Miscellaneous, 79 



create, and finally disappear. In the woods in which thej abound 

 I hare found the earth-nut (Bunium Jiexvostim) very common, and 

 have observed that its tubers are frequently scratched up and de- 

 voured by some small animal in the latter part of spring. I suspect 

 (for I have not seen them in the act, nor indeed is it likely that a 

 crepuscular animal would be seen at work) that this is done by 

 Dormice, and that there must be plenty of earth-nuts, as well as 

 of acorns and hazel-nuts, for the Dormice to be numerous. 



I am, yours truly, 



Edward Gillett, M.A. 

 Vicarage, Runham, Filby, Norwich, Vicar of Runham. 



May 20, 1864. 



Examination of the Structure of the Hair-folliele in Man 

 and in the Rabbit. By Dr. Wkrtucim. 



The author's investigations of the structure of the hair-follicle in 

 man and in the rabbit have led him to the conclusion that the 

 follicle is not a blind sac embracing the hair, but a calyciform 

 structure which is home upon a peuuncle of considerable length, 

 so that its similarity to tne cup and stalk of a flower is very 

 striking. The peduncle finally passes over into one of those fibres 

 which run in great numbers through the reticular part of the 

 corium and the subcutaneous areolar tissue in a more or less hori- 

 zontal direction. Observations made upon series of parallel trans* 

 Terse sections show clearly that this structure is a normal one, and 

 common to the hair of all parts, and that it is not identical with that 

 long since described bv Professor Langer, and regarded by him at 

 standing in close relation to the change of hair. In a transverse 

 section of the peduncle three concentric layers are observed ; these 

 are described by the author as the pith, sheath, and cortical layer of 

 the hair-peduncle. 



In conclusion, Dr. Werthcim states that for the purpose of harden- 

 ing organic tissues, especially the skin and the preparations referred 

 to in his memoir, he has employed aniline, and tnat he has found 

 this substance very advantageous in several respects. — Bericht der 

 Akad. der Wim. ru Wien, 28 Jpril, 1864, p. 74. 



On Independent Movements qf Embryonal Cell* observed in tkt 

 Ova of the Frog (Rana temporaria). By Dr. Strickkr. 



When examined in a fresh state, without the addition of reagents, 

 and under circumstances which protect the preparation from evapo- 

 ration, the embryonal celkof the ova of the trog exhibit peculiar 

 movements. Tliey send forth processes, and retract them again ; 

 sometimes they become elongated, and then again round. These 

 changes implicate the whole cell-mass, and last only for a few mi- 

 nutes ; then the well-known structureless humps protrude them- 

 selves, which were formerly regarded as diverticula of the cell-mem- 

 brane caused by diffusion. As, however, no reagent was employed, 

 the author considers that diffusion has nothing to do with the pro- 

 duction of these humps, which he regards as also manifestations of 

 the life of the cell. Dr. Strieker adds lome obsenratious ou eeg*- 



