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1. The Toot-poison belongs to the class of Narcotico-irritants.

a. Its action on man includes the following symptoms:-coma, with or without delirium; sometimes great muscular excitement or convulsions, the details differing in different individuals; during convalescence, loss of memory, with or without vertigo.

b. In cattle and sheep, they include vertigo, stupor, delirium, and convulsions; curious staggerings and gyrations; frantic kicking, and racing or coursing;

tremors.

2. The poisonous portion of the plant,

a. To man, is generally the Seed, which is contained in a beautiful, dark purple, luscious berry, resembling the blackberry, which clusters closely in rich pendent racemes, and which is most tempting to children; occasionally the young Shoots of the plant, as it grows up in spring:

b. To cattle and sheep, in almost all cases, is the young Shoot, which is tender and succulent, resembling in appearance and taste the similar state of asparagus. 3. The following Peculiarities exist in regard to the action of the Toot-poison:a. A predisposition must exist, such predisposition being produced in cattle and sheep by some of the following conditions or circumstances:-The animal is not habituated to the use of the plant; it suddenly makes a large meal thereof after long fasting, or long feeding on drier and less palatable materials, or after exhaustion by hard labour or hot, dry weather. From some such cause, the digestive system is deranged, and is susceptible of more serious disorder from the ingestion of food to which the animal is, at the time, unaccustomed. Hence Tootpoisoning frequently occurs in animals which have just been landed from a long and fatiguing sea-voyage during which they have been underfed or starved, to whom the young Toot-shoots present the most juicy, fresh, pleasant diet.

b. On the other hand, the same kinds of animals, habituated to the use of the Toot-plant, not only do not suffer at all, but for them it is regarded as quite equal in value to, and as safe as, clover as a pastoral food. It is an equal favourite with cattle and sheep, whether they have been habituated or not.

c. The predisposition in man is probably produced by analogous conditions depressing the tone of his nervous and digestive systems, or directly deranging them. Children are affected out of all proportion to adults.

d. Adults who have suffered from the poisonous action of Toot under certain circumstances have been exempt from such action under certain others--the same parts of the plant having been used, and apparently in the same way, in both sets of instances. Moreover, the Toot-berries enjoy, both among the Maoris and colonists, an enviable notoriety on account of the agreeable and harmless wine and jellies they are capable of yielding, the former whereof especially has long been greatly prized. The seeds, however, in these cases probably do not enter into the composition of the said wine and jellies.

4. The current Remedies for Toot-poisoning among the settlers are, in regard toa. Cattle and sheep-mainly bleeding, by slashing the ears and tails. Belladonna has been variously tried, and favourably reported on; by others, stimulants are regarded as specifics (carbonate of ammonia, brandy, or a mixture of gin and turpentine, locally known as "Drench"). Whatever be the nature of the remedy, there is no difference of opinion as to the necessity for the promptest treatment, since, at a certain stage of the action of the poison, all remedies appear equally inefficacious.

b. In man the nature of the remedy is still more varied, though emetics and stimulants seem the most rational of those usually had recourse to.

5. The Toot- or Tutu-plant is the Coriaria ruscifolia, L. (the C. sarmentosa, Forst.). The plant is variously designated by Maoris and settlers in different parts of the New Zealand islands; and this of itself indicates how familiar it is, and how abundantly and widely distributed. The genus Coriaria is a small one, and, if not belonging to a subdivision of the natural order Ochnacea, probably represents a separate order closely allied thereto and to the Rutacea. The most distinguished botanists, however, are at issue as to its precise place and alliances in the vegetable system. They are in similar dubiety as to the species of the genus, and the varieties of the species C. ruscifolia, L. In New Zealand there appear to be

at least three Coriarias, which some botanists regard as mere varieties of C. ruscifolia, L., and others consider separate species. The author had made, in July 1862, an examination of all the species of the genus Coriaria contained in the Hookerian and Benthamian Collections at Kew, the result whereof was a strong conviction of the necessity for a critical revision of the whole genus, throughout all its species, wherever distributed. The author considers the specific names of the Toot-plant (both ruscifolia and sarmentosa) objectionable, as not truly applicable or descriptive; and proposes the specific term C. tutu-the Maori name of the plant, as more convenient to indicate the type of the species, leaving such terms as ruscifolia, thymifolia, and sarmentosa to represent varieties or other species, as a subsequent critical examination of the genus may render necessary or desirable.

In contrast to, and in connexion with the toxic action of C. ruscifolia, the author remarked on the better-known poisonous properties of C. myrtifolia, familiar as an adulterant of senna, and on those of other species of the genus Coriaria. He announced his belief that the whole genus Coriaria must be considered endowed with poisonous properties, probably of the narcotico-irritant class, and that, as such (especially in reference to the extent and importance of the economic losses caused by such species as Toot), it is eminently deserving of thorough scientific investigation.

Under this head he pointed out the fact that

a. While certain animals seem to be themselves exempt from, or insusceptible to the action of the poison, they may, by feeding upon certain species, or certain parts of certain species of Coriaria, and assimilating thereby or secreting the contained poison in their tissues, communicate poisonous effects, or become poisons, to man or the lower animals, to which they (the animals first mentioned) have become articles of diet. He cited a recent instance in connexion with C. myrtifolia, in which several persons, near Toulouse, were poisoned by a dish of snails which had been fattened on its leaves and shoots

b. That Royle in reference to the fruit of C. Nepalensis, Peschier of Geneva in regard to C. myrtifolia, and other authorities in regard to other species of Coriaria, have published instances of their harmless or even beneficial effects, under certain circumstances, on man or the lower animals. Such conflicting statements would appear to indicate that there are peculiarities in the action of the poisonous principles of all the Coriarias, or discrepancies in the records of instances of the said action, which discrepancies or peculiarities demand reconciliation or explanation at the hands of competent scientific experts.

On the Occurrence of Asplenium viride on an Isolated Travertine Rock among the Black Mountains of Monmouthshire. By the Rev. W. S. SYMONDS. Mr. Symonds drew attention, at the Meeting of the British Association held at Oxford in June 1860, to the selection of a peculiar geological habitat by some of the rarer British plants. Asplenium viride was found in 1862, by Mr. George Roberts, of the Geological Society of London, growing in considerable abundance on an isolated rock of travertine, Capel-le-fin, Llanthony, Monmouthshire. This Asplenium is not known elsewhere in the district.

ZOOLOGY.

On the Generative Zooid of Clavatella. By Professor ALLMAN, M.D., F.R.S. In this communication the author confirmed the observations of Hincks and Krohn with regard to the generative zooid of Clavatella prolifera, Hincks, and stated that he had succeeded in fully demonstrating the gastro-vascular system described as existing in it by Krohn.

* Medical Times and Gazette, Sept. 13, 1862, p. 282.

On an Early Stage in the Development of Comatula.
By Professor ALLMAN, M.D., F.R.S.

This paper was also read in Section C, with fuller remarks on the palæontological relations of the subject of it. An abstract is given in the proceedings of that Section (p. 65).

On the Structure of Corymorpha nutans. By Professor ALLMAN, M.D., F.R.S. The body of the polype was described as presenting a continuous cavity as far back as the zone of posterior tentacula. From the floor of this cavity a large conical mass of vacuolated endoderm projects forwards, and nearly fills the posterior wider part of the cavity, whose extension backwards seems at first sight not to be continued beyond the zone of posterior tentacula. There is here, however, in reality, no interruption of the general body-cavity; for the axis of the conical projecting mass of endoderm is perforated by a channel, which thus continues the cavity backwards to the summit of the stem.

A system of inosculating longitudinal tubular vacuole was described as existing in the stem; they are indicated externally by the longitudinal coloured lines visible even by the naked eye. At the summit of the stem they coalesce and become continuous with the cavity of the body. In these tubes, distinct currents, similar to those so long known in the stem of Tubularia indivisa, were occasionally very perceptible under the microscope.

Under a high power of the microscope, delicate parallel longitudinal striæ may be detected, lying externally to the tubular vacuole; they are situated between the ectoderm and endoderm, and may be traced upwards on the body of the polype as far at least as the zone of posterior tentacula; they seem to consist of fine tubular fibres, and are apparently the equivalent of the fibres (muscular?) visible beneath the ectoderm of Clava, Coryne, &c. Still finer circular striæ may also be occasionally witnessed under a high power running transversely round the stem; but the author could not determine whether these represent fibres or mere rugæ in the

ectoderm.

The gonophores are medusiform, and were described as belonging to the generic type of Steenstrupia (Forbes). They were liberated in abundance from the specimens examined. The generative elements were not visible in any of the medusoids at the time of their liberation; but the author obtained from the same part of the sea where the Corymorpha occurred a free Steenstrupia, a little larger than the medusoids of the present species at the time when they become detached, and which he did not hesitate to consider as specifically identical with them, and in this the generative elements were quite distinct between the ectoderm and endoderm of the manubrium.

The species of Corymorpha which constituted the subject of this communication was considered by the author as identical with C. nutans (Sars), though it does not entirely agree with the diagnosis of that species as given by Sars. It was discovered in the Frith of Forth last summer.

On some new British Tubularidæ. By Professor ALLMAN, M.D., F.R.S. The author gave the following diagnoses of new species of Tubularida which he had obtained during the autumn of 1862 on the coasts of Shetland and Devonshire. Clava diffusa (mihi). Polypes about of an inch in height, light rose-colour, developed at intervals upon a creeping reticulated stolon; tentacula about twenty. Gonophores scattered, commencing just behind the posterior tentacula, and thence extending singly, or in small clusters, for some distance backwards upon the body of the polype. In rock-pools at low-water spring-tides. Out Skerries, Shetland Isles.

Tubiclava (mihi, nov. gen.). Polype claviform, supported on the summit of free stems, which rise at intervals from a creeping stolon and are invested by a chitinous periderm; tentacula filiform, scattered. Gonophores, dense clusters of sporosacs aggregated immediately behind the posterior tentacula.

Tubiclava lucerna (mihi). Zoophytes about 2 lines in height; stems quite sim

ple, or rarely with a short lateral branch; periderm clothing the stem corrugated, dilated at the base of the polype: pale yellowish brown. Polype, when extended, about equal to the stem in height; white, with pale ochreous centre; tentacula about twenty, confined to the anterior third of the polype. Creeping over the surface of loose stones in the bottom of a rock-pool, Torquay. On stones between tidemarks, Dublin Bay.

Eudendrium humile (mihi). Zoophyte delicate, rising to about ths of an inch in height, much and irregularly branched; main stems and branches distinctly annulated throughout. Polype yellowish vermilion, vase-shaped, with a circular groove near its base and a trumpet-shaped proboscis; tentacula twenty or twentythree, with the alternate ones elevated and depressed in extension. Gonophores (male) surrounding the body of the polype, and springing each by a short stalk from the circular groove which passes round the polype near its base, each gonophore consisting of two superimposed chambers. Female gonophores borne both by the base of the polype and by the cœnosare immediately behind it. Rooted to the bottom of rock-pools near low-water spring-tides, Torquay.

Eudendrium vaginatum (mihi). Zoophyte much branched, rising to about an inch and a quarter in height; main stems and branches deeply and regularly annulated throughout. Polypes vermilion, with about eighteen tentacula, and having the body, as far as the origin of the tentacula, enveloped in a loose, corrugated membranous sheath, which loses itself posteriorly upon the polypary. Gonophores not known. In rock-pools at extreme low-water spring-tides, Shetland.

Perigonimus serpens (mihi). Zoophyte consisting of short, simple, erect stems, about 2 lines in height, terminated by the polypes, and rising at short intervals from a creeping stolon, which forms an irregular network upon the surface of other bodies, the whole of the stems and stolon occupied by a reddish-orange cœnosarc, and clothed with a delicate transparent periderm, which does not form a cup-like dilatation at the base of the polypes. Polypes reddish orange, with about twelve or fourteen tentacula, so disposed that in complete extension they are held with alternate tentacula elevated and depressed; body of polype oval, with proboscis conical. Gonophores medusiferous, borne by the creeping stolon, and elevated each upon a rather long peduncle. Medusoids dome-shaped, with the vertical slightly exceeding the transverse diameter. Manubrium reaching to about one-half the depth of the bell, with a simple mouth destitute of tentacula; marginal tentacula two, opposite, very extensile, and with large reddish-orange bulbous bases, without evident ocelli, the intermediate radiating canals terminating each in a very small bulbous dilatation. Growing over the stems of Plumularia setacea; dredged from about 12 fathoms, Torbay.

Perigonimus minutus (mihi). Zoophyte very minute, consisting of simple stems rising to the height of about a line and a half from a creeping stolon, and bearing the polypes upon their summit; periderm dilated round the base of the polype. Polypes ash-brown, with seven or eight, rarely twelve tentacula, held irregularly during extension, and with little or no curvature. Gonophores pyriform, medusiferous, borne at various heights upon the stem, and supported on rather long peduncles. Medusoid with the summit suddenly contracted, so as to give a somewhat conical form to the umbrella; two opposite radiating canals terminating each in a palebrown bulb which is continued into a very extensile filiform tentaculum, the alternate two canals terminating each in a much smaller bulb without tentacle; no evident ocellus; manubrium short, with a four-lobed lip, but without oral tentacula. Forming a fringe round the edge of the operculum of Turritella communis dredged in Busta Voe, Shetland. Out of between twenty and thirty specimens of living Turritella examined, not one was free from this remarkable little zoophyte.

Perigonimus muscus (mihi). Zoophyte consisting of numerous erect stems about an inch in height, not composed of coalesced tubes, springing at intervals from a creeping stolon, and sending off short branches, which are themselves, for the most part, without further ramification; periderm light brown, slightly corrugated, and with a well-marked cup-like dilatation at the base of the polype. Polypes semiretractile, light reddish brown, with about sixteen tentacula directed in extension alternately backwards and forwards. Gonophores medusiferous, borne upon a rather long peduncle, and springing from the branches at a short distance behind the

polype. Medusoid dome-shaped, with the four radiating canals terminating below each in a large reddish bulb which sends off two very extensile filiform tentacula, having an ocellus at the base of each; manubrium extending to about a third of the entire depth of the umbrella, and with four short oral tentacula. The medusoid is thus, in all points, undistinguishable from that of Perigonimus ramosus, Van Beneden. In a rock-pool, Torquay, where it occurred abundantly, creeping over the bottom in small moss-like tufts.

Tubularia bellis (mihi). Basal portion of coenosarc prostrate, creeping, and sending up short, free, sparingly branched stems, which rise to three-fourths of an inch or one inch in height; periderm, where it covers the lower part of the stems and the whole of the prostrate portion, marked by wide but distinct annulations; cœnosarc orange, deepening in tint towards the base, expanding into a collar immediately below the polypes. Polypes measuring, in full-sized specimens, about 5 lines from tip to tip of the extended tentacula; body of polype scarlet. Gonophores borne upon short erect branched peduncles, each gonophore with four well-marked tentaculoid tubercles on its summit; peduncles and spadix scarlet. A beautiful little zoophyte, conspicuous by the bright colour and large size of its polypes. It occurs attached to the bottom of rock-pools at extreme low-water spring-tides, Shetland.

Observations of the Habits of the Aye-aye living in the Gardens of the Zoological Society, Regent's Park, London. By A. D. BARTLETT.

The subject of the following remarks is a fine adult female of the Aye-aye (Chiromys madagascariensis), which arrived in this country on the 12th of August last. On the voyage this animal produced a young one, which lived about ten days. On arriving here she was in poor condition and very feeble; she soon, however, began to feed freely, and has now considerable strength, as is shown by the timber destroyed in the cage in which she is kept.

This animal is much blacker, and appears larger, than the male of this species now in the British Museum; the long hairs on the back of the neck, extending to the lower part of the body, have white points; these white points are thickest above, and become less numerous towards the limbs and tail, which appear quite black; the hairs of the tail, however, are white or grey at the roots (this can only be observed by separating them); the chin and throat are dirty white, which colour extends over the chest; the short hairs on the face are a mixture of dirty grey and white, the long hairs are black; the eye slight brown, surrounded by dark-coloured hairs; the nose and muzzle are of a dirty flesh-colour, the lips pink; the ears shining black and naked, but thickly studded with small protuberances; the feet and toes are sooty black, with the under surface and claws lighter, inclining to flesh-colour. The situation of the mammæ is remarkable: they are two in number, and placed at the lowest part of the abdomen (the animal differing in this respect entirely from the Lemurs and Bats, the teats of which are on the breast).

The Aye-aye sleeps during the day, and the body is then generally curved round and lying on its side; the tail is spread out and flattened over it, so that the head and body of the animal are almost entirely covered by the tail.

It is only at night that the Aye-aye exhibits any activity. I hear her crawling about and gnawing the timber when, to me, all is perfectly dark; and I have been surprised to find that upon the introduction of a light, directed to the face of the animal, she does not exhibit any signs of uneasiness, but stretches out her arm and tries to touch the lamp with her long fingers. She frequently hangs by her hind legs, and in this position cleans and combs out her large tail, using the slender hook-like third finger with great rapidity, reminding one strongly of the movements of the large Bats (Pteropus). This skeleton-like finger is used with great address in cleaning her face and picking the corners of the eyes, nose, mouth, ears, and other parts of her body; during these operations the other fingers are frequently partially closed.

In feeding, the left hand only is used, although she has the full use of her right The mode of taking her food requires careful attention, in consequence of the very rapid movement of the hand during the process. The fourth finger (which

one.

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