570 : NOTES. 
primary element of structure, from which we deduce that its pres- 
ence may often be a question of degree rather than a question of 
absolute fact. 
As water distends, and finally ruptures and destroys, the white 
blood corpuscles, it is suggested that in surgical operations, much 
less harm would be done to the living tissues by washing or 
sponging them with, instead of water, a solution of about fifty-five 
_ grains of salt to the pint of water. 
SPONTANEOUS GENERATION. — Dr. J. C. Dalton’s very able lec- 
tures reviewing this subject, close with the reflection that now, as 
always, the idea of spontaneous generation is confined to those 
organisms of which we know least; obscurity commencing where 
our definite knowledge fails. Although such production would 
naturally exist, if at all, among the smallest and simplest organ- 
isms, still the imperfect organization of these minute forms may 
be only apparent, and there is every evidence that at least their 
regular and normal mode of production is from germs disseminated 
in the atmosphere. Hence they are to be regarded as eryptogame 
vegetable organizations, with a definite place in the organic world. 
NOTES. 
Ar a meeting of the California Academy of Sciences, held June 
5th, Mons. Octave Pavy, the Arctic explorer, was introduced by z 
Dr. Stout, who also presented the letter of the American Geograph- | 
ical Society of New York, introducing and warmly commending 
the gentleman. Professor Davidson hoped to hear M. Pavy's 
views concerning the geography of the Polar regions. He z 
nounced that a great current, not marked on any of "e ppe 
had been discovered off the northwest coast of the continent, an 
that only the present week he had received from Alaska — i 
_ confirmation of the discovery. 
M. Pavy then addressed the Academy upon his proje p 
dition. He said he had no doubt of the existence of an A 
passage from the Pacific to the Atlantic — though one asi 
course impracticable for purposes of commerce.. The. ee 
referred to the various expeditions from time to time sent John 
explore the Polar regions. He said that since that of a y 
Ross, the routes of the expeditions had all been from the per 
the American Continent. He (Pavy) was about to enter © 
s 
