Notes. 
[August, 
502 
bacteria. This fact supports the opinion that in true infections, 
along with the inoculated organic germs, a simultaneously pre- 
sent chemical poison is not without importance. Rosenberger 
has observed a similar result on the injection of septic matter 
which had been previously freed from bacteria by boiling. 
Lord Talbot de Malahide, in a paper read before the Anthro- 
pological Institute, treated on the longevity of the Ancient 
Romans in North Africa. The author gave several instances of 
epitaphs and inscriptions on tombs of persons whose age had 
exceeded 100 years ; in some cases an age of 120, 130, and even 
140 years had been attained. These facts do not agree with 
certain current notions. 
According to the experiments of Herr W. Detmer (“ Land- 
withschaftliche Jahrbiicher ”) vegetable cells are not able to 
decompose nitrous oxide, but are injured by its presence. In 
hydrogen gas no growth is possible, and the plants are injured. 
In pure carbonic acid seeds do not germinate, and etiolated 
plants do not become green. Vapours of chloroform injure 
growth, but the process of respiration is not brought to a stand- 
still. 
We regret to learn that the proposed statue of Darwin is to be 
eredted at South Kensington. Surely some more central locality 
could have been found. 
M. l’Abbe Moigno (“ Les Mondes ”) notices, in a very lauda- 
tory manner, an Anti-Evolutionist treatise entitled “ La Lutte 
pour l’Existence.” 
M. Bouquet de la Grye (“ Annales de Chimie ”) finds, in ac- 
cordance with Gay-Lussac and Humboldt, that in the region of 
both tropics the ocean contains more saline matter than at the 
Equator and beyond the Tropics. 
It is stated that the common house-fly is capable of emitting 
sounds perfedtly distinct from the buzzing of its wings, and 
which may possibly serve these pests as a means of mutual 
communication. 
The Committee appointed by the Royal Microscopical Society 
to consider the advisability of adopting standard guages for eye- 
pieces and sub-stages, has, after consulting the principal micro- 
scope makers in London, come to the conclusion that two sizes 
should be recommended for eye-pieces, viz., No. 1 for large in- 
struments, 1*35 inches, and No. 2 for smaller instruments, 
0*92 inch, in both cases external diameter. These are selected 
from Bizes at present in use, the No. 1 guage being that usual 
with most of the larger instruments constructed in England, 
whilst No. 2 is that adopted for small stands by many continental 
makers. As sub-stages are frequently of the same diameter in 
small instruments as in large ones, one standard size is deemed 
