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THE PuLtmMonARY ARcH OF LUNGLESS SALAMANDERS. By Miss Mar Wo tpt. 
(Abstract. ] 
Although salamanders have long been studied, it was only recently 
discovered that some forms are lungless. Investigations have been made 
upon the mode of respiration and upon the modifications in the structure 
of the heart. As far as known, however, nothing has been published con- 
cerning the pulmonary arch. It is reasonable to suppose that the arch 
which, in amphibians, carries blood to the lungs would undergo more or 
less degeneration in the lungless salamanders. In the forms with lungs 
this arch also sends branches to the cesophagus. An investigation of lung- 
less salamanders (Plethodon cinereus and P. erythronotus) shows that the 
pulmonary arch persists between the truncus arteriosus and the point of 
origin of the wsophageal branches; beyond this point it has disappeared. 
The pulmonary arch also sends branches to the skin. The salamander 
has, however, another skin artery, and it is not impossible that the disap- 
pearance of the lungs in the lungless forms finds its explanation in this 
double supply of blood to the skin. The functon of supplying other parts 
of the body was at least important enough to prevent the entire disap- 
pearance of the pulmonary arch in the lungless salamanders. j 
AN InsTANCE OF Birp Ferociry. By GLENN CULBERTSON. 
During last May John Gabel, a student in ornithology, reported the 
following observation: While riding near Hanover Mr. Gabel’s attention 
was attracted by the fluttering of wings in an osage hedge by the road- 
side and by cries as of a bird in distress. On dismounting and approach- 
ing to within ten or twelve feet of the place for a closer inspection he 
observed a Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus), impaling a Sparrow 
Hawk (Falco sparverius), upon the thorns of the osage tree. The Shrike 
was accomplishing this by beating the Hawk with its wings and by strik- 
ing it with its beak. 
On Mr. Gabel’s nearer approach the Shrike became frightened and flew 
to a tree near by. The Sparrow Hawk remained impaled on the hedge 
thorns and continued to flutter frantically until it was on the point of 
being captured, when it was able to extricate itself and fly away. 
