INSTITUTK NOTKS. I 29 



of its fur, that it was quite numerously populated by a species 

 of louse. The respiration of the animal was plainly visible, 

 and the average number of counts, when the animal was in a 

 state of repose, gave as a result 160 respirations per minute. 

 Naturally, the respiration suggested the taking of the ani- 

 mal's pulse. This at first seemed difficult to do, but the 

 problem was solved when one of the members bethought him- 

 self of a stethoscope that happened to be available. This 

 was one of the "telephonic" type of instrument, the dia- 

 phragm being connected with the ears of the experimenter by 

 two rubber tubes. The bat was placed in a Mason jar, over 

 the mouth of which was tied a paper cover. The jar was 

 now inverted and placed upon the diaphragm of the stetho- 

 scope, so that there was nothing between the bat and the 

 instrument except a thin layer of paper. The heart beat of 

 the little creature was now plainly heard, but was far too 

 rapid to be counted. In order to estimate the number of beats 

 it was necessar}^ to catch the rhythm of the heart beat by 

 tapping alternately with the two hands upon the table, count- 

 ing the taps of one hand only, and doubling. This gave as 

 the result an average of 448 heart beats per minute. This is 

 approximately three times the number of respirations per 

 minute. The rate of respiration and heart beat was very 

 much influenced by the ner\-ous condition of the creature. 

 Hefure each trial it was necessary to wait some little time, 

 with everything quiet, until the frightened animal became 

 composed. 



The Pnblicalicjn Connnittee has recently had added to it 

 two new members, namely, Charles Potts and Dr. K. M. 

 Underhill. These appointments were made to fill the vacan- 

 cies caused by the deaths of Jacob B. Brown and Dr. Lin- 

 nieus Fussell. 



At a recent meeting of the Board of Curators a resolution 

 was passed directing that the Institute Building be painted 

 this vear. This is something that has been needed a Ions: time. 



