Scientific Intelligence. 185 



moisten or rub them over with a weak solution of corros. sublimate 

 in alcohol, (half a dram to a quart,) or else with an alcoholic solution 

 of arseniate of potash, prepared in the proportion of fifteen grains to 

 a quart. These solutions are also of use in preserving stuffed birds. 

 — Recueil Industriel, VII, 85, 



We would suggest, as an easier and cheaper preservative against 

 the depredation of moths, a weak solution of chloride of lime. 

 Should any unpleasant odor result from its use, it might be removed 

 by a little aqua-ammonige, or by some vegetable essence. — Ed. 



5. Vision of the Mole; by Geoffroy St. Hilaire. — Does the Mole 

 see ? Aristotle, and all the Greek philosophers, thought it blind. 

 Galen, on the other hand, maintained that the Mole saw. He affirm- 

 ed that it has all the known means of sight. The question has been 

 resumed in modern times. Naturalists have found the eyes of the 

 animal. It is very small — not larger than a millet seed ; its color is 

 an ebony black ; it is hard to the touch ; and can scarcely be de- 

 pressed by squeezing it between the fingers. Besides the eye-lid 

 which covers it, it is protected by long hairs, which crossing each 

 other, form a thick and strong bandage. Such an eye ought to be 

 destined to see. But anatomists do not find the optic nerve. What 

 use could an eye be of, deprived of a nerve, which in other animals, 

 transmits the visual sensations to the brain. This consideration na- 

 turally tends to restore the opinion of Aristotle and the Greeks, and 

 to induce the belief that the mole does not see, and that its eye is 

 only a rudimental point, without use. 



Direct experiments, however, made at the request of G. St. Hil- 

 aire, shew most incontestibly, that the mole makes use of its eyes, 

 since it turns to avoid obstacles placed in its way. But if the mole 

 sees, how is this accomplished without an optic nerve. M. Serres 

 was of opinion that the place of this nerve was supplied by a superior 

 branch of the fifth pair, analogous to the opthalmic branch of Willis. 



According to Geoflroy St. Hilaire, this change of function in a 

 nerve, which it is not naturally destined to fill, does not exist. The 

 mole sees by aid of a particular nerve, being unable, on account of 

 the too great extension of the olfactory apparatus, to follow the di- 

 rection which it takes in other animals, towards the tubercula quad- 

 rigemina, takes another direction, and anastomes, in the nearest point, 

 (au plus pres,) with the nerve of the fifth pair. — Ann. des Sciences 

 d' Observation, I. 144. 



Vol. XVII.— No. 1. 24 



