1 884.] 
Notes. 
3 11 
The texture of sponges is said to become denser and finer the 
higher the latitude of their place of growth. 
M. Boutigny, well known for his researches on the spheroidal 
state of liquids, died on March 17th, in his 86th year. 
We learn that attempts are being made at Coblentz to use the 
raven as a substitute for the carrier-pigeon. It is less likely to 
be attacked by birds of prey, but it is much less plentiful, and 
does not, we believe, ordinarily breed in domestication. 
A popular society for the study of Natural History is in course 
of formation at Warrington. 
Miss F. M. Hele (“ Science”) has observed that the lemon- 
coloured variety of Helix aspersa is changed to a dirty brown by 
a diet of lettuce. The eggs of the modified specimens, however, 
produce only individuals of the normal colour. 
Dr. J. M. Anders (“American Naturalist”) demonstrates the 
exhalation of ozone from flowering plants, and thus furnishes a 
sanitary reason for their multiplication in cities. 
According to Leonhard Stejneger (“ Naturen ”) the skies of 
Kamtchatka are bright, the climate mild, and the flora luxuriant. 
The fauna is palaeardtic, with a few neardtic forms. 
Mr. W. D. Le Sueur has produced an able “ Defence of Modern 
Thought,” in reply to a ledture on “ Agnosticism” lately delivered 
by the Bishop of Ontario. We may take occasion to examine 
Mr. Le Sueur’s pamphlet. 
According to the “Journal of Physiology ” Prof. Goltz has 
conclusively shown the absence of localisation of fundtion, in the 
ordinary sense of the term, for the brain of the dog, whilst Prof. 
Ferrier has failed to establish his theory of localisation of function 
for the brain of the monkey. 
In the “American Naturalist” mention is made of Prof. Har- 
rison Allen’s palate-myograph, by which spoken language is 
represented by a series of curved lines on a surface of white paper 
coated with soot. 
Referring to the condemnatory evidence of Mr. Mundella on 
the system pursued by the Science and Art Department (see our 
last number, p. 217), the “ Freeman’s Journal ” remarks appro- 
priately : — “ The question very naturally arises why the right hon. 
gentleman has made no effort, now he has the power, to make a 
reform the imperative necessity for which he advocated when the 
power was in the hands of his political opponents ? ” 
Dr. Paul Bert (“ Comptes Rendus ”) concludes that milk-sugar 
is produced by the mammary excretion of the excess of sugar 
produced in the organism after parturition, and formed very pro- 
bably in the liver. 
