ZOOLOGY.

MOTION IN SPIDER'S SEVERED LEG.-The "spider" referred to under the above heading, in "SCIENCE-GOSSIP" for March, 1885, p. 69, was in all probability one of the Phalangiidae or harvest-men, not a true spider. Harvest-men, especially those of the genus Liobunus, throw off their legs voluntarily and with great facility, but never, so far as I am aware, unless the leg is in a captive state. The leg thrown off will continue to move for some little time, its muscular power and nervous sensibility being very great. Escape is doubtless the motive on the part of the harvest-man, but whether any idea of drawing off the attention of the enemy, by means of the motion of the cast-off leg, is mixed up with that motion, seems improbable. True spiders, especially those of the genus Clubiona, will also throw off their legs, but they appear to require a greater purchase to enable them to do so than the Phalangids, and their legs when severed have not nearly the same amount of motion. I have always found that if a spider be held by two of its legs it cannot obtain the necessary purchase, and so cannot throw off the limb. It is quite true that the spider, or harvest-man, suffers, apparently, a minimum of inconvenience in the loss of a leg or two, but there must certainly be a considerable drain on the system as the stump always bleeds freely. I once saw an example of Liobunus rotundus running with very fair speed, and in wonderfully steady time, having only three out of its eight legs remaining.-O. P. Cambridge, Bloxworth Rectory.

MELANIC VARIATION IN LEPIDOPTERA.-In his presidential address to the Yorkshire Naturalists' Union, "On some probable causes of a tendency to Melanic Variation in Lepidoptera of high latitudes," Lord Walsingham remarked that northern representatives of southern forms of lepidoptera showed a tendency to assume a darker or more suffused colour, the same tendency being observable in those frequenting high mountain ranges, and he discussed various reasons which have been suggested to account for such phenomena. He supposes it to be, perhaps, due to the advantages derivable by the insect from its being able the more rapidly to absorb invigorating warmth; and also to surplus vital energy leading to the deposition of pigment. He pointed out also that though the same darkness of colour would cause a more rapid loss as well as gain of heat, this would not be of so much consequence in the case of insects, while in the case of the power of dark races of mankind to support tropical climates, the tendency of the darker skin to absorb heat would be compensated by the quicker loss of the same.

ANOTHER attempt to carry humble-bees to New Zealand to fertilise the clover has failed. All the insects were found dead when the case was unpacked.

BOTANY.

COCAIN IN DIFFERENT SPECIES OF ERYTHROXYLON. A grain of cocain, from the South American tree Erythroxylon Coca, has been selling in London up to three shillings and sixpence as a retail price, and the Secretary of State for India has forwarded to the Government of India a letter from Surgeon. General Balfour, suggesting that the plant should be introduced into that country. Surgeon-General Shortt has been asked to ascertain whether similar properties to those possessed by E. coca, may not be found in some of the East Indian species. Joseph Hooker's "Flora Indica " enumerates seven species there: E. Burmanicum; E. Kunthianum ; E. lanceolatum; E. lucidum; E. monogynum; E. obtusifolium and E. sideroxyloides.

Sir

THE EDELWEISS.-So favoured by legend and romance, the edelweiss is worth cultivating, and this is easily done. It is rather a new introduction to our florists' catalogues, but every lady may soon have it in her drawing-room, if she wishes. It will flower almost as well in town as in country, at least under glass. I got some seed of Freeman's, of Norwich, two years ago; and, sown early in spring in a flat pot, with sandy peat and good loam, and kept moist, it vegetates in a fortnight, and must then be pricked out, and put in a cool frame, and then planted out of doors in about six weeks. It takes as much sun as can be given it. The above are the nursery directions, and, having followed them, I raised some nice plants. Any lady who wishes to emulate the brides of Switzerland has only to order her gardener to sow the seed, and the edelweiss may be ready for the boudoir or the hair in a few weeks, as easily grown as forget-me-nots. The mystery of the edelweiss may be then studied at leisure, as long as it continues flowering, or it may be put into an album or herbarium when it has ceased to do so.John Emmet, F.L.S.

FERTILISATION OF GERANIUMS.-The following observations on Geranium phæum and G. sanguineum may be of interest :-At an early stage of inflorescence the pistil is surrounded by the anthers in such a manner that if the pollen was shed, and the stigma ready to receive it at the same time, selffertilisation would be inevitable. After the pollen is shed, the anthers fall off and the filaments turn away from the style. Then the stigma opens out and shows its five-cleft form, ready to receive the pollengrains which may be brought by bees from other flowers. Afterwards it closes again and remains so. -G. W. Bulman.

BLOSSOMING OF THE ARTICHOKE.-The flowering of this plant appeared to be general in Middlesex, last autumn. Our crop here, in N.W. Middlesex, was much finer than usual, and nearly every plant

flowered; early frosts prevented the seed from coming to maturity. It would be interesting to know why this plant is so shy of flowering, more especially as several other species of Helianthus from S. America are noted for their free flowering habits; H. tuberosus being a native of Brazil, and not, as its name implies, a native of the Holy Land.-7. W. Odell, Pinner.

BLOSSOMING OF THE ARTICHOKE.-In answer to E. A. (SCIENCE-GOSSIP, No. 243), I have noticed the blossoms of Helianthus tuberosus during the past autumn in Kent as well as here in Jersey.— M. E. Fope.

HELLEBORUS VIRIDIS.-When examining for the first time a plant of Helleborus viridis, I was struck with the curious form of the stem immediately beneath the flower. It has a wrinkled appearance for about half an inch. Can any one give me information about this phenomenon; the nature of it, and reason for it? I have examined it under the microscope, but cannot see anything remarkable, excepting two lines inside the stem, which appear to me to be nerves. It is the same as the pulvinus of the cotyledons, described by Darwin in "Movements of Plants."-H. P. FitzGerald.

TERATOLOGICAL NOTES. Dactylis glomerata.—I recently obtained at Bramcote, near Nottingham, by the roadside, near a farmhouse, two specimens of an abnormal development in a grass, I take to be Dactylis glomerata, the rough cock's-foot grass, but the inflorescence is slightly altered owing to the malformation, the panicle being very irregular ; it is well described in Maxwell T. Masters' work as 'viviparous grass." I cannot do better than quote his words. "The spikelets of certain grasses are frequently found with some of their constituent parts completely replaced by leaves, like those of the stem, while the true flowers are usually entirely absent; a shoot in fact is formed in place of a series of flowers. In these cases it generally happens that the outermost glumes are changed, sometimes, however, even the outer and inner paleæ are wholly unchanged, while there is no trace of squamulæ or of stamens and pistils within them, but in their place is a small shoot with miniature leaves arranged in the ordinary manner. This occurs in many species, amongst others Dactylis glomerata."-C. T. Musson, Nottingham.

PELARGONIUM LEAF.-A short time ago a curious leaf malformation was brought to me. A pelargonium leaf had developed into the shape of a wineglass, the bell being like a hollow cone, the leaf-stalk springing from the apex, and, of course, the hollow base upwards.-C. T. Musson, Nottingham.

THE EXPLORATION OF RORAIMA.-Information has been received from Mr. im Thurn, who is at present in British Guiana, to the effect that he has succeeded in ascending Koraima. He found the

plateau treeless and cold, and by no means so isolated as it has been supposed. His party could only explore for a short distance, but he speaks of the scenery of the mountain and the vegetation on the top as most wonderful, and he found several new species of plants there, but no new animals.

ARCHÆAN HIGHLANDS.

GEOLOGY, &C.

ROCKS OF THE NORTH-WEST In the October number, lately issued, of the "Proceedings of the Geologists' Association," is a long paper by Professor J. F. Blake, F.G.S., on the stratification of the Durness and Eriboll district of the North-West Highlands, where Archæan gneiss is found overlying beds of later formation, and the subject is also dealt with in the same number by Professor Lapworth. In referring last year to the work done in the Geological Survey in this region, Professor Geikie stated that the prodigious displacements of strata to be found there are without a parallel in Britain. Reversed faults, with so low a hade that the rocks on the up-throw side are pushed almost horizontally over the others, produce dislocations to which the name "thrust-plane has been applied, the effects being almost incredible. "In Durness, for example, the overlying schists have certainly been thrust westwards across all the other rocks for at least ten miles."

DRIFT-COAL.-The March number of the "Naturalist" contains a note by Professor G. A. Lebour on an Abnormal Deposit of Drift-Coal in North Durham, which consists of a bed, over two feet thick, of comparatively large coal fragments, which however are unlike any coal-measure coal known in the neighbourhood, while they do not appear to have travelled far.

THE FLINT DEPOSITS ON MIDGELEY MOOR.Another vigilant search was made for flints on the now well-known Midgeley Moor on Monday, March 2, 1885, with very satisfactory results. Among the finds may be mentioned several " chips," "cherts," a "scraper," and two perfect "arrow-heads," one not very well worked, but the other as sharp-pointed as a needle, with a rounded base and angular sides. The presence of so many chips, cores, &c., with numerous arrowheads, it was thought may indicate the site of an ancient flint manufactory.-S. F., Mytholmroyd.

"SCHILLERIZATION."-What is it? At a recent meeting of the Geological Society of London a paper by J. W. Judd, F.R.S., was read, on "The Tertiary and Older Peridolites of Scotland," in which the author proposed the term "schillerization," to denote "the development of microscopic enclosures, in the form of plates or rods, along certain planes within

the crystal, giving rise to metallic reflections or a play of colour." He further stated that schillerized forms are produced by deep-seated hydration, weathered forms being due to hydration near the surface.

A CRINOID WITH ARTICULATING SPINES.-In the March number of “The Annals and Magazine of Natural History," may be found an account of a new species of crinoid from calcareous shales of middle Devonian age at Arkona, Province of Ontario, Canada, collected and described by Dr. G. J. Hinde, F.G.S. The author refers to the description in 1883, by Professor H. S. Williams, of a crinoid with movable spines, to which the name of Arthroacantha Ithacensis was given from Devonian strata at Ithaca, in the State of New York. Of this, impressions only were found, while Dr. Hinde's specimens were fragments themselves. This new species, which was found at a lower geological horizon than those of Professor Williams, Dr. Hinde has named Hystricrinus (= Arthroacantha) Carpenteri, and he says that his specimens "conclusively show that Professor Williams had correctly interpreted the impressions and casts of the spines and plates in the Devonian shales, and that, however, novel the feature of movable spines may be in the history of the Crinoidea, no doubt can be entertained of the fact."

SILURIAN INSECT AND SCORPIONS.-The following is taken from some Notes contributed to the "Geological Magazine," by Mr. Herbert Goss, F.G.S. Till lately fragments of neuroptera found in Devonian rocks of North Brunswick were the oldest known insect fossils. Recently the wing of a cockroach (Blatta) has been found in middle Silurian rocks at Jurques, Calvados, France, and to this, the oldestknown insect, and oldest-known terrestrial animal, the name of Palæoblattina Douvillei has been given. Recently also two scorpions, insectivorous animals, whose presence furnishes additional evidence of that of insects, have been found in Silurian rocks, one from the Ludlow beds (upper Silurian) of Lesmahagow, Lanarkshire, and the other from the upper Silurian of the isle of Gotland. The latter, which has been named Palæophonus nuncius, is said to have been clearly an air-breathing animal, and to have observable in it "the presence of four pairs of thoracic legs, which are stout and pointed like those of the embryos of many tracheata, and of forms like campodea. This form of the leg no longer exists in the fossil scorpions of the Carboniferous formations, in which fossils these appendages resemble those of existing species."

CORAL-STONE CONVERTED INTO PHOSPHATE OF LIME.-Mr. George Hughes finds that this change has taken place in deposits in the West Indian islands of Berbuda and Aruba. In the latter case the deposit occurs at a headland called Sierra Colorado,

and Mr. Hughes is of opinion that this was formerly the resort of sea-birds, whose excrement, which contained soluble phosphates, caused the change in the rock.

PARAMORPHOSES OF PYROXENE INTO AMPHIBOLE. From the paragraph in SCIENCE-GOSSIP for March, it is refreshing to find that some of the British scientists are taking up this subject practically; as it seems rather derogatory to British lithologists that just as the Americans are casting aside their "fad" about the old crystalline rocks, the former should step into their old clothes. Mr. Harris Teall, however, can scarcely be said to be the first in the field, as there are a few others before him, as mentioned in the recently published paper by Professor G. H. Williams of John Hopkins College, Baltimore ("American Journal of Science "). Paramorphoses is the field to which the microscopist ought to turn his attention, as by it he learns what changes may and do take place during metamorphosism, no matter what is the age of the rocks. The changes to which the pyroxene is subjected are those more easily seen; but associated with them are other changes, as of the felspars; the latter, however, seem to be, at least in part, more methylatic than paramorphosic, as there appear to be new minerals developed; the change of a triclinic into a uniclinic felspar being accompanied by the development of accessory minerals. This subject is, however, treacherous ground, as it seems possible that it may be paramorphoses and not methylosis that has been at work; as the different minerals that make up a triclinic felspar may be developed and not actually chemically changed. There are some peculiarities in connection with pyroxenic rocks, often absent, but not always, in felstones. Very commonly associated with a pyroxenic rock, let it be as an "intende" or mass, bedded, or as a dyke, there are schistose portions, and the pyroxene in the latter changes much more rapidly into hornblende, than the pyroxene in the more solid portions; also a pyroxenic tuff or tuffose rock will change more rapidly than a compact rock. Subsequently, however, there appears to be a change in their relative sensibilities, as, during more excessive metamorphic action, the compact rock may change into a granyte, while the hornblendyte retains more or less its schistose character. The ordinary changes seem to be in the following order :-Ist, there is the pyroxenic rock, in part tuffose, and in part compact ; 2nd, hornblendyte, and a rock in part pyroxenic and in part amphibolic; 3rd, hornblendyte and hornblendic gneiss; 4th, gneissose hornblendic granyte, having subordinate hornblendic schistose beds or courses; and 5th, metamorphic granyte; the action having become sufficiently intense to destroy the individuality of the original rocks.-G. H. K.

"OUR COMMON BRITISH FOSSILS, AND WHERE TO FIND THEM." By Dr. J. E. TAYLOR, F.G.S.,

F.L.S., &c.—Our position with regard to the authorship of this book forbids us doing more than an nouncing its recent publication. (Chatto & Windus, Price 75. 6d.) It contains about 350 pp. and 331 illustrations. The thirteen chapters of the book are headed as follows: 1. Fossil Sponges, &c. ; 2. Fossil Corallines; 3. Fossil Corals; 4. Encrinites; 5. Fossil Star-fishes and Sea-Urchins; 6. Fossil Worms; 7. Trilobites, and other Fossil Crustacea; 8. Fossil Sea-Mats; 9. Fossil Lamp-Shells; 10. Fossil Mollusca (Primary); 11. Fossil Mollusca (Secondary); 12. Fossil Molluscà (Tertiary); 13. Fossil Cephalopoda. Perhaps the best outline of the author's intention with regard to this Handbook will be conveyed by quoting the preface:"The following pages are intended as a help to the young student of geology, who is usually bewildered by the abundance of invertebrate fossils, when he commences collecting them himself. There are books of a much higher and more extensive character, such as the treatises on Palæontology by Owen and Nicholson, to which I am hopeful this present volume will prove introductory. I have not attempted to introduce the student to other than invertebrate fossil animals, not only because these are by far the most numerous, but also because such an attempt would have expanded the volume beyond due limits. I have recollected the nature of the difficulties which beginners in fossil-collecting feel, and have tried to meet them. My hope has been rather to whet the appetite than to satisfy it."

The

FLINT OR STONE IMPLEMENTS.-In reply to query by Mr. Hewitson, I may say that there have been finds of pre-historic implements in Allendale and the surrounding district. The implements were celts, arrow-heads, flakes, chippings and cores. materials consisted of greenstone and flint. The localities were Allendale Fell, Kilhope Fell, Ramshaw Fell, Tows Band, and Cowburn district. In 1878, the Rev. W. Howchin, F.G.S., contributed a paper on this subject to the Natural History Society of Newcastle-on-Tyne.-J. T. T. Reed.

NOTES AND QUERIES.

ARUM MACULATUM.-On reading Mr. Williams' article on this plant I referred to an old work wherein I find the following account, which I quote verbatim, thinking it may be of interest to him as well as your readers. The book is titled "Pharmacopoeia Officinalis Extemporanea, or, a Complete English Dispensatory," by John Quincy, M.D. printed for Thomas Longman, at the Ship in Paternoster Row, London, 1739, Part ii. Sect. 4. Of Balsamics. Radices, Roots of, Ari, Cuckow Pint; distinguished-vulgare by Gerhard, and-maculatum & non maculatum, by Parkinson. It grows in Hedges and Shady Places. This Plant appears very early in the Spring. It is most violently pungent and volatile; insomuch that the least Touch of its Juice upon

the Tongue is scarce tolerable, and almost caustic. This Quality makes it recommended in all Viscidities, and in phlegmatic and scorbutic Cases; because it penetrates and rarefies tough Concretions and Infractions of the Glands and Capillary Vessels. It has been prescribed in humoral Asthmas and Obstructions of the Bronchia; and by the great Force and Activity of its Parts it breakes thro' and wears away those little Stoppages in the Extremities and cutaneous Glands, which occasion Itchings and Scabs; and is therefore justly rank'd amongst the most powerful Antiscorbutics. Van Helmont commends it greatly, with Vinegar in Bruises or Falls; because it will prevent the Blood from stagnating and falling into Grumes, upon the injured Parts. And Etmuller, with a Mixture of Sallads,' seems to think it will form a Tertium Quid, very much of the Nature of Nasturtium. Some have affirmed a Dram of this Root fresh powder'd and taken in any proper Vehicle, to be a most excellent and infallible Remedy against Poison and the Plague. Mathiolus commends, and with great reason, a Cataplasm made with this fresh bruised and Cow-dung, to be applied hot in arthritic Pains; for such a Composition cannot but do all that is expected from the most penetrating Substances. Schroder reports, that the distilled Water from its fresh Leaves, is a Specific in Melancholy and Distraction. Dr. Grew says that this Root kept long dry, loses its efficacy; which it certainly does; the volatile Parts, in which it consists, flying away, and leaving it insipid.-John Redding, Dublin.

UNRECOGNISED BIRDS: WAXWINGS ?-The birds seen in Yorkshire by Mr. Birkdale (p. 69) were probably specimens of the Bohemian chatterer or waxwing (Ampelis garrulus, Linn.), an irregular winter visitor to this country; if so, they would have a slight crest, a dark throat, and white bands on the wings, besides the features he mentions, and the waxlike appendages to wings and tail, of a bright scarlet, but perhaps, not visible at a distance, from which they are named; in young birds some of these characteristics would be wanting. The date seems unusual. Stone-snatches would be wheatears, whinchats, or stonechats.-J. E. Kelsall.

LAST AUTUMN'S ABERRATIONS.-I forward you a cherry, gathered on November 6th, rather damaged by birds, but rich in colour; and also a cluster of strawberry bloom and green fruit. Both were found out of doors. The gardener, an old and observing man, never before met with a cherry at this season. The autumnal tints, too, were remarkable, and surpassingly beautiful. Prior to the rougher nights of early November, elms retained full luxuriance of foliage, and a few days previously, showed each a daily increasing single blotch of sharply defined and unbroken orange colour, the rest of the leaves remaining unchanged in hue, and all of them as to denseness.-S. S.

ABNORMAL ORANGE.-This orange consists of an inner and an outer one; the inner being of the shape of a miniature barrel, flat at the top, and, as it nears its other extremity, rather abruptly terminates in a blunt point. It is at this point that a pithy stem joins it. The outer part of the orange discloses nothing unusual to view, being of the ordinary shape. It is also remarkable for its paucity of pips.-Arthur Ayling.

ILLUSTRATIONS OF POND LIFE.-Will any reader of SCIENCE-GOSSIP kindly say how I can give illustrations of pond life with the lantern in a small hall.

POND LIFE IN NOTTINGHAMSHIRE.-Can any reader inform me where the best ponds, ditches, or streams, are to be found in Nottinghamshire for micro life, viz., Hydra viridis, Hydra fusca, Stentors, Vorticella, Volvox globator, Melicerta ringens, Desmidiaceæ, or Diatomacea? Any information on this point will be much valued.-W. H. P.

BRANCHED Tentacle of HYDRA.-Some months or so since, Mr. Dunn exhibited at the Birmingham Microscopists' and Naturalists' Union, a specimen of Hydra viridis, having a small tentacle growing out of one of the others, and looking like the letter Y. A short time after, I found two specimens of Hydra vulgaris having the same peculiarity, except that one branched out much nearer the base than the other. Another member of our society, Mr. Henry Hawkes, also found a specimen. As I have never read of anything of the kind, I should be glad to know if any one else has noticed a similar occurrence? I have mounted a specimen, and shall be happy to show it to any one calling on me at 33 Geach Street, Birmingham.-William Tylar.

WATER-VOLES (Arvicola amphibius).—I have often seen water-rats gnawing rushes at the edge of the water. They are plentiful along the banks of the Medway here.-H. Lamb, Maidstone.

PARADISE TREE.-The flower your correspondent F. S. mentions is an orchid and is indigenous to the Isthmus of Panama, and is rare, even in its native land. The plant grows to a height of about 4 feet, the flower being of a creamy white colour, exhaling a faint perfume. The petals of the flower are folded back, and in the centre are arranged in the exact shape of a small white dove with wings extended, as if just about to take flight. It is regarded with religious veneration in its native land, and the inhabitants have given it the name of "Espiritu Santo," the flower of the Holy Spirit, but I unfortunately do not know its scientific name. Of its existence there is no doubt at all; it is, I believe, growing at Chatsworth, and I know it is or was in the conservatories at Windsor.M. L. S., Pendleton.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

now

TO CORRESPONDENTS AND EXCHANGERS.-As we publish SCIENCE-GOSSIP earlier than heretofore, we cannot possibly insert in the following number any communications which reach us later than the 8th of the previous month.

To ANONYMOUS QUERISTS.-We receive so many queries which do not bear the writers' names that we are forced to adhere to our rule of not noticing them.

TO DEALERS AND OTHERS.-We are always glad to treat dealers in natural history objects on the same fair and general ground as amateurs, in so far as the "exchanges" offered are fair exchanges. But it is evident that, when their offers are simply disguised advertisements, for the purpose of evading the cost of advertising, an advantage is taken of our gratuitous insertion of "exchanges" which cannot be tolerated.

WE request that all exchanges may be signed with name (or initials) and full address at the end..

F. MARSHALL.-Morris's "History of British Birds." For price, consult the secondhand catalogues of W. P. Collins, 157 Great Portland Street, or W. Wesley, Essex Street, Strand.

A. S. B., AND OTHERS.-Perhaps you are not aware that furze may be found in blossom all round the year, under anything like favourable conditions. The furze sent is, U. Europaus.

FAUX.-This is not an uncommon thing in bulbous plants, but occurs in the orchids more particularly.

C. FRED FOX.-The paper you mention on the "Cephalopoda of the Isle of Wight," by C. Parkinson, F.G.S., is to be found in No. 177 of this journal, viz., September 1879.

W. W. BLADEN.-Your name as author of the paper on "Nidification in Staffordshire," in our last number, was unfortunately omitted.

G. E. ÉAST, JUN.-"The Natural History Journal" is not in existence. "The Annals and Magazine of Natural History (London: Taylor & Francis), price of an ordinary monthly number, 2s. 6d. "The Geological Record" (London: Taylor & Francis), is published annually to subscribers, price 10s. 6d. E. C.-We cannot undertake correspondence of the kind you mention other than that connected with this column.

F. HARDING.-Get J. Harting's "Rambles in Search of Shells."

F. J. G.-Your letter with regard to M. B.'s exchange notice is the first we have received. We hope we shall not hear the like from others, which might render it necessary to take further steps.

B. B. (Bath).-Thanks for your note. Your address has been taken in case it might be wanted for future reference.

H. A. F.-For information as to works on the botany and natural history of Florida, apply to the editors of the "American Naturalist" (Philadelphia) or the “Botanical Gazette" (Indianapolis).

E. A.-We have received a number of letters replying to E. A.'s query about the blossoming of the artichoke in England. It blossomed at Croydon and elsewhere, besides the places alluded to in the notes now published.

J. RITCHIE.-(1) Grattan's "British Seaweeds" ("Bazaar" Office), published at 2s. 6d. Landsborough's "British Seaweeds," published at 10s. 6d. by Lovell Reeve, coloured plates. (2) Stark's "Popular History of British Mosses" (Routledge), published at 10s. 6d., coloured plates. Many years ago a special number was published of SCIENCE-GOSSIP on Hepaticæ, by Dr. M. C. Cooke. It is now out of print, but may possibly be obtained through some scientific bookseller. Dr. Carrington's work on the Jungermanniacea is slowly coming out.

66

W. B.-Your specimen is Betula alba, or white birch. H. H.-See articles in SCIENCE-GOSSIP on Hybernation of Swallows," by Dr. C. C. Abbott.

J. B. B.-Your specimens are as follows: Xenodochus carbonarius, or Burnet leaf; 54, Polytrichum; 55, species of Pterogonium; 80, imperfect. Probably a pinnule of Aspidium falcatum.

P. O'K. (co. Clare).-Your specimens are the cup-moss lichen (Cenomyce pyxidata), the reindeer's horn lichen (Cladonia rangiferina), and catkins of the common club-moss (Lycopodium clavatum).

H. M.-Your specimen is the partition or septum of the fruit of the garden plant called Honesty.

M. A. M.-The specimen you enclosed is a fragment of the egg-capsules of the common whelk (Buccinum undatum). See Taylor's "Half-hours at the Seaside," for figures and description.

F. R.-Your slide of specimen was smashed. "The white object attached to a pebble" and "dropt by a male bird," is the entire mass of egg-capsules of the white whelk, referred to above. The other object is a fresh-water alga, showing oogonia. F. W. C.-See recent numbers of "Nature" for letters on lantern screens. A lantern-microscope would be very helpful to you in your difficulty. Apply to Messrs. Chatto & Windus for Hepworth's cheap treatise on the Magic Lantern, and how to work it.

S. J. M.-The following are excellent works connected with Sericulture: "Report in regard to the Manufacture of Raw Silk, &c., in India," 1836. "Cultivation of Silk in Australia, Sydney," 1870, "Silk Culture in Japan," "Roxburghe's Account of the Silkworms of Bengal," La Sériculture," by Bavier, Lyons, 1874. You had better apply for any of these or other books on the subject, to B. Quaritch or W. Wesley, scientific bookseller, Essex Street, Strand.

J. E. R.-Your exchanged note is not in hand.

E. H.-1st. Foreign Conchology by Chenu, published in French; Wood's "Index Testaceologica"; Sowerby's "Genera of Shells." The above are abundantly illustrated with coloured plates. 2nd. Any London dealer, or the Assistants in the Conchological Department of the Brit. Nat. Hist. Museum. For British mollusca, see Gwyn Jeffrey's work in five vols.

EXCHANGES.

GOOD botanical, histological, crystals, polariscopic, diatoms, fish scales and miscellaneous, microscopic slides for others as good of bacilli, entozoa, alga, desmids, zoophytes, rocks, fossil woods.-B. Wells, Dalmain Road, Forest Hill.

WANTED, SCIENCE-GOSSIP, Nos. 230, 231. What offers for Balfour's "Outlines" and Paley's "Theology"?-F. Marshall, Benwick, March, Cambridgeshire.

ONE or two specimens of Testacella haliotidea, taken in this locality, which I am willing to forward alive or dead for another equally rare species.-F. Fenn, 20 Woodstock Road, Bedford Park, Chiswick, W.