been grasped by the anterior constrictor muscles, the larynx is drawn downward and backward by the sterno-thyroidei and sternohyoidei muscles, so that the constrictor muscles by that means gain a fixed point to act from; the pellet being gradually propelled from the anterior to the posterior part of the pharynx by the alternate contractions of these constrictor muscles. Having reached the posterior part of the pharynx, it is pushed into, or rather it is seized by, the funnel-like commencement of the œsophagus, which seizure is the beginning of the fourth action, viz. the propulsion of the pellet of food through the œsophagus into the stomach. This is admirably accomplished by the peculiar vermicular motion of this tube, which motion it is well adapted for effecting from the remarkable arrangement of its muscular fibres, the two orders of which, as well as their relative situations with regard to each other, I have endeavoured to point out when speaking of its anatomy. Gravity has nothing whatever to do with the transmission of food through it, as by far the greater quantity is swallowed contrary to gravity when an animal is grazing. These vermicular contractions can only be excited by direct tactile impressions, as the muscles of the pharynx and fauces are excited. Hence it will be seen how essential it is that the œsophagus should possess a perfectly independent action.

The act of drinking, or the swallowing of fluids, is accomplished precisely in the same way as that of food or any other solid material after it has reached the summit of the tongue or beginning of the inclined plane; the difference being in the way by which the fluid is brought into the mouth. The animal applies its lips to the surface, say, for instance, of a pond of water; the mouth is then, at the will of the animal, exhausted, or rather a partial vacuum is formed, when the pressure of the atmosphere upon the surface of the fluid forces it up into the mouth, and, having forced it up to the summit of the tongue, the same actions take place which I have endeavoured to describe when speaking of the deglutition of food.

It would have afforded me much pleasure to have gone more minutely than I have done into a subject so replete with interest; but I find I have already exceeded the usual limits of an essay. I trust, however, I have rendered the subject sufficiently plain to

be easily understood. My aim has been to divest it as much as I consistently could of all technicalities, thus rendering it of greater practical utility; yet it was not possible to avoid the introduction of anatomical terms.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1844.

The PRESIDENT, Professor Spooner, took the Chair, and acknowledged his re-election to office.

The following were elected members :

Mr. N. F. Clarkson, senior veterinary surgeon Hon. E. I. Co.'s Service; Mr. J. Aked, V.S., Bury; and Messrs. L. E. T. Vicary, J. Mannington, C. Hawes, W. Burrowes, J. Rose, R. Skelton, W. Chapman, H. Fishwick, W. Kent, J. Sargisson, W. Phillips, J. Shepperson, and T. Bass, students.

The following works were presented to the Library :

By the Patron-" Gilchrist on the History and Treatment of the Diseases of the Elephant."

By the Treasurer-" Burdon's Farrier," 1837.

By Mr. W. Field-" Posthumous Extracts from the Veterinary Records of the late John Field."

By Mr. J. J. G. Wilkinson (translated by him)—Vol. II. "Swenderborg's Animal Kingdom."

By M. U. Leblanc-“La Clinique Vétérinaire."

By Mr. G. Gamgee—“ Due Righe sopra un Cervello ossificato in un Animale sano, dal dottore Luigi Patellani."

By Mr. J. S. Gamgee-A translation of the above pamphlet. [This will appear in a subsequent number of the Record and Transactions.]

Mr. Ernes stated that he was commissioned by the Veterinary Society of Brussels to request that an exchange of Journals might

take place; and, as a proof of their sincerity, they had forwarded by him the volume published by them during the last year.

On the table were placed many of the morbid specimens forwarded during the vacation, with samples of drugs received from India. Also a cast of a horse's foot from which the hoof had been torn off, hereafter to be particularized; and a large cystic calculus.

The Secretary. The samples of drugs before you have been presented to the Association by Mr. T. Aston, of the Hon. E. I. Co.'s Service, who received them from Mr. Haggar, V.S., Madras Presidency. They consist of aloes, native sulphate of copper, and betel-nuts.

Respecting the aloes, the appearance presented is that of a mixture of the Cape extract, as met with in the shops, and the Mocha. It exists in small masses, the largest not exceeding a hen's egg in size. The fracture of some pieces is clean and resinous, of others less so; but the odour of these is more aromatic. One or two portions strongly resemble the socotrine extract. It might, therefore, be inferred that this sample is not the produce of an individual plant, but of many plants, the larger quantity being made from the aloë spicata; or, if obtained from one plant, the differences arise from preparation. The dose, according to Mr. Aston, is about four drachms; who informs me that the extract is made in all parts throughout the interior of India, some kinds being much better than others. It is the opinion of some writers on materia medica that the socotrine, the mocha, and the true hepatic aloes, are but varieties of the same species of aloe plant.

No one

In a letter lately received by Mr. Aston from Mr. Hagger, the latter says, "You should not forget to take home to England with you some betel-nuts, as my friend Morton would, I am sure, be glad to try the effects of them on dogs and horses. here ever thinks of giving any thing to a dog, having worms, but the betel-nut. The natives invariably use them. I have not given a horse calomel for worms since 1832. Whenever the indications of these parasites are manifested, such as staring coat, impaired condition, loss of appetite, &c., I withhold half the dose of aloes, and substitute one or two drachms of the betel-nut in

powder, adding a little more ginger, and it turns out the worms like a broom in a gutter.' I think the betel-nut has only to be known in England to come into general use. Its charcoal has long been extolled for making the best tooth powder known.

"Now for a recipe, which, among many others, has lately come to my knowledge from the native Indians. Get a horse that has a whacking big old splent-whether fired or not—one as big as an orange, and that renders him useless; cut a sheep's kidney in two, put a thick layer of coarse salt on it, and, having trimmed the hair off, apply the kidney to the splent, bandaging it down with a piece of oiled silk. When the kidney begins to smell a little, apply a fresh one; and when it has made a good large hole, or half a hundred little ones, from which a copious discharge takes place, apply a plaister of camphorated mercurial ointment for a few days afterwards; and in three weeks the horse will have neither splent nor blemish! There's a recipe for you, worth a year's pay!"

According to Sir Richard Phillips, the betel belongs to the same tribe of plants as the peppers. It is a climbing plant, the leaf in shape and appearance resembling ivy, but more tender and full of juice. He adds, "there is an incredible consumption of betel leaf throughout the east. The inhabitants chew it almost incessantly, and in such quantity that their lips become quite red, and their teeth black, a colour greatly preferred by them to whiteness. They carry it in little white boxes about their persons, and present it to each other, by way of compliment and civility, in the same manner as Europeans do snuff. This is done by the women as well as the men; and it would be considered an offence if those to whom it is offered should refuse to accept and chew it. The leaves are sometimes used alone, but much more commonly when covered with a kind of lime made of sea shell, and wrapped round slices of the areca nut, the fruit of the areca palm, which is of the size of a small egg, and resembles a nutmeg deprived of its husk."

Professor Burnett says, "there are several species of areca, the best known of which is the A. catechu, as it affords the betel-nut, so much resorted to for its intoxicating and narcotic powers. This is almost the only palm which does not yield sago; but from its fruit an astringent extract is procured, that is brought into the market as an inferior sort of catechu. Slices of the betel-nut

wrapped in a leaf of the betel pepper is a favourite masticatory in southern Asia. A little shell lime is added to keep the taste and odour longer in the mouth. It gives the saliva a red hue like that of blood, and by constant use the teeth become blackened; it allays hunger, and is hence chewed, as tobacco is in Europe, to appease the appetite; and it is said to be the height of rudeness in the East to speak to a superior without having a quid of betel in the mouth. It produces intoxication when first chewed, but this effect is soon got over, and the natives say that it is a tonic, and moderates profuse perspiration."

The drug I now exhibit is the resinous extract of the wild hemp (cannabis sativa). The following note was transmitted with it:

My dear Sir,

Be pleased to accept the accompanying drug, which I have brought from India. I do not know whether it is generally known in this country: the Indian name for it is "churrus;" it is a resinous extract obtained from the wild hemp. I have seen several cases of tetanus cured by it in India. The dose I have given is one scruple, in the form of tincture, every four hours, the patient having been first copiously bled, and the bowels frequently acted on by aloes. It has also been used by human surgeons for the cure of cholera with great success; in fact, there are few cases but have yielded to it, when taken in time. Perhaps you are already acquainted with it; if so, pardon the liberty I take in sending it to you, since I do so under the impression that it may not be generally known. The natives of India use it to smoke in their hookas, combined with spices and tobacco, and with it they perfectly stupify themselves; and when they recover from its effects say they have had heavenly dreams. It is much similar to opium in its narcotic effects, but differs from that drug by not producing the same amount of debility subsequently.

Believe me, my dear Sir,

Your's very truly and obliged,

J. W. HOEY.

To Mr. Morton.

I believe the hemp plant has been long known from its possessing narcotic propertics, and yielding an intoxicating liquor. "In