REPORTS OF SOCIETIES.
Botanical of Edinburgh, Jan. 12.—Amongst other communications, Professor Balfour read an "Account of Excursions to the Mountains at the Head of Loch Lomond, to Ben Lawers, and the Sow at Athole, in August and September, 1864."
Amateur Botanists (London), Feb. 1.—The president (Mr. M. C. Cooke) introduced the business of the evening by a brief explanation of the chief groups of Microscopic Fungi, selecting the section called Pucciniæi or Uredinaceous, and the Sphæriacei of Ascigerous Fungi for special illustration. Several microscopes having been provided, together with an excellent series of mounted specimens, the members proceeded, under direction of the president, to devote the evening to their examination, with the view to a better acquaintance with these interesting and little known plants.
Dumfries and Galloway Natural History and Antiquarian Society, Feb. 7.—Sir Willian Jardine, Bart., of Applegarth, who presided, read a paper upon the occurrence of the Roller (Coracias garrula) in Dumfriesshire. He had heard of a strange bird being seen on the borders of Annandale, and its remains were afterwards found in a state of decomposition; but from the feathers he recognised it to be a Garrulous Roller. Dr. Gilchrist, medical superintendent of the Crichton Lunatic Asylum, read a paper on the proceedings of the geological department of the Society during the summer.
The Microscopical Society of London, Feb. 8.—The president, Mr. Brookes, delivered the annual address, in the course of which he congratulated Messrs. Powell and Lealand on their triumph in producing a th object glass, the effects of which were marvellous. With regard to the examination of the microscopes sent in for competition, he had to state that some difficulties had arisen which had prevented the committee from delivering their report upon them on that occasion. Of the eighteen instruments sent in, five were at 10 guineas, seven at 7 guineas, five at 3 guineas, and one at a guinea; he regretted, however, to observe that not one of the leading London makers had responded to the invitation of the Council. After some business of a formal nature, Mr. Glaisher was unanimously elected president for the ensuing twelve months.
Liverpool Naturalists' Society.—The usual fortnightly meeting of this Society was held, at the residence of the secretary, on February 9th. Specimens presented by Mr. Hartley to the Society were exhibited, after which the following papers were read:—"Volcanic Islands," by Mr. J. Hartley; "The Cat," by Mr. J. W. Love.
Natural History Society of Northumberland, Durham, and Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Tyneside Naturalists' Field Club, Feb. 9.—The following papers were read:—"Entomological Notes for 1864," by T. J. Bold; "On Naturalists' Field Clubs—their Objects and Organization," by G. S. Brady; "Reports on Deep Sea Dredging on the Coasts of Northumberland and Durham," edited by George S. Brady; "Descriptions of three new or imperfectly known Polyzoa found on the Coasts of Northumberland and Durham," by Joshua Alder. Mr. Bold's paper gave an interesting account of the severe attacks of insects on the various crops, and especially turnips, during the last season.
NOTES AND QUERIES.
Migratory Eels.—Does the common eel at a certain period of the year leave the stagnant ponds in which it is confined, and wriggle its way, through the dewy grass, to the nearest water-course?—O. O.
The Snake in Scotland.—A "Scotch Adder" will feel obliged by any of our correspondents mentioning authentic instances of the occurrence of the snake (Natrix torquata) in Scotland.
Blue-Bottles.—Can you account for the appearance of great numbers of the common blue-bottle fly at this inclement season? From the second week of January to the 10th of February, I have destroyed upon an average three per diem, and that in the hardest frosts, the thermometer registering as low as 12 degrees of frost. They appear only in the warmest rooms of the house, where the usual temperature is about 60°.—T. H. F.
Tussilago Hybrida.—We should be glad if any of our readers would favour us with a fresh, flowering specimen or two of this plant during the present season. Our correspondent desires to subject it to anatomical examination, for which purpose "dried specimens" will not suffice. The specimens should be sent to 192, Piccadilly, addressed to "Tussilago Hybrida."
Diseased Flies.—One day last summer I observed a common house-fly having a number of what appeared to be baggy protuberances of a reddish brown colour attached to some of its legs, and which I imagined to be some kind of disease. I should have examined it in the microscope, but failed to catch it. Have any of your readers seen the same thing?—J. L. E.
Leaves for Packing.—The Querist in our last should have sent specimens of the leaves he inquires about. Oranges are packed with the sheaths which enclose the ears of maize or Indian corn. We know of no leaves employed. The leaves of the same plant are also pegged together with small wooden pegs for packing; but it is so long since we saw them that we do not remember anything of the structure of the pegs; probably, if from China, they are little slips of bamboo.—Ed. Sc. G.
Use for Nettles.—Dr. Rutty, in his "Natural History of Dublin," after mentioning several curious applications of the nettle, makes the following observation:—"There is another use of nettles well-known and practised by our gardeners near Dublin, namely, to make the green hairy gooseberry red, or at least to improve the natural pale red, the red being in most request, which is done by putting them into a tub, and strewing it from the bottom to the top with alternate layes of fresh nettles and gooseberries, by whch means they acquire a red colour, superior to what they have upon the trees." Nat. Hist. of Co. Dublin, vol. i. p. 132. 1772. I have tried this experiment on a small scale with pale-red gooseberries and the leaves of the common nettle, and found that the fruit was considerably darkened in colour after the lapse of some hours. The formic acid at the base of the stinging hairs in the nettle is probably the cause of the change. Could any of your correspondents inform me of such a practice being prevalent in any other locality?—V. A. S.
