Museum News. 209 



On May lith a search was made for wild larvae on sycamore, 

 and about a score were found. An earlier date would have 

 given better results, for many of the dead buds were found 

 deserted when opened, but there was abundant evidence that 

 the species was common. Searching the leaves for hiding 

 larvae produced the best results, but that method was made 

 very unpleasant by the continual shower of the larvae of the 

 various winter geometers whose numbers were countless. 



Sufficient proof was obtained, however, that the species 

 is indigenous in the wood, and it is probable that searching 

 for the larvae will prove it to be so in many woods in the south 

 of our county. ' Sugar ' can scarcely be relied upon as a 

 medium of capture, as it has little attraction for the genus 

 Xanthia in these parts. 



The Horniman Museum, Forest Hill, has recently issued a useful 

 ' Handbook to Marine Aquaria ' (Second edition), with two plates. It 

 contains 52 pages and is sold at twopence. 



The Forty-first Annual Report of the Rochdale Libraries, Art Gallery, 

 and Museum Committee expresses the hope that the extensions to the 

 museum and art gallery will shortly be accomplished. We regret to see 

 that the branch museum at Falinge Park has been closed. 



The Report of the Museums and Art Galleries of Glasgow contains 

 details of many additions to the various departments. Among the objects 

 are many models, including those of ships. The Board of Education has 

 made a grant of ;/|22o towards the purchase of specimens during the year. 



The Twenty-sixth Report of the Libraries and Museum Committee of 

 Great Yarmouth contains illustrations of local shipping items in the Museum 

 there, and also of Yarmouth Glass and Pottery. It is pleasing to learn 

 that the chief librarian has discharged his duties with zeal and courtesy 

 during the year! 



The Twenty-fifth general Report of the Free Library and Museum 

 Committee of Bootle contains a ' list of donors and donations to the 

 museum', and also of ' loans and lenders.' We are also glad to learn that 

 at Bootle, also, ' painstaking, efficient, and loyal service ' has been rendered 

 by every member of the staff! 



The Second Report of the Doncaster Municipal Art Gallery and Museum 

 (formerly it was the Museum and Art Gallery) contains the list of additions 

 made, and also particulars of the work accomplished in the various rooms. 

 ■ Three additional rooms have been opened during the year,' which is a 

 good sign. According to the turnstile, the daily average attendance has 

 been 196, while on Sundays the average has been 383. 



The Bankfield Museuni at Halifax has issued a valuable pamphlet 

 (No. 12) on ' Local Pre-historic Implements,' by H. P. Kendall and H. L. 

 Roth. (20 pp., 6d.). It is well illustrated, and contains particulars of the 

 finds made in the Halifax district. There is certainly something wrong 

 with fig. 18, said to have been found near Todmorden. It is surely either 

 a forgery, or from America. And we are not quite sure that there is 

 satisfactory evidence that the spindle-whorl (fig. 43) is ' most probably 

 pre-historic' Being found among ' tipped debris' means that it is prob- 

 ably later in date ; such things were in use even until comparatively 

 recent times. The authors' remarks on the probable use of the so-called 

 ' pigmy-flint ' implements (pp. 15-16) are interesting. 



1912 July I. 



