250 
THE MEDITERRANEAN NATURALIST 
An EnMish naturalist asserts that worms with J 
two tails a. " by no means rare, but that one of the . 
most pecu.. ;. r abnormalities he has ever seen is 
the double head of a long worm (Allobophorct | 
hmga ). from Perth. When in motion, the second 
head has all the appearance of a snail’s feeler, or 
antenna. 
“ Natural Science ” contains among other articles 
the following “ The Permanence of the Great 
Oceanic Basins” by Dr. A. Russel Wallace, “The 
Climate of Europe during the Glacial Epoch” by 
C. Reid, f.g.s. “Death” by P. Chalmers Mitchell 
m.a. “The Geology of the Central Himalaya by 
A. B. Woodward, f.g.s. 
in the vicinity of the island of Pantelleria at a 
distance of 150 metres from the western shore 
(depth of about 30 m.) have been discovered several 
sponge deposits. 
Five Greek vessels, with two divers in 3 days 
obtained 25 quintali of sponges of the finest quality. 
From a circular that has been issued by the 
Prefect of Catania we learn that the lava streams 
caused by the present eruption have destroyed 
vast areas of fertile country, reducing to the most 
abject poverty many thousands whose only 
means of sustenance was directly derived ftom 
the produce. 
Both the Government and the king have already 
come forward and by munificent gifts have done 
much towards alleviating the distress. 
According to Sir Joseph Fayrer, studies of the 
chemistry of snake poison have even yet revealed 
no antidote. When the full effect of the bite has 
been given, remedies avail little, though the virus 
in small quantities may be counteracted. In 
India the average annual loss of life from snake 
bites for the eight years ending with 1887 was 
nearly 20,000 persons and more than 2,000 head of 
cattle, the cobra being the most dangerous reptile. 
To reduce the evil, it is suggested that the hab- 
its of the snakes be made better known, and that a 
bounty be given for each poisonous snake killed. 
On the 21st of July last a most unusual pheno- 
menon was witnessed in the Maltese Islands 
when a thunderstorm broke over the island, 
raging for twelve hours and depositing 3 inches 
of rain. It is fifty-five years since rain feel in 
the month of July. 
A new islet has been pushed above the surface 
of the Caspian, near Baku. It is 3i miles from 
shore, measures 175 by 100 feet, and rises about 
20 feet above the water. 
Much interest was evinced in these islands du- 
ring the early part of last month at the close proxi- 
mity of the planet Mars. This world has been 
rapidly approaching us since 1877, and it was on 
the 3rd inst. that it was nearest to our globe. 
Although 35,000,000 of miles away, the light which 
it gave forth was of unwonted brilliancy. 
Some of the principal points that astronomers 
are directing their attention to upon the present 
occasion are its polar snows, and the canals which 
traverse its continental masses. It is said that 
water is existent in the planet. This is being 
tested by a method which will place the point 
beyond dispute. 
Several attempts have been made to introduce 
the tobacco plant into the Maltese Islands, each 
of which was attended with a considerable amount 
of success as both the climate and soil of the 
islands are peculiarly fitted for its cultivation. 
Unfortunately however, the experiments were 
never followed up owing to the difficulty ex 1 erien- 
ced in naturalizing the cochineal insect. The 
difficulty is, however, one that might be easily 
overcome by the introduction into the islands of 
the proper species of Opuntia upon which the 
insects depend for their support and the way 
might thus be opened up for the establishment of 
a thriving and lucrative industry. 
On the 3rd ultimo an unusual phenomenon 
consisting of an enormous waterspout occurred in 
the harbour of Trieste betweeu the Oiuseppino 
Mole and the lighthouse. It presented the ap- 
pearance of an immense dark grey pillar of cloud, 
and after lasting ten minutes it finally broke near 
the quay doing considerable damage to the street 
traffic and the houses. During the period that it 
lasted the atmosphere was so dark that it was 
found necessary to resort to artificial light in the 
city. 
The heat in the Mediterranean during the last 
month was very intense, and being accompanied 
by “black sirocs it was exceptionally trying to 
animal and plant life. On the 1st. ultimo a strong 
Scirocco blew throughout. Algeria, and caused the 
thermometer at Mustapha to register 106° Fall. 
With few intermissions it has continued thus 
for the greater part of the month, and serious 
anxiety is now being expressed lest there should 
be a water famine. In the provinces of Algiers 
and Oran, forest fires have broken out, and it has 
been found necessary to call in the soldiers to 
assist in checking their progress. 
Editor. J. H. Cooke. B.Sc., F.G.S.. Malta. 
14 sr* 
