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SKELETON OF PURPLE URCHIN.
(Echinus lividus).

THE
HE Purple Urchin of our shores is so common
an object that few, if any, of my readers-scien-
tific or otherwise-can have failed at some time or
other to have seen and admired it. Not many, how-
ever, I believe, who have seen it know-to use a
hackneyed but expressive phrase-what a world of
wonder is wrapped up in its prickly box. A little
of this wonder I propose to reveal, confining myself,
however, entirely to its skeleton. To commence
with the shell or test, as it is called: This is made

to the smooth surface of the glass or stones. Each of these suckers is terminated by a dise, the skeleton of which presents the same calcareous network as the shell, but in a more beautiful and symmetrical form. Fig. 62 gives a magnified representation of this ambulacral disc, as it is called.

In many foreign species of Echinus the spines, when examined in section under the microscope, present a very beautiful appearance, somewhat similar to that of exogenous wood. This appearance is produced by successive rings of open spaces and solid pillars, which mark the yearly growth of the spine.

Although the spine of Echinus lividus does not present this beautiful ringed appearance, doubtless, as has been suggested, from its being the result of only one year's growth (being exuriated and reproduced annually), still it presents a very striking appearance. It is, in common with the species of other echini, composed of solid calcareous ribs, alternating with bands of an open calcareous network.

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Fig. 63. Transverse Section of Spine, x 60.

These ribs and bands in section appear as alternating rays, and the network being coloured purple, they are very striking. Fig. 63 represents a transverse section of the spine, and exhibits the alternating bands of solid ribs and open network.

Attached by a peduncle to the spines are to be found the curious bodies called Pedicellariæ. These, at one time supposed to be parasites, are now generally considered as simple appendages to the spine, although their function is somewhat doubtful. Each of these consists of a thin calcareous stalk, surmounted by a curious pincer-like apparatus, the whole being invested by the general animal membrane of the Echinus. Fig. 64 represents the head of a pedicellaria. The pincers are double, and are formed of a fine calcareous network, resembling that of the shell. The edges of each limb of the pincers are serrated.

Thus much for the external portion of the skeleton. Internally, the only part of the animal requiring

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rodent; they have the same chisel-shaped form, but they have an addition in the shape of a keel which runs along the back. If a longitudinal section of one of these teeth be examined, it will be seen to bear a striking resemblance in its structure to the teeth of the higher animals.

The keel is composed of rods of carbonate of lime, lying obliquely to the axis of the tooth. The chisel-shaped edge consists firstly of a series of triangular calcareous plates, called the "primary plates;" these constitute a framework with which the other parts become connected. To these plates, at some distance from the base, are attached a

tubuli of bone or dentine. This is caused by the different portions of the tooth being more or less closely cemented together by minute particles of calcareous matter, which bear the name of the "soldering particles." Thus a longitudinal section of the tooth presents somewhat the appearance of bone with its lacunæ, canaliculi, and laminæ. The edge of the chisel-shaped portion of this tooth is coated with a layer of enamel. The tooth is shown in longitudinal section in Figs. 65 and 66.

The plates and processes of the "lantern" partake of the general network structure of the shell, and therefore call for no particular remark.

THOMAS GRAHAM PONTON.

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HARDY FOREIGN FERNS.

HE question is sometimes asked-what hardy

THE

foreign ferns are there, which could be obtained at a nursery, and which would succeed in an open-air fernery? It shall be our endeavour briefly to enumerate those of which we have any knowledge, with a few of their characteristics interspersed, so as to redeem our notes from condemnation as a mere list. It may be premised that April or May is a very good month in which to transplant ferns, and therefore a few hints will be opportune. Need we repeat the caution that if ferns are to succeed they must not be planted in too dry a spot, or much exposed to the sun. A shady sloping bank, and good specimens will soon result in a good fernery.

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Fig. 67. Ostrich Fern.

The Royal Fern is a great favourite, and so would be its foreign relatives if they were better known. The Cinnamon Osmund (Osmunda cinnamomea) from North America, is equally beautiful, and quite distinct in appearance. So also is Clayton's Osmund (Osmunda Claytoniana), another hardy North American species. Either of these would flourish in the open air, and prove a great acquisition to any one with room to grow them.

The prince of hardy exotics is the Ostrich Fern (Struthiopteris Germanica), which is not half so well known as it deserves to be. The erect pale-green fronds, about two feet in height, stand around the crown like the feathers in a shuttlecock, forming an inverted cone. Every one who'aspires to an out-door fernery should obtain this species, which is as hardy and easy of cultivation as the Male Fern.

The Maiden-hair Fern is often made the subject of complaint that it is too delicate for the out-door fernery, except in the extreme south. Such complainants ought to know that there is a North American species, equally beautiful, easily grown, and more hardy than the European Maiden-hair. This deserves the name of Hardy Maiden-hair, but it is known to gardeners and nurserymen as Adiantum pedatum. There is also an Australian species (Adiantum assimile), but it is not more hardy than the indigenous species, and very much resembles it in size and appearance.

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Fig. 68. Virginian Fern (Woodwardia Virginica).

There are also two North American ferns, belonging to a genus of which we have no British representative, with fronds about eighteen inches in length. These are the Virginian Fern (Woodwardia Virginica) and the Florida Fern (Woodwardia areolata). They are both of them hardy enough to stand the winter out of doors.

Our own Lady Fern is so beautiful that a knowledge of it is sufficient to induce any one to purchase a Lady Fern on trust, and if it should be Michaux's Lady Fern (Athyrium Michauxii) they will not by any means be disappointed. This North American species does not attain more than half the size of the British, which perhaps is in itself a recommendation.

Amongst the Spleenworts there is a hardy species which may be called the Narrow-leaved Spleenwort (Asplenium angustifolium), which may be grown on a rockwork out of doors.

Fig. 69. Onoclea sensibilis.

A very commonly cultivated fern is Onoclea sensibilis, with fronds two feet in length, and with the fertile and barren fronds differing in form. There is no great care required in its cultivation, and its appearance is very different from any other hardy fern.

Another genus which has no representative amongst British ferns, furnishes a hardy species with a character somewhat resembling the Marsh Fern. The fronds are about two feet in length, and its name nearly as long, if written large enough; this is Diplazium thelypteroides.

There are also two species of Buckler Ferns belonging to the same genus as the Male Fern, which are certainly hardy enough for out-door culture. One of these is a native of China, and is known as Lastrea decurrens; the other is a North American species called by cultivators and botauists

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Fig. 70. Siebold's Fern (Lastrea podophylla).

Two other species of the same genus may be named as worthy of attention,-Goldin's Fern, (Lastrea Goldiana) and Siebold's Fern (Lastrea podophylla). The latter is from Japan, and probably would hardly endure the winter's frosts unharmed.

Our two rare little Woodsias have representatives in the United States and Mexico, with fronds one foot and upwards in length. The Mexican Woodsia

Fig. 72. Cyrtomium falcatum.

It is the more desirable as it serves to illustrate a genus of which we have no indigenous species. It is quite possible that some species has been omitted which is equally hardy, and equally worthy with the foregoing for out-door culture; but we have named sufficient to prove that an excellent collection of exotic ferns may be grown out of doors, many of which are probably unknown to amateurs. It has been a necessity to employ the botanical names, because without them it would be very difficult to order them from a nurseryman, should any of our readers be so disposed. The majority of the

Fig. 71. American Shield Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides).

(Woodsia mollis) and Perrin's Woodsia (Woodsia | above are too large to be grown in a closed

obtusa) are both hardy, and very desirable for an open-air fernery.

Finally we might commend an American Shield

case. The woodcuts illustrate the fructification, but hardly give any idea of the appearance of the fronds.

ΜΥ

RURAL NATURAL HISTORY.

Y friend "B." will, I hope, pardon me for "cribbing" the title of his interesting paper in the April number of the SCIENCE GOSSIP; but I do so, because I am going to write upon the same subject, and because if some of our correspondents in different parts of the country were to collect the curious and superstitious remedies that are in vogue in their neighbourhood, and the strange ideas about plants and animals that prevail amongst the people, and were to record them under the same head, what a book full of amusing-perhaps, now and then, of instructive-matter we should have! It would be interesting to find that the same things were believed in remote places; more interesting still to trace them to their origin, and find the one grain of truth that very often really exists, and has served as the foundation upon which a fantastic structure of ignorance and error has been built. Since I wrote about "Strange Remedies," in one of the early numbers, I have met with many more that are curious, and many I had already collected, but whether peculiar to Cheshire or not, I cannot tell.

We have three infallible cures for whoopingcough, or, as it is called, "Chink" cough. (The drawing in of the breath in laughing is also called, "Chinking.")

Receipt No. 1.-A lock of hair is to be cut from the back of the head of the child that is suffering from the ailment. A hole must be bored in the stem of a wicken tree (mountain ash), the lock of hair stuffed into it, and the hole be plugged up again. The patient will sometimes recover in two or three days. That the charm may work well, however, it must be done secretly, or, as we should say in Cheshire, "unbeknown,” and the charmer must not be the father of the child; any one else can perform it.

Receipt No. 2.-A woman whose married name is the same as her maiden name has the gift of curing whooping-cough. She has simply to give the child something to eat or drink (it is generally a "sugar butty") and it will get well. I have a neighbour who married her cousin, and did not change her name, who, I believe, thus practises.

Receipt No. 3.-A portion of hair from the cross on a donkey's shoulders is in great demand, and is thought to be very efficacious; and very lately a man came to our house, and begged some from a donkey that our children ride, in order to cure his child. The hair is wrapped up in flannel, and the flannel sewed round the child's neck, and it is sure to get well.

In the article upon "Rural Natural History," above referred to, "B." speaks of the dock being used in Buckinghamshire as an antidote to the sting of the nettle. It is also used here, and is, I

think, really efficacious; but here children make use of a sort of charm when applying it, saying

"Dock go in, nettle come out."

Is it possible that a grain of truth may even be found in the following superstition? If a lock of human hair should be thrown out of doors, and a toad should happen to get it entangled round its leg, the person from whose head it came will have perpetual headache for the rest of his life. What a dreadful contingency!

It is considered very unlucky to cut a child's nails during its first year; and Cheshire mothers are very careful not to do so, lest it should cause the child to be "light-fingered." We should think it would be a good deal lighter fingered after a twelvemonth's growth of nail was cut off.

Ointment should never be spread with the first finger, which is supposed to be venomous.

Freckles on the skin are called " fawn-freckles," and are supposed to come at the same time as, and be in some way consequent on the building of birds' nests. Is this because so many eggs are spotted with brown? or are the spots on the skin and those on eggs supposed to be caused by the same influence, whatever it may be?

A child during its first month is supposed to see all that is to happen to it through life. If it laughs much, it is a sign that its life will be happy. Every one must have the "frog" (thrush) once in his life. If not in infancy, then certainly before death. I may remark that in books this disease is called thrush or "throg," and that "frog" appears to be a corruption of the word " throg." It may be, however, not unlikely that "frog" is the older word, and " throg" the corrupted pronunciation. In the same way many of our country people call thistles, 'fistles," as if derived from the Latin "fistula." If this be the true derivation, it shows that the name 'fistle," in common use still, is as old as the time of the Romans in England; and I am inclined to think that it also shows us that the Romans had local names for plants, "fistula" being a local Roman name for "carduus," the classical word for thistle. It is thought to be very unlucky to have money bidden for anything, especially a live animal, that you do not wish to sell. It is sure to go wrong in some way or other. This, however, is a general belief, and not, I think, confined to Cheshire.

Bees should never be bought, or if bought, should be paid for in gold, otherwise they will do no good. They should be either begged, or borrowed, or stolen. It is the custom in Cheshire, when any one wishes to begin bee-keeping, for some neighbour who already keeps bees, to give him a swarm, with the understanding that it is to be paid back if required. I have, however, seen bees bought, and for a good deal less than gold, and I recollect an amusing episode happening at a sale, where an old woman

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