[266] In the province of botany such a case has already been made known by Fritz Müller (Botan. Zeitung, 1869, p. 226; 1870, p. 149). I may be here permitted to quote a passage from the letter in which Dr. Müller calls attention to this interesting discovery. “As a proof of the possibility that a reversion form can again become a persistent character in a species or in the allied form of a particular district, I may refer you to an Epidendrum of the island of Santa Catharina. In all Orchids (with the exception of Cypripedium) only one anther is developed; in very rare cases well-formed anthers appear as reversions among the aborted lateral anthers of the inner whorl. In the Epidendrum mentioned, these are however always present.”
[267] [This species is interesting as being ovoviviparous, the young passing through the branchiate stage within the body of the mother. Some experiments, which were partially successful, were made by Fräulein v. Chauvin with a view to solve the question whether the branchiate stage could be prolonged by taking the larvæ directly from the mother before birth and keeping them in water. See “Zeit. für wissen. Zoo.” vol. xxix., p. 324. R.M.]
[268] See Fatiot, “Les Reptiles et les Batraciens de la haute Engadine.” Geneva, 1873.
[269] I can remember at Upper Engadine a peculiar kind of preserved beef, prepared by simply drying in the air; also the mummification of entire human bodies by drying in the open air, as is practised at Great St. Bernard.
[270] “Faune des Vertébrés de la Suisse,” vol. iii. “Histoire Naturelle des Reptiles et des Batraciens.” Geneva, 1873.
[271] See Wiedersheim, “Versuch einer gleichenden Anatomie der Salamandrinen.” Würzburg, 1875.
[272] See Gené, “Memorie della Reale Acad. di Torino,” vol. i.
[273] Rana esculenta never reaches Alpine regions, this species not having been found higher than 1100 meters. (Fatiot, loc. cit., p. 318.)
[274] See also the excellent work upon Mexico by Mühlenpfordt already quoted, vol. i., pp. 69–76.
[275] “Essai politique sur le Royaume de la Nouvelle Espagne,” 1805, p. 291.