of sedimentary formations, are divisible into two members ; the 
lower, consisting chiefly of quartz-slates and quartzi‘es, contains 
ores of copper and iron; the upper, formed by mica-slates, red 
gneiss, calcareous and amphibolic slates, includes the so-called 
black iron ores and manganese ores of Takobeni and Dorna. 
The sedimentary rocks are red sandstone, triassic limestone, 
lower and upper Neocomian, Cenomanian, Nummulitic rocks, 
and higher up the large masses of Carpathian sandstone. 
Besides the regular survey, almost all the members of the Insti- 
tute made particular inquiries in different parts of the empire, 
partly for exclusively scientific purposes, but chiefly for the solu- 
tion of questions of practical interest. An important discovery 
was thus made by Dr. Stache; he found in the slates south of 
the Gaiethal in Carinthia numerous Graptolites, the first certain 
proof of the existence of Silurian rocks in the southern Alps. 
Paris 
Academy of Sciences, Dec. 16.—M. Faye, president, in 
the chair. The president of the Institute informed the Academy 
that its first general meeting for 1873 would be held on January 
8, and wished the Academy to appoint a member to represent 
it as reader on that occasion.—General de Cisscy, Minister of 
War, announced that his department had decided on the re- 
determination of the French meridian which has at present many 
errors, as it is advisable that the French section of the great line 
extending from Shetland to the Sahara should equal in accuracy 
the English, Spanish, and Algerian portions. Captain Perrier 
is to have charge of the work, and the Academy is asked to 
appoint a committee of revision—The president then read an 
addition to his physical theory of the sun explaining the nature 
of the spots He defends his theory against some recent criti- 
cisms of Messrs. Spencer and Kirchhoff. le regards the spots 
as produced by cyclones which form a funnel-shaped cavity in the 
photosphere. Round the edge of this hole the photosphere and 
chromosphere are heaped together, and into it masses of cooler 
atmosphere are drawn by the vortex, and they then exert their 
absorptive power.—M. Jamin read a note on the distribution 
of magnetism.—M. Belgrand then read a second note on the 
floods of the Seine —M. Daubrée read a note ona meteorite 
which fell near Bandong, Java; the governor of the Dutch 
Indies had sent a portion to the museum, An analysis has been 
published in the Archives Néerlandaises of Haarlem,. vol. ° vi. 
1871, by Mr. Von. Baumhauer. The meteorite contains iron, 
nickel, cobalt, chromium, manganzse, magnesium, aluminium, 
sodium, potassium, calcium, oxygen, sulphur, and silicon.—M. 
Fréd. Kuhlmann then read an account of a search for 
iodine and bromine in some phosphatic minerals, iodine was 
distinctly recognised, but bromine if present was only there in 
inappreciable quantities—M. F. Perrier read a note on a new 
determination of the French meridian.—The Phyl/oxera Com- 
mission presented extracts from two papers by MM, Max 
Cornu and ,E. Duclaux: they also asked permission to present 
their report at an early date. Notes on the same subject 
were received from MM. R. Shore and Alderly.—M. de 
Wissocq presented a paper entitled ‘‘ A Study of the Works re- 
quired to prevent the Floods of the Loire-—M. Sacc sent a 
letter on the preservation of food, which was referred to the 
commission on that subject.—M. F. Perrier read an answer to a 
note of M, Laussedat on the prolongation of the Spanish 
meridian into Algeria. The answer related partly to questions 
of priority as concerns the proposed prolongation.—M. I. Lucas 
presented some observations on a note on mathematical physics, 
by M. Quet.—M. Gernez sent a note on the supposed action 
of thin films of liquids on supersaturated solutions, The 
author asserts that Tomlinson and Van der Mensbrugghe 
are deceived in their idea that films cause crystallisation. M. 
Gernez states that this is not caused by a film fer se, but by 
crystalline particles contained in it.—M. A. Treve read a note 
on magnetism, which was followed by a note by MM. Troost and 
Hautefeuille on some derivatives of the oxychlorides of silicon. 
—M. A. Boillot read a note on a new method of preparing ozone 
by means of carbon. The carbon is employed as the conducting 
film on the suiface of the ozoniser. M. Gérardin presented a 
note on the amount cf oxygen dissolved in rain water and in that 
of the Seine. Fine and persistent rain contains less oxygen than 
that of heavy and short showers.—Next came a note from M. 
Lortet on penetration of /ewcocytes into the interior of organic 
membranes, 
NATURE 
. * . r Tal 
Geo.ocists’ As ;octaTIon, at 8.—On the Cambrian and Silurian Rocks of © 
Ramsey Island, St. David's: Henry Hicks.—On the Diprionide of the 
Moffat Shale ; Charles Lapworth. Wik 
. S 
SUNDAY, January 5. ee, 
Sunpay Lecture Society, at 4.—The next Transit of Venus, and the — “et 
‘s 
FRIDAY, January 3. rs a 
measurement of the distances of the Planets from the Sun; W. J. Lewis. 
MONDAY, “January 6. 
Lonvon InstituTIon, at 4 —On Air, Earth, Fire, and Water: Prof, Arm- 
strong (Holiday Course,1I .) 
ENYroMOLOGICAL Socigty, at 7. ue 
Society or British ARCHITECTS, at 8. eae, 
Mepicat Society, at 8. a 
Vicroria INsTITUTE, at 8. Py 
ms 
TUESDAY, January 7. oY: Ay 
PATHOLOGICAL Society, at 8 —Anniversary. a 
ANTHROPOLOGICAL InsTITUTE, at 8.—The Atlantean Race of Western 
Europe: The late J. W. Jackson.—The Kojahs of Southern India : Dr. 
John Shortt —Primordial Inhabitants of Brazil: M. H. Gerber and 
Capt. Burton. 
Socizry or BisricaL ARCHAOLOGY, at 8 30. 0 } - 
Zootocicat Society, at 8.30.—Contributions to a general History of the __ 
Spongiade (Yart 1V): Dr. Bowerbank —Report on a Collection of 
Sponges found at Ceylon, by E. W H. Holdsworth: Dr. Sone ee 
On the Value in Classification of a peculiarity in the anterior margin ‘ 
the Nasal Bones of some Birds: A. H. Garrod. : AE ei 
ee INSTITUTION, at 3.—Juvenile Lectures—On Air and Gas: Prof. ps 
idling. ~ ss 
Geotocicat SocieTy at 8.—On the Secondary Rocks of Scotland.— ‘= 
Part I. The Strata of the Eastern Coast: J. W. Judd.—Obseryations on — 
a 
WEDNESDAY, January 8. ; 
the more remarkable Boulders of the North West of England and the & 7 
Welsh Borders: D. Mackintosh. I 
Graruic Socixty, at 8. . . 
Roya Society or LiTeRATuURE, at 8, “ 
ARCHAOLOGICAL A SOCIATION, at 8, . 
= 
THURSDAY, Janvary 9. 4 
Royvat Sociery, at 8.30. 
Society OF ANTIQUARIES, at 8.30. ’ 
Koyar Socrery Crus, at 6. : 
MaruEMATICAL Sociery, at 8,—On Parallel Surfaces: S. Roberts. —Sum- 
mation of certain Series: Prof. Wolstenholme. c Mf 
Royat Institution, at 3.—Juvenile Lectures—On Air and Gas: Prof. — 9 
Odting. a 
shail 
; —_-— — a if 
ie ug 
4 a 
BOOKS RECEIVED ee 
EnGuisu.—Faith and Free Thought: S. Wilberforce (Hodder and 
Stoughton),—A Series of Botanical Labels for Herbaria: ff E. Robson” 
(Hardwicke) —The Coal-Fields of Great Britain. 3rd edit.: E. Hull — 
(Stanford).—Reprint of Papers on Electrstatics and Magnetism: Sir os 
William Thomson (Macmillan & Co.). > 
CONTENTS 
Tue GovERNMENT AND THE Arctic ExPEDITION. .. .« okt 
‘Tne ProGress oF Narurat Science During rue Last TwenTy- 
RIVE YEARS, II. 9...) 2) site) set aei ane ce te kn) eet enea a 
VALENTIN’S CHEMISTRY: « .-« 0! ©) © \s- (5 e0ietey Sennen 
LEYTERS TO THE EpiroR:— 
Periodicity of Rainfall—Ateert J. Morr. . . . . +. s 
Eleven-Year Rainfall Period. —S. M. DracH. . « « » s « « 
Pollen-eaters.—W. E, HART... ss ueucs «, > ae 
Fresh Water on the Coast of Tobago.—Hon, Rawson W Rawson 
International Book Conveyance.—G. J. SYMONS . . . « « 
Dr. Cohn’s Address,—J.D. EVERETT . .. . 5 se 
Salmonidz of Great Britain.—W. S. Symonps_. 
Geographical Distribution of Dipterocarpeax.—W. W. 
Honest Cyclopwedias a Mama te) Saye ate) ae 
‘The Boring in Sussex —J. E,H. Peyron . . 
Reflected Sunshine.—E. W. Prince . . . . 
Electricity and Earthquakes —W. W. Woop. . 
Atmospheric Refraction.—J. D. Evererr. . 
Bieta’s Comer. By N.R.Pocson .. . . 
Hints ON COLLECTING ARACHNIDA . . . . ° 
InTRopuctoxy Lecture or THE MurcHison CHAIR OF 
av Epinsurcu, By Prof, Gerk1Ee iy NE 
ON THE SpEcTROSCOPE AND ITS APPLICATIONS, II. 
Lockyer, F.R.S. (With Illustrations.) . : 
Noes: 23)" '5 °°. ae ee sees 
Terrestrial Macnetism. By Rev. S. J. Perry 
Screntiric SERIALS. . . tf iach 
Gaotocy 
at 
SocteT1gs AND ACADEMIES .. .. . 6 
Books REcEivep . . WY sti 
Bier oe apis terse 
ein,” st Be p< 
il \me  See 
Hee, p.¥ cap feed 
