THE MEDITERRANEAN NATURALIST 
The “Marobia” is invariably the precursor of a ! 
gale from the southward. It is occassioned by the 
meeting between Trapani and Cape San Mario of 
a south-east wind from the Malta Channel with a 
westerly wind blowing towards the north coast of 
Sicily. 
The recent researches of Pouchet during the j 
years 1890-91, in the life-habits of the sardine 
have been productive of some most interesting 
results. 
He tells us, among other things, that the sardine 
does not deposit its eggs on the coast, and that it 
eggs do not float on the surface of the water as 
many naturalists have stated. 
During his lengthened investigations in the 
Bay of Concarneau Pouchet states that he never 
succeded in obtaining a single mature sardine's 
egg, and twice only, in the course of three years, 
did he succeed in capturing a sardine that con- 
tained a mature egg. 
The experiments that have lately been carried 
out by Messrs. Fremy and Verneuil for the pur- 
pose of ascertaining the feasibility of manufactur- 
ing the diamond and other precious stones, have 
been most successful. The crystals of the diamond, 
ruby, emerald, and topaz, that they have produced 
correspond in all of their physical characteristics 
with the natural species. 
The following prognostics of Mediterranean 
weather by the late Admiral Smyth, are according 
to my experience, so reliable that I venture to 
send them to you for the information of those 
who may not have heard of them. 
Small clouds increasing prove that their weight 
prevents their rising in the air, and therefore 
denote rain; while large clouds decreasing being 
obviously under dissipation by solar heat, or winds 
assure us of fine weather. Therefore, as their 
ragged aspect shows the process of condensation, 
the cirro-stratus and nimbus clouds invariably 
announce rain; an uncommon twinkling of the 
stars denotes humidity; the rising or setting 
sun tinging the air with yellow, indicates vapour; 
and the atmosphere assuming a reddish tint, sere- 
nity. A lunar halo, coloured near her, is signifi- 
cant of great humidity; and a cloudless night, 
unaccompanied by heavy dew, betokens fine but 
sultry weather. 
Small masses of Cumuli, with detached flaky 
clouds, mark settled weather and warm winds; 
the elegant cirrus shows approaching change, while 
Cumulo-Stratus with detached blackish and irre- 
gular clouds preceed variable weather, and cold 
winds. 
Lightning near the horizon without thunder 
indicates wind from opposite quarter, and the 
same from high clouds announces fine weather. 
The water in part being unusually clear, so that 
the bottom is seen in several fathoms, prognosti- 
cates the approach of a hard gale; as does also a 
diaphanous atmosphere. It is, however, difficult 
to catch the characteristics without experience in 
observation. 
F. M. 
Mr. H. E. Craven of Matlock Bridge, England 
is anxious to meet with foreign correspondents for 
the purpose of exchanging Mediterranean shells 
for British land and freshwater species. 
Recent experiments have shown that in the dog 
and the cat, as well as in the rabbit, the removal 
of more than three-fourths of the liver is not fol- 
lowed by serious consequences, and that the organ 
regains its weight within 36 days.' 
The sudden disappearance of oysters from places 
where they were formerly numerous may be 
explained by a recent remarkable visitation of 
the harbor of Sydney, N. s. w. The water, in 
places, suddenly assumed the color of blood. This 
proved to be due to the invasion or rapid dove- 
lopement of-a microscopic Glenoclium , which in a 
few days destroyed half of the animals near the 
land, and seriously injured the oyster-beds. 
Editor. J. II. Cooke. E.Sc., F.G.S., Malta. 
