1887.] Mr. G. F. Dowdeswell. On Babies. 



355 



the repeated secretion are quite similar to those which happen in so 

 many animal glands. 



The various changes which accompany mucilaginous secretion are 

 not shoAvn by Blechnum>occidentale. In Osmunda the drops are much 

 less defined, and, although more numerous, are smaller. The changes 

 which occur in the drops were observed in Blechnum occidentale. In 

 Osmunda we did not succeed in following them; but since the two 

 glands practically present the same structure in the mature cells, we 

 are led to infer that the various processes are similar in both. 



The secretion consisting of the mucilage drops and the disorganised 

 protoplasmic framework escapes by the rupturing of the wall, and the 

 disintegrated nucleus and the endoplasm are the only structures left 

 in the cell. 



In Osmunda the transverse walls are callussed on both sides, and 

 the whole system (wall and callus plate) is obviously perforated by 

 fine holes, which in the functional cell are filled by delicate strands of 

 protoplasm. These establish a direct continuity between the proto- 

 plasmic contents of the various cells of the hair. 



We believe that in their main features the phenomena attending 

 the formation of the secretion are such as are very widespread, and 

 limited neither to the ferns nor to the particular case of secretion of 

 mucilage. 



II. "On Rabies." By G. F. Dowdeswell, M.A. Communi- 

 cated by Prof. Victor Horsley, F.R.S. (From the 

 Laboratory of the Brown Institution.) Received May iJ, 

 1887. x 



(Abstract.) 



In this investigation, commenced early in 1885 during the outbreak 

 of rabies in London, the first experiments, made by subcutaneous 

 inoculations with the saliva of rabid street dogs, all failed to produce 

 infection. 



Subsequently, adopting the methods described by M. Pasteur, I 

 found — 



1. That the virus of rabies and hydrophobia resides in the cerebro- 

 spinal substance and in the peripheral nerves, and is not confined to 

 the salivary glands, as hitherto supposed. 



2. That by inoculation of this substance upon the brain of another 

 animal, by trephining, infection follows much more quickly and 

 certainly than by subcutaneous inoculation. 



3. That rabies, however produced, in both dogs and rabbits, is 

 essentially a paralytic affection, the same disease in both animals, and 



