ZOOLOGY. 769 
yolk, transparent cells separate from the lower pole of the egg, 
which indicate the germ. In this soon appears a transverse 
impression whereby the germ becomes divided into two great divis- 
ions. Somewhat later the rudiments of six pairs of extremities: 
bud out, of which the first pair, the antennæ, may be recognized 
by their larger size. The embryo presents in this stage a great 
similarity to the embryo of Gammarus, especially since the prim- 
3 itive streak arising from the germ is bent bow-like on the ventral 
2 surface. An amnion is formed in Polyxenus, also a serous mem- 
. brane; only a few ameeboid cells separate from the germ, which 
have the greatest resemblance to the egg-amoebx observed in the 
-Acarina by Claparède and Zalensky, and by me in an Araneid. 
The germ and embryo of Polyxenus originate from two layers, 
which correspond to the first two germ membranes of the scor- 
pions and other articulates.” 
Tue Krxcsirp or Bee Marrin.—In the rural life of American 
boys it is always with pleasure that the frequent scene is beheld of 
the kingbird (Tyrannus Carolinensis Baird) attacking the crow ; 
oftentimes we have seen this plucky little creature pursue this 
great fellow, and alighting on its back ‘‘ peg into” the great lub- 
ber, making it squeak in pain and terror, to our juvenile delight. 
This sort of persecution every crow must expect that unwittingly 
passes within a few yards of a kingbird’s nest; and so invete- 
rate is the antipathy of these little tyrants, that frequently I have 
seen three of them pursuing a luckless crow, who was winging a 
retreat at the highest rate of speed he could command. I have 
come to the conclusion that Tyrannus is not a kingly bird, but just 
as mean, and capable of as small dealings as some other folks. 
In fact, his sallies after the crow are for the most part actuated by 
oy spirit of persecution, and in no sense is he a knight-errant in pur- 
- suit of some dark giant oppression. He is a mean, quarrelsome, 
contentious, selfish, unprincipled little fellow, and my admiration ` 
of him has gone plump down to zero. I had occasion a few days 
ago to visit my friend Captain Swan of Forked River, Ocean 
County, New Jersey. Opposite his house is a pleasant little 
grove with croquet ground, etc. The trees are bountifully sup- 
plied with bird houses, and the birds find in the captain a pro- 
tector. He showed me a nest in the crotch of a maple tree, and 
‘said that he and his family had watched with great interest a pair 
_ AMER. NATURALIST, VOL. VI. 49 i 
