( 244 ) 
[April, 
NOTES. 
According to the “ Courrier International ” there exists at 
Sonora a pyramid measuring at its base 4350 feet, and rising to 
the height of 7550 (? 755) feet. Hence its size is about double 
that of Cheops. 
Mr. Harold Whiting (“ Science-Bulletin ”) proposes the fol- 
lowing law connecting the physical constants The produdt 
of the latent heat, molecular weight, and coefficient of expansion 
= 8-4 for liquids at o° C. expanding by ordinary law. The pro- 
duct of the mechanical equivalent of the latent heat and the 
density is i - 2 times the produCt of the coefficient of expansion 
and resilience, and the absolute temperature.” 
It appears that the so-called “ National Park” of the United 
States requires attention to guard it against the attacks of spe- 
culators. 
From a recent decision it appears to be perfectly legal to pol- 
lute and poison underground waters, springs, &c., by running 
into them sewage, &c. 
It appears that in the years 1831 and 1876-77 atmospheric 
phenomena, very similar to those observed in November and 
December last, were noticed and recorded. 
On January 14th a sudden retreat of the sea, followed by three 
waves which raised it for a short time to 1-5 metre above its 
ordinary level, occurred at Monte Video. 
According to M. G. Calmels the poisonous secretion of the 
toad contains a small quantity of methyl carbylamine and of iso- 
cyanacetic acid, to which it owes its poisonous properties. A 
similar acid exists in the poison of Triton cristatns, Salamandra 
maculata, and of the scorpion. 
We regret to hear that the Dublin Zoological Society is in 
danger of coming to an end from lack of funds. The case seems 
the more hopeless as unworthy means of increasing the Society’s 
income have already been resorted to. The returns of a do"- 
show (!) held last year in the Society’s garden were £153. 
M. P. Gibier (“ Comptes Rendus ”) finds that rabies can be 
communicated to birds, which, however, recover spontaneously. 
Mammals inoculated from such birds die with the ordinary 
symptoms of rabies. M. Pasteur questions the immunity of 
birds. 
