404 Miscellaneous Intelligence, 



2. Effects of Lightning on the Animal System. — In reference to 

 the case described, page 367 of our last volume, Dr. Fusinieri 

 writes, that during the winter of 1S24, no particular effects were 

 perceived by Sig. Tomiello in the arm struck by lightning, but 

 that, as the spring of 1825 advanced, it again became affected ; 

 the same sensation of heat, and want of motion, taking place, when 

 the weather became stormy ; the change in the weather being pre- 

 indieated for several hours, or, at times, even days. Dr. Fusinieri 

 remarks upon the circumstance, that these effects were not per- 

 ceived in the winter season, though the weather might be stormy, 

 and the temperature as warm, at times, as on occasions when the 

 arm was affected. He considers the cause as existing in a morbid 

 sensibility of the nerves of the arm to atmospheric electricity. — 

 Gior. di Fisica, viii. 219. 



3. Investigation of supposed Electric Cwrents in the Nerves. — II 

 Sig. Nobili has endeavoured to ascertain, by means of his delicate 

 Galvanometer (p. 170), the existence of those electric currents 

 which are supposed by some persons to take place through the 

 nerves, in the animal system. The means adopted, were to in- 

 troduce the wires of the instrument into different parts of the 

 nerves, in which case, if currents existed, part should be diverted 

 through the instrument, and rendered sensible by its effect upon 

 the compound needle. Notwithstanding the extreme delicacy of 

 the instrument, no traces of such currents could be perceived. 



In consequence of the observations of Amici and Herschel, 

 II Sig. Nobili also examined the circulation of the chara * in a 

 similar way, but could detect no electrical current. He found also 

 that a current of electricity, sent through the circulating system 

 of the chara, deranged and injured it. — Gior. di Fisica, viii. 269. 



4. Relation of a case of Poisoning caused by the Honey of the 

 Lecheguana Wasp* By M. Auguste de St. Hilaire. — " After having 

 crossed the plains of the Rio de la Plata, I coasted the thinly- 

 inhabited borders of the Uruguay, and arrived at the camp of 

 Belem, on the locality of the town of the same name destroyed by 

 Artigas. There I was told I should have to pass a desert desti- 

 tute of habitations or roads, but that, in case of necessity, I could 

 have recourse to two detachments of Portuguese soldiers posted 

 on the banks of the river, and also that I could have a guide to 

 the first detachment near the mouth of the Guaray. At the 

 borders of this river I took another guide, who was to conduct me 

 to the rivulet S. Anna, where I was told the second detachment 

 was placed. Arrived at the rivulet, I and my men searched for 



* Quarterly Journal, xvi. p. 388, 



