SCIENTIFIC SUMMARY. 
331 
pultaceous substance adherent to the apices of many of the pyramids. Micro- 
scopical examination of this proved it to consist of the sporules and mycelium 
of a microscopic fungus, apparently a species of oidium, which had the fol- 
lowing characters : — 1. Round or oval vesicles, single or grouped, containing 
one or more globules (probably oil globules or minute sporules), and some- 
times granular matter. 2. Elongated vesicles united at their ends so as to 
form continuous cylindrical tubes branching dichotomously, sometimes ter- 
minated by strings or groups of round or oval cells, lateral development of 
these cells being also not uncommon. The tubes contained oil globules and 
granular material. In some instances it could be perceived that the tubes 
were empty, the liquid material having escaped. 
Action of Hydrosulphuric Acid on the Blood. — The observations which 
were some time since made by Herr Hoppe-Seyler have been fully corro- 
borated by the more recent inquiries of Herren Kaufmann and Rosenthal. 
These physiologists assert that the action of the above gas is simply to 
asphyxiate. The remedy suggested in case of poisoning is introduction of 
oxygen into the blood by means of artificial respiration. 
Absorption of Fat — According to the observation of Herr Letzerich, fat 
and albumen are not absorbed by the epithelium of the intestine, but by 
vacuoles between the epithelial cells, which lead directly from the intestine 
into the lacteals. Eat in the epithelium he considers pathological, and 
generally due to excess of fat in the food. — Vide Virchow's Archiv, xxxvii. 
Cervical Bibs. — In one of the late numbers of Virchow's Archiv , M. Stieda 
of Dorpat, describes an interesting case of the above. The case was that of 
a woman, aged 30, and has been reported in the Journal of Anatomy, No. 2. 
Except that the left cervical rib was ossified to its vertebra, whilst the right 
was articulated to it by a moveable joint, both ribs closely resembled each 
other. In each a head, neck, tubercle, and body, were found ; the anterior 
end of the body was pointed and connected by a ligament to a plate of 
cartilage attached to the anterior end of the first thoracic rib. The subclavian 
arteries had been removed, so that M. Stieda could not determine their 
relations. The thoracic vertebrae and ribs, and the lumbar vertebrae, were 
normal in number. 
Absorption by the Skin. — A memoir on this subject has been laid before the 
French Academy, by M. Ch. Hoffmann. His experiments have been' made 
on digitalis, iodine of potassium, and chloride of sodium. He comes to the 
following conclusions: — 1. Chemical and other agents, dissolved in water, 
penetrate slowly but obviously into the animal economy, by the external 
integument, and it is only when the blood and other fluids are saturated by 
them that the organism expels them. 2. All medicaments are not absorbed 
in the same degree. 3. The contradictory results hitherto obtained result 
from the insufficient length of the time devoted to the experiments. 
Action of Compressed Air on the Circulation and Respiration. — M. Yivenot 
concludes from his experiments that the action of compressed air is to 
diminish the frequency of the pulse. This slackening is, on the average, 
about six and a half pulsations per minute. The cause is purely mechanical: 
the increase of pressure on the surface of the body diminishes the calibre of 
the small vessels, and increases the obstacle which the vascular walls oppose 
to the current from the heart. This diminution of the vessels may be seen 
