$ 
~ all over with dots and specks, and some obscure Zi 
beautiful rosy tint: but the ground color is lustrous white, 
238 ZOOLOGY. ` i 
SPONTANEOUS GeEneration.— Mr. E. Ray Lankester, after re- 
viewing in “Nature” the results of recent work done in devel- 
oping Bacteria, etc. in infusions, concludes that ‘ archebiosis” of 
‘“‘abiogenesis” is ‘not in any way rendered more probable than it 
was. before ‘by Dr. Bastian’s experiments with organic infusions. 
Prof. Smith and Mr. Archer, of Dublin, eminent authorities in 
the study of the lower alge, have criticised in detail and sug- 
gested explanations of some of the statements in the third part 
` of ‘The Beginnings of Life,’ viz., statements relating to the trans- 
formation of various species of organisms into each other. They | 
show (the reader may consult Prof. Smith’s paper in the October — 
number of the ‘Quarterly Journal of Microscopical Science,’ : 
1873), that the asserted ‘facts’ of transmutation are not facts. 
It is abundantly demonstrated that the fundamental observations — 
recorded by Dr. Bastian are erroneous, and that he has been mis- F 
DISCOVERY or THe Water Tarusn’s Nest 1x New ENGLAND. — 
— Among the trophies taken during a late collecting excursion — 
in the western part of the state of Connecticut are the nest and : 
four eggs of the long-billed water thrush (Seiurus Ludowe 
anus), discovered in June, 1873, at Franklin Station, New 
don county. ee 
The nest was sunk behind a cushion of moss, and into the rot- 
ten wood among the roots of a great tree growing out of the 
(of the Yantic river) in such a manner that it was comple 
covered over, except just in front, by the roots of the tree. 
nest itself-was two and one-half inches in internal diameter, 
rather shallow. It was rather loosely and carelessly const 
of fine grass and some little dead, fibrous moss: but Dene 
a few, and about the outside, particularly in front, many 
leaves were put, as a sort of breastavork to decrease the size : 
entrance and more thoroughly conceal the sitting bird. It 
underneath the edge of a perpendicular bank eight or ten 
„from the water, ee 
The eggs were four in number, and fresh, though the 
sitting upon them at 2 p.m. Before being blown they wel 
‘the egg a polished look. They are more or less profusely 
