Sept. 8, 1870] 
The second instance is that of a shellfish, Zea hans. 
This beautiful moliusc is well known frequently to 
construct for itself a nest—a long tube lined with byssal 
fibres and covered externally, after the manner of a 
caddis-worm, with nullipores, stones, old shells, or pro- 
bably any material which lies conveniently at hand. We 
may perhaps account for a habit so different from that of 
other mollusca by the following considerations :— 
The animal is an exceedingly showy one, more so than 
almost any other British mollusc, having two valves of 
snowy white, frony between which are protruded long ten- 
tacular fringes of a brilliant orange or vermilion hue ; 
when alarmed, it darts, or almost, as one might say, flies, 
in a fitful manner through the water, showing its gorgeous 
colours very conspicuously—so that indeed in the Channel 
Islands it has acquired the name of “ Angel’s Wings.” 
Other mollusca, such as some of the Pectens, are bril- 
liantly cooured, and live without the protection of any 
nest, but their shells are very strong and close firmly, 
so that they could not easily be masticated by ordinary 
fishes. The shell of the Lima, on the contrary, is very 
fragile, and would easily be dealt with by fishes which are 
accustomed to devour wholesale crabs and other hard- 
bodied creatures. It is, therefore, easy to believe that the 
two characters of tenderness and brilliant colouring would 
speedily ensure the extinction of the species were it not 
protected in some extraordinary manner such as that of 
the concealment afforded by a nest. Mr. Wallace has 
shown, in a yery interesting manner, how birds of brilliant 
plumage build nests of a character adapted for conceal- 
ment during incubation, and it seems to me that the 
similar habit of the Lima may probably be referred to the 
same cause, 
GEORGE S. BRADY 
SWALLOWS’ NESTS *® 
A FEW months ago M. Pouchet published an article on 
the subject of swallows’ nests, which seemed destined 
to modify all our previous ideas of reason and instinct. 
According to this naturalist, the common swallow had 
modified his habits, and had made certain progress in the 
art of nest-building. 
Had this theory been correct, we must have renounced 
our preconceived notions which place an insuperable 
barrier between reason and instinct. If we assume in- 
stinct to be a faculty incapable of development, and not 
progressive in the animal, it is clear that if any modifica- 
tion or progress were once scientifically proved to have 
taken place in the arts of which each animal is capable, 
it would be necessary henceforward to classify such arts 
as appertaining to the domain of reason. 
The communication, therefore, made by M. Pouchet to 
the Académie des Sciences would have had great weight 
had the facts which it related been confirmed by subse- 
quent observation. 
Such, however, does not seem to be the case, for M. 
J. B. Noulet has recently pointed out the error contained 
in M, Pouchet’s statement. 
According to M. Noulet, there are two distinct varieties 
of swallows, the window swallow (HWirundo urbica, of Lin- 
nzeus), and the chimney swallow (Azrundo rustica). 
These two types do not intermingle, and have somewhat 
different habits; for instance, the chimney swallow is 
always the first to arrive and the first to leave these 
countries. Their nests are also different, and the differ- 
ence is so well marked that there need be no difficulty in 
deciding as to the builders who have constructed them. 
The city swallows (4. urbica) always choose the lofty 
situation, and group their nests in continuous lines, some- 
times double and even triple. The H. rus/éca, on the other 
hand, establishes itself lower down, and constructs its nest 
apart from its fellows. The nests, too, of the first-named 
te Nos deux hirondelles et leurs nids.” Par J. B. Noulet. 
NATURE 
377 
variety are chiefly distinguishable by a greater depth, and 
by a circular aperture just large enough to allow the bird 
to go in and out without difficulty. 
M. Pouchet, paying no attention to the difference exist- 
ing between the two varieties to which we have alluded, 
takes the nests of the city swallow for those of this rustic 
sister brought to a higher degree of perfection. 
This, at least, is M. Noulet’s opinion. It remains to be 
seen if M. Pouchet will accept the explanation, or whether 
he will be prepared to defend his own theory. In either 
case the readers of this journal shall be informed. 
ALFRED NAQUET 
FACULTY OF SCIENCE IN UNIVERSITY 
COLLEGE 
GoME months ago it was announced in our columns 
that a Faculty of Science had been formed in 
University College. In the prospectus now issued for 
the forthcoming session there appears the following 
general statement :— 
“The Faculty of Science has been instituted to bring 
into full light the actual extent of the scientific teaching 
in University College, and to meet, consistently with 
sound educational principles, the growing demand for 
instruction in science. 
“The Faculty of Arts in University College, instituted 
to give a general training in literature and science, such 
as is required for a degree in arts in the University of 
London, not only has from the first contained chairs in 
which the scientific instruction has been developed far 
beyond the needs of arts-students, but by a steady process 
of growth has come to include others bearing no relation 
to an arts-curriculum. So considerable is the scientific 
staff now actively at work in the college, that the authori- 
ties believe the time has arrived when the science-teaching 
carried on within its walls may assume all the character of 
independence and dignity associated with the academic 
title of Faculty. 
“The demand for instructlon in science and the recog- 
nition of science in education are facts beyond question. 
In University College itself the number of students 
seeking a broad scientific training or pursuing special 
scientific studies has gone on steadily increasing ; while 
in the University of London and elsewhere, degrees in 
science, both general and special, have been conferred for 
some years past. The importance, also, of science asa 
preparation for industrial pursuits is now generally 
acknowledged, as appears in the efforts that have been 
made of late years to supply scientific instruction in so- 
called technical schools. 
“ The main principle represented by the new Faculty is, 
that science should first of all be cultivated for its own 
sake, and that even where there is a practical object in 
view, a broad foundation should be laid of general scien- 
tific training. It is believed that the habits of thought 
thus engendered are the first conditions of all true advance, 
either in scientific discovery or in practical invention. 
A second principle is, that the pursuit of science should 
not be divorced from literary culture ; and this the Faculty, 
from its position in University College, is specially enabled 
to uphold. As regards the interpretation of the word 
Science, it only remains to add that this is taken in no 
narrow sense. Certain subjects are included which lie 
out of the sphere of Natural Science, as commonly under- 
stood, but none that do not admit of a strictly scientific 
treatment.” 
As at present constituted, the Faculty includes chairs of 
pure mathematics, applied mathematics and mechanics, 
physics, chemistry, and practical chemistry, mineralogy 
and geology, engineering, architecture and construction, 
botany, comparative anatomy and zoology, physiology, 
practical physiology and histology, philosophy of mind 
and logic, political economy. 
