NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

ALL communications relative to advertisements, post-office orders, and orders for the supply of this Journal should be addressed to the PUBLISHER. All contributions, books, and pamphlets for the EDITOR should be sent to 192, Piccadilly, London, W. To avoid disappointment, contri. butions should not be received later than the 15th of each month. No notice whatever can be taken of communications which do not contain the name and address of the writer, not necessarily for publication, if desired to be withheld. We do not undertake to answer any queries not specially connected with Natural History, in accordance with our acceptance of that term; nor can we answer queries which might be solved by the correspondent by an appeal to any elementary book on the subject. We are always prepared to accept queries of a critical nature, and to publish the replies, provided some of our readers, besides the querist, are likely to be interested in them. We cannot undertake to return rejected manuscripts unless sufficient stamps are enclosed to cover the return postage. Neither can we promise to refer to or return any manuscript after one month from the date of its receipt. All microscopical drawings intended for publication should have annexed thereto the powers employed, or the extent of enlargement, indicated in diameters (thus: × 320 diameters). Communications intended for publication should be written on one side of the paper only, and all scientific names, and names of places and individuals should be as legible as possible. Wherever scientific names or technicalities are employed, it is hoped that the common names will accompany them. Lists or tables are inadmissible under any circumstances. Those of the popular names of British plants and animals are retained and registered for publication when sufficiently complete for that purpose, in whatever form may then be decided upon. ADDRESS No. 192, PICCADILLY, LONDON, W.

T. R.-The "Butterfly number Paternoster Row.

M. D. (T. Wells).-Your fungus is Reticularia umbrina. See Hooker's "Flora," pl. ii. p. 308.

A. L.-There are several species of moths (Tineina) that are destructive to clothing, &c, whilst in their caterpillar stage. Some of these will be found throughout the year, except during the coldest winter months. Keep plenty of camphor with the articles it is desired to preserve. Some persons advocate "Insecticide," but we have never tried it. A. S. C.-Forwarded to F. M. The insect appears to be the Chermes bursarius of Burmeister.

E. H. L. will find a full answer to this query on deep-sea soundings in " Davies on Mounting, &c.," p. 42, &c.-J. R. E. W. M. S.-Your shrub is Crataegus pyracantha, a native of the south of Europe.-W. C.

H. P. A.-Your water plant was described in the last number of "Seemann's Journal of Botany " (June, 1866).

E. M. H.-Blue cloth covers for SCIENCE GOSSIP, vol. i., may be had of the publisher at one shilling.

A. G. T.-Your little insects were the same as those noticed last month, p. 168, and there stated to be Notaspis obscurus. S. B. G. T.-See a reply to your query in full in SCIENCE Gossip, vol. i. p. 191, in a communication by G. Guyon. THE DIPPER.-Except a statement of facts from personal observation, we can admit no more correspondence respecting "Birds walking under Water."

R. M. (Glasgow).-The "Parr " has been considered by some as an early condition of the salmon. Mr. Couch treats it as a distinct species (Sulmo salmulus).

H. G. G.-Not an uncommon condition of Trifolium repens. The so-called "tea-tree" is Lycium barbarum.

P. P. suggests the formation of an Amateur Microscopical Club for Cheltenham. We cannot see how we can assist him. Why not try the effect of a letter in a local paper?

J. G. G.-We have no record of your address, and a correspondent desires information on keeping falcons.

E. M. H.-" Smelts" are not young salmon; the young fry of salmon are called "smolts."

F. A. A.-The caterpillars so common on hawthorn are those of Hyponomeuta padella. See vol. i. p. 168, and vol. ii. p. 182.

J. P. Had you sent one query instead of five, it might have been answered.-"Let your moderation be known to all

men."

R. T. M. A.-Botanical and Entomological boxes may be had of Mr. How (late Knight), Foster-lane, E.C.

EINNA will doubtless find all the information desired in the present number.

B. T.-Your supposed fern is the leaf of the Wood Betony, with the under-side covered by a parasitic fungus called Puccinia Betonica.

N. S.-The cluster-cups (Ecidium, sp.) now to be found, will be those on the berberry, the buckthorn, the sanicle, and the very interesting one on the whitethorn; but for many of them it is too late.

W. S.-You will find about thirty species of the fungi that are found on dead leaves figured and described in "Seemann's Journal of Botany" for the present month.

F. S.-The majority of common zoophytes are figured and described in "Johnston's Zoophytes," published by Van Voorst.

A M.-Mr. Gosse published a list of the British species of Rotifers in 1851.

R. W.-There is no English work, at all complete, on mites or Aceri.

C. A.-Conditions like that of your dandelion are met with more or less every year.

J. W. 1.-The bodies on oak leaves are young "Oak spangles," so often alluded to in our "Answers." Queries sent to the author named.

W. L. W.-The kind of work you require is much wanted. G. E. P.-Keep your tank in the dark a few days.-W. L. W. F. Y.-The white knapweed is only a common variety. Ladybirds are not confined to hop districts, but are found everywhere; surely South Wales cannot be an exception. Of course they are much more common in some localities than in others.

J. R. E.-No. 1 is Potamogeton densum, L.; No. 2, Callitriche verna, L.; No. 3, Cornus sanguinea, L.; as far as we can tell from the fragments sent.-N.

G. M.-No. 1. Hypnæn purpurascens (fruited). 2. Polysiphonia elongata. 3. Decayed Polysiphonia infested with diatoms. 4. Sphacelaria scoparia. 5. Similar to No. 3. 6. Ceramium diaphanum (fruited). Such inferior specimens are scarcely possible of identification, and as specimens are worthless.-W. H. G.

T. H. H. (Gateshead).- No. 1, Mamestra Brassica; No. 2, Acronycta Psi.-F. M.

ERRATA.-At. p. 147, col. 2, line 14, for " breeding," read "feeding."

WHAT IS THE OBJECT? (p. 151).-For "Holotharia," read "Holothuria;" for "Gregorica," read "Gorgonia;" for "Spicales," read "Spicules;" and for "S S. Clarke," read "J. L. Clarke," the paragraph having been inadvertently inserted without being "read."

N. L. Y.-Your query is too indistinctly stated for us to make out what you require.

BODOWEN.-There is a second edition of the "Micrographic Dictionary, which contains additions to the first.

EXCHANGES.

JAMAICA WOODS.-Apply to W. E. Williams, M.D., Pickwick-road, Corsham, Wilts.

PUSS MOTH.-Pupa for those of other good species.-E. A., 8, Victoria-place, Stoke, near Plymouth.

EOG Moss (Sphagnum cymbifolium) unmounted, for other objects of interest.-E. M., 6, Holford-square, Pentonville. ANDREA NIVALIS (in fruit) for Buxbaumia aphylla or Cinclidium stygium.-Ed. S. G., 192, Piccadilly.

FOSSIL TEETH.-Sections for objects of similar value.E. W., 48, Tollington-road, Holloway, N.

ASPARTIC ACID, wanted for Deutzia scabra.-J. S. P., Abbotsbury, Dorset.

COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVED.-J. G.-A. S. C.-T. R.—T. A. S.-J. F.-T. Q. P.-A. L.-T. P. B.-A. M. D.-A. S. C.J. R. E-W. M. S.-A. J. N. M.-E. B. (Kensington)-G.— L. L.-H. P. A.-R. S. S.-T. B.-T. C. H.-E. T. M.-W. A. L.-J. G.-E. T. S.-E. G.-J. H. F.-W. H. S. W.-E. M. H. -W. W. S.-D. S.-A. G.-J. R.-E. G. W.-H. W. T. E.— J. N.-H. U.-H. J. B.-S. B. G. T.-F. A. A.-A. B.-J. C.V. A. S.-J. D. M.-A. B. F.-Q. J. B.-B. M.-L. H. F.— R. T. M. A.-F. F. S.-R. M.-G. M.-H. G. G.-W. H. H. -P. P.-E. A.-R. M. M.-G. F. S.-C. A.-J. W. I.-N. D. L.-W. L. W.-F. Y.-T. H. H.-S. F. C.-H. A. A.-A. F. C.-J. G.-E. W.-J. H. D.-R. B.-H. J. B.-J. S. P.J. W. L.-T. C.-T. B. W.-C. B.-G. G.-J. M.

ECHINUS SPINES.-Sections sent to E. M.-C.-C. A.-A.— J. T. B.-S. C.-G. E.-G.-C. A. J.-C. E. L.-T. D. M.J. M.-W. R. M.-W. P.-G. E. Q.-H. T. R.-W. R.G. W. R.-A. S.-E. W.-T. E. W.-J. W.-T. B.-S.B.J. R. E.-J. H. D.-N. G. G.-Mr. G.-J. G.-G. G.-H. (Poplar)-J. W. I.-W. H. K.-J. L.-W. E. M.-T. SW. J. S.-J. H. W.-H. P. A.-T. G. D.-H. G. G.-D. W. R. -J. W. L.-T. B.-W. C.-J. C. D.-W. G.-J. P.-E. T. S.W. L. S.-J. S.-W. (Ramsgate)-F. J. W.-T. W.-E. W.F. W.-T. W. W.-J. S. P.-W. B.-C. B.

IFE is a chain of surprises, to which every day adds a link," is written by some one, but by whom we do not remember. Had the selfsame author known our little friend, who, like Sir Thomas the Good,

Would pore by the hour,
O'er a weed or a flower,

Or the slugs that come crawling
out after a shower;

Still poking his nose into this and to that,

At a gnat, or a bat, or a cat, or
a rat,

Or great ugly things,
All legs and wings,
With nasty long tails arm'd with
nasty long stings:-

Had he known that assiduous little type of a devotee to the microscope twelve months ago, even he could never have imagined such a link in the chain of surprises, as the said devotee having "gone to his club." We by no means allude to any personal and individual friend, but to that mythical member of the Q.M.C. who once a month covers his head and rushes from his study, his microscope, and his Canada balsam, to spend the evening at his Club. This Journal had only fairly started into existence last year, when a correspondent inquired of us, in a communication addressed to the Editor, whether it would not be practicable to associate all the amateur microscopists of the metropolis in a society for their mutual benefit. This letter was printed (at page 116 of vol. I.), with a note appended, soliciting communications on the subject. No. 21.

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH, Sept. 5, 1865.

So favourably was the proposition received, that it was considered advisable to call a meeting of all who might feel interested in the subject. The result was, that a provisional committee was organized, and the idea, which originated with one individual in May, became a realized fact in July; and (at page 189) the "Quekett Microscopical Club" was announced as having commenced its career, which has been so successfully prosecuted during the past twelve months. Those loquacious old ladies who are so intimately associated with the advent of our juvenile population, are wont to pride themselves when any one of their protégés grows up as a 'clever boy" and threatens to make "a noise in the world," that it was a child of their nursing." In like manner we regard this offspring of a year as a child of our own nursing, with a longing to pat it on the head, and call it "Our Club."

According to custom, the Club issued its prospectus, in which the following paragraph occurs :

"This Club has been established for the purpose of affording to Microscopists, in and around the Metropolis, opportunities for meeting and exchanging ideas without that diffidence and constraint which an amateur naturally feels when discussing scientific subjects in the presence of professional men."

Thus the general objects of the Club are set forth; how they have been accomplished, a few facts gleaned from the Report presented at the annual meeting will explain. After acknowledging the dis

K

advantages under which Dr. Lankester accepted the office of President of the Club for the first year, and the able and courteous manner in which he filled that office, and after paying a just tribute to the memory of the first member removed from the Club by death, Joseph Toynbee, F.R.S., who was at the period of his decease nominated as President for the ensuing year, the report adverts to the great success of class instruction in microscopical manipulation under the superintendence of Mr. W. T. Suffolk, and gives hope of its being resumed. The field excursions are also alluded to as having been satisfactory, the first of these-to Hampstead-heath-being one Saturday afternoon, and the second to Darenth Wood and Swanscombe Marshes, on the 26th June. It is gratifying to learn that this truly practical phase in the operations of the Club was highly appreciated by the members, and received their cordial support. As good collections of objects are said to have been made on both occasions, these excursions are likely to be continued at intervals during the summer months. With regard to the library of books of reference, we are only informed that several donations have been received; hence it may be inferred that another valuable adjunct to an association of this description has not been forgotten.

It is not less gratifying to learn that one hundred and twenty-three slides of mounted objects have been contributed by members during the past year, and the Committee shrewdly allude to the fact that one of the members has presented a cabinet capable of containing an additional three hundred and fifty. Let us hope that the "canny" hint will not be forgotten.

The list of papers read at the monthly meetings may be taken as an index of the kind of topics which have occupied the attention of the Club. "Work for the Microscope," by M. C. Cooke. "Spiracles of Insects," by R. Beck. "Five new forms of Microscopical Fungi," and "The Application of the Microscope to the Discrimination of Vegetable Fibres," by M. C. Cooke. "How to Arrange and Keep a Cabinet," by J. Bockett. "A New Form of Microscope," by W. Hislop. "Class Instruction," by W. T. Suffolk. "The Respiratory Organs of Insects," by J. A. Archer. "Manipulation with Canada Balsam,” by D. E. Goddard. versal Microscopical Admeasurements," by M. C. Cooke. The Application of Photography and the Magic Lantern to Microscopical Demonstrations," by S. Highley. "Some Motions in the Pale BloodCorpuscles," by H. Wigg, and "The Pigment Cells of Plants, in some of their varied Forms and Structure," by N. Burgess.

"Uni

Allusion is made in the Report to a sub-committee which has been appointed for the examination of vegetable fibres, with an intimation that an interesting report might be anticipated at the close of their labours.

A brief paragraph announces the important fact, that one hundred and fifty-five members have been admitted during the year, and that their interest in the proceedings of the Club "has been manifested, not only by the good attendance at the meetings, but also by the free discussion and friendly intercourse which has been maintained, and which it is hoped may be still further increased by the genial influences of a soirée at no very distant period." This is the climax of the Report.

At first the meetings of the Club were held in a very comfortable and commodious room in Sackville Street, but the rapid increase, and large attendance of members, soon made it manifest that the accommodation was far too limited. In fact, the baby's feet were in danger of being crippled by little boots. In this dilemma, by favour of the Council of University College, the Club removed to the Library of that Institution, where its meetings are now held, on the fourth Friday of every month, at eight o'clock.

Having given this brief epitome of the first Report of the Quekett Microscopical Club, we may be permitted to add that the low rate of subscription, which is only ten shillings per annum, and no entrance fee, places its advantages within the reach of all amateurs, and it would cause in us but little surprise if the number of its members should be nearly doubled during the ensuing year, especially with such an "earnest heart" in the work.

Any one who has attended the meetings, and conversed with the members of this club during its brief career, will not fail to have observed the genial spirit of friendly intercourse which prevails, and the total absence of anything approaching to invidious comparison, jealousy, or antagonism, whereby any other fellow-workers in the same field, though in other associations, can feel themselves aggrieved. "Our Club" is named, perhaps, with a feeling of pride, but not of ostentation, and if they are not addicted to seeking for blame in others, it may be attributed to the earnestness with which they are in pursuit of their own studies, and the good will with which they are striving to benefit each other, and advance the cause of microscopical science.

The prominence which we have given to this sub. ject, or, indeed, any notice of it whatever, may at first appear to have been impolitic in us, who address more readers beyond the boundary of the operations of the club than within it. Still, we would hope that a twofold purpose has been served. Microscopists far away will learn what some of their metropolitan brethren have been doing for themselves, and the successful establishment of one such association may, when known, be the means of inducing similar efforts in other cities, where hitherto nothing of the kind has been attempted. Whether as news or example, therefore, we commit this brief record to their attention.

AS

SNAILS AND THEIR HOUSES.

S there is no creature more common on our chalk and limestone, as well as on our silicious or sandy soils, than the genus Helix, so there is none which authors have taken greater pains to classify elaborately. These "common things" belong to the Malacozoa or Mollusca. Blainville gave them the one name (from malakos, soft, and zoön, animal), and Cuvier gave them the other and more convenient term-"soft things." He also pronounced them gasteropods, or belly-footed, because they possess a muscular disk or foot for creeping, attached to the body underneath. Slugs, however, as well as snails, and even marine whelks and buccines,-indeed, all ordinary mollusks, are familiarly known also to possess this fleshy appendage. But then Helix is the Latin for snail, as Dr. Johnson declares tace to be that for a candle, and it stands to reason that Helix should be distinguished as the snail par excellence; and it is so regarded both by Linnæus and Lamarck.

The three most familiar to us from their shells are :

Fig. 178.

Fig. 175. Spotted Snail (H. aspersa).

H. nemoralis or arbustorum, the Wood or Orchard Snail (figs. 176, 177), brown, and marbled with yellow, with one long dark brown band continued from the spire to the base of its volutes.

H.hortensis, the Garden Snail (fig. 180), a very pretty yellow shell, with five longitudinal brown bands.*

* Some authors regard Helix nemoralis and H. arbustorum as distinct species, with H. hybrida and H. hortensis as varieties of H. nemoralis.

GWR

Figs. 178, 179. Apple Snail (H. pomalia). When we speak of size, the most respectable British snail is the Apple Snail, H. pomatia (figs. 178,

179), literally the size of a small Somerset cider apple, not unlike one, and, at least, as eatable. The Romans, indeed, were so very partial to this delicacy of the season, that, with them, it was an object of cultivation, and as reasonably so as the oyster with us, or the sea slug with the Chinese. What, in fact, are those periwinkles which certain inhabitants of Whitechapel are at this moment eating with a pin? Only another class of the same order, and, mayhap, not so well fed on the fat and sap of nature. We need not be surprised, therefore, if some nations still show a peculiar relish for snails. During Lent they are used as food in many parts of Catholic Europe. A writer, passing through the market of Rome during the month of March, says he saw things exposed for sale which we should hardly suppose human creatures would choose voluntarily for food. "There were baskets of frogs and shellsnails. These were crawling about and pushed back by the boys."

Likewise in the new world, at Monte Video, Mr. Webster ("Voyage of the Chanticleer") informs us that "large quantities of snails are sold in the market and used for making soup." The distinctions of food lawful and unlawful for the Jews are well understood, ever since the vision of St. Peter, to have had only in view objects peculiar to the Jewish nation; and by Lev. xi. 30, snails, in common with some other vermin, were forbidden to the Jews. Man is not the only creature that feeds on snails. Birds do so; and the common eel feeds on snails as well as on worms-nay, at night will quit its watery element and wander in search of them along meadows. A well-known naturalist at Weymouth (Mr. Thompson) lately wrote to me that he rather fancied the profusion of small shell snails consumed by the sheep on its green sea pastures had something to do with the fine flavour of the Portland mutton. Mr. Thompson's authority is important. As a sportsman he has made it his study to distinguish the flavour of all flesh that falls a prey to his gun. The vast quantities, in fact, of gluten which those creeping dainties of old contain, render them of well-known value as a remedy in pulmonary consumption, and "snail's milk" is an old wife's secret of great repute, though generally administered in secret, through dread of ridicule.

We figure this great Pomatia. It will be seen (figs. 178, 179) that the stripes passing lengthwise are crossed by very minute spiral stripes, not strong enough to mark it like network. It is only found in the South of England, under hedges, in woods, and on chalky soil; which localization is accounted for by the fact of its not being indigenous, but introduced so recently as the middle of the sixteenth century by Mr. Howard, at Albury, Surrey, whence it increased and spread itself over most of the southern counties, although some attribute its introduction

into England to Sir Kenelm Digby for the medical purposes above alluded to.

Although perhaps H. pomatia is the only thing in snails anywise tempting, although it was a favourite food of the luxurious Romans, and is still consumed as a rarity in many parts of the world, yet the common spotted snail, H. aspersa, is also highly enough esteemed to be thought worthy of culture. I have the authority of my friend Mr. E. J. Lowe for saying that large quantities have been exported alive in barrels to America, and successfully propagated in the United States (the creatures being each bisexual), whilst great numbers are conveyed to the London markets for the cure of chest diseases. This snail enlarges to its greatest dimensions in Algiers. And, by the way, the ratio of spiral development of its subglobose shell has been identified by Professor Goodsir (the friend and companion of the lamented Edward Forbes) with the true logarithmic curve.

Notwithstanding the destructiveness of H. aspersa (figs. 174, 175), it is only fair to state that if, and so long as, it can get primroses (Primula vulgaris), nettles, elder, or wild celery to devour, it will not trouble anything else. The surface of its shell is rough and apparently strong, yet it is, in reality, thin and brittle, a circumstance which gives every advantage to the song or stone thrush (Merula vulgaris) in knocking it against a selected stone in the gravel walk, so frequently found surrounded by the fragments of shell, whence the dainty songster has pecked its "tit-bits." H. aspersa deposits its eggs, Chatereaux says, 100 to 110 at a time, in holes at the roots of grass and trees, from May to October. These eggs are from 15 to 30 days in hatching, and the young are 13 months before being fully grown.

Fig. 180. Garden Snail (H. hortensis).

Of the three leading common shells already mentioned (omitting pomatia), H. nemoralis or arbustorum (figs. 176, 177), although it locates in woods, is possibly the more universally diffused, for these reasons, that H. aspersa dislikes argillaceous (clayey) soils, and H. hortensis (fig. 180) prefers them. The shell of the wood snail is subject to immense variation in its colours and markings. Indeed, I am not quite sure whether I shall not be denounced as an innovator for not distinguishing sufficiently betwixt the more gencral H. nemoralis (fig. 176) and the more local H. arbustorum (fig. 177). Nemoralis is the one name given to both by Linnæus. But I think we shall be obliged to allow that, whilst nemoralis is the more full-bellied (ventricose),