Miscellaneous. 295 



limit the course of the abdomen, and thus render the form of the 

 huildmg regular. 



The latter presents externally numerous very irregular, circular, 

 transverse ridges, corresponding to the layers successively deposited 

 by the Mantis. It may easily be conceived that these layers remain 

 distinct, as each of the halves of the nest is already consolidated 

 when the Mantis returns to it to deposit a new layer of eggs and of 

 frothy liquid. The nest has also a generally ovoid form. While it 

 is still fresh it is of a slightly yellowish-white colour ; but in the 

 course of a short time this tint passes into a bright brown, whilst 

 the total volume of the nest diminishes sensibly. 



When the oviposition is completed, the Mantis quits the nest by 

 climbing up vertically. A certain quantity of liquid continues to be 

 given off, becomes consolidated as the Mantis climbs, and thus forms 

 a sort of little column, which surmounts the nest like a lightning- 

 conductor. 



The Mantis dies two or three days after having accomplished its 

 work. It clings by its anterior feet to a branch, extends its four 

 posterior legs, and remains thus suspended, without motion, or only 

 moving when it is disturbed, until the moment of its death, which 

 does not modify its attitude in any way. — Annates des Sci. Nat. 

 5^ ser. tome xiv. art. 10. 



Echinococcus in Macropus major. 

 By H. A. Pagexstechee, 



The occurrence of Echinococcus in a species of kangaroo has been 

 recorded by Davaine. The author found in the thoracic cavity of 

 a specimen of Macropus major, kiUed at the Zoological Garden of 

 Cologne, a great quantity of Echinococci. They appeared to be 

 identical with the ordinaiy Echinococcus of man and the ruminants, 

 and, on administering them to two dogs, one of those animals was 

 found on the thirty-sixth day to contain from six to eight specimens 

 of the true Tcenia echinococcus. The author remarks that, from the 

 wide distribution and the isolation of the species, we may regard 

 Echinococcus as a very ancient form of Taenia. — Verhandl. Naturh. 

 Vereins zu Heidelberg, v. 



On a new case of Hypermetamorphosis in Palingenia virgo in the 

 Larva-state, and Analogies of this Larva with the Crustacea. By 

 N. Jolt. 



Having attended for some years to the embryogeny of the Ephe- 

 meringe, and especially to that of Palingenia virgo, I was still unable 

 to hatch this neuropterous insect in my laboratory. More fortunate 

 this year, I have at last succeeded in following the development of 

 the insect in the egg, and to procure its exclusion, so as to fiU up an 

 important gap which I regretted to find in the interesting memoirs 

 of Swammcrdam, Reaumur, and Christian SchcfTcr. Long since* I 



* Comptes Rcmlus, September 1846. 



