72 Miscellaneous, 



from the intestinal canal of the animal infested by tape-worm, and 

 creeps to a little distance, depositing its eggs in grass, in water, &c. 



2. The ova being devoured in the food of some animal, are 

 hatched into Embryos, microscopic in size, and furnished with 

 little hooks, by means of which they penetrate into the vessels and 

 are carried to different parts of the system. 



3. They become developed into the stage of the resting scolex, 

 in which they are little sac-like objects, on which heads or scolices 

 armed with hooks and suckers are developed. 



4„ The flesh of the animal infested by these scolices, now known 

 as Cysticerci, is eaten by some carnivorous- animal, in whose intes- 

 tines the little parasites fasten themselves, and become developed 

 into tape-worms, producing new proglottides. 



Such are the strange provisions made by a benefieient Creator for 

 the life and welfare of creatures, in themselves most loathsome to 

 us ; but like all other parasites and plagues, intended to teach us 

 lessons, both physical and moral, which man has been too slow to 

 learn, and, from neglect of which, both he and his domesticated 

 animals must probably long continue to suffer. The subject is, in 

 many respects, an uninviting one; but of great importance in 

 natural science and hygiene, and, for this reason, we desire to give 

 our mite of encouragement to any ©ne who follows it up in the 

 right spirit. 



Agassiz on a Museum of Natural History. — A magnifi- 

 cent scheme, for the promotion of Natural History, is now under 

 consideration in Boston. Prof. Agassiz, having declined the 

 tempting offers made to him by the Emperor of the French, tikes 

 advantage of the opportunity to invite the attention of his adopted 

 country to a scheme, by which the capital of Massachusetts may 

 become the centre of Natural History education in America. The 

 plan includes the erection of a museum on a magnificent scale, 

 and the institution of curatorships to be eventually erected into 

 chairs of Natural History. It is wise and far-seeing, and, we 

 hope, will be warmly taken up by the Bostonians, who are alive 

 to the importance of attracting to their city young men desirous 

 of scientific education, and have already been, with this view, 

 munificent patrons of their University. Our little attempts in 

 Canada, in erecting museums and forming provincial and other 

 collections, dwindle into small matters compared with the grand 

 conception of the Swiss naturalist. We quote his own words, in 

 a memorial to the Committee of the Lawrence Scientific School : — 



