Occurrence of Diodonta Fragilis at Weymouth, by W. Thompson: Description' of a second species of the Genus Procnias, by P. L. Sclater, A. M.; Description of some new species of Birds, by the Viscount Du Bus de Gisignies: Description of a new species of Petrogale, by Dr. J. E. Gray. Meteorological Observations and Table for September, 1855.

No. 96. December.-(Charles C. Babington, A.M. F.R.S.) On the Batrachian Ranunculi of Britain. (Thomas Williams, M.D., London, F.L.S.) On the mechanism of aquatic respiration, and on the structure of the organs of breathing in Invertebrate animals; with a plate. (Dr. J. E. Gray, F.R.S., &c.,) On the genera of mollusca, and on the genus assiminia in particular. (Thomas Davidson, F.G.S.) A few remarks on the Brachiopoda; with a plate. (William Clark) On the phenomena of the reproduction of the chitons. What form the young chiton might assume was always of great interest to the naturalist-did it pass from the ova into an intermediate larvar condition; or had it always the true chiton form, even when immature? For want of knowledge on this subject the chitons have not only been ́ tossed from class to class among the mollusca, but also from the order mollusca itself, and were placed by Blainville among the Annellidan articulata. From all these facts, the importance of chronicling every investigation about these animals will be clearly seen. On the 23rd of last July, Mr. Clark placed several specimens of chiton cinereus in saucers filled with salt-water. On the day of capture one of the animals discharged a quantity of ova, not in volleys but by one or two every second for at least fifteen minutes, forming a batch of 1,300 to 1,500, many more remaining in the ovaria; they were of a pale yellow colour, but globular form, being a little compressed at their axes, and about 100th part of an inch in diameter; they were attached by means of a viscid fluid. On the 24th July, they still remained inert at the bottom of the saucer. On the 25th, they had all become detached from their nidus, and swam with great vivacity through every part of the water, and crossing the large saucer in 30 or 40 seconds. As soon as the motion commenced the ova lost the sub-globular figure, and assumed that of a sub-elongated oval approaching the chiton shape. On the 30th, they had altogether cast off the embryonic covering, and exhibited the complete form of the chiton, and at this period they appeared to lose their natatory powers. (C. C. Babington, M.D., F.R.S.) Note on Linaria sepium Allman. Bibliographical notices: Catalogue of the genera and sub-genera of birds in the British Museum: Descriptive and illustrated catalogue of the Histological series contained in the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons. Vol. II. Proceedings of Learned Societies: Zoological Society, July 25, 1854. Miscellaneous-On the Shropshire mollusca, by J. Gwyn Jeffreys: On the arrested development of the Tadpole of the common Frog, by W. Davies: List of species of mollusca obtained by Professor Goodsir, from Spitzbergen, by Mr. R. Andrew. Meteorological observations and table for October, 1855. Title page to Volume XVI.

QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPICAL SCIENCE. No. 13, October, 1855. 8vo. Price 4s. With Woodcuts and Lithographic Illustrations, London. S. Highley, 32, Fleet-street.

(W. Gregory, M.D., F.R.S.E.) Notice of some new species of British freshwater Diatomacea. (G. Busk, F.R.S.) An account of the structure and relations of Sagitta Bipunctata. This little animal, which has the form of a pointed needle, is from one to two inches in length, and is as transparent as the clearest glass, in warm calm weather, it swims on the surface of the sea, and occasionally in the most surprising numbers; at such times it may be procured without difficulty, by means of a small towing net over the side of the boat. Its minute size, and the extreme delicacy and transparency of its tissues, make it peculiarly an object of microscopical investigation. In our latitudes it appears to be in a state of the most complete maturity in August and September. With respect to its systematic position, authors are still very much in doubt. Mr. Huxley places it among the annulose animals; but says that the study of its development can alone decide to which sub division of the Annulose kingdom Sagitta belongs. (John Gorham, M.R.C.S.E.) On the

magnifying power of short spaces, illustrated by the transmission of light through minute apertures. (F. H. Wenham) Notes and observations on the sap circulation of Plants. (F. Currey, A.M.), Hartig on the Phytozoa of Antheridia. (J. W. Bailey) On a Universal Indicator for the Microscope. Translations. On the Impregnation and germination of Alga; by M. Pringsheim. On Sphærozoum Noctiluca and the Polycystina; by Professor Muller. On the development of the Spermatozoids in Torrea vitrea; by M. A. de Quatrafages. On the influence of Dilute Sulphuric Acid on the deposit layers of the Cell-Wall in its earliest condition; by Dr. T. Hartig. On the calcareous concretions in Urticaceae and other Plants; by H. A. Weddel. Correspondence. The circulation in Aqueous Plants. Aperture of Object-Glasses; On the Structure of the Frond of Polysiphonia Fastigiata. Remarks on the Fly's Foot. Microscopic Preparations. Proceedings of Societies.-Microscopical Society. Zoophytology.

THE ZOOLOGIST. No. 156, October; No. 157, November; No. 158, December, 1855. 8vo. London: John Van Voorst. Price 18. each.

No. 156, October :-(R. Knox, M.D., F.R.S.E.) Contributions to the Philosophy of Zoology. Part I.-On the Relation of Species or Race to Genus or Natural Family; a question of transcendental anatomy. (H. T. Stainton) Entomological Botany (with more especial reference to the plants frequented by the Tineina. (Hamlet Clark, A.M.) Synonymic List of the British Carnivorous Water Beetles, together with Critical Remarks and Notices of Foreign and Allied Species. We would heartily commend the remarks by the Rev. H. Clark, with which this paper opens. Sure we are that much remains to be done among the "water beetles." When our rivers and lakes, rivulets and pebbly brooks, when our marshes and ditches, and, in fact, every locality that contains water, no matter in what quantity, are investigated, we will be unable to arrive at anything like a just appreciation of the number of these insects. Proceedings of Society-Entomological Society, September, 3, 1855. Bree) Birds killed by Cold. (John Dutton) Occurrence of the Bee-eater in the Isle of Wight, and disappearance of the Chough from the same locality. (Henry Doubleday) White Swallow. (T. J. Bold) Occurrence of Cross-bills in Northumberland and Durham. (C. R. Bree) On the double-broodedness of Gonepteryx rhamni. (Rev. Joseph Greene) Is Gonepteryx rhamni doublebrooded? (J. Scott) Note on Argynnis lathonia (W. Machin) Note on the breeding of Notodonta dictæoides. (T. J. Bold) Capture of Scolytus destructor in the North of England. (C. Fox) The vinegar Polype. Notices of New Books -Annals and Magazine of Natural History.

(C. R.

No. 157, November :-Notices of New Books-Monograph of British Bees; The Natural History Review, No. VII.; Quarterly Journal of Microscopical Science, No. XI; Manual of British Marine Zoology; Annals and Magazine of Natural History. (H. T. Stainton) Entomological Botany, with more especial reference to the plants frequented by the Tineina. (J. F. Brockholes) Hedgehog devouring its young; on the Cuckoo; and on a valuable Hen. (T. Bramley) Hoopoe at Low Layton. (E. H. Rodd) Occurrence of the Rose-coloured Pastor; and solitary Snipe, near Penzance. (W. S. M. D'Urban) The Spotted Crake and Avocet on the Exe; the Great American Snake caught. (Edward Newman) Notes on the Loach, the Gudgeon, food of Fishes; on transparent Fishes; and on the supposed Male of the Argonaut. (J. C. Dale) Scorpion taken near Dorchester. (J. J. Reading) Lepidoptera taken near Plymouth. (F. Sharpe) Occurrence of Colias edusa and hyale near Brighton. Remarks on the doublebroodedness of Gonepteryx rhamni, by E. Shepherd, C. W. Watkins, Henry Doubleday, and H. J. Hardings. In bringing this controversy to a conclusion, the originator of it, Mr. Newman says, "I can now positively state, from my own observations, made during 1855, that Gonepteryx rhamni is only singlebrooded. (C. W. Watkins) Unusual abundance of Vanessa Io. (W. H. Hayward) Capture of the larva of Deilephila galii and Stauropus fagi at Devonport. (J. C. Dale) Reputed British Butterflies. (J. N. Winter) Capture of Leucania musculosa and Phlogophora empyrea at Brighton. (J. F. Brockholes) Note on

;

the habits of Epunda lichenea. (C. Miller) Note on the Tinea granella. (J. C. Dale) Arcturus sparshalii, an Australian insect; and on the occurrence of Acrida standishii and Delphax longipennis at Glanville's Wotton. (E. Newman) Occurrence of Lithocolletis bremiella in Britain, of Scolytus destructor in Lancashire, of Rhizotrogus ochraceus in Wales, of Melolontha Hippocastani in Scotland of the capture, near London, of a Coleopterous insect new to Britain; and a note on Colymbetes dispar of Bold. Proceedings of Societies-Entomological Society, Oct. 6, 1855; Society of British Entomologists, Aug. 7, Sept. 4, 1855. No. 158, December:-(Arthur Hussey) Deer feeding on the fruit of the horse-chestnut (J. Gardiner) Occurrence of the Cursorius isabellinus on Salisbury Plain. (E. H. Rodd) Note on the common Heron. (L. Lester) Occurrence of a supposed new Wrasse and other Fishes in Swanage Bay; (E. T. Higgins) On a supposed new Flounder. (W. T. Bree) Double-broodedness of Gonepteryx rhamni. (C. R. Bree) Memorandum on Gonepteryx rhamni. (J. N. Winter) Occurrence of rare Lepidoptera at Brighton. (G. Guyon) Occurrence of Mononychus pseudacori in the seeds of Iris fœtidissima, and on the curious effect of a Magnet on Flies. (John Curtis, F.L.S, &c., &c.) Notes on the Dytiscidæ. In these notes Mr. Curtis gives it as his opinion that it is to the northern districts of Scotland and to the western shores of Ireland that the attention of entomologists should be directed, in order that they may be enabled to make additions to this portion of our Fauna. In setting the specimens, Mr. Curtis gives, what we think, a valuable hint-viz., that one specimen of a species should always be placed on its back, in order to show the peculiar characters of its under side. Owing to the smoothness of the Elytra this is often not easy; but a drop or two of nitric acid will tend to harden the gum. (R. Hislop) Note on Melolontha Hippocastani. (H. Edwards) Entomological Museum and Society at Melbourne. (C. Fox) On the Vinegar Polype (Plant?) Notices of New Books -Quarterly Journal of Microscopical Science, Part XII. (Edward Newman) Occurrence of the Trochilium scoliæformis.

HOOKER'S JOURNAL OF BOTANY, AND KEW GARDEN MISCELLANY. No. 81, October; No. 82, November; No. 83, December, 1855. 8vo. London: Lovell Reeve. With Plate. Price 2s. each.

No. 81, October :-(James Motley) Notes written on a voyage from Singapore to Banjermassing, and letter to Sir W. J. Hooker. We give the following extract:-"I now continue the journal of my Sumatra excursion, which I was obliged last time to break off in the middle of a day, from a sudden alarm of the mail closing; a sort of thing we are very subject to in these out-of-the-way places. I think I left myself, in the afternoon of January, '29, at the little settlement of Pulo Jumahat. About five o'clock we stopped at a deserted garden to cook; it was a jungle of young fruit trees and sago-palms, and many trees of a handsome Erythrina, full of the pendent nests already described; the trunks, however, were too thorny to be climbed. There was also a curious Ficus, bearing its fruit in large, dense bunches on the stem and branches. The men were tired, but to stop was out of the question, from the number of mosquitoes. Near this place I observed a beautiful Trichosanthes in fruit; the pepos were of the size of an orange, and bright scarlet, hanging in long festoons from branch to branch of the trees. I saw here also, for the first time on this river, the beautiful little Caryota furfuracea, with its elegant, adiantiform leaves; it is often planted by the natives for the sake of the cottony pubescence which covers the leaf-sheaths, and which is used for caulking boats, and also for tinder; it is called "Cuput." Another Palm, however, whose name I do not know, I think a Wallichia, yields it in greater quantities; and in Java it is procured from an Areca. The banks are completely lined with the large Musa called "Pisang batu;" it has probably been planted originally, but is now perfectly wild, growing abundantly among the trees. I am inclined to believe that this is the original species of the cultivated Pisangs; it is cultivated everywhere by the natives, and is very constant in its appearance and character; unlike the other varieties, it is always full of seeds, although they are often abortive: it is coarse and hard, but has a flavour somewhat resembling a Burgundy pear. The natives

consider it to contain more nourishment than the other kinds, which I think probable, as it has more of the fecula. Just at dark we passed a small island, called Pulu Kamudi. As night came on, the mosquitoes arrived, and in such numbers as I have never seen before or since; the air was filled with them like a cloud; they bit through trousers, stockings, and jacket like gauze. At last I put on a pair of long hunting-boots, and two thick flannel shirts, and wrapped up my head in a coarse towel; even then I could not sleep. The men had not this protection, and, though very much tired, they preferred pulling on to attempting to go to rest. No one who has not felt it, can conceive the misery and irritation caused by these insects when they are really bad; and the Malays, who generally have skins invulnerable to them, say that the rivers on this coast are the worst in the world for them. After several hours' pulling they became more tolerable, and we made fast for the night. The night was foggy, and I had just put my rifle into its bag, to save it from damp, when a tiger showed himself on the beach, but he went away before I could again get at the gun.

30th. We were off very early this morning, The river is visibly narrower, and the stream stronger, but still there are no signs of a hill, or even a bank. We passed another island to-day, called Pulu Lys: it is covered with large jungle, and was formerly a burial place for the Europeans who died here, while the Dutch had an establishment at Indragiri. A little higher up are the remains of the house of the Resident, who was removed a few years ago, chiefly, I believe, on account of the extreme unhealthiness of the place in the dry season. We are now evidently approaching the haunts of men: the jungle generally has been cut, and, instead of trees, the river is bounded by large floating beds of luxuriant green grass and reeds, sometimes fifteen or eighteen feet high; behind are rice-fields, extending a mile or two from the river, which again are backed up by the long, dark line of primeval forest. Here and there, wallowing and splashing through the water, are droves of ungainly-looking buffaloes, with their never-failing companions, the white egrets, or padi-birds, perched upon their backs. There are now also a good many houses near the river, with a few Plantains, Kaput (Eriodendron), and Drabas (Psidium), about them. The people seem to make great use, for fishing, of small rafts constructed of the Musa stems, which are very buoyant. Bamboos, up to this point rather uncommon, begin now to form a feature in the landscape; the commonest are the yellow-stemmed Bamboo gading, and a very bushy, thorny, and crooked kind, which would make excellent fences. At two P. M. landed at a small campong, called Seligi: here there was a considerable quantity of a small, pinkflowered Indigofera, which gives a good dye, but in small quantity." Notes on the Cultivation of Cotton in the Yoruba Country, Western Coast of Africa, by the late Dr. G. Irving. The Voyage of H. M. S. Herald. Second General Report of the Government, Botanist of Victoria, on the Vegetation of the Colony. In concluding this most interesting report, Professor Mueller says: "Looking finally to our future prospects, as afforded us by the enjoyment of the serenest climate and by the extensive fertility of the soil, I venture to say that no praise too high can be bestowed in a general view on the productiveness of our adopted country. We possess, in the Southern Hemisphere, what the ancients in the Northern called "regiones felices," those happy latitudes of a warm temperate zone in which nature, with a prodigal hand, offered prominently, amidst so many other gifts, the Cerealia, the Olive, and the Vine, and to which we here have added from the far East, the Orange and the Tea; from India, the Rice; and from the New World, the Maize, Cassava, Arrow-root, Tobacco, and so many other treasures of the vegetable world, on which mankind now rely for luxury and support. All these may here be successfully produced, along with those which we enjoyed in the country of our youth, and will, I trust, with the mighty resources of our mineral wealth render this country one of the most delightful and prosperous in the world.-Botanical Information; Extracts from the Jurors' Reports on some of the Vegetable Products of the Madras Exhibition of 1855. Plants of Madeira. Notices of Books. Natural History of Ferns. Ferns of Great Britain, nature printed.

No. 82, November:-Observations on Gleicheniacea and Cyathea of Java, by Mr. J. K. Hasskarl, communicated in a letter from Java, dated July, 1855.

(Charles L. Zeyher) Botanical Notices of a Journey into the interior of Southern Africa, in company with Mr. Burke. (Mr. Nathanial Wilson) On the Useful Vegetable Products, especially the Fibres, of Jamaica Asplenium Fontanuma British Plant? by Sir W. J. Hooker, K.H., F.R. A. and L.S. Botanical Information-Extracts from the Jurors' Reports on some of the Vegetable Products of the Madras Exhibition of 1855, continued from p. 316. Costus afer. Ker.—a reputed Specific against Nausea. De Candolle's Prodomus. Note on Clusiacea, by Mr. Spruce. Notes of New Books.

No. 83, December:-(George Bentham, F.L.S.) Notes on the Roogee of Kumaon-Megacarpæa polyandra. This is a most interesting account of this curious Polyandrous cruciferous Plant; seeds of which were forwarded to the Glasnevin Botanic Garden, near Dublin, in 1849; they speedily germinated, and attained a great size, but did not flower until towards the end of April, in this present year. Botany of Victoria (Southern Australia.) Extracts of Letters from Dr. F. Mueller. (Charles L. Zeyher). Botanical notices of a journey into the interior of Southern Africa, in company with Mr. Burke. (Sir W. J. Hooker, F.R.S., &c.) Catalogue of Mr. Geyer's Collection of Plants gathered in the Upper Missouri, the Oregon Territory, and the intervening portion of the Rocky Mountains.(Dr. F. Mueller) On two new umbelliferous Plants, from the Alps of South-eastern Australia. Botanical Information-Mr. Spruces's Ascent of the Amazon to Peru. Dr. F. Mueller's appointment to be Botanist to the north-west Australian expedition. Note on the application of British Rushes in Sussex, by W. Borrer, F.L.S. Note on the proposed Genus Fitchia of Dr. Meisner. Notices of Books.-Folia Orchidacea, by Professor Lindley.

THE NATURALIST: a popular monthly Magazine, with numerous Engravings; conducted by B. R. Morris, Esq., M.D. No. 56, October. No. 57, November. No. 58, December, 1855. 8vo. Price 6d. each. London: Messrs. Groombridge. No. 56. October. (J. M'Intosh) Notes on the Common Squirrel (Sciurus Vulgaris.) (Edward Parfitt) A List of and Notes on the Fungi found in the neighbourhood of Exeter. (W. Westcott) Occasional Notes. (William Kidd) Nature's Holiday, shared with Two of her Loving Children. (Rev. F. O. Morris) The Variety of the Hawk, figured in the "Naturalist" for September. (F. M. Burton) Extracts from Correspondence with a Brother Naturalist. (T. Edward) A list of the Zoophytes found on the coast of Banffshire. Reviews.-The BeeKeeper's Manual; Labels for the British Star Fishes. Miscellaneous Notices.Heronries; a White Blackbird and a White Thrush; Note on the Wokhab; Sea Swallows; Cuckoo attending to its own Young; Thrushes and Starlings feeding upon the backs of Sheep

No. 57. November. (John S. Stone) Notes on the Rook (Corv frugillgus). (William Kidd) Domestic Pets: the common Squirrel (J. O. Harper) On the Anatomy of the Crested Cariama. (G. Stockley) Notice of the species of Carabus occurring around London. (O. S. Round) Characteristics of common birds. The propagation of Hardy Trees and Shrubs, continued from 17, Vol. IV. Order XXI. Aquifoliacea. (George R. Twin) A contrast. Lyster) Summary of the weather for April and May, 1855. Rəview-Introductory Textbook to Geology. Retrospect. Miscellaneous Notices.-Occurrence of the Bee-eater in the Isle of Wight; Disappearance of Choughs from the Isle of Wight; Additions to the Ornithology of Sussex.

No. 58. December.-(J. Longmuir, Jun.) Occurrence of the Esquimaux Curlew (Numenius borealis) in Scotland. (H. Smurthwaite) Notes on the gray shrike, the dipper, and the chough. (W. Bridger) Notes from a bird-nesting expedition to the south of Holland. (W.) Contributions to a list of the cryptogamous Flora of Banffshire. (J. S. Walker) Down the River. (A. Lucas) Diurnal Lepidoptera found in the neighbourhood of Luton Beds. Reviews.-The Natural History of the Tineina. The Natural History Review. Miscellaneous NoTICES.-The Crystal Palace; Robins; Song of the autumn Robin; Picus major; Crossbill; Variety of the Pink underwing; Callimorpha Hero; Retrospect; Querist; Title-page and Index to Vol. V. 1855.