692 
Notes. 
[November, 
The following chemico-physiological hypothesis, in explanation 
of some presumed supernatural phenomena, has been suggested 
to us by a friend whose name, pending further observations, we 
withhold: — 
It is all but absolutely certain that the witch-ointments, magic 
fumigations, &c., used in antiquity and in the Middle Ages, con- 
tained ingredients capable of producing delusions, visions of 
demons, &c., in persons exposed to their influence. It is certain 
that the use of the Siberian fungus ( Amanita muscaria) produces 
similar effects upon those who swallow it. The suggestion is 
thrown out that microscopic cryptogams, when inhaled, may 
produce a temporary derangement of the nervous system, during 
which the patient fancies he sees, hears, or feels unaccountable 
sights, sounds, and impressions. Our friend states that when 
travelling he has sometimes occupied rooms in which he expe- 
rienced a peculiar uneasiness and a disposition to be continually 
looking round to see if there was not something unpleasant be- 
hind him. A cold shudder down the spine was also experienced. 
In such rooms there was a persistent odour, faintly pungent, like 
that of an unfrequented library. He considers that, especially in 
old castles, halls, &c., the walls, furniture, &c., are covered with 
minute Fungi, the dust of which, if inhaled, may cause symptoms 
varying from the slight uneasiness which he has experienced to 
terrifying visions. 
M. Clement Lucas publishes a case in which the production of 
supernumerary fingers is traced for five successive generations. 
The starting-points of the families in question, a man and a 
woman, brother and sister, were both free from deformities. The 
man was a giant who was exhibited as a curiosity. Of his eighty 
descendants twenty-four have been afledted with deformities 
of the fingers and toes. This is the more remarkable as 
there have been no consanguineous marriages among his descend- 
ants. In the last generations the deformity appears in the males 
only. It is to be noted that these deformities become more 
marked the farther we depart from the original stock. The 
descendants depart farther and farther from the normal type. 
(This case is very suggestive from an Evolutionist point of 
view). 
The “ Scottish Naturalist ” records 137 species of Lepidoptera 
found in the Orkneys, 59 in Shetland, and 62 in the Outer 
Hebrides. Only 24 species are common to all the three groups 
of islands. According to Mr. Jenner Weir the Orkney inserts 
scarcely differ from those of North Scotland. The Outer 
Hebridean specimens are more differentiated than those of the 
Orkneys, and their prevailing colour is grey. In the Shetland 
specimens there is a wider variation in colour, and some of the 
species diverge into well-marked varieties. 
