POINTS FROM LETTERS CHEYNE."
In reply to Mr. A. G. Mullins, Cheyne Walk takes its name from Chayney, the one-time owner of the property thereabout. It retains the phonetic pronunciation of Chayney. There are many similar i istances in English proper- names- and place names. Thus,- Caius College, Cambridge, retains the pronun- ciation of its founder's name, Keys ; Magdalen College; Oxford, and Magdalene College, Cambridge, were originally written Maudelayne ; now the second syllable is dropped and the last shortened.—T. MAYNARD SAUNDERS, Savage Club, Adelphi, W.C. 2.
ELECTROCUTION OF CATS AND DOGS.
Amongst your readers there may be some- who know with certainty, and can make it clear to the unprofessional mind, that the electrocution of cats and dogs at any of the homes and refuges where it is practised is painless. I have tried unsuccessfully to get evidence on the point. Is an animal conscious or unconscious during the period between first exposure to the current and death ? A very disturbing ele- ment in the case is that the first effect of the current is to pro- duce a state of complete muscular paralysis, which. makes it impossible for the animal to move or utter a sound ; thus the animal can give no indication of any pain which it may feel. It seems certain, however, that if pain is felt it is very severe. Many of. us believe, and all of us devoutly hope, that the animal-. is at once rendered unconscious when exposed to the current. Can it be shown that the belief is correct ?- R. 0. P. PADDISON, Bownham, Stroud, Glos.
AMERICAN BLIGHT.
Methylated spirit is, I believe, better than paraffin for trees affected with American Blight. Also rigorous summer pruning in the case of old trees. Over twenty years ago we " inherited " a tree that seemed gone beyond hope of recovery. " Cutting down " was suggested ; but, like the man in the parable, I begged for its life. I bought a long pruner, nipped off all young, feathery shoots, and burnt them at once. Then with a paint brush I painted the knotted trunk and lower branches with methylated, and have repeated the treatment whenever needed since. Result—the tree is still going strong, bearing well, and is the pride of—SornIA H. E. LANG- MAID, 5 Corbett Road, Cardiff.
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