1882.] Analyses of Boohs . 163 
tans), a flat chocolate-coloured wretch which haunts the ceilings 
of bed-rooms, and lets itself drop upon the sleeper. In the 
morning it is found on the walls “no longer a flat disc but a 
globular bloated mass.” One of the many species of mosquitoes 
— not named — gives out a delicious fragrance, especially if 
crushed. The Museum of Buenos Ayres is said to be richer 
than any other in “ palaeologic edentate osteology.” The author 
exclaims, “ The gigantic Megatherium, or his ancient brother 
the Mylodon, with what a derisive smile must they view the 
efforts of their feeble modern vicar (!) the Bradypus tridactylus .” 
The museum is under the direction of the illustrious entomolo- 
gist Dr. Hermann Burmeister. On the subjedt of rabies, said to 
be rare in La Plata, the author says : — “ As for the dogs the 
breed is so inferior as not to subjedt them ordinarily to a disease 
so aristocratic, which, like the gout in man, only attacks good 
blood.” The Pariah dogs of India, which can scarcely boast of 
aristocratic lineage, are by no means free from rabies. On page 
239 the author goes out of his way to indulge in an attack on 
cremation and on sanitary chemists. He makes the curious 
remark that the “ custom was all very well for Pagans with little 
or no notion of the dignity of the human body.” The vexed 
question as to whether vultures find their prey by sight or scent 
seems to be decided in favour of the former as far as the Condor 
is concerned. One of these birds, when hungry, took no notice 
of a lump of meat wrapped up in a single fold of a newspaper. 
The author considers that there are two species of Condor, a 
black and a brown. 
The author’s style is, according to our taste, not sufficiently 
quiet for a scientific work. We have already noticed some 
curious expressions, and might seledt many more. Thus we 
read of the “ cadenic summit” of a mountain, of “ Longobardi 
centaurs,” of “ Stygian-laden gulleys,” a “ liquescent water- 
pear.” An eagle is described as sitting upon a pinnacle “ ready 
to swoop upon any unfortunate stray psittac.” We are almost 
reminded of the Limousin student who, for indulging in “ tall 
talk,” was evil-entreated by Pantagruel. We may venture to 
express the hope that the second volume may be richer in 
scientific fadts and written in plainer language. 
On Exercise: an Address Delivered on the Anniversary of the 
Military Medical Culture Institutions * on August 2nd , 1881. 
By Emil du Bois Reymond. Berlin : August Hirschwald. 
Pooh ! a treatise on gymnastics, of importance, perhaps, to 
acrobats and tumblers ! Not so, lessons of grave importance, 
* Ueber die Uebung. Rede gehalten zur Feier des Stiftungstages der 
Militair-Aerztlichen Bildungsanstalten. 
