494 ZOOLOGY. 
transformation. The cocoons are found in clusters floating on the 
water. Aquatic caterpillars have hitherto been known only in the 
lower families of Lepidoptera. 
Tue Epucation or Ares. — The following query comes from 
a “layman,” but is worth considering :— 
; man whose wealth corresponded with his love for 
scientific investigation, or some liberal institution or government 
in his place, should commence the following experiment, viz. ; the 
careful education of a family of the most intelligent apes, through 
generation after generation, with a view of determining whether 
such a system would result in an increased development of brain, 
th in size and quality, and in the retention by one generation of 
knowledge acquired by a former. Of course this must be done m 
the native land, in a climate adapted to them, and with extreme 
and constant care, and the result in the life-time of one man might 
be hardly perceptible. Would not such an experiment, however, 
be of immense consequence to science however it might result?” 
Fautty Instrncr IN a Cat.—Having ended some incomplete 
studies last summer on a pine snake, it became a question how to 
dispose of it for the winter, so as to have it in condition for re- 
newed observations at the returning season. This was done thus. 
Its box was neatly covered, and converted into a flower stand, $0 
that in blissful ignorance our lady visitors were not horrified, 
when admiring the sitting room flora, with any suspicion of a 
terrible ‘snake beneath the, flowers.” 
We have a cat, which, already adult, was brought from “The 
Pines,” and doubtless had a knowledge of snakes, probably both 
by inheritance and acquaintance. Yesterday, March 2d, the rep- 
tile set up its peculiar blowing in its dark box. It was a sight to 
observe the actions of the cat. There was plainly astonishment 
in that feline pate. She kept her place, turning her head towards 
the several corners of the room, and listening intently. Still 
continued that strange blowing of the snake, like a loud wheezing 
of wind escaping from a rent in a great forge bellows. The cat 
now fixed her eyes on the box whence the sound came. It hap- 
pened that a strip of dark colored cloth lay on the box, with a 
part pendent to the floor. Pussy’s mind was made up—that was 4 
snake — nothing surer, for the sound kept steadily coming from 
that very spot. Now the cat crouched low and crept very slowly 
indeed, with eyes riveted on the prey. Still the reptile hissed and 
the cat slowly advanced. Now came a pause of but a second, and 
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