6J2 
[October, 
Analyses of Books. 
In America it occurs in every State, but diminishes in frequency 
towards the south. In Britain the contrary rule seems to prevail, 
since it is most common in the south of England and very rare 
in the north of Scotland. In New York, where the disease is 
relatively common, it is unknown among persons of German or 
of French descent, as well as among Indians and Negroes. A 
singular feature is that this complaint seems most prevalent 
among “ persons of some education and of fair social position.’ 
Dr. Mackenzie decidedly recognises pollen, especially that of 
the grasses, as the general exciting cause. He adds : — “ It need 
scarcely be said that zealous * barteriomaniacs have, of course, 
sought for parasitic germs in the nasal secretions of those sub- 
jedt D to hay-fever ; but although bodies resembling pollen- 
corpuscles have been found, no specific organisms have, so fai as 
I am aware, been deterted. It is almost a comfort in these days 
to find one disease for which the ubiquitous bacillus does not 
appear to be responsible.” 
Into the proposed methods for the treatment of the disease 
we can the less enter as they are none of them considered 
satisfaaory. 
Our Corner. Vol. IV., No. 3. September, 1884. 
This issue contains but little matter of which we can legitimately 
take cognizance. There is an interesting account ol a fishing 
expedition in the Western Islands, by Mr. Charles Bradlaugh, 
M.P. He appears to have appreciated, and to have been in turn 
appreciated by, the midges, of which there were millions at Loch 
Lon^. These malevolent little inserts seem to prefer strangers 
to natives. At least so we should infer from the passage— “ In 
the Western Highlands of Scotland men and women who come 
from the south are distinguished from the natives by midge 
marks.” We should advise all persons exposed to the attacks of 
these wretches to anoint themselves with tinrture of marsh- 
rosemary. . 
“ Witches and Witchcraft,” by Hypatia Bradlaugh, is a study 
of a very delicate subjert, — much more difficult to deal with than 
was the case half a century ago. It is manifest that had Mr. 
Eglinton lived in the times of sapient King James I., or of 
Cromwell, he would have sufteied as a soicerei. 
“The House Fly” is one of a clever series of papers on our 
« Household Pests,” by Mr. J. Horner. It seems to us, however, 
that he exaggerates the scavenging services of the Diptera. 
Certain beetles, such as the Geotrupidse and the Necrophaga, 
are true or genuine scavengers, since they prey upon carrion and 
