204 General Notes. [February, 
the fin-folds, beside some scattering stellate mesoblastic cells 
which very possibly may be the pterygoblasts, which either them- 
selves give rise to the embryonic rays or are indirectly concerned, 
together with the surrounding tissues, in pouring out such a 
homogeneous secretion. Such homogeneous substances I have 
found in other cavities in embryos, especially in the brain; in 
such cases I have been inclined to attribute their presence to the 
action of reagents, as extractive matters, as homogeneous, har- 
dened acid-albumen, in short. The early advent of mesoblast 
into the fin-folds is at any rate a settled point, the stellate cells 
which wander outwards being mesenchymal, according to the ter- 
minology of the Hertwigs. In embryos of Scomberomorus I do 
not find the secretion noticed by Emery, homogeneous during 
the lophocercal condition, but loosely granular, more like the fine 
plasmic corpuscles found by me between the vitellus and zona 
radiata of the egg of Amiurus,. At any rate I am not inclined 
to believe, after weighing the foregoing facts, that there is the 
slightest ground for the assumption that the fin-rays of fishes 
originate from the primary epiderm or larval integument, but that 
they arise from the mesoblast, as their position and first vascular 
supply would indicate. The distinction between the fin-rays as exo- 
skeletal, from the other bones as endoskeletal, therefore breaks 
down on embryological grounds; for both are clearly of mesoblastic 
origin, as is further proven by the mode in which the insertions 
of the muscles which move the fin-rays originate— Fon A. Ryder. 
PSYCHOLOGY. 
Docs As NEWSPAPER CaRRIERS.—A very common thing on all 
the Connecticut railroad lines is for accommodating train men to 
throw newspapers off the trains at or near the houses of subscri- 
bers living on the line of the road at a distance from the stations. 
In many instances dogs have been trained to watch for the cars 
and get these papers, and country dogs, it is noticed, take quite 
an active interest in the affair. Over onthe Naugatuck road some 
one has had the curiosity to inquire into this matter of dog mes- 
sengers. Mr. Philip McLean, proprietor of the Gate House, on 
the Thomaston road, has a dog who goes a mile and a half every 
morning to meet the train. The paper was formerly thrown off 
by the brakeman on the last car, and there the dog watched for 
it. Lately it has been thrown from the baggage car. The dog 
appeared angry at the change, barked furiously, and waited sul- 
lenly for some time before going on his errand. He has not yet 
become reconciled to the new way of delivering his paper. Below 
Derby a dog has acted for several years as newsboy for a number 
of families. The papers are thrown out of the cars under full 
speed. Whether one or a large bundle of them, the dog is able 
to lug them off, making good time back. Another dog who has 
become a veteran as newsboy and cannot now, from age and rheu- 
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