3o6 THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST 



and the long spines at the distal end of the second joint, and 

 drawn between these two ; " (2) the front leg is held forward, 

 the flagellum is laid in the groove and the leg is thrust 

 forward so as to stroke the flagellum ; (3) the leg is 

 held forward, the flagellum is bent to an acute angle 

 with the peduncle ; it is then laid in the groove and the 

 stroke made with the antenna, the leg remaining rigid. 

 It will be seen that (2) and (3) clean opposite sides of the 

 flagellum." 



Many species, when alarmed, feign death, either by 

 remaining perfectly still or by turning over on their back and 

 remaining quite motionless. 



Observation Cells. — My first experiments in keeping 

 woodlice in confinement were m.ade with specimens kept 

 in low, wide-mouthed glass jars over which a piece of 

 muslin was tied. Later I used petri dishes ; but both were 

 unsatisfactory. 



The idea of an observation cell I obtained from the late 

 Lord Avebury, who kept ants for many years between two 

 sheets of glass separated from each other by narrow strips at 

 the edges. 



The cell I recommend is made as follows : — Obtain two 

 sheets of glass 10 x 7 inches, and four half-inch strips of 

 plate glass of the following lengths : 10, 10, 6, and 6. 

 Cement these to one of the large sheets around the edges 

 of the plate, and place within the cell so formed a little damp 

 sand, twigs of decaying wood, and bits of broken flower-pots ; 

 these latter are important, as, being porous, they retain a 

 large amount of moisture. The amount of material should 

 not be too great. 



The cell now being ready, the woodlice maybe introduced. 

 Six to eight are sufficient for a cell. The remaining sheet of 

 glass is next placed on top and held in position by clips. It 

 should be removed at least once a day and the underside 

 wiped over with a dry duster. About once a week the pieces 

 of flower-pots should be taken out, washed, and after being 

 dipped into water, replaced. 



From time to time it will be necessary to introduce a 

 little food, such as a slice or two of a potato, or a fern leaf. 



