754 
Notes. 
[December, 
for a history of the development of one or several species of the 
Lamellibranchias. The essays must be sent to the Secretary of 
the Society prior to January ist, 1883. 
One Roald Arentz, of the State of Connecticut, has applied 
for a British patent for “ an invention of Cosmie, being the name 
for gathered energy of that force which in its normal existence 
eventuates gravitation.” 
Archdeacon Colley, of Natal, is suffering under an attack of 
anti-vaccinationism of the most virulent type. 
The “ Medical Press and Circular” gives a searching review 
of Mr. Lawson Tait’s “ Uselessness of Vivisection.” 
Certain correspondents of an influential Scottish paper have 
revived the tradition that horse-hair, thrown into water in warm 
weather, turns into eels. 
Mr. T. K. Taplin (“Light”), writing on the subject of the 
“ divining-rod,” ventures to say that “ the labouring men born 
and bred in any district know well the nature of the land, and 
where water is to be obtained.” How is this possible unless 
mining or well-sinking operations have been carried on ? 
According to the “ Scotsman ” an eledtric boy is being exhi- 
bited in the Waverley Market, Edinburgh. The touch of his 
hand produces a sensation like that produced by an eleCtric 
current, and with the tip of his tongue he can give a smart 
shock. 
The preservative injection of Dr. Tounletti, by which animal 
bodies may be preserved in a fresh state for an unlimited time, 
has been found perfectly successful, but its composition is still a 
secret. 
Prof. G. H. Cook, in a paper read before the American Asso. 
ciation for the Advancement of Science, contends that the entire 
Atlantic coast of North America, from the Carolinas to Green- 
land, is subsiding. He thinks that the same change is occurring 
over the whole Northern Hemisphere. 
The memorial to the late Prof. Balfour has taken a double 
form : there will be created a Studentship of the value of £200 
per annum, the holder of which is to devote his whole time to 
original research in biology, more especially in animal morphology, 
and also a fund out of which occasional money grants will be 
awarded to further research in the same science. This is better 
than a statue. 
Will there be no “ Darwin ” Studentships, Fellowships, or 
Professorships founded ? 
MM. Deherain and Maquenne (“ Comptes Rendus ”) find that 
soils which have been heated to 248° F., or have been exposed to 
the vapour of chloroform, cease to reduce nitrates, 
