CATTLE PLAGUE. 
415 
The sea- wrack is largely collected for manure, and also for 
the manufacture of alkali, and even for the preparation of 
iodine, but this, we think, is done without due examination, 
as it is popularly classed with the seaweed. Being light and 
soft it is collected for use in packing china and furniture ; and 
during the cotton famine it was recommended as a source of 
supply for a fibre to supersede cotton itself, hut we never 
heard of any success in this direction. It is applied as a 
poultice to scrofulous tumours, but this was probably from a 
supposition of its being a seaweed. 
In concluding our notes on these plants we cannot resist 
saying that interesting as are their study, in a botanical point 
of view, little indeed can be said in favour of any medicinal 
or economic value of any one of them. The whole alliance 
may be said to consist of interesting but inactive, and, there- 
fore innocuous individuals, but the next alliance, the Narcis - 
sales , will amply make up for this deficiency. 
Pathological Contributions. 
CATTLE PLAGUE. 
In Northern France the rinderpest rages in the arrondisse- 
ments of Valenciennes, Cambraix, and Avesnes. In Dun- 
kerque and Hazebrouck the health of stock is reported to be 
satisfactory. 
In the department of Ardennes the plague has appeared in 
two communes near the Luxembourg frontier. 
In Lille the disease is decreasing according to the last 
reports. 
Italy experienced an incursion of the plague in the early 
part of the month of April at Como, and Novara, near the 
Swiss frontier. The authorities appear to have been on the 
alert, and adopted stringent measures, a prevention with good 
results, as no fresh cases have been reported since the end of 
April. 
Belgium has been free from cattle plague for some weeks, 
and no fresh outbreak has been reported. 
Poland is also reported to be free, but fresh outbreaks are 
of common occurrence in that country. 
In Gallicia and Buckowina the cattle plague still prevails. 
