in a manner so as to recede from the offending agent, and the limbs were directed so as to remove it. From its actions, far more impressive than words, it was evident that it judged accurately, as to the degree, duration, and place of painful or painless impressions. (Dr. Dowler on Nervous Action.)

E. Pflueger has published a very interesting monograph "on the sensorial functions of the spinal cord," not only in reptiles but in mammals, and also in man. This theory has only received a partial assent from physiologists.

The Vital Knot (point vital, nœud vital). There is a small V-shaped spot of grey substance in the medulla oblongata, resulting from its bifurcation, which is by Flourens pointed out as the centre of life, because instant death is the consequence of its destruction.

Dr. Brown-Séquard, however, considered that Flourens has erred, in ascribing this function to this part, inasmuch as the removal of the "nœud vital" does not immediately produce death, nor is voluntary motion and sensation instantly destroyed.

Flourens replies :-"Physiologists have asked me to indicate the precise spot of the 'point vital.'" I answered, "the point vital" is indicated by the V-shaped gray substance. They asked me for an external mark, and I gave it. But I never imagined they would take the external mark for the spot itself. It seems, however, that some have committed this mistake; they removed the V-shaped grey substance, and were astonished that the animal did not die. The V-shaped substance has nothing to do with the "noeud vital," which is situated beneath it. The "noeud vital" is double, as every thing is double in the nervous centres. In order that life should cease, both halves should be divided to an extent of two millimetres and a half each, five millimetres for the two. A transversal. section, deep enough, of five millimetres at this given spot, is sufficient to destroy life at once.

From the conflicting opinions entertained by physiologists, in regard to the function of most parts of the encephalon, it cannot but be admitted, that despite of numerous experiments, cerebral physiology is still in its infancy. The most essential requisite is, no doubt, in the first place, a microscopic anatomy of the brain, which is far from being complete; so that Gratiolet, one of the most eminent

* Die Sensorischen Functionen des Rückenmarks. Berlin: 1853. See also G. H. Lewes' Physiology of Common Life, and papers read before the British Association 1858, for the details of a theory generally in accordance with that of Pflüger.

cephalotomists of the day, says "Let us confess that in our ignorance of the true structure of the medulla, the peduncles, and the optic thalami, the question is abandoned to the speculations of phy. siologists." How long it may be before cerebral physiology shall acquire a firm basis, and reach that state of perfection which may enable us to solve any of the mooted problems, we cannot at present say. In the mean time, we must continue searching for corporeal parallels to psychical manifestations, and collect all possible information relative to cerebral structure, both of individuals and of the different races of mankind.

SEEMANN ON THE INHABITANTS OF THE FIJI ISLANDS.

By A. A. FRASER, Esq., F.A.S.L.

Ir is somewhat singular that so long an interval should have occurred between the revelation of the wonders of the Pacific by Captain Cook -its practical discovery in fact—and the occupation, for colonization or commerce, of certain islands and groups of islands, which he proved to contain all those elements which can be welded into wealth and prosperity. It is true that the famous Botany Bay was examined a few years after the great navigator had visited it,—the spot of his landing being marked by a plate and inscription, but more than half a century from that date passed before the first emigrant ship ran into Queen Charlotte's Sound, New Zealand, with a number of settlers to occupy a country with which Captain Cook was delighted, and which both the Americans and the French thought of colonizing before us.

The aborigines of Australia having familiarized Europeans with their manners and customs, the white rovers soon faced the feared and long-dreaded New Zealander, or Maori, and anchored in his harbours, fished on his coasts, ascended his rivers, and soon boldly ventured on more intimate relations. It was bold spirits who colonized Australia, and the boldest of them who settled amid the can

in a manner so as to recede from the offending agent, and the limbs were directed so as to remove it. From its actions, far more impressive than words, it was evident that it judged accurately, as to the degree, duration, and place of painful or painless impressions. (Dr. Dowler on Nervous Action.)

E. Pflueger* has published a very interesting monograph" on the sensorial functions of the spinal cord," not only in reptiles but in mammals, and also in man. This theory has only received a partial assent from physiologists.

The Vital Knot (point vital, naud vital). There is a small V-shaped spot of grey substance in the medulla oblongata, resulting from its bifurcation, which is by Flourens pointed out as the centre of life, because instant death is the consequence of its destruction.

Dr. Brown-Séquard, however, considered that Flourens has erred, in ascribing this function to this part, inasmuch as the removal of the “nœud vital” does not immediately produce death, nor is voluntary motion and sensation instantly destroyed.

Flourens replies :-"Physiologists have asked me to indicate the precise spot of the 'point vital.'" I answered, "the point vital" is indicated by the V-shaped gray substance. They asked me for an external mark, and I gave it. But I never imagined they would take the external mark for the spot itself. It seems, however, that some have committed this mistake; they removed the V-shaped grey substance, and were astonished that the animal did not die. The V-shaped substance has nothing to do with the "noeud vital," which is situated beneath it. The "nœud vital" is double, as every thing is double in the nervous centres. In order that life should cease, both halves should be divided to an extent of two millimetres and a half each, five millimetres for the two. A transversal. section enough, of five millimetres at this given spot, is suff

life at once.

From the conflicting opinions entertained

regard to the function of most parts of
but be admitted, that despite of num
physiology is still in its infancy. The
doubt, in the first place, a microscopic
far from being complete; so that G

* Die Sensorischen Functionen
G. H. Lewes Physiology of Comp
Association 1858, for the details
Prger.

cephalotomists of the day, says-" Let us confess that in our ignorance of the true structure of the medulla, the peduncles, and the optic thalami, the question is abandoned to the speculations of physiologists." How long it may be before cerebral physiology shall acquire a firm basis, and reach that state of perfection which may enable us to solve any of the mooted problems, we cannot at present say. In the mean time, we must continue searching for corporeal parallels to psychical manifestations, and collect all possible information relative to cerebral structure, both of individuals and of the different races of mankind.

SEEMANN ON THE INHABITANTS OF THE FIJI
ISLANDS.

By A. A. FRASER, Esq., F.A.S.L.

Ir is somewhat singular that so long an interval should have occurred between the revelation of the wonders of the Pacific by Captain Cook

and the occupation, for colonization and groups of islands, which he s which can be welded into wealth famous Botany Bay was examined ator had visited it,-the spot of his ated inscription,-but more than efore the first emigrant ship Zealand, with a number of Captain Cook was delighted, rench thought of colonizing

familiarized Europeans with rovers soon faced the feared Maori, and anchored in his led his rivers, and soon boldly It was bold spirits who colothem who settled amid the can

nibals of Cook's Straits, and gave the Maori that taste for trade which was the germ of civilization.

Fiji, lying a week's sail to the north of New Zealand, was far less likely to be occupied quickly by Europeans than the latter group. It did not lie on the route of large fleets, its inhabitants were shunned as the most truculent of savage tribes, and its encircling reefs were the dread of the mariner. But, as the whale fishery drew whole fleets of ships to uncolonized New Zealand, so the Bêche-de-Mer and Sandalwood trade attracted American traders to savage Fiji. In both cases, turbulent seamen from among the traders formed the nucleus of European occupation. The early authentic history of the group is closely connected with the career of one Charles Savage, who was wrecked on one of the islands, and who became quite a powerful chief. It will give some idea of the manner in which a slain enemy was and has been treated by the Fijian, when Wilkes and others state that Savage was killed in a fight, eaten, his bones made into sail-needles, and his skull into a drinking cup.

The group of islands called Fiji, extending over five degrees of longitude and three of latitude, contains over two hundred islands, two of which-Na Viti Levu and Vanua Levu-are, the former ninety, and the latter one hundred and fifteen miles long.* Fiji, from its size, position, and products, has lately occupied a prominent position before the public; and it would appear that our government a short time since were anxious to have it critically examined by competent authorities, with a view to understand its usefulness and value as a colony.

A party was arranged accordingly to examine the group. The result of the visit has been the interesting and reliable work before us, A Mission to Viti, by Dr. Seemann, who, in the character of botanist and traveller, has certainly made the most of his time, visiting outislands, exploring new districts, ascending mountains till then untrodden by Europeans, and discovering entire orders of plants, not a member of which was previously known to the scientific world. All this was done too with the keen relish of an enthusiastic admirer of Nature, and hence the book carries with it an air of freshness and vigour.

We are glad to observe, that, at the outset Dr. Seemann was convinced of the necessity of adhering closely to the authorized form of the Fijian language, he says, "Nothing but endless confusion will be the result if every nation is allowed to write Fijian names according * Feegeean and English Dictionary, Vienu, by the Rev. D. Hazlewood.