XXXV. 



TTbe Case ot Colonel Uownsbenb, 



SOME time ago I was discussing with a friend the 

 curious nature of certain human acts which are capable 

 of being performed by only a limited number of in- 

 dividuals among us. The argument began by the 

 information being afforded me that the friend in ques- 

 tion could move his scalp backwards and forwards. 

 This display of muscular power failed, of course, to 

 arouse my enthusiasm. It is not unusual for a person 

 to possess the power of moving or wrinkling the skin 

 on the top of his head, so I contented myself with 

 remarking on the tolerably common nature of my 

 friend's performance. 



When, however, he proceeded in Dundreary fashion 

 " to wag his ear" my interest became aroused, and the 

 discussion on unusual muscular movements in man 

 was duly inaugurated. That my friend could at will 

 " wag his ear " was not for a moment to be doubted. 

 Seeing was believing in this case, at least. 



He reminded me of a still more typical case of such 

 ear-movements which occurred when I was a Uni- 

 versity examiner. I had before me a student who 

 was a decidedly nervous subject. Each question, pro- 

 pounded to him in the gentlest of fashions, threw him 

 into a cold perspiration. Then came another revela- 



