Natural History, 203 



8. Process for Preserving Milk for any Length of Time. — This 

 process, invented by a Russian chemist named Kircoff, consists in 

 evaporating new milk by a very gentle fire and very slowly, until it 

 is reduced to a dry powder. This powder is to be kept in bottles 

 carefully stopped. When it is to be employed, it is only necessary 

 to dissolve the powder in a sufficient quantity of water. According 

 to M. Kircoff, the milk does not lose, by this process, any of its 

 peculiar flavour. — Bull, dcs Scien. Agric. 



9. Theory of Phrenology. — From the minute examination and 

 history of a case which has come before Dr. Albers, and in which 

 the chain of evidence required seems to be very complete, and from 

 a comparison of it with the doctrines of MM. Reil, Gall, Flourens, 

 &c, Dr. Albers arrives at the following conclusions. "i. The 

 development or imperfect development of the cerebellum is not 

 always in direct ratio with the sexual instinct, ii. It appears that 

 the lobes of the cerebrum may in part replace, in its function, the 

 lobe of the cerebellum on the same side. iii. In order that the 

 animal system may enjoy the full exercise of its movements, it is 

 not necessary that the two lobes of the cerebellum should be equally 

 developed, nor that the parts between them should be perfectly 

 developed, iv. The disproportion in the development of the two 

 lateral lobes of the cerebellum in this case, accorded with the state 

 of the sexual organs and instinct," as indicated by malformation 

 and other circumstances. 



10. Phosphorescence of the Sea. — Tn a paper on the colouring 

 principle of the water of the Baltic, M. Pfaff incidentally makes 

 certain remarks on the phosphorescence which it exhibits, prin- 

 cipally at the end of the summer until November. He confirms the 

 opinion that the appearance is due to the presence of microscopic 

 animals, and principally infusores. In support of this opinion, he 

 quotes the careful observations of Dr. Michael is, who has already 

 determined several species, and noticed the most important circum- 

 stances affecting their phosphorescence. M. Pfaff observes, that if 

 an electric current be passed through a tube filled with sea water 

 recently taken up, there is immediately seen in it an infinity of 

 brilliant points continually in motion, which remain visible only for 

 a few moments. In general all experiments prove that these micro- 

 scopic animals exhibit their light when acted upon by stimulants 

 such as ammonia, acids, ether, and alcohol. It is also remarked 

 that mechanical pressure produces the same effect upon the water, 

 but that the phosphorescence is rarely perceived with water that is 

 quiescent. — Bib. Univ. xli. 170. 



11. Wild Pigeons in North America. — We have never before 

 witnessed such multitudes of wild pigeons, as have appeared 

 amongst us (Montrose) at the present season. Flocks extending 



