ABSTRACTS. 



921 



as the results show is hard to believe, yet the exact details of the paper 

 look convincing. The killing of crows and rooks is strongly condemned ; 

 scaring from crops liable to depredation is recommended ; and a compari- 

 son of various methods is made. The one advocated is to hang dead 

 crows or parts of them at frequent intervals. 



A second paper by Dr. Eorig (13 pp.) deals with " Distribution of the 

 Eook in Germany." Two charts show by shading (1) the relative number 

 of colonies, (2) the number of nests per unit of area. The rook is 

 abundant in North Germany and gradually disappears towards the 

 Southern States. Interesting details of mode of; life, nesting, and the 

 effects of bounties for extermination are also given. 



The third paper (31 pp.), by Dr. A. Jacobi, is an inquiry into the 

 " Swallowing of Stones by Birds." A list of birds shows to what extent 

 they swallow stony material. The question why birds take stones, and 

 under what circumstances, is dealt with. It is proved from the 5,000 

 rooks and crows of Dr. Rorig's work that they at least swallow more 

 stones with plant food than with animal, and that more stones are eaten in 

 cold w^eather than during seasons w^hen pJants are in groAvth. Other 

 questions, including the ejection of swallowed stones, are considered. 



TF. G. S. 



Cucumbers, Proliferous. By M. T. M. {Gard. Chron. No. 769, 

 p. 229, figs. 67 and 68 ; September 21, 1901). — Some very curious 

 monstrous Cucumbers are described and figured in this article, the 

 abnormalities of the flowers being particularly interesting. — G. S. S. 



Currant Aphides {Ro2Kilosi2Jhumribis,Ijmn.,SLndMyzus rihis, Linn.). 

 Anon. {Jour. Bd. Agr. vol. viii., No. 3, pp. 306-312, with illustrations). — 

 The method of prevention and remedy is given as follows : " Little can be 

 done to prevent the attack of these Currant lice. Black Currants should 

 be cut very low in the autumn after an attack, and the strippings carried 

 away and burnt. By so doing many eggs will be destroyed. Probably 

 some benefit would be derived by the winter washing with caustic alkali 

 wash. The use of this spray is not only to rid the plant of vegetable 

 encumbrances — moss and lichens which shelter various hibernating 

 insects — but it also affects the eggs of certain insects, such as the Fsyllidce 

 and some AjjJiididce. It will also remove the hvoy^micdiXQ, LccaniumribiSj 

 often noticed on Currant and Gooseberry bushes. 



" Caustic alkali wash is prepared in the following way : Dissolve 1 lb. 

 of caustic soda and 1 lb. of carbonate of potash separately in water, then 

 mix the two together and add to 10 gallons of soft water, then add to 

 this i to J lb. of dissolved soft soap (Chiswick), or 1 lb. of coarse treacle. 

 Spray over the bushes about February. It is most important to spray 

 the bushes early in the year, directly the lice are seen and before the 

 blisters are formed." — R. N. 



Cycas revoluta, Flowering- of Male Plant. By P. Baccarini 

 {Bull. B. Soc. Tosc. Ort. 9, p. 257 ; Sept. 1901).— A plant growing in the 

 open all the year round in the garden, Via Pinti, of the Marchioness 

 Paolucci Panciatichi. Measurements of the rate of development of the 

 cone, and the date — viz. the 12th August — of its attaining complete 



