16 
The corkscrew motion of the earth, produced by the nutation 
of its axis and the precession of its equinoxes, altering the posi- 
tion of the earth in relation to the sun, explained how portions 
now in Arctic regions, had, at one time, a temperate climate ; and 
accounted for the curves taken by the lines of volcanoes, The 
deeper-seated the volcano, the heavier would be the metals thrown 
out, and seeing that the equatorial diameter was 25 miles greater 
than the polar, it followed that the crust between the tropics was 
thinner,—hence the action was greater and more frequent within 
the torrid zones. All the chains agreed in their curve with the 
corkscrew motion of the earth, and went to prove an intimate con- 
nection between volcanic and astronomical action, and as this move- 
ment was slow, the development of the earth had been slow and 
progressive. 
Mr. Maya. communicated a note on what he believed to be 
a new fact in connection with coal gas. While engaged in the 
Spectrum Analysis of organic bodies he had found the presence of 
copper interfere with the results. Examining the solutions no 
trace of copper could be found ; it then occurred to him that the 
copper might be present in the common coal gas used in the Bunsen 
lamp. Having candles, with wicks dipped in the chlorides of several 
metals always handy as standard spectra, he compared the flame of 
a copper candle with the flame of the coal gas, and found their 
spectra identical. He inferred from this that the copper was 
generated from pyrites contained in the coal. 
February 10th.—On “ Seeds,” by Mr. T. W. Wonror. 
Commencing with the first appearance of the ovule, in the un- 
expanded flower-bud, as a pimple consisting of an aggregation of 
cells, its gradual development and impregnation by the pollen, 
together with its several parts, were traced, until the perfect seed, 
ready for dissemination and containing within it the embryo of 
the future plant, was fully formed. 
The various modes by which the seed is disseminated, the 
great number produced by some plants, the power possessed by 
some seeds of resisting extremes of heat and cold, and the wonder- 
ful property possessed by many seeds of preserving their vitality 
