co 
1864. | The Royal Institution. 05 
Pelouze, Kolbe, and Berthelot, in this most promising and interesting 
department of chemical research. 
On the 18th, Mr. Savory lectured “On Dreaming and Somnam- 
bulism in their relation to the Functions of certain Nerve Centres.” 
The actions of the body are variously classed as excito-motor, sensori- 
motor, and ideo-motor, the nerve centres employed in these actions 
being particular parts of the brain. Sleep is to the brain what rest 
is to the other parts of the body, and dreams result from the imperfect 
exercise of the hemispheres when only in a state of partial repose. 
Somnambulism results from the activity of the sensorium while the 
hemispheres are at rest. Dreaming is more common than somnam- 
bulism, because the cerebral lobes are most liable to variation from the 
quantity and quality of blood supplied to them, and from the influence 
of stimulants, narcotics, &e. In profound sleep no actions but excito- 
motor, or involuntary, such as the movements of respiration and of the 
heart, are performed ; and these are reduced in force and frequency. 
In dreaming, ideas are aroused, and impressions either subjective or 
objective are produced. If the latter, it shows that the sensorium must 
be in partial activity. In somnambulism, the actions are sensori- 
motory, and the sensorium is in full activity. The above is the 
merest outline of a very eloquent lecture, which was concluded by 
some observations on the beneficial moral effects that may possibly be 
derived from a study of our dreams. They may in fact become the 
means of showing us what we really are. 
On February 26, Mr. Prestwich lectured “On the Quaternary Flint 
Implements of Abbeville, Amiens, Hoxne, &¢.; their Geological Posi- 
tion and History.” In his address (fully reported in our Geological 
Chronicle), the lecturer says he is convinced that the flint implements 
are the genuine work of man’s hands, and that their being found along 
with the remains of extinct animals, necessitates bringing the date of 
these animals forward, as much as carrying back that of man. He 
believes we have no data to decide definitely on the age of these re- 
mains; but thinks we are not warranted in assuming the length of 
time alleged. 
The interesting and important lecture of Professor Stokes, upon 
the ‘‘ Discrimination of Organic Bodies by their Optical Properties,” 
must for the present be postponed. 
