Catalogue RaisonnS. 389 



'. maize reminded them of the barn, vhere maiza was laid up. By means 

 of the expression small house (or barn,) and twenty (both feet and hands) 

 they formed the expressions for 30, 40, BO, by joining them together, »s, 

 twenty plus ten ; twice twenty ; four times twenty. Quite similar ^re 

 the Celtic expressions which have passed into the languages of Komaa 

 origin, as, quatre vingt, and quinze vingt, or those more rarely met with, 

 as six vingt, sept vingt, huit vingt. Deux vingt and trois vingt are not 

 used in French ; but in the Gaelic or Celtic dialect of West Britany, 

 through which I passed a few years ago, twenty is called ugent, forty 

 daou-uffent, or two twenty ; sixty tri-uyent, or three twenty. It is even 

 said deh ha nao ujfent) or ten ov^t nine twenty ;^ 190." 



•- Remarks on Snake Poisons and their Remedies. By Dr. J. 

 Hancock, Corr. Memb. Zool. Soc. &c. &c. — Ibid- 



The author mentions how often things have been cried up as remedies or 

 antidotes against snake poisons, which are of no real utility ; and, on 

 the other hand, how often snakes have been erroneously reputed to be 

 venomous. Dr. Hancock, as a summary of his experience, recommends 

 the wound to be sucked as soon as possible, to be afterwards freely open- 

 ed by cross cuts, and the skin to be pinched. The wound must be tilled 

 with common salt or with nitre, and the juice of any of the aristolochias, 

 or any other stimulant substance at hand, must be applied. The suc- 

 tion should be continued for a considerable time, and a ligature should 

 be applied above the wound. Of the virtues of the guaco, so much land- 

 ed by Mutis, the author is very sceptical. 



jB*ttlesnakes are actually becoming an article of commerce with America, 

 and, from an anecdote related by the author, it appears not improbable 

 that we may soon enjoy the advaijt&g^ of thw naturalization in oar 

 groves and meadows. 



MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 



Meefing of Scottish Naturalists We observe in the Lancet for 26th June 



last, a mangled traduction of our notice respecting the proposed meeting of 

 Scottish Naturalists. The southern worthy, with bis usual facility, has manu- 

 fectured a long story out of our little paragraph ; but In future, vhen he is about 

 to distort any of our statements, we shall be obliged to him to refer his readers 

 to his authority, that they may know where to find the exact facts. If the 

 Lancet does not attend to this little point of etiquette, we shall give him a gentle 

 administration of the Actual Cautery. 



The Lancet " admits that the scheme is highly feasible and praiseworthy, and 

 deserves the co-operation of every scientific individual in the empire ;" but, like 

 a good hypochondriac, who, even with atlmiration of the viands before him, will 

 not eat, lest he choke, he is mightily afraid that it would not succeed. We may 

 inform the editor of the Lancet, that " the cultivators of science," in Scotland, do 

 not " follow it as a trade ;" and, therefore, may have both " inclination and lei- 

 sure" to visit such a meeting as is proposed. For, the proposal was, that this year 

 '' a meeting of Scottish Naturalists" should be held, to organize a more general 

 meeting on future years, when all Britain may partake of the pleasures and ad- 

 vantages it may afford : and a private meeting for this purpose will take place. 



We agree with the Lancet, that " the meetings should not be exclusively con- 

 fined to Edinburgh, but held annually in succession in the three great capitals 

 of the empire ;" this, however, would be a matter for after arrangement. But 

 does the Lancet think, that this would succeed with his mercantile men of 

 science* 



