SCIENCE. 
235 
and fixed purpose ; that it was specially adapted to its 
original design ; and, finally, fixed where its adaptation 
had fullest scope. This view was strongly opposed by 
arguments based upon parasitism, showing that there had 
been a gradual variation in design as different circum- 
stances arose, and fresh materials came to hand. 
NEW SPECIES OF MOLLUSCA AND ECHINO- 
DERMS. 
Professor A. E. Verrill describes in detail, in the last 
number of the American Journal of Science , many new 
species of Marine Fauna, discovered on the southern coast 
of New England, during the present season by the large 
party, under the auspices of the U. S. Fish Commission, 
of which Professor Spencer F. Baird is a Commissioner. 
The following is a list of the new species, described by 
Professor A. E. Verrill and Mr. Sanderson Smith, with the 
exception of Luidia elegans, described by Perrier. 
MOLLUSCA. 
Heteroteuthis lenera , sp. nov. — Calliteuthis, gen. nov. 
Calliteuthis reversa, sp. nov. — Allofiosus, gen. nov. Alloposus 
mollis, sp. nov. — Cymbulia calceola, sp. nov. — Pleurotoma 
Agassizii, sp. nov. — Pleurotoma Carpenteri, sp. nov. Scalaria 
Pourtalesii, sp. nov. — Scalaria Dalliana, sp. nov. — Lamel- 
laria pellucida, sp. nov. Lepetella, gen. nov. Lepetella 
tubicola, sp. nov. — Lovenella Whiteavesii, sp. nov. — Callios- 
toma Bairdii, sp. nov. Margarita regalis, sp. nov. Marga- 
rita lamellosa, sp. nov. Turbonilla Rathbuni, sp. nov. 
Turbonilla formosa, sp. nov. — Pleurobranchcea tarda, sp. nov. 
Philine amabilis, sp. nov. Diaphana ( Utriculus ) gemma, 
sp. nov. Doris complanata, sp. nov. Cadulus Pandionis, 
sp. nov. Loripes lens, sp. nov. Modiola polita, sp. nov. 
Pecten fcnestratus (?) 
ECHINODERMS. 
Asterias Tanneri, sp. nov. Odontaster, gen. nov. Odon- 
taster hispidns, sp. nov. Archaster Americanus, sp. nov. 
Archaster Agassizii, sp. nov. Luidia elegans. 
A POISONOUS PRODUCT OF FERMENTED 
INDIAN CORN. 
If the grains of-Maize, or Indian Corn, be subjected to 
fermentation, they become dark in color without changing 
form, and are found to contain, in considerable amount, a 
body which may be extracted by alcohol. After the remo- 
val of the alcohol by distillation, there is obtained a resi- 
due, from which, after long standing, an oil separates. 
This oil is brown in color, has a sharp, bitter taste, and a 
sp. gr. of 0.925. It forms soaps with alkalies, is soluble 
in alcohol and ether, and becomes resinous when exposed 
to the air. It acts as a poison on the animal system, and 
in certain other properties is very similar to strychnia. — 
Coeytaux, Chemiker-Zeitung. 
A Phylloxera Congress was held last month in 
Spain, at Saragossa, for the consideration of all topics 
connected with the grape Phylloxera. The American 
Entomologist, basing its opinion on the recovery of vines 
in Solano County, Cal., asserts its belief that the ravages 
of Phylloxera will have its day, and that from causes, 
not far to seek, the vine will again grow on the very 
lands which have been lately ravaged. For fear of the 
Phylloxera the Turkish Government have forbidden the 
introduction of any plants whatever in o the territories 
of the Sultan. 
IT is said that the Cochineal insect, which is a native 
of Mexico and Central America, thrives well in Florida. 
Crystals of Haimine. — F. Hogyes has examined crystals 
from the blood of men, oxen, swine, sheep, dogs, cats, 
rabbits, guinea-pigs, mice, pole cats, poultry, pigeons, 
geese, ducks, Rana esculenta and lemporaria. All have one 
crystalline form only. They belong either to the monoclinar 
or triclinar system, probably the former. 
TAXIDERMY. 
Mr. Herman E. Davidson suggests an improvement in 
the art or method of mounting skins of fishes, which con- 
sists in forming a rigid mold of plastic matetial on the sur- 
face of the skin to be mounted before it is detached from 
the body of the fish, and thereafter removing the soft por- 
tion from the skin and stuffing or filling before it is removed 
from the mold, whereby the natural form and convexity of 
the fish are preserved. 
This improvement may be understood by the annexed 
drawing. It will be seen that Mr. Davidson takes a mold- 
board having a portion removed corresponding with the 
outline of the body of the fish, exclusive of median fins, and 
inserts the body of the fish in the opening, the median fins 
resting against the face of the board, and forming a mold of 
plastic material upon the body of the fish projecting beyond 
the other face previous to removing the soft parts and stuff- 
ing the skin. The soft parts are then removed from the 
skin resting in the mold, and plastic material, adapted to 
solidify, is then poured in. 
BOOKS RECEIVED. 
The Journal of Nervous and Mental Diseases, 
for October, 1880. Office No. 70 Monroe street] 
Chicago, and G P. Putnam’s Sons, New York. 
The opening article is by Dr. S. V. Clavenger, con- 
sisting of his paper read before the American Associa- 
tion for the Advancement of Science, entitled “ Plan of 
the Cerebro-spinal Nervous System.” An abstract of 
this paper was furnished to “ Science,” by Dr. Clevenger, 
and appeared in this jonrnal of the nth of Septernber 
last. Specialists should not tail to read the paper now 
presented in detail, as it forms an important addition to 
the literature of this subject. Dr. Edward C. Spitzka 
contributes two papers, the first a continuation of his 
“Contributions to Nervous and Mental Pathology,” and 
“ Contributions to Encephalic Anato ny.” In the latter 
article Dr. Spitzka takes up the subject and methods of a 
study of the Ichthyopsidean brain. As we shall probably 
reproduce this article for the benefit of the readers of 
“Science,” further reference to it at present is un- 
necessary. We cannot, however, refrain from express- 
ing our satisfaction at finding that Dr. Spitzka continues to 
devote his attention to original research in this direction ; 
our knowledge of human anatomy has been greatly ex- 
tended by the investigation, of naturalists, into the lower 
forms of life, and if higher results are attained, it will be 
by such indefatigable and intelligent work as is man- 
ifested in this paper of Dr. Spitzka. The other articles 
in this number are, “ Contributions to Psychiatry by 
James G. Kiernan, M. D. A case of Diffuse Myelitis 
by Dr. J. C. Shaw, and Dr. John S. Woodside. A case 
of Acute Myelitis, by S. G. Webber, M. D., and a case 
of Meningo-encephalitis, by H. M. Bannister, M. D. 
