1889.] MICEOSCOPICAL JOURNAL. 143 



He has read widely, thought profoundly, and reasoned closely. The 

 book is one that should be on the table of every religious student. It 

 is simply invaluable as a book of reference. — A. Kent. 



NOTES. 



Albino Bees. — Mr. J. C. Robinson, of Richford, Til., states in the 

 JBee-fceeper 's Guide for Feburary that a well-established breed of albino 

 bees, originating in 1872, is now recognized. 



Nervous Influence on Cell Life. — Dr. T. Wesley Mills, of Mc- 

 Gill University, contributes to the Canadian Record of Science an able 

 paper upon "The influence of the nervous system on cell life," in which 

 he shows by a large array of facts that there is probably a very import- 

 ant connection between the nerve influence upon the cells which make 

 up the body and the proper development of those cells. The brief re- 

 view of the article which our space would allow is entirely inadequate to 

 give a clear idea of the reasoning of Dr. Mills, but we are constrained 

 to say that his theory would explain many phenomena on the develop- 

 ment of organs of the human body not now explained. The article is 

 worthy a wide reading. 



The Discovery of the Microscope. — M. Govi, an Italian savant, 

 has presented a paper to the French Academy of Sciences, in which he 

 claims for Galileo the distinction of having discovered the microscope 

 as well as the telescope. He has found a book, printed in 1610, ac- 

 cording to which Galileo had already directed his tube fitted with lenses 

 to the observation of small near subjects. The philosopher himself 

 stated shortly after this date that he had been able to observe through 

 the lens the movements of minute animals and their organs of sense. 

 In a letter written in 1 614 to a Signor Tarde he states that he has with 

 his microscope " seen and observed flies as large as sheep, and how 

 their bodies were covered with hairs, and they had sharp claws." The 

 date usually assigned to the discovery of the microscope is 1621, and 

 the invention is attributed to Cornelius Drebbel, a Dutchman ; but ac- 

 cording to M. Govi the date must be thrown back eleven years, and the 

 credit of the first construction awarded to Galileo. 



The Microscopical Diagnosis of Cancer. — Dr. Scbaefter, in a 

 paper in the Jour. Am. Med. Ass'n for March 23, claims for the mi- 

 croscope an important place in the diagnosis of cancer in its various 

 forms. 



Ginn & Co. announce that the sixth volume of their Library of 

 Anglo-Saxon Poetry, Cynewulf s Elene, edited by Charles W. Kent, 

 will be ready in May. The introduction will contain an account of the 

 manuscript, author, sources, theme of poem, and versification, particu- 

 larly of rhyme. The text is accompanied by the Latin original. The 

 notes, intended as aids to the student, will be full. The glossary will 

 be on the plan of Heyne's Beowulf. 



Slides Received. 



We return thanks to the donors for the following interesting slides : 

 Chr ornate of Strichnia. — 7 ^ gr. strichnia from stomach of frog 

 mounted in Damar. From L. A. Harding, Fergus Falls, Minn. 



