ZOOLOGY. 491 
Inquiry B. Does the fact of the increase of the number of 
_ Segments with the age of the animal militate or substantiate the 
theory of “Natural Sélection” as applied to the phenomena? The 
older the animal the louder the rattle. It seems to me that this 
fact tends to disprove the mimetic claim of Prof. Shaler and the 
“self-protective” feature of Mr. Henderson. Both of these features, 
Mimicry and Protection, may be included, but neither, nor both 
combined, will account for the whole of the phenomena, in rela- 
tion to this fact —the young requiring greater facilities for obtain- 
ing food and more extensive measures for protection. — T. W. 
Deere, Leavenworth, Kansas. 
Vexomous Fiso.—It is generally known that the wounds in- 
cted by the weevers ( Trachinus) of our coasts, and by the sting- 
rays, are rendered poisonous by a mucous excretion adhering to 
the spines of the head, back, and tail of these fishes; and a most 
perfect poison-organ, analogous to the poison-fang of snakes, was 
described some years ago by Dr. Giinther in two fishes ( Thalasso- 
phryne) from Central America. Dr. Le Juge has found at the 
Mauritius another still more dangerous kind of venomous fish ; it 
Was long known to ichthyologists under the name of Synanceia 
verrucosa, and is readily recognized by its monstrous appearance, 
the head being deeply pitted, and the body scaleless and covered 
ant warts. It is by no means scarce, being found throughout the 
Indian Ocean, and known at the Mauritius as the “Laffe.” There 
are thirteen spines in the dorsal fin, each provided at its base with 
4 bag containing the poison, and with a pair of deep grooves along 
Which the poison is guided to the wound. As in all the other fishes 
of this kind, the poison-apparatus is merely a weapon of defence, 
and comes into action when the fish ‘is seized or trodden upon. 
on action of fish-poison upon the human organism appears to be 
ess rapid than that of snakes; though patients who neglect to 
“pply remedies similar to those used for snake-bites expose them- 
“ae to serious consequences, which may terminate even fatally. 
One case a fisherman died on the third day from a severe wound. 
x Le Juge mentions that the fishermen of Mauritius successfully 
*PPly poultices of the leaves of a composite plant, Mi icrorhynchus 
sarmentosus. (Transact. R. Soc. of Arts and Sciences of Mauri- 
tus, 1871.) — Academy. 
Viraurry or REPTILES.— I wish to draw your attention to some 
“periments by the Rev. William Buckland, as well on account of 
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