1885.] Psychology. 1241 
erties, but, if we except the mental side, as a merely physical 
object included in the category of natural bodies; an object which 
is subject to the same laws of nature as are wood and iron, but 
which, nevertheless, like wood and iron, has its own peculiar 
qualities.” 
Tue HisroLocy oF STRIPED Muscve-Fiser.—Mr. B. Melland 
makes an important contribution to the literature treating of the 
structure of muscular tissue. His view is a confirmation and ex- 
tension of that long since announced by Schafer (Quain’s Anat- 
omy, 2d vol.). The following isa summary of the author’s main 
results: “ There is an intra-cellular net-work present in the mus- 
cle-fiber of Dytiscus, the bee, frog, lobster, crayfish and rat, 
which may be most clearly demonstrated by certain methods of 
gold staining. The net-work alone is stained by the reduced 
gold, and, owing to this differentiation, is plainly visible with 
comparatively low powers. This net-work may be demonstrated, 
though not so completely, in the living fiber, and in acetic and 
osmic acid preparations. Crossing the fiber transversely, united 
to the sarcolemma, and more or less separating the muscle-fiber 
into compartments, are net-work partitions—the transverse net- 
works. Running longitudinally down each compartment, and 
joining the dots at the intersections of the fibers of the transverse 
net-work, are a series of fine rods. This net-work consists of an 
isotropous material, and is more highly refractile than the rest of 
the muscle substance, which is anisotropous. This net-work 
serves to explain the transverse striation and other complicated 
appearances presented by the muscle-fiber, and brings into har- 
mony many of the conflicting statements of histologists on this 
subject.” — Quart. Fourn. Mic. Sci., 1885, p. 371. 
PSYCHOLOGY. 
INTELLIGENCE OF THE ELEPHANT.—In his interesting Two 
Years in the Jungle, Mr. Hornaday, gives us these impressions 
of the intelligence of the elephant: 
The elephant is the most patient and obedient of all animals, 
and by far the most intelligent. He has more ability to reason 
from cause to effect than most other animals of docile tempera- 
ment, and he is, beyond all question, the most capable of being 
taught, and the most willing to obey after he has been taught. 
To me it is a matter of surprise that Mr. Sanderson, who has, I 
presume, more personal knowledge of the animal, both tame and 
wild, than any European living, should place so low an estimate 
upon his mind. He declares that m its sagacity is of a very 
mediocre description,” and also that “its reasoning faculties are 
far below those of the dog, and possibly other animals.” 
From this view, which I think is due to the fact that “ famil- 
iarity breeds contempt,” I differ very widely. My acquaintance 
_ with tame elephants has created in my mind a respect for their 
