11 
which Stokes 5 solution would fail is inversely as the radius 
of the sphere, if failure can take place through want of 
cohesion.* 
It becomes necessary now to consider the result of such 
a failure. In a perfect fluid, the consequence must be dis- 
continuity, since we can not admit any minimum value of 
0 and therefore of tt within the fluid. In a real fluid, on 
the other hand, the possibility of the fluid under the tension 
failing to exert pressure equally in all directions would 
have to be considered, as intermediate between the usual 
problem, and that of disruption, in either case vortex 
motion would ensue behind the solid. 
“The Sea Gull in Salford, 55 by William E. A. Axon, 
M.RS.L. 
During the recent storm a sea gull ( Larus canus) which 
had been injured against the telegraph wires was picked up 
and cared for in the cottage at the Salford side of the Mode- 
wheel. It was unable to fly, though afforded opportunities 
of liberty, and appeared to be taking kindly to its new 
environment. 
Sea-gulls are now rare visitants in this neighbourhood, but 
Mr. John Plant, F.G.S., saw two sailing over Peel Park in 
the earlier part of the year. 
“On the Numerical Extent of Personal Vocabularies, 55 by 
William E. A. Axon, M.R.S.L. 
In the Bulletin of the Washington Philosophical Society, 
vol. ii., app. p. ii. (Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections, vol. 
xx.) there is a paper by Prof. E. S. Holden, in which he 
gives some curious estimates as to the number of words used 
in speaking and writing. In order to test the matter he 
* Or otherwise, consider the sphere to be brought to rest, the whole 
motion of the fluid will then cease, but in order to produce rest an im- 
pulsive tension of the magnitude named must be sustained at the surface 
of the sphere. 
