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SCIENCE-GOSSIP.
[Feb. 1, 1865.
NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.
All communication 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. Noms-de-plume are inadmissible, under any circumstances, but initials may be used. Records of facts and occurrences should bear the simple name and address of their authority. The good sense of our correspondents will dictate the omission of four or five "capital letters" after their names. Books intended for notice should be left with the Publisher. It is not our intention to review books; extracts will be given, from which our readers will draw their own conclusions, instead of formal review. It is hoped that copies will be kept by the writers of all communications, as we cannot undertake to return any which may not be suited to our columns. Notes on migration of birds, contents of crops, &c. cannot be published in extenso, but will be acknowledged, and retained until a summary of results can be given. It is exceedingly advisable that all names, whether of persons, places, animals, or plants, should be written as legibly as possible.
Preserving Birds and Animals.—"Tally Ho!" asks us for a receipt for preserving the skins of small animals. Arsenical soap is commonly employed. Arseniated Soap. Arsenic, 1 oz.; white soap, 1 oz.; carbonate of potash, 1 dram; distilled water, 6 drams; camphor, 2 drams. Mix under a gentle heat. It may be made into cakes, and dried for future use. When used form a lather with any spirituous liquor, and apply with a brush. French Arsenical Soap. Camphor, 5 ox.; powdered arsenic, 2 lbs.; white soap, 2 lbs.; salt of tartar, 12 oz.; powdered chalk, 4 oz. Cut the soap into thin slices, dissolve with a little water over a gentle fire, stirring with a wooden spoon; when dissolved add salt of tartar and chalk, when mixed take it off the fire, add the arsenic; pound the camphor in a mortar with spirits of wine, and add this to the mixture last. When mixed together it will be of the consistence of paste. When used it may be diluted with cold water. We have always used this, and never had a specimen touched by insects. Take care to label your vessel in which it is kept—Poison.
Skeleton Leaves.—J. F. G. may try the following method:—A table-spoonful of chloride of lime, in a liquid state, mixed with a quart of pure spring water. Leaves or seed vessels to be soaked in this mixture for four hours, then taken out and well washed in clean water, afterwards left to dry with free exposure to light and air. Rigid leaves may require more than four hours' soaking.
Skeletons of Fish.—We know no "royal" method. The process is difficult, and F. N. L. is advised to get his skeletons prepared for him by a regular practitioner.
Fresh-water Aquaria.—We hope soon to give "Robin" the opportunity of reading some "Hints" on this subject.
Vipers—We have received several communications, some affirming positively that the viper swallows its young, others, equal as positively, that it does not. Our private opinion is that of the latter. We cannot print all, therefore publish none.
W. H. N.—The following works are published on British Conchology:—Jeffreys's British Conchology; Woodward's Manual of Mollusca; Catlow's Popular Conchology; Reeve's Land and Fresh-water Mollusks of the British Isles; Sowerby's Illustrated Index of British Shells; Sowerby's Popular British Conchology; Turton's Manual of Land and Fresh-water Shells of Britain.
B. B. S.—Notes a Kestrel hovering over Chelsea Suspension Bridge.
J. B.—Notes a Grey Shrike at Everton, Yorkshire.
W. E. P.—Informs us of a Kingfisher plying his avocation in the Serpentine in August, 1844. We know of no record of Birds observed in Kensington Gardens.
W. S. B.—"Wet Streets" and "Metric Systems" are not subjects of Natural History.
A. M. B.—Desires to know if it is usual for the Common Sandpiper to dive when wounded?
Naturalist inquires, "Where could I obtain a chameleon, and at what price?"
W. W.—Your fungus is Auricularia mesenterica. Not uncommon.
William.—In narration of anecdote "Brevity is the soul of wit."
J. F. Cranswick.—We cannot devote space to other than Queries in Natural History.
O. O.—The microscope you name has an excellent reputation.
J. L.—We cannot open controversies, as our space is not unlimited.
Buckinghamshire Flora.—Mr. James Britten is collecting notes, and would be glad of any information. 18, Shawfield-street, Chelsea, S.W.
Mosses.—We cannot undertake to name two dozen specimens at a time, and the majority barren. Applications for specimens received from W. Gibson; J. F. Cranswick; Young Bryologist: Botanist—will be attended to in turn.
Migratory Birds.—Acknowledged from H. Wickham; C. Williams; J. Ranson.
Small-Bird Question.—Received from G. E. D.; J. W.
Thanks for Communications.—T. K.; I. (Warwick); J. S.; E. J. S.; H. F.; J. E.; W. Gibson; A. B. F.; H. M.; A. M. B.; T. Donaldson; T. W. Brown; Orniphilos; Prof. Buckman; W. H. C.; W. E. Williams, Jr.; E. D.; W. G.; V. A. S.; B.; W. S. B.; G. H. R.; W. F.; H. J. C. B.; J. Webster (we should see it first); G. C. Davies; W. J. S.
Received.—F. N. L.; D. R. R.; G. T. G.; Robin W. E. Page; H. A. A. (declined); S. A. S.; Zeta; R. A. C. (declined). T. F. F. is thanked for promised aid, as also J. Plummer. W. E. W. and J. H. (thanked for Infusorial and Diatomaceous Earths).
Books Received.—"British and Garden Botany," by Leo H. Grindon. London. Routledge. "Metamorphoses of Man and the Lower Animals," by Professor Quatrefages. Translated by Dr. Lawson. London. Hardwicke.
