4 E. A. Schäfer, 



work forwards and backwards. Examples: stomach of ruminants and 

 the heart." Another says, „by reflex action, we mean the action of 

 the thumb, which is opposed to the fingers." Another, who is evidently 

 weaker in classics than the first, states that it is „the flowing back. 

 The impure blood is taken to the heart and purified ; instead of flowing 

 on, it returns by the auricles into the veins from which it has come." 

 Another candidate mentions the curious fact that, „in reflex action, it 

 sometimes happens that the blood goes from left to right ; then it clogs, 

 and the person ceases to live." Asked for information about the blood, 

 one candidate gravely states that „the lungs mainly propel the blood 

 through the body, and send it to the heart ; " another that „the chief 

 function of the blood is to carry air to the lungs;" while yet another 

 makes the undoubtedly correct statement that „arterial blood is of a 

 bright red colour," but adds the somewhat doubtful appendix that 

 „some think this is due to haematite." 



The structure and functions of the olfactory organ are treated by 

 one candidate at considerable length. „The nostril of primates is 

 situated in the centre of the face, and divided into two partitions. 

 This organ is connected with the mouth and other senses, and fulfils 

 the duty for which it was formed. In the cetacea, or whales, the sense 

 of smell is produced by a very small nostril, which, when annoyed, 

 the animal can use as a sort of defence. With and from this organ, 

 it can spurt out great jets of water with such force that they are 

 often very dangerous." Interesting information is afforded regarding 

 fishes. We are told that „they do not generally suckle their young;" 

 „their manner of bringing up their young is utterly at variance with 

 any mode which mammalia, birds, or reptiles adopt with regard to 

 their offspring;" „many fishes are obliged to rise to the surface to ob- 

 tain water;" „their eyes are placed at the sides of the head, whereas 

 in mammals the eyes are directed forwards; also in owls." We are 

 further informed that the notochord „is so called because it is not a 

 cord," and that „it is important as giving the greatest flexibility to 

 the body; al the same time carrying on the function of respiration." 

 The function of the muscles; according to one candidate, is „to form 

 a pad between the bones to prevent them from rattling." With regard 

 to the amoeba, one candidate describes it as „living in the sea and 



