i8 



SCIENCE- G OS SI P. 



result of this investigation was not great. One of the 

 important objects of study was the shadow bands 

 seen immediately before and after totality. Here 

 some new phenomena were noticed, and also some 

 advance towards the solution of the mystery. Pro- 

 fessor M. Move, at Elche, noticed at first the usual 

 shadow bands, but immediately before totality a 

 second set moving in exactly the opposite direction 

 appeared — one set moving east to west, the other 

 west to east. Captain Carpenter, at Manzanares, 

 also noted a reversal of motion immediately 

 before totality. Mrs. Arthur Brook, at Algiers, 

 just at the end of totality, whilst for some seven 

 or eight seconds the white sheet still looked 

 grey, saw irregularly oval patches, about 9 inches 

 by 6 inches, moving parallel to their lesser 

 diameter ; but these quickly gave way to the 

 usual shadow bands. Nearly all the observers 

 agree that the term " bands " is hardly appropriate, 

 " ripple " so much better suggesting the idea of the 

 appearance. The ripples remind one of the 

 shadows of the ripples on its surface seen on the 

 gravel bottom of a clear stream. It seems to be an 

 effect brought about, as suggested by Mr. C. L. 

 Brook, by the narrow crescent of light shining on 

 the little ripples which disturb our own atmo- 

 sphere. Several of the observers noted the pheno- 

 menon known as " Baily's Beads." Although the 

 eclipse was essentially a bright one. seeing that it 

 was at all times possible to tell the time, Mercury 

 and Venus and several of the brighter stars became 

 visible. One of the most frequently used optical 

 instruments was a prism binocular having one of 

 its object-glasses fitted with one of Thorp's 

 diffraction gratings, to which reference was made 

 in a recent number of Science-Gossip. When 

 the crescent became narrow the Fraunhofer lines 

 became visible without a slit, and as the brightness 

 was hidden the reversing layer, as it is called, 

 shone out as a brilliant bright line spectrum. 

 Directly this became visible the signal was given 

 to commence photographic operations on the 

 corona. As the bright lines again made an 

 appearance the signal was given to close the 

 cameras, because they heralded the end of totality. 

 Some of the observers watched the influence of 

 the eclipse on human beings, fowls, insects, and 

 flowers, and the report is very interesting. Fowls, 

 ducks, and pigeons were observed to go to roost, 

 and monkeys sought their sleeping box, bees 

 crowded into the hive, a bat came out, whilst 

 several flowers which close at night closed as the 

 phase of the eclipse increased. It will be gathered 

 from these remarks that this report, edited by Mr. 

 Maunder, contains much information indispensable 

 to amateur astronomers. It is beautifully and 

 copiously illustrated, well printed, and forms a 

 handsome volume, well worth its price. It is 

 interesting from the number of portrait groups 

 and views which are reproduced, besides the 

 more direct scientific matter within its covers. — 

 F. C. I). 



Homeland Handbooks. 120 pp., 7? in. x 5 in. 

 Illustrated. (London : St. Bride's Press, Ltd.) 6d. 



We have before us two of these very useful and 

 entertaining handbooks. One is entitled " Sunny 

 Days at. Hastings and St. Leonards," and the other 

 " Godalming and its Surroundings." They are 

 admirably produced with good local maps and 

 abundant illustration. For the naturalist, pedes- 

 trian, or cyclist on exploration bent the " Homeland 

 Handbooks " are invaluable. 



Mice Eating Larvae. — All entomologists know 

 that mice will devour pupae if they have the 

 chance, but that they will indulge in larvae is, 

 I venture to think, of uncommon occurrence. Mr. 

 W. H. Edwards, the curator of the Hastings 

 Museum, Victoria Institute, Worcester, on May 4th 

 last secured over fifty larvae of the large emerald 

 moth (Geometra papilionaria). These he intended 

 to sleeve out on growing trees, but owing to the 

 want of suitable sleeves delayed doing so, with the 

 result that a mouse or mice broke into his collec- 

 tion, and the greater part thereof were destroyed. — 

 Carleton Rea, B.C.L., M.A., 31 Foregate Street, 

 Worcester, May 13th, 1901. 



Unusual Plover's Egg. — I send you herewith 

 a photograph of a remarkable egg of a plover 

 which was brought to me last month by the 

 daughter of a keeper on the Cloverley Estate. 

 The smaller end is entirely without markings, and 

 is of a clear pale-brown colour, while the usual 

 dark blotches are massed in a ring round what I 



may perhaps be permitted, in humble imitation of 

 " Lewis Carroll," to call *'the waist," and the larger 

 end of the egg is normal. As this is the first time 

 I have seen or heard of such a variety, I think it 

 may possibly interest some of your readers. — 

 (Rev.) Chas. F. Thornewill, Calverhall Vicarage, 

 Whitchurch, Salop, May 13th, 1901. • 



Habits of Ants. — I wish to draw the attention 

 of your readers to a curious fact that I have 

 noticed here. Ants, being exceedingly numerous, 

 often have need of crossing the tar-pavements 

 which are in vogue in Adelaide. This they do 

 in narrow streams, and I have observed that 

 wherever they have made a path for themselves a 

 distinct dark band is always left. This occurs with 

 at least two species. Is it due to formic acid 1 

 Can it be some peculiar exudation which, emanating 

 from each individual, would facilitate recognition ? 

 I have not been able to observe how long these 

 dark bands persist after being left by the ants. — 

 T. Brailsford Robertson, Adelaide, South Avstralia. 



