250 
NATURE NOTES 
the British species of Geophilus,z.n^ is produced by a phosphorescent fluid secretion 
from glands on the under surface. — Ed. N.N.'\ 
41 . Honey-dew. — I was very much interested in your note on page 175 of 
Nature Notes, as the same unusual production of honey-dew has been most 
noticeable in these suburbs. The trees most infected have, of course, been the 
limes, but sycamores and chestnuts have also shown signs. The plane trees have 
escaped and, so far as I noticed, poplars have not been infected, even though limes 
in the same garden have been covered with aphides. 
I have searched in vain through Ward, Strasburger and many other books 
to find some authoritative statement as to this honey-dew and have failed to find 
even casual mention thereof. 
The extract from Professor Ward’s article appears to leave the matter in 
doubt, as he states the punctures of aphides or the ordinary process of over- 
turgescence might occasion this exudation. I presume he accepts the fact that 
the aphides themselves largely exude this “ dew.” 
If I am not troubling you too much, I should be glad if you could refer me to 
any books bearing on the subject, and if you would at the same time let me know 
whether you consider the “dew” an insect or a vegetable exudation. Which- 
ever it may be it appears to do the trees no harm, as none that I examined 
appeared in any way the worse for their insect guests. I was interested in reading 
Gilbert While’s reference in his letter. No. 108, and, whatever may be the cause, 
I take it we are now agreed that his theory is wrong. 
22, Crouch Hill Road, Crouch End, N. C. S. Nicholson. 
September 25, 1904. 
[Honey-dew has been dealt with by Biisgen in Der Honiglhau (Jena). The 
orthodox view is that it is primarily the excretion of aphides that live on the 
leaves, boring holes into their tissues, sucking their juices, and ejecting a drop of 
the fluid, which is rich in sugar, on an average once in every half-hour. When 
dew falls the hygroscopic honey-dew takes it up and spreads over the leaf ; and 
then, later in the day, evaporation converts it into a varnish over the whole leaf- 
surface, which serves to check transpiration. Among European trees it is general 
on Linden, Maple, Beech and Oak; but, as I mentioned in the August number, 
I have also noticed it freely produced on Hawthorn and on Populus monilifera. 
—Ed. N.N.'\ 
SELBORNE SOCIETY NOTICES. 
Business Meetings. — The next meeting of the Council will be held on 
Tuesday, January 3, at 5.30 p.m., and the Publications Committee will meet on 
Monday, December 12, at 5.30 p.m. 
Election of Librarian. — At the Council meeting held on October 25, 
Mr. Hubert Poole was elected Honorary Librarian in succession to Mr. Wilfred 
Mark Webb. 
Election of a Councillor. — At the same meeting Mr. K. Marshman 
Wattson was elected a Councillor in the room of Mr. Poole. 
Emendation of Rule II. — At the Special General Meeting held on 
November 22, Rule II., paragraph (c), section (2), was altered to read as follows : — 
“ the skins and plumage of such birds as are not domesticated.” 
Junior Branches. — At the Council Meeting held on the same day the 
warrants constituting two new Junior Branches were approved. They are the 
Laleham |unior Branch, of which Miss Kate E. Fanner, of Laleham, Clarence 
Road, Cla[)hain Park, is the Secretary, and the Roland Houses Nature Study 
■Society, (or which .Miss Grace E. Southwell, of 5, Roland Houses, South Ken- 
sington, is acting as Secretary and Treasurer. 
New Members. — Ceuhal Society — C. II. Crawley, Esq., Bowes Park ; 
lohn Curtis, Esq., Fulham ; Miss Kate E. P'anner, Clapham Park; G. Haldane, 
Esq., Anerley ; Miss Dora Hollins, Honor Oak Park; Alfred W. Oke, Esq., 
