HARDWICKE'S SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



69 



an animal of any sort has such a useful adjunct. If 

 this solution is, as is most probable, unsatisfactory in 

 the knowledge or opinion of any of your readers (for 

 I don't mind owning that it is only set forth for the 

 want of a better, and that I myself am not satisfied) ; 

 why here, of course, is an opportunity for the said 

 individuals to let the ignorant have the benefit of an 

 opinion founded upon the knowledge of a well-stored 

 mind.— F. C. D. B. 



Reason in a Dog. — In Dr. Romane's "Animal 

 Intelligence," reason is defined as " the faculty which 

 is concerned in the intentional adaptation of means to 

 ends." The following incident, which I observed, 

 seems to exhibit reason, as above defined, in a dog. 

 A lady and gentleman were strolling by the Dee, 

 accompanied by a black retriever. The gentleman 

 now and then picked up a bit of stick, which he 

 threw into the river ; the dog on every occasion 

 fetching it out and carrying it to his master. At 

 length the latter thing into the stream an old, 

 circular wicker basket or hamper, which had lain 

 on the bank. The dog immediately plunged into 

 the water, and dragged the hamper to land, while his 

 master walked on unconcernedly. After shaking 

 himself, the retriever grasped the hamper by its free 

 edge, and lifting it from the ground endeavoured to 

 carry along this rather heavy load ; but the diameter 

 and weight of the hamper were such that on attempt- 

 ing to move forward, the lowest part of the rim 

 pressed against the dog's legs, thus preventing his 

 ■walking or running. He repeatedly endeavoured, 

 by holding the hamper as far up and forward as 

 possible, to get along, but without success. His 

 master, by this time, was far in front, and the dog, 

 becoming excited, laid down the hamper and began 

 to run round and round about it, barking furiously 

 seemingly in a fit of impotent rage, which appeared 

 to reach a climax when he made a savage attack on 

 the hamper and began to tear it to pieces. I stood 

 laughing at the desperate work of destruction, think- 

 ing the dog might ultimately select a fragment from the 

 ruins as a trophy ; but my merriment was changed to 

 interest and surprise when the animal, ceasing from 

 his furious labour, again seized the basket by the rim 

 and trotted off triumphantly ; having torn out a part 

 from the side and rim of the basket, amply sufficient 

 "to permit the motion of the legs in running. Was 

 not this intentional adaptation of a means to an end ? 

 — T. IV. Ogilvie. 



Scarcity of Wasps and Plague of Flies. — 

 This was also remarked in 1866 in Science-Gossip. 

 A correspondent believes it was from a disease that 

 attacked the grub or larva ! Last year I collected 

 several queen-wasps in the spring from their markings. 

 I believe I have more than six species. I should be 

 glad to know some one who can give me information 

 on the subject. — Rro. S. A. Brcnaii. 



BOTANY. 



Salvia pratensis. — In connection with a local 

 plant, that is, a plant which grows only in a certain 

 spot of an isolated neighbourhood, the thought often 

 arises, Why is this ? The seeds appear to be abun- 

 dant, and to ripen. Winds prevail which should 

 scatter the seeds of the local plant in common with 

 those of other plants ; the neighbouring soil and 

 situation appear to offer similar conditions for the 

 growth as the spot in which they live, and yet the 

 plants do not enlarge their boundaries. We are 

 acquainted with many circumstances which may lessen 

 the chances of a plant extending its kind. The 

 beauty of a plant leads to its being frequently 

 gathered ; and I think that outlying ones — pioneers 

 that would have been to a further extension — are 

 perhaps more likely plucked than others which are 

 nearer their fellows, because they stand conspicuous. 

 When the main body is attacked, and frequent 

 demand? are made upon the main stock, the chances 

 of diffusion are lessened, and the remainder become 

 like the cucumber, " so coveted when rare, else base 

 and disesteemed food for the vulgar merely." I was 

 led to these thoughts by the result of many searches 

 for the above plant. About three years since, I came 

 by chance upon some of the plants in full bloom. 

 Next year I went as I thought to the same spot, but 

 though I searched the locality literally for several 

 miles, I failed to find, as I suspect, the exact spot. 

 Though puzzled, I was loth to feel assured I had 

 missed it, and yet could not think the plant had been 

 exterminated. Prosecuting my search another year, I 

 came upon the corner of a field in which were grow- 

 ing a few scattered plants, very small, some having 

 flowering stems a few inches in height. This season, 

 in the same spot, were several full-grown and well- 

 flowered plants. This spot, from the appearance of 

 the soil, and the presence of other flowers, did not 

 look as if it were used for pasture for grazing, or for 

 raising other crops ; yet Salvia had not extended to 

 other localities. One plant had gone as a pioneer 

 towards the outlet of the field, but none further. 

 Previous full-grown plants may have been taken away 

 bodily, or have been destroyed by frequent plucking. 

 If so, the spoilers left these to perfect their seeds. 

 Or the other large plants may have been crowded out 

 by plants of their own or other kinds ; for I found in 

 some spots full-grown plants which showed no flower- 

 ing-stem, nor was there any sign of any having been 

 plucked. These plants were closely pressed by other 

 fertile plants. About three weeks later I found the 

 plants undisturbed, and their seeds ripening. Some 

 of the ripe and ripening seeds were gathered with the 

 stalks ; but many fell out of the calyces whilst being 

 carried home, showing that not much disturbance 

 was needed to scatter them. In the early part of 

 November, I again visited the spot. The plants were 



