NOTES—ORIGINAL AND SELECTED. 371
Dr. Sorby also exhibited slides of Marine Algae prepared by like methods,
and alluded to the chemical and physical properties of the colouring matter of
these plants.
A long discussion ensued, carried on by Mr. Howard, Prof. Meldola,
Mr. Crouch, Mr. W. M. Webb, Mr. W. Cole and others, and general
admiration was expressed at the beauty and success of Dr. Sorby's prepara-
tions. The comparative value of various methods and media for the
preparation of these animals was much debated. Dr. Sorby said that his
processes were as yet only in the experimental stage, and he hoped to make
many improvements.
Dr. Sorby was cordially thanked for his lecture, and the remainder of the
evening was spent in examining the various specimens exhibited,
NOTES—ORIGINAL AND SELECTED.
ZOOLOGY.
AVES.
Wood-Sandpiper at Paglesham.—I saw to-day (September 15th,
1898) in Mr. Pettitt's (our local bird-stuffer) shop, a nice specimen of the
Wood-Sandpiper (Totanus glareola). It was shot a few days ago at
Paglesham. This bird has been taken in Essex on a few occasions (see
Christy's Birds of Essex, p. 252), but still it is, I think, of sufficient rarity to
to make its re-occurrence worth recording.—Dr, H. Laver, F.L.S.,
Colchester.
MOLLUSCA.
Large Cuttle-fish (Sepia) off the Essex Coast.—The following are the
dimensions of a cuttle-fish (Sepia officinalis, Lam.), which was brought into the
Marine Biological Station at Brightlingsea, when the writer had charge of it
in the summer : Length, 131/2 inches; breadth, S inches; length of each of the
two large "arms," 15 inches.—W. M. W.
This may be compared with Mr. Crouch's fine Squid (Loligo forbesii)
143/4 inches from the River Crouch; see E.N., vol. vi,, p. 87.
INSECTA.
Sirex gigas, L., near Brightlingsea and Colchester.—To the record
of Sirex juvencus at Brentwood (E. N., vol. x., p. 189) may be added that of
S. gigas at Brightlingsea last summer. Mr. Harwood, jun,, told the writer
that both the species breed in the neighbourhood of Colchester, and showed
him the larvae of the first-named and rarer species.—W. M. Webb.
MYRIOPODA.
Occurrence at Colchester of a Centipede, (Scutigera coleoptrata, L),
new to England.—A specimen of this myriopod has recently been recorded
from Essex in the "Daily Mail" of October 13th. "It is a form which as
a rule confines itself to warmer climates, flourishing on the borders of the
Mediterranean, and its presence here was aptly discovered at the close of the
phenomenally hot weather of last month. The creature is a centipede, called
popularly a 'hundred legs,' or north of the Tweed, with more attention to