1882 j 
Notes . 
755 
Prof. John Milne (“ Geological Magazine ”) calls attention to 
the tremors and oscillations of the earth as demanding closer 
and more extended observation. 
In the same journal the Rev. O. Fisher cites the depression of 
ice-loaded lands as evidence that the earth cannot be rigid from 
the centre to the circumference. 
May not the polar flattening of the earth be due not so much 
to the effects of centrifugal force as to the pressure of the Ardtic 
and Antarctic ice-caps ? 
It is not generally known that the late William Howitt was 
one of the leaders of the Bestiarian movement. He it was who 
first termed physiological experiments “ orgies of diabolism.” 
M. Couty, in a communication to the Academy of Sciences, 
shows that curare is not merely a paralysing poison, but has in 
the first place a slightly convulsive adtion. It is also not only a 
peripheric poison, but to a certain degree affedts the nervous 
centres. 
The Birmingham and Midland Institute is generally sup- 
posed to be a technological and scientific organisation. To judge 
from the speech of its President, Mr. J. A. Froude, it would seem 
to be rather a political club. Or, possibly, the distinguished 
speaker slightly mistook his locality. 
M. E. L. Trouessart (“ Comptes Rendus ”) has observed earth- 
worms of the common species, Lumbricus agricola , constructing 
towers exactly like those described by Darwin in his last work as 
being constructed by a worm of the genus Pericheeta , which has 
become naturalised in the neighbourhood of Nice. The anterior 
part of the worm’s body is generally lodged in the tower. The 
author’s observations have been principally made at the Botanical 
Garden of Angers. 
According to “ Light ” Mr. E. Gallagher, of Greenfield’s Villa, 
Heaton Chapel, near Stockport, “ has given abundant proof of 
his seeing persons, places, and events thousands of miles away, 
and of ability to foresee events with great accuracy long before 
their literal fulfilment.” 
An important deposit of coal, accompanied by beds of fine 
white sand, has been discovered at Bou-Saada, in Algeria. 
In the department Alpes Maritimes the application of carbon 
disulphide along with potassium sulpho-carbonate to the phyl- 
loxerised vineyards has proved decidedly successful. The vines 
have not been injured. 
According to M. L. F. Nilson (“ Comptes Rendus ”) the spe- 
cific gravity of pure thorium is ii-oo, and its atomic weight 
(supposing it to be quadrivalent) 232*43. 
