to return to the place whence it was taken, it must needs make haste back." I wish to contribute an anecdote of which the hero did not make haste back, and which seems to me to confirm rather the theory already suggested in this correspon ience, namely, of a sense of polarity or orientation possessed by so many of the lower animals both domesticated and wild. Last summer I was at North Bridgewater, Mass., a shoe-making town about twenty miles south of Boston. At the railroad station I remarked an intelligent dog, whose owner told me, with a good deal of feeling, that he had sold the animal some time previously to be taken to Somerville-a suburb adjoining Boston on the north-west, therefore distant from North Bridgewater at least twenty miles. The dog was carried thither in a closed box-car, probably making a change at Boston, where the railroad ter. minates. For some two or three weeks the dog made himself at home in his new premises as if perfectly contented, when suddenly he disappeared, and turned up again not at North Bridgewater, the home of his former owner, but at Bridgewater, a mile or two farther south, where he had been raised, at the house of that owner's father; evidently not meaning to be sold again. I am not sure that it is quite germane to this discussion to call attention to the fact pointed out by the late George Catlin in his "Life amongst the Indians" (p. 96), "that the wild horse, the deer, the elk, and other animals, never run in a straight line: they always make a curve in their running, and generally (but not always) to the left." "I never have forgotten one of the first lessons that I had from my dear friend Darrow, in deer-stalking in the forest. 'George,' said he, 'when a deer gets up, if the ground is level, never follow him, but turn to the left, and you will be sure to meet him; he always runs in a curve, and when he stops he is always watching his back track.' But man 'bends his course ;' man, lost in the wilderness or on the prairies, travels in a curve, and always bends his curve to the left; why this?" Of the latter fact Mr. Ca lin gives an illustration drawn from his own experience, and adds: "On arriving at the Sioux village, and relating our singular adventure, the Indians a laughed at us very heartily, and all the chiefs united in assuring me that whenever a man is lost on the prairies he travels in a circle; and also that he invariably turns to the left; of which singular fact I have become doubly convinced by subsequent proofs similar to the one mentioned." New York, April 8 N. Y. THE UNITED STATES SIGNAL SERVICE 'HE United States Signal Service Bureau has rapidly risen to great and deserved importance. The chief officer, General Albert J. Meyer, is a physician by education, who, during the civil war, was placed at the head of the Signal Corps. In that position he rendered great service, and developed a remarkably complete system of signals. The service now consists of a school of instruction, a central office at Washington, and stations over the country at such points as will enable the observers to note accurately the varying conditions of temperature and the progress of storms. The school is at Fort Whipple, Virginia. "A principal duty of the school has been the drill and instruction of the Observer-Sergeants and the assistant observers for the signal service. In the preparation for these duties each man is required to enlist in the signal detachment at Fort Whipple as a private soldier, and to pass afterwards a preliminary educational examination before he is put under especial instruction. He is then given some knowledge of the theories of meteorology, and is taught the practical use of the various instruments, forms, &c., in vogue at the several stations of observation, while he is practised at the same time in his regular drills of the service. When considered competent he is ordered as an assistant observer to a station where, in addition to perfecting himself in the practical details of the duties at the station, he continues his studies, regularly under the Observer-Sergeant in charge. A service of six months in this capacity renders an assistant eligible as a candidate for promotion. He may then be ordered back to the school to review his studies, and to appear for his final examination before a board of officers appointed for the purpose. Passing this examination, he is promoted to the grade of observersergeant, and is considered competent to take charge of a station. This course has been followed successfully dur ing the past year, and each man's fitness has been clearly determined by this probationary service as assistant before his assignment to a more responsible position. The central office at Washington is in telegraphic communication with all the stations, and each night reports are received at 11 o'clock, P.M., and the results of the digest are telegraphed to all the principal cities in time for the daily morning papers. From a detailed report of the operations of each of the established stations it appears that during the year there have been issued and distributed at the different lake, sea-coast, and river ports, and in the inland cities a total number of bulletins, maps, &c., as follows: Total number of bulletins Total number of Press reports 187,617 203.533 50,873 The accuracy of the predictions of the Bureau as to the weather changes is stated in the report as follows:-" A comparison of the tri-daily forecasts, or probabilities,' as they have been styled, with the meteoric condition afterward reported, and, so far as known, has given an average of sixty-nine per cent., as verified up to November 1, 1871. Since that date to the present time (October 1, 1872) the average of verifications has been seventy-six and eighttenths per cent. If regard be had to those predictions verified, within a few hours after the time for which they were made, this percentage is considerably increased. In view of the deficiency of telegraphic facilities during the year, and the great irregularities of the working, it was not anticipated that these predictions, based as they are upon the tri-daily telegraphic reports, would increase in accuracy. Whatever success has been attained must be considered an indication of what success might be with well organised and full telegraphic facilities." The number of "cautionary" signals on the inland lakes and on the sea-coast, and their value are thus stated: "Three hundred and fifty-four cautionary signal orders have been issued during the year, each display of the cautionary sign l at any station being considered a separate order. This signal was announced as to be shown whenever the winds are expected to be as strong as 25 miles an hour, and continue so for several hours within a radius of 100 miles from the station. The percentage of the cautionary signals veritied by the occur rence within a few hours after the display of the winds described, either at the port at which the signal was exhibited, or within the radius of 100 miles from that port, is estimated to have been about 70 per cent. The instances of signals displayed, reports not verified, are those in which they have not been proven necessary at the sta tion where exhibited. The signal is wholly cautionary,' forewarning probable danger. It has been aimed to err on the side of caution. The delays such errors may cause are retrievable-the disasters of shipwreck are not. Since the 1st of July of the present year (1872) thirty-two cautionary signals, forewarning the approach of six different storms, have been displayed at different ports. Of these storms five were destructive, justifying the display of twenty-eight of the signals—one in advance of which four signals were displayed was not considered dangerous." The operations of the service have been considerably extended by co-operation of the Canadian authorities, and negotiations are in progress designed to furnish signal reports from the West India Islands, and even from Europe. rightly think that Melbourne, from its size and importance, ought to number among its attractions a good zoological collection. If they succeed in obtaining a sufficiently large number of subscribers, they intend, in the first instance, to form as complete a collection as possible of the fauna of Australia, and thereafter, when in a position to do so, to add those of other countries. The Government, we are glad to see, very liberally placed the sum of 1,000l. on the estimate for the past financial year. A considerable amount of success attended the operations of the society during the year previous to March last A number of pheasants of the silver (Phaseanus nycthemerus) and common (Phaseanus colchicus) varieties, had been reared, and were to be liberated in suitable places. Upwards of 150 guinea-fowl had been placed in various secluded spots, in forests far removed from settlement, where it is confidently hoped they will increase, and in a few years yield both food and sport. About 3,500 live trout, hatched at the society's establishment at the Royal Park, Melbourne, had, during the previous season, been placed in different streams. The deer which have been liberated in many parts of the colony are spreading and increasing rapidly, and the society possess a fine collection of six varieties in their grounds at the Royal Park. The valuable stock of Angora goats and the ostriches belonging to the society are thriving and increasing. Although the society is anxious to encourage and promote sericulture, they find it difficult to advance this industry in a really practical manner so as to be of benefit to the colony. Baron von Mueller has, however, as well as the society, supplied many parts of the colony with white mulberry plants, and when they come into bearing, silk growing will, they hope, become an important industry of the colony. On account of the services rendered to pisciculture by Sir Robert Officer and Mr. Morton Allpart, of Tasmania, the society have awarded to both these gentlemen their silver medal; their bronze medal has been awarded to Captain Babot, of the Hydrastes, for his enterprise in bringing out sea-turtle. In conclusion, the council are glad to state that the condition of the society is sound and prosperous, and they only require more liberal co-operation from the public to enable them to produce great results in the cause of acclimatisation. We sincerely hope the Australian public will see it to be to their own interest to respond liberally to the desire of the society for assistance in carrying out their benevolent work. The bulk of the volume is occupied by two papers. The first is a valuable monograph on the "Ichthyology of Australia," by Count F. de Castelnau, in which he gives an account of the different sorts obtainable in the Melbourne fish market: their number is 142. In the introduction the author speaks with great admiration of Dr. Günther's Catalogue of the Fishes in the British Museum, from which he has continually to quote; further on, he criticises that author's views on the distribution of fishes. He also thinks that the learned doctor is too severely condemnatory of the imperfections of his scientific comrades. The second paper is a list by Baron F. v. Mueller of Select plants readily eligible for Victorian industrial culture." deserves to be classed with the richest establishments of a similar kind in England, Germany, and Paris. For more than a year, it seems, the municipal administrators of Lyons have had it under consideration to form laboratories of physiology and experimental medicine, provided with all the most modern and most approved means of investigation. To settle the plan of such an institution, the muncipality nominated a Commission of scientific men, consisting of MM. Ollier, Perroud, and Tripier. This Commission has given in its report, and the following is the scheme it suggests with regard to the biological sciences alone : 1. A great central laboratory, equipped for the operations and observations which are required in the experimental study of the physiological and pathological phenomena of the animal economy. In it will be collected and methodically arranged all the instrumental apparatus commonly required for such observations and experiments, especially the registering apparatus. 2. A central hall or store-house of apparatus. This will be the depôt for apparatus and instruments not in daily use, and which are used only in certain circum 13. A library. 14. A hall for meetings and lectures. 15. Places for keeping animals. 16. A conservatory and enclosure for researches in vegetable physiology. 17. General offices, houses for the director and assistants, for fuel, water, &c. The personnel comprehends a director and his assistant, a librarian, who will also see to the publication of the works of the establishment, three assistants, one for operations and autopsies, the second for work in biological physics and chemistry, and the third for microscopic studies and work in experimen al zoology; finally workmen, laboratory at endants, concierge, groom, &c. These laboratories are intended for the study of all the branches of the biological sciences, from general and comparative physiology to experimental medicine, questions of hygiene and public health, diseases of animals (especially silkworms), and vegetable physiology. But, although specially intended as an institution for the biological sciences, the Commission has indicated that the programme would be rendered complete by adding a physico-chemical institute for the study of brute nature, so as to unite in the same establishment the whole body of modern experimental sciences. On March 7 the Maire of Lyons presented to the Municipal Council a report asking that the scheme be immediately proceeded with. The city of Lyons has presented the grounds of the ancient corn-market on the Quai St. Vincent. According to the plans and estimates of the city architect, the buildings will cost 900,000f., of which this year 330,000f. have been raised. Finally, for the biological sciences alone, a first annual budget of 30,000f. has been set aside. These figures speak for themselves, and need no comment. Possession Islands. From a sketch by Dr. Hooker, C B., F.R S. POSSESSION ISLANDS SEEING is believing. The fitness of Possession Islands for the residence of an observing party during a whole year may be best judged from the accom panying illustration, which is accurately copied from a sketch made by Dr. Hooker at the time a landing was effected. (See NATURE, vol. vii. p. 384.) This was in midsummer, and with an exceptionally calm sea. The spot where the crew landed is indicated by an underneath. A sketch of the place by Captain Davis is given at the beginning of chapter vii. in the first volume of Ross's Voyage. ON THE ORIGIN AND METAMORPHOSES OF IN the Coleoptera, the larvæ differ very much in form. The majority are elongated, active, hexapod, and more or less depressed; but those of the Weevils (Pl. 2, Fig. 6), of Scolytus, (Pl. 2, Fig. 4), &c., which are vegetable feeders, and live surrounded by their food, as, for instance, in grain, nuts, &c., are apod, white, fleshy grubs, not unlike those of bees and ants. The larvae of the Longicorns, which live inside trees, are long, soft, and fleshy, with six short legs. The Geodephaga, corresponding with the Linnean genera Cicindela and Carabus, have six-legged, slender, carnivorous larvæ ; those of Cicindela. which waylay their prey, being less active than the hunting larvæ of the Carabidæ. The Hydradephaga, or water-beetles (Dyticidæ and Gyrinidae) have long and narrow larvæ (Pl. 4, Fig. 6), with strong sickle-shaped jaws, short antennæ, four palpi, and six small eyes on each side of the head; they are very voracious. The larvae of the Staphylinidæ are by no means unlike the perfect insect, and are found in similar situations; their jaws are powerful, and their legs moderately strong. The larvæ of the Lamellicorn beetles (cockchafers, stag-beetles, &c.) feed either on vegetable or on dead animal matter. They are long, soft, fleshy, grubs, with the abdomen somewhat curved, and generally lie on their side. The larvæ of the Elateridæ, known as wireworms, are long and slender, with short legs. Those of the glowworm are not unlike the apterous female. The male glowworm, on the contrary, is very different. It has long, thin, brown wing-cases, and often flies into rooms at night, attracted by the light, which it probably mistakes for its mate. The metamorphoses of the Cantharidæ are very remarkable, and will be described subsequently. The larvæ are active and hexapod. The Phytophaga (Crioceris, Galeruca, Haltica, Chrysomea, &c.) are vegetable feeders, both as larvæ and in the perfect state. The larvæ are furnished with legs, and are not unlike the caterpillars of certain Lepidoptera. The larva of Coccinella (the Ladybird) is somewhat depressed, of an elongated ovate form, with a small head, and moderately strong legs. It feeds on Aphides. Thus, then, we see that there are among the Coleoptera many different forms of larvæ. Macleay considered that there were five principal types. 1. Carnivorous hexapod larvæ, with an elongated, more or less flattened body, six eyes on each side of the head, and sharp falciform mandibles (Carabus, Dyticus, &c.). 2. Herbivorous hexapod larvæ, with a fleshy, cylindrical body, somewhat curved, so that the animal lies on its side (Lucanus, Melolontha). 3. Apod grub-like larvæ, with scarcely the rudiments of antennæ (Curculio). 4. Hexapod antenniferous larvæ, with a subovate body, the second segment being somewhat larger than the others (Chrysomela, Coccinella). Continued from p. 446. the 5. Hexapod antenniferous larvæ, of oblong form, somewhat resembling the former, but with caudal appendages (Meloe, Sitaris). The pupa of the Coleoptera is quiescent, and parts of the future beetle are plainly perceivable, being incased in distinct sheaths; the head is applied against the breast; the antennæ lie along the sides of the thorax; the elytra and wings are short and folded at the sides of the body, meeting on the under side of the abdomen; the two anterior pairs of legs are entirely exposed, but the hind pair are covered by wing-cases, the extremity of the thigh only appearing beyond the sides of the body." In the next three orders, the Orthoptera (grasshoppers, locusts, crickets, walking-stick insects, cockroaches, &c.), Euplexoptera (earwigs), and Thysanoptera, a small group of insects well known to gardeners under the name of Thrips, the larvæ when they quit the egg (Pl. 1 and 2, Figs. 1 and 2) already much resemble the mature form, differing in fact principally in the absence of wings, which are more or less gradually acquired, as the insect increases in size. They are active throughout life. Those specimens which have rudimentary wings are, however, usually called pupæ. The Neuroptera present, perhaps, more differences in the character of their metamorphoses than any other order of insects. The larvæ are generally active, hexapod, little creatures, and do not differ in appearance so much as those, for instance, of the Coleoptera, but the essential difference is in the pupae; some groups, as, for instance, the Psocidæ, Termitida, Libellulidæ, Ephemeridæ, and Perlidæ, remaining active throughout life, like the Orthoptera ; while a second division, including the Myrmeleonidæ, Hemerobiidæ, Sialidæ, Panorpidæ, Raphidiidæ, and Mantispidæ, have quiescent pupa, which, however, in some cases, acquire more or less power of locomotion shortly before they assume the mature state; thus, the pupa of Raphidia, though motionless at first, at length acquires strength enough to walk, while still enclosed in the pupa skin, which is very thin.† reference to the true nature of these different classes of individuals. M. Lespés, moreover, who has recently studied the same species, describes a second kind of male and a second kind of female. The subject, indeed, is one which offers a most promising field for future study. Another interesting family of Neuroptera is that of the Ephemeræ, or mayflies (Pl. 3, Fig. 1), so well known to fishermen. The larvæ (Pl. 4, Fig. 1) are semi-transparent, active, six-legged little creatures, which live in water, and having at first no gills, respire through the general surface of the body. They grow rapidly and change their 9 One of the most remarkable families belonging to this order is that of the Termites, or white ants. They abound in the tropics, where they are a perfect pest, and a serious impediment to human development. Their colonies are extremely numerous, and they attack woodwork and furniture of all kinds, generally working from within, so that their presence is often unsuspected, until it is suddenly found that they have completely eaten away the interior of some post or table, leaving nothing but a thin outer shell. Their nests, which are made of earth, are sometimes ten or twelve feet high, and strong enough to bear a man. One species, Termes lucifugus, is found in the South of France, where it has been carefully studied by Latreille. He found in these communities five kinds of individuals-(1) males; (2) females, which grow to a very large size, their bodies being distended with eggs, of which they sometimes lay as many as 80,000 in a day; (3) a kind described by some observers as Pupæ, but by others as neuters. These differ very much from the rest, having a long, soft body without wings, but with an immense head, and very large, strong jaws. These individuals act as soldiers, doing apparently no work, but keeping watch over the nest and attacking intruders with great boldness. (4) PL. Apterous, eyeless individuals, somewhat resembling the winged ones, but with a larger and more rounded head; these constitute the greater part of the community, and like the workers of ants and bees, perform all the labour, skin every few days. After one or two moults they acquire building the nest and collecting food. (5) Latreille menseven pairs of branchiæ, or gills, which are in the form of tions another kind of individual which he regards as the When they are about half pupa, and which resembles the workers, but has four leaves, one pair to a segment. white tubercles on the back, where the wings will after-grown, the posterior angles of the two posterior thoracic wards make their appearance. There is still, however, segments begin to elongate. These elongations become much difference of opinion among entomologists, with the month of June, some years ago, I observed a full-grown more and more marked with every skin. One morning, in larva, which had a glistening appearance, owing to the pre * Westwood's Introduction, vol. i. p. 36. Ibid. vol. ii. p. 52. PLATE 4 4.-FIG. 1, Larva of Chloeon. 2, Larva of Meloe (a'ter Chapuis Candeze). sence of a film of air under the skin. I put it under the microscope, and then, having added a drop of water with a pipette I put the instrument down and looked through the glass. To my astonishment, the insect was gone, and an empty skin only remained. I then caught a second specimen, in a similar condition, and put it under the microscope, hoping to see it come out. Nor was I disappointed. Very few moments had elapsed, when I had the satisfaction of seeing the thorax open along the middle of the back; the two sides turned over; the insect literally walked out of itself, unfolded its wings, and in an instant flew up to the window. Several times since, I have had the pleasure of witnessing this wonderful change, and it is really extraordinary how rapidly it takes place; from the moment when the skin first cracks, not ten seconds are over before the insect has flown away. The Dragon-flies, or Horse-stingers, as they are sometimes called, from a mistaken idea that they sting severely enough to hurt a horse, though in fact they are quite harmless, also spend their early days in the water. The larvæ are brown, sluggish, ugly creatures, with six legs. They feed on small water animals, for which they wait very patiently, either at the bottom of the water or on some water plant. The lower jaws are attached to a long folding rod, and when any unwary little wretch approaches too near the larva, this apparatus is shot out with great velocity, and the prey which comes within its reach seldom escapes. In their perfect condition, also, Dragonflies feed on other insects, and may often be seen hawking round ponds. The so-called Ant-lion in many respects resembles the Dragon-flies, but the habits of the larvæ are very dissimilar. They do not live in the water, but prefer dry places, where they bury themselves in the loose sand, and seize any little insect which passes, with their long jaws. The true Ant-lion makes itself a little pit in loose ground or sand, and buries itself at the bottom. Any inattentive little insect which steps over the edge of this pit immediately falls to the bottom, and is instantaneously seized by the Ant-lion. Should the insect escape and attempt to climb up the side of the pit, the Ant-lion is said to throw sand at it, knocking it down again. One other family of Neuroptera I must mention, the Hemerobiidæ. The perfect insect is a beautiful, lacewinged, very delicate, green insect, something like a tender Dragonfly, and with bright green, very touching eyes. The females deposit their eggs on plants, not directly on the plant itself, but attached to it by a long white slender footstalk. The larvæ have six legs and powerful jaws, and make themselves very useful in destroying the Hopfly. The insects forming the order Trichoptera are well known in their larval condition, under the name of caddis worms. These larvæ are not altogether unlike caterpillars in form, but they live in water-which is the case with very few lepidopterous larvæ―and form for themselves cylindrical cases or tubes, built up of sand, little stones, bits of stick, leaves, or even shells. They generally feed on vegetable substances, but will also attack minute freshwater animals. When full grown, the larva fastens its case to a stone, the stem of a plant, or some other fixed substance, and closes the two ends with an open grating of silken threads, so as to admit the free access of water, while excluding enemies. It then turns into a pupa, which bears some resemblance to the perfect insect, except that the antennæ, palpi, wings and legs are shorter, enclosed in separate sheaths and arranged upon the breast." The pupa remains quiet in the tube until nearly ready to emerge, when it comes to the surface, and in some cases creeps out of the water. It is not therefore so completely motionless as the pupa of Lepidoptera. The Diptera, or Flies, comprise insects with two wings only, the hinder pair being represented by minute clubshaped organs called halterės. Flies quit the_egg generally in the form of fat, fleshy, legless grubs. They feed principally on decaying animal or vegetable matter, and are no doubt useful as scavengers. When full grown they turn into pupa which are generally inactive; those of some gnats, however, swim about. Other species, as the gadflies, deposit their eggs on the bodies of anim ls, within which the grubs, when hatched, feed. The mouth is generally furnished with two hooks which serve instead of jaws. The pupae are of two kinds. In the true flies, the outer skin of the full-grown larva is not shed, but contracts and hardens, thus assuming the appearance of an oval brownish shell or case, within which the insect changes into a chrysalis. The pube of the gnats, on the contrary, have the limbs distinct and enclosed in sheaths. They are generally inactive, but some of the aquatic species continue to swim about. One group of Flies, which is parasitic on horses, sheep, bats, and other animals, has been called the Pupipara, because it was supposed that they were not born until they had arrived at the condition of pupa. They come into the world in the form of smooth ovate bodies, much resembling ordinary dipterous pupæ, but as Leuckart has shown, they are true, though abnormal, larvæ. The next order, that of the Aphaniptera, is very small in number, containing only the different species of Flea. The larva is long, cylindrical, and legless; the chrysalis is motionless, and the perfect insect is too well known, at least as regards its habits, to need any description. Unlike the preceding orders of insects, the Heteroptera quit the egg in a form, differing from that of the perfect insect principally in the absence of wings. The species constituting this group though very numerous, are generally small, and not so familiarly known to us as those of the other large orders, with indeed one exception, the wellknown Bug. This was not, apparently, an indigenous insect, but seems to have been introduced. Shakespeare uses the word several times, but always in the sense of a bugbear, and not with reference to this insect. In this country it never acquires wings, but is stated to do so sometimes in warmer countries. The Heteroptera cannot exactly be said either to sting or bite. The jaws, of which, as usual among insects, there are two pairs, are like needles, which are driven into the flesh, and the blood is then sucked up the lower lip, which has the form of a tube. This peculiar structure of the mouth prevails throughout the whole order; consequently their nutriment consists almost entirely of the juices of animals or plants. In their metamorphoses the Heteroptera resemble the Orthoptera; they are active through life, and the young resemble the perfect insects except in the absence of wings, which are gradually acquired. The majority are dull in colour, though s me few are very beautiful. The Homoptera agree with the Heteroptera in the structure of the mouth, and in the metamorphoses. They differ principally in the front wings, which in Homoptera are membranous throughout, while in the Heteroptera the front part is thick. As in the Heteroptera, however, so also in the Homoptera, some species do not acquire wings. The Cicada, so celebrated for its song, and the lanthorn fly, belong to this group. So also does the so-called Cuckoospit, so common in our gardens, which has the curious faculty of secreting round itself a quantity of frothy matter which serves to protect it from its enemies. But the best known insects of this group are the Aphides, or Plant-lice; while the most useful belong to the Coccidæ, or scale insects, from one species of which we obtain the substance called lac, so extensively used in the manufacture of sealingwax and varnish. Several species also have been used in dyeing, especially the Cochineal insect of Mexico, a species which lives on the Cactus. The male Coccus is a minute, active insect, with four comparatively large wings, while the female, on the contrary, never acquires wings, * Die Fortpflanzung und Entwickelung der Pupiparen. Von Dr. R. Leuckart. (Halle, 1848.) |