422 
TOrULAIl SCIENCE REVIEW. 
BOTANY. 
Variation of Species. — In reference to Bidens cernua. While collecting 
along the alluvial, marshy borders of the Potomac below Alexandria, some 
years ago, Mr. A. H. Curtiss found this species (not before discovered so far 
south) growing to the extraordinary height of five feet. This, compared 
with Gray’s maximum height, will be seen to be in the ratio of six to one ; 
while in the instance of B. chrysanthemoides, it was only three and a half to 
one. The press would barely admit of smaller branches, while in collecting 
the same species in New York, we have easily pressed two entire plants 
side by side. As if this were not a sufficiently surprising effort of nature, 
on proceeding some distance farther, we came upon some plants of Oxalis 
stricta (an eccentric plant in more than one respect) fully five feet in height, 
and widely branched. We do not apprehend that such statements will be 
discredited by any person familiar with the vegetation of such localities. 
We mention them as curiosities in vegetable growth, and not a3 matters 
worthy of permanent record, or of a place in a work of the nature of the 
u Manual.” — American Naturalist , August. 
An Intoxicating Fungus. The Fly Agaric ( Agaricus muscarius'). — It would 
seem, from a paper published by Dr. A. Kellog, that this fungus is more 
extensively used than we are aware of. The desired effect comes on from 
one to two hours aftei; taking the fungus. Giddiness and drunkenness fol- 
low in the same manner as from wine or spirituous liquors ; cheerfulness is 
first produced, the face becomes flushed, involuntary words and actions 
follow, and sometimes loss of consciousness. Some persons it renders re- 
markably active, proving highly stimulant to muscular exertion $ but by too 
large a dose violent spasmodic effects are produced. So exciting is it to the 
nervous system of many that its effects are very ludicrous; a talkative 
person cannot keep silence or secrets: one fond of music is perpetually 
singing ; and if a person under its influence wishes to step over a straw or 
stick, lie takes a stride or jump sufficient to clear the trunk of a tree. It is 
needless to say delirium, coma, and death often result, as in the case of alco- 
holic spirits. The most remarkable fact is that the fluids of the debauchee 
become singularly narcotic, and are therefore preserved in times of scarcity. 
Thus a whole village, as some say, may be intoxicated through the medium 
of one man, and thus one fungus serves to prolong these most fearful and 
disgusting orgies for many days together. It is worthy of note that the 
very same erroneous impression as to size and distance produced by this 
plant, are also created by the hasheesh of India, and are also frequently 
noticed among idiots and lunatics. 
The Circulation of the Culcx. — Mr. II. C. Perkins gives an interesting 
paper in the Monthly Microscopical Journal for September. He says that, 
while watching the circulation as seen through the lenses in the reflected 
sunlight, if he moves the diaphragm from left to right, so as to make the 
shadow enter upon the right of the field of view, a brisk circulation (no 
matter how quiet it had been before) is instantly witnessed, which appears 
to be changed in direction as the diaphragm is moved back again ; and that 
the direction of the circulation can thus be changed at will by the intercep- 
