9 6 



SCIENCE- GOSSIP. 



recalling more or less a stem-structure ; and there 

 are enclosed by this layer two fibro-vascular 

 bundles (Pimts), with a small quantity of a peculiar 

 form of tissue, known as " transfusion tissue," sur- 

 rounding them. This transfusion tissue is charac- 

 terised by parenchymatous cells with bordered pits 

 in their adjacent walls. Each bundle consists of 

 xylem towards the flatter sub-dorsal surface of the 

 leaf, and phloem with sclerenchyma towards the 

 curved dorsal surface, and between these two a 

 small layer of cambium elements. In this manner, 

 then, a certain amount of thickening can go on in 

 the two bundles ; in fact, one can recognise several 

 distinct layers of sylem elements, the thicker- 

 walled of which lie towards the flat surface. Bi- 

 facial leaves have their bundles scattered throughout 

 the whole leaf, there being usually one or perhaps 

 more main " ribs " ; there is no endodermis sur- 

 rounding them, and we cannot recognise any 

 meristematic elements between the xylem and 

 phloem, which latter have the same relative position 

 as in the former case. In fact, comparing the 

 development of the centric leaf of Pinits with the 

 bifacial leaf of angiosperms, we find more re- 

 semblance to a stem structure in the former case ; 

 sections taken through the limited branch from 

 which the centric leaves arise show us that the 

 fused bundles of the shoot split at a certain point 

 into two main bundles, which become, higher up, 

 again divided, two going to each of the leaves 

 springing from the shoot, the cambium also sharing 

 in this division and not vanishing as it does in the 

 petiole of any bifacial leaf. The stem-structure of 

 most gymnosperms shows a resemblance to that of 

 dicotyledons, with the exception of a few minor 

 details in connection with the features of the actual 

 elements ; but that the leaf should retain a distinct 

 trace of the structure of the main axis certainly 

 argues in favour of the lower position of the 

 centric leaf in point of differentiation. We require, 

 naturally, more evidence if we are to determine the 

 true position of gymnosperms with regard to angio- 

 sperms ; but this is one of those interesting " minor 

 points " which serve to corroborate evidence 

 obtained from the obviously essential comparison 

 of the reproductive processes in these two great 

 divisions of the vegetable kingdom. 



NOTICES OF SOCIETIES. 



Ordinary meetings are marked f, excursions * ; names of persons 

 following excursions are. of Conductors. Lantern Illustra- 

 tions §. 

 Acton Scientific Society and Field Club. 

 August 10.—* "Oxbridge. A. II. Battley. 

 . „ 27. — * Chenies. C. B. Green. 



London Geologists' Association. 



August 17 to 31.—* The Auvergne District. Prof. Marcellin 

 Boule, Prof. P. Glangeaud, and J. Giraud. 



Birkbeck Natural History Society. 

 August 31.—* Chislehurst. G. E. Shaw. 

 Yorkshire Naturalists' Union. 

 August 5. — * Masham. 



Nottingham Natural Science Kambling Club. 

 Ausust 10. — * Woodhouse Eaves. Charnwood Forest. Geology. 

 J. Shipman, F.G.S. 

 „ 24.—* Ruddington and Olifton. Botany. W. Stafford. 



ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 



J. J. F. (Warrington).—" Honours Physiography," by Gregory 

 and Wells, 1893, is 4s. 6d. net. Published by Hughes, London. 

 We understand it is a useful book for the exam, mentioned. 



W. L. W. E. (Alresford).— Kindly give us date of your edition 

 of Youman's " Elementary Botany " and we will try to answer 

 your question. 



NOTICES TO COEEESPONDENTS. 



To Correspondents and Exchangers. — Science-Gossip is 

 published on the 25th of each month. All notes or short com- 

 munications should reach us not later than the 18th of the month 

 for insertion in the following number. No communications can 

 be inserted or noticed without full name and address of writer. 

 Notices of changes of address admitted free. 



Editorial Communications, articles, books for review, instru- 

 ments for notice, specimens for identification, etc., to be addressed 

 to John T. Carrington, 110 Strand, London, W.O. 



Business Communications. — All business communications 

 relating to Science-Gossip must be addressed to the Manager, 

 Science-Gossip, 110 Strand, London. 



Subscriptions. — The volumes of Science-Gossip begin with 

 the June numbers, but Subscriptions may commence with any 

 number, at the rate of 6s. 6d. for twelve months (including 

 postage), and should be remitted to the Manager, Science- 

 Gossip, 110 Strand, London, W.C. 



Notice. — Contributors are requested to strictly observe the 

 following rules. All contributions must be clearly written od 

 one side of the paper only. Words intended to be printed in 

 italics should be marked under with a single line. Generie 

 names must be given in full, excepting where used immediately 

 before. Capitals may only be used for generic, and not specific 

 names. Scientific names and names of places to be written io 

 round hand. 



The Editor will be pleased to answer questions and name 

 specimens through the Correspondence column of the magazine. 

 Specimens, in good condition, of not more than three species to 

 be sent at one time, carriage paid. Duplicates only to be sent, 

 which will not be returned. The specimens must have identify- 

 ing numbers attached, together with locality, date, and par- 

 ticulars of capture. 



The Editor is not responsible for unused MSS., neither can he 

 undertake to return them unless accompanied with stamps for 

 return postage. 



EXCHANGES. 



Notice. — Exchanges extending to thirty words (including 

 name and address) admitted free ; but additional words must be 

 prepaid at the rate of threepence for every seven words or less. 



Micro Material. — Wanted : fresh pollens, starches, diatoms, 

 zoophytes, Coleoptera (good British or foreign), also sponge 

 spicules or other interesting marine specimens. Must be 

 correctly named. Send list and quantity. Liberal exchange 

 given in either other material, mounted specimens, or micro- 

 scopic apparatus.— M., 69 Park Road, Clapham, London, S.W. 



Offered. — Diurnal lepidoptera from North America and 

 Central America, in first-class condition, for specimens of the 

 same from Malayan Islands and South America. Erycinidae 

 especially desired. — Levi W. Mengel, Boys' High School, Read- 

 ing, Pa., TJ.S.A. 



Wanted, British vertigos for Science-Gossip (bound sepa- 

 rately) 1887-8, or state want.— Chas. Pannell, Jun., East Street, 

 Haslemere. 



CONTENTS. 



PAGK- 



An Economic Entomologist. Illustrated 65 



Food of the Ring Snake. By Gerald Leighton, M.D. 66 



A Domesticated Frog. By Evan B. Jeune. Illustrated ST 

 British Freshwater Mites. By Charles D. Soar, 



F.R.M.S. Illustrated 68 



Notes on Spinning Animals. By H. Wallis Kew . . 70- 

 Classification of British Ticks. By Edward G. 



Wheler. Illustrated 71 



Irish Plant Names. By John H. Barbour, M.B. . . 74 

 An Introduction to British Spiders. By Frank 



Percy Smith. Illustrated 75 



Australian Gall-Coccidae. By James Lidgett. Illus- 

 trated ' 7 



Butterflies of the Palaearcttc Region. By Henry- 

 Charles Lang, M.D. Illustrated 78 



Books to Read. Illustrated ..80 



Notes and Queries 82 



Science Gossip 83 



Photography. Illustrated 84 



Astronomy. Illustrated 86 



Microscopy. Illustrated 88 



Chemistry !)2 



Botany, illustrated .. .. .. .. . • ..93 



Notices— Exchanges n6 - 



