Monthly Mion | «6Ona New Species of Parasite. ~. Tae 
Secondly, that while watching the circulation as seen through 
the lenses in the reflected sunlight, if I move the diaphragm from 
left to right, so as to make the shadow enter upon the right of the 
field of view, a brisk circulation (no matter how quiet it had been 
before) is instantly witnessed, which appears to be changed in 
direction as we move the diaphragm back again ; and that the direction 
of the circulation can thus be changed at will by the interception of 
the sunlight. This same result can also be witnessed by the passage 
of clouds between the sun and mirror. The actual direction in the 
plant is from the apex of the leaf in sunlight.and toward it in the 
shade. This change in direction is so rapid when produced by 
the shadow of fast flitting clouds across the sun’s disc that it would 
seem that the change of temperature could hardly be felt by the 
plant, it certainly could not be by an ordinary thermometer ; but a 
heated body properly placed will quicken the circulation, as will 
cold retard it. If I mistake not we have here a fine demonstration 
of the conversion of light into heat by its passage through the 
vegetable tissues, and of heat into motion by its action upon the 
laticiferous vessels. 
Prof. Balfour, in the article Botany, ‘ Ency. Brit., says that in 
plants with milky and coloured juices evident movements have been 
perceived, and mentions the calyx leaves of Chelidonium majus, as 
also the india-rubber plant, the gutta-percha tree, the dandelion, 
and the Huphorbia; and through your Journal, should you think 
this article worth insertion, I would ask assistance in the examination 
of this interesting subject. By mixing a little of the coloured 
juice with alcohol, and adding a little water, it will be seen that the 
motion of the liquids in the vessels cannot be the result of evapora- 
tion. And that it is not an ocular illusion may be argued from the 
fact that three independent observers witnessed the changes of 
motion as above described. 
Note, May 12.—I have just examined the circulation of the latex 
in the laticiferous vessels of Leontodon taraxacum under the same 
circumstances as that of Chelidoniwm and am pleased to find pre- 
cisely the same results.—American Naturalist, July. 
VII.—On a New Species of Parasite from the Tiger. 
By T. Granam Penton, F.ZS. 
Somz time ago a small bottle containing some parasites from the 
tiger was placed in my hands by Mr. Charbonnier, naturalist, of 
this place, which on examination proved to be a species of Trico- 
dectes which I believe to be hitherto undescribed ; in this opinion 
Mr. H. Denny, to whom I submitted specimens, coincides. 
