. 
1880. } Zoology. 523 
placed it in a tub of water containing aquatic plants. Everything 
being in order, I took notes of changes as they occurred, At the 
end of three days no change had taken place in the size of the 
aperture, but the sharp edges where the shell was broken, was 
somewhat rounded, showing plainly that the work of repair was 
going on. At the end of six days the opening was perceptibly 
smaller. At the end of two weeks so much progress had been 
made that the opening was one-third closed, and the line where 
the patching commenced, although very smooth, could be dis- 
tinctly seen. I continued to watch my pet from day to day with 
more and more interest, until finally at the end of six weeks the . 
work was completed, and to all appearances as smooth as it was 
before it was broken. It was very interesting to watch its move- 
ments, it would make a circuit around the side of the tub, and then 
push off toward the middle, where the food plant was anchored, 
and feed awhile, and then return and make another circuit. Occa- 
sionally it would disappear for some time to tend to duties below, 
probably to lay eggs, as I found them very numerous on the side 
of the tub, and in the fall when the tub was emptied, scores of 
young snails were found sticking to the sides.—Rovert Bunker. 
Victimizinc RATTLESNAKES.—A short time since a gentleman 
related to me a novel way of depriving the rattlesnake of its 
poisonous powers. In parts of the West where this species 
( Crotalus confluentus ) is more common, and most annoying, a per- 
son attaches a silk handkerchief to a stick, and holds it over the 
reptile. The instant it darts its fangs into the silk, the handker- 
chief is jerked up, and the fangs removed. After this the snake 
is of course powerless, and may be used in any desirable way. I 
have never seen the experiment put in effect, and give it for what 
it is worth.— W. H. Ballou. 
YTHINIA TENTACULATA Linn.—In June, 1879, I discovered By- 
thinia tentaculata Li nn., at Oswego, New York. A little later it was. 
identified in the Champlain canal, at Waterford and Troy, and 
this spring I have found it plentiful in the Erie canal, at Syracuse, 
New York. In some localities it is already abundant, and will 
soon be a widely distributed shell. It must have been introduced 
from Europe some time since, but had hitherto escaped notice.— 
W. M. Beauchamp. 
CoLor VARIETY OF THE CHIPMUNK.—À curious color variety of 
Sciurus hudsonius Pallas, was brought to us not long ago, and has 
Seemed worthy of a brief notice. That it is a variety of S. hud- 
Sonius is unquestionable. In general color it is less brown than 
any specimens in our collection. * A band of rather dull reddish- 
brown rans along the median line of the back from the top of the 
head, just behind the eyes, to the base of the tail. This tinge 
dies out as it proceeds taward the lateral parts of the body, and 
