GEOLOGY.

"GIANTS IN THOSE DAYS."-There is a widelyspread popular tale, common to Ireland and Scotland, and told with many variations. The gist of it is, that in the days of Fionn there were deer and birds far larger than any which now exist. Ossian, it is said, when old and blind, lived in the house of his father-in-law, or in the house of St. Patrick, and they were busily writing down all he had to tell them of the history of the Feinne. But no one would believe what he said about the strength of the men, and the size of the deer, the birds, the leaves, and the rolls of butter,-that these were in the "Feinne," the country and age of Fionn. To convince the unbelievers, the last of the old race prayed that he might have one more day's hunting, and his prayer was heard. A boy and a dog, the worst of their class, came to him in the night, and with them he went to some unknown glen. There, with many strange incidents, it is told how they found a whistle and a store of arms, and a great caldron; and how the blind hero collected deer and birds by sounding his whistle, or horn, or "dord." Deer came as big as houses, or birds as big as oxen. Guided by the boy, his hand drew the bow and slew the quarry, and when the chase was done, they dined as heroes used to dine. A hind-quarter was brought home, and the bone of an ox went round about in the marrow-hole of the shank of the creature which Ossian had brought from the "Feinne." With endless variations this story is told all over Scotland and Ireland; it is firmly believed by a very large class of her Majesty's Celtic subjects in Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, that there were giants and monstrous animals in the days of King Arthur and of Fionn. There is no geological evidence yet for gigantic men, but peat-bogs, gravels, and caves, are full of the bones of beasts as big as a small haystack; and the word used in the tale, "con," means elk" as well as bird.-Campbell's "Frost and Fire."

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ANCIENT NUTS.-I am in possession of some hazel nuts (Corylus Avellana), of the filbert variety, which were procured with many others, and the antlers of a deer, from the remains of a forest between forty and fifty feet below the bed of the River Trent-this was bored through in excavating for a foundation for the piers of the railway bridge at Keadby. The nuts, as regards the shell, are in a perfect state of preservation, blackened of course by age, and without any kernel; whether naturally so, or as the effect of time, I am unable to say, but in all probability the latter. Now, as it is well known that at the period of the Roman invasion, upwards of 1,900 years since, an immense forest existed in this part of Lincolnshire (Isle of Axholme), and the adjacent Yorkshire district, west of the river Don, and that as a place of refuge for the

Brigantes and Coritani, it was destroyed by the invaders, either by fire or the axe; the inference is tolerably certain that the date at which these nuts grew, could not be posterior to that event, but in fact might have been anterior to it. It is manifest, however, that since that time, great changes must have taken place in the relative level of land and water, for at the depth where we now find the remains of these trees, none could at present grow. It is obvious, too, that the river must have altered its course, and that in all probability, its channel was more easterly, and at the base of that range of hills of the secondary and oolitic formation, known now as the cliffs, and which from the enormous quantities of fossil shells, such as, Gryphæa, Unio, Terebratulæ, &c. found there, must have formed the bed of an ancient sea. To return, however, to the nuts, I am in a position to state that many have been recently found at Hull, of probably greater antiquity even than those I have by me.-Henry W. T. Ellis.

ANCIENT SEA-MARKS ON THE COAST OF SWEDEN. -At the meeting of the Geological Society, held 6th March, 1867, a paper was read by the Right Hon. the Earl of Selkirk, F.R.S., F.G.S., which contained a detailed description of some observations made in the month of July, 1866, upon certain marks placed so as to show the level of the sea on the coast of Sweden, which were seen by Sir Charles Lyell thirty-two years ago, and which were supposed to indicate a gradual and equable rise of the land of about three feet in a century. Two of these marks were off the harbour of Gefle, and one on the Island of Gräsö, off Öregrund, on the east coast of Sweden; the rest were on the west coast, a little to the north of Göteberg. The conclusion arrived at was that these marks do not afford any very certain proof of such rise of the land; the fluctuation of the level of the water being so great that any difference of the level of the land in thirty-two years is lost in comparison with the daily and weekly changes owing to shifts of wind and other causes affecting the water, not the land. The marks off Gefle gave most indication of a change of level; but there were various elements of uncertainty connected with them.

THE USE OF FOSSILS in geological investigations is very considerable. They tell us of time elapsed, as well as mechanical changes effected, and of conditions of existence of animals and vegetables different from the present. They are also, by their specific character, by their mode of grouping, and by the succession observable with regard to them, characteristic of geological formations. They are, in fact, the very hieroglyphics of nature, marking the condition of the earth at the time and place of their deposit; and thus they are the true materials from which we deduce the earth's history.-Prof. D. T. Ansted.

NOTES AND QUERIES.

BIRD SLAUGHTER.-In almost every number of -SCIENCE GOSSIP and other similar journals, some energetic naturalist announces the "interesting fact of his having "succeeded" in shooting some rare or beautiful bird or birds,-in one case no less than 41. In fact a bird has only to possess these qualities, which one would think ought to insure its preservation, and every gun in the locality appears to be pointed at it. If the present system of destruction continue, many species of our existing birds, which now give an additional charm to nature's handiwork, will soon become a matter of history, represented only by a few stuffed specimens, or, like the Dodo and Moa, by a skeleton or solitary egg. I am pleased to read the remarks of Mr. Tate on this subject. So far from being interesting, the exploits of these bird-killers are distressing to all true lovers of nature.-E. Greenhough, Matlock.

WIND COURSES.-Wherever a tree grows on the western coast of Ireland, it bows its head to the north-east. Every exposed Welsh tree bends towards the dawn. Every exposed tree on the west coast of Scotland seems to be driven by a furious wind on the calmest day. About Edinburgh it is the same. On the east coast, in North Berwick Law, an old thorn-tree streams towards the northeast, and every tree in that neighbourhood that dares to peep over a wall, straightway assumes the form of an old broom, and points eastwards."Frost and Fire."

POLARIZING.-Mr. Bestall, of Camberwell Newroad, has for some time past been in the habit of making an interesting apparatus for the exhibition of the effects of polarized light. It consists of two or three plates of glass about six inches square, some objects, as a flower, parrot, butterfly, &c., prepared and mounted, about three inches square, and a little 'box of mystery," about an inch square, to be held in the fingers and peeped through. Though not announced as anything new, it well deserves to be better known, as a good popular mode of exhibiting the effects of polarized light.

A BOY CHARMED BY SERPENTS.-"Can the above be true?" asks "J. B." in SCIENCE GOSSIP, after quoting from an American paper a long account of a child having been fascinated by serpents. With a vivid recollection of a Welsh tale told me in my youthful days, I should say decidedly not. The Maysville Eagle has only Americanized a Cambrian fable which ran thus. A little boy of five years old was observed by his mother to carry off his bowl of bread and milk into the garden every morning, and on being questioned, said he shared his breakfast with two "pretty things." His father followed him the next day, and saw to his horror two large snakes (all the Welsh, in the lower ranks of life, regard every snake as venomous) eating out of his boy's basin. The visitors were rather greedy, it would appear, for the boy had occasionally to give one or other of them a pat on the head with his wooden spoon. Breakfast over, a game of play ensued, and at last the child was allowed to return to the cottage unharmed; but on being prevented from again joining his playfellows, the snakes, he "pined away and died."-H. E. Watney.

PORK MEASLES.-A few days ago, a man brought a piece of pork to me for microscopical examination. In cutting up the carcase, of which the piece brought me was a portion, his attention was attracted by certain small, almost round, fat-like bodies, which were profusely scattered through the whole of the flesh, but most abundant in that of the shoulders. They were imbedded in elongated cavities about three times their own size. They

are clearly parasitic organisms. I have examined many of them and find them alike. The part I take for the head is very curious-it appears to be composed of five circular parts; four of which, looking like suckers, are arranged round a centre one containing a great number-perhaps from fourteen to twenty claws, very like those found in the fingers of Ophiocoma. The interior I take to be a sack or cell, whose inner membrane is gathered in folds. And it is filled with an immense number of sporelike granules, some of which are elongated stricted several times, as though they had been growing.-B. Taylor.

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The specimens above alluded to were forwarded to Dr. Cobbold, who has kindly furnished the following reply: I have carefully examined the parasites forwarded by Mr. Taylor. They are well formed pork-measle, or Cysticercus telæ cellulose. and highly characteristic examples of the so-called Taylor's description, so far as it goes, is very good; but should he desire further particulars relating to the structure and economy of these organisms, you will please to refer him to my large treatise on the Entozoa (p. 216, Plate 12), or to my smaller work on "Tapeworms," in which (at p. 19, et seq.) he will find a popular exposition respecting the origin and development of this minute larval parasite. I may mention, as a fact likely to interest your readers, that only yesterday I examined a portion of human brain, which, strange to say, contained an astonishing number of these Cysticerci. If any ardent sewage-distributor should read your useful little journal, I hope he will duly reflect on the importance of this fact, and console himself with the thought that his benevolent designs may not unfrequently be the (undesigned) means of hurrying some fellow creature into eternity.-T. Spencer Cobbold, M.D., F.R.S.

CLEANING REFLECTORS.-At a time when so many of the microscopical lamps are fitted with reflectors which require constant cleaning, I would beg to recommend that all parties possessing some, should obtain a small bottle of negative photographic varnish; that called Sohno is the best; and warm the underneath side of the reflector until the hand can only just bear the heat, and then, with a slight rotatory motion, coat the silvered side with varnish. I used to clean all my reflectors once every week with very fine jewellers' rouge and water, using my little finger as a polisher, just the same as I do in the case of my Lieburkuhns and side reflectors, but as the lamp reflectors are so thinly coated with silver the copper soon appears through. Since I have adopted this varnishing plan, not a single cleaning has taken place for now six weeks, and their brightness is unimpaired.—John Bockett.

DRILLING GLASS.-A ready and inexpensive mode of drilling glass slides may be of use to some of your numerous readers. Obtain a small threesided saw file, grind the apex into a triangular sharp point-not too acute, as it will be apt to break if the steel is, as it should be, very hard

apply the sharp point of the file (previously wetted with turpentine) to the glass to be perforated, with firm pressure, keeping the point of the file in the same spot, and giving the upper part a motion from side to side, and also circular. The moment the surface of the glass is abraded the action will go on rapidly, keeping the point still wet with spirit of turpentine. When half way through it is best to begin on the other side of the glass. When the aperture is made sufficiently large, it may be increased by using a small "rat-tailed" file, kept wet with the turpentine.-J. B. Spencer.

SENSITIVE PLANTS.-There are said to be three plants of the British Flora that give manifestations of sensitive properties, of which the Berberry is one. Pray oblige by supplying the names, of the two others.-J. L. B.

AN EGG WITHIN AN EGG.-I saw to-day a rather large hen's egg; the interior had been eaten at breakfast; at the pointed end inside was found a smaller egg, about the size of a ringdove's, and joined on one side to the shell of the outside one. This, I believe, differs from previous communications.-C. A. J.

A CONFIDING CHAFFINCH.-I constantly see anecdotes of birds in SCIENCE GOSSIP, so the following instance of tameness on the part of a chaffinch may not be uninteresting, and as it was related to me by an eye-witness, the gentleman to whom the house and garden belonged, I can vouch for its being a fact. Sir R. and Lady N. were staying in Hertfordshire last spring, and they noticed a chaffinch's nest in a low alcove in the garden. The hen bird was sitting when they first observed her, but in a few days the young birds were hatched, and Lady N. amused herself by feeding them. The mamma chaffinch did not approve of this at all; at first, she perched on an adjoining tree out of reach, evidently in much alarm, but became in a short time so bold that she positively would remain on the side of the nest, and, after her young family had been fed, open her own beak for a dainty morsel. The male bird was always within sight, and used to sing while the meal was going on, but never conquered his shyness so far as to come and partake of Lady N.'s hospitality.-Helen Watney.

DESTRUCTION OF SMALL BIRDS.-Mr. C. Roach Smith, F.S.A., offers a plea for small birds in the Gentleman's Magazine. He concludes thus :-" Can we wonder at the increase of the insects which destroy our fruits, and at the great loss sustained by those who have extensive orchards and gardens? The birds are the only possible agents to counteract the deadly unseen insects which are every hour being bred almost everywhere. Nature has formed the bird's eye for detecting insects where the eye of man is useless. Wholly destroy the birds, and the fruit is wholly destroyed. At Hartlip, some years ago, in the face of truth and facts, the sparrows were exterminated entirely as being injurious! The orchards were immediately covered with the webs and nests of innumerable caterpillars and other insects; and in two years it was calculated that over £1,000 was lost in consequence of this insane slaughtering. But far more startling instances could be adduced; and yet we see no steps taken to stay the evil! I, sir, look more to youth than to the hardened man, who has steeled himself into erroneous convictions, and will never part with them but with life. It is not so with boys-they are to

be reasoned with; and if the country gentry and clergy would make friends of them, and explain the nature and use of birds, and their importance in the great scheme of Providence, I am assured they would soon be induced to be protectors, instead of destroyers, of the birds; and they would thus find doing good much more grateful and profitable than working evil."

BEDEGUAR (p. 71). — Johann Leunis, in his "Synopsis der Naturgeschichte des Thierreichs," says that the name is Aus dem Hebräischen Bedeguach, Rosenapfel, gebildet (formed from the Hebrew Bedeguach, or Rose Apple)." I am not aware whether the Rose Apple (Jambosa vulgaris, Dec.) was known to the Hebrews. If it was, there is perhaps sufficient similarity between its feathery stamens and the filamentous coating of the Bedeguar to have led them to transfer the name from the flower to the gall.-W. W. S.

SANTONIN.-Can any correspondent tell me how to procure good slides of this salt? I have tried fusion on the slide itself, and solution in boiling spirit, with indifferent success. Is Canada Balsam the best medium for mounting ?—E. M.

THE BLOOD BEETLE (p. 71).-The simple fact that the Beetle described by Mr. Ullyett at p. 26 exuded a "sanguineous fluid" would in itself be sufficient to shield him from the suspicion of having mistaken the Oil Beetle for it. As far as my experience goes, the Blood Beetle is very much commoner than the Oil Beetle. The English name of each species ably indicates its distinctive peculiarity.-B.

The remarks of Mr. Hawkes in your last number caused me to look very carefully over the description of the Blood Beetle which I had given, for they made me wonder what egregious mistake I had made. I must confess, however, that I can see none, and that I am utterly at a loss to conceive how any one that had ever seen the beetle could confound it with the Oil Beetle (Melöe majalis), which belongs to a totally different family. This latter is the one represented (and very well, too) in Wood's "Common Objects." The male and female of both majalis and levigata differ in little else but size. I am quite willing to acknowledge that the broad tarsi serve more particularly for the purpose he mentions, but must request him to catch and examine the female of the latter, as he will find the tarsi are not slender and narrow," but almost as broad as those of the male. It certainly does appear necessary to have our very commonest beetles figured as well as described.-Hy. Ullyett.

EARLY WASP.-On the 3rd of March I found on one of the windows in my dining-room, a wasp (Vespa vulgaris), of course a female, in a semitorpid condition, but which, on being placed under a glass-shade in a warm situation, speedily revived, and soon began to feast on some sugar placed near it. The weather for the three previous days had been cold, with light easterly winds, sharp frosty nights, but a brilliant sun, and to this last circumstance may, probably, be attributed the fact of the insect having emerged from its retreat, at a period considerably earlier than has been recorded by White, Markwich, or any other observer, except Jenyns, who gives somewhere about the same date for its first appearance.-Henry W. T. Ellis.

HALO ROUND SHADOW.- I have observed a phenomenon (and probably others have noticed the same) which appears to me to be of interest, when taken in connexion with the note in your January number, entitled, "Halo of a Shadow," and with two others in the succeeding number. If an individual stands in the rays of strong sun-light, his shadow falling on a white ground, say a white marble slab, the shadow will be seen to present around, or without its margin, an appearance like mist or smoke in motion, or rather of the shadow of one or the other. The appearance is seen where the naked body gives its shadow, and also in a less degree where the shadow is cast from a portion of the body covered with clothes. I myself have set down this wavy or smoky appearance to the transpiration from the skin, but am I right?-R. G.

THE PHOSPHORescent Centipede.—“ M. G. F.” asks the name of this. As I was coming home one evening last August, I found several among the herbage, and took one home. It proved to be that represented in "Wood's Natural History," vol. iii., p. 693, Arthronomalus longicornis.-Hy. Ullyett.

FALSE HAIR AS A CAUSE OF DISEASE. - On Thursday evening at the Harveian Society of London, the scientific points involved in the "chignon question" were commented upon by Dr. Tilbury Fox in a paper which had reference to the influence of parasites in the production of diseased conditions of the skin. It has been asserted, first, that false hair contains the germs of pediculi, which are developed by the warmth supplied by the human head; secondly that bodies called "gregarinæ exist in false hair, and may become pediculi. The first statement is wholly incorrect, but the so-called "nits " are nothing but empty shells, whence the young pediculi have escaped. The female pediculus lays her ova at the part of the hair close to the scalp; in six days the young are hatched, the empty shell is carried forward by the growing hair, and as this is cut from the head at the distance of from one to two inches, no true ova are brought away with it. The inference is clear that no false hair ever contains the materials from which pediculi develop, and where these are present their existence must be accounted for by uncleanliness. The second statement is equally untrue; gregarines are only found in Russian hair, which does not enter the English market; they have vegetable affinities, and never give rise to any form of insect. In his large experience of diseased states Dr. Fox stated he had never seen them once on the hair. Lastly, he described a real source of danger as yet unnoticed by any observer. On some of the light brown or reddish false hair of German origin, he had found a species of "mildew fungus, which unquestionably would, if implanted upon the surface of weak persons, give rise to ringworm" and he produced microscopic evidence and instanced cases in which he had apparently seen mischief result in this way. Cleanliness is a great preventive of evil, and such hair should be subjected to proper processes to insure protection against the production of disease. While the great majority of the statements that have been made recently about "chignons" wholly untrue and absurd, there is no doubting the fact that without proper precaution the use of false hair may give rise to certain uncomfortable conditions of the part next which it is worn, but that even this source of evil may be remedied.-Times, March 9.

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AQUARIUM PEST.-My experience (of many years' standing) with aquariums is that the snail spawn does hatch, and the young, if allowed, grow to a good size, but with much thinner and brighter shells than their pond relatives. Also that the fishes, particularly the sticklebacks, do eat, not the spawn, but the young snails, to an extent that prevents most of them from arriving at maturity. The jelly is sometimes gnawed in holes; I think by the beetles.-Henry Faulkner, Jun.

AQUARIUM PEST.-Can any of your numerous correspondents suggest a plan by which the Aniscus -an insect that devours the roots of the Valisneria -can be destroyed without disturbing the aquarium? Do any of the smaller water-beetles feed upon them? If so, what variety? Any practical suggestion will be thankfully received by

J. S.

We have also received communications on this subject from L. A. G. and H. M., which want of space compels us to postpone.

WATERTON'S PROCESS. Your correspondent "H. M. G." will find this fully described in the last edition of "Lee's Taxidermy" (Longman & Co.). It is described as performed by Mr. Waterton himself in the presence of the writer.-Jas. W. Impey.

HYALODISCUS.-I do not find that Pritchard gives the pretty diatom, Hyalodiscus subtilis, var. lavis, as a British species. I find it in the washings of weeds and stones, procured from under Bangor Suspension Bridge. I have a slide to spare, and shall be happy to send it, to any one who studies their forms, through the Editor of SCIENCE-GOSSIP. -R. G.

THE RHYTHM OF FLAMES.-In the GoSSIP for last month there is an inaccuracy or an omission which I wish to correct. A palm is assigned to Dr. Tyndall, which he has not claimed for himself, and which belongs to another. In the Philosophical Magazine for February, Dr. Tyndall has published an abstract of his lecture; and in it he alludes to Mr. Barrett (the lecturer on Experimental Science at the International College) as having independently observed not only the effect of sound upon flames, but also the increase of light which accompanies the shortening of a flame by a musical sound, and the superior effect of high notes. In the same magazine for March, Mr. Barrett gives the history of his discovery, and an account of his experiments. He observed the extreme sensitiveness of a tall and tapering gas-flame while producing the higher notes on a vibrating plate. He found this flame shrank down several inches at a sharp and shrill sound. Subsequently, having intensified this phenomenon, he made a number of beautiful experiments on similar flames. The jumping of a fish-tail flame in response to musical sounds, an effect the reverse of the above, had been observed in 1858 by Professor Leconte. To Leconte, therefore, is due the discovery of the spasmodic projection of tongues of flame by a fish-tail jet; and to Mr. Barrett we owe the observation of the sensitiveness of a long and slender flame. In Mr. Barrett's article above referred to, he says he was made aware for the first time of Leconte's discovery by the article of Dr. Tyndall. The discovery may or may not lead to more important results, yet to correct an inaccuracy so often repeated cannot be unimportant.-R. W., Brixton.

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, contributions 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.

F. A. C.-Menyanthes trifoliata grows on Hampstead Heath; the others are American plants. Not stated whether dried or growing plants are required.

W. A. L.-As C. B. resides in Vienna, he cannot answer for himself. We know of no place in England where the articles can be obtained.

J. P. and T. H. N.-As there must be a limit somewhere, we have resolved not to admit apparatus into our Exchange column, which is designed for objects in Natural History. E. D. C.-Most probably.

E. T. S.-Macrosporium sarcinula.

R. G.-The Podura, doubtfully referred to Achorutes fimetaria at p. 72, accords with the Desoria viatica of Nicolet; but his descriptions are so concise that it is difficult to speak positively.-I. O. W.

A. B. P.-A great deal of nonsense has been written about "Gregarines" developing into Pediculi. There is more romance than truth in the newspaper reports.

R. H.-The book you mention is probably Daniel Cooper's "Flora Metropolitana; or, Botanical Rambles within Thirty Miles of London" (S. Highley, 1836); or possibly the Middle sex portion of Turner & Dillwyn's "Botanist's Guide." Both these, however, have been superseded by Watson's "New Botanist's Guide; but Dr. Trimen's announced "Flora of Middlesex" will be likely to give you the most recent information.-N.

T. H., JUN.-1. Hypnum (Brachythecium) rutabulum; 2. The same, var. ẞ longisetum; 3. Atrichum undulatum ; 4. Hypnum (Brachythecium) Velutinum.-R. B.

A. N.-Forwarded to E. H. R. as requested.

H. M. G.-"Taxidermy made Easy" (Gardiner, 52, High Holborn, W.C., price 1s. 6d.) contains Waterton's Method of Stuffing Birds, reprinted from his "Wanderings."

W. H.-See answer to H. M. G. above. For insects, "The Butterfly Collector's Manual" (Kent & Co.), or the volume of "Insect Miscellanies."

H. P. A.-We cannot judge from the name alone. Send drawing and description.

ACARUS.-Letters and specimens from the following duly received:-W. W. S., A. S., W. T. I.

W. C.-See our oft-repeated notice at the head of this column.

J. G.-Thanks for your offer. See the reply to H. M. G. A. J. and R. H. N. B.-Compel us again to say that we cannot notice communications where the name of the writer is not given.

T. P.-Thuidium tamariscinum, Br. and Sch. (Hypnum tam. Hedg.), Common.-R. B.

H. G. G.-1. Omphalodes verna, a Boraginaceous plant, nearly allied to Cynoglossum, of which genus it was formerly considered a species. 2. Not frequent. 3. The white-flowered variety of Lamium purpureum is not uncommon.-B.

C. H. G.-1. No. 2. We cannot say. 3. Question is not clear. 4. None specially. 5. Dr. Carpenter's work on the Microscope, pp. 618, second edition. WATERTON'S PROCESS.-We have to thank numerous correspondents who have sent manuscript directions for this process, or indicated in what books it is to be found.

J. S. K.-Your Lichens are common species, and may be found in any old orchard. We cannot undertake to return specimens ; duplicates must be kept, with corresponding numbers. 1. Ramalina frarinea; 2. Ramalina fastigiata; 3. Evernia prunastri; 4. Borrera ciliaris; 5. Usnea hirta.R. B.

J. E. T.-Tortula fallux.-R. B.

A. W. C.-They may be found in a recent number of the Microscopical Journal.

M. A. B.-We should think one of the large silk-houses in the City, but much depends upon the quantity you have to dispose of.

YOUGHAL.-Your specimen is a portion of a volcanic bomb, probably introduced with ballast.-R. T.

W. M.-The report is unfortunately derived through too trustworthy a channel to leave much hope of its being untrue that Dr. Livingstone, the celebrated African traveller, has been murdered by natives.

EXCHANGES.

SALICINE and SEEDS (20 varieties), mounted, for Entomological or other mounted slides.-E. M., 6, Holford-square, Pentonville, W.C.

PODURA SCALES (Podura plumbea), mounted as test objects, for other unmounted objects.-E. Histed, 3, Great Bourne-street, Hastings.

MOSSES.-Fifty capsules of Bryum calophyllum for one of Zieria demissa, and ten of B. lacustre for one of Webera acuminata.-J. Whitehead, 17, shaw-street, Dunkinfield, Cheshire.

DICKANUM CRISPUM for other British mosses.-Send lists to G. E. Wright, 18, Brunswick-street, Manchester.

MICROSCOPIC OBJECTS (mounted or unmounted) for Spicula or other objects.-Lists to W. H., Stamp Office, Fordingbridge.

WASHINGS from Wiltshire Chalk (unmounted) for other objects.-W. F. H., D. Harding & Son, Winchester-street, Salisbury.

KENTISH GLORY, and other rare Insects, for British or Foreign Shells.-J. W. Taylor, 7, Freehold-street, Leeds.

FOSSIL EARTH from Toome Bridge, or mounted Diatoms, for Ichaboe guano (unmounted), old deposit, 1844.-E. W., 48, Tollington-road, Holloway, N.

FORAMINIFEROUS SAND from Smyrna.-Stamped envelopes to G. E. Q., 109, Long-laue, Southwark, S.E.

BOOKS RECEIVED.

"The Technologi-t," No. 8. New Series. March, 1867. Hardwicke's "Bibliographical and General Index to Current Literature," No. 1. Oct. to Dec., 1866.

"The Twin Records of Creation," by G. W. V. Le Vaux. London Lockwood & Co.

"Second Annual Report of the Bolton Scientific Students' Association." Bolton. 1866.

COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVED.-F. A. C.-T. H., Jun.-BJ. J. F.-E. T. S.-J. L. B.-J. P.-R. H.-J. V.-E. D. B.— T. R.-E. S. W.-F. S.-A. B.-J. B. S.-W. T. I.-F. A. A.— C. R. D.-A. L.-W. R. T.-W. N.-W. H.-E. A.— G. E. H. -F. S.-R. H.-T. R. C.-C. A. J.-T. P.-H. W.-W. J. G. -B. T.-J. B.-E. D. C.-J. V.-H. S.-A. N.-H. P. A.J. S.-E. S.-W. C.-J. W.-J. G.-G. E.-H. L.-J. B. B.— J. B. (Birmingham).-W. J. D. A.-R. G.-H. M.-A. W. C.M. A. B.-L. A. G-H. U.-H. F.-C. H. G.-J. H. A.J. W. I.-W. J. S.-W. W. S.-S. A. S.-F. R. R.-F. F. W.H. W. (Jarrow).-D. H.-B. (Melle).-T. P. B.-G. E. B. (Bangalore).-H. B. H.-L. G. M.-J. E. T.-H. W. T. E.H. G. B-H. R. W.-R. P.-R. B.-H. H.-H. B.-R. R.A. G. H.-H. Smith.-E. A. (Norwich).-J. M.-Mrs. D.