262 SELECTED NOTES FROM 



Bleaching Leaves. — One cannot do better than follow Dr. 

 Beattie's instructions, as given in " Science Gossip." Some mem- 

 bers appear to confound Chloride of Sodium with Chlorijiated 

 Soda. A solution of the latter should be used, or else a solution 

 of Sodic Hyperchlorite. Either of the two latter will bleach 

 sections very rapidly, and whole leaves in from a few hours to a 

 week. 



W. H. Beebv. 



Nycteribia from Bat. — Those from India have much larger 

 legs in proportion to the body, and are said to be very quick in 

 their movements. 



H. E. Freeman. 



Pteroptis from English Bat is a very curious mite, and bears 

 a strong resemblance to a young 'E.iGUT-rayed star-fish. 



H. E. Freeman. 



The Mule-Ticks, referred to by Col. Basevi^ are like the 

 Hippobosca Equina^ but somewhat larger, and both are without 

 ocelli, which are present in Ornithomyia. The term Bot-fly is 

 very inappropriate. The latter does not bite the skin, and indeed 

 the mouth is so rudimentary that it is doubtful if it takes any food 

 when in the imago state. The Bot-fly is more like a bee, and 

 makes a very shrill hum when on the wing, or confined in a box. 



H. E. Freeman. 



Combs of the Black Scorpion. — Cuvier says : — "The abdomen 

 is composed of twelve rings comprehending those of the tail. 

 The first is divided into two parts, the anterior of which supports 

 the sexual organs, and the other the two combs. These append- 

 ages are composed of one principal piece, narrow, elongated, 

 articulated, mobile at its base, and furnished along its lower side 

 with a series of small lacunae united with it by an articulation, 

 elongated, hollow internally, parallel, and resembhng the teeth of 

 a comb. Hieir number is more or less considerable, according to 

 the species ; sometimes it varies within a certain quantity, and 

 perhaps according to age, in the same species. The use of these 

 appendages has not yet been ascertained by any positive experi- 

 ments. 



C. F. George. 



