Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 3 (1899).djvu/411

Rh the 'Transactions and Annual Report of the Manchester Microscopical Society' for 1898 is a paper by Mr. A.T. Gillanders on "Scale Insects," from which we extract as follows:—"In many parts of the country the trunks and larger branches of beech trees will be found coated with a white covering, presenting the appearance of a shower of snow having frozen. This pest has been graphically termed the 'Felt Scale' by Miss Ormerod, and the coccid itself is named Cryptococcus fagi. Where the pest is but sparsely distributed on the stem little damage accrues; but it is sometimes found about a quarter to half an inch in thickness, and when such is the case the bark separates from the stem, and the tree ultimately dies in consequence. A most interesting and successful remedial measure has been brought under the writer's notice at Blagdon, in Northumberland. With an $1/8$-in. auger bore three holes at about equal distance right into the centre of the trunk, about three feet from the ground, and sloping slightly towards the root of the tree. Into these holes place as much flower of sulphur as can be conveniently got in, and then cork them firmly up with a plug of soft wood. This should be done in the autumn, and will be found successful. It was first adopted about thirty years ago, and the trees which were then operated on are now in comparatively good condition. Prior to the experiment they were covered with the scale, were very sickly-looking, and shed their leaves prematurely."

has contributed to the August number of the 'Contemporary Review' a very interesting article on "The Seven Senses of Fishes." These senses are considered and described as sight, touch, taste, hearing, smell, electric dermal sense, and magnetic dermal sense. The "electric dermal sense" affords fishes premonitory warnings of coming storms, and they then—Herrings have been observed—leave the shores "sometimes ten or twelve hours before the coming storm." The "magnetic dermal sense" is a guiding principle. Mackerel, Herring, and Pilchards "swim without error to their desired spawning-beds, sheltered homes, and pleasant feeding grounds. Now, these fishes cannot, like man, have objects to guide them to their desired haven, in the shape of high lands, lights, and sea-marks; nor can they be aided by telescopic sight in going these long distances, for in the obscure sea, as before shown, this is impossible; hence we conclude that some magnetic principle must assist in guiding them."

'Wombat,' just received (May, 1899), gives "Ornithological Results during 1898," which reports that during the season just closed "steady progress has been made in Australian ornithology and oology."