NOTES AND QUERIES. 139 
be made to yield an abundance of fish, the stock being kept up 
from artificial hatcheries. 
EarTH Worms.—An interesting letter in the current number 
of WVature from Dr. Henry F. Walker, of New York, gives reasons 
for assuming that the extremely useful creatures in question are the 
invariable companions of man, and are never found in regions 
where he has not settled. Dr. Walker states that it is well-known 
to settlers on virgin soils in the United States that no earth-worms 
are found on the first tillage of the ground. Even in the natural 
meadows called “beaver meadows,” no earth-worms are at first 
seen. After settlement they are first found in the vicinity of the 
stable yard, then in portions of ground enriched by stable manure, 
and at length appear in all soils, whether cultivated or simply pas- 
tured by domesticated animals. For years Dr. Walker has been 
accustomed to go to Mukoka, in the Dominion, for fishing and 
shooting. Mukoka is still wild land unsurveyed for settlement. 
The frontier settlers there have told him that until a place has been 
inhabited by man for five years, it is useless to look for the earth- 
worm. 
CosMOLINE.—Can any reader tell me what is the composition of 
this American preparation P—C. A. L. 
STRATENA.—This is a compound used largely by American pre- 
parers ; what is it?—C. A. L. 
Cosmos.—The Editor wishes to consult the French paper Cosmos 
for Oct. 30th, 1869. Can any of our readers lend this copy, or 
refer to any institution or library where it is to be met with in this 
country ? 
LiverPooL MicroscopicaL Society.—On Friday, April 4th, a 
very interesting paper was read before this Society by J. Sibley 
Hicks, F.R.C.S., F.L.S., F.R.M.S., on “ Alternation of Generations, 
as exemplified in the Jelly-fish and Fluke-worm,” at the conclusion 
of which the usual conversazione took place. 
AMERICAN OBJECTIVES.—Spencer’s first-class objectives are listed 
by Henry Chase, M.D., Geneva, N. Y., as follow :— 
Focal Length. Air Angle. Price in Dollars. 
gimehs Ste isests. 2.4 ESA MES $20 
7 hl elas Gee he 267 FEO LENS 30 
ie CRIA We eee 40° ie sess 40 
3 so FR Whe mt PIES enone AT settteeenees 30 
| ht te abe COC EGO) WSs MEI 50 
ae a eee 13 5 eS ee, 40 
Pes Se TM eee EGO | HEE Peeks 45 
pe age) P Arahasasae BGO A pyzeessSadeas 60 
