Page:Hardwicke's Science-Gossip - Volume 1.pdf/255

Cat-Briar, in reply to H. G., Bangalore, is Smilax rotundifolia, L., nat. ord. Smilaceæ. A description of the plant may be found in Gray's "Botany of the North United States."—M. H. L.

Guano.—J. H. W. desires to know where guano may be obtained. There are guano depôts in nearly all the large towns in the kingdom, and any agent for the sale of guano will give or sell a microscopist a pound or two at any time. If the guano be pure, it will contain Heliopelta and Arachnoidiscus in abundance.—T. P. Barkas.

Spider and Wasp.—I saw to-day a wasp struggling with a small spider on the ground; they were spinning round and round, each striving for the mastery, but the long legs of the spider being wrapped over the wasp, prevented the latter from using its wings. At last, however, the wasp succeeded in cutting off two or three legs, and then it flew off with the body.—Henry Ullyett, High Wycombe.

Growing Ferns.—When ferns are grown in pots, do earth-worms do good or harm? If harm, can they be got rid of without disturbing the plants, and how?—J. B. L.

Names of Sea-birds.—In answer to H. G., Bangalore, India, page 214, the Stink-pot of sailors is the Black Fetrel (Procellaria æquinoctialis, L.); the Cape Hen is the Sooty Albatross (Diomedea fuliginosa); and the Whale-bird is the Broad-billed Prion (Prion vittatus). The Parson-bird and the Ice-bird I do not know. I may, perhaps, be allowed to add, that H. G. will find further information about these birds in the number of the Ibis for last July.—F. W. Hutton.

An Aquarium Difficulty.—In my fresh-water aquarium several small worms wave about just above the pebbles, and cast up the sand from below, thereby thickening the water. No doubt I could get rid of them by putting a fish in the aquarium; but this would eat other small insects which I do not wish eradicated. Perhaps some of your readers can help me?—C. A. J.

Exudation of Cedar-wood.—If C. W. W. will wash the eggs with soda and hot water, I think be will find it will cleanse them of the exudation of cedar-wood.—H. B. Preston.

Wardian Cases.—Do fern-cases require air, and what is the best soil for farms in cases?—George Norris.

Infusorial Earth.—I think that infusorial earths are not to be purchased; at all events I have tried for years to buy some, and failed; but if your correspondent lives in town, and likes to call on me with a few slides, I will provide him with what specimens I have by me. I keep some in a moist state.—F. White, 1, New Road East.

Worms.—I think Mr. W. Bowen Davis is right in his idea. The earth-wore eats on the surface of the ground some of the softer parts of decaying vegetable matter, and then drags the woody fibres, such as the stalks of leaves, &c. &c., under ground to fertilize the soil.—H. Watney.

Madrepores.—Is there any work published on "Madrepores," whereby some knowledge of them could be obtained?—B. T. S.

House Ants.—Can any of your readers inform me how I can get rid of ants (a very small light-brown kind, not the garden, species) which are infesting my house in the plaster of the walls? They come out of every tiny crack, and crawl in numbers over the kitchen ceiling and walls. We have tried, but in vain, to rid ourselves of this nuisance, and I should feel greatly indebted to any one who can suggest a remedy.—M. S.

Sea-Anemones.—My friend Mr. W. A. Lloyd asks in his interesting article on Sea-Anemones, "Has any one ever seen a very small specimen of Sagartia parasitica or of Tealia crassicornis?" I have obtained many parasitica from the fishing-lines at Cullercoats, near the month of the Tyne, but never saw one that was not at least one and a half inch in height when fully expanded. T. cressi cornis are very abundant on the Northumberland and Durham coasts; and from Sunderland to Alnmouth there are tens of thousands of them. I have never seen young "crass" produced, as is so frequently the case with the Mesembryanthemum, and the smallest specimens of crassicornis I ever saw had bases about the size of a threepenny piece. Are they produced by ejection or by fission? On the Northumberland coast we have in the littoral zone, the following anemones:—Crassicornis, Mesembryanthemum, Troglodytes, and buff, grey, and white Dianthus. Off the coast, at a depth of from forty to sixty fathoms, we have Crassicornis various, Dianthus various, Parasitica, Stomphia, Churchiæ, and Bolocera Tuediæ. Bellis, rosea, gemmacea, venusta, nivea, and other well-known south-country species, are not to be found in these northern regions.—T. P. Barkas.

Book Wanted on Conservatories.—A. H. would be glad to know of a book which will give instructions for keeping a conservatory in the Lease filled with flowers in bloom all the year. She has the "Greenhouse Manual for the Many;" but that names such a few flowers.

British Woods.—Can any reader inform me where can obtain a complete list of British woods?—B. T. S.

[In Jury Reports of the Exhibition of 1851, page 104, is a very good catalogue.—Ed.]

Has H. Papilionaria been generally abundant this year I have taken thirteen, for the most part beautiful specimens. A friend also took several; nearly all were seated on the grass, under birch trees, having just emerged from the pupa. I have a few duplicates, and shall be happy to receive offers of exchange.—Rev. G. Norris, Wood Dalling, Reepham.

Mosquitoes in England.—I notice the following in to-day's Shipping Gazette:—"A correspondent of a Portsmouth paper states that mosquitoes, of a true West Indian type, have made their appearance at Woolstone, in Hants. A young lady there has been stung by them in the arms, which swelled up to an immense size in consequence."—Query—from the great heat, or what?—James Charles Arrow.

Anatomatizing Leaves.—I think hydrochloric acid is preferable to chloride of lime.—W. Gibson.

A Fine Trout.—Some years ago a relation of mine caught a trout weighing 21½ lb. at Christchurch, Hants.—E. W.