ZOOLOGY. 365 



of Sciences. On the table of vivisection there was a rabbit, on which 

 he had made the ablation of the posterior cords of the marrow for a cer- 

 tain distance ; below the yectioii the marrow remained intact, and it was 

 so sensible the animal cried when any thing was placed in the least contact ; 

 it was evident the impression passed by means of the gray substance which 

 had been reserved ; and yet this grayish substance might be pricked, cut, 

 caxiterized or galvanized, without exciting the least sensation ; consequently 

 M. SchifF affirms, as demonstrated, that the gray substance, insensible in 

 itself, may nevertheless serve as a conductor to impressions brought by the 

 posterior cords. 



HOW TO MAKE SEA- WATER. 



Our readers are already aware that the curious family of sea-weeds has 

 been successfully introduced to cultivation, and not in public gardens 

 merely, but likewise as domestic pets, that may in time displace the long- 

 cherished geranium and fuchsia on the mechanic's window-sill. At 

 present, however, this kind of gardening is chiefly occupying the atten- 

 tion of natural history students, who find in the Marine Vivarium an ex- 

 cellent means of observing the development and habits of a class of 

 organized beings, both vegetable and animal, which, as living objects, 

 have hitherto eluded their direct researches. The recent appointment of 

 one of the most distinguished of living zoologists to occupy the chair 

 of Natural History in the Edinburgh University has, during the past 

 summer, had a wonderful effect in arousing the enthusiasm of Scottish 

 naturalists, and of spreading a taste for such pursuits in quarters where it 

 was unknown before. The beautiful zoophytes, crabs, mollusks, and 

 ' sea-flowers," collected in the professor's dredging- trips, have put Yiva- 

 ria greatly into requisition ; so much so, that they are becoming by no 

 means unusual drawing-room ornaments in Edinburgh and other parts of 

 Scotland ; while in England, the taste for them emanating from the Re- 

 gent's Park Zo: logical Garden has advanced with even greater rapidity. 



Those naturalists who have the good fortune to reside by the sea-shore 

 are able to give their ocean- treasures a daily supply of fresh sea- water, 

 and thus prererve them in unimpared health. Not so with the unfortu- 

 nate inland resident, who, despite the best of management, and the nicest 

 " balance of power" between the proportions of animal and vegetable 

 life in his little world, occasionally finds the briny element to lose its 

 sweetnesss, and thus lead to the sacrifice of his long- cherished treasures. 

 To the poet, " a thing of beauty is a joy forever ; " but not to the naturalist. 

 " Necessity, however, is the mother of invention ; " and Mr. Gosse, as her 

 instrument in the present instance, has pointed out how the inland naturalist 

 may dispense with the ocean, and manufacture sea- water for himself. 



But the naturalist and marine- gardener will not be allowed to enjoy a 

 monopoly of this invention. Sea- water has other uses than the nurture 

 of parlor pets in a glass vase ; " and uses more important, too," we fancy 



