TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 145 
the filaments entwine into each other in the albuminous contents, forming themselves 
into a semitransparent half-coagulated looking mass, and in many cases into a thick 
coating of about the consistency of cheese. The greatest facility is afforded to this 
fungus to pass through the shell when it is damp, as moisture enables the fungus to 
take root; and it is remarkable that, when penetration of the shell has thus taken 
lace, the calcareous matter of the shell is loosened, and when the outside is rubbed 
it feels rough to the fingers. Its growth is entirely prevented by carbonic-acid gas 
and coal-gas. Hydrogen and nitrogen do not permit it to grow, although they do 
not seem to be actually poisonous to it. It absorbs oxygen and liberates carbonic 
dioxide, so that it flourishes most luxuriantly in the former gas. Eggs decomposed 
by the Penicilium-tilaments emit no smell, as the round spores do not develop under 
liquids or at the parts to which the filaments penetrate; but the spores soon begin 
to grow from the surface of any of the filaments exposed to the air, and the egg 
then begins to exhale a mouldy smell. 
The filaments decompose the albumen, and liberate, among other products, a large 
roportion of nitrogen, which we have ascertained beyond doubt by enclosing eggs, 
in specially fitted bottles, in atmospheres of pure oxygen. As an example, on ana- 
lysis of the resulting gas in one experiment, we found :— 
per cent, 
OxcyHonininien val eisieialas nce Persil Fe 48:06 
Nate penrdseyh ess. pleas 3) 8tiiats aside 10°15 
@arbonicidioxide: 2... css ete cs ee « 41°79 
100:00 
Lastly, we found that eggs placed in water containing the spores of this ferment 
mixed up with it were not attacked by them. 
ANTHROPOLOGY. 
[For Sir William Wilde’s Address see page 116.] 
On Modern Ethnological Migrations in the British Isles. 
By Dr. Buppor, F.R.S, 
Various causes have led in our own times to an extensive amount of migration of 
our people, executed peaceably, gradually, and by individuals or by families. In 
Britain a constant stream of population sets towards the capital, to a great extent 
from distant counties, and including a considerable proportion of the upper and 
middle classes. Elsewhere in Britain, and in Europe generally, the migration, as 
a rule, takes place from poor to rich districts, from ill-employed to busy, from hilly 
to plain, from rural to oppidan, from healthy to unhealthy districts. The effect of 
mere proximity is often overborne by other circumstances. In Scotland there are 
two currents—one towards England and the other towards Glasgow. It is the 
more Celtic of our people that form the masses which are attracted to our large 
towns. Thus Glasgow receives a rapid influx of Irishmen and Highlanders. In 
Edinburgh the case is different, although there the Celtic element is strong in the 
lower classes. In Liverpool this element is strengthened by constant Irish, Welsh, 
and Scotch immigration. Irish blood abounds in most of the colliery districts of 
the north of England. London has not a large proportion of Irishmen. In Ireland 
itself Dublin was formerly, but Belfast is now, the great focus of attraction; and 
even many of the smaller towns have attracted to themselves the neighbouring 
Celtic population. 
On the Peoples between India and China. 
By Sir Groner Camrsett, K.C.S.. 
1874. 11 
