Jackson.] 462 [April 15, 



Neanderthal skull, the length of the parletals is only 115 m. m., 9 

 m. ni. below the average, while in the synostotic crania it is 148 ni. m., 

 or 2-1: ni. m. above the average. How far this has any real bearing 

 on the nature of the deformity of the Neanderthal cranium will 

 dejjend \\\):n\ the extent to vdiich, when large collections are examined, 

 the extension of the pai-ietals and consequent lengthening of the 

 sagittal suture is foiuid to be a constant attendant on synostosis. As 

 far as our own observations go they are constant ; and consequently 

 the fact that in the disputed skull, the parietals are shorter than the 

 average, is opposed to the theory of synostosis. 



Dr. C. T. Jackson called the attention of the Society to 

 some of the modern methods for the j)reservation and color- 

 ation of wood. 



The first experiments recorded are those of Champy, who stuffed 

 wood with tallow at 200° centigrade, the heat driving out the mois- 

 ture and air, while on lowering the temperature the atmospheric 

 pressure drove the solution into the cells of the wood. Champy's pro- 

 cess certainly did protect ship timber from the penetration of water 

 to a great extent, and by induration of the albuminous matters in the 

 wood, it was rendered less lial)le to decay; but it was fountl impossi- 

 ble to penetrate the whole thickness of hard wood timber Avith the 

 solution. 



Kyan preserved wood from decay by impregnating it with a 

 solution of one one-hundi-eth part of bi-chloride of mercury. This 

 prevented decay by poisoning the wood so that insects and parasitic 

 vegetation would not destroy it, and the bi-chloride formed a well 

 known combination with the albumen, and so conserved it. 



Mohl removed the air from the cells of wood by steaming it, and 

 ihen drove in the vapor of creosote, which has the property of pre- 

 serving albuminous or nitrogenous substances, and of preventing 

 insect depredations. This process is very similar to one recently 

 patented in this country by a Mr. Robbins, and wliich is now in oper- 

 ation under the directions of the American AVood Preserving Com- 

 pany. Of this process I shall speak presently. 



Boucherie emjjloyed the natural powers of absorption in living trees 

 freshly cut down ; a bag of impermeable stuff, india rubber cloth, or 

 prepared leather, is firmly bound around the end of the cut-off 

 stump end of the tree, and the preservative liquid supplied to this by 

 a barrel placed a little above it, having a tube communicating Avith 

 the bag. The liquid rapidly follows the saji of the tree, so that it is 

 soon found in the branches and leaves. Dye stuffs, Avith their proper 

 mordants are also introduced in the same way, and richly colored 



