226 Gleanings from the International Exhibition. 



This shortness, however, renders them admirably fitted to a sub- 

 aqueous mode of progression. In the Polynema fuscipes, however, 

 the wings are of full size in proportion to the insect, a circumstance 

 that renders its peculiar habits more remarkable. 



GLEANINGS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION. 



Erog in Block of Coal. — We have much pleasure in stating, 

 that the earnest protest we entered against the exhibition of this 

 absurdity has had its desired effect. Shortly after the publication 

 of our last number calling attention to it, a letter appeared in 

 the Times signed P.; which was generally attributed to a most 

 eminent Metallurgist and Professor at the Government School 

 of Mines, repeating the objections we made. Since then others 

 of an equally indignant character have been published. Whether 

 the Commissioners who have so generally mismanaged the Exhibi- 

 tion would have removed the animal we are not aware ; but the 

 difficulty was suddenly brought to a conclusion by its death. 



Live Animals in the Exhibition. — In the original announcement 

 issued for the guidance of exhibitors it was distinctly stated that no 

 live animals could be exhibited in the collection ; without giving 

 any notice to those exhibitors who wished to show the specimens 

 of the new Ailanthus silkworm, Ligurian bees, and other domes- 

 ticated insects, the Commissioners allowed a few exhibitors to 

 show live animals, thus, two exhibitors of bee-hives were so 

 favoured. 



The frog above alluded was another exception ; but, perhaps, the 

 most useful animals in a living state are those contained in a glass 

 in the Victoria court; we allude to the Australian medicinal leeches. 

 These from their colour are obviously a distinct species from our 

 officinal animal, and as they appear unusually hardy, having per- 

 formed the voyage from Melbourne in distilled water, they might, 

 perhaps,be successfully acclimatized in this country. Their hardihood 

 may be judged from the fact, that only four out of a large number 

 have died during nine months since they were captured in Victoria, 

 and that since they have been in the Exhibition they have commenced 

 breeding, having produced cocoons. 



Delarue's Photographs of the Moon, and of the Great Solar 

 Eclipse. — It may be in the recollection of many of our readers that 

 a corps of astronomical observers amply provided with instruments 

 visited Spain at the period of the great Solar Eclipse of 1860, in 

 order to make and record observations during the passage of the 

 Moon over the Sun's disk. Mr. Delarue, accompanied by a strong 

 staff of photographic assistants was of the party; and the very large 

 and valuable photographs showing the various phases of the eclipse 

 are the results of his journey. All persons at all interested in astro- 



