386 Intelligence and Miscellaneous Articles. 



differences, — how can it be said that between the Cephalopoda and 

 the Vertebrata there is an identity of composition^ a unity of compo- 

 sition, without perverting tlie terms of language from their most 

 obvious sense ? I shall bring back these facts to their true expression, 

 when I say that the Cephalopoda have many organs wiiich are com- 

 mon to them with the Vertebrata, and which in tlieni perform simi- 

 lar functions ; but that these organs are differently arranged with 

 relation to each other, and are often constructed in another manner; — 

 that in them they are accompanied by several other organs which 

 the Vertebrata have not; — while the latter have also on their part 

 several which are wanting in the Cephalopoda." 



M. Cuvier announces to the Academy other communications in 

 which he will examine various other principles, various other laws 

 set forth by different naturalists. But in order that these readings 

 may not be confined to idle metaphysical questions, he will take 

 care always to connect them, like the present one, with some ascer- 

 tainment of facts from which the science may deiive advantage. 



M. Geoffroy-Saint-Hilaire heard the Memoir of M. Cuvier with 

 the greatest pleasure : he was delighted to see the discussion opened 

 upon the grand principle whose existence he asserts. He will reply, 

 and will state precisely what he means by unity of organic composi- 

 tion. In the mean time he thought it necessary to remark, that it 

 was not he who had sought to apply this principle to the Moilusca, 

 but MM. Laurencet and Meyraux j it is therefore for them to sup- 

 port their views against the observations of M. Cuvier. For him- 

 self, called on to form a judgement of this view, which appeared to 

 him ingenious, he has only said what he thought of it, without 

 wishing to take upon himself (he respon ibility of it. "I shall make," 

 continued M. Geoffroy, " a single remark on the subject : You have 

 heard the long enumeration of the organs which the Cephalopoda 

 have in common with the Vertebrata. Now at first sight it seems 

 to me much more difficult (o conceive how animals which have so 

 many similar organs could be arranged on different plans, than to 

 comprehend how, in spite of the difference of distribution which 

 appears at first sight to exi.st among them, it could be possible to 

 conceive them as arranged on the same plan." — Le Globe, No. 10. 



[The discussion has been continued at various sittings of the 

 Academy, down to that of tlie 12th of April. We shall endeavour 

 to present our readers with a view of the remainder in our next and 

 following Numbers. — Edit.] 



ON KER.MES MlNEllAL. BY M. GAY-LUSSAC. 



According to the latest researches of M. Berzelius, and tho.se of 

 M. Rose, kermes mineral is merely common sulphuret of antimony, 

 the colour of which is owing to its state of minute division. 



Not being perfectly satisHed with the proofs adduced in support 

 of this composition, I made some experiments, which have induced 

 me to form a different opinion, and which approximates the idea that 

 the greater number of chemists have entertained, particularly since 

 the researches of M. llobiquet. These experiments are very ancient ; 



and 



