ARTICLE X.-The New Spectrum discoveries.*

We give in this number a series of illustrations of the spectra of flames, in which salts of Potassium, Sodium, Lithium, Stron tium, Calcium, Barium, and Cæsium are volatilized, with the solar spectrum for the sake of comparison.

Fig. 1 represents the solar spectrum, with the most remarkable of Fraunhofer's lines indicated by transverse bars.

:

Fig. 2 is the potassium spectrum, nearly continuous between Fraunhofer's lines G and D, but showing beyond these limits, two characteristic lines, one named Ka, correspondent to the dark line A, at the red extremity of the solar spectrum, and one Kß, near the remote extremity of the spectrum, and coincident with another of Fraunhofer's lines. A third line, less distinct, and therefore less valuable for purposes of analysis, coincides with the solar line B.

The sodium spectrum is seen in Fig. 3, and is eminently characteristic. It is distinguished by a single brilliant yellow line Na, and coincident with the dark solar line D.

Fig. 4 exhibits the peculiarities of the lithium spectrum. It shows an intensely brilliant crimson line Li a, and one less distinct orange line Li ß.

The strontium spectrum (Fig. 5), is more complex ; out of eight remarkable lines, six red, one orange, and one blue, four may be particularized, the orange line Sr a, the two red lines Sr B, and Sry, and the splendid blue line Sr d.

The spectrum represented in Fig. 6 is that of calcium, presenting two characteristic lines, the bright green line Ca ß, and the intense orange line Ca a.

Of all these spectra, that of barium, represented in Fig. 7, is the most complicated. Three green lines, Ba a, Ba ẞ, Ba y, are most to be relied on for the determination of this spectrum.

The new metal cæsium, the spectrum of which is represented by Figure 8, was discovered by Bunsen from the appearance of the two blue lines Ca a and Ca ẞ, in the spectrum produced when the residue from the evaporation of the mineral waters of Baden and of Dürkheim was iguited..

Bunsen afterwards announced the discovery of another of new metal, which he names rubidium, and which he detected in a similar manner in the residues of the same mineral waters, by

* See page 224 of the last volume of Canadian Naturalist.

† Reduced from the London Review.

CAN. NAT.

9

VOL. VII.

the appearance of two red lines beyond the visible red of the solar spectrum. These new metals have since been found widely distributed but in very small proportions. Mr. Grandeau, by the evaporation of several thousand litres of the waters of Vichy, collected about two grammes of the double chloride of platinum and cæsium, and a still smaller proportion of the same salt of rubidium. A larger amount of both these metals is present in the waters of Bourbonne-les-Bains, and the same chimist has found them in different specimens of lepidolite, in the refuse of saltpetre manufactories, and elsewhere.

S. P. R.

ARTICLE XI.-List of Diurnal Lepidoptera collected (unless otherwise specified) in the immediate vicinity of London, C. W. By W. Saunders.

(Read before the Natural History Society.)

In naming these insects, preference has been given to the family names in the Smithsonian Catalogue, as being the most reliable and easily accessible authority, but where long usage has popularized certain family names they will be found enclosed in brackets. Papilio turnus, Linn. Not uncommon.

"

"l troilus, Linn.-Common.

Philenor, Linn.-From Rev. Chas. J. S. Bethune, Cobourg. This fine insect taken in such numbers at West Flamboro' by Mr. B. in June 1858, See Canadian Naturalist for August 1858, is not uncommon about Toronto, and has also been taken near Woodstock.

"Asterias, Fab.-Common everywhere.

"Thoas,

Linn. This splendid butterfly, usually considered peculiarly southern, has been taken in Canada by the Rev. Dr. Sands, of Chatham, C. W. Several years since he 'captured three specimens on the Mersey, one of which is now in possession of the Lord Bishop of Huron. The Rev. Dr. states that they are not uncommon in that locality, and that they are found through several townships.* He has repeatedly seen specimens on the wing, since the captures above alluded to were made. Although I have no Canadian specimen of P. Thoas the fact of its undoubted occurrence in Canada is a matter of too much interest to entomologists to allow it to continue unnoticed.

* P. thoas has also been seen on the wing near Port Stanley, by a resident collector, but the insect being exceedingly difficult to capture, he has never succeeded in taking one.

Pieris Protodice. Boisd.-Common some seasons. Very plentiful last

summer.

oleracea, Harris.-Rather scarce around London, but generally common throughout this part of the province.

Terias Lisa, Boisd. One specimen taken at Port Stanley last August, where it was rare. Mr. T. Reynolds, has sent me a pair

from Hamilton, where it appears to be more common.

Danais Archippus, Fab.-Common everywhere.

Argynnis Cybele, Godt.-Usually abundant.

"L Myrina, Cram.-Common in wet places.

Bellona, Godt.-Common in wet places.
Aphrodite, Godt.-Usually common. Concerning the identity
of this species with A. Cybele there exists much diversity
of opinion. Boisduval states that the difference between
them is merely sexual, while other writers regard them
as distinct species. They are both undoubtedly subject
to considerable variation, and they incline to run into
each other, but the larvæ must be made a further sub-
ject of study before the opinions of either side can be
fully established. In the meantime I must confess I am
inclined to look upon them aş distinct.

Melitaa Phaton, Cram.-Of this butterfly I have only one specimen, which was taken by a friend last summer at Hall's mills, about seven miles from London. At the time it was captured they were tolerably common in that locality but upon visiting the spot a week or two after not one could be found.

ismeria, Boisd. et Leconte.-Not uncommon, although chiefly confined to one or two favorite spots.

Tharos, Cram.-Abundant.

Grapta (Vanessa) interrogationis, Godt.-Common in the neighborhood of

Vanessa J-album,-Boisd. et Leconte.-Generally common, but much

scarcer than usual for the last one or two years.

"L Milberti, Encyc.-Usually abundant.

Progne, Cram.-Common.

"L Antiopa, Linn-Plentiful.

Pyrameis (Vanessa) Atalanta, Linn.-Common.

Inonia

cardui, Linn.-Usually abundant.

Huntera, Smith.-Common.

cania, Boisd. et Leconte.-Taken at Port Stanley, August 1861. See Canadian Journal for November 1861.

Nymphalis (Limenitis) Ursula, Fab.-Rare. Of this beautiful insect three specimens have been taken in this vicinity within the last two years. It has also occurred at Port Stanley where it has been somewhat more plentiful.

Nymphalis (Limenitis) Arthemis, Drury.--Not common.

disippus, Godt.-Common.

Neonympha eurythris, Fab.-Very common in wet places and on the bor

ders of swamps.

canthus, Linn.-Rare. Found usually in swamps.

Erebia nephele, Kirby.-Sent from St. Catherines by D. W. Beadle, Esq., where it is usually plentiful.

Thecla falacer, Godt.-Taken at Port Stanley in August 1861, when it was common in one locality not far from the town.

Thecla niphon, Boisd. et Leconte.-Rare.

66 mopsus, Boisd. et Leconte.-Not common.

These last two are

acadica, Edwards (new species).—Very rare.
new species which the collector has had the fortune to
discover. They were both taken within a mile of
London. Of T. laeta, which is a very handsome little crea-
ture, two specimens have been taken; of T. acadica only
one. They will probably be soon described by Mr. Ed-
wards who has named them.

Argus Pseudargiolus, Boisd. et Leconte.-Not common.

Polyommatus comyntas, Godt.-Taken at Port Stanley in August 1861, where it is common some seasons.

phleas, Godt.--Abundant everywhere.

thoe, Boisd. et Leconte.-Generally scarce.

Lycana Scudderi, Edwards.-This handsome little blue, recently described by W. H. Edwards, Esq., in the Journal of the Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, is very common in one locality near London. It extends from the cemetery to the Great Western Railway track, and along the line for about a quarter of a mile. Here early in June and again in August it may be taken in considerable numbers.

Goniloba (Eudamus) Tityrus, Smith.-Rare.

Nisoniades (Thanaos) Juvenalis, Smith.-Common.

Catullus, Smith.-Rare.

Brizo, Boisd. et Leconte:-Common.

Cyclopidas coras, Cram. (Hesperia otho. Boisd. et Leconte) Not common. Pamphila viatellius, Smith.-Common.

origenes, Fab. (Hesperia cernes. Boisd. et Leconte) Common. Zabulon, Boisd et Leconte.-Abundant.

"B Peckii, Kirby.-Common.

Hesperia bathyllus, Smith.-Not common.

The collector takes this opportunity of acknowledging his indebtedness to Mr. W. H. Edwards, Newburgh, N. Y. for kindly determining a number of the smaller butterflies.

ARTICLE. XII.-An account of the Botanical and Mineral products, useful to the Chipewyan tribes of Indians, inhabiting. the McKenzie River District. By BERNARD R. Ross,

H.B.C.S.

(Read before the Natural History Society of Montreal.)

A nation of hunters, paying no attention whatsoever to agriculture, can enjoy but few of the numerous benefits afforded by the vegetable kingdom to the human race in general. Such is the condition of the Chipewyan tribes of Indians. Though the benefits derived from the mighty forests which fill the Mackenzie valley, are but few to their denizens, they may be considered notwithstanding their fewness, to be of essential, indeed of vital importance to the existence of the aboriginal dwellers in these wilds; since without fuel to warm them, and without canoes to migrate, they would soon cease to exist.

From the vegetable kingdom are derived fuel, canoes, sleds, paddles, snow-shoes, baskets, dyes and food, besides other articles. which will be noticed hereafter. Two trees, the canoe birch (Betula papyracea) and the white spruce (Abies alba) stand out, from their importance, in bold relief; but the larch and willow are used also, as well as several kinds of plants, which furnish medicines, dyes, and edible berries that are useful in periods of scarcity. Indeed in summer, a considerable portion of the ordinary food, as well as the luxuries of the natives, is drawn from this source.

According to the method adopted in my former paper on the zoological products, I shall pass the various uses of each species briefly in review :

The Canoe or Paper Birch (Betula papyracea).-The benefits which this valuable tree confers on the inhabitants of the McKenzie River District, are many and important. Its bark is used in the construction of canoes, and in the manufacture of various utensils for domestic use, such as drinking cups, dishes, and baskets. It also yields spunk or touchwood of the best quality. Of its wood, platters, axe-helves, paddles, snow-shoe-frames, dog-sleds and other articles are made, and as it is a strong and durable material, of close grain, and susceptible of receiving a tolerable polish, the white residents avail themselves of it for the construction of furniture. In spring, the sap forms a pleasant drink, from which a syrup can be manufactured by boiling, and which may be further transformed, by fermentation, into an agreeably flavoured wine of considerable potency. Beyond the arctic circle, the birch is rare