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MISCELLANEA. 
M. Bouley thought that this kind of hemiplegia was produced 
by the action of the air on the left side of the brain, which con- 
firmed the opinion of Bichat, just related. 
This veterinarian and excellent observer drew from this fact a 
practical inference, namely, that, every time bleeding took place, 
at the moment when the compression ceased we ought to apply, 
during some seconds, the finger on the aperture made in the vein, 
and, finally, to give to the superior column of blood time to fill 
the void which is produced in the lower part of the vessel. He 
thinks by this precaution he shall always avoid any accident that 
may occur, accidents equally fatal to the patient and the veterinary 
surgeon. 
Stinging of a Gnat. 
On the 25th of October last, and about two o’clock in the day, 
a gnat ( culez pipiens ) alighted on my fore-finger. I held my hand 
still, and observed it. It immediately applied its proboscis to the 
skin, at the same time moving its antennae and hind legs slowly 
up and down, which it continued to do for a few seconds, when it 
became apparently motionless, resting on its four front legs, with 
its hind ones stretched out in a line with its abdomen. I now felt 
a slight sensation where the proboscis was inserted, but so faint, 
that, had not my attention been directed to it, I probably should 
not have noticed it, and this I only felt for a second or two. The 
abdomen now began to swell gradually, the influx of the blood 
being clearly visible through its semi-transparent skin ; at the 
same time a clear watery fluid began to ooze from the anus, form- 
ing a round globule. It had a curious appearance to see blood 
flowing in at one end, and water out at the other. The drop fell, 
and another formed, the abdomen all the time getting larger and 
larger, and redder and redder, until the second drop fell. The 
abdomen had now attained full three times its natural size, with a 
blood-red hue, when, to my great vexation, the door opened, and 
away flew my little toper, without appearing the least encumbered 
with its bloody cargo. I must further observe, that the insect was 
altogether about one minute on my finger; that no part of the 
outer sheath of his proboscis was inserted beneath the skin ; and 
that I did not receive any warning of its intentions from its pipes. 
There was not the slightest pain, inflammation, or mark of any 
kind left that was perceptible. 
Magazine of Natural History. 
