SCIENTIFIC SUMMARY. 
221 
ZOOLOGY AND COMPARATIVE ANATOMY. 
A New Stentor . — At the meeting of the Royal Microscopical Society 
(March 9), a paper was read from Mr. Barrett, M.R.C.S., in which a very 
curious new animalcule was described, which appeared to be like a rotifer 
which had found its way into a tube, but which the author believes to be a 
Stentor. We believe it is to be described in the April number of the Monthly 
Microscopical Journal. 
The Spicules of Gorgonacece. — Mr. Kent, in a paper published in the 
Monthly Microscopical Journal (February), demonstrates that the microscope 
may be well employed in grouping this division of the Actinozoa. Mr. 
Kent’s paper is accompanied by two handsome plates which fully bear out 
his views. 
Have Animals Instinct or Reason f — Readers of Mr. Darwin’s work who 
may admit instinct will still be led to give it such a philosophical explanation 
that it becomes but a form of reasoning under peculiar circumstances. To 
such we commend a very interesting paper on the “ Intelligence of Animals,” 
read before the Montreal Natural History Society by Professor Bell 
(January 31). The author spoke of the reasoning powers in many of the 
higher and larger animals as being too well established to require a plea, 
and devoted much of his paper to instances of what might be regarded as 
intelligence in such small creatures as insects. He adduced many arguments 
based on the organisation and development of these animals, and more 
especially on their habits, for regarding them as possessed of something more 
than real instinct. It was mentioned, amongst other proofs of the possession 
of a reasoning power, that insects, if baffled in one means of accomplishing 
their object, will generally try another ; and that we find them as prompt 
and skilful in overcoming exceptional and artificial difficulties as in perform- 
ing the ordinary duties of their lives. The habits of insects, like those of 
larger animals, appeared to be in a great measure the result of the accumu- 
lated experience of many generations. The term “instinct” has too general 
and vague a signification, and was often used as a convenient means of 
accounting for what we found it difficult to explain. 
How to Preserve Larvce . — Some practical but we must confess cruel direc- 
tions are given in the last number of the Entomological Magazine by Mr. II. 
Pryer. Nevertheless, the method may be useful to many of our readers. 
It is as follows: — Having procured a larva, immerse it in a solution of alum 
or pyroligneous acid for a short time ; then gently squeeze the inside out, 
upon or between pieces of blotting-paper, taking care not to tear or enlarge 
the anal orifice. After having extracted all the moisture and intestines, 
insert in the aperture a bent glass blow-pipe, having a bulb in the middle, 
and inflate the larva over a spirit-lamp, having a flat piece of zinc fixed 
over the flame. Holding the tube so that the larva does not touch the zinc 
plate, blow gently, until it is quite dry and hard. This requires great care, 
as it is liable to scorch ; and, if the skin be only partially dry, it will, 
although apparently finished, become indented or depressed in those places 
where it is not thoroughly hardened. To ascertain if the operation be 
complete, cease blowing, and draw in the breath gently ; when, if the larva 
is not dry, it will shrivel up, and must be inflated again immediately 
