Page:Hardwicke's Science-Gossip - Volume 1.pdf/249

the skin and dried in the sun, they are reduced to a meal, in great request in the West Indies for children and invalids. Professor Johnston states that this fruit approaches most nearly in composition and nutritive value to the potato, and plantain meal to that of rice. The fruit ripens in succession from the base to the apex of the flowering stem, so that, on the same plant, flowers and ripe fruit will be found together. Each fruit is nearly six inches in length, slightly curved, and about an inch in diameter; when ripe it consists of a rich mellow pulp, resembling a fine pear. One stalk of fruit will attain three feet, and bear from 120 to 150, or even 180 plantains, the entire weight of which would be from 50 to 70 pounds.

All the species of plantain contain a large number of spiral vessels in their structure, and afford strong and valuable fibre, from which cloth and cordage are manufactured. The substance called Manilla hemp, of which Blondin's Crystal Palace rope was twisted, and which is much employed for cordage both in this country and America, is obtained from a species of plantain (Musa textilis). The fibres derived from the common plantain, as well as those from other species, are also used in India, both for cordage and paper, and promise in the future to become important articles of commerce.

Scarcely any portion of this useful plant is devoid of its use to man. A limpid fluid issues from wounds in the body of the plant, which is employed in medicine, as also is the root. The natives cut the leafstalks into their curries, and in its entirety it may be regarded as one of the best of blessings which a beneficent Providence has bestowed upon the inhabitants of tropical countries.

Curious Places for Birds' Nests.—A correspondent to a Newcastle journal gives the following particulars of two sparrows' nests:—"One nest is under the tramway at the pit mouth of Garforth Colliery, under a two-inch plank, where from 300 to 400 corves of coal pass directly over the nest daily. The other nest is in a hole in the large beam belonging to the engine used for the purpose of lifting the water from the works in the pit, which beam works night and day."

How the White Owl takes its Prey.—All who have been accustomed to observe the habits of owls and of some species of hawks must have remarked that, when seizing their food, they almost invariably bring their wings forward and spread their tails, so as completely to conceal it, and then proceed to finish their meal in private. The reason of this is said to be because they do not like to be watched while feeding; but the real cause, I believe, proceeds from a far different origin. When a hawk strikes its quarry in the air, it does so in full flight, giving a blow with the hind-talon; but were it to act in a similar manner when the object of pursuit was on the ground, it would disable, or even perhaps kill itself by the shock with which it would strike anything resting upon a hard surface. This remark is still more applicable to the white owl, which, living almost entirely upon mice, takes its prey chiefly on the ground. A patient observer, taking his stand in a locality frequented by this bird, might easily witness the mode of its procedure, which is very curious; the owl either having but little dread of man, or else, from some peculiarity of its vision, not readily seeing him (as they will often fly against people, even when walking about). Upon sighting a mouse, the owl follows it a short distance with a hovering, undulating flight, more resembling that of a butterfly than a bird, and then, with a sudden pounce, swoops down upon its prey, bringing downwards and forwards its wings and tail with a sharp stroke, so as not only to alight upon the ends of its strong but elastic quills, thereby deadening any shock to its own body, but at the same time enclosing a space of some four or five feet in circumference, and forming a complete cage for the unfortunate mouse, as no opening whatever is left between the spread-out tail and wings for him to escape. The roots of the quills being plentifully supplied with nerves, the owl feels at once if his prisoner should endeavour to get through, and in an instant grasps him with his ready claws. It is the remains of this natural instinct, I believe, which causes these birds when in captivity to "hide their meat," and not from any dislike at being seen to feed, as the habit remains long after the bird becomes tame.—R. K.

Frog eating its Old Skin.—I lately caught one of my frogs in the above act, which I had supposed peculiar to the toads.—W. R. Tate, Grove Place, Denmark Hill.

Crested Newt eaten by a Toad.—I have a fine specimen of the Jersey Toad (B. vulgaris, var.), which was very kindly sent me last June by Mrs. E. Smith, of Bristol. This toad, on Friday, Sept. 8th, actually swallowed a female Triton cristatus five inches and a half in length; and a quarter of an hour after threw her up again, alive and quite uninjured by her short sojourn in the toad's stomach. I have named the newt "Jonah," in memory of the occurrence.—W. R. Tate, Grove Place, Denmark Hill.

Singular Occurrence.—A few days since, Mr. George Sloper caught an eel, which, before it could be got ashore, was seized by a pike. The eel in its struggles forced its tail through the gills of the pike, and twisted itself so firmly round the head of its assailant that both were landed together. The pike weighed 7½ lb.—Wiltshire Independent.