The Zoologist/4th series, vol 4 (1900)/Issue 707/Editorial Gleanings

by editor W.L. Distant

 

EDITORIAL GLEANINGS.

 

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Most of our readers will have been made cognizant of the recent great "boom" of the last edition of the 'Encyclopædia Britannica,' and doubtless those who could spare the cash, and, what was far more necessary, room, have acquired those excellent volumes. We are glad to notice a very useful and novel publication on the same lines in the 'Temple Encyclopædic Primers,' published by J.M. Dent & Co., in which each subject occupies a small and very inexpensive volume, handy in size, nicely printed, and well illustrated. This method allows selection by those who limit their subjects, and who have already congested shelves. Two only of those yet published have appertained to our domain. One—"An Introduction to Science," by Dr. Alexander Hill, Master of Downing, Cambridge—cannot be considered foreign to our studies, for it admirably conveys what should philosophically qualify many of our conceptions and conclusions on what, are often, but materialistic appearances, while pointing to a moderate and healthy idealism. The second primer is on "Ethnology," by Dr. Michael Haberlandt, of the Ethnological Museum, Vienna, which will hold its place among other much larger and more pretentious publications on the subject.

 

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We have received the 'Illustrated Annual of Microscopy' for this year, published by Percy Lund, Humphries & Co. Ltd. Besides very much useful information regarding method of work and appliances, for those who study the small things of life, and, as says a motto on the publications of the French Entomological Society, "Natura maxime miranda in minimis," there are also some strictly biological articles. Mr. D.J. Scourfield has given a beautifully illustrated article on "A Hyaline Daphnia"; Mr. W.M. Webb has written on "Some Mollusca and the Microscope"; and "British Fresh-water Mites—Arrenurus" is the subject of Mr. C.D. Soar. As this last author well remarks, "very few workers in Britain have taken up this part of pond-life at present." Mr. Macer describes "A unique method of exhibiting microscopically a living fly in the act of feeding." These are the bionomic facts which will revolutionise the zoology of the future. We would fain hear more from microscopists in these pages.

 

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In the last (April) number of the 'Auk' is a most interesting communication entitled "Care of Nest and Young," by Francis H. Herrick. We can only give the following extracts:—"It is plainly advantageous for birds which breed on or near the ground to remove every particle of litter which would stain or whiten the leaves and surrounding foliage, and thus advertise the secret of their nest to enemies, even to those who prowl after dusk. When a Red-eyed Vireo, whose behaviour I studied at close range, dropped any bit of excrement by accident, she darted after it with such speed that it was snatched up before reaching the ground, or before falling a distance of four feet. Not a trace of defilement is ever seen around the dwellings of any of these birds.

"On the other hand, predaceous species like Hawks pay no attention to such matters. The excrement of their young is voided in a semi-fluid state, and in a peculiar manner. With tail turned to the edge of the nest the bird shoots it off to a distance of two or three feet, and it may strike the ground six or seven feet from the nesting-tree. The only significance which such actions have is that of keeping the nest clean. The advertisement of the nest-stains on the leaves below is a matter of indifference to these bold and persistent outlaws, who have little to fear from any enemy save men."

 

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Mr. William Cross, the well-known dealer in living zoological specimens, died at Liverpool on April 7th. Mr. Cross belonged to a family of naturalists. His father and grandfather were in their day the best known importers of wild beasts and birds in this country. In the early part of last century the Exeter Change, in the Strand, was the rendezvous of collectors eager to purchase the latest arrivals sent to the proprietor, Mr. Edward Cross. In London fifty-eight years ago Mr. Cross was born, but it was in Liverpool, near the North Docks, that he established his famous emporium. Scarcely a ship arrived at Liverpool from China, India, Australia, Africa, and America without having on board zoological specimens for Mr. Cross from his agents throughout the world, whom he had distributed. Thousands upon thousands of wild animals have passed through his emporium to owners of public and private collections or retail dealers. In twelve years he imported over a million Parrots, besides birds of every variety and from every clime. Twenty-eight years ago he brought to Liverpool a live Gorilla—the first that had been seen in Europe—and sold it to the Berlin Aquarium for no less than £1000. In private life Mr. Cross was known as a staunch teetotaler, and a keen supporter of all philanthropic movements.

 

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We regret to announce the death of an eminent zoologist in the person of Prof. M. Milne Edwards, Director of the Natural History Museum at the Jardin des Plantes, Paris, who died suddenly on April 21st, in his sixty-sixth year.