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Swarms of Aphides.—In reply to M. Bernardin, will you allow me to state that during the first and second weeks in September this locality in Lincolnshire was infested with immense swarms of Aphides, or, as Gilbert White very aptly and appropriately terms them, "smother flies." It was impossible to go out without being covered with them, and the eyes, nose, &c., could not escape unprotected. They settled on the pavement and hedges in myriads, and the Garden-spider (Epeira diadema) caught any quantity in his meshes. At the same time the Aphis rapæ or Vastator made tremendous havoc with the cauliflowers and other greens in the garden, except the curled broccoli—the Aphis rosæ not being so numerous as usual. Contemporaneously hundreds of acres of turnips in this district were either destroyed or their growth arrested by the ravages of the Turnip flea (Haltica nemorum); and for some time after, at sunset, the stench was most horribly offensive.—Another correspondent, J. B. L., will, I think, find it difficult to remove the worms from his fern-pot without disturbing the roots; in one of my cases, noticing numerous small casts, and finding the ferns anything but healthy, I discovered several small worms, but so intertwined amongst the rootlets that I was obliged to take each plant out. They are not for the most part putting out afresh.—Henry {{nw|W. J. Ellis, Crowle.

Habits of Reptiles.—In the last number of Science Gossip, C. A. remarks, that if two toads perceive an insect at the same time, "the one who is successful in getting it receives a smartish smack on the side of the head from the tongue of the other." This is, undoubtedly, often the case; but I think C. A. will find, on further observation, that this summary salute has no reference to the success of the other reptile, but simply to its movement in taking, or attempting to take, the insect. I have long kept reptiles, and have now toads that have been many months in my possession, as well as several natterjacks. These animals, like most or all other reptiles, confine themselves to living prey, and only take that when it is in motion; their vision appears to be so defective that they will strike at almost any object that attracts their attention by moving, while suitable food will lie unnoticed close to them, as long as it remains quiescent. One or two fresh-water tortoises used to share captivity with the toads, and when one of the former protruded its head within reach of a toad, the latter would gaze at it with fixed attention for a moment, and then smack would go its tongue on the cranium of the tortoise, which would be hastily drawn back into its shell in alarm at the unexpected assault. They will constantly make similar attacks on each other; and nothing is more common than when a toad or natterjack moves, to take prey or otherwise, to see a companion strike at its head or foot, evidently mistaking it for some creature suitable for food. They are just as ready to go at an inanimate object, if it is but put in motion; and I have often amused visitors by moving about a pencil or other object just outside the glass when it is almost certain to attract their attention, and they will strike at it again and again, seeming quite incapable or learning wisdom by failure. The other day, a natterjack observed a green lizard moving at some distance, crawled across to it, and, after due consideration, administered one of its tongue-strokes, to the surprise and discomfiture of the lizard. The green-tree frog, though equally alert for prey, I have never seeen commit mistakes of this nature.—G. Guyon, Ventnor, Isle of Wight.

Wardian Cases.—The arrangement of soil best suited for a Wardian case of ferns, is as follows: First put a layer of coarse gravel, or broken pottery, &c.; upon this a thin layer of turfy loam, filling up the box with a good depth of well-moistened loamy soil. The case need not be quite air-tight; its only object is to exclude dust, smoke, &c. If the steamy appearance of the glass renders the contents of the case invisible, it is easily dissipated by opening the door for a few minutes.—H. J. H. B.

Can any of your readers or correspondents give any information respecting the preparation on mounting of the proboscis of the blow-fly? I have not seen the process described in any book.—T. S.

Corals and Madrepores.—In reply to B. T. S., the best illustrations and specific distinctions of British Corals and Madrepores will be found in Nos. 4, 6, 7, 8, and 9 of the Monographs (to members and subscribers only) now issuing from the Palæontological Society. Information as to access to those splendid productions might be obtained on a polite application to the Rev. T. Wilshire, Bread-street Hill, E.C.—Edmund Wheeler.

Bees Attacking Fruit.—I can fully corroborate H. E. A.'s statements. Both in the west of Sussex and also in Hampshire bees seem to have completely taken the place which the wasps held last autumn. The "reason why," I leave to your more scientific correspondents to explain. Another curious fact bearing upon the same point is that moths seem to have entirely deserted the ivy-blossom (which at all events has looked tempting enough this year), although the swarms of them on "sugar" about June raised the entomologist's expectations of a great "ivy"-season. During the day, however, it has been very full of all kinds of insects, including bees, although, perhaps, not so full as in former years. Could the early summer have "impoverished the pollen" of such a late-blossoming thing as ivy?—F. G. D. D.

Fresh-water Sponges.—As I have several times tried to keep specimens of our fresh-water sponges alive, without any successful results, I cannot do better than make an appeal to you, or some of your readers, for a few hints. It may be that the sponges are particularly susceptible of change of water, but whether it has been young animals growing on Anacheris and water-moss, or larger specimens, either from submerged posts and walls, or on sprigs of trees, all seem to decompose a few weeks after being located in their new homes, though I have tried keeping them in a moderately-sized aquarium, with a single gold-fish and natural vegetable growth, as well as separately in smaller vessels. Three sorts, judging by the outward form only, seem very common, and of one of these I have found a colony on the muddy bed of a somewhat shallow stream. Is not this very unusual, as they seem generally to prefer a more substantial basis? The disappearance of some large specimens of a green-branched species I attributed to a visit from a brood of swans, but am not aware whether they are in the habit of feeding on sponges. Bowerbank's "Monograph of British Spongiadæ," published by the Ray Society, is almost too advanced for a novice; but I would suggest that a paper from you on some of the commoner fresh-water species might not be uninteresting to many of your readers who have opportunities for collecting.—F. H. M., Chelmsford.