were taken out of an earthen dyke in great part faced with stones. Through the lowering of the temperature, few, if any, of the wasps were on the wing. The three nests were all within a distance of eighty paces, two of them being within only twenty paces of each other. All were built well up in the face of the dyke, and were near the surface; indeed, one of the nests had a goodly segment of it exposed to view; another was not more than an inch within the small hole of entrance; whilst the third was farther back, but was well revealed on removing two of the stones at its entrance, behind which it was situated. These nests were rounded in form, and of the size and nearly of the shape of a large turnip ; and were composed of grey and grey-green paper, the layers of the shell being large, thin and numerous. The cells of the comb are made of similar paper to that constituting the shell, or case; and they appear to be built up as the larvæ grow-as needs required. On the larva becoming full-fed it apparently fully lines its cell with white silk, as well as continuing the edges upwards and completely covering the top of the cell with a rounded cap of the same substance, which is tough and strong and greatly increases the strength of the cells, these used cells being again utilised after the emergence of the imagoes. There are both large and small cells filled with pupæ, or nymphs. New and imperfect cells containing larvæ are on the margin of the circular platform of paper cells constituting the comb; and there are ova in many of the formerly used cells, fastened by one end to the side of the cell towards its bottom. The ovum is oblong, curving, white in colour, and of fair size. There are larvæ of all sizes, and pupa or nymphs in all stages of development to close on hatching: indeed, there were many newly-hatched wasps in the nests when taken. All the three sexes were represented, there being the workers, the large females or queens, and the males or drones with their longer antennæ and slimmer bodies, all three kinds being of large size and bright colours.

August 3rd. This afternoon I took a small nest of the Vespa rufa out of the same dyke as that out of which were last night taken the three nests of the V. sylvestris, but on its opposite side, where are also two nests of the V. vulgaris. In form it resembles a small turnip on a depressed sphere; and it has the oundish hole of entrance and exit in the centre beneath, and a single circular platform of comb, about two inches in diameter, which is suspended by a broad paper pillar from the top of the shell of the nest. A second pillar, to support a second and lower platform has been formed, being attached to the side of one of the central, used, silk-lined and consequently strong celis; and it has a very rudimentary cell at its extremity, which already contains one of the oblong, milk-white and somewhat curving ova. The outer cells of the platform of comb are very rudimentary, but each contains an ovum; the inner ones

contain larvæ of various sizes; whilst, further in. towards the centre, are pupa or nymphs, and vacated cells which again contain ova, mostly two and three in number, but in some instances even four: some of the cells nearer the circumference, which have not before been used, also contain two ova. The larvæ of this species of wasp are not white, but are yellowish, or buff-coloured. This nest was not far back into the dyke; and the mould was easily dug into, so easily indeed that the nest was got out with a walking-stick. Nearly all the wasps found at it were taken; fifteen in all, seven of which were males, and eight workers. In the evening, however, a few more wasps were taken from the cavity out of which the nest had been dug. These wasps were not at all vicious; the larger ones (V. sylvestris) disturbed last night were very vicious. On the following day I took a few more wasps from the nest-cavity, and left yet a few lingering about the place. No queen, however, was observed, only males and workers; had there been one, she would have, in all probability, been in the nest when it was taken. In all there have been not more than thirty wasps belonging to this small nest. Is it not somewhat singular that there should be males at so early a stage of the nest ?

In the evening a very large and strong nest of the Vespa Germanica was taken out of a stone-faced earthen dyke. On removing two of the stones the nest was fully revealed lying in a cavity behind, its entire depth being distinguishable. The case of this nest is of a shelled character, the several layers of grey and grey-green paper constituting it being laid on in large shell-like pieces varying in dimensions; and, though consisting of fine vegetable fibres, it is thicker in texture than is the paper of the V. sylvestris and V. rufa. There are six tiers, or platforms, of comb; and the nest is the largest I have yet seen. The ova in the comb are at the bottom of the shallow rudimentary cells at and near the margin of the tier, and down towards the bottom, or only midway in the deeper cells towards and at the centre; and are oblong, a little curving, and milk-white in colour. They are fastened by one end to the side of the cell in an angle and project outwards into an acute angle. There is here mostly only one ovum in each cell, though, in some instances, two and even three ova have been deposited in the deeper cells. There are, as well as ova, larvæ of all sizes, and pupæ or nymphs in all stages of development up to perfection, young wasps emerging from the cells. The very young larvæ are attached to the side of the cell in the same manner and position as are the ova, appearing indeed almost to be simply an outgrowth from the ovum in the anterior or cephalic region,— just as though a head had formed there. As the cells are vertical and mouth downwards, some secure attachment will be absolutely necessary for the suspension and safety of the head-down larvæ. No males were found at this nest, nor the queen (which, probably,

had been destroyed in the burning out of the nest); but there was an immense host of very active and very fierce workers, which freely attacked the wouldbe destroyers of their home, and it was no light task evading their stings, as they were most persistent in their attacks and would follow one far from their nest. Also, this evening, a nest of the Vespa sylvestris, not quite so large as the three taken on the 2nd inst., but of fair size and the same shape, was taken out of the above-mentioned dyke at no great distance from that of V. Germanica. It also was situated in a cavity immediately behind the facing stones of the dyke, being completely exposed on the removal of a few of them that lay in front of it. In it were found all the three sexes, workers, large females and males; and out of one tier of comb I extracted several of the large females, or queens and males, that were just about ready to emerge.

men.

(To be continued.)

SCIENCE-GOSSIP.

DEATH has been very busy lately with scientific We have to mourn the loss of two old and valued contributors: Professor Buckman, F.G.S., whose papers on geology and botany were frequent in our earlier numbers, and Mr. J. F. Robinson, of Frodsham, whose "Notes for Science-Classes were among the last of his contributions to SCIENCEGOSSIP. Mr. Robinson died at the early age of forty-five, an earnest, simple-minded botanist and naturalist, who was never so pleased as when assisting other students.

Two distinguished geologists have just passed away: Dr. Thomas Wright, of Cheltenham, the wellknown authority on British Oolitic fossils, and Mr. R. A. Godwin-Austin, of Guildford, whose papers and researches on the physical geography of various of the geological periods gave a new charm to the science, and also aided in the discovery of many new truths.

MR. A. T. METCALFE, F.G.S., has communicated to the Geological Society his discovery in one of the bone caves of the Cresswell Crags of the portion of the upper jaw of the mammoth, containing the first and second milk molar teeth, in situ.

THE Natural History Collections at the Albany Museum, Graham's Town, have long been known to naturalists, who, however, have not hitherto been aware of their extensive character. A catalogue has now been compiled by the curator, M. Glanville, and presented to both Houses of Parliament by the Governor. It is in every way an admirable and creditable piece of work, and cannot fail to be interesting and helpful, both to naturalists at home and abroad.

THE new Executive Council of the National Association of Science and Art Teachers held its first meeting on Saturday, November 29th, in the Technical School, Manchester. Dr. H. C. Sorby, F.R.S., of Sheffield, presided, and there were present representatives from several district associations. Sir Henry E. Roscoe, F.R.S., &c., was unanimously elected president. The new rules adopted at the Annual Meeting were submitted, and ordered to be printed, together with the annual report, an abstract of the proceedings of the district associations, list of members, &c. Measures were adopted for a large extension of the Association, and a committee was appointed to consider the desirability of establishing a newspaper or other journal for science and art teachers. Several other matters were discussed, including a circular of the Science and Art Department, respecting prizes and scholarships, the dates of examinations, and details respecting examinations in machine construction, and drawing and building construction, and in art. It was decided to hold the next meeting of the Executive Council in Birmingham early in February.

A NOTABLE man, Professor Voelcker, F.R.S., well known as a writer on agricultural chemistry, has just died at the age of sixty-two.

DR. H. C. LANG, F.L.S., has drawn up a Systematic List of the Butterflies of Europe," extracted from his work on this subject. It is published by Messrs. Reeve & Co.

MR. CHARLES BAILY, F.L.S., has kindly sent us a copy (profusely illustrated) of the resumé of the communications he made to the Leenwenhoek Microscopical Club, and the Manchester Philosophical Society, "On the structure, the occurrence in Lancashire, and the source of the origin of Naias graminea, Del. var. Delilei, Magnus."

PROFESSOR OWEN has drawn attention to the fact that the upper molar teeth of an eocene mammal (Neoplagiaulax) from Rheims, has premolars like those of the secondary mammal Plagianlax.

Mr. W. BROCKHURST has demonstrated to the Linnean Society, that double daffodil flowers can produce seeds. He has raised them.

THE Rev. H. Higgins has published a very thoughtful paper, in which is condensed a good deal of personal experience in the matter, or Museums of Natural History." He is rather hard on the "loungers" there-but can they "lounge" in better or more harmless places?

DR. PERCY WILDE, of Bath, has issued a short par phlet entitled "Test Type for Determining the Acuteness of Vision." It will be found of great value to people of failing sight. The paper was originally arranged for the "Medical Annual and Practitioners' Index."

M. POUCHET, who is still engaged in experiments on the subject, states that the blood of cholera victims is charged with biliary salts, whilst there is always a tonic alkaloid in their dejecta. Experiments at Marseilles show that biliary acids are relatively more abundant in the blood of cholera patients than in others.

MR. ELLERY, the well known astronomer of Melbourne, is still of opinion that the recent brilliant sunsets are attributable to the presence of vapour in the higher regions of the atmosphere.

MR. GIBBS BOURNE has found a hydriform stage of the freshwater jelly-fish, which for several years past has made its unaccountable appearance in the tanks in Regent's Park.

"THE Birds of Lancashire," by Mr. F. S. Mitchell, of Clitheroe, will be published shortly by Mr. Van Voorst. The book is a carefully prepared list of the species of birds which, either as residents or visitors, have been known to occur within the limits of the county of Lancaster. The author has been aided with information from observers in all parts of the county, and this, added to published matter, has furnished him with a vast number of facts. A map of Lancashire, showing the physical features, and with all the places referred to inserted, has been specially drawn for the work, as also plans of Martin Mere before it was drained, and of the duck-decoy at Hale, with woodcuts illustrating this mode of catching ducks. The volume promises to be very interesting.

AT the last meeting of the Royal Microscopical Society a new Lantern Microscope with the oxyhydrogen light was exhibited, which will be of great service to lecturers who require to exhibit microscopic objects to classes or audiences. A number of anatomical and other objects were exhibited on a screen fourteen feet square; and Mr. Lewis Wright, and Messrs. Newton & Co., of Fleet Street, the makers of the instrument, received high commendations for the brilliancy and sharpness with which the details of the subjects were shown. This instrument was also exhibited at the recent meeting of the Quekett Microscopical Society, when the blow-fly's tongue was shown from 6ft. to 14ft. long, and a section of a drone fly's eye was magnified 2500 diameters.

AT a recent meeting of the Academy of Paris, M. Vulpian read a paper on the anaesthetic action of the chlorohydrate of cocaine.. So powerful is it that an aqueous solution of 1 part of cocaine and 99 parts of water inserted under the eyelids produces complete insensibility of the conjunctiva and cornea in the human eye.

ON the 14th of November last, I found a sprig of hawthorn in full and fragrant blossom in a hedge near Ipswich. The sprig bore ripe fruit as well as flowers.-7. E. Taylor.

MICROSCOPY.

TO CLEAN CLOUDY MOUNTS.-On mounting sections of freshly cut vegetable tissues, they become cloudy. Will any reader suggest a mode of clearing and mounting to prevent this occurring?-W. H. L.

STAINING VEGETABLE TISSUES.-A correspondent has drawn our attention to the fact that the paragraph in last month's SCIENCE-GOSSIP under the above heading, by W. F. Pratt, is quoted bodily, verbatim et literatim, from Cole's "Methods of Microscopical Research," part xi. for June 1884.

THE QUEKETT CLUB.-The Journal of this well known club for November 1884, is as interesting as usual; containing, beside the Committee's report, list of members, &c., the address by the president, Dr. M. C. Cooke, a paper on "A Hydrostatic fine Adjustment," by E. M. Nelson; and a list of objects found on various excursions to Epping Forest, Whitstable, and other places.

THE NORFOLK DIATOMACEE.-Mr. F. Kitton, Hon. F.R.M.S., has issued the second series of his "Century," and in every respect it fully maintains the high character earned for the work by the first.

LIVERPOOL MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY.-The ordinary monthly meeting of this Society was held on 5th December, the president, Mr. Charles Botterill, F.R.M.S., in the chair. Some notes on the "Seedvessels of Senecio vulgaris" were read by Mr. William Oelrichs, F. R. Met. Soc.; special attention being called by him to the minute spiral fibres emitted from the hairs on the surface of the seedvessels after immersion in water. Another paper was read by Mr. A. T. Smith, junr., on the structure of Alcyonium digitatum, the dead man's finger zoophyte. He described the general appearance of the zoophyte during life, both in and out of the water, and afterwards detailed its minute structure as revealed by the microscope-tentacles, thread cells, spicules, &c.

"THE JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY."-The January issue of this journal shows no falling off in its old vigour, and promises well for the coming year. It contains the address of the President of the Postal Microscopical Society, Mr. C. F. George; together with papers on 'A Piece of Hornwrack: Its Inhabitants and Guests," by Arthur J. Pennington, illustrated; "Rambles of a Naturalist near Amberley," by Miss A. M. Charlesworth; and "The Microscope and How to Use it," by V. A. Latham.

DOES THE SPARROW-HAWK ATTACK TOADS?Referring to this query (p. 215), I believe such an incident to be quite new in the history of the sparrowhawk; but not uncommon with the kestrel. Is your correspondent certain the bird was not a kestrel ?— H. M., Ipswich.

ZOOLOGY.

NOTES ON THE MOLLUSCA OF SURREY, SUSSEX, AND KENT.-I have lately been on a walking tour, and have collected many uncommon shells in localities which have not yet, as far as I am aware, been recorded. I think that a few of the more interesting will be worth recording now. In the neighbourhood of Addington, in Kent, I found a single specimen of Helix rotundata, var. alba, and the same variety also turned up later on at Eynsford, where I also got a specimen of H. pomatia, thus extending its range well into Kent, in which county I had never before taken it, though I found it very common in Surrey from Caterham to Shiere. About half-way between Reigate and Dorking, Clausilia Rolphii was common on a bank on one side of the road, and with it Cochlicopa tridens, while close by a stream rather nearer to Reigate we found also the variety crystallina and some specimens of Helix arbustorum. Hyalina (or Zonites) glabra was very abundant in Surrey, and in some parts of Kent, but we did not meet with a single specimen in Sussex. The following are a few of the localities: West Wickham, Addington, Reigate, Shiere, Paddock Wood, and Eynsford. H. nitidula seemed commonest in Kent; H. cellaria and H. crystallina were well diffused, but H. fulva we only found at Haslemere. A few miles to the north-west of Wrotham I found a few specimens of a greenish variety of H. cellaria, similar to one found at Maidenhead, which I considered at the time to be alliarius var. viridula, the specimen being immature, but comparison with the adult specimens now found convinces me that they are identical. Achatina acicula we found in two Sussex localities, one being the extreme summit of a high hill, a few miles north of Chichester, and the other a mossy bank at Robertsbridge, where we found several other good shells, such as Clausilia Rolphii, which was by no means uncommon, and with it Cochlicopa tridens, Helix arbustorum, H. lapicida, and others. On a wall at Battle we found some specimens of Clausilia rugosa, var. gracilior, and close by one C. laminata. Helix cartusiana was found only at one place, a little to the east of Worthing, where my brother, who was with me, got two specimens. We found a large number of other shells, but I have no space to record them at present, and as they are many of them common ones they would be of less interest than the above.-T. D. A. Cockerell, August 1884.

CAPTURE OF SUN-FISH.-A fine specimen of the sun-fish (Orthragoriscus mola) was captured about four miles off Redcar, Yorks, on September 13th. A party of gentlemen were engaged in shooting seabirds, when they sighted what they supposed to be the fin of a shark standing out of the water about 18 inches. When within range, the fish was fired at,

and immediately after the boatman gaffed with the monster, which was promptly got on board. On the following Monday, Dr. W. Y. Veitch purchased the fish on behalf of the Middlesbro' Museum Committee, and it is now in the hands of the taxidermist. The demensions of the fish were as follows:-From tip to tip of fins, 5 feet. From nose to anal fin, 3 feet 9 inches. From back to belly, 2 feet 3 inches. Weight, after removal of entrails, 9 stone 2 pounds.— Baker Hudson, Middlesborough.

LANTERN ILLUSTRATIONS IN NATURAL SCIENCE. -I should be obliged for information respecting the best means of demonstrating to large classes upon natural history objects with the aid of microscopic slides (not micro-photographs) and lantern. I understand that there is a method by which the image of opaque objects even can be thrown upon the screen. How far can an ordinary microscope and lantern be adapted to such work?—E. W.

SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES, AND THE WORK THEY ARE DOING.We have received the Transactions of the Hertfordshire Natural History Society and Field Club, Parts 1 & 2. Amongst the papers therein we notice the following: "The Diatomaceæ, with special reference to species found in the neighbourhood of Hertford," by Isaac Robinson; "The recorded occurrence of land and fresh-water Mollusca in Hertfordshire," by W. D. Roebuck and John W. Taylor; "Remarks on the Land Mollusca, with reference to their investigation in Hertfordshire," by John Hopkinson ; "Notes on Mosses, with an outline of a Hertfordshire Moss-Flora," by A. E. Gibbs; 'Notes on Birds observed in Hertfordshire," by J. E. Littleboy; "List of Land and Fresh-water Mollusca observed in Hertfordshire," compiled by J. Hopkinson; "Notes on Boulders and Boulder-clay in North Hertfordshire," by H. G. Fordham; “On the Microscopic structure of Boulders found in the North of Hertfordshire," by J. Vincent Elsden; "Notes on Lepidoptera observed near Sandridge," by A. F. Griffith; "Report on Insects observed in Hertfordshire during the year 1883," by F. W. Silvester.

THE Transactions of the Ottawa Field Naturalists Club is of great interest, proving the vitality and thoroughness of scientific investigation amongst our Canadian neighbours. Besides the inaugural address of the president, Dr. H. Beaumont Small, and the various official reports of the different sections of Geology, Conchology, etc., the following valuable papers are given: "Notes on the 'Flora Ottawensis," by Jas. Fletcher; "On the Sand Plains of the Upper Ottawa," by E. Odlum; "List of Ottawa Fossils," with introduction, by Henry M. Ami; "Edible and Poisonous Fungi," by J. Macoum; "List of Ottawa Coleoptera," with introduction, by W. H. Harrington; "Suctoria," by J. B. Tyrrell; "On the occurrence of Phosphate in Nature," by

G. M. Dawson; "The Deer of the Ottawa Valley," by W. P. Lett; and a "Note on Doassansia occulta," by W. G. Farlow.

THE Report of the Liverpool Science Student's Association is mainly occupied with accounts of the various excursions made by the members during the past session, many of which are of considerable interest. Amongst these we notice more especially visits paid to Boston Observatory, and to the Seacombe Phospho-Guano Works.

THERE is also, as an Appendix, a valuable series of "Local Notes for Science Students," by Osmond W. Jeffs.

THE Report of the Norwich Science Gossip Club contains, beside the list of members, Report of the Committee, &c., the address of the president, Mr. T. Irwin Dixon, which conveniently summarizes the proceedings of the Society during the past year, briefly describing the various meetings, and giving in condensed form many valuable papers and addresses delivered by members.

THE Proceedings of the Folkestone Natural History Society contains the following papers: "The Hand, considered as an organ of expression; or, Scientific Chirognomy as opposed to Chiromancy," by Dr. FitzGerald, the president; "Pain," by Dr. Tyson; "The Nautilus and the Ammonite," by Mr. Hy. Ullyett, the secretary; "Earthquakes and Volcanoes," Dr. FitzGerald; and a most useful paper, intended as a general guide to the amateur naturalist, read by the Secretary at the field day at Lydden Spont.

BOTANY.

SAGITTARIA SAGITTIFOLIA.-Cette particularité de végétation n'est point signalée dans la plupart des ouvrages de botanique, ou les flores que j'ai à ma disposition; cependant Cosson et Germain de St. Pierre, dans leur "Flore des, Environs de Paris," s'expriment en ces termes (page 640): "Souches à fibres nombreuses, émettant plusieurs rhizomes qui portent une ou plusieurs écailles espacées et se renflent au sommet en une bulbe charnue qui devient libre par la destruction du rhizome et donne naissance à une nouvelle plante l'année suivante." J'ajouterai qu'il m'est souvent arrivé de recueillir des échantillons des bulbes en question, flottant dans le fleuve la Somme, à Amiens, soit que ces bulbes se soient eux-mêmes détachées de la base, soit qu'ils en aient été arrachées par le passage des bateaux ou par les travaux de faucardage (coupe des herbes aquatiques avec une faux).-C. C., Somme.

PARASITIC FUNGI.-Professor Trelease sends us a copy of his carefully drawn up pamphlet, entitled Preliminary List of Wisconsin Parasitic Fungi.'

66

It includes only species which have been examined by himself, and, with one or two exceptions, all are in his own herbarium. The list includes about 270 species, and about the same number of "hosts; but he thinks their number will be doubled by a few years' collections.

"THE BRITISH MOSS FLORA."-The author of this beautiful and valuable work, Dr. Braithwaite, F.L.S., has now reached his eighth part, which deals with the family Tortulacea. It is illustrated by six plates, each giving from eight to ten species, with details of structure, &c. This is unquestionably the most valuable work on mosses which has yet appeared.

LEAF OF NEPETA GLECHOMA.-Every observer will have noticed that the leaves of the ground ivy have a tendency to become patched with white, thereby assuming a pretty variegated appearance. Has anything been written on this subject? I have examined several leaves under a strong 1-inch power, and find that the white spots show heaps of black refuse, which looks like excrement from some small insect that has been feeding on the leaf, while there are proofs that the chlorophyll has been consumed. I have, however, failed as yet to detect either insect or fungus, and should be glad to know whether the cause of this peculiarity has yet been traced.-H. Friend.

DOUBLE DAHLIAS.-It was not until this summer that I ever observed two dahlias upon one peduncle, back to back, or otherwise. It is evidently due to the economy of nature to utilise one peduncle for two flowers. The "freak" could not have arisen from the want of light; for my plant, also old-fashioned double dark red, was exposed to ample, being in a good upright position. I thought at first one flower, in its struggle for existence, would outdo the other; but no, both were beautifully developed and remained in bloom as long as any other. Last spring I was presented with a primrose (Primula vulgaris) suffering from the same abnormality; in this latter case the peduncle was much thickened and flattened.-R. H. Wellington.

GEOLOGY, &C.

GEOLOGISTS' ASSOCIATION.-The Proceedings of the Geologists' Association is to hand, containing, besides reports of the ordinary meetings, papers of great interest by members, among which are the following: "Fossil Plants," by J. Starkie Gardner; "Notes on the Krakatoa Eruption," by Grenville J. Cole; "The Implementiferous Gravel of North-East London," by J. E. Greenhill; and an address on "Fossil Plants from various Formations," by William Fawcett. Exceedingly interesting, too, are the reports of visits paid by the Society to the British