i$79-] 
Notes. 
453 
appear a few days later, much resemble the autumnal generation, 
but their antennas are eight-jointed. This mode of reproduction, 
anthogenesis, has been hitherto traced among the Phylloxeras 
and all the Pemphigians. We now recognise it among the 
Coccidas. 
M. Ch. Richet has studied the mode of contraction of the 
muscles of the crayfish. He remarks that in the muscles of the 
tail the shock of contraction is very short, whilst in the muscle 
of the claws it is much longer than in the muscles of vertebrate 
animals, excepting the cardiac muscle. The claws of the cray- 
fish, if separated from the body and protected from heat and 
evaporation, preserve their contractility for more than four days. 
Dr. L. Fredericq, in an inaugural dissertation, shows that the 
plasma of the blood is made up of fibrinogen, coagulating at 56°; 
paraglobulin, coagulating at 75 0 ; and serin, at 65°. He finds 
that the coagulation of blood is a phenomenon in which gases 
do not intervene in any manner. The carbonic acid is shared 
between the globules and the plasma (or serum) in the same 
manner both in circulating blood and in coagulated blood. The 
red globules are capable of absorbing a notable quantity of car- 
bonic acid. 
The 11 Colonies and India ” gives a description of a species of 
Coccus found in Yucatan, and known locally as the niin or neen. 
It feeds on the mongo, and secretes a large quantity of semi- 
fluid fat used for various purposes by the natives. If strongly 
heated a portion evaporates, leaving a plastic waxy matter ca- 
pable of serving as a varnish. If burnt, it changes to a thick 
semi-fluid like dissolved caoutchouc, but which solidifies on 
standing. Numerous applications of these substances are pos- 
sible. 
The editor of the “ Scottish Naturalist ” recommends, for spe- 
cial observation this season, the possible effecfts of the abnormal 
winter and spring upon birds, insecfts, molluscs, &c. ; what spe- 
cies have suffered most ; how the reappearance of migratory and 
hybernating species may be influenced ; and especially the degree 
of colour-variation, and whether such variation, if it occur, tends 
to melanochroism or leucochroism. Such observations, he justly 
considers, will aid in throwing light upon the causes influencing 
the geographical distribution of species. 
Mr. R. Ward records, in the “ Standard,” the discovery of 
certain fossil remains in excavations now in progress at Charing 
Cross. The identified specimens are tusks and molars of an 
extindl elephant ( E . primigenius ?), a horn of the Irish elk, and 
bones and teeth of a gigantic ox ( Bos primigenius). 
According to the “ American Naturalist ” there is reason to 
fear that the biological department of the great Survey of the 
Territories is to be abolished. The admirable work which for 
many years has been done in this department pleads trumpet- 
tongued against its discontinuance. 
