62 
[.February, 
The Eirth and Evolution 
perils of canine madness ? It seems, per se, not unlikely 
that a “ vaccine ” for rabies may be discovered, i. e., a modi- 
fied virus, which if introduced into a dog or any other 
animal may render it proof against the effects of an infected 
bite. But should such a safeguard be discovered its adop- 
tion, in this country at least, would be very doubtful. The 
outcry raised by the Anti-Vaccinationists, and in general by 
the “ Anti ” portion of the public, would be truly deafening. 
It has been already shown that much of the evil might be 
practically done away with by the simple expedient of nip- 
ping off the points of the teeth of dogs, so as to render the 
penetration of the skin less likely. But the dog-worshippers, 
who are the very heart of the Bestiarian movement, object, 
and their outcries carry more weight than do considerations 
of public safety. 
II. THE BIRTH AND EVOLUTION OF THE 
HE doubts raised in Prof. Klinkerfues’s criticism of 
“Two Planets beyond Neptune” (“Journal of Science” 
for June, 1882) against the nebular theory as applied 
by Laplace to the solar system, and the objections of Judge 
Stallo in his “ admirably written ” “ Concepts and Theories 
of Modern Physics,” made me think of putting before your 
readers the exposition of a theory which neither fully adopts 
nor rejects, but modifies and brings into a more definite shape, 
that of Laplace. . 
When “ it is not the purpose ” of Judge Stallo “to discuss 
the merits” “ of the meteoric theory in detail, or to express 
an opinion as to its soundness and sufficiency,” but he yet 
thinks it “ to stand in favourable contrast to the nebular 
theory,” I beg him to consider that a nebula is a gathering 
SOLAR SYSTEM. 
Translated from pages 113 to 132 of “Gedanken” 
(1857, Philadelphia, published by Thomas), 
By 0 . Reichenbach. 
Introductory Letter to the Editor . 
