INCALCULABLE ACCIDENTS. 669 



upon a metal surface. A like accident, singularly fatal, happened 

 to one of two clerks wlio had lifted a metal show-case to carry it 

 into a store. The metal top of the case touched the metal exten- 

 sion of an arc electric lamp that had been left hanging too near 

 the pavement. One of these clerks, moving hurriedly under the 

 strain of the burden, chanced to step upon an iron cellar grating 

 which caused the electric current to kill him instantly. The other 

 clerk, who was lifting his part of the weight, stood upon the ordi- 

 nary pavement and so was not injured. The metallic frame of the 

 show-case had transmitted the current. 



Some very serious injuries have been caused by an attempt to 

 brush away an electric-light wire that dangled against the head 

 of the passer-by. The muscles of any one who is unfortunate 

 enough to grasp such a wire contract with uncontrollable persist- 

 ence, and the electric current burns with an effect resembling that 

 of white-hot iron. 



The innumerable electric appliances, which are already begin- 

 ning to compete with those run by steam, must increase the num- 

 ber of accidents. Rapidly growing power is at present accom- 

 panied by rapidly growing risk a condition to be expected dur- 

 ing early stages of advancement. But relative safety will doubt- 

 less be attained through the skill of an army of specialists who 

 will be divided and subdivided into a greater number of groups as 

 the new combinations multiply. Herbert Spencer's doctrine of 

 the increase of heterogeneity during certain stages of evolution is 

 thus reaffirmed in this age of mechanism. Yet there is every 

 reason to expect that the development of intelligence will steadily 

 eliminate the dangers arising from haste in construction. The 

 loss and inconvenience which may be experienced while waiting 

 for absolute safety should not be overlooked. In fact, prolonged 

 delay is neither practicable nor desirable. 



In his introductory lecture on the Anthropological History of Europe, Dr. 

 Beddoe inclines to the modern view which regards Europe as the original home 

 of the Aryans. He also discusses in a novel manner some of the causes which 

 may be supposed to produce changes of physical type. Incidentally he records 

 his opinion that a process of selection, which may be called natural, works against 

 the perpetuation of certain types in our cities. He also remarks that more evi- 

 dence exists than is generally known of the deteriorative effect of malaria on 

 physical type. 



The Antarctic Fund of the Australian Association for the Advancement of 

 Science has grown to 14,044, leaving only 1,000, or $5,000, to raise it to the 15,- 

 000 that are sought to complete it. It is thought that this remaining amount will 

 be furnished by the colonial governments. As at present arranged, the expedi- 

 tion is expected to arrive in September, 1893, at its last coaling port and starting- 

 point in the southern hemisphere. 



