66 Zoology, 



He names this combination matter in the vegetative state. It is by it that 

 the infusory animals are rendered green. Those which colour oysters, ac- 

 cording to M. Gaillon's observations, produce this eifect, as M. Bory says, 

 only because they are themselves coloured by the green matter. It colours, 

 in the same manner, the water and the shells of these oysters ; and it would 

 not be impossible to find some tinged directly by this matter, without any 

 animalcules having penetrated into them. (Jaw. Phil. Jour., Dec. 1827, 

 p. 195.) 



The Fi'ench Philosophers of the present age have acquired great and 

 deserved fame by their splendid discoveries in physiology, geology, and 

 comparative anatomy ; but, as regards the natural system, or that which is 

 to develope the plan of creation, it is not too much to say, that the book 

 of nature, to them, has been hermetically sealed. Their discoveries will, 

 indeed, remain, for these regard things which are immutable ; but their 

 systems and theories, formed either without any reference to religion, or in 

 direct opposition to its greatest truths, are even now fast tumbling to 

 decay. They may, indeed, be remembered, but only as lamentable instances 

 of the infirmity of our nature, which, taking not God for its guide, perverts 

 his works to inculcate the baneful principles of materialism and infidelity. 

 {Sivainson/m i\\Q Winter's Wreath for 1828, p. 298.) 



Art. II. Zoology, 



A NEW kind of Cloth fabncated hy Insects. — The larvae of the butterfly, 

 yfnea punctata, or T. padilla, have been directed by M. Habenstreet, of 

 Munich, so as to work on a paper model suspended from the ceiling of a 

 room. To this model he can give any form and dimensions, and he has 

 thus been enabled to obtain square shawls, an air balloon four feet high, 

 and a woman's complete robe, with the sleeves, but without seams. One 

 or two larvae can weave a square inch of cloth. A great number are, of 

 course, employed, and their motions are interdicted from the parts of the 

 model not to be covered by oiling them. The cloth exceeds in fineness 

 the lightest gauze, and has been worn as a robe over her court dress by the 

 Queen of Bavaria. {Newton's Journal of the Arts, Dec. 1 827.) — We have 

 no doubt the same object might be effected by directing the labours of the 

 larvae of various British moths or butterflies, or perhaps spiders ; and we 

 should be glad to hear of some reader of leisure attempting such a thing. 

 M. Samouelle, Blackfriars Road, we believe, could give instructions, and 

 supply eggs and larvae. — Cond. 



Method of killing Insects for the Use of Naturalists. — The following me- 

 thod is by M. Ricord : — The insect is to be fixed on a piece of cork, and 

 put under ajar or vessel with a little ether ; the latter being placed either 

 in a capsule, or on the plate on which the jar or glass is placed : the vessel 

 should apply closely, that the vapour of the ether may be retained, and the 

 air within be prevented from changing its place. The insect thus im- 

 mersed in the ethereal atmosphere will soon die, without having time to hurt 

 its form or appearance by violence. {Bid. Un.) 



The Ant and the A'phis, or Plant Louse. — Mr. Carpenter happening 

 once to beat down a number of aphides out of a stunted oak-tree, at the 

 foot of which was an ants' nest, was very much surprised at seeing soon 

 afterwards the ants busily employed in carrying up the aphides and care- 

 fully replacing them again upon the leaves of the tree ; they feeding upon 

 the honey-dew, which, it is well known, is produced by the aphis. {Gill's 

 Tech. Repos.y April, p. 201.) 



White Cats with blue eyes^ are always deaf. This is a vei"y remarkable 

 fact, and I believe not generally known, — E. W. S. Chelsea, March 20. 



