Arhl 1, 1S6S.] 



HARDWICKE'S SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



87 



GS a, x 1000), showing a similar arrangement of 

 markings to those seen on Pleurosigmufasciola. 



Surirella Baileyi (Lewis). Valve linear-lanceo- 

 late, extremities slightly rounded and produced, 



Fig. 69. Fig- "o. 



Fig. 71. 



aire and canaliculi conspicuous, strise distinct, 

 reaching median Hue (fig. 69, x 500). This bizarre 

 form of Surirella occurs sparingly in both deposits. 

 In the Erench's Pond material I have only seen 

 fragments ; perfect valves will be found in the Duck 

 Pond deposit. Dr. Lewis, in his description of the 

 specimens found in a gathering from Saco Pond, 

 says slightly attenuated near the central portion 

 (fig. 70, outline of his figure). I do not, however, 

 detect any attenuation in the majority of valves 

 found in these deposits. * 



S. nol/ilis (Smith), fig. 71, is common in both 

 deposits. 



Orthosira nivalis (Smith). Erustules sub-cylin- 

 drical, valves sub-hemispherical, distinctly cellulate, 

 cellules circular (fig. 72, x 49) ; common in both 

 deposits. This species is doubtless the Coscinodiscus 

 minor of the first volume of the Synopsis. The C. 



* Both figures too much constricted. 



minor of Kutzing is a marine species.* I hope to 

 continue the description of the diatoms found in these 

 deposits, and also one from another locality in Maine 

 (Bridgton) in which I have detected some very 

 interesting forms. E. Kitton. 



Norwich. 



DEATH-WATCH. 



Fig. 73. 

 Atropos pulsatoria, magnified. 



T^ARLY in the month of August last my atten- 

 -^ tion was arrested by the acute sounds of 

 " Death-watch " — sounds most welcome to me, as I 

 longed for the pleasure of capturing one of those 

 insects, never having seen one, and seven long years 

 having passed since my last unsuccessful hunt. This 

 time, however, I was determined not to be foiled if it 

 was in my power to prevent it. 



I traced the sounds to the back of a framed 

 picture, where, under the paper cover, I succeeded 

 in discovering a pair of Atropos pulsatoria. The 

 sounds instantly ceased, yet I continued the search 

 under such circumstances that any other insect, 

 even smaller than Atropos, could not have escaped 

 my notice. 



Two or three evenings after this I captured 

 another specimen, this time on the outside of the 

 back covering of a picture. I observed this one for 

 some time, alternately running and ticking, but could 

 not detect the two being continued at the same 

 time. 



During the following week I was aroused by the 

 " tick " near my bedhead ; this I traced to the skirt- 

 ing-board of the room. Anxious to discover, if 

 possible, the means by which the sound was pro- 

 duced, I lay full-length ou the floor, candle in one 

 hand and pocket lens in the other, for a full hour. 

 But I failed to detect the cause of the sound, 

 although I watched his movements closely, which 

 were divided between running and ticking. 



