TSETSE AND THE ZIMB. 
17 
of the earthy matter of the bones contain three grammes of 
fluorine of calcium : with the means of investigation made 
known by M. Nicldes he finds there is scarcely five centi- 
grammes of this fluoride in one kilogramme of osseous sub- 
stance. 
The sources from which the organism derives the fluorine 
are — 
I. Drinkable waters. 
II. Vegetable substances. 
Both contain it in such small proportions that it is ne- 
cessary, in order to obtain traces of it, to operate on at least 
one kilogramme of the ash of the latter, and on the product 
of the evaporation of several quarts of water. 
III. Accidentally, the organism may derive fluorine from 
mineral waters, many of which contain it in very considerable 
quantity as compared with drinkable waters. — The Chemist . 
ACTION OE CAUSTIC ALCALIES ON THE ALCALOIDS OF 
BELLADONNA, STRAMONIUM, AND HYOSCIAMUS. 
Dr. Garrod has recently made known to the Medical and 
Chirurgical SociLetfyof London , that the caustic alcalies neutra- 
lize the narcotic principles of deadly nightshade, the common 
thornapple and henbane: Ten minims only of the liquor 
jgotassce added to an ounce of water, sufficed to destroy the 
peculiar properties of these agents. 
In the discussion that ensued he also stated that animal 
charcoal is an effectual antidote for the three alcaloids above 
named. 
THE “TSETSE” AND THE “ZIMB” 
Dr. Livingstone, in his late published work, e Missionary 
Travels and Records in South Africa/ states that he en- 
countered on the banks of the Zouga a most formidable insect 
called “ tsetse.” It is not much larger than the common 
house-fly, and is nearly of the same brown colour as the 
honey bee. Its peculiar buzz when once heard can never be 
forgotten by the traveller whose means of locomotion are 
domestic animals. The party were nearly exhausted through 
want of water. At last they saw some birds, and afterwards 
the trail of a rhinoceros, an infallible evidence of the existence 
xxxi. 3 
