146 Notes and Memoranda. 



M. Coste on Infusoria. — This observer denies the assertion of M. Pouehet 

 that ciliated infusoria only appear in solutions after the formation of a pellicle. 

 He finds them frequently developed before the pellicle appears. Glaucoma, 

 Chilodon, and Paramecium he affirms divide themselves without encysting, and 

 Eolpods encyst and then divide. After having multiplied by division in the 

 interior of \ their cysts, he states that they encyst themselves again, and in 

 this state can remain perfectly dry for an indefinite time, and resume activity 

 when moistened. Such encysted Kolpods he finds to abound in the fine dust 

 that may be shaken from dry hay. — Comptes Rendus. 



Do Bacteriums Cause Disease ? — In a former number we gave an account 

 of M. Davaine's experiments, in which death followed the inoculation of healthy 

 animals with a few drops of blood containing bacteriums, and taken from other 

 animals suffering under spleen disease. MM. Leplat and Jaillard have com- 

 municated counter experiments to the French Academy. They obtained 

 bacteriums from vegetable and animal solutions, and introduced them into the 

 circulation of animals without producing any evil effects. From thi3 they 

 conclude that in M. Davaine's experiments it was the diseased blood and not the 

 bacteriums that caused the mischief. The question is, however, far from settled 

 by the new experiments, and their authors are by no means entitled to assume 

 that, because vibrions are much alike in appearance, their properties must be the 

 same. It would be more in accordance with observation to state exactly the 

 contrary, and affirm that very similar bodies of this kind are connected with 

 different kinds of fermentation and putrefaction. 



Curious Physical Experiment. — An interesting experiment, which, though 

 not new, is not generally known, may be performed as follows : — Roll up a large 

 card into a tube a quarter of an inch in diameter, and make the joint tight by a 

 little sealing-wax. Then cut a disc of card two inches in diameter, make a hole 

 through its centre exactly big enough to admit the tube. Sealing-wax the card 

 disc on to the top of the tube so as to form a flange, taking care not to let the 

 tube project above the surface of the disc. Cut another card disc of the same 

 diameter, and lay it on the former, holding the tube quite upright with the disc 

 uppermost. Blow gently through the tube, and the loose disc will be thrown 

 off the flange. Replace it, and blow with great vehemence. The disc will not 

 then be thrown off, but will remain close to the flange vibrating strongly. The 

 loose disc may then be placed on the table, and the tube with the flange down- 

 wards held very near it. On blowing violently the loose disc will spring up 

 towards the flange and vibrate as before. 



Earthquake at Lewes.— On Sunday morning, August 21st, about 1*27 a.m. 

 an earthquake shock was felt at Lewes, and in some other parts of Sussex. Some 

 persons heard a noise as of an explosion, and objects in their hands rattled, while 

 others were quite unconscious that anything of the sort had occurred. 



New Telescope Stand. — The Eev. E. L. Berthon has devised a singularly 

 convenient and economical telescope stand, which has an elegant appearance, and 

 only costs a small fraction of the price charged for the ordinary cross tripod 

 stands, which it excels in every way. The vertical movement is given by a 

 screw, which works more pleasantly than the ordinary rack, and the horizontal 

 movement is obtained by making the base of the stand rest on three rollers, so 

 placed that a slight pressure with the finger communicates a circular motion in 

 either direction. An important novelty in the vertical movement is an ingeni- 

 ous method by which it can be instantaneously altered from a quick to a slow- 

 motion, or vice versa, as occasion requires. As a table stand for seaside use, and 

 for astronomical purposes, this invention is superior to anything previously pro- 

 duced, while it has the further recommendation of great portability. A ten-inch 

 telescope with the Berthon stand can be packed in a case not so long, and little 

 broader than a stout umbrella. Messrs. Home and Thornthwaite have the 

 credit of bringing this excellent invention before the public. 



