HARDWICKE'S SCIEN CE-GOS SIP. 



137 



from the track at our approach, but uot in suffi- 

 cient time to get out of the way, and so we literally 

 ran into them. Those that struck the engine were 

 generally injured — in some cases completely 

 smashed— and blown off at either side, and it was 

 only those that happened to strike on our clothing 

 that were worth preserving. Occasionally a stray 

 dragon-fly or unlucky wasp would get in the way, 

 and even tiger-beetles flew into the trap. Now 

 and then a large wingless Brachypeplus, witli its 

 coarse spines, would make its presence felt. But all 

 were fish that came to the net, and soon the leaves of 

 my pamphlet were exhausted, all my pockets fdled, 

 and by the time the station was reached, I was only 

 too glad to return to the car and bottle my treasures. 

 Jn less than half an hour I took more insects than I 

 had room for, and, what was still better, found two 

 new species. We were much interested in watch- 

 ing the birds as they flew up before us. The 

 majority of the flock would pass to one side or the 

 other, but one or two would attempt to keep ahead 

 of the engine, straining every muscle, till, finally, 

 they would fall apparently exhausted, or be struck, 

 and drop lifeless. One was captured alive by 

 simply reaching out the hand and taking it. On 

 all future trips through new country, I shall endea- 

 vour to get into the good graces of the conductor 

 and engineer, and thus secure a place under the 

 head-light ; for, aside of its being a good " collect- 

 ing-ground," one gets a splendid view of the 

 country, without dust, without the usual jolting, 

 and with a delightful breeze into the bargain, 

 though it doesn't do to reflect too much on the 

 possibility of shipping a cow or ivio.— Charles B. 

 Dodge, in " Canadian Entomologist" Jan., 1872. 



Pahasitic Rotifer (?) — I saw a little creature 

 like that described in the May number of Science- 

 Gossip as "a Parasitic Rotifer" adhering to the 

 side of one of my water-observing bottles, where it 

 remained some days. I thought at first it was a 

 cypris, and have been much puzzled about it. It 

 did not move about, but had a very rapid ciliary 

 motion as it stuck to the glass. I mentioned it to 

 our great naturalist here, and wished him to see it, 

 but I could not detach it from the spot. I hope 

 soon to observe some more, and then I shall call 

 attention to them. I have before mc now two 

 large bottles of water, which a month ago were not 

 over sweet, but full of Hydra virid/s and the com- 

 mon Entomostraca ; and now the water in both 

 bottles is as sweet as possible and quite clear, 

 through the agency of these minute creatures. 

 How beneficial they must be in cleaning our ponds 

 and ditches ! — Enquirer. 



Economy of the Lary^ of the Small Eg gar 

 {E. lanestris).— ! have no doubt Mr. Barrett has 

 hit upon the true cause, or rather the causes, why 

 we do net succeed very well in rearing these in 



breeding-cages, or in-door contrivances : — firstly 

 because they require sunshine, or plenty of air ; 

 and, secondly, because they need ample space to 

 extend their nest as they increase in size. Double 

 cocoons occur, amongst others, of the Bombgces and 

 Cuspidates. I have seen them in the Puss (Z). 

 vimda) ; and the caterpillars of that species, if 

 kept together in company, are rather fond of 

 placing their cocoons upon the top of those 

 formed by their brethren. In this case, the result 

 is dift'erent from what occurs in the double cocoon. 

 The one which is superimposed usually contains a 

 living piipa, and the lower cocoon a dried-up 

 pupa or larva, it having probably died from want 

 of air.—/. B. S. C. 



Irritating Effects of Caterpillars' Hairs 

 (p. 2:2, Jan. No.).— I am inclined to think that 

 " G. II. S." is quite correct in supposing that dif- 

 ferent persons are very differently affected by the 

 urticating larvfe ; but the reason is not so much 

 any peculiarities in health of a transitory character, 

 but arises from varieties of temperament. The 

 mode of handling has also much to do with it, and, 

 possibly, the state of the weather. I have often 

 bred larvaj of B. quercns to maturity, yet never 

 experienced anything unpleasant. Others, how- 

 ever, besides " G. II. S.," have complained of such an 

 occurrence, but the species is certainly rot one, like 

 caja and aurijhia, under an evil repute for its urti- 

 cating properties. — /. B. S. C. 



BOTANY. 



The best Method of Drying Plants so as to 

 PRESERVE THEIR Colours.— The materials required 

 are common cartridge-paper, thick white blotting- 

 paper, cotton wadding and millboard, all cut to the 

 same size. The plants should be gathered in dry 

 weather, and soon after the flowers open, when 

 their colours are brightest. Succulent plants (such 

 as Daffodil, Orchis, or Stonecrop) should be put 

 into scalding water, with the exception of the 

 floicers, for a minute or two, then laid on a cloth to 

 dry. Arrange the specimens and papers in the 

 following order :— Millboard, cartridge-paper, wad- 

 ding (split open, and the glazed side placed next to 

 the cartridge-paper), blotting-paper; the specimens 

 having small pieces of wadding placed within and 

 around the flowers to draw off all the moisture 

 as quickly as possible, blotting-paper, wadding as 

 before, cartridge-paper, millboard. When the speci- 

 mens, &c., are thus arranged, heavy weights should 

 be put on them: about 301b. the first day, GO lb. 

 afterwards. Remove them from under pressuie in 

 a day or two ; carefully ti^ke away all the papers, 

 &c., except the Llctting-papers beticeen icMch the 

 specimens are placed ; put these in a warm air to 

 dry, whilst the removed papers, &c., are dried in 



