Feb. 23, 1882] 
NALOGRE 
395 
by various acids (Berichte, xiv. 2666), and finds that the rate of 
solution varies, according to the strength of acid, in the same 
way as the electric conductivity of the acid varies, Menschutkin 
(F. Pract. Chem., xxiv. 49) continues his researches into the rate 
-of etherification of various alcohols, and succeeds in tracing 
definite connections between this rate and the ‘‘ molecular struc- 
ture” of the various alcohols examined. Tribe (Chem. News, 
xliy. 185) attempts to measure the relative affinities between the 
constituents of electrolytes, by determining the magnitudes of 
the spaces between the boundaries of electro-deposits on metallic 
plates. 
No. 2, Segundo anno (1 Fey. 1882), of the Revista da Sociedade 
de Instrucgéo do Porto (published at Oporto) commences with the 
first instalment of a ‘‘ Catalogue des Insectes du Portugal,” by 
Prof. M. P. d’Oliveira of Coimbra, printed in French. The 
somewhat lengthy introduction brings to light the existence in 
Portugal of more entomologists than most of us suspected, 
according to the list of persons thanked by the author for the 
assistance they have rendered him. The Co/eoffera are com- 
menced, but do not at present extend beyond the genus Omophron 
in the Carabidae. 
THE temperature of the scuthern hemisphere has lately been 
investigated by Dr. Hann with the aid of recent observations of 
temperature in high southern latitudes, especially tho:e made 
during the Venus transit in 1874. For mean temperature of the 
whole hemisphere he obtains 15°°4 C., and as that of the northern 
hemisphere was estimated by Ferrel to be 15°3 C., it is very 
probable that both hemispheres have the same mean temperature, 
Dr. Hann, however, also shows that between 40° and 45° south 
latitude the southern hemisphere becomes warmer than the 
northern in the same latitude, and that a difference between the 
two persists at least to the confines of the hypothetical antarctic 
continent. The results of the projected antarctic scientific expe- 
dition this year, which will include a whole year’s meteorological 
and magnetic observations in high latitudes, will do much, doubt- 
less, to clear up the subject of temperatures. Dr. Hann urges 
the usefulness of a careful determination of ground-temperatures 
on islands (McDonald’s Islands, Auckland, Maquarie, South 
Orkney, &c.). 
Pror. HEIM, of Zurich, has virited Fettan, the village in the 
Grisons which is being swallowed up by the ancient moraine on 
which it is built. He ascribes the phenomenon to the movement 
of underground waters, and considers. that the perils may be 
averted by certain engineering operations, which will probably 
be executed under his superintendence. 
Pror, NAuDIN has observed a lowering of the level of the 
Mediterranean at Antibes (Alpes maritime-) which amounts to 
30 centimetres. He believes the reason to be the rising of the 
coast through volcanic influences. The inkabitants of the coast 
ascribe the phenomenon to the recent prolonged dry weather. 
Dr. Faye of Paris has also studied the subject, and according to 
his opinionit is the recent high atmospheric pressure which causes 
the recession of the sea in that locality. 
Dr. MAx Bucuner, the explorer of the Lunda district, West 
Africa, has reported on his recent journey to the Berlin 
“© Gesellschaft fiir Erdkunde.” On December 10, 1878, he had 
started on his journey from St. Paul de Loanda to Malange 
(lat. 9° 32’ S., long. 16° 38’ E.). There he waited for the 
dry season, and by the end of July, 1879, he continued 
his journey with a caravan numbering 160 people. Without 
much trouble he passed through the land of the Songo, crossed 
the Quango and numerous other rivers, and penetrated to the 
residence of the Kioko chief, Mona Kissenge, who took him 
to be a merehant and wanted to stop him. Dr. Buchner 
managed to overcome all hindrance, and reached Kabonzo (lat. 
9° 30’S., long. 21° E.), entering Mussumba, the residence of 
Muati Yambo, the Lunda chief, on December 11, 1879. Mus- 
sumba numbers 2000 inhabitants, and is the Eldorado of the slave 
trade. Muati Yambo and Queen Lukukesse, who reigns inde- 
pendently, received Dr. Buchner in solemn audience, but as the 
chief also believed him to be a merchant, he did not permit the tra- 
veller to proceed further into districts whence he himself purchases 
slaves and ivory, in which he does a large trade. Dr. Buchner 
remained at Mussumba for six months and then pretended to 
return. Near the Kassai River he turned to the north in order 
to penetrate into the unknown districts by the land of the 
Tukungo. This attempt however failed. Two other attempts 
to reach Kilua (Muata Kumpana’s residence) also failed through 
the positive resistance of the inhabitants, and the mutiny of his 
guides and carriers. Thus he was compelled to return to 
Malansh. ‘ 
THE deaths are announced of M. Antoine Alexandre Brutus 
Bussy, member of the Academy of Sciences, an eminent chemist 
and physicist, at Marseilles, on February 4, aged eighty-eight ; 
of Dr, Franz- Schlegel, director of the Breslau Zoological 
Gardens, on February 7; of Frederick Warrington of Tripoli, 
who for over fifty years hospitably received and liberally assisted 
all African travellers who started from Tripoli for the interior, 
on January 26, aged seventy-four; of Herr Blasius Kleciak, a 
‘*Commisar” on the Dalmatian island of Lesina, and well- 
known as a conchologist, on January 12 last; of Dr. Simon 
Syrski, Professor of Zoology at Lemberg University, an eminent 
ichthyologist, on January 14, aged fifty-one; of Dr. F. J. 
Stamkart, formerly Professor at the Polytechnical School of 
Delft, Holland, an eminent mathematician, who died recently at 
Delft, aged seventy-seven; of M. Felix Billet, Dean of Dijon 
University, corresponding member of the Academy of Sciences, 
and author of numerous physical works and treatises, who died 
at Dijon on January 29, aged seventy-four. 
A company has been formed at Palermo with the object of 
constructing a railway to the summit of Mount Etna, in imitation 
of the Vesuvius Railway. 
THE International Polar Commission has issued the first 
number of a special publication, edited by the President, Dr. 
Wild, to appear in regular numbers, for the purpose of insuring 
the rapid and continuous dissemination of intelligence relating 
to the International Polar Expedition, This namber gives a 
sketch of the history of the scheme, the programme of observa- 
tion, and a brief statement of what has been done, 
THE German Government has appointed a Commission con- 
sisting of Prof. Neumayer, Capt. von Schleinitz, Drs. Nachtigal, 
Dérgens, and Ernst Hermann, with the object of making the 
necessary preparations for erecting the German Meteorological 
station in the North Polar Region in conjunction with the other 
States participating in the International Polar Research recently 
planned. The Commission will meet at Hamburg during the 
present month, 
PREPARATIONS for a North Polar Expedi'ion which is to start 
during the present year are being actively made in Holland. 
The lead is taken by Prof. Buys Ballot of Utrecht. The Second 
Chamber has granted a subsidy of 30,000 florins, and a committee 
has been formed at Utrecht which intends to raise the additional 
funds that are necessary by means of public subscriptions. 
THE Russian Geographical Society have resolved to fit out an 
ex} loring expedition to Novaya Zemlya, and to give the command 
to Andreieff. 
THE first annual general meeting of the London Sanitary Pro- 
tection Association is fixed for Saturday next. Prof. Huxley 
and Prof. Fleeming Jenkin will speak on the progress of the 
