i6 
NATURE NOTES 
for although it could not row or sail itself, neither does it progress itself along 
the surface of the sea. The Nautilus is a deep-sea species, and has a hard shell, 
but the shell of the Argonaut is almost as thin as paper, and would be crushed by 
the weight of the superincumbent water if it were a “ groundling” ? 
December 12, 1905. N. D. 
[Dr. S. P. Woodward writes ( Manual of the Mollusca , p. 163 : “ Four species 
of argonaut are known ; they inhabit the open sea throughout the warmer parts 
of the world. Captain King took several from the stomach of a dolphin caught 
upwards of 600 leagues from land.” — Ed. N. N. ] 
323. Sundew Flowers Open. During a visit to the West Riding of 
Yorkshire last summer, I went with a brother to a locality where IVahlettbergia 
heaeracea was reported to grow. We found it in quantities, and in the neighbour- 
hood there were many other interesting plants, including the cranberry, butter- 
wort, bog asphodel and round-leaved sundew. I am sending you this note to 
record the fact that we found many fully open flowers of the latter plant. The 
date was July 21. 
MillarcTs Hill, Frome. G. B. Milne-Redhead. 
NATURAL HISTORY QUERIES. 
67. The use of Snake Poison. — Are the poison fangs of serpents for 
defensive purposes or for procuring food ? Generally speaking the death struggle 
between an animal and its natural prey is so one-sided as to involve little or no 
danger to the assailant. Unless driven by extreme hunger predaceous animals do 
not attack those creatures that can retaliate and cause serious injury or death. A 
cat kills a bird or a mouse without danger to itself, and so does a hawk. An otter 
does not risk its life in catching a fish, or a stoat in killing a rabbit. And those 
animals that prey on poisonous snakes are rarely, if ever, killed by them. Most 
deadly serpents are sluggish in their habits ; they do not pursue and run down 
their prey, but lie quietly in wait until some unsuspecting animal comes within 
striking distance, when they inflict a wound that effectually prevents escape. It 
is probable, therefore, that snake poison is a means of providing food rather than 
a protection against ordinary enemies, and that its defensive power is an insig- 
ficant factor in determining the existence of the race of deadly serpents. Perhaps 
some readers of Nature Notes may feel inclined to enlarge on this matter. 
Southacre, Swaffham, Edmund Thos. Daubeny. 
December, 1905. 
68. Telescope. -I should feel obliged if you or any of your readers can 
tell me of a really good telescope, with small stand, to place on my window-sill, 
it being sufficiently powerful from which to study birds and other objects on a 
lake which is from half to three-quarters of a mile away, where to be obtained 
and price. 
Brownslow, Great Budioorth, Northwich. Lilly Hargrave. 
November, 3, 1905. 
SELBORNIANA. 
The Saving of Hixdhead. — We were, we are sorry to say, 
under a misapprehension when writing on this subject in last 
month's Nature Notes. We are informed by Sir Robert 
Hunter, the Chairman of the Committee of Guarantors, that 
barely half of the ,£"4,000 required has as yet been subscribed. 
As the public cannot wish the courageous ladies and gentlemen, 
who, by guaranteeing the purchase-money, secured this invalu- 
able property for the nation in perpetuity, to be mulcted for 
more than they are ready and willing to subscribe, we hope there 
will be a liberal response to the appeal now being issued for the 
