54 



NATURE 



[May 17, 1877 



and only ten elements were used in the sub-Mediteiranean 

 cable. The triangulation of Algeria is an accomplished Jfact, 

 and the calculations will be finished two or three months 

 hence. When the operations shall have been completed it will 

 be possible to know the exact lengtli of an arc -of meridian pass- 

 ing through the Paris Observatory, and extending from Shetland 

 to I.aghouat. The amplitude will be exactly 30". An arc of 

 parallel will be measured, also extending from Nemours on the 

 Marocco frontier to Bona, in the vicinity of Tunis. The mean 

 latitude will be 36° and amplitude. 10°. 



The following courses of instruction for science teachers will 

 probably be organised this summer at South Kensington:—!. 

 Chemistry (Klementary), from July 4 to July 26, by Mr. W. 

 Valentin, F.C.S. ; 2. Sound, from June 19 to July II ; 3. Light, 

 from July 1 2 to August 3, both by Prof. Guthrie, F. R. S. ; 4. Steam, 

 from July 4 to July 26, by Prof. Goodeve, M.A., and Prof. 

 Shelley ; 5. Biology, from June 13 to July 5, by Prof. Huxley, 

 Sec. R.S. Details may be obtained by application to the Science 

 and Art Department. 



The av/ard of the Public Schools' Prize Medals of the Geo- 

 graphical Society for the present year has been as follows : — 

 Physical Geography — Gold medal, Walter New, Dulwich Col- 

 lege ; Bronze medal, Artliur Smyth Flower, Winchester College. 

 Political Geography — Gold medal, William John Newton, Liver- 

 pool College ; Bronze medal, John Wilkie, Liverpool College. 



Artificial (lowers called baromdcis are being now exhibited 

 in a number of Parisian opticians' shops. They are coloured 

 with a material composed of chloride of cobalt. When exposed 

 to sun and dry air the leaves become deep blue ; when the air 

 is saturated with moisture they become pinky. All the inter- 

 mediate shades are easily observed. 



A REPORT from Dr. v. Bary on his recent excursion into the 

 Tuareg region of the Western Sahara was read at the last meet- 

 ing of the Berlin Geographical Society. Ilis researches yield 

 but few grounds in support of the theory that the Sahara was 

 formerly the bed of a sea. He is inclined more to the belief that 

 North Africa has long been free from a covering of water, as no 

 traces of Tertiary formations were found, and the sand-downs 

 cannot be regarded as proofs of the former existence of a sea. 

 The traveller found the valley of Mihero not only remarkable for 

 the number of crocodiles existing in its pools, but also on account 

 of the rich growth of trees in striking contrast to the surrounding 

 deserts. A mass of luxuriant climbing plants prevents the passage 

 of beasts of burden. 



Finnish papers report that vast masses of smoke are issuing 

 from a mountain adjoining the river Tana, and that the snow in 

 the vicinity has been melted away. The region has hitherto been 

 free from evidences of volcanic activity. The theory has often 

 been advanced that the gradual elevation of the shores of the 

 Gulf of Bothnia is due to volcanic forces, and it is possible that 

 these are finally seeking a vent. 



The royal tigress in the Berlin Zoological Gardens, lately 

 brought forth a litter of two, which she utterly relused to take 

 care of. They were accordingly placed amidst the family of a 

 Newfoundland dog, who welcomed the new-comers warmly and 

 bestows upon them all necessary maternal attentions. 



An extensive movement of subsidence has taken place at 

 Marano Marchesato, in the territory of Cosenza (Calabiia). A'ast 

 chasms have opened, a great number of houses have been 

 destroyed, and many others threaten ruin. The movement 

 extends to the north, passing the hills of S. Fill e Bucita as well 

 as to the river that divides Marano from Rende, thej waters 

 of which are partly escaping through large fissures in its bed. 

 At the observatory of Cosenza there have been noticed for some 



time a barometrical depression of 10 mm., an extraordinarily low 

 state of temperature with variable winds, fresh snow on the 

 mountains, and a very abundant rainfall. The magnetic instru- 

 ments, too, show an extraordinary agitation. 



The town of Iquique, in Peru, was visited by a destructive 

 earthquake on May 10. The damage done is not so great as 

 was at first anticipated, and it is stated that no lives have 

 been lost. Early on the following day, between 2 and 

 3 A.M., a shock of earthquake is reported to have occurred at 

 Comrie and the surrounding district of Perthshire ; the shock, 

 as usual, came apparently from south-west, proceeding to north- 

 east, and was accompanied with a noise resembling that of 

 distant thunder or the discharge of cannon. On May 2 several 

 shocks of an earthquake were experienced in the neighbourhood 

 of Ijofta, in Sweden, causing some degree of damage. 



In the April session of the Berlin Anthropological Society, 

 Baron v. Schleinitz, commander of the late German exploring 

 expedition, ^ave an extended account of his anthropologital 

 studies among the inhabitants of New Guinea and the islands of 

 the Melanesian Archipelago, which possess an interestin,'; cha- 

 racter on accoimt of the isolated character of the region. The 

 natives beloni; almost exclusively to the pure Papuan lace. 

 Three sharply-disl-inguished types were noticed. Thefirst, pre- 

 valent in the northern part of New Guinea, is characterised by a 

 thin, ill-shaped, hairy body, smooth face, thick lips, woolly 

 hair, prognathous features, thin calves, &c. A second, occupy- 

 ing the islands of New Hanover and New Ireland, is slightly 

 modified. The colour is a light brown, scarcely darker than 

 that of South Europeans ; the body is belter proportioned and 

 more fully rounded ; clothing is not worn by the men and rarely 

 by the women. A comparatively strict observance of morality, 

 the rights of property, and family relations was, however, ob- 

 served. A third race, found on the western coast of New 

 Guinea, evidently possesses a slight mixture of Malaysian blood. 

 They are russet brown and dolichocephalous, with intelligent and 

 handsome features, and well proportioned form. Many of the 

 tribes inhabit villages built on piles and well secured against 

 attack. Polygamy is prevalent in certain regions, and a^legalised 

 system of marriage appears to be general. 



We have received from Prof. Henrici the sum of \l. 10s. 

 towards the Gauss Monument Fund. 



The additions to the Zoological Society's Gardens during the 

 past week include a iloolock Gibbon (Hylobaics hooloci:') from 

 Assam, presented by Mr, John Scrymgeoiir ; two Mange's 

 Dasyures {Dasyurus mau^cci) from Australia, presented by Capt. 

 J. C. Harris ; an Antarctic Skua {Stercorarius anlarcticus) from 

 the Antarctic Seas, a Ceylon Hawk Eagle (^Spkzactus ayhiicnsis) 

 from Ceylon, presented by Capt. W. Vincent Legge ; two White 

 eared Conurcs {Conunis Iciicotis) from South America, presented 

 by the Lady GrevUle ; three Touracous (Corythaix persa) from 

 West Africa, presented by Mr. J. G. Tayler and Capt. R. H. 

 Crewe ; a Saddle-billed Stork [Xenorhynchus sencgalciisis), a 

 Black Sternothere (SUnwlharus nigir) from West Africa, five 

 Kappler's Armadillos (Taiiisia kappleri] from South America, 

 purchased ; a Wild Boar {Sus scro/a), born in the Gardens. 



UNIVERSITY INTELLIGENCE 

 Oxford. — The Master and Fellows of Balliol College give 

 notice that they are willing to receive as members of the College 

 without further examination, selected candidates for the Indian 

 Civil Service, not exceeding in number ten, and to assist in their 

 education. Any candidate who wishes to avail himself of this 

 proposal is requested to communicate with the Master of 

 Balliol. 



Cambridge.— The Adams Prize awarded biennially for th 

 best essay on some subjects of Pure Mathematics, Astronomy, 



