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HARDWICKE'S SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



point for all sorts of excursions. Going down into 

 Zermatt, to the gorges ,of the Gorner, or up the 

 Smutt valley, we found a wealth of flowers. All 

 those already mentioned as having been found on the 

 lower slopes of the Gemmi, and, in addition, fine 

 specimens of Gaudin's gentian found by the Gorner 

 gorge, Trifolium alpinum, Sisymbrium, various kinds 

 of Saxifrage, Paniassia palustris, Epilobium, Pin- 

 guicula alpina, etc. If one wishes more particularly 

 the glacier flowers, it is possible in an easy excursion 

 from the RifTel to obtain any quantities of Edelweiss 

 and all kindred flowers of the high alps. The best 

 place is on the farther side of the Findelen glacier. 

 We found this a most delightful excursion. The 

 Findelen glacier can be reached in from one to two 

 hours from the Riffel hotel. It is necessary to cross 

 the glacier in order to reach the desired spot, but this 

 can be easily accomplished if one is only provided with 

 nailed boots. Arrived on the other side, only a little 

 climbing is necessary before reaching a perfect field 

 of Edelweiss, covering the mountain side, with its 

 white velvety flowers, making a fine contrast to the 

 yellow Helianthemum and Arnica and the various 

 shades of purple of the Astei- alpinus and the pink of 

 the Dianthus. Androsace and Sedum are covering 

 all the rocks, while the blue of the Gentians and 

 Myosotis complete the picture. We completed this ex- 

 cursion by returning by another route skirting the side 

 of the glacier, down by rich alpine pastures full of all 

 sorts of meadow flowers, then crossing a rustic bridge 

 back through the pine woods to the Riftel. 



In conclusion, I would just say that to preserve 

 our specimens we simply used one of the ordinary 

 flower-presses to be had in every Swiss town, con- 

 sisting of two flat pieces of wood with thick folds of 

 blotting-paper between, and a strap to fasten the 

 whole firmly together. This we always took with 

 us, so were able to press the flowers as soon as 

 gathered, and we found that, with very few excep- 

 tions, they have retained their beauty and colour. 



THE EARTHWORMS OF MIDDLESEX. 



By the Rev. Hilderic Friend, F.L.S., Author 

 of " Flowers and Flower-Lore," etc. 



THE county which contains the greatest city in 

 the world, and has become famous in a great 

 variety of ways, has hitherto been almost totally 

 ignored by the student, whose special work it is to 

 enlighten the world respecting those lowly, but 

 invaluable creatures, whose ways Darwin has made 

 familiar to us. The terrestrial annelids of Middlesex 

 have never yet been tabulated, though many years 

 ago one Dr. J, E. Gray made record of three species 

 which he had found in the neighbourhood of 

 Hammersmith. My own researches during a recent 

 visit to the metropolis enabled me to study several 

 examples which were full of interest, and by the 



courtesy of my correspondents I have yet more 

 recently been able considerably to enlarge the list. 

 Though I do not think the present report by any 

 means does justice to the worm-fauna of Middlesex, 

 I give it as the fullest contribution which could be 

 made with our present knowledge, and in the hope 

 that it may stimulate collectors in various parts of the 

 country to send me further series of specimens for 

 examination, in order that the important question of 

 distribution may be better decided. 



When I was at Hornsey recently, a friend with 

 whom I was staying promised to show me an excellent 

 series of worms, among which the common earth- 

 worm (Lumbricus terratris, L.) was to be specially 

 noticeable. "What will you say (I asked), if the 

 earthworm proves to be conspicuous by its absence ? " 

 The idea was ridiculous, yet curiously enough, 

 though no fewer than seven well-marked species 

 were submitted to me, not a solitary example of 

 the true earthworm was to be found amongst 

 them ! " I thought the earthworm was ubiquitous," 

 exclaimed by friend. So thought everybody else, 

 but then a more careful study of the science has 

 shown us that it is wrong to jump at conclusions. 

 " But is the common earthworm unknown in 

 Middlesex?" it will be asked. Fortunately I have 

 been able to obtain two specimens from that county, 

 one in Regent's Park, and one from near Pinner, 

 sent me by Miss Edwards, of Haydon Hall, Eastcote. 

 It is true that Dr. Gray records it for Hammersmith, 

 but then we have not the slightest evidence that it was 

 the genuine creature ; on the contrary there are 

 indications that it was another species of worm to be 

 named by-and-by, a worm which abounds in 

 Middlesex, and has constantly been mistaken by 

 amateurs, not to say more pretentious individuals, 

 for the common earthworm. Now the true typical 

 earthworm, as understood in the light of recent 

 research, has a well-marked girdle about the first 

 quarter of the body, which begins on the 32nd and 

 ends on the 37th ring. This girdle is an indication 

 that the worm is reaching years of discretion, or 

 is of a marriageable age, and must not be supposed 

 to result from the joining together of two portions 

 when they have been severed by the gardener's 

 spade. 



Next to the earthworm in point of size comes the 

 ruddy worm (L. rulescens, Friend), if we confine our 

 attention for the nonce to this genus. It was quite 

 unknown to science till last year,* when I found it in 

 Yorkshire. It was next found among the Hornsey 

 gathering already referred to, one solitary specimen 

 being observed. A further solitary specimen I found 

 at the same time on the Common at Tunbridge 

 Wells, while another has reached me from Avon- 



* Since the above was sent to press, Dr. Rosa of Turin has 

 called my attention to the fact that this worm corresponds 

 with a worm partially described years ajro as L. festivus, 

 Duges. For a full account see "Nature," June 16th, 1892. 



