376 
Notes. 
Mr. Meehan (“ American Naturalist ”) calls attention to two 
forms of willow-leaves from the same tree, — one form an inch in 
width, and the other not more than a line, — and argues that this 
tends to show the production of variations by sudden leaps. 
The manipulative details of Mr. J. W. Stephenson’s process 
for mounting microscopical objects in phosphorus is published in 
the April number of the “ Journal of the Royal Microscopical 
Society.” The operation should on no account be attempted by 
any but those accustomed to the use of dangerous chemicals ; 
the value of the results has already been noticed. The same paper 
also contains an account of the process of mounting in a solution of 
biniodide of mercury in iodide of potassium. This medium, al- 
though not so effective as the solution of phosphorus, will be 
found of great value, owing to its high refractive index and capa- 
bility of dilution ; the manipulation presents no difficulties to 
those used to the mounting of objects in fluid. The density of 
the medium is so great that flint glass floats in it like a cork. 
Mrs. S. E. De Morgan, writing in the “ Psychological Review,” 
a Spiritualist organ, says^ — “ But the Positivists and Comtists 
encourage feelings of benevolence, sympathy, and justice above 
all things, regulating and limiting the inroads of Science [!] by 
their dictates, and setting themselves so far in the road to truth. 
The enlightened Positivist, Dr. Bridges, is one of the most able 
writers against Vivisection.” 
On the other hand, “ Ouida,” in a rash outbreak against Vivi- 
section, which we regret to say has been permitted to appear in 
the “ Gentleman’s Magazine,” declares “ that the vast and ever- 
increasing body of persons who are opposed to any form of 
religion has conceived that in encouraging Vivisection it en- 
courages Free Thought.” 
Mr. T. E. Espin (“ Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical 
Society”) proves Ursse-Minoris to be a variable star, having a 
period of about ten and a half days. At its minimum it seems 
to be of a redder colour. 
Prof. O. C. Marsh (“ Geological Magazine ”) examines the 
wings of the PterodaCtyles, and shows that they were true organs 
of flight, and not of natation. He gives a restored representa- 
tion of Rhamphorynchus phyllurus. 
On May 5th a leCture on poisoning with aconitine was delivered 
— before the Balloon Society of Great Britain ! 
