Fuly 30, 1885] 
NATO RE 
293 
OUR BOOK SHELF 
Lehrbuch der vergleichenden Mikroskopischen Anatonite. 
Von Dr. Herman Fol. Erste Lieferung. (Leipzig, 
1884.) 
THE present volume is the first of a work which promises 
to be in many respects an important addition to the 
literature of microscopic anatomy. It describes in clear 
and concise language most of the commendable methods 
used by the author himself for examining and preparing 
microscopic specimens of animal tissues. 
The methods of injecting vessels and cavities, the 
nature and preparation of the various materials and 
apparatus useful for injection, the theory and practice of 
the microscope and practice of the auxiliary apparatus 
are treated thoroughly, the theory and practice of 
drawing microscopic objects, the methods most use- 
ful for making micro-photographs, and for showing 
stereoscopically small objects, are fully described and 
illustrated, and will be found most useful and instructive 
reading. Next, the methods for examining living tissues, 
for fixing and hardening them, then the various ways for 
embedding and making sections, are minutely described. 
The last or seventh section is one of the most important 
ones, giving an excellent 7ész7é of micro-chemical reac- 
tions, including the osmic acid gold and silver methods, 
and the methods of staining tissues with carmine, heema- 
toxylin, and the various aniline dyes. 
To each section is added a_ useful bibliographical 
summary. On the whole the book is an excellent guide 
for microscopists, both teachers and original workers. 
E. KLEIN 
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 
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of communications containing interesting and novel facts.] 
Unconscious Bias in Walking 
THE results of some experiments recently made to ascertain 
the cause of the well-known phenomena of ‘unconscious bias in 
walking ” will perhaps be of interest to your readers in connec- 
tion with the various theories presented in the discussion of this 
eh in NaTuRE (vol. xxix. pp. 262, 286, 310, 356, 384, 
452). 
Within the past six months over 2500 anthropometric 
measurements have been made of students in the three higher 
classes of the Massachusetts Agricultural College, including the 
relative length and strength, muscular development, &c., of the 
limbs, and the bias in walking of forty-nine individuals has been 
carefully determined, with results as given in the following 
summary statement. 
In making these measurements I have been assisted by Dr. F. 
Tuckerman, of this place, who will collate the data obtained in 
their relations to bilateral symmetry. 
The tests to determine the bias in walking were made in the 
drill-hall of the College, a room with a hard smooth cement 
floor, well adapted to this purpose. 
For convenience in recording the curves of divergence a 
meridian or base line was drawn through the middle of the 
floor lengthwise of the hall, and on each side of it lines of 
departure were marked I metre apart, while the latitude was 
indicated by transverse parallel lines every 2 metres. 
In trials to determine the bias, the individual was placed on 
_ the meridian line 2 metres back of the first parallel, and after 
he had well fixed the bearings of the line, he was blindfolded 
and started at a rapid, but not hurried pace. If he crossed the 
first parallel of latitude on the meridian line, he was allowed to 
proceed, but if a marked divergence from this line was made he 
was stopped, and a new start was made in the right direction. 
Small sticks were laid down on each parallel of latitude at the 
point of crossing, by assistants conveniently placed for this 
purpose, and at the end of the course the line of march could be 
readily seen. In some cases irregularities in the curve indicated 
either a hesitating or constrained effort in walking, or errors in 
marking the precise point of transit. 
In these cases the trials were repeated, until a reasonably true 
curve was obtained. A record was then made of the distance 
from the meridian line, to the right or the left of the point of 
crossing on each parallel of latitude. 
From this record the curves made were plotted on a diagram, 
so that they could be readily compared and their peculiarities 
noted. 
That the relative length and strength of the legs has no direct 
relation to the bias in walking will be readily seen from the 
following tabular statement :— 
TABLE I. 
In 1 the right leg is 
strongest 
In 2 the right leg islongest ... ¢ In 1 strength of legs not 
Fa (One of these presented the \ tested 
8 greatest difference in length 
a of legs, and the other more 
aS than the average of those with 
ZI right leg longest) 
5 
5 j/In 1 the right leg is 
strongest 
In 3 the legs of equal length ... Te a left leg is 
L strongest (a) 
Four are right-handed. 
One uses right and left with equal dexterity (2). In pointing 
at a distant object with both eyes open, in three the right eye is 
dominant, in one the left eye is dominant, and in one both eyes 
are apparently used to determine the range. 
TABLE II. 
(In 2 the right leg is 
| _ strongest 
. : In 2 the left leg is 
6 In 5 the right leg is longest ) strongest 8 
§ In 1 the strength of legs 
= [ not tested 
5 In 3 the right leg is 
iS . strongest (@) 
obo | In 4 the left leg is longest -\tn 1 the left leg is 
2S strongest 
3 (In 2 the right leg is 
| strongest (a) 
In 5 the legs are of equal length “ or 3 a ( left leg is 
strongest 
All are right-handed. 
In pointing at a distant object with both eyes open, in 12 the 
right eye is dominant, and in 2 the left eye is dominant, the 
latter in the groups marked (a). 
TABLE III. 
(In 5 the right leg is 
strongest (a) (4) 
| : 
In § the right leg is longest we Kel AEE 8 
| In 1 the legs of equal 
2 | strength 
S 
2 In 5 the right leg is 
% strongest (0) 
a In 10 the left leg is longest q ee ae legs 
4 In t the legs of equal 
Ss strength 
@ 
a) In 5 the right leg is 
5 strongest 
In 5 the left leg is 
In 12 the legs of equal length ... etronaect (2) 
| In 2 the strength of legs 
not tested 
One is left-handed (a). Twenty-five are right-handed. Four 
use right and left with nearly equal dexterity (4). In pointing 
with the finger at a distant object, with both eyes open, in 22 
the right eye is dominant, in six the left eye is dominant, and in 
2 both eyes are apparently used to determine the range. 
