NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 
227 
is central and southern Europe, southern Sweden, south-western Africa, Algeria, 
northern Morocco, and the western portion of Asia Minor. 
This species was introduced into the United States some time prior to 1879 ; 
in this year a living moth was captured in a spider's web at Hoboken, N.J. " In 
1887 it was seen at Newark, N.J., but it was not actually recorded as occurring 
in this country until the following year. In 1890 the moths were observed near 
electric lights at Orange, N.J. In 1894 its destructive ravages were recognized in 
Central Park in New York City. 
In its Old-World home the leopard-moth is recorded as living on a consider- 
able number of common trees, including elm, lime or linden, ash, beech, birch, 
walnut, oak, chestnut, poplar, alder, and, rarely, horse-chestnut. Among 
orchard-trees it is reported to injure pear, apple, plum, and other fruit-trees. 
In the United States it attacks all of these trees, and in addition practically 
all of the maples, ash, mountain-ash, tulip-tree, dogwood, aspen, and willows, and 
such shrubs as privet and lilac and honeysuckle. A list of eighty-three trees 
and shrubs which this larva has been actually observed to attack was compiled 
in 1894 ; seventy-seven of these were observed in the public parks of New York 
City alone, A later list contains 125 species and varieties. — A. D. W. 
Life in Solutions of Colloidal Silica, On the supposed Origin of. By S. G. 
Paine (Ann. Bot. July 1916, vol. xxx. no. cxix. ; pi.). — The author has repeated 
the experiments of the late Dr. Charleton Bastian, who held firmly to the view 
that living organisms may arise de novo from non-living materials. Dilute 
solutions of colloidal silica mixed with phosphoric acid or with some form of 
colloidal iron are enclosed in special tubes and undergo intermittent sterilization 
at ioo° C, or short exposures to temperatures of i2o°-i3o°C. During the 
exposure to light in an east window for periods varying from six months to 
two years, a small deposit collects in the base of the tubes, and this is carefully 
withdrawn and examined microscopically. Eighty-five tubes of colloidal 
silica were examined, and the amorphous deposit which collected in them was 
found to be composed of silica. These bodies are thought to be identical with 
some of the so-called fungus germs described by Dr. Bastian. It is concluded 
that the forms resembling organisms depicted by Dr. Bastian as evidence of 
spontaneous generation of life were in part purely inorganic simulacra formed 
by slow deposition of silica from colloidal solution, and in part depositions of 
silica upon dead fungal hyphae which had developed in the solutions before these 
were filled into the tubes and sterilized. — G, D, L, 
Lime, Use of, on Land. By F. D. Gardener (U.S. A. Exp. Stn. Pennsylvania, 
Bull. 131, September 191 4) ; Ground Limestone for Acid Soils. By J. F. Baker 
and R. C. Allinson (U.S.A. Exp. Stn. New York, Bull. 400, March ^915) ; Liming 
the Land for Maintenance of Fertility. By C. E. Thome (U.S.A. Exp. Stn. 
Ohio, Bull. 279, July 1914). — All the above-mentioned bulletins deal with the 
same subject, and practically in the same manner. They deal exhaustively with 
the various kinds of lime, and give results of field tests . On the whole, ground lime- 
stone has proved itself to be quite as effective as either caustic or hydrated lime, 
provided an equivalent quantity is given. For practical purposes the follow- 
ing are suggested as equivalents : 1,000 lb. burntor caustic lime, 1,5001b. hydrated 
or slack lime, or 2,000 lb. ground limestone. — C. P. C. 
Luculia gratissima. By J. Binter (Le Jard. vol. xxx. pp. 84, 85 ; 1 fig.). — 
The only satisfactory method of propagating Luculia gratissima is from cuttings. 
These are inserted in a mixture of loam (1), peat (1), and sand (4 parts), in well- 
drained pans with the base of the cuttings nearly touching the drainage. Cover 
with a bell-jar, syringe frequently, and keep in a temperature of 75' F. Give 
shade until the roots are formed, which requires four or five weeks, then repot. 
The final potting takes place in July, using a mixture of loam (2), peat (1), and 
one part of horse-dung or leaf -mould mixed with sand. 
L. Pinceana bears flowers which are nearly white. It is less frequently 
seen in cultivation than the preceding. — S. E. W. 
Maize Seed. By Wenholz (Agr. Gaz. N.S.W. vol. xxviii. pp. 229-243; 
9 figs.). — In selecting maize for seed, those ears should be chosen that are fully 
and tightly covered by the husk, as they are better protected from the attacks 
of the rice weevil (Calandra oryza). Fumigation with carbon bisulphide for 
twenty-four hours in an air-tight vessel with subsequent exposure to the air, 
is the best protection from damage by insect pests. The seed is stored in bins 
containing 1 lb. of naphthaline to each 4© bushels of maize. — S. E. W \ 
