118 
Eacts and Observations. 
Physiology of the Pneumogastric Nerves. —As 
the result of a series of thirty-seven experiments carried on 
with electricity on dogs and pigeons, Prof. Masion, of 
Louvain, has stated that there is a marked difference of action 
between the two pneumogastrics on the heart, and concludes 
that for weakening and suspending the functions of the heart, 
the right nerve possesses a power far superior to that of the 
left one. The greater action of the right pneumogastric, 
adds M. Masion, does not exert itself in any peculiar depart¬ 
ment of the heart, but in block as it were.— Lancet . 
Advantages of Tow for Dressing Wounds. —Dr. 
Jansen, of Belgium, advocates the advantages of tow such as 
is prepared by M. Brocker, chemist. The tow is first sub¬ 
jected to the action of carbonate of soda, then cleaned with a 
solution of hypochlorite of soda, and carefully dried. Dr. 
Jansen prefers this to charpie for dressing wounds.— Lancet. 
Hydrophobia. —From Demerara we learn that numerous 
deaths from hydrophobia had taken place there, causing 
extreme uneasiness, and the adoption of stringent measures for 
the safe keeping of dogs.— 1bid. 
To get rid of Flies. —Dr. Hewson, in the Lhiladelpliia 
Medical Times , states, that hanging branches of wild chamo¬ 
mile in flower about a room will expel the flies, which will be 
also done by strewing the dried flowers about the room, or 
by burning black pepper on a hot shovel .—Medical Neivs. 
Noctilucin. —By T. L. Phipson (‘ Chemical News? xxvi, 
130).—The peculiar organic substance which causes the 
production of light in phosphorescent fish, the glowworm 
and probably all other phosphorescent animals, appears also 
to be formed by a variety of circumstances at the expense of 
dead animal and vegetable tissue, and even by certain living 
plants {Euphorbia, Agaricus, &c.). The author has named it 
noctilucin, and his present observations relate to it only as 
produced in the animal world. 
At the ordinary summer temperature noctilucin is a semi¬ 
fluid, almost liquid substance, containing nitrogen ; it is white, 
contains a considerable amount of water, and has a slight 
odour resembling that of caprvlic acid; it is only slightly 
soluble in water, and insoluble in alcohol and ether. Sul¬ 
phuric or nitric acid dissolves and decomposes it, and potash 
evolves ammonia from it. When moist it absorbs oxygen 
