96 
NATURE az ; 
and a few hundred yards ahead the squall was seen approach- 
ing. The sea was elsewhere covered with full-sized waves, but 
under the influence of the hurricane it became one dead-level of 
creamy foam, the top of every wave being swept off into spray 
as soon as it arose. When the squall struck the vessels the 
thermometer fell at once from 81° to 53° ; torrents of rain swept 
the decks, accompanied with continuous thunder and lightning. 
After two hours the wind changed into a gale from the south- 
east, followed by a calm. It was noticed that the barometer 
was unaffected till the last moment, but as soon as the storm 
arrived it rose two-tenths of an inch, and fell again as it passed 
over. The electrical instruments, although of the most 
sensitive character, were not at all affected during the storm. 
The other papers read were “On the Meteorology of South- 
land, New Zealand, in 1871,” by Mr. C. R. Martin, and 
‘‘On a Self-registering Tide-gauge and Electrical Barograph,” 
by Mr. H. C. Russell, B.A., Government Astronomer, Sydney. 
Paris 
Academy of Sciences, Nov. 18.—M. Faye, president, in 
the chair.—The meeting commenced with another instalment of 
the ferment controversy, M. Pasteur rising and objecting to M. 
Fremy’s remarks as reported in the Comptes Rendus of the last 
meeting. M. Bouillaud followed, expressing his regrets that M. 
Pasteur’s proposition with regard to the experiments had not 
been acceded to. M. A. Trécul then rose, and regretted that 
certain words which had appeared in the same number had not 
been uttered at the meeting. He then read a note criticising M. 
Pasteur’s remarks at that meeting. The discussion then dropped, 
and M, Tresca read a note on the best form for the international 
standard meters. He proposes a section like the letters H or X. 
—M. Bouillaud then read a paper on the theory of the produc- 
tion of animal heat—M. F. Perrier read a paper on the 
prolongation of the French meridian into the Sahara by means 
of the trigonometrical junction of Algiers with Spain.—The next 
paper was by M. Jeannel on the natural production of nitrates 
and nitrites. Among other conclusions the author arrives at 
this, that ‘‘calcareous humus” in drying determines the com- 
bination of the elements of the air.—M. Max Marie presented 
the concluding paper of his series on the elementary theory of 
integrals of any order and their periods, after which followed a 
paper on a new method of analysis founded on the use of imagi- 
nary co-ordinates, by M. F. Lucas.—M. C. Dareste presented his 
fifth paper on the osteological types of osseous fishes.—*‘ Studies 
on the ventilation of transports” was a paper by. M. E. Bertin, 
giving the results of some experiments on ventilation made on 
board the Calvados and Garonne, transports. The apparatus 
used, worked by the waste heat of the furnaces, evacuated 35,000 
cubic metres of air per hour from the lower decks.—Notes on the 
Phylloxera were received from M. Saint-Pierre and M. Loarer. 
The former has found the insects on the wild vines of Vaucluse 
known as Jambrusgues, and hence considers that the general 
opinion that this disease is the result of cultivation is erroneous. 
Both letters were sent to the P/y//oxera Commission, and 
notes from M. F. Barilla ona remedy for cholera, and M. G. 
Fabretti on the transmission of infectious miasmata were sent to 
that appointed to administer the Bréant legacy.—A note from 
M. Curral on the realisation of perpetual motion in the planetary 
system was submitted to the examination of M. Phillips, 
while a note from M. Andru on the quadrature of the circle 
was, in accordance with a very old rule of the Academy, con- 
sidered as not received.—M. Serret then presented a note on the 
planetoid 116 Sirona, by M. F. Tisserand.—M. J. Bourget’s 
Memoir on the Mathematical Theory of Kundt’s acoustic experi- 
ments followed, after which came a note on “ Magnetic Energy ” 
by M. A. Cazin.—M. E. Becquerel next presented a note on the 
multiplicity of images, and the theory of accommodation, a 
paper on optical physiology, by M. F. P. Le Roux.—M. Sainte- 
Claire Deville then communicated an account of M. Cailletet’s re- 
searches on liquid carbonic anhydride and M. F. Pisani’s descrip- 
tion and analyses of a new silver amalgam from Konsberg in Nor- 
way.—M. Becquerel presented M. Aug Guerout’s researches on the 
action of sulphurous anhydride on recently precipitated insoluble 
sulphides. The author finds that a hyposulphite is the result of 
the reaction which takes place in three successive stages, these 
are the formation of a sulphite and hydrosulphuric acid, the 
decomposition of the latter, and of the sulphurous anhydride into 
sulphur and water, and the combination of this sulphur, whilst in 
the nascent state, with the sulphite formed at first.—A note on 
the geographical distribution of the Percina by M. Léon Vaillant 
came next ; and then M. A, Gaudry’s note on a tooth of Z/ephas 
primigenius from Alaska. The tooth contained as much 
23°97 percent. of organic matter.—Next came M. A, Laboulbéne’s — 
paper on the elevation of central temperature in cases of acute 
pleurisy, on the abstraction of the liquid from the pleura, the 
temperature rose from 0°'2 to 0°°3 C. after the operation.—M, — 
Béchamp followed with observations on M. Pasteur’s paper, in 
which he stated that the wine ferment came from the grape skin. — 
_ 
BOOKS RECEIVED. LB 
Encuisu.—How I found Livingstone in Central Africa: H. M. Stanley 
(Sampson Low and Co.) —A Report on the Expedition to Western Yunan, — 
vid. Bham6: Dr. Anderson, Calcutta.—Mineral Phosphates and Pure Fer- 
tilisers: C. Morfit (Triibner).—The Physiology of Man; Nervous System: 
A. Flint (Appleton and Co).—Elements of Zoology : Andrew Wilson (A aad 
. Black).—Small Pox and Vaccination: Dr. C, Both (Triibner). 
Foreicn.—Beitrage zur Biologie der Pflanzen: Dr. F. Cohn, Heft II. 
DIARY 
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5. * 
Rovat Society, at 8.30.—On the Colouring Matters derived from Aromatic — 
Azodiamines. 2. Safranine: Dr. Hofmann, F.R.S , and Dr. Geyger.— 
Synthesis of Aromatic Monamines, by intra-molecular atomic interchange: _ 
Dr. Hofmann, F.R.S.—Investigation of the Attraction of a Galvanic — 
Coil on a small Magnetic Mass: J. Stuart. 
Society OF ANTIQUARIES, at 8.30—On Certain Prevailing Errors respect- — 
© ing French Chambered Barrows: Rev. W. C. Lukis, M.A. TS 
Linnean Sociaty, at 8.—On the Skeleton of the Afteryx: Thomas — 
» Allis. —On New and Rare British Spiders: Rev. O. P. Cambridge, M.A, — 
Cuemica Society, at 8.—On the Reducing Power of Phosphorous and 
Hypophosphorous Acids and their Salts: Prof. C. Rammelsberg. —On 
Hypophosphites: Prof. C. Rammelsberg.—On New Analyses of some — 
Mineral Arseniates and Phosphates: Prof. A. H. Church. 
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6, 
Geotocists’ AssociaTion, at 8.—On Coal Seams in the Permian at Ifton, 
Shropshire, with Remarks on the Supposed Glacial Climate of the Permian 
oe D. C. Davies,—Note on a Well Section at Finchley: Caleb — 
vans. 
» 
“4 
SUNDAY, DecemBEr 8. " : 
Sunpay Lecture Society, at 4 —On Arctic Experience ; with a descrip- 
tion of the Esquimaux ; John Rae, M.D. 
MONDAY, DscemBeEr 9. 
Royat GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY, at 8.30, 
TUESDAY, DECEMBER Io. , 
Lonpon InstITUTION, at4.—On Elementary Physiology : Prof. Rutherford. 
PuoroGRAPuHic Society oF Lonpon, at 8.—Landscape Photography: F, 
C. Earl —A New Actinometer ; J. R. Johnson. 
WEDNESDAY, Decemper 11, 
Society or ARTS, at 8.—On Galvanic Batteries: Rey. H. Highton. 
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12. 
Royvav Society, at 8,30. 
SocigTy OF ANTIQUARIES, at 8.30. 
Lonpon MariHeMarticat Society, at 8.—On Geodesic Lines, especial 
those of a Quadric Surface ; and on the Mechanical Description of certain 
Quartic Curves by a modified Oval Chuck: Prof. Cayley.—Note on the 
breaking up of the Inharmonic-ratio Sextic: J.J. Walicer, 
CONTENTS P. 
eae Srar-sHower. By Prof. A. S. HERSCHEL, 
FERMENTATION AND PutreFAction, II. By Prof, Wyvitte Tuomson, 
(With Wlustration.) te 6 ahs 
oe" co eae 
Tue Finpinec oF LivincsToneE. 
Ova Book SHELF. 
Letters TO THE EpriToR:— 
Ipecacuanha Cultivation at Kew.—G. Kino, F.L.S. . . . . « 
Great Meteoric Shower (With Diagram).—Rev. S. J. Perry, 
F.R.A.S.; A. W. Scott; Rey. H. i. Hiaains ; E. V. Picorr; 
J. Curry ; W. F. Dennine, F.R.A.S; T. Fawcett ; W. Swan 
Metamorphosis of Insects.—Pror. P. M. Duncan, F.R.S.. . . 
Prizes OF THE FRENCH ACADEMY OF SCIENCES . . . « « s 
Mrs. SOMERVILLE 
WINGERS ee 2 eis odie Seen as (ss 
Tue BirtH or Cuemistry, V. By G. F. Ropwe tt, F.C.S. (With 
Ulisesyations.) ....'.s! os Wel eneena iss at ee 
ee Ecuirse ExrepirTion, 1871, II. By J. Norman Lockyer 
ScientiFic SERIALS. . . . 
SocrETIES AND ACADEMIES . 
LCS Sal Se aero = 
Books REcEIVED. ... . ies we 
I MT aay nr 
” 
Errata.—No. 157, p. 540, 2nd col, 1. 15: For “ 2328"3 = 2,250,821,000,” 
read ‘‘2328"3 X 2,250,821,000 ;” p 541, 1st col, 1 14 from bottom: for 
‘‘absolute certainty” read ‘‘supposed absolute certainty,” No. 160, p 
47, 1st col., ]. 14; for ‘* water-fall” read ‘ water falling.’ 
en 
* 
