604 



NA TURE 



[Oct. 1 6, 1884 



is 231. The most interesting of the new species are illustrated. 

 The classificatory system established by the author is used. — 

 Muscular tissue of Hydroid Polyps, by R. von Lendenfeld, 

 Ph.D. A Hyroid Polyp discovered by the author in Port Phillip 

 possesses a singular apparatus for escaping its enemies. This 

 animal was investigated by Dr. R. von Lendenfeld, and a re- 

 markable muscular structure was discovered. The histological 

 structure of this is described, and some general conclusions 

 drawn from the observations on muscular tissue, by O. and R. 

 Hertwig, Claus, and the author. — Notes on the fibres of certain 

 Australian Hircinidae, by R. von Lendenfeld, Ph.D. The 

 author discusses the origin of the "filaments," and describes 

 some new and interesting peculiarities of the Australian Hir- 

 cinidre. — On the Myrtacece of Australia, by the Rev. W. Woolls, 

 Ph.D., F. L. S. In this paper the author gives tabular state- 

 ments of the distribution of this large order throughout the 

 globe, but with special reference to its development in Australia. 

 From an examination of these tables, as well as from other con- 

 siderations, it is clear that West Australia must be regarded as 

 the metropolis of the essentially Australian flora, the plants of 

 the eastern portion of the continent bearing evident relation 

 to Asiatic and Oceanic forms, while those of the west 

 find their nearest, though still very di-tant, kindred in the 

 yet more distant continent of South Africa. — On marine 

 Annelids of the order Serpulea : observations on their ana- 

 tomy, with descriptions of the Australian species, by William 

 A. Haswell, M.A., B.Sc. The points treated of are the 

 pseudohsemal system, the segmental organs, the tubiparous 

 glands, budding and hermaphroditism, and the characteristics of 

 the Australian representatives of the order. The arrangement 

 of the vessels in several of the genera is described. Segmental 

 organs of a simple type are shown to exist in addition to tubi- 

 parous glands which had been previously regarded as represent- 

 ing the segmental sacs of other PolychtEta. Details are given of 

 the structure of the tubiparous glands in a variety of genera. — 

 On a new Crustacea found inhabiting the tubes of Vermiiia, 

 by William A. Haswell, M.A., B.Sc. In the tube of a Port 

 Jackson Serpulid the author found several specimens of a re- 

 markable Isopxl, each with a brood of young. It proved (o be 

 a form differing in various points from any of the known families, 

 but most nearly related to the Anthuridse. The young were free 

 in the cavity of the tube, sheltered, however, by fasciculi of hairs 

 fringing the pereion of the parent. Like the "normal" Isopoda, 

 and unlike the Anthuridse, the embryos are flexed in the egg 

 towards the dorsal side ; there is a pair of jointed larval append- 

 ages connected with the second larval cuticle. — Note on Pristio- 

 phorus cirratus, by William A. Haswell, M.A., B.Sc. This 

 remarkable genus of sharks was shown to be viviparous, and to 

 possess a rudimentary shell thrown off in the uterus as in 

 MusteluSi CarchariaSi Galeus, and Spkyma. 

 Paris 

 Academy of Sciences, October 29. — M. Rolland, Presi- 

 dent, in the chair. — Note on the total eclipse of the moon on 

 October 4, by M. Mouchez. Owing to its long duration, this 

 eclipse offered a favourable opportunity for more exactly deter- 

 mining the diameter of the moon through the occultation of numer- 

 ous small stars near the lunar disk. Although the weather was far 

 from favourable, a sufficient number of observations were taken 

 by MM. Perigaud and Bigourdan to advance the solution of this 

 problem considerably. A large number of photographs were 

 also taken by MM. Paul and Prosper Henry. The duration of 

 the eclipse appeared to be rather less than the period theoretic- 

 ally determined. — Note on the experiments recently made at 

 Turin and Lanzo to distribute the electric light to great dis- 

 tances, by M. Tresca. These experiments, carried out by 

 Messrs. Gaulard and Gibbs in connection with the International 

 Electrical Exhibition now being held at Turin, are stated to 

 have been attended by a large degree of success. A Siemens' 

 dynamo-electric machine of 30 horse-power generated an alter- 

 nate current, which was simultaneously utilised by the Swan, 

 Siemens, and Bernstein systems distributed over a circuit of 

 twenty-four miles between the Exhibition, Lanzo, and interme- 

 diate stations. — Note on the nitrates present in plants at the 

 various periods of their vegetable development, by MM. Ber- 

 thelot and Andre. — On the explicit solution of Hamilton's 

 quadratic equation in quaternions or in matrices of the second 

 order, by Prof. Sylvester. — A fresh communication on a method 

 of extracting the colouring matter from straw, by M. E. Cadoret, 

 was referred to the previously appointed Commission ; and a 

 memoir by M. Goyet, on a project for the construction of a 



marine canal between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean was 

 referred to M. de Lesseps for examination. — Results of the 

 observation of the recent lunar eclipse made at the Paris Ob- 

 servatory (equatorial coude), by M. Perigaud. — Note on the 

 same eclipse as observed at the Paris Observatory (equatorial of 

 file West Tower), by M. G. Bigourdan. — Observation of the 

 same eclipse, by M. Trepied. — Observations of Wolf's comet 

 made at the Observatory of Algiers (o'5om. telescope), by M. 

 Rambaud. — Observations of the new comet, made on September 

 24, 25, and 26, by M. Perrotin. Under the spectroscope the 

 nucleus yielded a continuous brilliant spectrum crossed by the 

 three usual binds of comets, and by a fourth in the violet, like 

 that observed some months ago in the spectrum of the 

 I'ons-Brooks comet. — Observations of the solar spots and 

 faculse during the third quarter of the present year, by 

 M. Taechini. — Remarks on the solar halos observed at 

 Rome during the last four months (four illustrations), by 

 M. P. Taechini. This phenomenon, which has been con- 

 stantly visible at Rome shortly before sunset since the first 

 appearance of the after-glows in November 1SS3, is stated 

 to resemble in every respect that already described elsewhere by 

 M. Cornu. — Note on the action of water and of nitric acid on 

 the basic acid of the bioxide of tellurium, by MM. Klein and J. 

 Morel. — Note on the experimental study of infectious osteo- 

 myelitis, by M. A. Rodet. — On the elimination of phosphoric 

 acid by the urine in cases of mental disorders and epilepsy, by 

 M. A. Lailler. — Geological observations on the section of the 

 Cordilleras traversing the Isthmus of Panama, by M. Ch. 

 Mano. A careful survey of this region in connection with the 

 works now in progress on the Interoceanic Canal has satisfied 

 the author that the northern continuation of the Andes system 

 following the double curve of the isthmus throughout its entire 

 length, belongs to a far more recent geological epoch than that 

 of the syenites and serpentines of Choco and Antioquia, whence 

 they appear to branch off". They are also later than the diorites, 

 volcanic and other porphyries of the Costa Rica coa-t range, 

 which belong to the system of the Rocky Mountains, stretching 

 thence northwards to the Polar Sea. The eruptive rocks of the 

 isthmus seem to be contemporary with the volcanic formations 

 of Auvergne, dating from the Quaternary or the dawn of the 

 present epoch, and containing fossil human remains. 



CONTENTS page 



Handbook of Botany 5S1 



Our Book Shelf:— 



Hobkirk's " Synopsis of the British Mosses." — J. G. 



Baker 582 



Wood's "Our Insect Allies" 582 



Letters to the Editor : — 



Shifting of the Earth's Axis.— Prof. C. Piazzi- 



Smyth 582 



The Sky-Glows. — Robert Leslie ; Joseph John 



Murphy 5S3 



Circular Rainbow. — William P. Marshall .... 5S4 

 To Find the Cube of any Number by Construction. — 



R. Tucker 584 



Explorations in Iceland. By Th. Thoroddsen . . 5S4 



Storage Batteries 585 



Meteorology of the Lower Congo 589 



The Recent Eclipse of the Moon. By Otto 

 Boeddicker ; E. J. Lowe; George F. Burder. 



(Illustrated) • . . . . 589 



Notes 591 



Our Astronomical Column : — 



The Approaching Appearance of Encke's Comet . . 594 



Variable Stars 594 



Southern Binaries 594 



On the Seat of the Electromotive Forces in the 



Voltaic Cell 594 



The American Association 596 



The Prime Meridian Conference 602 



University and Educational Intelligence 602 



Societies and Academies 603 



