1884.] Psychology. 949 
- 
said to be a conflict between the “phagocytes” and the septic ma- 
terial, whether the latter be a dead or dying cell, bacteria or other 
foreign body. In the invertebrates, where connective-tissue cells 
are abundant, the vascular system does not participate in the pro- 
cess, only doing so among vertebrates, where the extra-vascular 
“phagocytes” are not sufficiently numerous to combat the inju- 
rious structures, a call for assistance being then given to the “he- 
mophagocytes.” The first effect of irritation is on the connec- 
tive-tissue “ phagocytes,” the changes produced in them subse- 
quently influencing the capillary walls, and allowing the transit 
of the white corpuscles. 
The theory has much to recommend it, being founded on logi- 
cal, á priori grounds, and affording simple explanations for many 
obscure points in connection with inflammation. For instance, it 
affords a simple explanation for the presence of the large num- 
rs of connective-tissue and white blood corpuscles that have 
been observed in induced keratitis, and also it explains how in 
certain epidemic fevers—famine-fever for instance—numerous 
sprilla, etc., can exist in the blood of as yet unaffected individuals, 
without causing any symptoms of the epidemic. At the same 
time the theory is quite compatible with all definitely ascertained 
pathological facts, a circumstance which alone would give it con- 
goa weight.—Professor McMurrich, in Canada Lancet, May, 
1884, 
PSYCHOLOGY. 
SINGULAR FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN TWO Birps.—During the sum- 
mer of 1880, I purchased from a Chicago bird dealer a number of 
birds for my aviary, and in making my selections, the dealer, after 
considerable parley, permitted me to separate a male “African cut- 
throat finch” from his mate, which, with the others, some thirty 
birds, were shipped here. Of the number was a male white Java 
parrow, whose principal occupation seemed to be the pecking and 
pulling out of feathers of the cutthroat finch. The separation of 
‘nese two birds was the only way to have peace in the cage, but 
upon their being brought together the old feud was resumed. 
ile in the cage with the rest of the birds there was but one that 
took any part in the conflict or attempted to shield the cutthroat, 
and this was an indigo finch (P. cyanea). 
The moment that the two were placed in the one cage the Java 
would at once fly upon the frightened finch and nearly kill him, 
t he would rush from one side of the cage to the other, eagerly 
trying to find some place of retreat; perhaps behind some other 
bird, but only for the moment, for the vicious Java would drive 
from his shelter to again chase him to his heart’s content. 
In the meantime I ordered more birds, a mate for the Java and 
à number of finches from Africa and other countries, and upon 
“ir arrival the experiment of watching their reception by the 
