TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 141 



pula corresponds with the crest of the ilium, and the anterior edge of the scapula 

 with the linea ilio-pectinea ; and that therefore the supraspinatus muscle corre- 

 sponds with the iliacus iiiternus, and the hinder edge of the scapula with the 

 hinder edge of the ilium. This was followed by a detailed comparison of the 

 several muscles of the hip and the shoulder. 



On the Homoloc/ical Relations to one another of the Fins of Fishes. 

 By Professor G. M. Humphet, M.D., F.E.S. 

 The object of this paper was to show that the so-called "median" and " lateral" 

 fins of osseous fishes are in reality serially homologous. It was shown that the 

 " median " fins are, strictly speaking, double, each being formed by the coalescence 

 of two lateral elements, produced in the two lateral laminae (neural or haemal, as 

 the case may be) of the embryo. In the case of the ventral fins, the wider sepa- 

 ration of the lateral laminas being caused in this part by the presence of the 

 abdominal viscera, the coalescence of the lateral elements of the fins is prevented, 

 and each half remains as a distinct fin. The similarity of structure and appearance 

 of the pelvic bones and their fin-rays to the interspinous bones and their fin-rays 

 was pointed out, and the connexion of the pelvic bones and the interspinous bones 

 with the rest of the vertebral skeleton was shown to correspond. The pectoral fins 

 being admitted on good gi-ounds to be homologous with the ventral fins must, if 

 the view here taken is correct, be also serially homologous with the elements of 

 the anal fin, 



On Blight in Man and in the Animal and Vegetable World. 

 By RicHABD King, M.D., F.E.S. 



The author having defined the terms Blight, Contagion, and Infection, according 

 to the acceptance of these terms by the best authorites, proceeded to illustrate his 

 paper on " Blight in Man and in the Animal and Vegetable World." He com- 

 menced with the fairj'-riugs, the eyesores in our parks and lawns, and he recog- 

 nized two distinct forms not hitherto noticed — the fairy -ring withered and the 

 fairy-ring luxuriant. In the fairy-ring withered grows the champignon in the 

 periphery of the ring, in the luxuriant ring grows the mushroom throughout its 

 entire ring. He then proceeded to the potato-disease, where he recognized two 

 distinct forms — the withered haulm and the blotched haulm. He then proceeded 

 to the rinderpest in the cow and the sheep, and he there recognized two forms 

 of disease — the mouth-disease and the foot-disease. In man he recognized two 

 distinct forms of disease— cholera and diarrhoea as well as fevers. He attri- 

 butes all these diseases of the animal and vegetable world to one cause under 

 two difierent circumstances, as gas passing out of the earth as a terrestrial gas 

 and coming back to the earth as a poisonous vapour, — the gas passing out of the 

 earth generating the withered fairy-ring, the withered haulm of the potato, and 

 cholera; the poisonous vapour falling upon the earth producing the luxuriant 

 fairy-ring, the olotched haulm of the potato, and diarrhoea. 



Cui bono ? Plough up the luxuriant fairy-ring, cut ofi' the blotched haulm of 

 the potato, and treat diarrhoea, all are amenable to treatment ; but the fairy-rino- 

 withered, the potato-plant withered, cholera in man, and the rinderpest in the cow 

 and the sheep are not amenable to treatment. Drive out of the infected locality 

 man from his home, the cow from her shed, the glandered horse from his stable, and 

 the sheep from his walk, and you will save them ; do not leave them in the infected 

 district to constantly inhale the poisonous gas which has produced the disease. 



Note on Methmmoglolin. By E. Rat Laxkestee. 



New Physiological Researches on the Effects of Carbonic Acid, 

 By B. W. RicHARBsoN, M.D., F.R.S. 



