METEOROLOGICAL NOTES. 
847 
directly tlie right or left branch of the auditory nerve, but 
I am fully aware of the objections which may be urged to 
this, and simply quote it as a surmise. The localising of the 
sensation I think, with Bain, to be due to the distinct central 
endings of the nerves from the two ears. In his words 
“ Given the nerves distinct, sensations may be absolutely 
identical as feelings and yet quite distinct for intellectual 
purposes” [owing to their connection . with different brain 
cells]. 
The diffused bodily movements and sensations frequently 
accompanying irritation or excitement of the auditory nerve, 
e.g., the sudden start, winking, and general shock somewhat 
like that produced by an electrical discharge, caused by an 
intense and sudden noise, the thrilling grating sensation in 
the teeth, and cold trickling feeling caused by such sounds as 
those produced in saw sharpening, &c., may be adequately 
explained by the results of antipathies, and the operation of 
what Herbert Spencer calls the law of nervo-motor-action, 
which states that every feeling (including sensation) has for 
its primary concomitant a diffused nervous discharge which 
tends with varying degrees of force to excite the muscles to 
action, the degree and extent of energy in the resulting 
bodily movements varying directly as the intensity of the 
feeling, and affecting the muscles of the body in the inverse 
order of their sizes and the weights of their attachments. 
The pain caused by certain sounds seems again explicable, as 
is that accompanying other sensations, by excessive nervous 
stimulation, or wasting conflict between adverse nervous 
currents. 
METEOBOLOGICAL NOTES.— October, 1885. 
Atmospheric pressure was very variable during the month, and the 
changes numerous and rapid. The highest morning reading was on 
the 17th, 30*189 inches; the lowest, on the 26tli, 29*027 inches. The 
mean temperature was about four degrees below the average. The 
highest maxima were 62*4° at Loughborough, on the 16th; 6(H) 0 at 
Henley-in-Arden, on the 3rd, 8th, and 17th ; 59*0° at Coston Rectory, on 
the 1st and 16th ; 57*9° at Hodsock, on the 2nd ; and 57*0° at Strelley, 
on the 3rd. In the rays of the sun, 115T° at Hodsock, on the 5tli; 
113*8° at Loughborough, and 104*7° at Strelley, on the 3rd. The lowest 
minima were 25*0° at Coston Rectory, on the 12th ; 27*3° at Hodsock, 
29*3° at Loughborough, 30*5° at Strelley, on the 30tli; and 31*0° at 
Henley-in-Arden, on the 12th and 30th. On the grass, 20*2° at Hodsock, 
21*8° at Strelley, and 26*4° at Loughborough, on the 30th. The rain¬ 
fall was unusually heavy, the totals being 6*34 inches at Coston Rectory; 
6*01 inches at Strelley ; 5*62 inches at Loughborough; 5*32 inches at 
Hodsock; and 4*51 inches at Henley-in-Arden. These values were 
