Notes. 
632 
The so-called “ harvest-man,” or “harvest-spider” ( Phalan - 
gium), has been this year very numerous upon kidney-beans 
infested with black Aphides. Whether it is making war upon 
this pest, or whether it feloniously attacks the ladybirds, also 
numerous, is undecided. 
The German Congress of Naturalists and Physicians is com- 
posed of members and associates, the former alone having the 
right of voting. Only persons who have written books on some 
department of natural science, or medicine, are admissible as 
members. This arrangement, if carried out literally, will of 
course admit mere compilers. 
From the recent proceedings at Southport it is plain that a 
large proportion, at least, of the working classes are not in favour 
of the Sunday opening of museums. 
Prof. Chrystal, in his Address to the Mathematical and Phy- 
sical Section of the British Association, admits that “ competitive 
examinations work all this mischief in our educational systems,’ 
and speaks of the opportunity of “ dethroning the iron tyrant 
Examination.” 
According to the “ EleCtrical Engineer,” “ that vaunted home 
of education at South Kensington is a hot-bed of something of a 
very different name, and money that ought to be expended in 
gaining information for public use goes in directions known to 
but very few besides those in whose direction it does go.” 
M. G. Bigourdan (“ Comptes Rendus ”) announces that until 
lately the nebula of Andromeda had a nucleus comparable to a 
star of the 10th or nth magnitude. Almost in place of this 
small body, but distinCt from it, there is now a fine star of the 
7th magnitude. 
Tanquin, the ordeal poison of Madagascar, has been examined 
by C. E. Quinquand. It aflfeCts in the first place the central 
nervous system, augmenting especially the bulbo-spinal re- 
flectivity. The animal dies by arrest of respiration, the heart 
continuing to beat. 
Prof. J. P. Lesley, in his Presidential Address at the late 
meeting of the American Association, says, rather strangely, 
“ Let us avoid the sacrifice of character to Science.” 
The same savant said— “ The idea of universal education is 
wholly modern.” What of ancient Athens ? 
W. W., writing in the “ Kansas City Review,” shows that in 
industrial art “the ancients” approached us far more nearly 
than is commonly believed, and even outdid us in some very 
important respeCts. 
^ ; >'1885 
