HARDWICKE'S SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



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certain Carboniferous Fossils from Colorado, Arizona, 

 Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming, and certain Cretaceous 

 Corals from Colorado, together with descriptions of 

 New Forms, by C. A. White, M.D. 



Artificial Diamonds. — A short time ago we 

 gave a brief notice of Mr. Mactear's unsuccessful 

 attempt to produce artificial diamonds. In spite of 

 Mr. Mactear's failure another attempt has been made 

 (also at Glasgow) by Mr. J. B. Hannay, and this 

 time with a more or less successful result. Professor 

 Story Maskelyne (to whom Mr. Hannay's artificial 

 diamonds were submitted for examination), says, 

 that from the results of the tests he applied he has 

 no doubt that they are genuine diamonds. There 

 is no doubt whatever that Mr. Hannay has succeeded 

 in solving this problem and removing from the 

 science of chemistry an opprobrium so long adhering 

 to it. Mr. Hannay's process involves the simul- 

 taneous application of enormous pressure, probably 

 many tons to the square inch, and a very high 

 temperature. As the process is an exceedingly 

 expensive one, jewellers need not for the present 

 be alarmed as to the result, as it costs more to make 

 them than they are worth. 



Discovery of Diatoms in the London Clay. — 

 The discovery of diatoms in the London clay by Mr. 

 \V. H. Shrubsole, F.G.S., which when first an- 

 nounced was received with some incredulity, has now 

 been fully confirmed. Blocks of clay with the 

 diatoms in situ have been exhibited at meetings of 

 various societies, and have also been submitted to 

 some of the most eminent microscopists, who have all 

 reported favourably. Mr. F. Kitton and several 

 other gentlemen are rendering valuable assistance in 

 examining the diatoms. The bulk of these interesting 

 objects are filled with iron pyrites, so that they can 

 only be examined as opaque objects. When viewed 

 by reflected light with one-inch objective and B or C 

 eyepiece, they appear like beautiful golden medal- 

 lions. Among the lighter particles of the clay are 

 found whole and broken valves, that have had but a 

 film of pyrites deposited upon them ; to these the 

 highest powers can be applied with good effect. By 

 careful treatment with dilute acid, the pyrites can be 

 removed, so that the silicious framework is left trans- 

 lucent. This result is so far satisfactory, as it demon- 

 strates that the silex has not been replaced by ferric 

 sulphide but only covered and obscured. Unfortu- 

 nately the valves get somewhat broken up in the 

 process. About twenty species have already been 

 identified : the genus Coscinodiscus being abundantly 

 represented by large and beautiful forms belonging 

 to several species. Arachnoidiscus occurs rather 

 sparingly. There are some new species, and for the 

 first that was observed Mr. Kitton suggests the name 

 of Actitiocydus Eos. Many other new forms will 

 probably be detected. Besides diatoms, Polycystina, 



Xanthidia, and some curious forms whose affinities 

 are unknown, have also been found. Mr. Shrubsole 

 reports that he has traced the diatomaceous zone 

 for many miles, and that he is still pursuing the 

 inquiry. 



NOTES AND QUERIES. 



Falconry. — In reply to the query of P.M.K., I 

 think that " Falconry in the British Isles " (1855), by 

 Salvin and Broderick, i\s, is perhaps the best modern 

 work on the subject. I cannot say where the hood, 

 jesses, and complete furniture of a falcon may be 

 obtained. — F. W. Pliilips. 



Vipers and their Young.— On October 25 of 

 last year, my brother killed a female viper, when to 

 his great astonishment eleven fully developed young 

 ones, about six inches long, came tumbling out of the 

 breach made by the blow (about eight inches from 

 the head), and tried to make their escape, they had 

 all the appearance of having seen daylight before. The 

 question naturally arises — had they on seeing danger 

 approach, sought refuge in the interior of the dam ? 

 The Rev. Gilbert White, in his "Natural History of 

 Selborne," relates a somewhat similar circumstance. 

 He says : — " On August 4, 1775, we surprised a large 

 viper which seemed very heavy and bloated as it lay 

 in the grass, basking in the sun. When we came up 

 to it we found that the abdomen was crowded with 

 young, fifteen in number ; the shortest of which 

 measured full seven inches in length, and were about 

 the size of full grown earth-worms. . . There is little 

 room to suppose that this brood had ever been in the 

 open air before, and that they were taken in for 

 refuge, at the mouth of the dam, when she perceived 

 that danger was approaching ; because then, prob- 

 ably we should have found them somewhere in the 

 neck, and not in the abdomen." In a letter ad- 

 dressed to Thomas Pennant, Esq., he says : — " Several 

 intelligent folks assure me that they have seen the viper 

 open her mouth and admit her helpless young down 

 her throat on sudden surprise." The Rev. J. G. Wood, 

 in his "Illustrated Natural History," says : — "It is 

 asserted that when danger threatens, the female viper 

 opens her mouth and permits her brood to hide 

 themselves, but this is by no means an ascertained 

 fact." I am told that Dr. Frank Buckland has 

 offered a reward of ^20 to any one who can prove 

 that such is the case. A farmer with whom I am 

 intimately acquainted says that when he was a young 

 man, he came suddenly upon a viper, and was 

 utterly dumfounded at seeing five young ones spring 

 down her throat ; he was quite indignant if any one 

 doubted it, and declares that he had never before 

 heard nor read of such a thing. Another farmer 

 informed me the other day that his brother saw a 

 similar circumstance some years ago, and called his 

 attention to it, they went immediately to the spot 

 and killed the viper, finding the young in it. It is 

 not at all likely that so many people would make 

 such assertions, if there were no grounds for them. 

 If any of the readers of Science-Gossip have seen 

 such an interesting phenomenon, perhaps they would 

 communicate the fact. — y. y. 



Gulls Inland. — Several gulls have lately been 

 seen in the immediate neighbourhood of Cambridge. 

 A goosander also paid us a visit a short time ago, 

 but I regret to have to report that it met with the 

 inhospitable reception usually accorded to all un- 



