SCIENTIFIC SUMMARY. 
223 
Downs, Australia, portions of a crocodile, in similar fossil condition, which 
he determines to be identical with the species of crocodile still existing in 
the Queensland rivers. 
The Thanophidia of India. — Dr. Fayer of Calcutta commenced in the 
Indian Medical Gazette of January 1, the first of a series of papers on these 
snakes. He illustrates his subject with numerous small diagrams indicating 
the specific peculiarities. 
Ny?nenopterous Parasites. — Dr Hagen, an American naturalist, states that 
in a recent letter to him Professor Ratzeburg said he had carefully studied 
u Ichneumonosis,” or the prevalence of hymenopterous parasitism, in the 
insects injurious to forest trees, and found that for many years it had 
carried off ten per cent, of the number of such insects. In 1867 and 1868, 
years in which the forests had suffered unusually from obnoxious insects, 
this ratio had been reduced to between one and two per cent., while at the 
same time “ Mycetinosis,” or the prevalence of fungoid parasitism, had in- 
creased to between forty and fifty per cent. ; a balance of destructive power 
seemed to be always maintained between the two forms of parasitism. My- 
cetinosis had especially checked the ravages of the very destructive cater- 
pillar of Bomby.v pini. 
Structure of the Pennatulidce . — In connection with Mr. Kent’s paper above 
referred to, we may mention that Professor Kolliker, who is still pursuing 
his researches on the histology of the Ccelenterata, has just issued a new 
part of his work on the subject. This is devoted especially to the Penna- 
tulidce. 
A New Genus of Entozoa. — At the meeting of the Zoological Society on 
January 13, a communication was read from Dr. Cobbold containing the 
description of a new generic type of Entozoa, discovered in a specimen of 
the Aard-Wolf ( Proteles cristatus ), which had recently died in the menagerie. 
To this were added remarks on the affinities of this Entozoon, especially in 
reference to the question of parthenogenesis. 
The Neiv Zealand Mud-Jish. — At the meeting of the Wellington Philo- 
sophical Society (New Zealand), on November 13, Dr. Hector called atten- 
tion to two live specimens of the mud-fish from Hokitika, Neochanna apoda 
of Gunther. The specimens were swimming actively in clear water, and 
had perfect vision, although their eyes are small, so that the undeveloped 
state of the eye in the specimen previously received must have been excep- 
tional. The Hon. Mr. Fox remarked that these mud-fish were not peculiar 
to Hokitika. Five years ago he remembered seeing a fish dug up from a 
gravelly clay ten feet below the surface at Rangitikei, and he believed that 
it was identical with the fish exhibited. 
The Brighton Aquarium promises soon to be an accomplished fact. The 
site of the Aquarium, which will be upwards of 700 feet long and 100 feet 
wide, commences at the toll -house of the Chain Pier, and extends to within 
a few yards of that structure. On the south side there will be a sea-wall 
and an approach road, towards which the Corporation of Brighton have 
contributed 7,0007. The most complete arrangements will be made to bring 
under observation living sea and fresh-water animals and plants of various 
kinds, and to facilitate the study of their habits and structure. 
A Shoiver of Shell-fish . — Our authority for the following account is a 
