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Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 67, 26 June 1863, Page 5 (Supplement)

The Scau Insect. — Iv a recent issue of the Scottish Farmer, we find the following : — " The scab insect or mite has been termed Acarus ovis, Sa?'soptes ovis, and lastly, Ge-rlash lias named it Dermalodectis ovis. It is a species of mite not addicted to burrowing in the skin, but fixing itself to the surface, and lodging in the deeper parts of the wool. The female is from two-sevenths to one-third oi' a line in length, and one sixth of a line in breadth. The males are one-fifth of a line in length, and one-sevemb. of a line in breadth. It is round, with a hard skin, yellowish, and bright color. The fore limbs are not so strong as the hind. The head is armed with strong recurved hooks. These paraeites propagate very rapidly, and the pregnant females are readiiy recognised from their size. The period of incubation extends over from three to four days, and the newly born mites have only the outer pair of hind limbs. The fourth pair form by the third or fourth day after birth. The parasites attain their full dimensions by the eight day. The rapidity with which scab in sheep spreads need not astonish us if we see how fast the p rasites multiply. From one pregnant female, or from the first generation, if 15 days, 10 females and 5 males are born ; second generation, in 30 days, 100 females and 50 males are born ; third generation, in 4o days, 1,000 females and 500 males are born ; fourth generation, in 60 days, 10,000 females and 5,000 males are born ; fifth generation, in 75 days, 100,000 females and 50,000 males are born ; sixth generation, in 90 days, 1,000.000 females and 500,000 males ;irc- horn. The females seem to die much more rapidly than the males. On the skins of sheep the mites live for a fortnight or three weeks. When the temperature is lowered seven degrees he ow freezing point, they (He in a couple of h urs. These mites, however, often look dead when in reality they t '.re capable of acquiring great activity and power to procreate. On the skins of healthy animals they congregate together, and get surrounded by a scab formed in the skin they irritate. They more readily adhere and multiply in the tender skins of lambs : hence we find, when the scab appears in a flock of sh^ep, that it propagates with the greatest rapidity amongst the lambs.' 1 A Sketch of Talma. — Tafma. is about five i'et't seven or seven and a-half inches English, and rather inclined to fat, with large face and thick neck. His eyes are bluish, and have a peculiar cast in them at times. He speaks English well, and is very frank, animated, and natural in con versation ; a fine hearty simplicity of manner. Asked me if this was my first visit to Pavis ; told him I had been once before — about fourteen \ears since. •' Ah ! that was in the time of the Emperor," said he. He remarked that Paris was very much changed ; thinks the French character greatly changed — more grave. "You see the young men from colleges," said he, "how they can walk together, conversing incessantly on politics anil other grave subjects; " sa\s the nation has become as grave as the English. Dr. Colunso Before he was a Bishop. — The following curious passage occurs in the preface to the 1862 volume of the Gospel Magazine: — Headers, we cannot but feel deeply on this subject ; and we may give you, as a reason, in addition to the arguments we have adduced, the following facts : — Dr. Colenso (then simply a fellow of St, John's Cambridge, and a minister of the Church of England), was recommended to a certain church appointment by the companion of our early days, the. Rev. John Doudney Lane, who was also a fellow of St John's Cambridge. The valuable living to which the fritter was appointed was, after a time, divided, and at dear Lane's suggestion, given to Colenso. Not very long afterwards Lane was laid by, and, during the illness, which terminated in death, he sent for Colenso. What passed in the sick-chamber we know not. Suffice it, we have thought what would bo poor Lane's feelings could he have lived to have seen the apostacy of his friend. And, unless God most, mercifully interpose, how different will be the deathbed scene of the hapless Bishop of Natal and his old college friend* the rector of St. Mary, Forncett ! But this we may add, upon the best authority, that, before he died, Lane was shaken in his confidence of the religious princiy-les of his friend, and ' e;nid that, had he known as much of him before, he never would have named him for the living in question. Strange enough that whilst in one leading article the , Record newspaper said, after he had gone to his rest, how suitable- a man Lane woftld have been for a bishop; it repudiated the appoiutmeut of Colenso as Bishop ot'NataL