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EDITORIAL GLEANINGS. 



One of the most interesting exhibits at the Conversazione of the 

 Eoyal Society on May 14th was that made by the Marine Biological 

 Association with reference to the scales of fishes as an index of age. 

 The scales of many fishes show a series of parallel eccentric lines, 

 which indicate successive increments of growth. These lines of growth 

 have been found to be more widely separated in that part of the scale 

 formed during the warm season of the year than in the portion formed 

 during the cold season. The alternation of the two series gives rise to 

 the appearance of " annual rings," which indicate the age of the fish in 

 years. The markings are subject to individual variation, and Mr. J. 

 Stuart Thomson has been engaged on their investigation in fish of 

 different species captured at all seasons of the year. His results show 

 that it is possible to determine the age of individual fishes of many 

 species with considerable precision — a conclusion which will greatly 

 facilitate the study of other points in the natural history of fishes, and 

 has important practical applications. 



Lewenhoeck long since observed that from carefully examining the 

 scales of fish through a high magnifier, you may easily ascertain its 

 age, from the first scale to the last, which are never shed. 



Natuee's reign of terror at Martinique has affected all animals 

 alike — man and his more humble relatives. We read of a " panic of the 

 dumb animals" in the daily press. Records of previous earthquakes 

 and volcanic eruptions mention that most animals have a sort of pre- 

 monition of what is going to happen, even when there are no perceptible 

 tremblings, and hasten from the neighbourhood of danger. Such was 

 the case at St. Pierre, it would seem from a ' New York Herald ' tele- 

 gram. The correspondent quoted by the ' Daily Telegraph ' says : — 

 "Even before Mont Pelee began to rumble late in April, live stock 

 became uneasy, and at times were almost uncontrollable. Cattle lowed 

 in the night, dogs howled and sought the company of their masters, 

 and when driven forth they gave every evidence of fear. Wild animals 

 disappeared from the vicinity of Mont Pelee. Even snakes, which at 

 ordinary times are found in great numbers near the volcano, crawled 



