356 
known, the male differs in having no yellow on the sides of the 
uropygium, this part being crimson, like the flanks and belly. 
7. Nasiterna finschi (Rawsay), males and females ; the male is 
distinguished by having a stripe of red down the abdomen, and 
the feathers round the lower mandible more distinctly tipped 
with blue ; AAipidura tenebrosa (Ramsay) being of a dull olive 
brown, with a few white-tipped feathers on throat and sides of 
the head.—Dr. J. C. Cox, F.L.S., exhibited several specimens 
of wood carvings from the Solomon Islands; also two drills 
used by the natives of Rubiana in building their canoes, and a 
fish-trap made of cordage, used by the natives of the same 
island.—Mr. Brazier exhibited a very fine collection of Cyprxa, 
viz. :—Cyprea hirundo 2, neglecta 2, cylindrica 2, errones 3, 
moneta 4, lynx 5, var. Cakdonica 1, [sabella 1, caurica var. 
obscura 3, stolida, var. Crossei 2, Arabica 7, vitellus 4, scurra 
1, staphylea 1, mappa, var. nigricans 2. These fourteen 
species were all distorted or malformed, with the extremities 
rostrated, and the base arched. Three fine varieties of C. tigris, 
four fine varieties of C. crebaria, and one fine pink variety of C. 
mappa. ‘These three species are normal.—The Hon. William 
Macleay exhibited dried specimens of the two plants described 
by Baron Miller, also a large peculiarly-shaped gall of a manna- 
producing coccus on a gumtree branch, and a rare heteromerous 
beetle (Zopherosis Georgii), both sent by Mr. Palmer. Mr. 
Macleay also exhibited some samples of a bark said to be used 
by the natives of New Caledonia and New Hebrides to procure 
abortion, and a mass of a kind of gutta-percha from a new 
Caledonia tree. These two exhibits were sent by Mr. E. L. 
Layard, C.M.G., British Consul, Noumea. Mr. Fletcher exhi- 
bited a large number of microscopic sections. A special vote 
of thanks was awarded that gentleman for his very valuable 
paper on the uro-genital organs of the kangaroo. 
PARIS 
Academy of Sciences, January 30.—M., Jamin in the chair. 
—The following papers were read :—On the theory of repeated 
proofs, by M. Bertrand.--On some applications of the theory of 
elliptic functions, by M. Hermite.—On a criticism in the last 
number of A/emoirs of the Italian Society of Spectroscopists 
(p. 256), by M. Faye. M. Tacchini says there is not perfect 
parallelism between spots and protuberances. M. Faye (who 
regards these phenomena as in mechanical connection) contends 
that from the nature of the observations this is not to be looked 
for, but merely a general accord.—Résumé of meteorological 
observations made during 1881 at four points of Haut-Rhin and 
the Vosges (continued), by M. Hirn. The great excess of water 
which falls in the higher regions is met by the useful regulative 
action of mountain forests ; and di-astrous results have followed 
the extensive destruction of wood on the Vosges.—On various 
problems of relative motion, by M. Gilbert. He analyses the 
action of M. Sire’s polytrope, gyroscopic pendulum, &c.—On 
the hematic crisis in atute maladies with sudden defervescence, 
by M. Hayem. This crisis, occurring near the end of acute 
disease, is chiefly characterised by a temporary increase of hema- 
toblasts in the blood ; in forty-eight hours their number is nearly 
doubled ; in twenty-four hours more it diminishes considerably, 
and ere long the normal state is recovered, in which there is 
about one hematoblast to twenty red corpuscles. The ab- 
normal ratio between these elements at the time of greatest 
accumulation of hematoblasts is represented nearly always 
by the same figure (seven on the average ; variation limited 
between eight and six), The hematic crisis indicates an effort of 
sanguineous reparation.—On a class of binomial linear differential 
equations with algebraic coefficients, by M. Appell.—The death 
of M. Billet, Correspondent in Physics, was announced.—On 
the oscillatory character of the cause producing the variable dis- 
tribution of spots on the sun’s sarface, by M. Spoerer (with 
annotations by M. Faye). M. Spoerer’s data (here tabulated) 
with M. Carington’s, prove that the sun-spot activity (which is 
concentrated between 6° and 35°) advances slowly from 35° 
towards the equator, increasing to a maximum at 18° ; then pro- 
ceeds, with diminution, to 5° or 6°, where it disappears. A new 
cause now brings out some spots in the higher latitudes again, 
and the same series is reproduced. M. Spoerer calls attention 
also to an alternating preponderance of each hemisphere in pro- 
duction of spots (but this is less marked).—On asymptolic 
integrals of differential equations, by M. Boussinesq.—On the 
generation of surfaces and curves with double curvature of all 
degrees, by M. Vanecek.—On the combination of carbonic acid 
and water, by M. Wroblewski. His results obtained in com- 
NATURE 
/ 
pressing and liberating carbonic acid in contact with water, 
point he thinks, to the existence of a hydrate of carbonic 
acid, easily dissociable, and producible by pressure (like M. 
Ogier’s chlorhydrate of phosphide of hydrogen). The critical 
pressure which must be produced in order to the pheno- 
menon occurring is the tension of dissociation of the 
hydrate formed,—Silicomolybdic acid, by M, Parmentier.— 
On new combinations of aldehydes with iodide of phos- 
phonium, by M. de Girard.—On the vapour-density of chloride 
of pyrosulphuryl, by M. Ogier.—On the formation of an 
aldehyde-acetone and a glycol of the aromatic series, by M. 
Burcker.—Researches on pilocarpine, by M. Chastaing.—On 
the relations of the vasomotor system of the medudla oblongata 
with that of the spinal cord in man, and on the alterations of 
these two systems in the course of sensitive /a4es, by M. Pierret.— 
On the formation of blighted grains of wheat, by M. Prillieux.— 
Attempt at reproduction of Wollastonite and of Meionite, by M. 
Bourgeois. —On a multiplying anemometer applicable to measure- 
ment of the velocity of wind in mining galleries, to meteoro- 
logical observations and to determination of the velocity of 
water-courses, by M. Bourdon. This is a system of convergent 
divergent tubes. In one such tube, made according to Venturi’s 
proportions, is fixed concentrically a second much smaller, and 
having its divergent end exactly at the point where the truncated 
summits of the cones of the larger tube unite. (For very small 
velocities a third tube may similarly be fixed within the second.) 
A hollow sleeve is fixed round the union of the truncated cones 
of the wide tube; its interior communicates with that of the 
latter and with a manometer, on which the pressure is read. If 
a manometer at the mouth of the large tube register 1 with a 
current, the sther manometer will register e.g. 6; the pressure 
here is negative and due to acceleration of the velocity of the 
current.—On some atmospheric phenomena observed during. the 
recent period of high pressures, by M. Vinot. General de 
Nansonty, on the Pie du Midi, records exceptional purity of 
sky ; the zodiacal light was seen on January J (a very rare thing), 
and the earthshine and thin crescent of the moon, only 25h. 46m. 
old, were also seen in January.—Observations in a balloon, of 
the opaque cloud » hich covered the Paris region for some days, 
by M. de Fonvielle. The cloud was hardly 300m, thick. In 
the upper part the guide rope got covered with hoar-frost. The 
temperature of the cloud was about 5° below zero.—Relief map 
of France, on the scale of sgg3-g05, by M. Guillemin. 
CONTENTS >to 
Proressor Huxiey’s Essays, By Georck J. Romanes, F.R.S. . 333 
Oux Book SHevr :— 
*“« Proceedings of the London Mathematical Society’? . . . « - 356 
“ Jornal de Sciencias Matnematicas e Astronomicas’’ . . . « 336 
Wundt’s ‘* Philosophische Studien herausgegeben”. so 06 
Rolph’s “ Biologische Probleme, zugleich als Versuch einer 
rationellen Ethik”? . . 2 . 2 - + ¢ + = 0 © © © 3 336 
Brass’s ‘ Abriss der Zoologie fiir Studirende, Azrte und Lehrer” . 337 
Chisholm’s ‘“‘Two Hemispheres” . . . - - - » « 0 » = = 397 
Letrexs ro THE EDITOR :— 
Sun-Spots.—W. H. M. Curistig, F.R.S.; Rev. S. J. Perry, 
EP ee tere ere) Se 
Rime Cloud observed in a Balloon.—W. pe FonvigLt—e . . . . — 
Researches on Animals containing Chlorophyll.—Prof. H. N. 
Mosecey, P.RIS. 0 oe FS ae SN Sek 
The Movementsof Jupiter's Atmosphere.—W. Matrtigu WILLIAMS 338 
**The Lepidoptera of Ceylon.”’—Henrvy TRIMEN a5 - 338 
The Collection of Meteoric Dust—A Suggestion.—B. J. Hopkins 339 
Colour and Sound. —Kart Pearson. . . . - «6 « «© + + 339 
On the Climate of North Northumberland as regards its Fitness 
for Astronomical Observations.—Jo-grH LINGWOOD . « ~ « 339 
Parhelia in the Mediterranean. Cuas, H. ALLEN . « + « + 339 
Str Ropert CurisTIson i ee oe bee” ae ae ee 
ConcerninG THE Gas-FLAME, ELEecTRIC, AND SOLAR, SPECTRA, AND 
THEIR Errxcts ON THE Eve By Prof. W. H. PickgrinG . . . 340 
Tur Great Neputa 1n ANDROMEDA. By Rev. T. W. Wasp (J¥ith 
Tllustvrgtigns) 5-0 0) wae me st ee a ho le re 
A Bear FesTIVAL AMONG THE AINOS. . - + - + +s + + + + 345 
Mowesici os ds oreadele (Sle Ae “so se. a. 0 ne) aes 
Our AsTRONOMICAL COLUMN :— 
The Observatory of Melbourne . « «© «© «+ + + © © © © © «© 349 
‘The Observatory of Cordoba. . «. . + » a » ss Se 
The Great Comet of 1881 . ©. 6 ee ee ee ois >) ae 
Problematical Sun-Spots . . . .. .- oo 1 eel 
GroGrarnicat Norgs .. «+ + + » «© = = © «© © © © = © BAe 
Tne Prizes or THE Paris ACADEMY OF SCIENCES . « « + + « + 350 
INSTITUTION OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS . «© «© « + «© « «© © © 350 
Tue Cuxmistry oF Bast Fisre By C. F. Crossand E. J. BEVAN 358 
NoresFroM THE OTAGO University Museum. By Prof. T. Jerrary 
ParKER ie bE wes Ga poms 28 eee :) <n 
Universiry AND EDUCATIONAL INTELLIGENCE . . . + « 35% 
Scrmnrimic SENIALS . .' 2 2 0 we ee we tele ee 8 8 oe 
Socigtigs ANB ACADEMIES «6 6 s+ e+ ee ee 8 ous 354 
[ Fed. 9, 1882 
