1907* Reviews. 345 



of an adventure which befel him one night when out sugaring in an 

 English wood. We confess that we have read the story — it is a very 

 well told one — twice through without feeling quite convinced that the 

 narrator was in anything like such serious peril from the "murderous 

 gipsy" as he supposed. But it seems that Mr. Shepheard-Walwyn never 

 now goes his nocturnal " mothing'' expeditions without a loaded revolver, 

 and perhaps the hint will be considered useful by some of his brother 

 collectors in this country during any entomological visits they may pay 

 to the southern English shires. 



C. B. M. 



IRISH SOCIETIES. 



ROYAL ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Recent gifts include two small Snakes from Mr. N. G. Ball, a Blessbok 

 from Mr. E. O. Anderson, a pair of Kestrels from Mr. A.J. Clutterbuck, 

 a Rattlesnake and a Copper-head Snake from Mr. W. T. Hornoday (New 

 York Zoological Park), a Meerkat from Lady Hamilton, a Sparrow Hawk 

 from Mr. F. Donaldson, Griset Monkeys from Mr. J. Bergin and Miss E. 

 Persse, a pair of Buzzards from Mr. W. C. Tait, a pair of Field-mice from 

 Mr. R. M. Barrington, a Blackbird from Miss Jury, and a pair of Kestrels 

 from Mr. H. Finn. 



DUBLIN MICROSCOPICAL CLUB. 



May 8th.— The Club met at Leinster House. Prof. Carpenter (Presi- 

 dent) in the chair. 



Dr. G. H. Pethybridge showed a specimen of the potato-disease 

 fungus (Phytophthora infestans) growing on a tuber of a variety newly 

 introduced by L,abergerie, called Solatium Co?n?nersonii (violet). Many 

 experts are of the opinion that this new variety is identical with one 

 which has long been known under the name of " Blue Giant.'" Laber- 

 gerie claims, however, that his variety is an entirely new and valuable 

 one, and, moreover, that it is immune against the blight. In Ireland, 

 however, this is not the case, for the material shown was obtained from 

 tubers grown in the ordinary wa}- in this country. 



Prof. G. H. Carpenter showed specimens of a springtail Isotoma 

 bidenticulata, Tullberg, from mountain streams on the Comeraghs, Co. 

 Waterford, the Mournes, Co. Down, and the Douce, Co. Wicklow. The 

 insects had been found in colonies beneath partly submerged stones. 

 The species is a most interesting addition to the fauna of the British 

 Isles, having been previously known from Arctic countries — such as 

 Franz Josef Land, I^apland, and Northern Siberia — and the Swiss Alps 

 (Engadiue). 



