332 SCIENTIFIC ILLUSTRATIONS [Spu 



which is devoid of even a trace of common sense. In this state 

 a man may be placed under the influences of even a revolting 

 popular theology, and may manage to exist for a time, and, if 

 spiritual death overtake him, he is unconscious both of his own 

 position and of its approach. He is in a state of suspended men- 

 tal animation which is terminated without a pang. PH. 



Splenetic Force. 



The splenetic man does not exert an influence at all com- 

 mensurate with his activity or his desires. He often would be 

 injurious if he could, but the fact is that society is not alFected 

 by all his attacks in an equal degree. Their power is in an 

 inverse ratio to their number. It has been found by observa- 

 tion that the effect of the subsequent wounds which he gives, 

 like those which the snake gives, is greatly decreased. In the 

 case of the snake they are diminished either by the diminution of 

 the quantity of venom, or by some deterioration of its strength, 

 so that if a venomous snake be made repeatedly to inflict wounds, 

 without allowing sufficiently long intervals for it to recover its 

 powers, each successive bite becomes less and less effective. 

 In the case of the splenetic man, however, there is no diminu- 

 tion either in the quantity of the venom or its quality. The 

 decrease in the noxious effects produced by his subsequent 

 wounds is due to another source. It is owing to society's 

 method of treatment. Society now finds that it is best not to 

 dress such wounds, or allow them to be plastered over by friends, 

 but to bathe them at once in oblivion. p. 



The Spurious Philanthropist. 



The teredo (ship-worm) passes through several changes of 

 form, and in its earlier stages is wholly unrecognisable by any 

 one except a practised naturalist. It is very minute and nearly 

 spherical, and covered with cilia or hair-like projections, by 

 means of which it swims rapidly through the water. In thirty- 

 six hours it assumes a new form, and speedily changes it for 

 another, after which it returns again to its original form, so that 



