yune 21, 1877] 



NATURE 



^53 



then to a telescope. If the pressure in one copper tube were as 

 varied, the phases of the two parts of the beam were unhke, and 

 from the number of fringes, the refraction of the gas could be 

 determined. The influence of pressure was examined, then the 

 refractive power for different wave-lengths, then the influence of 

 temperature ; and the .-ibsolute refractive power deduced from 

 the various factors obtained. The numbers for the latter range 

 from 0-1387 (hydrogen), and 0-2706 (oxygen) to 07036 (sul- 

 phurous acid), and 0-8216 (cyanogen). The refraction of a gas 

 mixture is equal to the sum of the refractions of the mixed gases. 

 But the refraction of a compound is in general greater than that 

 of a mixture of the simple gases composing it. 



As determinations of longitude increase an ever-increasing 

 number of control determinations are obtained. The number of 

 the latter in Germany and Austria is now such that M. Albrecht 

 has considered an attempt at equalisation of the system might 

 prove advantageous, as at least an opinion might be formed 

 regarding the degree of accuracy of the differences of longitude 

 directly measured, and attention would be called to the weak 

 parts of the system. He has accordingly, with M. Sadebeck, 

 attempted an equalisation of the system of longitude determina- 

 tions between the following stations : — Strassburg, Paris,^Mann- 

 heim, Bonn, Leiden, Gottingen, Bracken, Leipzic, Berlin, 

 Vienna, Munich, and Bregenz. An account of the investigation 

 appears in Aiti-oiiomischc Nachrichten, No. 2,132. A numerical 

 value is assigned to the various determinations, which extend 

 over the last fifteen years ; and this was necessarily, of course, 

 somewhat arbitrary in character. In a table M. Albrecht gives 

 for each pair of places the difference of longitude as calculated and 

 the difference observed, and then the difference between the 

 two. The greatest improvements are obtained ui the determina- 

 tions for Leipzig. Vienna and Berlin- Vienna (the difference for 

 the former being + 0-136S., and for the latter 0'l02s.) In the 

 former case, there was some uncertainty as to the personal equa- 

 tion, and in the latter two weak currents had been operated 

 with. The improvements are, of course, only approximate, and 

 the certainty of the individual improvements obtained is con- 

 siderable only when numerous control-determinations are to hand. 

 The result sufficiently shows that a very large number of control- 

 determinations, and an extensive establishment of the system is 

 necessary to remove all doubt with regard to the relative position 

 of the various stations. 



As an illustration of the 'rapid growth of the now celebrated 

 Eucalyptus s^lobulus, we may mention that in the more elevated 

 parts of Jamaica trees now exist about sixty feet high, the trunks 

 of which measure a foot in diameter near the ground. These 

 trees have been raised from seed introduced to the island about 

 six years ago. It is proved that in the lowland districts the tree 

 does not thrive, thus upsetting its suitability for regions in which 

 it was at one time specially advocated. 



The new Journal of Forestry, tire frrst number of which ap- 

 peared on May i, seems to have made a good start, judging from 

 the contents of the two numbers that have now been issued. 

 The contents are sufficiently varied to make the journal welcome 

 to all in any way interested in forests or forest produce, both 

 practically and scientifically, for we find not only articles on 

 forest work for the month, but also a brief resume of Mr. 

 Thiselton Dyer's recent address on "Plant Growth" at the 

 London Institution. 



The additions to the Zoological Society's Gardens during the 

 past week include two Condor Vultures (Sarcorhainphus grvphns'), 

 a Chilian Sea Eagle (Geranoaetus melanolencus) from South 

 America, presented by Mr. John T. North ; two Chaus Cats 

 {Felis chaus) from North Africa, presented by Capt. W. 

 Renney ; a Crested Guan (Penelope cristata) from South America, 

 presented [by Mr. Daniel Miron ; a Green-winged Trumpeter 



(Psophia viridis) from Brazil, a Common Trumpeter {Psophia 

 irepilans), a Demeraran Cock of the Rock [Rupicola ctocea) from 

 Demerara, a Black-necked Stilt (Himaiitopns nigricollis), a Sun 

 Bittern (Eurypyga helias), two Orinoco Geese [Chenalopex jubata], 

 a Capybara (Hvdrochccrus capybara) from South America, a 

 Moor Monkey {Seiiinopilhecus inaurus) from Java, purchased ; 

 six Chilian Pintails (Dafila spinicauJa), seven Summer Ducks 

 [Aix sponsa), bred in the Gardens. 



UNIVERSITY AND EDUCATIONAL 

 INTELLIGENCE 



0.\FORD. — An examination will begin on October 2 for the 

 purpose of electing to a Physical Science Postmastership at 

 Mer.on College. The postmastership is of the annual value of 

 So/, for five years, to be raised after two years, 'at the recom- 

 mendation of the tutors, to 100/. The subjects of examination 

 will be chemistry and physics ; there will be a practical examina- 

 tion in chemistry, and candidates will have opportunities of 

 giving evidence of a knowledge of biology. Further information 

 from the tutor in physical science. 



There will be an examination on October 1 1 for electing to a 

 Natural Science Scholarship at Exeter College. The scholar- 

 ship is of the annual value of 80/. for four years, without any 

 limit of age. The examination will be in biology, chemistry, 

 .iiid physics, and candidates will be expected to show proficiency 

 in at least two of these subjects. The examination will be to a 

 large extent practical, but special weight will be given to a 

 knowledge of general principles. Further information may be 

 obtained from the Natural Science Lecturer, Prof, E. Ray 

 Lankester. 



Mr. M. J. Jackson, of University College, London, has been 

 elected to the vacant (Holmes) Scholarship in Natural Sciences 

 at St. John's College. The scholarship is of the annual value 

 of 100/. for five years. 



Manchester. — Prof. Boyd Dawkins, F.R.S., has just com- 

 pleted his course of Field Lectures on Geology, at Owens College. 

 Upwards of forty students — the largemajonty of whom were other 

 than regular students of the College — availed themselves this 

 >ear of the opportunity offered for acquiring some practical 

 knowledge of geology. Excursions were made to the mountain 

 limestone of Derbyshire, the coal measures near Oldham, the 

 Permian rocks of Alderley Edge, where the copper veins dis- 

 seminated throughout the sandstone were studied, and where 

 traces of prehistoric man, in the shape of a few flint implements, 

 were discovered. During Whit week Oxford was visited, and 

 the Oolitic beds of the neighbourhood were explored. 



During the session which has just closed, 100 students havs 

 worked in the chemical laboratories of Owens College, while the 

 number of students attending the various courses of chemical 

 lectures has amounted to about 200. Over a dozen original 

 cui.imunications have proceeded from the chemical department 

 during the session. 



Taunto!>i College School. — An address of sympathy with, 

 and confidence in, the Rev. W. Tuckwell, head-master of the 

 Taunton College School, is published in the local and educa- 

 tional papers, with the signatures of nearly all the parents. It 

 appears that the school is heavily in debt, and that the numbers, 

 chielly through an attack uf fever, have fallen below the paying 

 point. The panic-stricken officials have selected the head- 

 master as a scapegoat, attribute the loss in numbers to his 

 " unpopularity," and are endeavouring to drive him to resign, 

 a movement against which the parents protest in very animated 

 terms. The part taken by this school and its head-master in 

 working out and popularising the systematic teaching of science 

 in company with the old-fashioned classical curriculum impels 

 us to record these facts, and to look with interest for the result 

 of this latest struggle between Philistinism and culture. 



University College of Wales. — A Welsh gentleman 

 engaged in business in London, in addition to sums of 250/., 

 2,500/., and 1,100/. (the last sum in conjunction with his brother) 

 previously subscribed, has just placed in the hands of the Council 

 of the University College of Wales, a sum of money to be used in 

 promoting scientific agriculture in Wales. According to a 

 circular just issued, " one of the means proi)Osed to be adopted 

 in furtherance of this object is the delivery of courses of lec- 

 tures free of charge to persons engaged in tuition in Wales, 

 whereby they may be qualified for giving elementary instruction 



