114 SELECTED NOTES FROM 



appear to me adapted to the reputed function, and I would 

 suggest if their peculiar form be not rather intended for the 

 guiding and retarding the otherwise possibly too rapid extrusion 

 of the eggs. Here the structure may be followed far beyond the 

 possible extrusion of the organ from the body of the creature, 

 though somewhat modified. W. Case. 



Gizzard of Flea.— In reference to Mr. West's remarks on the 

 Flea's gizzard (see p. 112), I may say I have two prepared as he 

 suggests : one was cusp-shaped, and fixed with the mouth upwards, 

 so that I could see that the interior was lined with fibres appa- 

 rently rooted near the bottom. On applying some pressure, it 

 opened into a circle of fibres too numerous for counting. These, 

 I suppose, are what Mr. West terms teeth — a name, I think, not 

 applicable. Another gizzard is laid on its side, and here the fibres 

 bear out my opinion that they are not teeth in the ordinary sense 

 of the term. A. Nicholson. 



Trichocolea tomentella.— The fructification of T. tome7itella is 

 small, black, and nearly spherical ; it was lately shown me by the 

 President, who had found it in a damp wood. After a few 

 minutes' exposure in a warm room, its valves expanded (whether 

 3 or 4 I cannot say), and under the microscope a brown surface 

 was seen— with the spores flying off in all directions — thrown off 

 by the elasticity of the elaters. C. P Coombs. 



Negro Skin.— In 1870, when skin grafting was introduced from 

 Paris, a piece of Negro-skin was grafted on to the body of a white 

 man. The sore healed, and (I beheve) the neighbouring skin 

 received the dusky colour. C. P. Coombs. 



Burweed.— Several species of plants possess hooked spines 

 on the fruits, or seeds, by which they are carried about 

 attached to the fur of animals. Mr. Maynard's specimen (see p. 56) 

 is, perhaps, from Xanthium spinosum, a plant something like a 

 C/ienopodiu/N, but with spinous leaves, occasionally found in 

 waste places in the woollen districts of this country. 



H. F. Parsons. 



Head of Empis.— In a recent note (Joiirtial of Microscopy, 

 Vol. V. p. 240J, Mrs. E. M. West speaks of the mandibles 

 as attached to the extremity of the long snout, which serves as a 

 case for the other parts of the mouth when not in use. Is this 

 correct ? My belief is that the organs which she thus describes 

 are a spinalised form of the extremity of the labrum ; and for -the 

 following reasons : — 



