Notes . 
371 
18:81,] 
According to M. H. Filhol (“ Comptes Rendus ”) the fossil 
remains of Ursus sfelceus possess a great fixity of type and 
show no connexion with the modern U. arctos. A skull of the 
latter species, of an enormous size, has been found among about 
a hundred specimens of U. spelceus in the Cave of Lherm, in the 
Department of Arriege. 
It appears that the writers of the Talmud held and taught the 
globular shape of the earth. This is the more interesting since 
at this moment bills are being circulated denouncing existing 
astronomical truths as of heathenish origin, and urging the 
formation of a society to advocate the flatness and fixity of the 
earth. 
W. von Reichenau, in a recent work on the nests and eggs of 
birds, explains the ornamental plumage, crests, &c., of the male 
sex as due to an excess of vital energy, whilst the females are 
comparatively exhausted by the production of eggs and the task 
of incubation. 
According to MM. Klebs and Crudeli (“ Aft, Dei Lincei,’’ 
Sec 3 vol v.,p. 19) the malarial parasites ( Bacilli ) pass through 
a series of phases corresponding to the successive stages of the 
disease. 
According to a series of careful experiments performed by Dr. 
C. A. Cameron (“ Analyst ”), the milk of individual cows may 
contain less than 9 per cent of solids minus fat. But in mixed 
milk 9 per cent is a fair proportion to expedt The milk ot 
Dublin dairy herds contains 13 to 15 per cent of solids. 
The views of Mr. Larkin and Mr. Morris on the evolution of 
matter and of the heavenly bodies are being criticised (“ Science, 
April 16) by Prof. Al. Winchell. 
Mr. A. D. Bartlett points out a curious distinction between 
carnivorous and herbivorous animals. The former, if caught 
young and kindly treated, become much attached to their keepers. 
On the other hand, stags, antelopes, sheep, &c., if brought up as 
household pets, invariably turn out dangerous. 
The Mosaic prohibition of blood as an article of diet, whatever 
may be its origin, is in full accord with the dictates of the most 
advanced science of modern times. 
Mr J W. Norris, the Superintendent of the United States 
Yellowstone National Park, has issued a most interesting report 
on the geological and biological features of this wonderful 
region. 
Prof Asaph Hall (“ Science ”) pronounces the Nebular Hypo- 
thesis a very doubtful thing, though “ possibly its supporters may 
fudge it so that it will last a little longer. 
