June 1, 1868.] 



HARDWICKE'S SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



133 



and the abrupt bend on the top of valve (producing 

 the appearance of a hinge connecting the two 

 valves) would seem to indicate an amount of struc- 

 tural difference sufficient to warrant its separation 

 from that species. 



Fig. 133. Surirella cardinalis x 430. 



NitzscJiia sigmoidea, var. /3 (Smith) = N. specta- 

 bilis (Ehr.) Erustule linear sigmoid. Valve re- 

 flexed, apices suddenly attenuated, keel with a 

 single row of puncta, striae distinct, 36 to 42 in "001 

 (fig. 134). This form is of frequent occurrence in 

 the American sub-peat deposits ; it may 'also be 

 found in the Dolgelly, Cvvm, Eechan, and Lough 

 Mourne deposits. 



Odontidium Tabellaria (Smith). Filament fra- 

 gile, valve oval, acuminate or lanceolate, costee 

 interrupted, delicate, 36 iu "001. 



Odontidium anomalum (Smith). Valve linear, 

 suddenly constricted near the rounded extremities, 

 costae distinct (fig. 135). Scarce in the lighter 

 densities. 



Dimeregramma Harrisonii (Ralfs) = Odontidium 

 Harrisonii (Smith). Eilament short, consisting of 

 not more than three or four frustules, valve cruci- 

 form, costae moniliform, not reaching the centre of 

 valve, 13 in '001 (fig 136). 



Fragillaria iindata (Smith). "Filaments im- 

 perfectly tenacious, frustules frequently cohering 

 by their angles, valve oval, acuminate, striae 42 in 

 "001 ; var. /3, valve linear acuminate ; var. y, 

 constricted in the centre " (fig 137). The above are 

 Professor Smith's specific characters of this species. 

 It greatly resembles, if it is not identical with, Dr. 

 Lewis's sporangial forms of Odontidium Tabellaria, 

 figured in vol. hi., p. 180, of Science-Gossip. 



Cyclotella minutula (Kutzing) = C. operculaia 



(Smith). Valve with two series of striae, apparently 

 overlying each other ; the upper are short, close, and 

 marginal ; the under conspicuous, and reachiug the 

 central portion of the disc : centre of disc obscurely 

 granulate, common in this deposit. 



Fig. 135. 

 Odontidium anumalum x 400. 



Fig. 136. 

 Dimeregramma Harrisonii x 40P. 



Fig. 13 "a. 



Fig. 13/6. 



Fig. U-c. 

 Fragillaria undata x 400. 



Fig. 134. Nitzschia sigmoidea, var. /3, x 400. 



This deposit is one of the most interesting of the 

 Maine deposits. It is rather more difficult to clean 

 than that from Monmouth, but will repay the pre- 

 parer for the trouble bestowed upon it ; and the 

 readers of Science-Gossip who may have been so 

 fortunate as to obtain any of it are greatly indebted 

 to the Rev. E. C. Bolles for his kindness in forward, 

 ing it for distribution. Fred. Kitton. 



Norwich. 



Plague of Locusts.— At the present time, Italy 

 is suffering under a plague of locusts, which the 

 Government of that country is voting large sums 

 of money to exterminate. We wonder whether 

 " sparrow clubs " are fostered ? 



