1887.] Mr A. C. Elliott on Formula for Retaining Wall. 97 
the appended table shows that for p e = p m this occurs when (3 is 
about 35°. No great error will be introduced by assuming that (3 
has this value for the case in point. Taking the corresponding 
value of s from the table, and substituting in (17), 
y= -2799 or 6 = 1-05 ft. 
h 
Professor Boussinesq’s expressions gave b from 10 to 11 J inches. 
Fig. 3. 
2. The Conducting Paths between the Cortex of the Cere- 
brum and the Lower Centres, in relation to their Func- 
tion. By Professor D. J. Hamilton. 
3. Researches on Micro-Organisms, including ideas of a 
New Method for their Destruction in Certain Cases 
of Contagious Disease. By Dr A. B. Griffiths, E.RS. 
(Edin.), E.C.S. (Lond. & Paris), Principal, and Lecturer 
on Chemistry and Biology, School of Science, Lincoln; 
late Lecturer on Chemistry, Technical School, Man- 
chester, &c. 
The opinion of the most profound workers in the so-called 
“ germ diseases ” is, that these diseases are really due to the patho- 
logical effects of chemical substances (ptomaines) elaborated and 
secreted by certain micro-organisms. That is, a given contagious 
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