EDITORIAL GLEANINGS.
One of the most interesting exhibits at the Conversazione of the Royal Society on May 14th was that made by the Marine Biological Association with reference to the scales of fishes as an index of age. The scales of many fishes show a series of parallel eccentric lines, which indicate successive increments of growth. These lines of growth have been found to be more widely separated in that part of the scale formed during the warm season of the year than in the portion formed during the cold season. The alternation of the two series gives rise to the appearance of "annual rings," which indicate the age of the fish in years. The markings are subject to individual variation, and Mr. J. Stuart Thomson has been engaged on their investigation in fish of different species captured at all seasons of the year. His results show that it is possible to determine the age of individual fishes of many species with considerable precision—a conclusion which will greatly facilitate the study of other points in the natural history of fishes, and has important practical applications.
Lewenhoeck long since observed that from carefully examining the scales of fish through a high magnifier, you may easily ascertain its age, from the first scale to the last, which are never shed.
Nature's reign of terror at Martinique has affected all animals alike—man and his more humble relatives. We read of a "panic of the dumb animals" in the daily press. Records of previous earthquakes and volcanic eruptions mention that most animals have a sort of premonition of what is going to happen, even when there are no perceptible tremblings, and hasten from the neighbourhood of danger. Such was the case at St. Pierre, it would seem from a 'New York Herald' telegram. The correspondent quoted by the 'Daily Telegraph' says:—"Even before Mont Pelée began to rumble late in April, live stock became uneasy, and at times were almost uncontrollable. Cattle lowed in the night, dogs howled and sought the company of their masters, and when driven forth they gave every evidence of fear. Wild animals disappeared from the vicinity of Mont Pelée. Even snakes, which at ordinary times are found in great numbers near the volcano, crawled
