Insects. 2715 



intervals of from 2\ to 3i minutes, until a considerable number of dark red pellets 

 had been added to the former yellowish brown layer. He was thus enabled to ascer- 

 tain decisively that this cavity was an organ expressly formed for the agglomeration 

 of the pellets of which the tube is formed ; and consequently that the opinion of 

 Ehrenberg, that these substances were the excrements of the animal, was incorrect. 

 He was confirmed in this by subsequently finding that the anal aperture was situated 

 on the side opposite to that on which the circular disk occurs, and also much lower 

 down. Mr. Gosse concluded by giving the opinions of Ehrenberg and of Leeuwen- 

 hoek upon the formation and deposition of the pellet, those of the latter agreeing 

 more nearly with his own observations than those of the former. — /. W. 



Extracts from the Correspondence of Mr. H. W.Bates, now forming 

 Entomological Collections in South America. 



(Continued from page 2668). 



I have been induced to insert the following extracts from my bro- 

 ther's letters to me, partly from the example of my friend Mr. S. 

 Stevens (Zool. 2663) and partly from the belief I entertain that any- 

 thing relating to one who has left home, kindred, society and all, for 

 the purpose of extending our knowledge of " created things," would 

 be interesting to every naturalist, and consequently to the readers of 

 those interesting pages, the ' Zoologist.' 



It is with great pleasure I am enabled to corroborate the statement 

 of Mr. Stevens, that " notwithstanding the many hardships ha has 

 undergone his health continues most excellent, the climate fortunately 

 being very delightful and healthy." Upon this subject be says, " Not- 

 withstanding the marshes and sultry heat, the climate is undoubtedly 

 one of the most healthful in the world. I am still better and stronger 

 than when 1 last wrote to you, and English people who have resided 

 here ten, twenty and forty years, retain their florid complexions and 

 ' John Bull ' appetites." Again, " The climate of this country is most 

 delicious : it is impossible to imagine, in England, the charming con- 

 stant warmth and purity of the atmosphere, it being mild until about 

 9 o'clock, when it begins to wax hot, but not uncomfortably so. I 

 walk in the sun all hours of the day without the slightest languor or 

 inconvenience. About 4 in the afternoon a fanning delicious breeze 

 comes up from the sea, and the evenings are similar to the hottest 

 summer ones in England." This was the first month of the dry 

 season. 



