88 THE QUERIST. 



"With regard to those shells which inliabit salt water, it will almost be supci-fluous to 

 mention them. I maj' notice, however, the following, lest by any means they lia\'e been 

 overlooked: — Velittina lavigata, Siffaret/is, or, as it is now called, Lamellaria tentaailata. This 

 is found in May beneath stones, where it probably comes at tliat season to deposit its ova. 

 Tatella tcstndinalls, or, as I understand it is now called, Acmwa tcssellata, Fissurella Xoachina, 

 Modlola dtscrepans is found nestling in tufts of Corallina officinalis, and M. discors may be 

 found in great abundance cast ashore, and inhabiting the tunic of a species of Ascidia, KcUla 

 rubra, and Scalaria communis. Xijlophaga dorsalis was found last year when Goiirock quay 

 was repairing. It inhabited the piles, and along with Limnoria terebrans had completely 

 destroyed the portion under water. Timber, thoroughly perforated with these pests, is often 

 cast ashore in the vicinity of Gourock. Pholas crispata occurs plentifully in clay at the Castle, 

 and in several places farther down. Aphjsia dcpilans is often found when the retreating tide 

 has left it in a rocky pool." Mr. Hcuuedy illustrated his lists, whicli were very full, with a 

 beautiful collection of elegantly-mounted AUjcb, laud and fresh-water shells, besides several 

 marine species. 



Dr. L0RRA.IN, the Vice-President, read a paper on Nanina vitrinoide!^, and exhibited speci- 

 mens, His notes are as follows: — About three j'ears ago, our wortliy Chairman, Mr. Gourlie, 

 presented me with a living specimen of the Nanina vitriiioidcs, and the notes were made from 

 observation, during the time I had it confined in a glass shade. ^ITion in my possession it 

 added nearly half a volution to the shell. I fed it entirely on lettuce leaves and cabbage. 

 The shell resembles in every respect the European genus Zonites, but the animal is very different. 

 Wlien stretched in crawling, it is very long and slender. Tlie posterior extremity terminates 

 very unlike any of the Helices; it is split horizontally, with a part turned up like a tail, and 

 at the root of this horn-like tail is a small hole. On each side of the mouth of the shell, the 

 mantle is elongated in two pointed lobes; these are in constant motion, contracting and 

 expanding, in close contact with the surface of the shell, and often covering the umbilicus, but 

 always more or less grasping the side of the umbilical cavity. The Nanina seems to lick or 

 clean its shell like a cat dressing her fur. The animal is ash-coloured, the mantle yellowish, 

 becoming darker as it extends into the elongated lobes; the foot is gray, with an edging of a 

 lighter colour. My Nanina was very lively in the evenings, but was usually qui'jt during the 

 day, except when it was damped, or had water poured over it. It seemed to have some 

 difficulty in drawing itself entirely into the shell. 



The Nanina was discovered by Mr. Benson. 



€\}t (fltiFrist. 



On killing Insects for the Cabinet. — I am reminded by a notice in "The Naturalist," for 

 January, of some facts I have for some time intended communicating to you, relative to 

 kilUng insects for specimens. I had previously been in the habit of employing either bruised 

 laurel leaves, or hot water; but on one occasion last summer, when I could not conveniently 

 procure either of these, I thought of employing the' vapour of chloroform. I accordingly put 

 about three drops into an eight ounce bottle, in which were three largo Lepidoptera, which it killed 

 in about fifteen seconds, or perhaps less. I have, since that time, almost constantly used it 

 for insects of all kinds, with perfect success. Its effects are nearly instantaneous, and it does 

 not in the least interfere with their setting up, or their preservation. For the future I never 

 intend going out "insect hunting," without a small quantity, which I may put drop by drop 

 into my store bottle. It is especially useful for Lepidoptera, as it acts upon them so speedily 

 that they are completely prevented from fluttering about, and so injuring their wings; its 

 action on Jlymenoptcra and Coleoptera is no less remarkable, and in the case of the latter 

 especially, will completely prevent the more tedious "hot water" process. — JF. H. B., February 

 Srd., 1852. 



Water-Lilies, Nymphma alba .and Nuplmr lutea occur in various places near Aberdeen. They 

 arc abundant near the Corbie Loch, about four miles north of Aberdeen; and they are also 

 found in the Loch of Drum, about tliirteeu miles west of Aberdeen.—/. W. 



