8 
PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OF 
[Biolog. 
when, in such experiments as those alluded to, we suppose consciousness and 
will to exist. 
Dr. S. W. Mitchell observed that many very similar experiments to those 
of Dr. Paton had been performed and recorded by Dr. Dowler, of New Orleans ; 
one of which was more extraordinary than any narrated in Dr. Paton's paper ; 
in which an alligator, whose brain, spinal marrow, and viscera had been re- 
moved, yet exhibited movements apparently as intelligently guided as those 
common to the animal in its natural state. 
Dr. Hammond had seen a rattlesnake, the head of which had been cut off, 
and its skin and viscera removed, yet coil itself up and strike. 
Dr. Hammond then read a paper On the alterations produced by Intermittent 
Fever in the excretion of urine, and on the action of the Disulphate of Quinine :* 
tending to show, so far as one case, carefully observed, can prove, that the ex- 
cretion of uric and phosphoric acids is increased during the paroxysm, and 
that this excess disappears under the use of quinine. 
Dr. H. Hartshorne made some remarks On the best m.eans of advancing Bio- 
logical Science at the present time, adverting to the danger, which he considered 
a principal one in the science of the present century, of logismophobia, i. e. the 
dread of reasoning, as opposed to simple observation, and expressing the view, 
that, in every scheme of scientific inquiry, there should be, after the model of 
Bacon's " New Atalantis," room, not only for observers and experimenters, but 
also for ' ' depredators, " " compilers, ' ' and ' ' interpreters of nature. ' ' Dr. Harts- 
horne made an appeal, also, in favor of the organization of a system of joint 
investigation, by observation, experiment and otherwise, by members volun- 
teering for the purpose, in connection with important questions or problems, 
illustrating this proposition by a series of questions, which might be found 
capable of determination in such a mode. 
Dr. Leidy, Dr. Richardson and others expressed their approbation of this 
proposal for organized investigation. 
Dr. Hammond, in connection with it, gave an account of the Grerman "Verein 
fiir gemeinschaftliche Arbeiten," which has been in existence for several years, 
numbering many hundreds of members, on the Continent and in Great Britain, 
and issuing, in its archives, a remarkable number of interesting and valuable 
productions. 
March 1st. Dr. Walter F. Atlee presented a preparation of an acephalous 
child, and read a paper, giving a description of the monstrosity.f 
Dr. Leidy described a similar one, having neither head nor arms, now in the 
Museum of the University of Pennsylvania. 
Dr. J. C. Morris inquired whether the state of the placenta had been exam- 
ined into in either of those cases ? Dr. Morris had noticed, that in several in- 
stances of acephalous foetus, fatty degeneration of the placenta had occurred. 
Dr. M. had also attended a patient, who was delivered at full term of a foetus, 
which had died at the 7th month ; fatty degeneration of the placenta was 
found to be complete. The same mother was afterwards delivered of a child 
at full term, but which was not more developed than is usual at the 7th month. 
It has been imagined by some, that fatty degeneration of the placenta at the 
end of pregnancy, may be the cause of labor ; but such a case as that just 
mentioned, tends to disprove this. 
Dr. Leidy remarked, that the condition of the placenta could not acccount 
for such a monstrosity as the one exhibited by Dr. Atlee ; as this, from its 
nature, must have been determined in the embryo : having no upper extremi- 
ties, as well as no head. The upper extremities always pullulate before the 
formation of the placenta. In this case, also, the placenta must have been 
healthy enough to furnish nutriment for all parts of the body, which were 
present. 
* See Amer. Journ. of Med. Sciences, April, 1858. 
t See Am. Journ. of Med. Sciences, April, 1858. 
[April, 
