QUARTERLY CHRONICLE. 155 
latter, or to strengthen the spinal-nerves, or, lastly, to pass 
into the brain or spinal cord. 
(4) The sympathetic-cells are—although they receive 
“ cerebro-spinal fibres’”-—not to be viewed as possessing a 
positive function in connection with the sympathetic-fibres, 
but either only as “ nutrition centres” (Schiff), or as “ centres 
of negative function,” in opposition to the positively active 
cerebro-spinal cells, as checks on the function appropriated to 
these. 
(5) The sympathetic has also, no doubt, a most imtimate 
relation to the so-called ‘‘ animal” nervous system; yet a 
weak individuality cannot be denied to it, which shows itself, 
for example, in the circumstance that from always a single 
“straight fibre *”?—here and there two, three—may be only 
one—“ spiral fibres,” can arise. 
3. “ On an Instrument for Microscopical Preparation.” By 
V. Hensen.—This an instrument for making sections on the 
stage of the microscope. The author calls it the “ Quer- 
schnitter,”’ which may be translated “ cross-cutter.”’ Its princi- 
pal use is in making sections of very minute objects. The author 
first used it in examining the auditory organs of Crustacea. 
4. “Onthe Germinal Spot, and the Explanation of the Parts 
of the Egg. By la Valette St. George.—This a short 
paper, illustrated by a few good drawings of various ova. Its 
object is to point out that the egg at its origin by no means 
bears the indication of its future destiny ; that it originates 
and developes just as every other cell, until it arrives at a 
certain point. This had only been’ clearly shown in a few 
cases until the paper of M. St. George. 
5. The Leptothrix-swarms, and their relation to the Vibri- 
ones. By Ernst Hallier.—The author of this paper, which 
appears to be one of great value, and the result of careful 
research, arranges these fungoid bodies in the following 
developmental series:—(1) Mould series; a, Brush-mould 
(Penicillium) ; 6, Head-mould (Mucor); ¢c, Jointed-plants 
(Oidium) ; a, upon moderately damp firm substances, and on 
the upper layer of liquids ; 4, on firm, somewhat moist sub- 
stances; c, on pap-like and fluid substances, which are 
thoroughly putrescent, 
(2) Achorion series. Syn., Achorion Schoenlenit. Within 
fluid or very juicy substances of various chemical composition, 
throwing off spore-chains in irregular branches (Ozdium) ; 
it arises from germinating brush-mould. 
(3) Leptothrix series. Syn., Leptothrix ‘buccalis: Bacte- 
rium of many authors. a, Thin Leptothrix-chains, arising 
from the swarming plasma-granules of Penicillium, of the 
