106 
REPORT—1854. 
irritant, or the too forcible action of the compression, they become suddenly trans¬ 
formed into long filaments which are projected from all parts of the surface of the 
animalcule. . , 
The rapidity with which this remarkable change is effected, joined with the great 
minuteness and transparency of the object, renders it extremely difficult to follow it, 
and for a long time the author could uuly satisfy himself of the fact.that the fusi¬ 
form bodies were suddenly replaced by the projected filaments. After ccintmu 
observation, however, he at last succeeded in witnessing the principal step* m * 
evolution of the filament. . . 
It is not difficult, by rapidly crushing the animalcule, to force nut some o 
trichocysts in an unchanged state. If the eye be now fixed on one of the iso a 
trichocysts, it will in all probability be seen, after the lapse of a few sccon » 
become all at once changed, with a peculiar jerk, as if by the sudden release 0 s 
previous state of tension, into a little spherical body. In this condition it wi P • 
bably remain for two or three seconds, mid then a spiral filament wi 
rapidly evolved fiom the spherule, apparently by the rupture of a u,t, ™ br “' lc n 
had previously confined it, the filament unrolling itself so quickly that t 
scarcely follow it, until it ultimately lies straight and rigid ou the field 10 
scope, looking like a very fine and long acicular crystal. . 
This remarkable body when completely evolved consists of two l'^ rtl ° n ’ _ ; 1(c 
spiculum-like portion acutely pointed at one end, and continuous at tne PI , 
end with the second portion, which is iri the form of a fine flexible filament, * ^ 
half the length of the spiculum ; this second portion is generally seen . 
angle on the first. The form of these bodies is best observed m such as i. 
away towards the margin of the drop of wuter and arc there left dry y q( a 
porated fluid. Many of theta, however, merely presented the a PP e . , com . 
simple, long, fusiform spiculum, a condition probably depending on tfiei La 
plete evolution. , 0 ( 
The resemblance of the organs now described to the well-known 
the polypes and certain other lower members of the animal kingdom is . 
That they are entirely homologous, however, with these bodies we < j?” I gtruC . 
assert ; their origin at least appears different j for if we admit the uniceiiu of 
ture of the infusoria, wc have the triclu/cyste apparently developed in tne £aiC 
the cell-wall, instead of being produced in special cells, as we know to 
with the thread-cells of the polypus. 
On the Application of Cyanide of Potassium to hiding Insects for the C 
By G. Bovdler Buckton. 
The author observed that little or no information was to be obtained 
on Entomology with reference to killing insects intended for fnture ex- . ^curo- 
After noticing the remarkable manner in which some of tlwQrthoP"** UD |jt- 
ptcra are capable of resisting the action of sulphurous acid, and cow. t 
ness of that substance for such a purpose, it was stated that the desire g moot 
be conveniently effected in many eases, by subjecting the living . like0f d 
atmosphere at a high temperature. A suitable apparatus was describeci. ^ UlC 
to a diving-bell of thin nnd well-annealed glass, having an inner fining . a pin. 
top, of cork, upon which the specimen to be operated upon may be lx j 
Suffocation quickly ensues on plunging the hell-mouth downwards u»w 
water at or near its boiling-point. , i lVl Jroc)' ,lII ‘ c 
After noticing the certain and rapid manner in which the vapour _. D pij- 
acid acts on insect life, and objecting to its common use from * t ’ s .'? re r n0 ta 5 ^i ofll 
sonous and volatile properties, it wan further stated that cyanide o >£| u , nl .-- 
posscsses similar useful properties without corresponding disadvantag • ^turf- 
have been long aware of the peculiar change of this substance, r coo- 
mto hydrocyanic acid, ammonia and other products, and as the ai r j t j o0 on 
tains aqueous vapour, the salt slowly undergoes the same deCOin P" u u| e , a**! 
exposure at ordinary temperatures. The requisite apparatus W very * r flprr . 
consists of a wide-mouthed jar of glass, fitted with a brass cap MW'** pot »*- 
turo capable of being closed pretty accurately with a slide. The cyanic 
