Reptiles . — ■ German A ssociaiion . 4 1 5 3 



Roslerstammia granitella, July. 

 Argyrestbia spiniella, in mixed underwood, August. 



Coleophora Alcyonipennella, larvae on Centaurea nigra, April and May, (Trans. 

 Ent. Soc. n. s. vol. ii. pi. 11, f. 2). 

 „ discordella, larvae on Lotus comiculatus in May, (Zool. 4026). 



Gracilaria inconstans, larva? on alders, June and October. 



„ Tringipennella, larvae mining the leaves of plantain, April and July. 



„ auroguttella, April and July. 



Nepticula margincolella (Staintori), n. sp., larvae in elm-leaves, October. 



„ Acetosae (Stainton), n. sp., larvae in the leaves of Rumex Acetosella, 



July, October, and November. 

 Lithocolletis trifasciella, October, November, and December. 

 -Richard Shield ; 6, Fleet Street, Dublin, November 12, 1853. 





Snakes with Two Heads. — A few days ago a collection of animals belonging to 

 Mrs. Wombwell made a short stay in this town, and the proprietress circulated hand- 

 bills, describing, among other novelties, " a group of double-headed Snakes" a portion 

 of one of which I inclose. Of course, the announcement of so extraordinary an auo- 

 maly aroused my curiosity, and I went to see this strange reptile, " with," to use the 

 words of the keeper in describing it, " a head at each extremity of the body, the scales 

 running both ways towards the middle, where the vent is situated." I endeavoured, 

 but in vain, to obtain a close inspection. The reptiles were kept in a tin box, and 

 when exhibited, the lid was opened, a quantity of old furs taken out, and one of them 

 seized by the middle with a long pair of tongs, and thus held writhing over the heads 

 of the spectators. The one I saw was just shedding its skin, and parts of the body from 

 which it had separated were dark brown and moist-looking. Both extremities were 

 thick and rounded, and from one I distinctly saw a tongue protruded several times : 

 the other was much obscured by folds and fragments of old skin, which the keeper de- 

 clared covered another head ; but, from the manner in which the reptile was held up, 

 and the respectful distance we were compelled to maintain, it was impossible to deter- 

 mine satisfactorily whether he spoke truth or not. My own conviction is, that the 

 double head is, at most, apparent. If I am right, I think it very proper that such an 

 attempt to impose on the credulity of the public should be exposed : if I am wrong, 

 creatures so extraordinary should certainly not be suffered to remain inmates of a tra- 

 velling menagerie. I may mention that the keeper related fearful instances of their 

 deadly venom. A young rattlesnake, bitten by one of them, died in three minutes ; a 

 sparrow was swelled in a short time by the poison to the size of a pigeon ! — Jno. R. 

 Hawley ; Hall Gate, Doncaster, November 1, 1853. 



German Association for the Advancement of Science. 

 The German Naturalists and Physicians held their thirtieth meeting this year 

 at Tubingen, on the 18th ultimo. It was attended by about 580 members, including 

 a moderate sprinkling of French and Russians, two Americans, and a few English. 



The meeting at Tubingen was not so numerous as that last year at Wiesbaden. 

 Tubingen, though offering considerable attractions, by its situation in one of the finest 

 parts of Swabia, by its scientific institutions, and by its reputation as a University, is 

 XI. 3 K 



