NOTES AND QUERIES. 353 
capture.—Orto Herman (Director of the Hungarian Central Bureau 
for Ornithology, Budapest). 
PISCES. 
Double Flounder.—On Sept. 1st a small boy, who had been fishing 
by the Yare-side for Flounders, brought me a very interesting speci- 
men, 54 in. in length, both sides of which were of a sooty-black hue. 
The head was notched a short way behind the upper lip, as is some- 
what common to “ double’’ flat-fishes, and in this nick or notch the 
“right” eye remained fixed in such a position that a view on either 
side (did the fish swim in the vertical manner ascribed to freaks of 
this sort) was easily obtained by the fortunate (?) possessor.—ARTHUR 
H. Parrerson (Great Yarmouth). 
INSECTA. 
The Jumping Bean.—Amongst the many wonders to be seen at 
the Franco-British Exhibition may be mentioned the so-called Jump- 
ing Beans, which have been imported from Mexico. These beans are 
apparently continually jumping up and down day and night. If one 
of these be cut open the reason is apparent. It is due to a small 
grub which lives within. As there is no hole in the bean through 
which the animal has bored its way, it is evident that the perfect 
insect must have laid its eggs in the flower, which, on ripening into 
the fruit, enclosed the grub. The most satisfactory reason so far 
offered to explain the meaning of this peculiarity is that the grubs 
instinctively feel that if they remain near the tree they will be 
attacked by some enemy. Now, it appears to me far more reasonable 
to suppose that it is a case of “ symbiosis” —that is to say, that the 
plant and animal live together, so as to be of use to one another. 
Each bean as sold in the Exhibition is really only a third part of a 
bean, the other two parts each carrying a seed ; and these two parts, 
_ I understand, are eaten by the natives, whilst the third is sold as the 
jumping bean. One advantage that the plant gets is that its flowers 
are fertilized by the perfect insect when passing from flower to flower 
to lay its eggs. It has been found that the grubs live longer if kept 
in a light and warm place. It appears to me, then, that this is a 
second advantage to the plant, inasmuch as the grub, in endeavouring 
to get into a warm and light place, naturally jumps away from the 
shadow of the tree into the light and warmth of the sun; thus the 
two seeds, borne away in this manner, obtain fresh soil and sunlight 
to commence their growth. They will be carried still further by 
Zool. 4th ser. vol. XII., September. 1908. 25 
