40 



HARDWICKKS SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



ZOOLOGY. 



The Bittern.— I think it may interest some 

 readers of Science-Gossip to know that a bittern 

 was shot at Isleham Fen, near Newmarket, last 

 December. — A. G. W. 



The Beaver.— I beg to mention the discovery of 

 an antler of C. elaphus and some teeth of the beaver 

 {Castor fiber) from Isleham Fen, near Newmarket, 

 which are in my possession. — A. G. W. 



The Evolution of the Eye.— We are glad to 

 note that the Actonian prize has been adjudged by 

 the Royal Institution to Mr. G. S. Boulger, F.L.S., 

 &c, for his essay on "The Structure and Functions ^ 

 of the Retina in all Classes of Animals, viewed in 

 relation with the Theory of Evolution." 



Sense-Organs of the Hydroids.— At a recent 

 meeting of the Linnean Society, Professor Allman gave 

 a description of the true sense-organs of the hydroid- 

 animals. In one form the organ is a bulb, with rod- 

 like structures and a series of radiating filaments, 

 which latter terminate in conical bodies, also contain- 

 ing filaments that resemble thread-cells. Another ■ 

 form is met with in a medusa {Gemmellaria), where 

 free club-topped filaments constantly in motion are 

 attached to the tentacles, and possess sacs with 

 thread-cells, but incapable of being exserted. For 

 these Professor Allman suggested the term podocysts. 

 He says they have a wide extension among the 

 Hydroida. 



Fertility of Hybrid Geese.— Dr. Charles Dar- 

 win has sent to " Nature " an account of an experiment 

 made by him as to the fertility of male and female 

 hybrids (brother and sister) between the common 

 goose and the Chinese goose. Being of so near 

 affinity, the experiment between these hybrids is of 

 the greater zoological importance. The result of 

 this pairing was that eggs were laid, and three birds 

 hatched from the first set. From a second set of eggs 

 two birds were hatched. These five hybrids are 

 very fine birds, and resemble their parents in every 

 detail. 



ErriNG Forest and Essex Naturalists' Field 

 Club.— We are glad to see that a society of this kind 

 has just been started. The inaugural meeting was 

 held on Saturday, January 10, 1880, at the rooms of 

 the Buckhurst Hill Art Classes, 3 St. John's Terrace, 

 (opposite the Church) ; R. Meldola, Esq., F.C.S., 

 &c, Secretary to the Entomological Society of 

 London, taking the chair. The objects of the club, 

 as set forth in the proposed rules, are as follows :— 

 " The investigation of the Natural History, Geology, 

 and Archreology of the county of Essex (special atten- 

 tion being given to the fauna, flora, geology, and 

 antiquities of Epping Forest) ; the publication of the 



results of such investigations ; the formation of a 

 library of works of local interest and other publications, 

 and the dissemination amongst its members of infor- 

 mation on natural science and antiquities." Excur- 

 sions, under skilful direction, to various localities of 

 interest to the naturalist and antiquary, will also be a 

 main object of the club. We are glad to see that 

 the club will strongly discourage the practice of 

 removing rare plants from the localities where they 

 are to be found or of which they are characteristic, 

 and of risking the extermination of rare birds and 

 other animals by wanton persecution ; it will also 

 endeavour to use its influence with landowners and 

 others for the protection of the same, and to dispel 

 the prejudices which are leading to their destruction. 

 In like manner the club will endeavour to cultivate a 

 fuller knowledge of local antiquities, and to promote 

 a taste for carefully preserving the monuments ,of the 

 past from wanton injury. Considering the, fine field 

 offered to the biologist in Epping Forest and the 

 surrounding country, it is certainly a matter of 

 surprise that a society similar to that now in process 

 of formation was not long since founded. The 

 proposed subscription will be fifteen shillings per 

 annum for gentlemen and ten shillings for ladies. 

 Persons residing beyond a certain radius (say fifteen 

 miles) from the headquarters of the club will only 

 be required to pay subscriptions of ten shillings 

 and seven shillings respectively. Persons joining the 

 club upon or within two calendar months from its 

 establishment will thereupon be considered original 

 members. Much credit is due to the Hon. Sec, Mr. 

 Wra, Cole, for the zeal and energy he has thrown into 

 the work of organisation. 



The Deal-fish. — Mr. Thomas Southwell gives 

 an account, in the "Zoologist" for January, of the 

 capture of the deal-fish, or Vaagmcer [Trachypterus 

 arcticus ?), by'.some.fishermen in a draught-net at Holk- 

 ham Bay, Norfolk, on October 8th. Unfortunately, 

 Mr. Southwell did not see the fish in the flesh, and 

 it appears to have been much decomposed before it 

 was sent to be preserved. 



CANTHOCAMrTUS furcatus. — This marine ento- 

 mostracan, recently sent out by Mr. Bolton to his 

 subscribers, has sprung up lately in the aquarium 

 at the Aston Lower Grounds, Birmingham. It is 

 rapidly reproducing itself, and has extended to the 

 majority of the marine tanks. The fact of its occur- 

 rence is interesting, because it is the first animal 

 (excluding infusoria) which has appeared, without 

 being purposely introduced, in the aquarium which was 

 opened six months ago. Even vegetation has hardly 

 commenced, and is limited to Diatomacere. The whole 

 of the sea water is artificial, and it is extremely pro- 

 bable that this is the first time in the history of the 

 species that it has multiplied itself, almost indefinitely, 

 under the artificial conditions consequent on the use 

 of manufactured sea-water, aerated by machinery. 



