324 
spinal cord and in all probability does so, The same 
arguments which would prove that woorara increases the 
susceptibility to pain prove also that morphia does so, 
for in small doses morphia also increases the movement 
of the leg of the frog in the same way as woorara; but 
we know perfectly well from observation in man that 
morphia does not increase pain even in small doses, and 
that a large dose completely abolishes it. There can be 
little doubt that large doses of woorara also abolish sensi- 
bility as well as motion, for after the poison has acted 
awhile, the movements, even in the protected leg, become 
less and less, showing that the spinal cord has been 
paralysed ; but before this take place, the sensory nerves 
themselves are paralysed by the poison, as was first shown 
by Schiff, the correctness of whose experiments has been 
since confirmed. The mode of experiment will be better 
understood by reference to the accompanying diagram 
representing a frog, in which the artery going to one leg 
has been tied so as to protect it from the influence of the 
poison, This leg has been left unshaded, but all the 
poisoned parts of the body are shaded. At first, pinch- 
ing in any part of the body, whether poisoned or not, 
will induce movement in the non-poisoned leg, but after 
a little they do not, while pinching of the skin of the 
unpoisoned leg below the point of ligature will cause 
movements. This is most strikingly seen when the skin 
is pinched, first just above the ligature, and afterwards 
just below it. The pinch above the ligature produces no 
effect ; the pinch below it produces movement. In the 
former case the sensory nerves have been poisoned by the 
woorara ; in the latter case they have not. This experi- 
ment shows clearly that the ends of the sensory nerves 
are also paralysed by woorara like the ends of the motor 
nerves, although they are not so quickly affected, for a 
reference to the diagram will show that the trunks of both 
motor and sensory nerves and the spinal cord have been 
equally exposed to the poison, and that the only differ- 
ence between the skin just above the ligature and just 
below it is that the ends of the sensory nerves above it 
have been poisoned, and those below it have not been 
poisoned. It is therefore almost certain that woorara in 
large doses diminishes, and finally abolishes all suscep- 
tibility to pain, as well as all power of motion, and that 
it may be looked upon as an anesthetic, although not so 
powerful as chloroform, ether, or morphia. 
NATURE 
[ Fed, 2, 1882 
NOTES 
THE American Association for the Advancement of Science 
will hold its thirty-first annual meeting in Montreal during the 
week beginning Wednesday, August 23, 1882, under the presi- 
dency of J. W. Dawson, LL.D., F.R.S. A large attendance 
is expected from the United States and Canada, and it is hoped 
that there will be a good number of visitors from the British 
Islands and Continental Europe. The new Redpath Museum 
of the University, then to be opened, will contain remarkable 
collections, in part gathered for the occasion, illustrating Ameri- 
can Geology and Archeology. The Allan and Dominion lines 
of steamers have placed at the disposal of the Local Committee 
a considerable number of passages from Liverpool to Quebec 
and back, at much reduced rates, and arrangements will be 
made for entertaining private visitors. Circulars, giving full 
particulars, will soon be issued, but meanwhile it is requested 
that any persons proposing to avail themselves of the occasion 
will communicate as soon as possible with Dr. T. Sterry Hunt, 
Montreal, Canada. 
A LETTER has been received by one of the local secretaries of 
the British Association, intimating that Prince Leopold (Duke 
of Albany) had consented to accept the position of President of 
the Local Committee for the annual meeting of the British Asso- 
ciation to be held at Southampton in the en-ving autumn. It is 
understood that the Earl of Carnarvon, the Bishop of Winchester, 
and Lord Northbrook, have agreed to act as Vice-Presidents, 
Answers have not yet been received from many other noblemen 
and gentlemen to whom similar invitations have been given. 
WHAT a treasury of information the U.S. Census is com- 
pared with our own meagre enumeration. We have received, 
for example, five maps, with accompanying statistics, under the 
title of ‘‘ Forestry Bulletin,” showing the pine supply of Texas, 
Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Minnesota; doubtless the 
series will be completed. These maps not only show the area 
under pines, but also the distribution of the different species of 
pines, while, among other useful information, the text gives the 
number of feet standing. 
WE can only this week announce the death of Sir Robert 
Christison ; next week we shall give some particulars of his career. 
THE Royal Society of New South Wales offers a prize for the 
best communication, containin g the results of original research 
or observation, upon each of the following subjects :—Series I. 
(to be sent in not later than September 30, 1882). No, 1. On 
the Aborigines of New South Wales, 25/. No, 2. On the treat- 
ment of auriferous pyrites, 25/. No. 3. On the forage plants 
indigenous to New South Wales, 25/7. No. 4. On the influence 
of the Australian climates and pastures upon the growth of wool, 
25/7. Series II. (to be sent in not later than August 31, 1883). 
No. 5. On the chemistry of the Australian gums and resins, 25/. 
No. 6. On water supply in the z#ferior of New South Wales, 25¢. 
No. 7. On the embryology and development of the marsupials, 
25/. No. 8. On the Infusoria peculiar to Australia, 252, The 
competition is in no way confined to members of the Society, 
nor to residents in Australia, but is open to all without any re- 
striction whatever, excepting that a prize will not be awarded to 
a member of the Council for the time being ; neither will an 
award be made for a mere compilation, however meritorious in 
its way—the communication to be successful must be either 
wholly or in part the result of original observation or research 
on the part of the contributor. The Society is fully sensible that 
the money value of the prize will not repay an investigator for 
the expenditure of his time and labour, but it is hoped that the 
honour will be regarded as a sufficient inducement and reward. 
The successful papers will be published in the Society’s Annual 
Volume. Fifty reprint copies wiil be furnished to the author 
free of expense. It is the intention of the Society to offer addi- 
tional prizes should this first attempt to encourage original 
ors ae 
Found 
4 
