228 Miscellaneous Intelligence, 



Copal resin perfectly preserves the most delicate part of the 

 smallest insect, in consequence of which M. Dalman has been 

 enabled to study the systematic characters of these small beings very 

 minutely. He has made out three new genera and fifteen new 

 species. — Bull. Univ., B. xiv. 287, 



7. Reproduction and use of Leeches. — The following experiments 

 have been made, and conclusions drawn, by M. Pallas. The bot- 

 tom of a box was covered with argillaceous earth to the depth of 

 6 inches, and then 200 leeches, which had been used six times, 

 put in ; they buried themselves in the earth. Five months after, 

 a layer of earth IJ inches deep was removed, and a conical hole 

 found, with smooth sides, inclosing axiform cocoons of various 

 sizes. On further examination, 73 cocoons were found, and a loss 

 of 88 dead or useless leeches was remarked. In another experi- 

 ment, the box being arranged as before, 200 leeches, which had 

 not been used, were put in at the same period; at the end of five 

 months only 14 cocoons were found, and 98 leeches were lost. 



From these and other researches it is concluded, — 1. That leeches 

 which have been more or less frequently used, and placed in favour- 

 able circumstances, are more apt to reproduce than those which 

 have not been used. 2. That the enormous difference above 

 described depends upon the difference of nourishment. 3. That 

 the time of increase in the climate of Pampluna appears to be from 

 the 15th or 20th of August to the end of September. The atmo- 

 sphere should be at least 59° or 60° F. Argillaceous earth is the 

 medium preferred by the leeches. 4. Each cocoon usually con- 

 tains 12 individuals. 5. The cocoons are principally formed of 

 two kinds of substance ; the internal is fibrous, dense, and very 

 close, enveloping a very thin multilocular pelhcle, which contains 

 the germs ; the exterior is very light, porous, and woolly, probably 

 destined, according to M. Chatelain, to keep out moisture, and give 

 lightness to the cocoon ; but by M. Pallas considered as intended 

 to protect the contents of the cocoon from sudden changes of tem- 

 perature, of which the young leeches are very sensible. 6. That 

 leeches may be applied again and again, and are then more apt to 

 produce young. Between the 1st of January and 30th of Septem- 

 ber, M. Pallas used 35,611 leeches which had been used before. — 

 Mem. de Med. Militaire, xx. 361. 



8. Red Viper of Dorsetshire. — The Rev. Mr. Rackett states that 

 a serpent, known to the gamekeepers of Dorsetshire under the 

 name of the red viper, was recently killed in Cranbourne Chase. 

 It does not appear to have been previously known to British natu- 

 ralists, and is considered to be more poisonous than the common 

 viper, but, fortunately, very rare. Mr. Racket describes it as of a 

 marked red colour, and thinks it probably the Coluber Chersea of 

 liinnaeus. — N, Monthly Mag. xxiv. 403. 



