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one instance only, in regard to the bright colours of somefishes frequenting coral reefs, whilst Mr. Wallace conceivesthat they are thus enabled to escape detection-living asthey do where brightly coloured organisms abound-andhence to increase and multiply, Mr. McClelland holds thatthey are thus rendered more conspicuous to enable theirnumbers to be kept in check by the birds to which theyserve as a prey. We must acknowledge, however, thatMr. Darwin disarms criticism by the candour and freedomwith which he adduces arguments in opposition to his views,whilst he displays equal acuteness in disposing of them.The chapters on Sexual Selection are most valuable and

interesting additions to our knowledge, and Mr. Darwin inthem fully sustains his reputation as a keen and excellentoriginal investigator of nature ; and we regret only thatthe limits of our space prevent us from considering them indetail ; but we have said enough, we hope, to lead everyoneinterested in the subject to read the volumes for himself.In conclusion, we must thank Mr. Darwin for having

brought together an immense mass of facts bearing on thesubject of the Descent of Man, and for having arrangedthem in a highly interesting manner. At present it canonly be said that the ground has been broken, and it re-mains for future observers, by the careful examination ofnature, to modify or annul the conclusions at which Mr.Darwin has arrived. So far as our present knowledge ex-tends, it has been found that species, however they mayadmit of variation, are yet fixed and persistent. In arguingfrom the actions of anima,ls to the mental states of whichthose actions are supposed to be the expression, Mr. Dar-win has to put himself behind, as it were, their conscious-ness, and, for all we know to the contrary, his interpreta-tion of their motives and mental states may be altogetherincorrect. Could such animals imitate Balaam’s ass, andrender us their own account, it might be widely differentfrom that afforded by Mr. Darwin. The r6Ze, again, whichhe makes Ascidians play in the development of the animalworld may or may not be true ; but it seems to us to be amatter of pure speculation.While he has strung together by his hypothesis a number

of small but significant facts that seem to point in one di-rection, it must, in our opinion, be confessed that he hasfailed to diminish the weight of a large number of otherfacts that point in an opposite one. Even granting his viewto be correct, there are still enormous gaps to be filled up;and, so far as the positive evidence at our command ex-tends, we have no assurance that the results of future dis-coveries will prove more successful than the past have been in diminishing the distance which removes man from all other animals. Until Mr. Darwin can overcome the strongevidence that undoubtedly exists adverse to his views, hecannot hope to carry conviction to the minds of those evendisposed to accept the bold flights of a speculative mind.To those, on the other hand, who would require testimonyof the strongest possible kind to substantiate views so

utterly opposed to their conception of man’s mental andmoral attributes, and the responsibilities which the posses-sion of them necessarily entails, Mr. Darwin’s array of factsmust appear quite inadequate, and his reasoning fromthem inconclusive, if not altogether false.

Plain Facts on Vaccination. By G. OLIVER, M.B. Lond., &o.London: Simpkin, Marshall, and Co. 1871.

Wn are inclined to agree with the author in thinking itmore than probable that the prejudice with which a portionof the public regard vaccination is born rather of ignoranceof the real facts of the case than of any knowledge of thesubject. The author’s object in writing this little book wasto furnish a simple and reliable summary of facts bearing

upon all sides of the question, and in this he has succeeded.The objections to vaccination, and the various disputablepoints, are fairly put forward, and the subject is, in fact,treated in a judicial manner. The pamphlet was designedfor the public, but practitioners who may not have the re-quisite leisure to refer to the larger works on the samesubject, will also find it useful in giving them a handy col-lection of facts.

Foreign Cleanings.HYPODERMIC INJECTIONS OF CALOMEL IN SYPHILIS.

THE Lyon Médical (Feb. 19th, 1871), quotes from theRev. Clin. de Bal., 1871, some cases thus treated by Dr.Soresina. Sometimes a couple of injections of calomel

suspended in glycerine were sufficient. The cases were eightin number, and ran in the following manner :-1. Completeparalysis of the third pair of the left eye, with a few othersyphilitic symptoms; cure. 2. Punctated keratitis, leftsyphilitic iritis, plastic exudations in the lower part of thepupil, posterior synechia with irregular pupil; cure. 3.Double retino-hyaloiditis, complete amaurosis on the rightside, left amblyopia with strabic deviation of the axis ofvision when the eye was fixed, and loss of central vision ;improvement, with recovery of central vision on the leftside, and perception of light on the right side. 4. Syphiliticneuro-retinitis; cure. 5. Double syphilitic iritis withposterior synechiæ; cure. 6. Syphilitic iritis ; cure. 7.Posterior syphilitic iritis ; cure. 8. Amaurosis on the rightside, left amblyopia from progressive atrophy of the ocularextremity of the optic nerve; slight improvement, followedby a stationary condition. These results are so fine thatthe mind feels in doubt. Nothing but a most detailedaccount of the cases would be satisfactory.

STRANGE COURSE OF A UTERINE SOUND.

When a medical man introduces, by way of diagnosis,Simpson’s sound into the uterus, he hardly expects to feelthe end of the instrument just below the umbilicus.Hildebrandt some time ago published two cases (Allg. Med.Cent. Zeit., No. 91, 1868), in which this happened, and thepatients were no worse for it. Now we find, in the Berl.Klin. Woch. (No. 16, 1870), Dr. Hoening, of Bonn, publish-ing an analogous case. The authors differ as to the sup-posed cause of this curious travelling of the uterine sound,Hildebrandt thinking that the instrument had passedthrough one of the Fallopian tubes, and Hoening that thesound pushed upwards the walls of an atrophied uterus.It would be interesting to inquire whether, in this country,such a phenomenon has been observed. The fear andapprehension of the operator may, however, be easily con-ceived, when he is under the impression that he has per-forated the fundus. Too much care, however, cannot betaken by those who use the sound, for it is no secret thatin some instances it has inflicted considerable injury.

TRANSPLANTATION OF BONE.

Will a plug of bone, removed by the trephine from theskull of an animal, when introduced into a hole made in theskull of another animal of the same species, unite with themargin of the just-mentioned foramen? M. Philippeaux(meeting of the Biological Society, February 19th, 1870)tried the experiment upon several guinea-pigs (so long agoas 1860), which were killed twenty, twenty-five, and thirtydays after the operation. Almost complete union hadtaken place. Ollier had experimented in the same direction,but upon the same animals. It would be well if these expe-riments were not too often performed. But now that trans-plantation of soft parts is claiming so much attention,perhaps bone will be transplanted in case of ununitedfracture or necrosis.

THE FISHY TASTE OF OIL MODIFIED BY COFFEE.

Carlo Pavesi mentions, in the Journ. de Pharm. de Turin,that twenty parts of cod-liver oil should be mixed with oneof burned and ground coffee, and half a part of purifiedivory black. This mixture is placed over a water-bath(50° or 60°) for a quarter of an hour, the bottle being wellcorked to prevent the escape of the volatile principle of the

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coffee. The vessel being removed, the contents are allowedto rest for three days, occasionally stirred, and the whole isfiltered through paper. The oil turns out very clear (ambercolour), and is to be kept in well stoppered bottles. Thesmell and taste remind one of coffee with a slight smack offish, which latter is not at all disagreeable.

HOSPITAL FOR WOMEN.

LECTURES ON FLEXIONS, TORSIONS, AND DIS-PLACEMENTS OF THE UTERUS, BY

DR. PROTHEROE SMITH.LECTURE II.

Or an extensive review of numerous authors, domesticand foreign, referred to by Dr. Protheroe Smith in his

second lecture, however valuable as an addition to the

bibliography of uterine flexions, it is enough here to saythat during the last twenty years Sir Jas. Simpson, Rigby,Velpeau, Becquerel, Virchow, Rokitansky, and other cele-brities have, in their writings, recognised the obvious dis-tinction between the varieties in the direction of the axis ofthe uterus the result of natural causes, and the abnormalversions and flexions of the organ.In the treatment of these obliquities and prolapsus of

the unimpregnated uterus, whilst recognising the goodeffected by sounds, pessaries, &c., Dr. Smith expressed somedoubt of their advantage. Since he had adopted a com-bination of general treatment, rest, and avoidance of allcauses of excitement, with efficient aid of mechanical appli-ances externally, the employment of internal, and particu-larly intra-uterine, instruments was found generally unne-cessary ; and when used, he advised rest, under the watchfulcare of the medical attendant, and the greatest caution.To determine precisely abnormal displacements of the

uterus, its normal standard of form and position was men-tioned - namely, that in nulliparous women the cavitythroughout is straight, and though its direction varies

considerably, consequent on the alterations of position ofthe body, the condition of the bladder and rectum, and theoccurrence of the catamenia, it is enough to say that theaxis of the uterine cavity is identical with that of the inletor brim of the pelvis; and that of the multiparous uterus ismore vertical, or inclined slightly backwards.With a view of better explaining the causes of these ail-

ments, and so to aid their diagnosis and treatment, thelecturer gave some views of the physiology of menstruation,for which, though in some measure novel, he solicited theunprejudiced attention and the test of practical observationof his professional brethren.

Referring to the publications of Dr. Tyler Smith, he Ioffered some proofs of the existence of a large supply of Inerves to the uterus, as shown (in the absence of sensationand volition) by the instinctive power of selection and ofembracing the ovaries in menstruation by the Fallopiantubes. So the whole organ contracts when the uterus isstimulated through the abdominal parietes. He illustratedthese remarks by stating that this peristaltic form of actionin the tubes was witnessed by himself and others in 1848whilst securing the pedicle in a case of ovariotomy in theHospital for Women. Viewing the detrusion of the ovulein menstruation to a certain extent as due to suction powerof the Fallopian tubes, and its action and that of the uterusas peristaltic, there is a point from which such force isexerted: thus in the erectile functions of the tubes, it be-comes extended, and forms a stiffened arch between theovary and uterus, which latter, with the vagina, owing tothe erectile tissue around it, elongates the whole organ,and so facilitates its bending when predisposed by altera-tion in structure at the points of commissure of the severalparts composing the whole uterine canal. When exceedingthe limits of nature, such frequent recurring movementscreate a disposition to abnormal displacements, although,when not in excess, only offering a natural stimulus to theuterus to complete the process of menstruation. Thus thenatural movements of the body, essential to its well-being,become in excess productive of disease. So when the

primeval law enjoining women to " be fruitful and mul-

tiply" is disregarded, the unceasing recurrence of thecatamenia (interrupted in the married by utero-gestationand lactation) often imposes penalties of disease. Thisassertion is strengthened by the fact that uterine disease isfrequently observed in the sterile and the single womanbeyond the age of twenty-five.Regarding the vagina, cervix, fundus uteri, and Fal-

lopian tubes as four successive parts of one canal, there isan evident distinction between that portion which lies abovethe os interum uteri and that below it ; and a certainmobility exists between fundus and neck, as is the case ina greater degree between cervix and vagina, or betweenFallopian tubes and uterus. Dr. Protheroe Smith observedthat the menstrual act consists of suction, erectile action,and peristaltic motion, and that, when uninterrupted bypregnancy and lactation, it is in continuous excess, and tendsfrequently to produce both dysmenorrhoea and uterine dis-placements. A common cause of uterine displacements,according to the observations of Dr. Protheroe Smith, notunfrequently exists in the distortions of the bony structure.When, from debility, a loss of muscular power, or fromstructural disease, deflections of the spine occur, an abnor-mal position of the pelvis almost invariably results. Thenatural oblique plane of the pelvis is then changed to onemore horizontal, and at times, when there is rotation of thevertebrae, it becomes twisted, one hip being in advance ofthe other. The lecturer had alluded to the cause of suchfrequent distortions in women in papers read at the last twoannual meetings of the British Medical Association. Whenthe lumbo-spinal curve is thus lost, the bladder, uterus, andrectum become subject to a depressing and deranging forcefrom the weight of the abdominal viscera, causing not onlydisplacements of the uterus, but also irritable bladder andhsemorrhoidal distress, which he explained by reference tothe principles regulating mechanical force. To this endthe primary data necessary are-first, the centre of gravityof the body when normal and erect; secondly, the angleformed by the spine and pelvis. The first is proved to befor all practical purposes at the sacro-vertebral articu-lation. The second is an angle of 140 degrees. In thehealthy condition this angle is invariable when the body iserect and in repose. When the muscular power whicheffects this is diminished the pelvis loses its true obliqueplane and is tilted upwards, owing to the trochantericaxis upon which it rests being in advance of the centre ofpelvic movement-namely, the spinal column. Thus abackward displacement of the pelvic viscera happens, witha disturbance of those forces which have hitherto servedto keep in place the uterus, bladder, and rectum, with thatfreedom of motion required in health. When the pelvis istilted upwards a redisposition of balance occurs in theseparts, with a considerable augmentation of intestinalweight in relation to the organs enumerated. To redirectthis weight and rebalance the uterus,.to restore the pelvisto its natural oblique plane, is the intention of Dr. ProtheroeSmith’s ,pelvic band." By this the pelvic plane is easilyrestored to the normal angle of 140°, and the lumbo-spinalarch when lost. Mechanically it is a lever of the firstorder ; the upper part of the thorax used as the power, thelumbar spine being the fulcrum, and the pelvis the weightto be moved. By depressing the pubic portion of thepelvic basin the abdominal walls are made tense, and thusit is also a valuable means of parietal sustentation inpregnancy. Dr. Protheroe Smith, in accordance with theseprinciples, has observed :—1st. That dislocations of theuterus are frequently attended by corresponding displace-ments of the pelvis and spine. 2nd. When the pelvis istwisted to one side there is at times torsion or latero-versionof the organ within. 3rd. When the pelvis occupies ahorizontal rather than an oblique plane, retroversion and re-troflexion, and less frequently anteflexion, of the womboccur. 4th. These abnormal displacements, with vesicaland rectal irritation, pari passu increase as the spine-pelvicdeformity advances. 5th. In the majority of cases of retro-version and retroflexion the gait is a stooping one, withloss of lumbo-spinal curve, the pelvis being much inadvance of the normal standard position. 6th. In thisabnormal position of the parts, when of long standing,whilst the extensors of the thigh are atrophied, the flexorsare found increased in bulk and strength in order to sustainthe increased burden imposed on them-a fact he believedwhich had not before been noticed.