston, Gateshead.

FOSSILS, Minerals, Birds' Eggs, &c., for British Lepidoptera. -J. H. Greenstreet, 8, Finch-lane, E.C.

PRIVET HAWK-MOTH.-Puрæ for those of other good species.-W. H. Onslow, Rev. F. Durnford's, Eton College. PUPE of Saturnia pavonia for Birds' Eggs, or other Pupæ or insects.-H. Miller, St. Lawrence, Ipswich. OPOSSUM FUR and Llama Wool for mounted objects of interest.-A. L., 61, Buckingham-road, Islington.

BOOKS RECEIVED.

"Notice of the Occurrence of Mammoth and other Animal Remains at Shandon, co. Waterford," by Edward Brenan. Dublin, 1859.

"The Technologist," No. 2, New Series, September, 1866. "The Remains of Man and Extinct Mammalian Fauna found at Eynesbury, near St. Neots, Huntingdonshire," by George Dawson Rowley, M.A., F.Z.S., &c. London: Trubner & Co., 1866.

"Hooper & Co.'s General Autumn Catalogue of Flowering Bulbs, &c." London, Covent Garden Market, 1866.

"Guide for Travellers in the Plain and on the Mountain," by Charles Boner. London: Robert Hardwicke. "The Liverpool Naturalist's Journal," Nos. 1 to 4, JuneSeptember, 1866. Liverpool: A. Holden. "Proceedings of the Essex Institute." June, 1866. Salem, U.S.

Vol. IV., No. 8.

COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVED.-C. F. W.-F. H. W.M. F. DN. E. C.-A. Y.-W. T. I.-E. S.-C. A. J.— E. T. S.-W. O. C.-J. S.-A. H.-J. A. P.-J. A.-G. B. C. -J. B.-J. G.-H. W.-H. W. H.-H. W. M.-L. G. M.J. M. Aston-R. M. B.-C. S. G.-W. H. G.-J. W.-A. E. B. -T. P. B.-A. B. F.-J. H. F.-C. R.-W. D. C.-W. B.E. W.-G. W. W.-W. H.-G. W. H.-H. M. M.-A. R. B. -H. G. W. A.-H. J. B.-T. P. B.-H. M.-F. O.-T. W. W. -E. F. B.-E. B.-J. A.-J. R.-J. G. M.-W. J. P.-E. 8.J. F.-E. M. H.-M. J. P.-E. B.-R. P.-T. G. P.-H. G. E. -A. D. M.-J. R.-W. J. S.-W. H. O.-J. Y.-J. S.W. T. H.-T. B.-C. B.-E. W. A. L.-J. B. S.-J. W.-G. B. -J. II. McK.-S. F. C.-E. J. S. C.-J. S. S.-H. E. W.G. P.-G. M.-B.-H. A. A.-H. G.-A. B. C.-E. M.F. E. W.-J. N.-J. B.-H. S.-C. B.-W. L.-R. T.-J. N. -R. R.-J. S.-W. R. T.-J. R. B. M.-J. J. R.-J. M. A.W. J. P.

E are so accustomed to associate the production of young fishes with eggs and milt-familiar to all as hard and soft roe in the cured herring or

66

'berries" in the salmon, that it is difficult to

believe in the existence of a fish bringing forth live young, as do dogs, cats, rats, and mice, only with this difference, that in the case of the fish the young are as perfect in every detail, when launched into the water, as the parent, and swim away self-dependent, to feed or be fed on, as good or ill-luck befalls the little wanderer. The wood-cut represents the female with the young in situ, together with others scattered round her, having fallen out when the walls of the abdomen were dissected open. The drawing was made from a female fish I brought from Vancouver Island, now exhibiting in the Fish Room of the British Museum. Another equally fine specimen may be seen in Mr. Frank Buckland's Museum in the South Kensington Gardens.

At San Francisco, as early as April, I saw large numbers of Viviparous Fish in the market for sale; but after all it is an open question whether these fish really arrive at an earlier period of the year in the Bay of San Francisco than at Vancouver Island. I think not. That they are taken earlier in the year, is simply due to the fact that the fishermen at San Francisco have better nets, and fish in deeper water

* We are indebted to the courtesy of Mr. Bentley for this figure. It is taken from "The Naturalist in Vancouver Island and British Columbia," by John Keast Lord, F.Z S., Naturalist to the British North American Boundary Commission. 2 vols. Bentley. 1866.

No. 23.

than the Indians, and consequently take the fish at an earlier period of the year.

The habit of the fish is clearly to come into shallow water when the period arrives for producing its live young: they make their appearance in the smaller bays and estuaries in June and July, and remain until September. They have a curious habit of swimming close to the surface of the water, and numbers are craftily taken by the Indians, who literally, and not in mere figure of speech, frighten the fish into their canoes. As shoal after shoal of these fish are seen entering the bays, or making their way up those long inland canals, which, like the fiords in Norway, everywhere intersect the coast-line, the savages craftily contrive to get the fish betwixt the bank or rocks, as it may be, and the coast; then with all their might and main they paddle straight at the terror-stricken fish, lashing the sea with their paddles and yelling like demons. Out leap the fish from the water in their panic to escape what to their affrighted senses is manifestly a terrible monster; and if not out of the frying-pan into the fire, it is out of the sea into the canoes, which, in the long run, I take to be pretty much the same thing.

It appears to be a very remarkable trait in the character of viviparous fish, that of leaping out of the water on the slightest alarm. I have often seen them leap into my boat when rowing through a shoal-which is certainly most accommodating.

The Indians also spear them, using a spear with four barbed points arranged in a circte, but bent so as to make them stand at a considerable distance from each other. With this spear they strike into a shoal of fish, and generally impale three or four at every thrust.

Soon after arriving at Vancouver Island, I commenced investigating the habits and periods of migration of the different species of fish which periodically visit the north-west coast. The sole means then at my disposal to obtain specimens of fish for examination was to employ Indians, or to catch them myself. So it happened some of these fish were first brought me by Indians. Cutting

M