curvature of the stomach. The extremity of the cardiac division was thus slightly indented, reminding the observer of the similar but more marked division of the same part of the stomach in the Kangaroo, which in other respects Professor Owen remarks that the genus Semnopithecus, bears a strong resemblance to that of the Semnopithecus. which in the system of Cuvier ranks only fifth in the de- The length of the cardiac division was three inches, and its scending scale from man, is of late formation, and not en- greatest diameter three inches and four lines. The second tirely the result of newly discovered materials. On the or middle compartment of the stomach was composed of a contrary, several species were for a long time ranked with double series of sacculi of different sizes, puckered up upthe Guenons, in which the stomach is of the usual simple on the longitudinal band above mentioned. Some of these construction; and the Professor does not omit to notice how sacculi were three inches in diameter, others one inch. slight is the essential zoological character-an additional They were formed principally at the expense of the antetubercle on the last molar of the lower jaw-which distin-rior parietes of the stomach, and were eleven in number. guishes genera presenting such wide differences in the most The septa by which they were divided from each other were important of their vital organs. of a semilunar form, and projected into the cavity of the

The larger of the two stomachs which formed the sub-stomach to the extent of half an inch, and a few to that of jects of Professor Owen's examination was taken from a full-grown female Entellus Monkey (Semnopithecus Entellus, F. Cuv.) which measured from the end of the nose to the root of the tail 1 foot 8 inches. The admeasurements of the stomach, distended and dried, were

prymnus, would lead to the conclusion that the intestinal canal was much shorter.

'What then,' asks Professor Owen, are the natural habits and food of this genus? Will future observers of these Slow Monkeys, as M. F. Cuvier denominates them, be able to ascertain that their natural food is more strictly vegetable than that of the Cercopitheci, &c.? And that, like the Sloths of the New Continent, so remarkable for their complex stomachs, they also crop the tender shoots and leaves of the trees in which they habitually reside? Cercopitheci and Macaci are provided by nature with receptacles (the cheek-pouches) for storing away ill-gotten food, hastily plucked from the cultivated grounds which they invade, and which they are thus enabled to carry off in sufficient quantity, and masticate and prepare for digestion in a place of safety. The complicated stomachs of the timid Ruminants are adapted to a similar end, allowing them to accumulate their requisite quantity of herbage from exposed pastures, which they then carry off to more secure situations, and remasticate at leisure. Now, in the Semnopitheci it is remarkable that the cheek-pouches are very small, or are wanting altogether. I have often fed the Entellus Monkey with nuts, and have observed that while his more fortunate neighbours the Green Monkey (Cercopithecus Sabæus, Geoff.) and Chinese bonnetted Monkey (Macacus Sinicus, Lacép.) were stowing them quickly away by the dozen into their cheek-pouches, he could not cram more than two in the same situation, and was equally averse to swallowing anything but the kernel. In this case the complicated stomach did not serve him as a substitute; but I think it very probable that it may compensate for the want of cheekpouches when he is in a situation to collect together a quantity of soft fruits or herbs. In the gardens of the Society the Semnopitheci which have been there exhibited are fed exactly in the same manner as the other Monkeys; and the keepers have not observed anything like rumination in them. In both the species which I have dissected where illness and gradual decay preceded death, the stomachs were almost empty.' (1833.)

'the molar or cheek teeth are extremely tuberculous, and
present a number of mammilated points, which are scarcely
ever worn down by the effects of detrition; whilst, on the
contrary, these same teeth in the semnopithecs become tri-
turated at an early period, so as to present a hollow cavity
in the centre. This betokens a corresponding motion in the
jaws in the act of mastication, that is to say, a longitudinal
grinding motion from front to rear, during the continuance
of which the teeth rub against and wear one another down.
Now such a motion is clearly unnecessary to an animal
which lives upon nuts or soft pulpy fruits, which require
only to be bruised by opening and shutting the mouth
alternately, and not ground by rolling the jaws upon one
another; its existence therefore in the semnopithecs seems
to betoken some peculiarities in the regimen of these ani-
mals, with which we are at present unacquainted, more
especially when taken in conjunction with the modifications
already noticed as existing in the stomach and bowels; and
it is hoped that this curious and interesting subject will
attract the attention of some of our numerous countrymen
resident in India, many of whom are well qualified to inves-
tigate it, and who have already enriched the zoology of that
country with many valuable observations.'
The other zoological characters of this genus are thus
graphically given by the same author, in the same work:
The extremities of the semnopithecs are of great length,
compared with the dimensions of the body. This is another
instance in which the semnopithecs resemble the gibbons,
as well as in the slender and elongated form of the body
itself; but there is this remarkable distinction, that, whilst
the anterior pair of extremities in the gibbons is beyond all
proportion longer than the posterior, the proportions are
reversed in the semnopithecs, and it is the posterior extre-
mities which exceed the anterior in length. Still the dis-
proportion is by no means so great as that which exists in
the gibbons, nor does it in the slightest degree impede the
quadruped motion of the animals, when they are forced to
resort to that mode of progression; but it becomes an addi-
tional evidence, particularly when taken in conjunction with
other traits, of the superior development of the abdominal
over the pectoral members, and the consequent degradation
of the animals in the scale of existence. This evidence is
still further strengthened by the very limited development
of the thumb on the anterior extremities, which, as has been
already observed, scarcely exceeds the tuberculous form, and
enters but slightly into the functions of prehension and
manipulation: thus, as it were, preparing the way for its
entire disappearance in the colobs. [COLOBUS.] The organ
consists nevertheless of the ordinary number of phalanges
of which it is composed in other cases; but they are greatly
abridged in their dimensions, both as regards thickness and
length, and form a remarkable contrast to the rather im-
moderate development which marks the rest of the mem-
bers. The tails likewise are much longer in the semnopi-
thecs than in any of the ordinary monkeys. Though slender
however, they possess a very considerable degree of mus-
cular power, and enter as a very important constituent into
the motions and progression of the animals. When at rest
and unemployed, they are allowed to hang down perpendi
cularly, and, from their great length, which considerably
exceeds that of the animal's body, have a very droll effect,
which is heightened by the natural apathy and imperturb-
able gravity of the creatures themselves. This, when un-
employed, is their natural position. They exhibit the very
picture of sadness and melancholy, and appear as if perfectly
regardless of everything that passes around them; but when
roused or excited, they are nevertheless capable of the most
surprising exertions, and astonish the spectator by a rapidity,
variety, and precision of movements, which could scarcely
be anticipated from creatures apparently so apathetic in
mind and delicate in body. They are in reality far from
meriting the name of Slow monkeys, which some zoologists
have given them; their slowness is exhibited in disposition
rather than in action, and is an attribute of character rather
than of structure. When young they are readily domesti-
cated; but being less petulant, curious, and restless than
the cercopithecs and baboons, are supposed to exhibit less
intelligence, though their mental qualities, as well as their
physical structure, closely assimilate them to the real apes:
the old males become morose, sullen, and mischievous.'

Mr. Ogilby refers to the observation previously made by Wurmb, in his description of the Kahau, remarking that Wurmb does not indeed enter into any particulars with regard to the complications, but that his expressions, that ine stomach of the Kahau was of unusually large size, and of a very irregular form,' can apply only to the appearance since detected as generally characteristic of this organ in the Semnopitheci. This observation, he adds, had been lately confirmed by Mr. Martin, in a description of the stomach of the Kahau. The latter, whose paper will be found in the Proceedings of the Zoological Society (1837), also refers to Wurmb's short notice, and fully describes the complicated stomach as well as the intestines, of which the small were 18 feet in length, and the large 6 feet 2 inches. [NASALIS.] M. Ogilby further observes that the same structure of stomach has been since shown to exist in Semnopithecus Maurus, in the Douc (S. Nemæus), and in S. cucullatus; so that we are now certain of its being common to seven species of the genus, and may conclude with every probability that it extends to all the others. He alludes to the bezoars reported by many travellers to exist in the stomachs and intestines of the Asiatic monkeys, as confirmatory of Professor Owen's views, and adds that the bezoars produced by the monkeys of the Malay peninsula, and which can scarcely belong to a genus different from the Semnopitheci, are described as being smaller, rounder, and more powerful in their qualities than those obtained from ruminating animals. It is certain at least,' continues Mr. Ogilby, that they are more highly prized by Eastern nations, and the fact of their production, taken in connection with the complicated form of the stomach, in two groups of mammals, in other respects so widely separated from one another, offers a curious and interesting analogy between the semnopithecs and ruminants, and an additional argument in favour of the supposition advanced by Professor Owen.' Mr. Ogilby further remarks that the teeth of the Semnopitheci present analogous modifications to those which have been above described as characteristic of their stomachs. The number of the teeth, as well as their composition, are indeed, he observes, the same as in all the Simia, but their form, he adds, differs considerably from that of the other monkeys, and, like so many other details of their structure, From the anatomical details above noticed it appears that approximates them more nearly to the gibbons. 'In the so far from there being any ground for separating the Kahau cercopithecs and baboons,' says Mr. Ogilby in continuation,[NASALIS] and the Douc [PYGATHRIX] from the genus Sem

nopithecus, the organization of those species shows that they | upper lip, and on the more prominent part of the nose an undoubtedly belong to it. Mr. Ogilby, in the work above interrupted series is observed. Irides of the eyes dark quoted, differs from the views of Dr. Horsfield and Mr. brown. Ears concealed from view by the long hairs which Vigors regarding Nasalis recurvus, and gives his reasons for cover the lateral parts of the head; they are margined, and coming to the conclusion that the distinction is really sexual both in form and disposition of external parts closely reinstead of specific. Buffon, Geoffroy, St. Hilaire, and Lesson semble those of man. The neck is short and considerably thought that the Douc had no callosities, and so it is stated contracted. The trunk is of great length, broad and robust in the article PYGATERIX; but it has callosities, though they about the shoulders and the breast, and gradually of smaller are diminutive, and the mistake probably arose from the dimensions towards the loins. Buttocks with very large early descriptions being taken from imperfect skins. M. rough callosities. Mamma of the adult female lengthened Rey, the captain of a French merchant-ship, who penetrated and cylindrical. Tail as long as the body and head taken some distance into the interior of Cochin-China, gives a de- together: in some individuals, and particularly in young scription of an encounter with this species. His visit must subjects, it exceeds those parts in length: it is cylindrical have been a terrible one for the poor Doucs, a hundred of which for the greatest portion of its length; the base tapers grawere killed by his party before they reached the place where dually, and the tip is thickened and terminated by a close they breakfasted. He succeeded with great difficulty in pro- tuft of long hairs of an ovate form. curing living specimens to carry to France. The more the victims dropped, the more their companions gathered round them, endeavouring to carry off the killed as well as the wounded into the woods. The three young ones that were captured held so fast round the bodies of their dams, that it required no small effort to detach them. M. Rey describes the Douc as greatly resembling the orang-utan in its stature and inoffensive manners, and as inhabiting the mountains and the loftiest tree-tops, feeding on fruit; and observes that the similarity of this creature to man is very mortifying. Some of the males measured, when standing upright, above four feet four inches in height. They were known in the country by the name of Venan, or men of the woods.

Colour of Adult.-Intensely black, except the breast, the abdomen, the inner side of the extremities, and the root of the tail, which are grey. On the crown of the head the black hairs are slightly tipped with grey; and as age advances the grey portion becomes more extensive, and also shows itself on the upper parts of the body; but the extre mities externally, and the tail, even in the oldest subjects, retain their blackness. The hairs are remarkably long, delicate, soft, and silky.

Colour of Young.-Immediately after birth, of a fulvous or reddish colour; with advancing age, a grey discolouration first appears on the hands, the forehead, and the tip of the tail; from these parts it gradually extends to the neck, the shoulders, and the flanks, assuming from time to time a darker hue, until the coat of the animal is jet black above and grey beneath. (Horsf.)

This is the Budeng of the Javanese; Lutung itam 'Maure' of the Malays and Europeans; Lotong of the natives of Sumatra.

Skull and cauine tooth of Semnopithecus Maurus (Horsf.).

Description.-Dr. Horsfield describes this species as being on the whole of a stouter make than S. melalophos, and as having more robust extremities. One of the specimens in the museum at the India House measures 2 feet 3 inches from the tip of the nose to the root of the tail. The face is regularly circumscribed by hairs, which are long, and closely applied to the head; the forehead, which is gradually sloping, is entirely concealed by them. The general facial character is a flatness above, and a protrusion of the maxilla; but the appearance of the face differs greatly in old and young subjects. The maxillæ become extended as the animal advances in age, and in young subjects the facial angle is proportionally greater. The orbits of the eyes are rather Dr. Horsfield states that the Budeng, or black species, is prominent, and the bones of the nose short. The nose con- much more abundant than the red species, or Lutung of sists of an angular ridge, which is considerably elevated be- the Javanese (Semnopithecus Pyrrhus); but the latter, tween the eyes, and terminates, without any fleshy protube- both on account of its variety and comparative beauty, is a rance, by a membrane which is gradually attenuated below, favourite among the natives. Whenever an individual is and on each side of which the nostrils are placed. From obtained,' says Dr. Horsfield, 'care is taken to domesticate the termination of the nose to the mouth a considerable it, and it is treated with kindness and attention. The Buspace intervenes: the lips are small and thin. The chin is deng, on the contrary, is neglected and despised. It requires short and small; a circle of grey hairs encloses the mouth much patience in any degree to improve the natural sullenin the adult animal; and on the chin the hairs have a dis-ness of its temper. In confinement it remains during position downward, so as to exhibit the appearance of a beard. The upper part of the face is nearly naked; a few straggling stiff hairs are scattered on the cheeks and the

many months grave and morose; and as it contributes nothing to the amusement of the natives, it is rarely found in the villages or about the dwellings. This does not arise

from any aversion on the part of the Javanese to the mon- Hindus; Lungar of the Hill tribes; and is the monkey key race: the most common species of the Island, the which is so remarkably interwoven with the religion of the Cercocebus Aygula of Geoffroy, the Egret Monkey of Pen- country where it is found. M. Duvaucel has given an innant, is very generally domesticated; and a favourite cus-teresting account of the careful watch which the Bengalees tom of the natives is to associate it with the horse. In kept over him to prevent his killing this sacred animal, holdevery stable, from that of a prince to that of a mantry, or ing a high place among the thirty millions of Indian gods, chief of a village, one of these monkeys is found; but I and to save himself from dying within the year, which, accordnever observed the Budeng thus distinguished." ing to popular belief, is sure to be the fate of one who puts an Entellus monkey to death. He was harangued by the Hindus upon the danger of injuring animals which were no other than princes and heroes under the operation of the metempsychosis. Unmoved by their eloquence, and eager to possess a specimen, he levelled and brought down a princess.' But the acquisition was dearly bought. The ill-fated creature had a young one on her back, and, though shot through the heart, the mother exhausted her remains of life in throwing it into the branches of a neighbouring tree;-then fell and expired at the feet of M. Duvaucel. It is but just to add that he mourned over the deed he had done.

Food; Habits; Utility to Man.-The Semnopithecus Maurus,' continues the author last quoted, is found in abundance in the extensive forests of Java; it forms its dwellings on trees, and associates in numerous societies. Troops, consisting of more than fifty individuals, are often found together. In meeting them in the forests it is prudent to observe them at a distance. They emit loud screams on the approach of man, and by the violent bustle and commotion excited by their movements, branches of decaying trees are not unfrequently detached, and precipitated on the spectators. They are often chased by the natives for the purpose of obtaining their fur; in these pursuits, which are generally ordered and attended by the chiefs, the animals are attacked with cudgels and stones, and cruelly destroyed in great numbers. The skins are prepared by a simple process which the natives have acquired from the Europeans, and they conduct it at present with great skill. It affords a fur of a jet black colour, covered with long silky hairs, which is usefully employed, both by the natives and Europeans, in preparing riding equipages and military decorations. The Budeng, during its young state, feeds on tender leaves of plants and trees; and when adult, on wild fruits of every description, which are found in great abundance in the forests which it inhabits.' (Zoological Researches in Java.)

Semnopithecus Entellus.

Description.-Young remarkable for the disproportionate length of the extremities, the deliberate air of its movements, and the tranquillity of its eye and physiognomy generally. Face and hands black; body and limbs light grey or straw-colour; hair surrounding the face and forming a projecting bandeau over the eyebrows; a peaked beard directed outwards beneath the chin. The colour always darker on the loins and along the spine, and becoming deeper as the animal advances in age, till finally the fur, becoming mixed with numerous black hairs, is of a rusty brown. The body at the same time becomes more developed and muscular, and the animal, when at its full size, is four feet and a half from the extremity of the muzzle to the origin of the tail, which is considerably longer than the body, of the same colour, and ends in a tuft of hair rather longer and darker than the general hue. Localities.-Bengal; the Himalayan Mountains; Nepaul; Bootan.

This is the Hoonuman (Houlman of M. Duvaucel) of the

Our limits will not admit of our going further into the interesting connection of this animal with the Hindu mythology. The reader will find much information on this head collected in Mr. Ogilby's book above referred to. M. F. Cuvier has a very characteristic figure of this species in his great work.

FOSSIL SEMNOPITHECI.

Captain Cautley, in a letter to Dr. Royle, dated Saha rumpore, 18th November, 1836, permitted the announcement of a fact which had long been known to the latter, of the finding of the remains of a quadrumanous animal in the Sewaliks or sub-Himalayan range of mountains (tertiary), to the Geological Society of London. An astragalus was first found, but latterly a nearly perfect head with one side of the molars and one orbit nearly complete. It is added that the animal must have been much larger than any existing monkey, and allied to Cuvier's Cynocephaline group. This was communicated to the Society on the 3rd May, 1837. On the 14th June, in the same year, a paper was readOn the remains of a Fossil Monkey from the tertiary strata of the Sewalik Hills in the north of Hindoostan; by Captain P. T. Cautley, F.G.S., Bengal Artillery; and H. Falconer, M.D., Bengal Medical Service.' The authors commence their paper with some general observations on the differences in habit in various animals, which prevent the remains of some being so frequently preserved as those of others in a fossil state, and they adduce as instances birds and quadrumanous animals. So speedily are the remains of these carried away by the hyæna, the chacal, and wolf, the scavengers of torrid regions, that in India the traces of casualties are so seldom seen, even where monkeys occupy in large societies the groves of mango-trees round villages, that the simple Hindu believes that they bury their dead in the night. The authors were early led to anticipate the finding of some quadrumanous animals among the Sewalik fossils, and, several months from the date of their communication then before the Society, obtained an astragalus of the right leg, which they minutely describe, and compare with that of the recent Semnopithecus Entellus, which, hough certainly belonging to a distinct species, it closely resembles both in size and general form, as was exemplified in the specimen sent with the fossil astragalus. This was completely mineralized, having a sp. gr. of about 28, and appearing to be impregnated with hydrate of iron. Although only a solitary bone of the foot, the relations of structure are so fixed that the identity of this fossil is as certain as if the entire skeleton had been found. But the authors deferred making the announcement, in the hopes of soon finding specimens of the cranium and teeth; these, they add, have been discovered by Messrs. Baker and Durand of the Bengal Engineers, who have obtained a considerable portion of the face, and the whole series of molars of one side of a quadrumanous animal belonging to a much larger species than theirs. (Geol. Proc., vol. ii., 8371838.)

SEMPERVIVUM ( always living,' from semper and vivo, on account of their tenacity of life), a genus of plants belonging to the natural order Crassulaceae. This genus is known by possessing a calyx 6- to 12-parted, and occasionally even 20-parted; petals 6 to 12 in number, seldom 20, more or less united at the base; 12 to 24 stamens or more, grown together at the base; scales at the base of the carpels, which

are follicular, and equal in number to the petals. The | 2-valved, half 2-celled. Seeds 4 to 8. The species form genus is composed mostly of nerbs, some of which are stem- smooth-branched shrubs, with feather-veined entire leaves, less, and have young plants growing from the axils. Others and terminal corymbs of white flowers. This genus are caulescent, without young plants, or they may be shrubby closely resembles Celastrus, but the hypogynous insertion and fleshy. The leaves are usually revolute, and their of the stamens is a distinguishing character. The wood branches of cymose flowers are disposed in corymbs or pani- of Senacia undulata (the Celestrus undulatus of Lamarck), cles. Their flowers are white, yellow, or purple. The a native of the Mauritius, is well known and esteemed species of Sempervivum, like the family to which they for its hardness. It is thence called bois de joli cœur by the belong, have most of them thick fleshy leaves and small French. roots, and are adapted for growing in rocky, dry, barren places. The arrangement of their leaves is frequently very elegant, and many of the species are cultivated in our greenhouses and gardens. Some are used in the arts and medicine.

Sempervivum glutinosum, Clammy House-leek: stem frutescent; leaves wedge-shaped, viscid, rather scattered, fringed with cartilaginous cilia; petals 8 to 10. It is a native of Madeira It has loose panicles of golden yellow flowers, with a stem about two feet high. The fishermen of Madeira are in the habit of using this species to rub their nets, which are however previously steeped in an alkaline solution of some kind. They are said to endure as long as if they were tanned.

SENA'N, a Sabian physician, astronomer, and mathematician, whose names, as given at full length by Ibn Abi Osaibia (Oioún al-Ambá fi Tabacát al-Atebbá, Fontes Relationum de Classibus Medicorum,' cap. 10, sec. 4), are Abou Said Senán Ben Thabet Ben Corrah. He was born at Harran in Mesopotamia, and his father, his brother, and his son were among the most celebrated physicians of their time. [THABET.] He was physician in ordinary to Moctader and Cáher, the eighteenth and nineteenth of the Abbasside khalifs of Bagdad, who reigned from A.H. 295 to A.H. 322 (A.D. 908-934). By the former of these princes he was advanced to the dignity of the Rais alai 'l-Atebbá, chief of the physicians, or archiater.' He was also appointed public examiner, A.H. 319 (A.D. 931), and the khalif, S. tectorum, Common House-leek: leaves ciliated; off- in consequence of an ignorant practitioner's having killed sets spreading; petals 5 to 9, spreading; scales of flowers one of his patients, ordered that no one for the future wedge-shaped, carunculate. It was originally a native of should be allowed to practise as a physician, until he had alpine and sub-alpine regions of central Europe, but it has been licensed to do so by Senán.* (Arab. Philosoph. Binow found its way to the tops of old walls and the blioth., apud Casiri, Biblioth. Arabico-Hisp. Escur.,' tom. thatched and tiled roofs of the houses of nearly all the i., p. 437-9.) The anonymous author of this work 'recountries of Europe. This species is remarkable for lates,' as Gibbon says, 'a pleasant tale of an ignorant but the change its structure undergoes by cultivation. In harmless practitioner,' who presented himself before Senán all the wild examples the flowers possess two rows of for a licence to practise; which anecdote is told also with stamens and one row of carpels; but in the cultivated additional circumstances by Abul-Faraj, Chron. Syr.,' p. examples, one or both rows of stamens are constantly 187; and 'Hist. Dynast., p. 197. The khalif Cáher converted into carpels. This was pointed out by Mohl, in showed his favour to him by wishing him to embrace 1836, and gave him an opportunity of describing the true Islám. This he refused for some time, but was at last nature of the morphosis that takes place in the formation of terrified by threats into compliance. As however the khalif stamens and pistils. The common house-leek is used, both still continued to behave with great severity towards him, internally and externally, as a popular remedy for many dis- and at the same time transferred his favour to another eases. Its juice has been given in chronic discharges from physician, Isa Ben Yusuf, he fled to Khorasán; he afterthe mucous membranes. When mixed with cream, it is wards returned to Bagdad, and died A.H. 331 (A.D. 942). applied to burns, and is also said to cure corns. Its general The titles of several of his works are preserved in Casiri growth on the roofs of houses seems to have arisen from (loco cit.), relating chiefly to astronomy and geometry. Like the belief that it had the power of averting the influence of his father Thabet, he appears to have written also several lightning from buildings. On this account it is also some- works relating to the religious doctrines, rites, and ceretimes called thunder-plant. Probably the order given by monies of the Sabians; from which, if they could be recoCharlemagne, that it should be planted on all buildings, vered, we might expect much fuller and more accurate inoriginated in this belief. It is known by many other names formation respecting this curious people than we possess than that of house-leek, as Jupiter's-eye, bullock's-eye, and at present. Jupiter's-beard.

About thirty-six species of this genus are described. Those known in greenhouses are chiefly brought from the Canary Islands. In cultivating them, a mixture of sand, loam, and brick-rubbish is the best soil for them; and care should be taken not to give them much water when not in flower. The hardy kinds may be grown on rock-work, old walls, roofs, &c., and may be conveniently propagated by offsets, which they produce in abundance.

SEMUR-EN-AUXOIS. [CÔTE D'OR.] SEMUR-EN-BRIONNAÏS. [SAÔNE ET LOIRE.] SENAC, JEAN, was born at Lombez in 1693, and obtained the diploma of Doctor of Medicine at Rheims. He was appointed first physician to the king in 1752, and was a member of the Royal Academy of Sciences of Paris. He died in 1770. The present reputation of Senac is due to his great work on the structure of the heart, its action, and its diseases, which was first published at Paris in 1749, in two quarto volumes, and was afterwards re-edited by Portal, and translated into English and other languages. At the time of its publication, this work was justly regarded as the best anatomical monograph ever written in France; and although recent investigations have detected in it numerous errors, and have deprived it of much of its intrinsic value, it will always remain an admirable monument of the learning and the industry of its author. The other writings of Senac are unimportant; a complete list of them may be found in Haller's Bibliotheca Anatomica,' t. ii., p. 159.

SENA'CIA, a small genus of plants of the natural family of Pittospores, named in honour of Jean Senac, a French physician. The species are natives of the West Indies, Mauritius, and of the Himalayas. The genus is characterised by its small 5-toothed calyx. Petals 5. Stamens 5 hypogynous. Younger capsules berry-formed, afterwards

་

SENATUS, according to the etymological meaning of the word, is an assembly of elders, and this is the sense which the Roman writers attach to the earliest senate of Rome. The number of senators in the Greek republics, as well as at Rome, always bore a certain relation to the number of tribes of which the state was composed. Hence, as long as Attica was divided into four tribes, the number of senators was 400; and when Cleisthenes divided the country into ten tribes, he increased the number of senators to 500. As long as Rome only comprehended one tribe, the Latins of the city on the Palatine, their senate consisted of only 100 members. After the accession of a second tribe, the number of senators was raised to 200; and when a third tribe was united with them, the number of senators was increased to 300. [ROME, p. 105.] Each of the three Roman tribes was divided into ten curiæ, and each curia into ten gentes, and the same number of decuries, containing, according to Göttling, parts of several gentes, and made for purposes of representation. At the head of each gens there was a decurio, who, according to Niebuhr, by virtue of this office was a senator, or a representative of his gens in the senate. But Walter (Gesch. des Röm. Rechts, p. 23) justly observes that the age of a decurio, who was at the same time a military officer, and consequently must always have been a young man and able to bear arms, does not appear to be consistent with the age and duties of a senator. It is much more pro bable that each decury elected from its own body one by whom it was represented in the senate. Each curia was thus represented by ten senators, who were called a 'decuria senatorum' (Liv., i. 7). At the head of this decuria senatorum was a curio, and the ten heads of the decuries, when

• The number of persons in Bagdad who underwent this examination said to have amounted to eight hundred and thirty.