156 
October 24.—Prof. L. Gegenbaur, of Krems, communicated a 
emoir entitled ‘* Integral Expressions for the Functions Y™. ‘ 
Dr. Peyritsch presented a memoir on Peloric formations, in 
which he described the types of pelorism in the Labiate, Ver- 
benaceze, Scrophulariaceze, and Ranunculaceze, and endeavoured 
to show the probability that in the Labiatee we have to do with a 
quaternary and not with a quinary type. 
PHILADELPHIA 
Academy of Natural Sciences, May 28.—Frofessor 
Cope exhibited some vertebrae of a Plesiosauroid reptile and 
also those of a smaller species, probably a CZidaszes which 
were found in close proximity near Sheridan, Kansas, by Mr. 
Joseph Savage, of Leavenworth. According to this gentleuan, 
the vertebral column of the C/idastes was found immediately 
below that of the Plesiosauroid and in a reversed position, as 
though it had been swallowed by the latter or larger reptile. 
The largest vertebrae of the C/idastes were about th-ee-quarters 
the length and one-fourth the diameter of those of the Plesiosau- 
roid, and the animal must have furnished a large, or at least a 
long, mouthful for itscaptor. The bones of the C/idastes were 
not in good condition, but resembled those of C. cineriarum 
Cope, though smaller. The Plesiosauroid was new to science, 
being the third species discovered in the Cretaceous of the Nio- 
brara group. Specifically it was nearest to the Llasmosaurus 
platyurus Cope, but was readily distinguished by the relatively 
shorter cervical vertebrze, and the regular acute ridges on the ex- 
terior surfaces near the margin of the articular faces, as well as 
the less contracted form ot all the vertebral centra. Asso- 
ciated with these remains were those of a turtle of the size of 
some of the large C/c/ondide of recent seas. The only portions 
were the scapulo-procoracoid, the coracoid, and the mandible 
nearly complete. The general characters of this form were 
thought to agree with Cynecercus Cope, though the individual 
was larger than that on which the C, zzcisws was established. 
June 4.—Mr. Thomas Meehan presented some specimens of 
the common asparagus, and remarked that in consequence of 
observing last year so many plants that had evidently flowered 
producing no seeds, he had this year examined them in a flower- 
ing condition and found them perfectly dicecious. Imperfect 
stamens existed in the female flowers, but they were never 
polleniferous. An occasional gyncecium in the male flower 
would make a weak attempt to produce a pistil, but no polleni- 
ferous flower ever produces a frnit, There was a great difference 
in the form of the male and female flowers. The former were 
double the length of the latter, and nearly cylindrical, while the 
female flower was rather campanulate. Other observers had 
nearly made the discovery of division in this plant. The old 
‘*English Botany” of Smith gave it the character of being 
occasionally imperfect, and the authors of ‘* Deutchland’s Flora ” 
considered it as occasionally polygamous. But Mr. Meehan was 
satisfied from a half day’s investigation among many plants that 
in this region at least the asparagus is never perfect, but truly 
dicecious. Je had observed another matter, small, but which 
might be of importance to systematic botanists, as well as to 
those engaged in evolutionary studies. One flower had a 
quadrifid stigma, and a four-celled ovary. The trinate type, or 
its multiple, is so closely associated with the endogenous struc- 
ture, that he considered this circumstance particularly worthy of 
note. ‘The male flowers seem very attractive to insects, various 
kinds of which seem to feed on the pollen, The honey bee was 
a frequent visitor. None seemed to be attracted to the female 
flowers. In the division into separate sexes the plant had gained 
nothing in the way of aid by insect fertilisation. Fertilisation 
seemed wholly accomplished by the wind, The male flowers are 
produced in much greater abundance than the female ones. Mr. 
Meehan added that this discovery had a more than usual practi- 
cal importance. Many attempts had been made to improve the 
asparagus, as garden vegetables and the farm cereals had been 
improved ; but it had often been questioned whether these im- 
proved forms would reproduce themselves from seed as other 
garden varieties dil. The tendency of thought the few past 
years had been in the direction of the belief that permanent 
varieties could be raised, and several improved kinds had been 
sent out by seedsmen, and were popular to a considerable 
extent. He said he had himself inclined to this opinion ; but 
this discovery of complete dicecism in asparagus, whereby two 
distinct individual forms were required to produce seed, rendered 
a true reproduction of one original parent impossible, as the 
progeny must necessarily partake of both forms. 
NATURE 
[ Dec. 26,1872 — 
“On the Fishes of the Ambyiacu River,” by Elward D. 
Cope. The collection on which the present examination is — 
based was made by our correspondent at Pebas, John Haux- 
well, It embraces fishes of the small streams tributary to | 
the Ambyiacu, as well as those of the river itself. The Am- 
byiacu is an inconsiderable river, which empties into the Amazon 
near to Pebas, in Eastern Equador, séme distance east of the 
Napo. The results of the examination will be mentioned at the 
close of the list. As was to have been supposed, it consists. 
almost exclusively of representatives of the three great families — 
which abound in the neotropical region ; the Chromidide, re- 
presenting Physoclystous fishes, and the Characinide and Silu- 
ride, representing the Physostomi. The number of newspecies, 
45 in a total of 74, constitutes a considerable addition to ichthy- _ 
ology, especially as the number of new generic forms is also 
rather large. The author adds a list of the species obtained by 
Robert Perkins, of Wilmington, Delaware, on a trip between 
the mouth of the Rio Negro and the Peruvian Amazon or 
Ucayale River. There are several interesting novelties in this 
collection, but their special localities are, unfortunately, not pre- 
served, The specimens generally were large, and in fine condition. 
BOOKS RECEIVED 
Enoutsu.—A Budget of Paradoxes: A. De Morgan (Longmans).— 
Physics and Politics: W. Bagehot (H. S. King and Co).—Grotesque Ani- 
mals: E. W. Cooke (Longmans) —Owens College Junior Course ot Prac- 
tical Chemistry: Roscoe and Jones (Macmillan).—The Hygiene of Air and 
Water: W. Procter (Hardwicke). 
PAMPHLETS RECEIVED 
Encutsu.—The General Glaciation of Jar-Connaught and its Neighbour- 
hood: Kinahan and Close.—Proceedings of the Geologists’ Association, »g 
Vol. ii., No. 7.—Razi: W. Soleman.—Ninth Report of the Belfast Naturalists’ 
Field Club.—The Curability of Cancer, 2nd edition —Introductory Lecture 
on Geology: E Wilson—The Examination Questions in Geology, with 
answers.—Transactions of the Institute of Engineers.—Annual Report of 
Vigilance Association.—A Catalogue of a Collection of Models of Ruled 
Surfaces, constructed by M. ¥. de Lagrange.—Journal of Anatomy and 
Physiology, No. 2.—Weather Report of the Meteorological Office, January- 
March, 1872 —Transactions of the Clifton College Scientific Society, Part 3 
—Journal of the Society of Telegraphic Engineers, No. 1.—Report of the 
Lower Mosely Street School Natural History Society.—Ocean Highways, 
Parts 1, 2,—A Table of the relative value of different Articles of Food: C. 
Ekin —The Advantages of Gas for cooking and heating: M. Ohren.— 
Twelve Months’ Experience with the A.B.C. Process of Purifying Sewage : 
W. Crookes.—Provident Knowledge Papers, Nos. 1-12. : 
AMERICAN AND Cotonrat.—Canadian Naturalist, vol. iv., Nos. 9-10.— 
New Remedies: H. J. Wood, vol. ii. No. 2.—The Birds of Florida: C. J. 
Maynard, No. 1.—Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society, Jan- 
uary-June, 1871.—Deductive and Inductive Training: B. Silliman.—The 
Australian Mechanic, Nos. 8 and 9.—Indiana Journal of Medicine fe 
September.—Lippincott’s Magazine for November.—Proceedings of the 
Asiatic Society of Bengal for August. : 
Zeitschrift fiir Meteorologie, Nos. 20-23.—Zeitschrift fiir Ethnologie,. No. 
21.—Le Fhysiometre: P. Harting.—Ofversigt af kong!. Vetenskaps Akad. 
Forhandlinger.—Bulletin de Académie Royale de Belgique, Nos. 9 and 10. _ 
Sitzungsb. der k. k. Akad der Wiss. zu Wien, Nos. 24, 25.—Bulletin de la 
Société de Geographie de Paris, September. 
ForeIGN.—Sitzungsb. der geologischen Reichsanstalt zu Wien, No. 
ka 
CONTENTS . PaGE 
Tue ProGress or NaTuRAL Science Durtnc THE Last Twenty- 
FIVE YEARS, I. . . 
ee a Onan Slee aS 
EXPLORATION OF THE SouTH PoLar Recions,III.. . .... . 4 
Fayrer’s THANATOPHIDIA OF INDIA. . . 4 6 « oa a) Voor eae 
Our: Book SHELF... lis \« oie eee! se) oT te ie 
Lerrers To THR Eprror:— 
The Meteorology of the Future.—J. J. Murphy, F.G.S.. . . . 142 
Popular Science in 2872'. 2% Oise ete el ee) Se + 142 
Upon the Direction in which the North Magnetic Pole has moved 
during the last two Centuries . 2 ig sy mela) val naene 
Height of Thunderclouds—E.H. PRINGLE . ......, 143 
Periopicity oF RaINFALLe By G.J.SyMoNS . ......, 143 
Max Mutter on Darwin’s PuttosopHy oF LANGUAGE . . . . 145 
Curtous Fir@RaLy (With Illustration.). . ... 1... . 9. . 146 
Recent Discoveries In THE GREAT Pyramip or EcyPT.—ANCIENT 
Eyprian WEIGHT (With Illustrations...» .....¢ 146 
pe DIATHERMANCY OF FLamE. By Capt. J. Ericsson... . 149 
OTES , 4 eis 88 be tee yg) Miter ks relly alee | en 
Tue Diosmoric Properties OF COLLOIDS . . . ss se ee . ee 
SCIENTIFIC. SERTALS*. =..'/c a Seeman fee re Se te 5 ee 
SOcIETIES AND “ACADEMIES, Hane eT nes Mo Gta, ee eee 154 
Books anp Pamputets RECEIVED . -.......,.., + 156 
Errata.—No. 159, p. 28, col. 1, line 8 from bottom, for “* microscope” read 
— ¢, 5Pectroscope ;”” col. 2, lines 16-19 from bottom, for ‘an absolute” read 
=. one, absolute,” and for “impossible” read “ improbable,” 
