362 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1800. 



have suffered from the removal of 

 the stapes, and from the consequent 

 discharge of water contained in 

 the cavities of the internal ear: for 

 it has been very constantly observ- 

 ed, that when all the small bones 

 of tlie ear have been discharged, a 

 total deafness has ensued. 



It is probable, that in instances 

 in which the membrana tympani 

 is destroyed, the functions of this 

 membrane have been carried on by 

 the membranes of thejenesfra ova/ is 

 zwdi fenestra rotunda: for, as they 

 are placed over the water of the 

 labyrinth, they will, when agitated 

 by the impressions of sound, convey 

 their vibrations to that fluid in a 

 similar manner, though in some- 

 what an inferior degree, to those 

 which are conveyed by means of 

 the membrana ti/mpani and the small 

 bones which are attached to it; 

 and thus, in the organ of hearing, 

 each part is admirably adapted, not 

 only to the pur^wse for which it is 

 designed, but also as a provision 

 against accident or disease; so that, 

 whenever any particular part is de- 

 stroyed, another is substituted for it, 

 and the organ, from this depriva- 

 tion, suffers but little injury in its 

 functions. 



It seems that the principal use of 

 the membrana tympani is, to modify 

 the impressions of sound, and to 

 proportion them to the powers and 

 expectation of the organ. Mr. P — 

 had lost this power for a considera- 

 ble period after the destruction of 

 the membrane : but, in process of 

 time, as the external ear acquired 

 the additional motions I have de- 

 scribed, sounds were rendered 

 stronger or weaker by them. When, 

 therefore, he A^as addressed in a 

 whisper, the ear was seen immedi- 

 ately to move; but, when the tone 



of voice was louder, it then remain- 

 ed altogether motionless. 



Observations on the Sig?is exhibited 

 by Animals, indicativeof Changes 

 in the Weather, by Signor To- 

 ledo, an Italian Author :Jrom the 

 Annals of Agriculture, 



WH E N the bats remain longer 

 than usual abroad from their 

 holes, fly about in great numbers, 

 and to a greater distance than com- 

 mon, it announces that the follow- i 

 ing day will be warm and serene ; 1 

 but if they enter the houses, and 

 send forth loud and repeated cries, 

 it indicates bad weather. If the 

 owl is heard to scream during bad 

 weather, it announces that it will 

 become fine. The croaking of 

 crows in the morning indicates fine 

 weather. When the raven croaks 

 three or four times, extending his 

 wings, and shaking the leaves, it is 

 a sign of serene weather. It is an 

 indication of rain and stormy wea- 

 ther when the ducks and geese fly 

 backwards and forwards, when they 

 plunge frequently in the water, or 

 begin to send forth cries and to fly 

 about. If the bees do not remove 

 to a great distance from their hives 

 it announces rain : if they return to 

 their hives before tlie usual time, 

 it may be concluded that it will 

 soon fall. If pigeons return slowly 

 to the pigeon-house, it indicates 

 that the succeeding days will be 

 rainy. It is a sign of rain or wind 

 when the sparrows chirp a great 

 deal, and make a noise to each 

 other to assemble. When fowls 

 and chickens roll in the sand more 

 than usual, it announces rain ; the 

 same is the case when cocks crow in 

 the evenins;, or at 



'6' 



uncommon 



liours. Peacocks which cry during 



