70 
CORREHPONDENCK-QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. 
(luite fresh, showing that they were the result of that day’s foragiu" ; 
the stomach contained a considerable quantity of broken fragments, but 
in too far advanced a state of digestion for me to make any computa¬ 
tion as to the number of seeds. When we consider that the flock must 
have consisted of at least three or four hundred individuals, we may 
form some idea of the amount of food that they would daily consume.— 
Oliver V. Aplin, Banbury, Oxon, December, 1882, 
New British Mucorini. — In the process of cultivating various 
species of Pilobolus, I have recently had the pleasure of meeting with 
the following other species of Mucorini, concerning which I can find no 
record of their occurrence in Britain, viz.: —PilobohiH kcHjjus, PiJaira 
Cemtii^ Piptocephali)^ Preseniana, and a species of Mortierella, which is 
closely allied to MortiereJUt tnhernui, but may possibly prove to be 
distinct.—W. B. Orove, B.A. 
Dactylium obovatum (Berkeley),— I have recently met with this 
species on willow twigs, the habitat on which it was found by Bev. M. 
J. Berkeley, lint my specimens clearly show that it is only a young 
state of DdcUflium roseum ; every stage can be traced between the 
slender, simple, colourless filaments of the former, and the branched, 
intricate, rosy tufts of the latter.— W. B, Grove, B.A. 
(i)ufstions aiib l^irsfous. 
Fruit of the Ash.— In the fruit of the ash there is frequently, if 
not always, a small cavity corresponding to that loculus of the ovary 
which contains the undeveloped ovule of the two which were originally 
in the carpel of the flower. This gives a greater degree of lightness to 
the saiiKiru or winged fruit, and so assists in tlie dispersion of the 
heavy seed which is enclosed within it. Is this empty loculus or 
chamber filled with air, or is it a vacuum ; perhaps some one of your 
readers can tell me if it be known ?— Jno. J, Oole, Nottingham. 
Fruit of Composites.— -Is the pappus, which is characteristic of 
many of the Compositae, composed of hollow hairs or not ? If solid, 
how can the floating of the fruit in the air on a still day be accounted 
for, as the specific gravity of the whole would then be heavier than 
that of air.—Jxo. J. Ogle. 
’In answer to Mr. Ogle's inquiries, it may be stated that the cavity 
in the ripened fruit of the ash is filled with air. 
The pappus of the Compositie is formed of cells, and these cells, 
when the pappus is dry, are filled with air. Examination in water 
under the microscope will at once show the cellular nature of the 
pappus, and also the presence of air in those cells. The pappus 
floats in air because it offers a relatively large surface of resistance 
to the air. Even on the stillest days there are currents of air 
sufficient to waft about the winged messengers of the dandelion 
and other Composites.—J. E. B.] 
Burnishers. —I beg to thank Mr. Harrison for his remarks in 
answer to my query on page 281, vol. v,, of the “ Midland Naturalist.” 
I cannot help thinking, however, that he is not acquainted with the 
stones to which I refer, as they possess little resemblance to the Agates 
of the Bunter beds of this neighbourhood, but on the contrary have, 
when cut, the appearance of steel, though many are of a more or less 
red hue. I am led to conclude they are Haematite rather than Silica. 
Can any one enlighten us upon this question ? — W. S. Gresley. 
