W. Hulke, F.R.S., Pres.G.S In this paper the author 
reviewed the various contributions to the knowledge of this 
Dinosaur, for which he adopted Prof, Seeley’s generic name 
Ornithopsis, and employed the name excamerotus, originally 
applied by him to the genus, as tke specificname. He also dis- 
cussed the affinities existing between Ornithopsis and certain 
other Dinosaurs, such as Cefeosauvus and the American genera 
Camarosaurus, Atlantosaurus, and Brontosaurus, He then 
described the pubis and ischium which haye recently been 
acquired by the British Museum from the collection of the late 
Rey. W. Fox, by whom they were purchased, together with the 
finest typical thoracic vertebrae of Ornithopsis.—On Neustico- 
saurus pusillus (Fraas), an amphibious reptile having affinities 
with the terrestrial Nothosauria and with the mari: e Plesiosauria, 
by Prof. H. G. Seeley, F.R.S. These remains come from the 
Lettenkohle, a stratum between the Upper Muschelkalk and 
Keuper, and were obtained at Hoheneck, about 9 miles north of 
Stuttgart. They have been already noticed by Dr. Fraas under 
the name of Simosaurus pusillus ; but the palate differs much 
from that of this genus, and from all others that are known. 
Neusticosaurus is the smallest representative of the Plesiosauria 
yet known, and has a special interest as exhibiting hind limbs 
with the characteristics of a terrestrial animal, while the fore- 
limbs are modified into paddles. 
Victoria (Philosophical) Institute, April 3.—A paper on 
materialism was read. 
PARIS 
Academy of Sciences, March 27.—M. Jamin in the chair, 
—The following papers were read :—Double decompositions of 
haloid salts of silver, by M. Berthelot.—On the velocity of pro- 
pagation of explosive phenomena in gases, by MM. Berthelot 
aud Vieille. Small! detonators (of fulminate) had been used, 
breaking circuits a> the waves passed ; and the velocity observed 
is now shown to be independent of these. It is also found in- 
dependent of the diameter of the tubes beyond 5 mm.—Instan- 
taneous photographs of birds in flight, by M. Marey.—On the 
variations observed in the herring fishery on the Norwegian 
“coasts, by M. Broch. These variations, long recorded at Bergen, 
seem to depend on the movements of large banks of animalculz, 
which are the herring’s food, towards or away from the coast ; 
and these displacements are probably due to variations in marine 
currents and dominant winds, which require investigation.— 
First succour to the wounded on the battlefield, by M. Fournier. 
He indicates, in photographs, means that may be used, where 
ambulance-aid cannot be had.—Comet discovered in America, 
on March 19, 1882; observations at Marseilles Observatory, by 
M. Coggia.—Observations of the comet at Paris Observatory, 
by M. Bigourdan.—Observations of solar protuberances, faculz, 
and spots at the Observatory of the Roman College during the 
fourth quarter of 1881, by M. Tacchini. ner alia, the protu- 
berances diminished in number, from a maximum in September ; 
but they were nearly twice as numerous as in the same quarter 
of 1880. Their height and extent had increased very little. 
Spots and faculze showed, as before, two maxima between + 10° 
and +30°.—On hypercycles, by M. Laguerre.—On Pfaff’s 
problem, by M. Darboux.—On a group of linear substitutions, 
by M. Picard.—On discontinuous groups, by M. Poincaré. —On 
the application of the resistance of materials to the pieces of 
machines, by M. Léauté.—On the compressibility of gases, by 
M. Sarran. Clausius’ formula represents, with much exactness, 
the compressibility of six gases studied.—On the relation 
¢(v, ~, t) = 0 relative to gases, and on the law of dilatation of 
these substances at constant volume, by M. Amagat.—On a 
certain class of equipotential figures, and on M. Decharme’s 
hydraulic imitations, by M. Guébhard.—Telephonic indicator 
of the torsion and velocity of rotation of the motor-axis of 
machines, and consequently of the work, by M. Resio. 
This enables a single observer to make the measurements at 
a distance. The principle is that of the induction balance.— 
Action of telephonic currents on the galvanometer, by M. de 
Chardonnet. Sounds of uniform in‘ensity do not affect a sen- 
sitive galvanometer, but the needle is deflected when the intensity 
varies, the direction being opposite in increase and decrease. 
This is easily explained.—On the absorption-spectrum of ozone, 
by M. Chappuis. The spectrum is more characteristic than any 
other properties ; the author specifies the wave-lengths of the 
bands, and describes their appearance and order of occurrence 
under varying conditions.—KResearches on ozone, by Abbé 
Mailfert. This relates to action of ozone on organic matters, 
| - NATURE 
‘ [April 6, = 88: 
on several metallic oxides and sulphides, and on salts who 
bases are susceptible of suroxidation.—Action of alkaline solu: 
tions on protoxide of tin, by M. Ditte.-—Experimental researche: 
on the constitution of cements and the theory of their harden 
by M. de Chatelier. He examined thin plates of Po 
cement with the polarising microscope, and indicates the sub 
stances present and those produced inthardening.—On camp! 
urethane, by M. Halles.—Action of cyanogen on sodi 
menthol, by M. Arth.—Preparation of pure carbon for elect: 
lighting, by M. Jacquelain. The method is, directing a cu 
of dry chlorine for thirty hours on several kilo 3 
crayons of retort-carbon heated to a bright red, and afterwards 
letting carburet of hydrogen vapour circulate slowly among them 
for five or six hours; another method, action of fused caustic 
potash or soda ; a third, action of hydrofluoric acid. lheau 
also prepares directly pure graphitoid carbon by decomposition 
of organic substances through heat. A photometric table of 
different carbons is given.—Intestinal digestion, by M. Duclaux. 
—The microzymas of the stomachal glands and their digestive 
power ; reply to the question, Does the stomach digest itself ? by 
M. Béchamp. The stomachal mucous membrane is digested by 
the microzymas, but the production of new cells is superior 
the consumption.—Researches on pancreatic albuminoses, by } 
Béchamp.—On trichinze in salt meat, by M. Colin. American 
salt meat, as now imported, may, only in rare cases, transmit 
trichinosis where the pieces are recent, or large and badly-im 
pregnated.—Similarity of effects of central and cortical lesion 
of the. brain, by M. Couty.—On the reproductive apparatus 
of star-fishes, by MM. Perrier and Poirier.—Development of 
the ovum of Podocoryne carnea, by M. de Varenne.—On the 
present state of monetary and note circulation, with some in 
cations as to modifications following on extension of the metric 
system, by M. de Malarce. England uses relatively the fewest 
monetary instruments (metallic or note money) ; France much 
more. ‘The total for the former is 4,800 million francs, for the 
latter 8,600 million. 
‘ 
VIENNA i 
Imperial Academy of Sciences, March 30.—L. I. Fitzinggsy 
in the chair.—J. Barrand, ‘‘Systéme silurien du centre de_ 
Bohéme” (vol. vi., containing the Acephala, with 361 tables). 
M. Kovatsch, on the sand covering of Venice and its causes.- 
H. John, on the vapour density of bromine.—On the knowledge 
of amine bases of secondary alcohols, by the same.—F. Reinitzer, — 
studies on the reaction of acetates of chromium, iron, and alu- 
minium.—An analysis of a vegetable fat, by the same.—T. — 
Puluj, on radiant electrode-matter (ii.). —E. Tangl, on the divi-— 
sion of nuclei of Spirogyra cells.—F. Berwerth, on the chemical _ 
composition of amphiboles.—Dir. Steindachner, batrachologi ‘ 
contributions. —G. Tschermak, on the meteorites that fell near 
Mocs (Transylvania).—E. Weiss reported on the elements and 
ephemeris of the comet discovered by Mr. Wells at Boston — 
(U.S.A.) on March 18, computed at the Vienna Observatory by — 
E. Holetschek. : 
: 
CONTENTS Pace 
Tue ORIGIN OF THE SIGNS OF THE Zop1Ac. By Prof. A. H. SavcE. 525 — 
Tue Grovocy oF SUTHERLAND . 2 « . © « 0 = ss = « me See 
Our Book SHELF :— ‘ 
Horne’s “Year in Fiji”... 2 6) a SOR Se 
Letters TO THE EDITOR :— 
On a Perpetual Form of Secondary Cell.—Prof. A. S. HerscHEL 527 
Aristotle on the Heart.—W. OGLE. « . - es ee we ee 588 
Rime Cloud observed in a Balloon —W. pz Fonviette . . . 529 
The Kunnungs. S. E.PgAL. . «. - 2 « © «2 © © © ss 6 « 529 
Burrowing Larvz.—V. T. CHAMBERS . «©. . «© 6 «© + + + 529 
Vignettes from Nature.—W. BuppEN . . . .« svat “hye 529 
Red Flints in the Chalk.—Joun Bapncock, Jun... . « . 529 
On tHe Dispersat oF FresuwaTerR Bivatves. By CuARLES 
DARWIN, FIRS). 5. 3 ais, © sf is «ae. © 6, > ee rr 
Tue Fisnery Exaisivion AT EDINBURGH . . . «. « « « «© « « 530 
Tue WinGs oF Preropactytes. By Prof. O. C. Mars (¥ ith Jilus- 
rg!) ee ee pies oo a eee eee e ee 6 « 53r 
Tue INSTITUTION OF NAVAL ARCHITECTS . . . + « © © = «f » §33 
New AND very Rare Fish FROM THE MéepITERRANEAN. By Prof. 
Henry H°GichiOrr. 2. oe tee kl 8 ee Oe ee 
Pror. Barrr’s New ANTISEPTIC . © fe ite el te as ee ee 
Novess. is hehe ew ee 0S ei ow el 
Our AsrRoNomicaL COLUMN :— 
Comet 1882a@. . PRET Ea aie Wh? ee 
Variable Staffs. se eee wie G's) pe Wwe oe re 538 - 
GroGrasHicat Notes 2° 2. .0 6 sw ee 
MATTER AND MaGneto-etectric Action. By Dr. W. Sportis- 
woonk, Pres.R.S. (With Diagrams) . 6 «© 2 + + «© © 2 © + 539 
Frora or New Soutu Waxes tn 1Ts GROLOGICAL ASPRCT . . . . 543 
UNIVERSITY AND EDUCATIONAL INTELLIGENCE . . «© « « © +. 543 
SCIENTIFICSERIALS... . sc s 6 ene © @ BM) ue Ot Seen egee 
| Socierigs AND ACADEMIES . . +s 2 © © © © © «+ © «© © @ « S45 
