Tarsal cartilages.

Turbinato bones.

septum.

External cartilages.

CRANIAL VERTEBRE ARRANGED HOMOLOGICALLY.

Ossicula auditus.

External

cartilages.

NEURAL.

TRANSVERSE.

On the Liability of Shells to Injury from the Growth of a Fungus.
By the Rev. H. H. HIGGINS.

It has often been observed that shells kept for a considerable time in cabinets are apt to lose much of their original freshness and beauty of appearance. This kind of injury chiefly affects such specimens as have a bright enamelled surface, which at length becomes dull and less pleasant to the touch. Several suggestions have been made with reference to the probable cause of the change, which has often been attributed to the efflorescence of saline matter absorbed by the shell. But, so far as l have observed, the specimens most liable to injury from saline incrustation belong to genera in which the shells are without enamel, as Littorina, Turritella, &c., and many collectors are in the habit of steeping their specimens in fresh water for some days before placing them in their cabinets-a process which is said to be an effectual preservative from injury by saline efflorescence. Mr. Dennison, of Woolton, attributed the loss of lustre in enamelled shells to the ravages of a minute insect, but had not been able to detect the depredator. "Many of the shells in my own cabinet suffered such serious injury during last winter that I was led to investigate the cause, which, indeed, became obvious enough by the use of a microscope. An ordinary lens showed the enamel of the shell to be beset with small bristly points, and when a portion of the surface was scraped off and submitted to a higher magnifying power, the forms of at least two species of Fungi became apparent, one resembling an ordinary Mucor with a globose sporangium; the other, and much more common form, exhibited both simple and moniliform filaments, with an abundance of minute spores, seemingly quite free. After having been carefully washed, the surface of the shell was found to be as if it were engraved in some places with stellular marks, in others with striæ forming irregular reticulations, caused no doubt in each instance by the spreading mycelium of the fungus. It is scarcely necessary to add, that attacks of this nature need not be apprehended where shells are kept in a perfectly dry or wellventilated place. A slight deposition of moisture does, however, frequently occur upon their surfaces whilst shells are undergoing examination, in which case it would be a safe precaution to allow them for awhile to remain exposed to the air before returning the drawer to the cabinet."

On some new and interesting Forms of British Zoophytes.
By the Rev. T. HINCKS, B.A.

A new species of Plumularia was characterized under the name of P. similis, closely allied to the P. echinulata of Peach. Two new species of Polyzoa were also described: one as Avenella dilatata; the other, which exhibits a new generic type, as Arachnidia Hippothöoides, a delicate Ctenostomatous Polyzoon, curiously resembling in general appearance the well-known Hippothoa. Mr. Hincks also drew attention to the remarkable difference in the form of the male and female capsule in Halecium Beanii and H. halecinum, and suggested the importance of inquiring how far this difference prevails amongst true Hydroida.

On some Peculiar Forms of Spines found on two Species of the Spinigrade Starfishes. By C. W. PEACH.

The author stated, that having discovered a long slit on the under spines of Ophiocoma neglecta?, he was induced to examine other species; and that on Ophiocoma rosula, in addition to those mentioned by Forbes, he found jaw-like ones on the under sides of the rays, armed with hooked teeth-much like one of the claws of a lobster -and likewise a hook on the tips of the lower straight spines, all directed towards the disk. Similar jaw-like spines occur on the arm of an Ophiocoma minuta sent by Dr. Dickie from the collection of the late Mr. Thompson of Belfast; and as the author found several specimens, in all stages of growth, at Wick, N. B., in every respect like the Irish one, he thinks that the latter is only the young of the former. From not finding these noticed by Forbes, or any other writer on Starfishes, he has thought it right to lay this before the Association.

Notice of a number of Earth-worms and Larva of an undescribed Species found in draining a field upon his Estate. By HENRY PECKITT.

These worms were exhibited with a view to ascertain whether they were really foreign worms, or the common worms rendered energetic from some particular state of the soil. The working of the worm was first noticed about sixty years since on the site of a stick or rubbish heap at the Old Hall of Thirkleby Park; it has now spread over the gardens and park, and covers a surface of 200 acres. The casts are so large and numerous as to render the eatage impracticable within 4 inches of the ground. The workings are seen again at Baldersby Park, a distance of 8 miles, the Swale intervening. About five years since a small beginning was discovered in a field 3 miles from Thirkleby, which has now spread to an acre. The worms are subsoiling the land, and the land is enriching from the great quantity of grass yearly (wasted to the occupier) trodden down uneaten. From the site on which they first appeared, it has been suggested that it may have been an imported worm thrown from some garden pot.

It was also supposed that the destruction of the rooks at one time at the park allowed the worms to get a-head, but it is doubtful whether rooks take a worm when other food is to be had. The field has a Rookery at the end of it. In collecting worms for the Meeting, it was noticed that the rooks had torn up the grass in various parts of the field, and on examination it was found they were after the larvæ, which were exhibited. This field was drained two years since 4 feet 6 inches deep as a check upon the worm, but no effect is yet observable.

Notes on Myrmecophilous Coleoptera. By Dr. J. A. POWER.

Ed

I imagine that the interest of the entomologists of the Association may possibly be excited by a tolerably complete collection of the known British Myrmecophilous insects. It is a group which until recently has been almost unknown to our naturalists, and embraces a considerable number of creatures which had hitherto escaped their researches. Most of these singular animals appear to spend their lives, sometimes in the immediate vicinity of the ants' nests, sometimes in the very heart of them; and although endowed with ample powers of flight, wander but little from their quarters. Hence it has happened, that only a casual specimen has now and then fallen to the lot of the collector, whilst the greater part have been unknown, or known only as unique, or nearly unique examples, and even their authenticity suspected. Messrs. Janson and Waterhouse acting as pioneers, Messrs. Readin win Sheppard, Douglas, myself, and sundry others, have, within the last few years, by carrying on the war in and about the nests themselves, brought to light many new species, or found others to be abundant which were previously almost unknown. Mr. Janson has, in the 'Entomologist's Annual' of last year, published a most valuable account of the habits of these insects, and the mode of searching for them. I must say, however, that I cannot sympathize with him in his tender feelings towards these voracious hosts of our coleopterous favourites. According to my own experience, the spring, i. e. about April and May, is the most productive season for examining the nests of Formica rufa (which affords much the greatest number of insects), before the ants have actively begun their labours: the Coleoptera then seem to be accumulated in their immediate neighbourhood, instead of being scattered over a large extent of ground as they subsequently are. Soon after this period we often see the ants commence the process of gradually deserting an old and inconvenient nest, and taking up new quarters close by. I have found these old nests afford by far the best harvest of insects, which in the appetite for formic acid or its odour, (apparently necessary to their constitution), congregate amongst the few remaining ants. If a few showers of rain should then fall and wash away the acid, the beetles entirely desert the nest. The most efficient plan of search with this nest, is to place a few handfulls of the material taken from near the ants, upon a somewhat fine cabbage-net, laid on a sheet of brown paper. Saprini, Dendrophili, &c. have a tendency, when disturbed, to make their way downwards, and if, after a short time, you lift the net to another part of the paper, you remove the débris, and leave the insects behind. The outskirts of the nests should also be well examined, as Mr. Janson

1858.

9

describes, looking under stones, &c. The nests of Formica fuliginosa are more productive rather later, when the ants are in activity; but the investigation is to be carried on chiefly in the neighbourhood of the nest, in damp places around it, and where the ants run. The ground being stirred up, the insects will appear if you watch for them. Little is usually to be obtained in the nest, which is generally in the trunk of an old tree. The nests of F. fusca, F. flava, and Myrmica rubra afford but few species, and these are chiefly to be found in the galleries, under stones, &c. which may lie upon the nests. It is reasonable to expect that more species may be obtained by the examination of the nests of other ants, especially as the denizens of one kind appear seldom to associate with those of others. Formica fusca and F. flava seem to be the most convertible, i, e. you often find the same insects in both. In the nests of F. fuliginosa you almost invariably find something. As to those of F. rufa, you get many in some, but in very many nothing. Of those of F. flava, F. fusca, and Myrmica rubra, you may examine hundreds and get nothing. As yet we have obtained results from only a few species, viz. Formica sanguinolenta, F. flava, F. fusca, F. fuliginosa, F. rufa, and Myrmica rubra. The author illustrated his paper by specimens of the ants, and under each placed the genera and species of Coleoptera usually associated with them, and which may be expected to be found in their nests. He also subjoined to the Catalogue remarks on the localities and habits of the individual species.

On the Occurrence of Bombyx mori in a wild state in this Country. By the Rev. F. F. STATHAM, Incumbent of St. Peter's, Walworth. The author referred to the many costly attempts which have been made during the last two centuries to domesticate the Bombyx mori, or common silkworm, in this country, all of which had proved unsuccessful hitherto from the rigour of the climate and other causes. He then instanced the following curious fact, as an illustration of the power of instinct in enabling the insect to adapt itself to circumstances, and argued the possibility of rearing a more hardy species of Bombyx, which might hereafter be made useful for commercial purposes, giving, as his authority for the statements, the Rev. W. Fox, curate of West Malling, Kent, to whom he had been indebted for them. On the 10th of July, in the present year, a number of silkworms, estimated at from 80 to 100, were found under a hedge in a place called Banksfield, near West Malling, not far from Maidstone, Kent. There was no appearance of the insects having been scattered accidentally in the place; but, on the contrary, every indication of their having been hatched and sustained for some time in the spot where they were discovered. The leaves of several plants in the immediate vicinity were much jagged and eaten, showing plainly that the insects had for some time been feeding upon them. A bush of the Rubus fruticosus, the common bramble, among others, had been partially despoiled of its leaves. When discovered, about three-fourths of the whole number had spun their cocoons, which were hanging in all directions upon the weeds and the bramble referred to. Some were just commencing the spinning process, while others were yet in the larva state, and were feeding quietly or roving about in quest of suitable places in which to construct their silken cells. Both the silk cocoons and the remaining larvæ were subjected to a close examination by the aid of a microscope, and were compared with other silkworms and cocoons, which had been bred or formed under the shelter of a house, but no perceptible difference of species could be discovered by those who conducted the examination. The reverend gentleman expressed his dissent from the opinion which prevailed in the neighbourhood of the occurrence, that the insects had been the produce of a moth which might have fluttered away from the town during the preceding summer, and accounted for their appearance by imagining that some piece of paper having the ova deposited on it had been blown from a window-sill or other lofty spot, where it had been exposed to the rays of the sun, and had gradually been swept by currents of wind into the locality where the insects were found, where, having been favourably settled as regards warmth and shelter, the young larvæ had emerged from their eggs, and sought congenial nourishment amidst the surround. ing vegetation. The author alluded to the recent failure in the breed of silkworms in France, as announced in the Times of the 9th of September, and argued the

utility of trying a series of experiments to ascertain whether (as apparently indicated by the Town Malling discovery) the Bombyx mori could not be reared upon plants of indigenous growth, and without that amount of care and expense which have hitherto been considered indispensable.

On the British Wild Geese. By A. STRICKLAND.

Geese are a natural group of birds possessing several strongly marked characters; some of them are so alike in plumage that that important character can hardly be taken as an element to assist in discriminating the species; the form and colour of their bills and legs, and the habits of the birds in a state of nature being all we can safely rely upon: besides this, from their shy nature, they are the most difficult birds to study; from these circumstances the authors of British Birds seem not to have duly examined the characters of the species they describe. Mr. Gould has given us but three species of British Wild Geese, confusing two species under the mysterious name of Segetum, or Bean Goose.

Anas albifrons, White-fronted Goose. -The plumage will mark this species; it is not, or probably never was, a regular migratory species in this country, but is found in hard weather frequenting running streams and swampy ground singly, or in small groups; but is stated to be found in large migratory flocks on the continents of Europe and America.

Anas ferus or Anser, never was a migratory species in this country, but permanently resided and bred in the Carrs of Yorkshire, and probably the fens of Lincolnshire; but it has long since been banished from these places, but still breeds sparingly in the Western Islands of Scotland. This bird displays the same delicate pink colour in its bill when young, as the Bean Goose does in its legs, and which has eroneously been considered a distinct species, under the name of Pink-footed Goose.

From time immemorial one of the features of the north and east of England has been the regular periodical appearance of countless flocks of wild geese which arrive about the end of harvest, and which received the name of Bean Goose as coming in the time of bean harvest, and when the bean stubbles were ready for them. This species is the only one that hus any claims to the name of Bean Goose (or Segetum), the only migratory species in this country, and the only abundant and common species we have. Unaccount able as the case may appear, this bird is not figured or characterized in any workou Natural History I am acquainted with, and is not mentioned in the works of Mr. Yarrell, Mr. Gould, or Morris, further than ascribing the habits of this bird to one given by these authors under the figure and description of an entire different species under the erroneous name of Segetum, or Bean Goose. Some years ago, Mr. Bartlet, struck with the difference between the geese he met with in the market and the descriptions and drawings given of the Bean Goose, was induced to constitute a new species under the name of Pink-footed Goose; but this was an erroneous view of the matter, being in fact the young or immature bird of the true Bean Goose. This bird, the true Segelum, or Bean Goose, or Short-billed Goose, is distinguished by its short and strong bill, its depth at the base being nearly two-thirds of its length, and by its migratory habits differing in that respect from all our other geese arriving every autumn, spreading during the day time over the stubbles and clover fields on the Wolds and other open districts, rising like clock-work in the evening, and winging its way in long strings to the sand-bank in the Humber, and other safe retreats for the night, returning as punctually in the morning to its feeding-grounds. This bird differs from the Pink-footed Goose in being larger, having a stronger bill and lighter plumage; but these differences are the result of age, not of species, and due examination will confirm this. The next bird to be considered is the Long-billed Goose, figured and described by Mr. Yarrell, Mr. Gould, and Mr. Morris under the name of Segetum, or Bean Goose. This is distinguished by having the bill exactly twice the length of the depth at the base, a proportion quite different from the Short-billed Goose. Before the beginning of this century, when the Carrs of Yorkshire were the resort of countless numbers of wild-fowl, it was stated that there were two species of geese frequenting and breeding in the Carrs, known to the fowlers by the name of the Carr Lag and the Grey Lag. What the Grey Lag was is well known. The