Oct. 1, 1865.] 



SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



233 



the skiu and dried in tlie sun, they are reduced to 

 a meal, in great request in the West Indies for 

 children and invalids. Professor Johnston states 

 that this fruit approaches most nearly in composition 

 and nutritive value to the potato, and plantain meal 

 to that of rice. The fruit ripens in succession 

 from the base to the apex of the flowering stem, so 

 that, on the same plant, flowers and ripe fruit will be 

 found together. Each fruit is nearly six inches in 

 length, slightly curved, and about an inch in 

 diameter; when ripe it consists of a rich mellow 

 pulp, resembling a fine pear. One stalk of fruit 

 will attain three feet, and bear from 120 to 150, or 

 even ISO plantains, the entire weight of which would 

 be from 50 to 70 pounds. 



All the species of plantain contain a large number 

 of spiral vessels in their structure, and afford strong 

 and valuable fibre, from which clotb and cordage are 

 manufactured. The substance called Manilla hemp, 

 of which Blondiu's Crystal Palace rope was twisted, 

 and which is much employed for cordage both in 

 this country and America, is obtained from a species 

 of plantain {Musa textilis). The fibres derived 

 from the common i^lantain, as well as those from 

 other species, are also used in India, both for 

 cordage and paper, and promise in the future to 

 become important articles of commerce. 



Scarcely any portion of this useful plant is devoid 

 of its use to man. A limpid fluid issues from 

 wounds in the body of the plant, which is employed 

 in medicine, as also is the root. The natives cut 

 the leafstalks into their curries, and in its entirety 

 it may be regarded as one of the best of blessings 

 which a beneficent Providence has bestowed upon 

 the inhabitants of tropical countries. 



ZOOLOGY. 



CiTKiGTJS Places ron Bikds' Nests. — A corre- 

 spondent to a Newcastle journal gives the following 

 X^articulars of two sparrows' nests : — " One nest is 

 under the tramway at the pit mouth of Garforth 

 Colliery, under a two-inch plank, where from 800 to 

 400 corves of coal pass directly over the nest daily. 

 The- other nest is in a hole in the large beam be- 

 longing to the engine used for the purpose of lifting 

 the water from the works in the pit, which beam 

 works night and day." 



How THE White Owl takes its Prey. — All 

 who have been accustomed to observe the habits of 

 owls and of some species of hawks must have re- 

 marked that, when seizing their food, they almost 

 invariably bring their wings forward and spread 

 their tails, so as completely to conceal it, and then 

 proceed to finish their meal in private. The reason 

 of this is said to be because they do not like to be 

 watched while feeding ; but the real cause, 1 believe, 

 proceeds from a far different origin. When a hawk 



strikes its quarry in the air, it does so in full flight, 

 giving a blow with the hind-talon ; but were it to 

 act in a similar manner when the object of pursuit 

 was on the ground, it would disable, or even per- 

 haps kill itself by the shock with which it would 

 strike anything resting upon a hard surface. This 

 remark is still more applicable to the white owl, 

 which, living almost entirely upon mice, takes its 

 prey chiefly on the ground. A patient observer, 

 taking his stand in a locality frequented by this 

 bird, might easily witness the mode of its procedure, 

 which is very curious ; the owl either having but 

 little dread of man, or else, from some peculiarity 

 of its vision, not readily seeing him (as they will 

 often fly against people, even when walking about). 

 Upon sighting a mouse, the owl follov/s it a short 

 distance with a hovering, undulating fhght, more 

 resembling that of a butterfly than a bird, and then, 

 with a sudden pounce, swoops do-\vn upon its prey, 

 bringing downwards and forwards its wings and 

 tail with a sharp stroke, so as not only to ahght 

 upon the ends of its strong but elastic quills, 

 thereby deadening any shock to its own body, but 

 at the same time enclosing a space of some four or 

 five feet in circumference, and forming a complete 

 cage for the unfortunate mouse, as no opening what- 

 ever is left between the spread-out tail and wings 

 for him to escape. The roots of the quills being 

 plentifully supplied with nerves, the owl feels at 

 once if his prisoner should endeavour to get through, 

 and in an instant grasps him with his ready claws. 

 It is the remains of this natural instinct, I believe, 

 which causes these birds when in captivity to '"' hide 

 their meat," and not from any dislike at being seen 

 to feed, as the habit remains long after the bird 

 becomes tame. — B. K. 



PuoG EATING ITS Old Skin.— I lately caught 

 one of my frogs in the above act, M-hich I had sup- 

 posed peculiar to the toads. — W. B. Tate, Grove 

 Place, Denmark Hill. 



Chested Newt eaten by a Toad.— I have a 

 fine specimen of the Jersey Toad {B. vulgaris, var.), 

 which was very kindly sent me last June by Mrs. 

 E. Smith, of Bristol. This toad, on Priday, Sept. 

 8th, actually swallowed a female Triton cristatus 

 five inches and a half in length ; and a quarter of 

 an hour after threw her up again, alive and quite 

 uninjured by her short sojourn in tlie toad's stomach. 

 I have named the newt " Jonah," in memory of the 

 occurrence.— 7/'^.^. Ife^e, Grove Place, Demnark Ilill. 



SiNGTJLAK Occtjkuence.— A few days since, Mr. 

 George Sloper caught an eel, which, before it could 

 be got ashore, was seized by a pike. The eel in its 

 struggles forced its tail through the gills of the pike, 

 and twisted itself so firmly round the head of its 

 assailant that both were lauded together. The pike 

 weighed 74 lb. — Wiltshire Independent. 



