164 
THE PRINCIPLES OF BOTANY. 
the Section of Veterinary Medicine, communicated to the 
Academy the resurne of a series of experiments which 
enables him to state that distemper of dogs is contagious and 
can be prevented or moderated by inoculation with the virus 
of the disease. The following are the results of the first 
series of experiments by the author :—1st. Distemper of dogs 
is virulent, and can be communicated by inoculation to 
animals of the same species who have never before been 
affected by it. 2nd. It may be similarly communicated by 
contact. 3rd. Whether transmitted by contact or by inocu¬ 
lation it is often fatal to young animals, seldom to older dogs. 
4th. It cannot be transmitted by inoculation to old animals 
who suffered from the disease when they were young. The 
following are the results of a second series :—1st. Vaccine 
can produce its effects after introduction into the dog’s 
system, provided the patient has never suffered from dis¬ 
temper. 2nd. But will never do so if the subject has pre¬ 
viously suffered from that disease. 3rd. It does not posi¬ 
tively prevent the after development of distemper.—4. 
Though vaccine does not absolutely prevent distemper, and 
by no means proves that the latter is not the analogue of 
variolee of other species of animals, for vaccine no more pre¬ 
serves the sheep from “ sheep-pox.” 
THE PRINCIPLES OF BOTANY. 
By Professor James Buckman, F.G.S., F.L.S., &c. &c. 
(Continued from p. 80.) 
The Natural Order JjORANTHACE/E. 
Loranths, now to be described, are diagnosed by Prof. Bindley 
as follows: 
Diagnosis. — Asaral exogens, with a \-celled ovary , and 
definite ovules with a naked nucleus . 
The order, with few, if any, exceptions, is made up of parasitic 
plants, of which our native Mistletoe, Viscum album , is a most 
interesting and characteristic example. 
The position of the order is a difficult problem, which we shall 
best answer by quoting the following from the f Vegetable 
Kingdom/ 
“ Very different opinions are entertained by botanists con¬ 
cerning the true affinity of the Loranths. In some respects 
they are near caprifoils, from which they are readily known, not 
