i 882.] 
Notes. 
m 
According to M. F. Jean the tannin of wines, derived from the 
seeds and the stalks of the grape, gives a greenish black colour- 
ation with ferric chloride. Any other colour indicates the presence 
of an astringent body foreign to wine. 
M. Tacchini (“ Comptes Rendus ”) concludes, from spectro- 
scopic observations, that hydrocarbons are always present in 
comets. 
Acanthephyra purpurea , found at the depth of 2590 metres 
near the Berlinguer, is of a splendid carmine-red colour. 
M. Faye (“ Comptes Rendus ”) combats the notion that a 
series of circumpolar stations would be of importance for mete- 
orological observations. 
N. Pringsheim, in a memoir communicated to the Berlin 
Academy of Sciences, discusses the primary actions of light upon 
vegetation. These actions, he concludes, consist in thermic and 
photo-chemical effects, the influence of which can be directly 
recognised in the several constituents of the illuminated cell. 
We are happy to learn that the Harveian Society have passed 
a unanimous vote of congratulation to Prof. Ferrier on “ the 
happy result of the fanatical prosecution to which he has been 
subjected. 
According to M. Davaine (“ Comptes Rendus ”) the speed with 
which the virus of glanders is absorbed, when introduced under 
the skin, varies greatly. 
M. Fano, in a communication to the Academy of Sciences, 
shows that the choroid membrane of the eye has a more im- 
portant function than that commonly ascribed to it, and has a 
decided influence on the distinctness of vision. 
J. D. Caton (“ American Naturalist ”) gives some interesting 
particulars on the changes in domesticated animals if allowed to 
run wild. 
M. C. de Merejowski (“ Comptes Rendus ”) gives an account 
of a red colouring-matter (tetronerythrine) present among various 
groups of Ccelenterata, Echinodermata, Crustacea, Mollusca, and 
fishes. He considers that, like haemoglobine, it subserves respi- 
ration, in this case cutaneous. 
Rev. L. J. Templin (“ Kansas Review of Science ”) describes 
the large wasp Pepsis formosa , known as the Tarantula (My gale 
Hentzii ) killer. It hunts for its prey by scent, paralyses it by a 
sting, and carries off the body as provision for its nest. It refuses 
a Tarantula which has been killed. 
W. H. Dale (“ American Naturalist ”) describes a tame snail — 
species not named — which would come if called by a little girl 
