Scknii/ie Intelligence. — Physiology. 413 



the portion of the great desert which begins or ends at some 

 distance from Cairo, according as you ascend or descend the 

 Nile, ]M. Botta had occasion to observe that these camels, in 

 proportion as they proceeded from the place of departure, be- 

 came thin with a rapidity which was very striking and re- 

 markable. He had also occasion to confirm an observation which 

 was made ages ago, that these animals really'seemed to smell water 

 at incredible distances, which is inferred from the increased swift- 

 ness in the speed of the camels ; which, in spite of their enfeebled 

 power, during the progress of a protracted journey, redouble 

 their efforts as they approach the spots where water is found, in 

 hopes of obtaining that refreshing draught which can alone sa- 

 tisfy their thirst and relieve their torments. So soon as these 

 animals reach one of those springs so sparingly scattered over 

 the desert, they throw themselves into it with avidity, and 

 though more or less muddy, they continue drinking it for a 

 long time. That which most of all astonished M. Botta was the 

 almost instantaneous change which this treat produced in them. 

 In fact, after having been in this way reduced to the worst and 

 most meagre condition, after the expiry of a short period of re- 

 pose, and having drank well, they rise in so much apparent flesh 

 and good condition, that you could scarcely beheve them to be 

 the same animals. Since, therefore, there was no other change 

 in their regimen than the introduction into their stomach of a 

 handful of dry nourishment, and of a great quantity of water 

 with which they had just before gorged themselves, it is clear 

 that this alteration in their condition, so sudden and so appa- 

 rent, can be attributed only to the introduction of the watery fluid 

 first into their stomach, then into the circulating fluids, and, 

 finally, into the cellular tissue, in consequence of a true act of 

 imbibition through the continuity of substance, whether circular 

 or capillary, as in a sponge, and perhaps also by that process 

 which is now denominated endosmose ; that is to say, by the af- 

 finity which the liquids of a Hving organized part have for mois- 

 ture, after they have been deprived of it by great exhalation. 



A>JTHROPOLOGY. 



3. On Toothach from Caries, by Troschel. — This author 

 has followed up some observations, made by him last year in a 



