the inmate speedily become insensible. Afterwards the coup de grace may be given to the insect by pricking it under the thorax with the nib of a steel pen dipped in a saturated solution of oxalic acid. If we are smokers, a puff of tobacco may be blown into the box with like result. If we we are destitute of any apparatus, and brimstone lucifers for the purpose of suffocating our captures under an inverted tumbler cannot be obtained at some roadside inn, we must fall back on the barbarous practice of pinching the thoraces of such as cannot be carried home in boxes. At home we shall find the laurel-jar and ammoniabottle the most useful. The former is made by partially filling a large wide-mouthed bottle or jar with cut and bruised dry leaves of young laurel: if any dampness hang about them, we shall have the mortification of seeing our specimens become mildewed. The latter consists in adding a few lumps of carbonate of ammonia, or some drops of strong liquid ammonia, on a sponge, to the bottle in which our captures, with each box lid slightly opened, have been placed. But it must be borne well in mind, firstly, that ammonia is injurious to colours of most green insects; and secondly, that if the specimens be not well aired after having been thus killed, the pins with which they are transfixed will become brittle and break. Insects should be left in the ammonia for several hours, and are then in the most delightful condition for setting out.

To pin an insect properly is a most important procedure. The moth, if of moderate dimensions, may be rested or held between the thumb and forefinger of the left hand, while the corresponding

a

Fig. 85. Front View of properly pinned insect.

digits of the right hand operate by steadily pushing a pin through the thorax, bringing it out between the hind pair of coxæ until sufficient of the pin is exposed beneath to steady the insect in the cabinet.

b

fig. 85, a; but a lateral view should show the pin slightly slanting forwards, as in fig. 86, b. Pins made for the purpose in numerous sizes are sold by Mr. Cooke, of New Oxford Street.

Setting out moths and butterflies is an operation which, if skilfully performed, adds much to the beauty of the future specimens. The method of setting most popular is carried out by means of saddles and braces. These so-called saddles are pieces of cork rounded as in the sectional figure, a

Fig. 87. Cork Saddle for setting out insects.

groove being cut out for the reception of the bodies of the insects: they are generally strengthened by a strip of wood, upon which they are glued. Braces are wedge-shaped pieces of card or thick notepaper, the thick end strengthened, if necessary, with a disk of card fixed by shoemaker's paste, and pierced with a pin through it, as shown in fig. 88.

Fig. 88. Braces for setting out.

The mode of application of these appliances is beautifully shown in fig. 90.* But before these straps can be applied, the wings must first be got into position by means of the setting-needle and setting-bristle, which are thus manipulated; the setting-bristle, by the way, being formed by fixing a cat's whisker and a pin into a piece of cork, at the angle shown in fig. 89-After the

Fig. 86. Side View of ditto.

The direction of the pin should be perpendicular when the insect is viewed from the front, as in

Fig. 89. Pin, Bristle, &c., for setting out. insect is straightly pinned upon the saddle, and the legs, antennæ, and, if necessary, the tongue, got into position, the left fore-wing is to be pushed or

* This figure and the following have been kindly lent by Messrs. Reeve & Co.

tilted into its place by means of the setting-needle, which is merely a darning-needle with a handle; and simultaneously it is to be held down by the bristle; then a small brace should be applied to the costa of the fore-wing. Next the hind-wing should in like manner be adjusted, and as many braces as are considered necessary to keep the wings in this place should be added. Lastly, the right side of the insect should be treated in a similar way.

Fig. 90. Moth set out on cork saddle.

A very useful mode of setting, invaluable when we are destitute of saddles, is known as "fourstrap" setting, and is well explained in fig. 91.

Fig. 91. Four-strap setting.

In this case the lower straps are first put into such a position, that when the insect is placed over them, the middle of each of the cost will

whether mity or not, to quarantine, by which is meant their detention for a few weeks in a box the atmosphere of which is impregnated with some vapour destructive to insect life; such as that of benzole. Our own specimens we should kyanize by touching the bodies of each with a camel's-hair brush dipped in a solution of bichloride of mercury of the strength six grains to the ounce of spirits of wine, no stronger.

As for mould, it is best destroyed by the application of phænic or carbolic acid, mixed with three parts of ether or spirit. As preventives, the specimens should be kyanized as above. Caution in the use of laurel as a killing agent must be exercised, and the collection must be kept in a dry

room.

Grease may be removed by soaking the insects in pure rectified naphtha or benzole, even by boiling them in it if necessary. When the bodies only are greasy, they may be broken off, numbered, and treated as above. After the grease is thoroughly softened, the insects should be covered up in powdered pipeclay or French chalk, which may be subsequently removed by means of a small sable brush. As a precaution against grease, it is advisable to remove the contents of the abdomina by slitting up the latter beneath with a finely-pointed pair of scissors before they are thorough-dry, and packing the cavities with cotton-wool. The males, especially of such species as have internal feeding larvæ, should be thus treated.

Some prefer to keep their collections in wellmade store-boxes, which possess many advantages over the cabinet; for example, they may be kept like books in a bookcase, the upright position rendering the contents less liable to the attacks of mites; they are more readily referred to, and are more portable, and they admit of our gradually ex

tion, and the second pair of straps are applied over the wings, the latter retaining their position through the elasticity of their costæ: two more straps are generally added to secure the outer borders of the wings, as shown in the drawing; but these, though advantageous, are not absolutely necessary. The saddles, with their contents, should be kept in a drying-house, which is a box adapted for their reception, and freely ventilated, until the specimens are thoroughly dry, when the latter may be cautiously removed, and transferred to the collection.

To preserve our collection from decay, considerable care and attention is necessary. In the first

the other hand, are preferred by many, for the reasons that they are compact and generally form a handsome article of furniture; moreover, good cabinets are made entirely of mahogany, which is the best wood for the purpose; deal, and other woods containing resinous matter, having a decidedly injurious effect on the specimens. As a preservative, there is, after all, perhaps nothing better than camphor; but it should be used sparingly, or its tendency will be to cause greasiness of the specimens.

ART IN ITS RELATION TO NATURAL SCIENCE.

pected of being affected by mites, or mould, or grease, should upon any account be admitted to our collections. It is best to be on the safe side and submit every insect received from correspondents,

not hitherto been introduced into SCIENCEGOSSIP, but, on reflection, it appears that the fine arts would be advanced by the application of science to them. Anatomy, perspective, the

geological structure of rocks, the principles on which water finds its level and also is conformable to the rotundity of the earth, natural history, and especially botany, are needful for the accomplishment of artists in their several departments. In fact, truth, which science asserts, is the soul of painting and poetry alike; and no real and substantial feeling of grace or beauty, in any of her forms, can be divorced from it.

We shall, therefore, consider it to be strictly within the province of SCIENCE-GOSSIP to endeavour to eliminate from every branch of art the enormities which have been perpetrated under her guise, such as horses galloping with their four legs distended like rocking-horses, flowers and plants mere apologies for their originals, &c.

In commencing the application of science to works of art, we propose to deal very gently with those exhibited this year at the Royal Academy, and to do little more than indicate some marked errors. No. 25, by Sir E. Landseer, R.A., is a charming but rather sketchy portrait of Lady Emily Peel, seated, with her dogs, deservedly favourites, courting her notice on either side. The artist has paid little attention to the flowers at her feet, as little apparently as the dog which in its haste to reach its mistress has upset the vase which contained them. This is a pretty episode; but it is vain for Sir Edwin to divert our attention from the flowers by the charming portraiture of the lady. Nature seems to assert her rights and to claim for her flowers a fair delineation, not as photographs, nor as principals in the picture, but such as is truthful and pleasing, and not to leave it necessary to ask what they are intended for. No. 223, "Hearts are Trumps: Portraits of Elizabeth, Diana, and Mary, Daughters of Walter Armstrong, Esq.," J. E. Millais, R.A. This gorgeous painting, perhaps the best that the artist has ever produced, is entirely free from the defects of No. 25. The exquisite flowers on the one side are most artistically set off by the screen on the other, under which the ladies are seated at their game of cards. As they are portraits, they do not admit of the criticism which would attach to one of them at least, who holds the king of hearts, but does not seem to be delighted, scarcely contented, with her good luck.

The sister, who holds the fewest hearts, appears the most contented. Had the subject been ideal, it would have been open to criticism on this score; but, as it is, it is difficult to find fault with it, and we anticipate that it will be one of the chief attractions in the exhibition. No. 6, "In the Valley of Rocks, North Devon," T. G. Cooper. We have much pleaure in singling this out among many as a faithful representation of the geological structure of the rocks, at the same time that the artist proves that he is alive to the sentimental by his placing the right hand of the shepherdess upon the

neck of a lamb, and a nosegay of wild flowers in her left. No. 130, "Passing Clouds, near Capel Carig, North Wales," B. W. Leader. For the same reason we call attention to this picture as very beautiful, and geologically correct, and we repeat our conviction, that the more closely and scientifically the geological features are represented, the greater will be the pictorial charm. Time will not allow me to specify the many excellent pictures in which the rules of science may be said to be faithfully carried out. I will only mention the "Yew-trees of Borrowdale," by E. A. Pettitt, a most effective painting, but in which the natural colours are slightly departed from. No. 658, "My Punishment is greater than I can bear," G. F. Watts, R.A. The anatomical correctness of this gigantic work is, perhaps, open to censure, and we do not regret that it is deposited in the Academy, where it will be out of sight

A FEW OBSERVATIONS ON THE SMOOTH

NEWT.

(Lissotriton punctatus.)

ON the 29th of May last (1871) I obtained a

female Smooth Newt (Lissotriton punctatus), and observing it to be big-bellied, conjectured that it had not yet laid its eggs. In this I was not mis taken, but, notwithstanding my close attention, was unable to discover it in the act of depositing them. This, probably, was owing to my ignorance of the manner in which they were deposited, my idea being that they were laid in some such manner as those of the frog or toad-viz., in spawn. The way in which they are deposited, and their further development into the tadpole phase of their existence, form the subject of this short paper.

On receiving the Newt it was put into a large rectangular aquarium, containing about three gallons of water, and having in its centre a piece of artificial rockwork in the form of an arch. Disposed throughout were a number of plants of Vallisneria spiralis, Callitriche verna, and C. autumnalis; also some water-moss upon the rockwork and at its base. I frequently observed the Newt among the plants, but nothing else being noticed, I began to think I had been mistaken in my supposition of its being an impregnated female; and it was not until the 17th of June that anything transpired to confirm my first impression. On the afternoon of that day, however, while watching the aquarium, which, besides the Newt, contained a few minnows, loaches, and a large number of frog-tadpoles, my eye caught something darting about, scarcely visible but for the bright golden eyes which ever and anon glanced like gems, as the colourless sprite darted hither and thither. It must ultimately have fallen a victim to some of the fish, as I shortly after lost sight of it,

never again to see it; or, indeed, any other in this aquarium. Subsequent experience proved that the minute newt-tadpole was included in the frogtadpole's bill of fare, which, by the way, is very comprehensive, a disabled member of its own community not being objected to. The aquarium had a few days previously been cleaned out, the plants thinned, and a few sprigs of Callitriche verna, which had some of their leaves folded down, and kept in that position, I had placed in a small bottle with water. On looking at them I found the leaves a little separated, and within the enfoldure

Fig. 92. Callitriche verna, with leaves containing ora of Newt.

something resembling a small caterpillar snugly coiled up in its cocoon. Suspecting what they really were, I kept a close watch on their development, and was not disappointed, as they proved to be the young of the Newt, and were curious and interesting objects for study. The following is my diary of observation :

consisting of several points directed outward and backward, and so transparent as barely to be visible. From the same point, along the centre of the back, ran a fin, more transparent still-so transparent as to be invisible, except in certain lights, and with the aid of a magnifying-glass. Development of Germ.—It was inclosed in a globular jelly-like substance, which expanded at its growth;

June 12 (11 a.m.).-One of the germs, which I suppose to be those of the Smooth Newt, was hatched. It was about three-eighths of an inch long; head obtuse, rounded; eyes large and brilliant, black, with bright golden irides; colour of body, pale yellow or amber; two dark-coloured streaks, commencing on head, and combining at the point where the tail commences, were continued to its end, which was as fine as a needle's point. Underneath was a dark streak, formed, I think, by the intestines; behind the head, on either side, was a delicate fringe the branchia (breathing organs),

the two halves of the leaf separating at the same time, and showing the tadpole neatly coiled up, with its head and tail in close proximity. From the position and appearance of the eggs, I should suppose them to be covered outwardly with a glutinous substance, which, when the egg was laid in the fold of the leaf, and the halves compressed, adhered to them, thus keeping the leaf in that position. As the tadpole increased in size, however, it required more space, and with its growth the two portions of the leaf separated, thus allowing the water a freer access to the egg, and determining its shape, which appeared to be that of a perfect sphere. The furthest developed one was, in its outer part, the half of a perfect sphere; while the inner half, still in the double of the leaf, was compressed and elongated, giving to the whole egg a pear-shape. See fig. 93, a, &c.

June 23. The tadpole occasionally changed its position in the egg; the head and tail, however, always keeping in same position, near together. After twice rapidly changing its position in the egg, the head of the tadpole burst the envelope, and, after a few moments' rest, it dropped slowly out, and resting with its head between a leaf and the side of the bottle, was in a most favourable posture for observation. I could now see the branchiæ and fin with the unassisted eye, and found that, in addition to the back-fin, another ran along the under-side of the tail from the vent. After remaining in this position for a few minutes, it darted away stickleback-like. Immediately after its coming out, the egg collapsed, and on examina

tion I found it to consist of a transparent substance, much resembling gelatine, and no larger (when out of the water) than an ordinary-sized pin's-head; thus favouring the opinion of its expansion by the absorbing of water during the development of the germ.

June 24.-Those hatched lay quietly at the bottom of the water, rarely moving unless disturbed. Two more developed, both occasionally moved, the movement being a turning of the body half, or more than half, round in the egg; it, however, was so quick as to elude defining. June 28.-All the eggs now hatched. July 2.-All the young got fore-feet, which were very pale and transparent, so much so, indeed, as barely to be visible. The largest was nearly half an inch long, the shortest three-eighths ditto. July 5.-All the young nearly of the same size. The head, legs, feet, and branchia were all covered with minute dark-coloured dots; those on the head brown, as were also the two streaks, which, running the whole length of the body, then combined and continued in one to the end of the tail. These were, as I afterwards found, composed of a multitude of these minute dots. The head was large, and branchiæ more developed; the legs longer, and toes long in proportion, the middle one (only three visible) being much the longest, and almost equal in length to the rest of the leg; the whole not exceeding 2-12ths of an inch. The germs had the power of bending the body to either side, and also of elevating the posterior part. When they moved, they did so by quick, short starts forward. July 11.-No observable change. July 18. -A little larger, and tail-fin spotted, or rather dotted. July 21.-The young were kept in a vessel amongst decaying vegetable matter, which fostered a growth of Confervæ, amongst which the tadpoles became entangled. On disengaging them they were still living, but died shortly after; thus bringing my interesting observations to a close. In closing I may add, that during the whole period from their discovery both eggs and tadpoles were kept out of doors in the open air. Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

THE

NEW BOOKS.*

C. R. E.

HERE are few greater luxuries to a literary naturalist than that of cutting the leaves of such a splendid volume as that which heads our list. The paper-knife would fain linger long over its work, and drops listlessly out of the hand when the last page has been severed! To a student this work is

"Corals and Coral Islands." By James D. Dana, LL.D. London: Sampson Low & Co. 1872.

"Botany for Beginners." By Maxwell T. Masters, M.D., F.R.S. London: Bradbury, Evans, & Co. 1872. "May Flowers." By the Rev. James Harris, M.A. London: Griffith & Farran. 1872.

indeed a treasure. On no subject in marine zoology have more mistakes been made than in the natural history of Corals. For years past some of the best naturalists in all countries have been working on them. Milne-Edwards, Haines, Darwin, Duncan Dana, Agassiz, Pourtales, and others have contr buted memoirs. Our fossil corals have been better illustrated than our recent, as witness the magnificent volumes of the Palæontographical Society. No other class of marine objects throws such light over past history, over the temperature and other physical conditions of primeval seas, as corals. With Darwin's wonderful generalizations before us, out of the fossil corals of our Silurian and carboniferous limestone hills it becomes tolerably easy to describe the physical geography of the seas in which those limestones were deposited. And yet, with all the importance attached to corals, and in spite of all that has been written about them, as well as the erroneous notion abroad concerning these interesting organisms, we have had hitherto no manual specially devoted to their consideration. The student has been forced to wade toilsomely through the scientific memoirs of his own and other tongues, if haply he might find what he sought after. Hence it is that we hail this volume as a boon to the student; as a splendid manual on coral-zoology, finely illustrated, and written by a man who perhaps knows more about the practical natural history and literature of the subject than any other philosopher.

Professor Dana's work enters minutely into the relations between the Hydroids, Bryozoans, &c., and Corals the non-coral-making actinoid Polyps, as well as the coral-making—that is, between the seaanemones which deposit no lime, and the coral animals which do. The chapter on "Life and Death in concurrent Progress in Coral Zoophytes" is deeply interesting, and we should gladly transcribe it for our readers, did space permit. Perhaps the most interesting part of the work, however, is that which treats on Reef-forming Corals, and the causes which influence their growth and distribution in latitude, depth, &c.. The principal coral reefs and islands throughout the globe are particularized, the author having personally visited the most important. The formation, rate of growth, and origin of coral reefs, are elaborately treated on at considerable length. We have said enough, however, to indicate to the student a valuable work, one that will help the zoologist nearly as much as the geologist. We proceed to quote a few paragraphs relative to the mode in which the genera of some of the commonest compound corals grow to their mature sizes. Speaking on this important subject, Prof. Dana says:-"When the budding is not confined to any particular polyp or cluster of polyps, but takes place universally through the growing mass, the coral formed is more or less nearly hemi