Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 26.djvu/874

854 and, when the spoon is taken away, he whimpers to have it returned, but does not seem inclined to drink in the natural way. The outer and visible signs of laughter are comparatively simple; that species of laughter which is caused by the perception of incongruities was never witnessed, although a few attempts were made to evoke it, and although monkeys and dogs are known to be sensitive to ridicule. When disappointed, as when a piece of banana was taken away from him, the animal sulked, became angry, cried, and shook his hands. When introduced to his image in the looking-glass, he seemed fixed for an instant with surprise, then looked to the back of the mirror, and began to bite the frame and pull an attached cord. "Advancing to the front and examining the reflection of his person with evident satisfaction, he commenced, with absurdly sincere intentions, to make effusive demonstrations of love. He repeatedly pressed his lips and tongue to the glass, and, erecting himself to his full height, strutted, and grinned, and made obeisance in most ridiculous and amusing fashion. He was once seen to make signs to his image by spasmodic movements of his lips, without uttering any audible sound. He again looked behind the mirror, and again fell to biting the frame. He became still more angry and hit the glass, first with the left fore-hand and then with the left hind-hand, and continued to do so with such violence that we were finally compelled to break the spell. While eating some fruit, he saw himself in the glass, and ran away preciptately, that he might keep possession of his morsel." A colored India-rubber ball that emitted a musical note when squeezed was examined with timid curiosity at first. "At length, he took the ball in his hands, not seeming afraid, and tried by gentle pressure, in imperfect imitation of what he had seen me do, to evoke its note. Failing in this, he commenced to hit it forcibly with the knuckles, and grinned with pleasure when the sound was produced. He then hit it violently, drawing the upper lip over the upper row of teeth, looking as if delighted in the exercise of his powers. He was allowed to see a piece of fruit put in a tin box or canister, and the latter closed by a firm adjustment of the lid. He very quickly applied the teeth, not the fingers, to remove the lid, and, having succeeded in doing so, extracted the fruit. But, seeing a similar cover on the opposite end of the canister, the previous association of contiguity between an adjusted cover and inclosed fruit forced him unreasoningly to remove this cover also."

The New England Meteorological Society.—The New England Meteorological Society was formed in June, 1884, to advance the study of atmospheric phenomena in New England, and to collect and diffuse information in meteorology. Its meetings are held on the third Tuesdays of October, January, and April, at places designated for each meeting. It publishes a monthly bulletin, containing a summary of the meteorological conditions of the preceding month, with other items of interest, which is supplied to members. Observations are welcomed from every one, and circulars and blanks to aid in making them are sent to those who desire them. The society is making arrangements for the display of daily weather-signals with railroads, postmasters, town authorities, and others, and contemplates the institution of investigations on the subject of ozone in its relations with epidemic disease. For carrying out its work, it relies wholly on the fees of membership, three dollars a year each member. Hence all interested in its work are invited to apply for membership to W. S. Davis, Secretary, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Heavy Ordnance for National Defense.—In a pamphlet on "Heavy Ordnance for National Defense," Lieutenant W. H. Jaques, of the United States Navy, shows that we are in pressing need of guns to make our fortifications of value; that the most practicable type of the guns that are required is that represented by the system of Mr. J. Vavasseur, of London; and that there are no establishments in the United States possessing sufficient plant and experience to manufacture them on the scale that is demanded. In answering the question. What is the best method of supply of such guns, he shows, by cogent reasons, that the Government can not depend on foreign supply or private industries, and should not rely on its own factories alone. That which suggests itself to