HARDWICKE'S SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



113 



Oolite. During the formation of this deposit some 

 part of it was subject to the action of water holding 

 a larger quantity of silica in solution than usual, and 

 a portion of the Oolite absorbed it, this localized 

 deposition of silica being produced by the presence 

 of decomposing organic matter. As showing the 

 agency of organic matter in solution in forming the 

 calcareous globules, Mr. Kitton cited Dr. Rainey's 

 experiments, in winch a solution of gum in lime- 

 water slowly precipitated the lime in small sphe- 

 roidal nodules, showing a structure similar to that 

 in a calcifying egg, or crab-shell, and in the semi- 

 calcareous carapace of the shrimp. 



Ampiiipleura Pellucida. — The latest measure- 

 ment of the striae of this well-known "test-object" 

 is that of Professor Morley, of Hudson, Ohio, 

 which he has recently communicated to the Mem- 

 phis Microscopical Society. He estimates the 

 markings at ninety-two thousand six hundred to the 

 linear inch. 



The Quekett Club. — This well-known and 

 unpretentious Society is in reality doing the best 

 microscopical work in London. Its "Journal" is 

 always eagerly read, and its "soirees" — (the last of 

 which was held at University College, Gower-street, 

 on the 16th nit.") are always crowded by delighted 

 sight-seers. The last number of the Journal con- 

 tains several papers of great value, out of which we 

 select Dr. Moore's, on the " Generative Processes 

 of the Oyster, Mussel, and Cockle," as one dealing 

 with a subject of much importance, that we should 

 like to see even better cleared up than Dr. Moore 

 has been able to do. Mr. White's paper on the 

 " Salivary Glands of the Cockroach " is excellent, 

 and we feel certain he has made out his case in 

 reference to these disputed organs. Mr. P.Williams' 

 article on " Cutting Sections of the Eyes of In- 

 sects " is a welcome contribution ; as is also the 

 paper by the hon. sec, Mr. J. E. Ingpen, on " Per- 

 sonal Equation." The "Journal" also contains 

 another contribution from Mr. White, well written 

 and very suggestive, on " The Aquarium as a Field 

 of Microscopical Research." 



Schmidt's Atlas. — We have received the third 

 part of this work, containing plates 9, 10, 11, 12. 

 Plate 9 contains 79 figures of species belonging to 

 the genus Cymbella, many of which had never been 

 figured previously. Plate 10 is devoted to Cocco- 

 nema, of which there are 69 figures given. Plates 

 11 aud 12 contain 105 figures of the panduriform 

 Navicular— F. K. 



ZOOLOGY. 



Provincial Natural History Societies. — 

 Nothing could better indicate the wide-spread love 

 of natural science, which forms such a feature in 

 the social intellectuality of the present day, than the 



number of societies which are constantly being formed 

 for the purpose of studying its various branches. 

 Few towns of any importance are now without one 

 or more natural history societies. Many of them 

 show considerable intellectual activity by the publi- 

 cation of " Journals " and " Transactions," whilst 

 the degree of original research also included is 

 anything but small. Long may this spirit of 

 inquiry continue ! We have received (among many 

 others) the reports of the Eastbourne Natural 

 History Society, containing fully-priuted papers, by 

 H. Nichols, Esq., on " Ornithology and the Migra- 

 tion of Birds " ; and an important paper by the 

 Rev. H. E. Madock, on "Changes in the Coast 

 Line, especially between Beachy Head and Hast- 

 ings." From Manchester we have to acknowledge 

 the annual report (full of excellent literary and field 

 work) of the Scientific Students' Association. This 

 is one of the largest, as well as of the most healthy 

 and vigorous of our local societies, and has deve- 

 loped more than one good naturalist. The Man- 

 chester Geological Society has always held its 

 ground as one of the best and oldest of similar 

 provincial institutions, having a good library, and 

 an excellent museum (now presented to the Owen's 

 College). The last number of its Transactions con- 

 tains a well-reported and important discussion on 

 a paper by Mr. Kendall, F.G.S., on "Hematite 

 Ores," as well as a paper on " Basalt," by Mr. G. 

 C. Greenwell. The twenty-first annual report of 

 the Natural History Society of Brighton contains 

 an abstract of the year's proceedings, making up 

 quite a little volume, and including among the 

 contributors the names of Messrs. G. Scott, T. W. 

 Wonfor, Sawyer, J. Clifton Ward, Pankhurst, and 

 others. The Journal of Proceedings of the Wilt- 

 shire and Hampshire Scientiflc and Literary Society, 

 just published, contains a capital introductory 

 address by the Rev. C. Collier, and a paper by 

 Dr. Joseph Stevens, on " Sarsens, Greywethers, or 

 Druid Stones." The Rev. W. W. Spicer has an 

 essay on "Two-winged Plagues." There are also 

 papers on the " Chalk Formation," by Mr. C. 

 Griffiths, and a " Gossip about Mites," also by 

 Mr. Spicer. The Geologists' Association cannot be 

 termed a provincial society, seeing it has its head 

 quarters at University College. Still, it only lays 

 claim to similar functions for London that the other 

 societies do for their several centres, and is especi- 

 ally devoted to field geology, the members making 

 excursions to various parts of England for days 

 together. Most enjoyable outings these are, and 

 well catered for by the secretaries. The " Proceed- 

 ings " of this Association always contain readable 

 papers, and in not a few instances very valuable 

 ones. We are glad to see that the Watford 

 Natural History Society has got into full swing, 

 under the able presidency of John Evans, F.R.S., 

 the president of the Geological Society, of London. 



