TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 129 



mimicates witli a long flexible tube; the opposite end of the tube is in connexion 

 with the drum of Marey's cardiograph. The effect of this arrangement is, that 

 when the frame is adapted to any diameter of the chest — as, e.f/.,ihe antero-poste- 

 rior — in such a manner that while the button h is applied to the spine, the button 

 ff is pressed by the spring against the sternum, all, even the most minute, variations 

 of the particular diameter investigated are inscribed on the cylinder. The tracing 

 so obtained presents characters, as regards sharpness and regularity of contour, which 

 to the eye accustomed to the examination of kymographic tracings, appear exceed- 

 ingly satisfactory. 



The author claims for this instrument the following advantages, viz. (1) that it 

 affords to the physiologist a means of recording the rhythmical movements of the 

 chest, either in man or animals, with greater accuracy than is possible by any method 

 previouslv employed, and (2) that from its simplicity it is applicable to the purposes 

 of clinical observation. Here, as in every case in which instruments of exactitude 

 are employed, especially for the investigation of the functions of respiration, the 

 fact that the patient is conscious that he is under observation is apt to interfere 

 with the accuracy of the result. This difficulty cannot be entirely overcome. In 

 consequence of it a large proportion of observations made on patients are rendered 

 valueless. Its existence affords, however, no excuse for contenting ourselves with 

 clumsy instruments and inexact methods of research. It rather points to the 

 necessity of improving and simplifjang these methods and instruments to the 

 utmost, and of acquiring the greatest attainable skill in their use. At the same 

 time it is to be borne in mind that neither instruments nor skill will be of much 

 service unless the observer is possessed of that tact in the management of patients 

 by which alone disturbing emotions can be calmed and controlled. 



On the Physiological Action of Hydrate of Chloral. 



By Benjamin W. Richardson, M.D., F.E.S. 



[For Abstract of this Paper, see Appendix.] 



On the Moral Imbecility of Habitual Onminals, exemplified by Cranial 

 Measurements. By Dr. Wilson. 



Ethnologt, etc. 



On Stone Implements from, Rangoon. 

 By Yice- Admiral Sir E. Belcher, K.C.B., F.B.A.S. 



Notes on Mosquito and Wulwa Dialects. 

 By C. Carter Blake, D.Sc, F.G.S.,and E. S. Charnock, Ph.D., F.S.A. 



The authors entered into a minute comparison of the elements contained in Mr. 

 Collinson's ' A'ocabularies of Mosquito Dialects,' and pointed out the large proportion 

 of words which occurred in them that were derived from Spanish or other European 

 sources. They contrasted the dialects of the Mosquito shore with those of the 

 Wulwas, and gave long vocabularies, showing the proportion of words in common, 

 and the range of linguistic variation observable in the very limited area of Eastern 

 Nicaragua and Mosquito. 



On the Origin of the Tasmanians, Geologically considered. 

 By James Bonwick, F.B.G.S. 



The author called attention to the fact that Aborigines, evidently allied to the 

 Tasmanians, existed in the North Pacific, in New Guinea, New Caledonia, New 

 Hebrides, the Peninsula of Malaya, Cochin China, India, Madagascar, and most 

 probably the Pre-Maori inhabitants of New Zealand. Most of these, the Tas- 

 manians especially, were ignorant of the art of navigation, and knew not the con- 



1869. 9 



