Miscellaneous Intelligence. 287 
he observed further, that the heat was not the same at all points equi- 
distant from the centre ; and that the place of maximum temperature was 
3’ above the centre ; the isothermal curves were a species of parabola. 
The sun’s surface hence differs in temperature not only because of the 
absorption due to its atmosphere, but also from certain inherent differ- 
ences in the surface itself. But M. Secchi also remarks that at the time 
of the observations, the 20th, 21st and 23d of March, the solar equator 
was raised about 2’°6 above the centre, and hence the inferior part of 
the disk presented the south pole of the sun, while the north pole was 
concealed ; and, moreover, the ascertained point of its greatest heat 
LD’ Institut, No. 957. 
On Rain Waters.—M. Cuatin makes the following statements 
as results of his observations :-— 
1.) The chiorids, which abound in the rains of maritime countries, 
are at Paris more abundant than in the*waters of the Seine whenever 
the wind blows from the sea. , , 
.) Sulphates exist in a notable quantity in the rain of Esecistpape tir 
that of Central France; rain waters, though generally containing less of 
chiorids than the waters of rivers, usually surpass the latter in the pro- 
portion of sulphates. . : 
(3.) Salts of lime and soda are contained in rain waters in an appre- 
tter, which may be rep- 
mosphere (though less at Turin and on the borders of the sea than at 
ris and in Maurienne), whence it is deposited by the dews and mists, 
Ce stages, eto 
(5.) Argillaceous earths retain better than lighter soils this principle 
aters : : It, 
e, in restoring to the soil a 
ilture 
portion of soluble mineral ‘and organic matters highly useful to vege- 
lation. 
perform an important part in agricultu 
43, No. 468), was Marquis 
de Poleni. The title is in Latin, as follows: Johannis Marchionis 
Poleni, R.S.S. de novis quibusdam cogitationibus ad explorandum num 
pendula vi aliqua centrifuga perturbentur, commentariolum illustris- 
Sime Societati regali Londinensi oblatum. The author was an Italian, 
