Scientific Intelligence — Zoology. 395 



In the whole blood of this dog, there must, therefore, have been more 

 than 100,000 of these worms. 



The prodigious number of these animals is the more surprising 

 from the dog appearing to enjoy good health. However, we have re- 

 marked that the entozoa of the digestive tube of dogs, the taenia, 

 rarely derange the vital functions, even when in very great numbers. 



During the last year, we have examined the blood of from 70 to 

 80 dogs without meeting with the Filaria, and, from the date of its 

 discovery, we have sought for it in vain in the bWod of 15 dogs.* 



8. Examination of Tartar and the Mucous Coatings of the Tongue 

 and Teeth, — These coatings, which, according to Laugier and Vau- 

 quelin, are chiefly formed of carbonate and phosphate of lime, agglu- 

 tinated by a little cement, have been studied microscopically by M. 

 Mandl, who, having macerated them, in a fresh state, in distilled 

 water, discovered a large quantity of vibrious baguettes. This ob- 

 server consequently believes, that such coatings are formed of calca- 

 reous skeletons of these infusoria. Leuwenhoek long ago indicated 

 the presence of infusoria in the same products. — Report of Proceed- 

 ings of the Academy of Sciences in *' L'Jbistitut." 



9. Light of the Glow- Worm. — M. Matteucci lately addressed a notice 

 to the Academy of Sciences, containing the results of experiments 

 which he has made on the phenomena constituting the phosphores- 

 cence of the glow-worm. The following is the substance of his 

 communication : — Carbonic acid and hydrogen are the media in which 

 the phosphorescent matter ceases to shine after a space of 30 or 40 

 minutes, if the gases are pure. In oxygen gas the light is more 

 brilliant than in atmospheric air, and it remains brilliant for nearly 

 triple the length of time. When it shines in the air or in oxygen, 

 it consumes a portion of oxygen, which is replaced by the correspond- 

 ing volume of carbonic acid. In the same media, when there is an 

 impossibility of light being emitted, there is no oxygen absorbed, 

 and no carbonic acid developed. Heat augments to a certain extent 

 the light of the phosphorescent matter, whereas cold produces the 

 opposite effect. When the heat is too great, the substance is altered. 

 The same thing takes place when it is left in the air or in some 

 gases for a certain time ; that is, when the substance is separated 

 from the animal. This matter, so altered, is no longer capable of 

 emitting light or of becoming luminous. According to these facts, 



From Ann. de Chimie et de Phpsnque, t. vii. p. r>81. 



