1008 TuAXSACTIOiXS OF THE A2IERICAN INSTITUTE. 



as performed by Dr. Willems. After cutting off the hair of the 

 lower end of the tail, three or four incisions are made, and a small 

 quantity of virus is inserted. This virus is the liquid extracted 

 from the lung (not too much decomposed) of an animal that has 

 been killed under an attack of pleuro-pneumonia. At the end of 

 about three weeks a series of symptoms are manifested. They 

 consist, for the most part, of certain pustules on the incisions, which 

 heal of their own accord. In other cases the extremity of the tail 

 swells, and exhibits a sort of gangrene, which is -arrested by cutting 

 the tail above the wound. M. Barral counted two such cases out 

 of one hundred and sixty-two animals inoculated at the time of his 

 visit. In a few cases the inflammation extends to the upper part 

 of the tail and the flesh adjacent to the point of attachment. Upon 

 the appearance of mortification, the veterinary performs an opera- 

 tion for the removal of the decomposed flesh, and the wounded 

 parts are then washed with a jet of fresh water, passing through an 

 Indiivrubber tube. This produces excellent results, except in 

 winter. . Experience has shown that where inoculation is practiced, 

 the loss of animals in the infected districts does not exceed one or 

 two per cent. 



Volcanic cones. 

 The two most remarkable volcanic peaks known are on Unim'ak 

 Island, the most eastern of the Aleutian group in the Pacific. They 

 rise from the sea in perfect sj^mmetry to the height of nearly ten 

 thousand feet. Between them is Destruction Peak, which, by an 

 eruption in 1863, destroyed many lives. 



VIOLIN AND HARP STRINGS. 



The Neapolitan provinces still maintain their superiority in the 

 manufacture of musical strings. Neapolitan sheep being generally 

 small and lean, are said to afford the best quality of raw material. 

 Strings are made from the small intestines, which are first thoroughly 

 cleaned and scraped, and then steeped for four ol' five days in alka- 

 line lye, containing a little alum, when they are found to be bleached 

 and swollen. They are smoothed by being drawn through a ring, 

 and after being dried, are twisted and sulphured. Sometimes the 

 sulphuring process is applied before they are dried, and they arc 

 often polished by means of horse-hair cords. Strings have been 

 manufactured in Italy since their first use on modern musical instru- 

 ments, and have always been noted for their strength, clearness and 

 brilliancy of tone. 



