8o NATURAL SCIENCE. "^3^,™- 



1392. 



to the early school of Canadian geologists, whose theories upon 

 rock metamorphism, the deposition of the Laurentian rocks, and the 

 nature of crystalline schists once exercised a wide-spread influence 

 both in Europe and America. He was one of the first describers of 

 Eozoon, and wrote many papers to explain away the chemical 

 anomalies which the acceptance of its organic origin involved. His 

 best known works were his Chemical and Geological Essays (1875 

 and 1879), of which a second series was issued in 1886, under the title 

 " Mineral Physiology and Physiography." These give a good 

 summary of his speculations upon the primaeval chemistry of the 

 earth, the cause of volcanic action, the origin of the crystaUine schists, 

 and others of the most vexed questions of geology. 



On the 15th of December last died, at Amboise, Louis FRAN901S 

 Heron-Royer at the age of 56. Devoid of education, and earning his 

 living as a mere artisan, Heron-Royer nevertheless succeeded in making 

 himself a name by his investigations on the habits and development 

 of the European tailless Batrachians, a subject at which he worked 

 with great enthusiasm from 1877 to the time of his death. His 

 numerous papers were mostly published by the Societe Zoologique 

 de France (of which he acted as treasurer for several years) and the 

 Societe d'Etudes scientifiques d'Angers. 



Almost at the same time, another Zoologist who has done good 

 work in the study of European herpetology was carried away : 

 Count Alexander P. Ninni, director of the Civic Museum of Venice, 

 who died on January 7th, at the age of 55. Ninni's papers, deahng 

 principally with the Vertebrates of Italy, appeared mostly in the Atti del 

 R. IstiUdo Veneto, and as separate pamphlets published at Venice. 

 A complete list of his works has just been issued by Professor 

 Camerano in the BoUetino of the Turin Museum. 



We also regret to record the death of the veteran Geologist and 

 Palaeontologist, Baron Achille de Zigno, of Padua, who passed away 

 on January 15, at the age of 79. 



Observations and Correspondence. 



Under this heading we shall be glad to receive short comments on the 

 broader questions of Natural Science, and on new facts of ivide significance. 

 Numerous notes of news with which zve have been favoured are unavoidably 

 held over, and Mr. Rendle's botanical contribution, announced for this number, 

 is deferred to No. 2. 



All communications for the Editor to be addressed to the Editorial 

 Offices, 67-69 Chancery Lane, London, ]V.C. 



