i88i.] 
Notes . 
373 
Mr. W. G. Lock (“ Geological Magazine ”) suggests the possi- 
bility of a mass of molten matter underlying Europe, and con- 
nected with the Icelandic volcanic vents. 
A sea-side biological laboratory will be opened at Annisquam, 
Mass., on June 5th, under the auspices of the Boston Society of 
Natural History and the Woman’s Education Association. 
“ Science ” considers that the immunity from a second attack 
of an infectious disease, such as poultry-cholera, is simply inex- 
plicable on the parasitic theory. 
The “American Naturalist” suggests a joint meeting of the 
British and the American Associations for the Advancement of 
Science, to be held in 1883. The idea seems to us excellent, but 
we fear it will meet with much passive, if not aCtive, opposition. 
It appears that during the severe weather of January rooks 
were found killing and eating sparrows, and even the blackbirds 
began to prey upon each other. 
According to Grawitz (“ American Naturalist ”) the mould 
Eurotium and Aspergillus possess forms which produce death 
within a few days if they penetrate into the circulatory system of 
animals. 
“ Blackwood’s Magazine ” points out that the revival of suicide 
coincides in time with the modern spread of education, and is 
most rampant where the schoolmaster is most acftive. 
A young Russian lady, who was studying Medicine in Paris, 
shot herself in despair of passing her examination. 
A case of fasting is in progress in Strathaven. A girl there has 
for eighteen weeks taken nothing but water, and occasionally 
sweets. 
A curious friendship between two young cats and a cockatoo 
has come under our notice. The cats, after having completed 
their own toilet, generally wash the bird in the most approved 
manner. 
Dr. Alleyne Nicholson will conduct the Natural History Class 
at Edinburgh University, in consequence of the indisposition of 
Prof. Sir Wyville Thompson. 
The “ Medical Press and Circular,” of May nth, admits, in a 
leading article, the impotence of “ sanitary reform ” to deal with 
epidemics. 
At the Saratoga meeting of the American Pharmaceutical 
Association it was shown, in the Presidential Address, that 
among the evil consequences of a reckless devastation of the 
forests, the extirpation of certain valuable medicinal plants must 
not be forgotten. 
