1 10 HALF-AN-HOUR 



do so is seen here. Also, the slight character of the medullary 

 rays, whence is developed a tendency in the wood itself to split 

 up into independent centres of growth, from which arise struc- 

 tures, the mode of whose formation it is often very difficult to 

 explain. I wish that we had some members at Manchester, for I 

 learn that the structure of " Limies " has been followed up there 

 with great success. A member afforded me the opportunity 

 recently of examining one or two. The large openings are the 

 ends of dotted ducts cut across ; these ducts are remarkable for 

 having slits across the pores. The cells of Clematis may be 

 found in the autumn densely filled with starch. 



Asterina gibbosa is the smallest of the British Star-fishes, and 

 seems on that account to be a favourite with professional and 

 other mounters. The tri-quadrifid spines fringing the edges 

 have already been pointed out in connection with a similar slide, 

 " Solaster Papposa " (see Vol. I., p. 147). The principal point of 

 structural interest here shown is the Daccain-like coat-of-mail, due 

 to imbrication of the scales on the lower surface. The upper 

 portion of the animal has been removed, to admit of placing the 

 specimen in a shallow cell. I had the pleasure last autumn of 

 observing living examples of Goniaster Templetoni^ a closely- 

 allied form. These were in an admirably-arranged aquarium 

 connected with the William Brown Museum at Liverpool. 



Pediculus capitis (PI. 28, Figs, i, 2, etc.). — I can assure 

 Dr. Moore (p. 122) that the two species, P. capitis and P. vesti- 

 menti^ are truly distinct, and in the living state there is seldom 

 much difficulty in saying which is which. The squareness of the 

 head in P. capitis and the black marginal ha7td are the most dis- 

 tinctive characters ; the eggs, too, differ a good deal, both in form 

 and in the place where they are deposited. A collection of these 

 and other parasites, in connection with the Hospital for Skin 

 Diseases, Blackfriars, is in course of formation, and will be placed 

 there, it is hoped, shortly. 



I have spent much time in the endeavour to make out the 

 mouth, but am satisfied it requires the examination of living speci- 

 mens, which I have not been able to procure. I have never seen 

 any central pointed style ; the nearest approach I have met with is 

 represented in PI. 28, Fig. 4. It is my present belief that the 

 recurved teeth are the probable agents in opening veins — they 

 will, of course, serve also to hold the mouth in apposition during 

 the process of sucking. It was Nitzch who in 1818 placed the 

 Mandibulate Lice with the Orthoptera; the Haustellate Lice 



