280 
NATURE 
[Zed, 2, 1871 

gardens, Reduvius novenarius, Say, which might lead to some 
important physiological discoveries by those more closely devoted 
to entomological studies. Wondering what made some abrasion 
on the bark of a Pinus cembra on his grounds, he was attracted 
by a female insect of this species near it; and noticed that on 
the thigh of the middle leg the usual grey colour was of a polished 
black. Supposing that possibly the insect may have had some- 
thing to do with the injury to the bark, through which the tur- 
pentine was oozing, he waited a few minutes to re-assure the 
insect—usually timid under observation—that there was no 
denger. It then went to work to take the turpentine with the 
heel of the tarsus of the fore leg, and place it on the thigh of the 
second leg. It took several dozen ‘‘heelsful,” winding it round 
the gathering ball onthe leg, as one would wind a ball of string. 
After it had collected together a ball of turpentine about the 
size of a pin’s head, it gently wiped it off with the femora of the 
hind leg, and applied it to the anus, where it was very rapidly 
absorbed. It then walked very leisurely to the top of the nearest 
branch, when it flew away. ‘This was in the end of September. 
Te saw no more of these insects tilla week afterwards, when he 
cut off asmall branch on which was another female, and carried 
it to the pine tree, applying the branch to the stem so that the 
insect could walk on to it, without much suspicion of human 
agency in the matter. As soon as it got to the turpentine, it 
went through the same operation as the other one, taking two 
doses of it before it walked away; which it did leisurely, and 
with much apparent satisfaction. Up to this time he had not 
been able to find a male, so as to ascertain if it also had any 
similar use for turpentine. 
Oct. 25.—‘‘On the Stipules of Magnolia and Liriodendron,” 
hy Thomas Meehan. An examination of the stipules of A/agno/ia 
affords some highly interesting facts; most, or perhaps all of 
which are known to leading botanists, but which do not appear 
to be as generally known as they deserve to be ; and which facts 
may have a more intimate bearing on many of the questions con- 
nected with the laws of development than is suspected. On 
the upper point of the scar next the leaf blade are two small 
articulation points, where the membranaceous stipules finally 
parted from the leaf. Examining a leaf before these stipules 
have fallen, the main veins forming the skeleton of the 
stipules are found connecting with these articuli, and spread- 
ing out, diverge downward toward the base of the leaf. I 
suppose no one of experience in living plants doubts the possi- 
bility of the adhesion of some parts and the separation of others, 
so as to make new parts or organs. If such is desired, I would 
refer to the adhesion of the carpellary leaves by their backs in the 
capsules of Staphylia trifolia ; and for separation to the pinnate 
leaf often formed out of an entire blade in Fraxinus excelsior, 
heterophylla, and many other plants with entire leaves which often 
have pinnate ones amongst them. The author stated his 
opinion that the stipules of A/agno/ia are not formed like the 
stipules of most plants, which are perhaps leaf portions which 
have never been well developed, but rather are the tolerably 
well developed side pinnules of a trifoliate or deeply auricled 
leaf, which in an early stage had adnated with the petiole, 
and by their edges, and thus formed the stipular sheath we 
see, This ternate division of the leaf is a marked character 
in Ranunculacez, and with this exposition of a ternate type 
in Magnoliaceze, its claim to°a place in the Ranal alliance, 
strong as it always has been acknowledged to be, is still more 
strengihened. It is impossible to suppose that a so closely allied 
genus as Lirtodendron should be founded on a different type from 
Magnolia, We shall see that only very slight causes, which we 
can well understand, have made some of the chief foliar distinc- 
tions, and the few which we cannot prove from actual facts, can 
be made almost certaintics from parallel observations. The 
identity of type will in this way be manifest. There seems to 
be every evidence short of an actual witnessing of the fact, that 
the petiole in Zzviodendron became adnate with the stem, and in 
this way the two lateral sections (stipules) were brought in contact 
with the stem with which they united. This would bring them 
nearer the sources of nutrition, and enable them to assume a 
more leaf-like and permanent character than if on the petiole. 
They become rather primary than secondary leaf organs, and 
this is just what we see them to be. Thus we may assume that 
Magnolia has typically a ternate leaf structure ; that the stipules 
are the two lateral lobes which, by a peculiar process of adnation, 
became stipular sheaths after having been partially organised 
as leaf blade; and that Lirtodendron differs from Aagnolia 
only in possessing a greater power of adnation, 
BOOKS RECEIVED 
Enoursu.—A Dictionary of Science: G. F. Rodwell, new edition (E. 
Moxon and Co.).— the Earth, vols, 1 and 2: E. Reclus(Chapman and Hall). 
—Dr. Bevan on the Honey-bee, new and enlarged ed.tion: W. A, Munn (Jj. 
Van Voorst). 
American.—Theoretical Chemistry, part 1: G. F. Barker, M.D. (C. C. 
Hatfield, New Haven.) 


DIARY 
THURSDAY, Fepruary 2. 
Royat Soctery, at 8.30.—On Linear Differential Equations: W. H. L. 
Russell, F.R.S.—Measurement of Specific Inductive Capacity of Dielec- 
trics: J. C. Gibson and T. Barclay.—On the Uniform Fiow of a Liquid: 
Rey. Canon Mosley, F.R.S. ’ 
Society oF ANTIQUARIES, at 8,30.—On Charters relating to Robertsbridge : 
C. S. Perceval, Lu.D., Dir. S.A. 
Liwnean Society, at 8.—Natural History of Deep-Sea Soundings between 
Galle and Java: Capt. Chimmo, R.N. 
Cuemicar Society, at 8.—On the Development of Fungi in Potable Water : 
Dr Frankland. 
Lonvon LnsTITUTION, at 7.30.—On the Action, Nature, and Detection of 
Puisons : F. S. Barff. 
Royat InsTITUTION, at 3.—Davy's Discoveries : Dr. Odling. 
FRIDAY, Frsruary 3 
Gro.oaists’ AssoctATION, at 7.30.—Anniversary Meeting. _ 
Roya. InstiTuTioN, at 9.—Polarisation of Light: W. Spottiswoode, F.R.S. 
ARCHAOLOGICAL INSTITUTION, at 4. 
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4. 
Roya InstiTuTION, at 3.—Laws of Life revealed in History: Rev. W. H. 
Chaoning. 
SUNDAY, FEepruary 5. 
Sunvay LecTurE Socikty, at 3.30 —The Origin, Migrations, and Develop- 
ment of Remarkable Parasites: Dr. Cobbold, F.R.S. 
MONDAY, Frervuary 6. 
ENTOMOLOGICAL SocieTY, at 7.—On the Early Development of the Sexual 
Organs in Insects, and its bearing on the Origin of Species: Mr. Lowne. 
Victoria InsTITUTE, at 8.—Evidence of the Egyptian Monuments to the 
Sojourn of Israel in Egypt: Rev. B. W. Savile. 
Lonvon InsTITUTION, at 4.—On the First Principles of Biology: Prof 
Huxley. (Educational Course.) > 
Royat InsTITUTION, at 2.—General Monthly Meeting. 
TUESDAY, Fesruary 7. 
ZooLoGICAL SOCIETY, at 9.—Notes on some points in the Ostenlogy of Akca 
Americana and Rhea Larwinit: Dr. R é: Cunningham.— On the Arctic 
collection of Birds presented by Mr. John Barrow to the University 
Museum, Oxford: J. E. Harting. 
Royat InsTITUTION, at 3.—Nutrition : Dr. Foster. 
WEDNESDAY, Frsruary 8. 
GEOLOGICAL SociETy, at 8. 
Roya Microscopicat Society, at 8.—Ann'versary Meeting. Election of 
Officers and Council. 
Society or Arts, at 8.—On Ornamentation considered as High Art: Dr. 
C, Dresser. 
ARCHA:OLOGICAL ASSOCIATION, at 8. 
THURSDAY, Fesruary 9. 
Royat Society, at 8.30. 
Society oF ANTrIQUARIES, at 8.30. 
Lonpon MATHEMATICAL Society, at 8. 
Lonpon InsTITUTION, at 7.:0.—On the Action, Nature, and Detection of 
Poisons: F. S. Barff, M A., F.C.S. 
Royat InstiTuTION, at 3 —Davy's Discoveries: Dr. Odling. 

CONTENTS Pa E 
Specrroscoric OBSERVATIONS OF THE AMERICAN EcripsE PARTY IN 


Spain. | By Prof.'C..A. VouNG =) 2.05 Suc Sees ee 
Porucar Names oF British PLANTs. By Rev. W. TuckweLt . . 262 
Our! Boox/SHEUE Serene aiken. PIC Oey cy 
LETTERS TO THE EpiTor :— 
Natural Science at Cambridge . . PRET ee 
Yellow.—Hon., J. W. Srrutr . . © 0) eo) ro 
Comets? Tails: = 32. Moan 0 paiapercite tet eee a0 Wiltaba 
Ocea. Currents.— K. Jounston, Jun., F.R.G.S. 2. . 2. 2 - « 205 
Insulation of St. Michael’s Mount, Cornwall—When did it occur?— 
Ki AC)PEACOCE. | sw oe seers < tas Bi oe > + 265, 
Measurement of Mass oF - 266) 
Mount Etna.—J. Bretr . Wife eee «= ho) Gite eo 
Note on Chromosphere Lines.—Prof C. A YounG. . . . . .« 266) 
Eozoién Canadense —Principal Dawson, F R.S.; G. BH. Kinauan, 
¥.G.S.'; ‘T. My READE’. eof) sl) ol a iene) Galen ne 
The Eclipse Exp*dition.—J. HAMPDEN. . . . . « «6 « « = 267° 
Scientific Nomenclature . ..... . dite (as ks eae 
NATURAL ScigNCE AT CAMBRIDGE. . . . « « « 5 ae ia 
OcEANIC VERTEBRATES . Taro. He et roe ee oO! 
EARTHQUAKES AT FIUME DURING THE YEAR 1870 . . . .... . 
Tue Genesis or Species, (With /ilustrations.) By ALtrrep W. 
BENNETT, F. cSic spcciis estates te > ey hws fee ho Sa oroE 
i CRC ANA bu Somes) oo floes 
Hear Spectra. By Prof. BaLrour Stewart, F.R.S. Par 
On THE METHOD oF AsSAYING SILVER AS CONDUCTED IN THE INDIAN 
Mint. . By’ Dr. H.\E. BURSTED Ve) sie, eT, =) 5 + oils ee meas 
SOCIETIES AND ACADEMIES, |. 5 7s js Guplag, © «1s alle, a Gye 
DIARY Moe dc, Nal Riley eta eee epEMGmS) he cits) a enn 
—— 
