Notes. 
214 
The chloride of methyl is now used in extradling the odori® 
ferous principles of plants. It enables the manufatfurer to dis- 
pense with the tedious process of enfleurage. 
Dr. S. Schneck and Dr. Elliott Coues communicate to the 
“ American Naturalist ” decisive instances of the mischief done 
by the European sparrow, which has been rashly acclimatised in 
America, and of its utter failure as a remedy for the cabbage 
caterpillar (. Pieris rapes). 
W. H. Ballon communicates to the “ American Naturalist,” 
on what appears to be good authority, a case of a considerable 
number of swallows being found torpid in the hollow of a tree, 
in April. 
According to Dr. Staub’s observations, published in the “ Bo- 
tanische Zeitung,” the flowering period of trees is hastened only 
when the mean temperature for the month is at least 3-5 t. 
higher than the average : a smaller increase does not afiect vege- 
tation. On the other hand, the smallest fall in the temperature 
of the month occasions a retardation. 
Papilio alexanor, a very local species of butterfly from the 
South of France, is considered by many entomologists to be a 
hybrid between P. machaon and P . podalirius. 
Prof. W. J. Beal considers that, in countries where they occur, 
humming birds must play a very important part in the fertilisa- 
tion of flowers. 
According to Dr. Jousset de Bellesme, cocoons do not serve 
insets as a proteaion against the cold. The pupa resists con- 
gelation by reason of a continuous liberation of heat due to the 
destruaion of the muscular system of the larva, which is much 
more considerable than that of the mature msea. The large 
Quantity of uric acid discharged at the time of metamorphosis 
is a proof of the extent of the organic transformations which 
have taken place. 
From observations on the cattle of Brittany, M. Bellamy is 
led to question the common doarine that in-breeding is inju- 
rious. 
