AT THE MICROSCOPE. 43 



the species ? " — (" Williamson's Recent Foraminifera," Ray Soc. 

 publication, pp. 41 — 44, and PI. III., Figs. 78 — 82.) 



On Species in Foraminifera, I would request a thoughtful 

 perusal of Prof. Rupert Jones's Communication to the Roy. 

 Micro. Soc, " On the Foraminifera, with especial reference to 

 their Variability of Form, illustrated by the Cristellarians," in the 

 Monthly Micro. Journal, Feb., 1876, p. 61. 



Antennae of Insects. — The minute structure of these organs 

 has formed the subject of some important communications to the 

 Linnaean Society by Dr. J. Braxton Hicks. They will be found in 

 its "Transactions," Vol. 22, pp. 147 and 383, with several plates. 

 The third joint in many of the Diptera is greatly dilated, as is seen 

 in those from the Syrphiis (PI. 21, Fig. 6), where the remaining 

 joints are represented by a long, stout, plumose seta. The trans- 

 parent dots in the third joint are thin places in the integument, to 

 which nerve-filaments can be traced. Each spot has a fine, short 

 hair arching over it : — the larger spaces appear to be formed by a 

 confluence of the smaller dots. These organs are the seat of 

 some special sense. Dr. Hicks thinks their anatomical structure 

 renders it probable that they are organs of hearing. R. B. Lowne 

 takes them for organs of smell. The subject is one of much 

 difficulty, and it would be premature to give an opinion either way 

 as yet, especially when viewed in connection with Sir J. Lubbock's 

 recent observations on Bees, Wasps, and Ants (Proc. Linn. Soc, 

 1S75)) whereby attempts were made to elucidate the subject 

 experimentally. 



Stomach of Blow-Fly, Plate 22, Figs. 4, 5. — The drawing. 

 Fig. 5, represents all that may be seen on this slide with a low 

 power. I have supplemented it Avith a reduced copy of Mr. 

 B. T. Lowne's very excellent drawing of the alimentary canal, 

 with the oesophagus and crop, the chyle stomach, and salivary 

 glands, etc. For a full description, see "The Anatomy of the 

 Blow-Fly," by B. T. Lowne, page 54, plate 4. 



Flea from Cat. (PI. 22, Fig. i.)— With regard to this slide, 

 I would direct attention to some amusing and interesting notes 

 by the indefatigable S. J. Mclntire, on Cat Fleas — their eggs, 

 larvae, and life-history generally. They will be found in Sci. 

 Goss. for 1865, p. 278; 1866, p. 46; and 1867, p. 47. In the 

 same periodical for May, 187 1, is an article on Fleas generally; 

 it has no signature, which is a serious and too-common defect, 

 but may be assumed to be by the then Editor, M. C. Cooke. In 

 this at p. 71 is a figure (Fig. 56), that appears to agree with 

 the present example ; it is said to represent the Dog-Flea I At 

 page 214 (1867) occurs the following, signed " E. Marks": — 

 *< Cat-Fleas.— In Mr. Mclntire's article under this title (Sci. 



