1892.] Zoology. 523 



A New Genus of Bats. 1 — Dr. Harrison Allen considers the 

 Histiotm maculatus of Mr. J. A. Allen as the type of a new genus for 

 which he proposes the name Euderma. It is a Plecotian genus with- 

 out muzzle processes and with two premolars in the lower jaw. 



Human Rumination.— It is well known that there are some 

 persons who possess the power of regurgitating their food, causing it to 

 pass from the stomach back to the mouth, and to do this voluntarily ; 

 this is the difference between rumination and involuntary regurgitation, 

 or eructation. Heredity plays here, perhaps, an important role ; the 

 imitation is frequent, and men are more addicted to the habit than 

 women. Eumination is a physiological phenomena, which can be of 

 use in studying the digestive functions ; it is also a pernicious habit, 

 or at least an unpleasant one. Many persons have contracted this 

 habit because it gives them pleasure, because the food thus regurgitated 

 has an agreeable flavor ; one of them said that " it was sweeter than 

 honey and more delicious." The point of departure toward this habit 

 is often accidental ; it is caused by the ingestion of some irritating 

 and indigestible substance. A well known physiologist became a 

 runiiinnt while endeavoring to obtain some gastric juice from his own 

 stomach. He swallowed a sponge to which was attached a thread ; 

 the irritation of the foreign substance caused a regurgitation which 

 persisted for some time. There are some who regularly practice rumi- 

 nation for the pleasure experienced ; others, only after they have eaten 

 hastily. In the latter case it is a hygienic measure The regurgi- 

 tated food has an agreeable flavor as long as the stomach is sound and 

 well, otherwise it is disagreeable. 



In order to be rid of this habit, which, to say the least is an unpleas- 

 ant one the food should be thoroughly masticated and all care should 

 be taken to exclude irritating and indigestible substances. Ir, ' extreme 

 cases it is sometimes necessary to limit the patient to liquid foods for 

 some time.— (Revue Scientifique, March, 1892.) 



^roc. Phila. Acad., 1891, 467. 



