1883.] 
Notes. 
631 
the cerebral hemispheres in birds are removed, total blindness 
ensues. If, e.g., the right hemisphere is removed, the vision of 
the left eye is either entirely destroyed or greatly damaged, and 
if the right eye is then extirpated complete blindness results. 
M. De Lapparent (“ Les Mondes ”) bases crystallography upon 
the following principle : — “ In a homogeneous crystalline medium 
the physical properties, variable in general with the directions 
followed, are identical for all parallel directions, whatever may 
be the point of departure.” 
According to Dr. Arthur Christiani light exerts a favourable 
influence upon the vegetative sphere of the human economy, by 
increasing the activity of that portion of the brain upon which 
respiration depends. 
M. Weber (“ Chem. Central Blatt ”) has found that the hydro- 
cyanic acid secreted by myriapods of the genus Fontaria is 
elaborated by certain glands arranged along both sides of the 
animal. Does this secretion prove a protection against birds, 
spiders, &c. ? 
Foods for infants now rank high among the positive checks to 
population. 
The quack ought to be a patriot out of gratitude, for his 
country rears him a constant supply of dupes. 
Mr. S. Kneeland gives, in “ Science,” a number of instances 
proving that crows do occasionally grasp and carry booty in their 
claws, after the manner of the Raptores. 
M. Faye (“ Comptes Rendus ”) combats the theory of M. De- 
launey that the planets, especially Jupiter and Saturn, exert a 
decisive aCtion upon earthquakes. 
M. Ramon de Luna, in a communication to the Academy of 
Sciences, maintains that the cause of cholera is always found in 
the air, and that it aCts upon men through the respiratory 
organs. 
We regret to find that the Social Science Association is about 
to advocate increased restrictions on the sale of “ poisons ” — a 
step which will seriously hamper chemical research and harass 
various manufactures. 
The assertion that a “ high birth-rate is the invariable conco- 
mitant of prosperity” is refuted by the example of France. 
According to Dr. Marloth (“ Botanisches Jahrbucher ”) almost 
all seeds are protected against injury from without by the deve- 
lopment of thick, dense layers. The strata show such diversity 
