APRIL 22, 1897 | 
NATURE 
591 
diminution of pulsation was usually produced by musical sounds, 
the effect being very small when sad melodies were played, but 
well-marked when lively airs were played. 
THE popularity of Darwin steadily grows in Russia—the last 
edition of his chief works, by Madame Popoff, being evidently 
intended for a very large circulation. It includes, in two 
octavo volumes, the autobiography, the voyage of the Beag/e, the 
origin of species, the descent of man, and the expression of the 
em otions, translated from the last editions by Profs. Beketoff, 
Tim iryazeff, and A. Kovalevsky, with a portrait of Darwin, and 
is sold at the very low price of nine shillings (4 roubles 50 copeks) 
for the two volumes. Another edition of separate works of 
Darwin is published at the same time by a scientific review 
(NMauchnote Obosreniye). Xt is also worthy of note that an 
abridged translation of Buckle’s ‘‘ History of Civilisation,” very 
well produced in one volume by M. Notovich, and published 
in a cheap two-shilling edition, went through nine editions, 
which were rapidly followed by five one-shilling editions. 
THE evolution of money is a fascinating study, and has been 
ably dealt with by Prof. Ridgeway in his ‘‘ Origin of Metallic 
Currency. and Weight Standards.” The last contribution to 
this history is a paper, by Dr. A. Gotze, in Globus (Band. lxxi. 
p- 217), in which he shows that some silver bars, excavated 
by Schliemann from the second lowest layer at Hissarlik, are 
of the same general form as the flat bronze axe-heads. Their 
shape precludes their being ornaments, and the material of 
which they are made prevents their having been used as imple- 
ments ; they were, therefore, probably used as a medium of 
trade. Numerous bronze axe-heads have been found, along with 
ring-money, in such a way as to suggest that they were em- 
ployed as a medium for barter. The conclusion, therefore, is 
that the actual axe-head formed a popular unit for barter. 
This was later copied in silver, and even in iron, as Dr. Gotze 
proves, to serve as a regular currency ; the final term in the 
series, as Prof. Ridgeway has pointed out, is the axe-inscribed 
coinage of Tenedos, Dr. Gotze also suggests that the ‘* tongue 
of gold,” looted by the luckless Achan from Jericho (Joshua 
vil. 21, 24), was a similar golden model of a bronze celt or 
axe-head, 
THE Anthropological Reports of the Horn Expedition to 
Central Australia forms not the least valuable result of that 
notable expedition. Dr. Stirling undertook the anthropologicay 
investigations of the Arunta tribe in the McDonnell Ranges, 
and he has performed his task in a very satisfactory manner. 
Careful observations, such as these, of a tribe as yet scarcely 
influenced by civilisation, cannot fail to be of value, even though 
the opportunities afforded to the explorers were not as ample as 
could have been wished. We learn that Prof. Baldwin Spencer 
has since spent several months with this tribe, and his investi- 
gations will doubtless supplement those of the Horn Expedition. 
Dr. Stirling has wisely incorporated some very valuable ethno- 
graphical notes by F. J. Gillen, special magistrate and sub- 
protector of aborigines. In addition to observations on the 
social organisation, religion, initiation and other ceremonies, 
corrobboree, and habits of life, the ornaments, weapons, and 
implements are carefully described. The gesture language is 
recorded and illustrated by sketches. Three coloured plates are 
devoted to representations of rock drawings. One very satisfactory 
feature of the Report is the prominence given to physiological and 
medical observations ; few travellers have the necessary knowledge 
of, or interestin such matters. The Report isillustrated with twenty 
capital plates ; many of these are half-tone blocks from photo- 
graphs by Mr. Gillen. Some of these illustrate various cere- 
monies, the initiatory rites being the most fully represented. 
This is just the class of work that is so urgently needed at the 
present day, and we trust that other wealthy Australians will 
NO. 1434, VOL. 55] 
feel it their duty to fit out anthropological expeditions before it 
is too late. 
THE Annales of the Central Physical Observatory of St. Peters- 
burg for the year 1895, forming two large quarto volumes, have 
just been issued. They include an appendix, recommended 
by the recent Meteorological Conference in Paris, viz. a list of 
the periodical publications in Russia containing meteorological 
observations. By direction of the Imperial Academy of Sciences, 
the explanatory text is now in French, instead of German, and 
the preface contains a useful note upon the French orthography 
of Russian geographical names. This will be of much assistance 
in transliteration and pronunciation. Somewhat similar direc- 
tions were given in our columns on February 27, 1890; 
notwithstanding this, we generally find that in English the 
equivalent for the Russian sound z/ is rendered by 7 (which 
would be correct in French), and that wv is rendered by zw (which 
would be correct in German). On July 1 a fire unfortunately 
occurred in the building for absolute magnetic observations, and 
most of the instruments were destroyed, but the records were 
continued in another building with other instruments. The 
daily weather chart issued by the Central Physical Observatory 
extends over an immense area, embracing Vardo, in latitude 
60° N.; Malta, in the south; the west coast of Ireland, and 
the limits of Eastern Siberia. Telegraphic reports are received 
from 186 stations, and weather charts are constructed thrice 
daily ; when necessary, storm warnings are issued to the ports in 
the Baltic, the Black Sea, and the Sea of Azov. The new Director 
of the Russian Meteorological Service is General M. Rykatchef, 
well known as the author of several valuable discussions in 
maritime meteorology. 
OnE of the most important functions of the Agricultural Ex- 
periment Stations in the United States, is to give farmers a 
better knowledge of the scientific principles underlying their 
work. To this end two excellent little Az/etins (Nos. 139-140) 
have lately been distributed by the Michigan State Agricul- 
tural College Experiment Station. Their subjects are: 
‘* Bacteria: what they are, and what they do”; and ‘‘ Ropi- 
ness in Milk’; and the author is Dr. C. E. Marshall, The 
science of bacteriology has entered into such an intimate relation 
with the farmer, because of its connection with the dairy, the 
soil, the diseases of animals and plants, and his surroundings, 
that some knowledge of it has become indispensable to him, if 
he wishes to keep up with the times. This knowledge the 
Michigan Experiment Station proposes to give to the agricul- 
turists of the State by means of short and simply-written bul- 
letins, to be issued from time to time. The first bulletin of the 
series contains a good general account of bacteria, and the 
means of studying them. This paves the way for the reports of 
experiments, such as are contained in the bulletin on ropiness of 
milk. The Station has, in fact, undertaken to publish, by means 
of these bulletins, a general survey of bacteriology, with special 
reference to those phases of the science applicable to agricul- 
tural interests. The influence of such bulletins as these, in 
educating the farmer, cannot be over-estimated. It would be 
to the advantage of British agriculture if useful and accurate 
scientific information of the same character could be dissemi- 
nated by agencies similar to the agricultural experiment station 
in the United States. 
THE additions to the Zoological Society’s Gardens during the 
past week include two Grey Ichneumons (Herpestes griseus) 
from Ceylon, presented by Mr. R. J. Davis; a Bauer's Parra- 
keet (Platycercus sonarius) from Australia, presented by Dr. 
Clement Godson; two Common Cassowarles (Casuarius 
galeatus) from Ceram, deposited ; four Shovellers (Spacedla 
clypeata), three Common Teal (Querguedula crecca), European 
purchased. 
