Notes. 
309 
1882.] 
According to the “Archiv. d. Pharm.” the different kinds of 
aconitine nitrate met with in commerce vary greatly in poisonous 
power. That of Petit is 8 times stronger than Merck’s, and 
170 times stronger than Friedlander’s. 
Dr. J. D. Thomas, on behalf of the Colonial Governments of 
Adelaide and Victoria, is engaged with researches to prove 
that the prevalence of hydatid disease in man and in the lower 
animals is proportionate to the number of dogs kept in a com- 
munity. 
According to Prof. Jules Gaudard (Institution of Civil En- 
gineers) the force of waves, beating against exposed structures, 
may reach a pressure of 6000 lbs. per square foot, The maxi- 
mum wind-pressure registered in England has been 71 lbs. per 
square foot. 
Mr. E. Wadsworth considers the copper-bearing rocks of Lake 
Superior as of Potsdam age. 
M. P. Bert (“ Comptes Rendus ”) shows that the blood of ani- 
mals originally belonging to, or acclimatised in, high mountain 
regions, has a much greater capacity of absorbing oxygen than 
the blood of the same or of analogous species living at lower 
altitudes. 
The “ Popular Science Review ” sharply criticises Prof. Gold- 
win Smith’s attack upon Mr. Herbert Spencer’s ethical system, 
and makes some good points. But no one seriously inquires 
whether Evolutionism fairly admits of the conclusions deduced 
from it by some of our “ advanced ” thinkers. 
According to MM. Heckel and Schlagdenhauffen (“ Comptes 
Rendus ”) the kola-nut contains more caffeine than coffee, along 
with theobromine and grape-sugar. It is rich in starch, but 
poor in fatty matters. 
With reference to the supposed protection against sewer gases 
offered by water-traps, the “Medical Press and Circular” reminds 
scientific men that the water absorbs the sewer gases in the soil- 
pipe, and then gives them off into the house. 
Mr. E. Ray Lankester, F.R.S., &c., has been definitely ap- 
pointed to the chair of Natural History in the University of 
Edinburgh, and has since given in his resignation. 
We learn that at a complimentary dinner given at Halifax to 
Mr. T. Dolan, F.R.C.S., of that town, it was proposed to found 
a local Medico-Chirurgical Society and a medical library in con- 
nection with the Infirmary. 
A mixture or alleged compound of glycerine and boracic acid 
is being put forward as an agent for the preservation of articles 
