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communications for the Editor should be addressed to No. 192, Piccadilly, W. To avoid disappointment contributions should be received on or before the 15th of each month. No notice can be taken of anonymous communications. All notes, queries, or articles for insertion must be guaranteed by the name and address of the writer, which may be withheld from publication if so desired.

W. W. K.—The shells sent by our correspondent are a somewhat elongated variety of Limnæus péreger. The generic word Limnæus is derived from the Greek (Limne), a marsh or pool; the specific name is from the Latin peregrinor, "to travel through strange places." And thus we have the common name "the wandering mud-shell." It is the most frequent and widely dispersed of our fresh-water shells.—R. T.

.—The specimens were distributed to the uttermost fragment; still, nearly fifty applicants were disappointed. The stamped envelopes are retained, in the hope that in a month or two we shall be able to supply all. This promise cannot be extended to fresh applicants.—M. C. C.

.—Page 47, five lines from the bottom, "Ireland" should have been "Iceland."—H. E. A.

P. Y. (Wigan).—Recommends "Benzole" for killing, and also for preserving, insects. Greasy specimens may be renovated by soaking them an hour or two, or all night, in "Benzole," and afterwards drying them.—F. M.

.— states that during last summer these reptiles could be purchased at 5s. each, of Mr. King, 190, Great Portland Street. says that they will not live through the winter.

.—A correspondent has a little of that substance (fossil remains of Infusoria), from Bohemia, which he will send to applicants on receipt of stamped envelope— Williams, Jun., M.D., Corsham, Wilts.

J. H. (Belfast).—Could you supply a lady with a specimen of Diatomaceous earth?

J. F.—"Continued" articles are objectionable. We do not pretend to teach any science. If you name the order of insects which you desire to study, we can enumerate text-books. For a general introduction to the study of insects read Westwood's, or Kirby & Spence's. The latter can be had at your price.

L. L. L.—Read our answer to

W. Q. C.—Your query will find its answer in "Slug or Snail," p. 62.

J. R.—Our correspondent "B." is known to be too good a botanist, and too careful an observer, to confound Plantago major with Plantago coronopus. A novice could hardly do it.

A. J.—The book named is the only one within your limits.

.——.—We prefer not to recommend any maker of microscopes to the prejudice of others. Each instrument has its own merits and demerits.

S. A. P. B.—Refer to our report of the Microscopical Society, at page 70.

C. E.—Should communicate with the Curator of the Society of Amateur Botanists relative to exchanges of plants. Address to 192, Piccadilly, W.

.—Lists can only be inserted as advertisements.

T. O.—Apply for price-list to Claudet & Houghton, High Holborn.

F. J. T.—What "sea-worm"? Second query out of our limits.

M. M. W.—Albino varieties in flowers, as in birds, are not uncommon. As a rule, we cannot undertake to return specimens sent to be named.

T. R.—Use a Kelner (c.) eyepiece on the substage, and reflect the light by means of the mirror.—W. M. B.

R. W.—We know of no complete work on the Bibliography of the Natural Sciences—we wish that we did. A good Bibliography of recent works will be found in the later volumes of the "Natural History Review." For Botanical works, consult Pritzel's "Thesaurus." For Zoological, Agassiz's "Bibliography" (Ray Society).

S. W.—(No. 1) Wilson's "Bryologia Britannica." Longmans. 1855. (Nos. 2 and 3) In our opinion "B." (No. 4) Probably "A." (No. 5) Not by experience; see Davies "On Preparing and Mounting," pp. 84 and 91.

W. S. K. (Llangollen).—The names of your mosses sent for identification, are as follows:—1, Hypnum Schruberi; 2, H. uncinatum; 3, H. filicinum; 4, H. ruscifolium; 5, Zygodon Mougeotii; 7, Hypnum stellatum; 8, Aulacomnion palustre; 9, Bryum roseum; 11, Ptychomitrium polyphyllum; 12, Orthotrichum anomalum, Wilson; 13, O. Lyellii; 14, O. tenellum; 15, O. Bruchii.—G. E. H.

.—; ; Pinguicula; ; ; Dytiscus Marginalis; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

.—Received, ;

.—; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

.— (Lists are forbidden. Shall be glad to hear of otters or badgers); ; (Try benzole); ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;  (We know it); ; ; ; ; ;  (Not sufficient particulars);  (Try chloroform); ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;  B.;  (Durham); ;  (Richmond); ; ; ;  (Greenock); ; ;  (Not an answer); ; ; ; ; R.; ; ;

.—"The Irrationale of Speech;" by a Minute Philosopher. London: Longmans."Rust, Smut, Mildew, and Mould: an Introduction to the Study of Microscopic Fungi;" by Cooke. London: Hardwicke.