1884.] On Electricity and its Present Applications. 399 
fa<ft of an occasional delay (which will scarcely be disputed) 
than by supposing them to possess, while in Greece or Asia 
Minor,* a kind of prophetic intuition or second sight as to 
the character of the weather in England. Or we may explain 
the matter in this way : the most vigorous birds will be 
likely to start first, and, if disappointed in the matter of 
weather and supply of food, would return to a warmer 
climate. It would not be extravagant to suppose that their 
return would then be a warning to the rest ; indeed we have 
leason to conclude that these birds possess the power of 
interchanging ideas, or at least communicating impressions. 
It may be thought an anomalous circumstance, by those 
who delight to study the regularity of natural laws, that 
many species of birds should so readily deviate from their 
peculiar habit, or instindt, in the construction of their nests. 
In the case of the sand martin the burrow by which the 
nest is approached is often 5 or 6 feet long, so that a vast 
amount of labour, in boring, is saved by their utilising an 
artificial cavity. And thus it happens that in the animal 
world, as well as among men, special intelligence overrules 
ordinary law, and the general good of the race is provided 
for, rather than the exadt and unvarying execution of a plan, 
in all its details. From this point of view the dignity of 
animal life is enhanced, and we perceive in the whole 
scheme of Nature the expression of Infinite Benevolence, 
continually operative, and adapting circumstances to the 
wisest purposes. 
IV. ON ELECTRICITY AND ITS PRESENT 
APPLICATIONS.t 
By W. Fraser, A.M., M.R.C.S. Eng. 
(Continued from page 337.) 
t S none of the necessary elements of life are so indis- 
pensable as Electron, so there are none of them so 
universally diffused, accessible, and in fadt insepa- 
rable from all living things. These can be very easily, and 
often with fatal results are, deprived of heat, light, air, or 
* It seems ascertained that Hirundines migrate to this distance, at least, 
f Read at the Aberdeen Philosophical Society, February 5th, 1884. 
