OcL 7, 1875] 



NATURE 



495 



takes place loculicidally, and the three dark-brown seeds, one in 

 each cell, are exposed to view. It is at this stage that the phe- 

 nomenon in question may be observed. The pressure exerted by 

 the smooth sides of the somewhat obconical capsule against the 

 equally polished surface of the calyx-tube occasions the rupture 

 of the capsule from the base of the calyx, and its more or less 

 rapid expulsion into the air with its three seeds. The latter, 

 which are at this time free within the cells of the capsule, 

 are carried to greater distances on account of the smaller 

 amount of resistance they offer to the air by reason of their shape 

 and weight ; the action, in fact, being not altogether unlike that 

 of the discharge of a cartridge and its contents from a rifle. The 

 suddenness of the explosion depends very much on the state of 

 the atmosphere at the time. On a hot day I have observed 

 several instances of spontaneous discharges, whilst a slight 

 touch only was necessary for the explosion of the remaining 

 capsules whose dehiscence had already commenced. Many of 

 the seeds were observed adhering to the upper leaves and calyx- 

 segments, which are thickly covered with glandular hairs of a 

 remarkably viscid nature. Contact with these moist bodies very 

 soon induces the outgrowth of those curious and beautiful spiral 

 hairs for which the seeds of this and a i^'^ other plants are 

 remarkable, and thus they become doubly secured by adhesion. 

 I have noticed in some cases when seeds adhere to the flat surface 

 of a viscid leaf, that this outgrowth assumes a definite outline 

 extending all round the seed in the form of a flat membranous 

 expansion, and these, on removal, recall forcibly the appearance 

 of ordinary winged seeds, like those of Lepigonitin marginatum, 

 for instance. Can this attachment be of any use to the seeds or 

 to the plant itself by feeding on the nitrogenous products of their 

 decomposition ? Although I have observed a few of these 

 attached seeds undergoing partial decay, yet, from the nature of 

 their hard horny perisperm, it is not reasonable to suppose that 

 it can take place to any great extent, unless the viscid secretion 

 from the glands is able to render this substance sufficiently 

 soluble for the purpose. If, however, a certain proportion do 

 become sacrificed for the good of the plant, we can understand 

 the object not only of the delicate spiral hairs for ensuring firm 

 attachment, but also that of the explosive process, by means of 

 which a certain number of seeds are conveyed beyond the reach 

 of the viscid surfaces, and falling to the ground, are available for 

 the reproduction of the plant. Saxifraga tridactylites might be 

 mentioned as another instance of a viscid plant with the habit 

 of retaining the seeds on its glandular parts ; the much larger 

 quantity, however, produced by this latter plant in proportion to 

 what can be required for reproductive purposes would seem to 

 do away with the necessity for any sudden mode of expulsion. 

 Like most plants with sticky glandular hairs, the viscid parts of 

 this Collomia may be seen covered with small insects in various 

 stages of decomposition. 



It might be asked, " What advantage can it be for an 

 annual plant to feed on its own seeds, the production of 

 which is the completion and, in a certain sense, the object 

 of its existence?" I would suggest, though with diffidence, 

 the possibility of certain annuals being raised by such means 

 to a higher state of existence as biennials or perennials, in 

 which condition they might or might not require the continued 

 assistance of glandular hairs or other such contrivances. This 

 might explain the occurrence of hairs on certain parts of plants 

 either constantly present or at particular times of their life; 

 such, for instance, as those on the first leaves of the turnip plant, 

 and many other examples could be given, in the-case of which we 

 might suppose that the possession of such hairs, or whatever 

 they may represent, have ceased to be required. 



There does seem to be some sort of general relation as to the 

 degree of hairiness between annuals, biennials, and perennials, 

 and which often becomes apparent during the development 

 of many plants which in their adult condition are destitute of 

 hairs. On this hypothesis it seems to me conceivable that many 

 of our large glabrous-leaved trees may have originated from 

 hairy or glandular annuals, dependent, perhaps, more or less 

 on aerial nitrogenous food. In any case it is interesting to inves- 

 tigate the true purpose — for such there must be — of the elaborate 

 machinery of traps and spring-guns as displayed in the life of this 

 Collomia. J. F. DuTHiE 



Koyal Agricultural College, Cirencester 



P.S. Since the above was written I have observed the effect of 

 placing a few of the 'empty expanded capsules in water. In a 

 short time (about half an hour) their valves became completely 

 contiguous, and they presented the same appearance as they did 



shortly before dehiscence, with the exception of a transj^arency 

 due to their containing water instead of seeds. This sensitive- 

 ness to the action of moisture is clearly a provision for preventing 

 the filamentous outgrowth^from the surface jof the seeds whilst in 

 the capsule J. F, D. 



Lunar Phenomena 



I HAVE pleasure in forwarding a brief account of facts relating 

 to two very remarkable protuberances which were observed on 

 the moon's disc in the Gulf of Siam, by Mr. E. C. Davidson, 

 Telegraphic Engineer, and myself. 



H.S.M.'s guard-ship Coronation (Champon Bay), July 13 

 (civil time), in lat. 10° 27' 40" N. and long. 99° 15' E., at mid- 

 night, the moon bore S.W. by W. magnetic, and its altitude 

 was about 20", when a prominent projection was seen with the 

 naked eye on the moon's upper limb. The best glasses on board 

 were soon brought to bear upon it, and the enclosed sketches * 

 (with due regard ^to proportion) were carefully made on the 

 spot. 



The protuberance, in colour, was similar to that of the moon. 



On July 14, at 8 p.m., the moon was observed perfectly clear, 

 but without a vestige left of the protuberance of the previous 

 night. At this hour, however, a small one was noticed in a 

 different position of the limb. 



This also had disappeared before the moon rose on the 

 evening of the 15th inst., when it finally presented its usual un- 

 broken appearance. A. J. Loftus 



Champon Bay, Gulf of Siam, July 16 



The Strength of the Lion and the Tiger 



In Nature, vol. xii., p. 474, in a review of Dr. Fayrer's 

 book on the tiger, doubts are thrown by the reviewer on the 

 statement that the tiger is stronger than the lion. Dr. Fayrer's 

 statement cannot be contradicted by any person well acquainted 

 with both animals. In my book on " Animal Mechanics," pub- 

 lished in 1873, I have proved, p. 392, that the strength of the 

 lion in the fore limbs is only 69 '9 per cent, of that of the tiger, 

 and that the strength of his hind limbs is only 65'9 per cent, of 

 that of the tiger. 



I may add that five men can easily hold down a lion, while it 

 requires nine men to control a tiger. Martial also states that 

 the tigers always killed the lions in the amphitheatre. The 

 lion i?, in truth, a pretentious humbug, and owes his repu- 

 tation to his imposing mane, and he will run away like a 

 whipped cur, under circumstances in which the tiger will boldly 

 attack and kill. 



At p. 482 you state that Dr. Bolau, of Hamburg, is about to 

 publish an account of the anatomy of a gorilla which nearly 

 reached Hamburg alive, aitd was preserved in spirits. Your 

 readers will be glad to learn that he has been anticipated by 

 Prof. Macalister, of Trinity College, Dublin, who has already 

 published a full account of a similar animal, which nearly 

 reached Liverpool alive some years ago, and was dissected by 

 myself and Dr. Macalister. A comparison of his muscles with 

 those of man, chimpanzee, and hamadryas, will be found in 

 my " Animal Mechanics," p. 404 et seq. 



Samuel Haugiiton 



Trinity College, Dublin, Oct. i 



A Snake in Ireland 



The enclosed letter to the editor of the Irish Daily Express 

 may excite speculation as to how the snake got where it was 

 found. The fact is worthy of record, at any rate, that a snake 

 has been caught in Ireland. What would St. Patrick say ? 



"Sir,— My gardener this morning killed a large snake in the 

 garden here, measuring five feet long by three inches in circum- 

 ference. It has a black back, with light yellow belly ; I do not 

 know what species it belongs to, but have preserved it in spirits. 

 Is it not very rare to find such in Ireland ? — Your obedient 

 servant, "Francis Wm. Greene. 



" Kilranalagh, Baltinglass, Co. W'icklow, Sept. Ii."^ 



I have not seen it, but my correspondent Lady M. has it in 

 her possession, and remarks that its head is very small and its 

 nose pointed ; it is quite five feet long, black, and the colour of 



• The sketches are not dear enough to be reproduced. 



