HARDWICKE'S SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



249 



be considered. In F. plcbeia the recurved spines 

 have double characters, one thickly, and the other 

 sparsely set. In some doubtful species of Fenestella, 

 both in Scotland and in Hurst, the recurved spines 

 are strongly fluted. In F. membranacea the fluting is 

 finely beaded, and in F. nodulosa the spine is 

 distinctly characteristic. I have used the typical 

 character of the spine as given by the Messrs. Young 

 most effectually in my investigations, and although 

 in some parts these may vary, the differences are 

 perceptible when closely examined. 



It may now be asked, since there is no analogy to 

 ■guide us, what were the purposes the processes (Palce- 

 corynse and spiniferous) were intended to serve ? The 

 answer is not an easy one. I have attempted in my 

 •essay to unfold a mystery, but as this part of my 

 writing has created opposition from several able 

 ■specialists to whose decision I for the present bow, 

 I withhold my speculations till others, abler than my- 

 self, will take the hint now furnished, and give a more 

 philosophic view than it lies in my power to do. 

 The conclusions I arrived at will have to be faced by 

 specialists, and no one will be more pleased than my- 

 ■self, if my views are proved to be crude or erroneous. 



I now leave the question as to the mode of 

 -development of the whole of the Fenestrate Polyzoa of 

 the Palaeozoic era to the unprejudiced judgment of 

 the palaeontologist. When I began the study, I 

 never thought that the investigation would have 

 taken me into so many of the by-ways of life ; but, 

 bit by bit, the great mystery which had hitherto 

 •enveloped these forms began to unfold itself, and for 

 months past my mind and thoughts have been 

 occupied, and my leisure time devoted to an en- 

 deavour to comprehend the secret of this particular 

 -life. 



Many of my specimens I have been obliged to 

 prepare in a very novel way. In reducing to trans- 

 parency many of these sections of shale, I came 

 across peculiar aspects of the spines and Palaeocorynse, 

 'these I had to draw before I reduced the section 

 ■further ; so, bit by bit, I was able to piece in as it 

 •were the whole idea of the spine. Then this would 

 follow the fate of the other views, and so on, till I 

 could trace right into the heart of the branches and 

 dissepiments, the ramifications of the spiniferous 

 process. This was the case with fig. 181, but I have 

 faithfully followed the processes and the Palreocorynse, 

 neither putting down less nor more than what I saw. 

 Every figure therefore is true to nature, and if they 

 be not so artistic as I could wish, they have in their 

 ainartistic roughness all the truth as it appeared 

 to me. 



Note. — I shall be happy to communicate with any 

 students of the palaeozoic polyzoa who desire exchanges 

 for study, and I should also be glad to examine any 

 Fenestella they may entrust to me if sent direct by 

 post. 



Atterc/ife, Sheffield. 



NOTES ON A CURIOUS MITE {CALYPTO- 

 STOMA HARDYT). 



THIS very curious mite was found by Mr. Hardy 

 in the Cheviot Hills, and described and figured 

 by Mr. Cambridge in the "Annals of Natural 



Fig. 186. — Outline of nymph of Calyptostoma. 



Fig. 187. — Mouth parts of Calypto- 

 stoma, partly protruded. 



Fig. 188.— Mouth parts Fig. 189.— Tridactyle tarsus of nymph 

 fully protruded. (highly magnified). 



History " for 1875. The description is minute, and 

 very good, excepting where he says that the upper 

 surface is "very convex.''' As his specimens were not 



