5432 Insects. 



the point or top (I do not know what better term to use) ; the strong ones were usu- 

 ally clear and glossy there, and white if the shell were of the large, coarse, mottled, 

 brown kind. The top was then said to be petrified ; and a good conqueror of this de- 

 scription would triumph for weeks or months. I remember that one of the greatest 

 heroes bore evident marks of having once been conquered. It had been thrown away 

 in some lucky situation, where the poor tenant had leisure to repair his habitation, or 

 rather where the restorative power of Nature repaired it for him, and the wall was thus 

 made stronger than it had been before the breach, by an arch of new masonry below. 

 But in general I should think the resisting power of the shell depended upon the 

 geometrical nicety of its form. — Life and Correspondence of Dr. Southey. 



To Entomologists, Botanists and others. — It is with feelings of confidence that we 

 call your attention to the following sad case of affliction. John Hemmings, of 2, 

 Bedford Buildings, Brighton, has for a great number of years been a most indefati- 

 gable student of Natural History. Although entirely a self-taught man, he has by 

 great perseverance made himself most efficient in Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, &c, and 

 has attained a praiseworthy rank amongst botanists by his researches relative to Bri- 

 tish mosses and other tribes of plants. Unfortunately he has, by severe study, over- 

 tasked his brain ; his mind has quite given way, and he now lies stretched on a bed 

 of sickness, wholly unconscious, and obliged to be constantly attended Jjy two men. 

 To share his affliction, he has a wife and seven small children, who have hitherto been 

 dependant on him for support. Hemmings has throughout his life been a thoroughly 

 steady man, and has worked hard at his trade, as a painter; but the requirements of 

 his numerous family have prevented his accumulation of any money. Having been 

 appointed a Committee for that purpose, we take the liberty of asking your sympathy 

 under these painful circumstances, and to beg any little pecuniary assistance it may be 

 in your power to render to an afflicted but worthy individual and his distressed wife 

 and family. Thomas Thorncroft, 87, North Lane, 



H. Cooke, 8, Pelham Terrace, ■ Committee. 



Samuel Howse, 82, St. James' Street,, 

 The above is forwarded to you under the impression that you have known Hemmings 

 as a correspondent. 



[Poor Hemmings is since dead ; but his widow and small family are much in want 

 of the charity solicited by the gentlemen who have prepared this address. — E. N.~] 



Testimonial to the Rev. Joseph Greene, M.A. — It is proposed to present to the 

 Rev. Joseph Greene, M.A., a silver trowel, as a small mark of gratitude and esteem 

 for his very valuable and detailed information on the subject of ' Pupa Digging' 

 (Zool. 5382), and for the highly important service he has by this means rendered to 

 the Science of Entomology. All gentlemen of the net who sincerely desire to join in 

 the acknowledgment of the same are requested to communicate their intentions to the 

 Rev. J. Johnson, Denby Parsonage, near Huddersfield, as soon as possible. — The 

 Substitute. 



On Pupa Raking.— In reply to the Rev. J. Greene's question (Zool. 5396), 

 '* What is the meaning of the term raking," as the term raking originated with me, I 

 am perhaps the most likely person to explain its meaning. " Raking " or " raking 

 banks," for larva, pupa or imago, is a plan I adopt in districts where pupa digging is 



