INSTI'rrTK NOTES. 43 



like that of a turtle, with the short legs and breathing appa- 

 ratus on the under side, and a long, sharp tail behind. A 

 member of the Institute calls attention to an interesting 

 function of this tail, over and above any use it may have as 

 a weapon of defence. The creature, if thrown upon its back 

 on the sand, by the waves or otherwise, would be as helpless 

 as a turtle in like position, were it not for the long, stiff tail. 

 With this it is enabled to get a purchase on the sand and turn 

 itself over. The member above referred to has witnessed this 

 operation, in aquariums, more than once. 



The statement that a petrified tree stump in its natural 

 position is to be found in the Borough of Media is one that 

 may reasonably be expected to attract attention. Yet such a 

 stump really exists on the grounds of the one time Shortledge 

 Media Academy, and as it stands has every appearance of 

 being an entirely local pnxluction. There is no question 

 about its being a petrified tree stump and in its "natural " 

 position. Unfortunately, however, inquiry discloses the fact 

 that it had been brought down from the coal regions of Penn- 

 sylvania about 1886 and planted in its present position, simu- 

 lating an ordinary- tree stump. It is really a very handsome 

 specimen of petrifaction, despite its being a scientific hoax. 



An analysis of Media tap water, made in the laboratory of 

 the Institute on October loth, 1908, shows the following: — 



Free Ammonia 025 parts per million 



A.11niminoifl Ammonia 081 " " 



Nitrogen as Nitrites 001 " " 



Nitrogen as Nitrates 575 " " 



Chlorine as Chlorides 6.0 " " 



In Number i of Volume I of the Proceedings will be found 

 a series of analyses of variotis local waters, with which com- 

 parisons may be made. 



T. Chalkley Palmer, President of the Institute, sailed 

 recently from New York on a six weeks' business trip to 

 France and Ivio:land. He will be verv much missed from the 



