196 
NATURE 
talline bodies of definite composition—M. Phillips read a paper 
on the flow of liquids from reservoirs, maintained at a constant 
level, through a large orifice in a thin side.—A report on M. 
Arn. Thenard’s researches on the effect of electric discharges on 
gases and vapours was next read. The author worked with a 
modification of Houzeau’s ozonising tube; he found that a 
gentle discharge acting on a slow stream of carbonic anhydride 
decomposed 26'5 per cent. into carbonic oxide and oxygen. De 
Saussure, working with sparks, never.succeeded in decomposing 
more than 7°5 per cent. A long-continued discharge acts on the 
glass tube and covers it with powder, and when in this state the 
decomposition resembles that produced by sparks, the removal 
of the deposit restores the original power.—M. Janssen 
read the first part of a report on the eclipse of December 
12, 1871.—An essay on the interdependence of meteorological 
phenomena by Father Solaro was sent to the Physical section. 
—A letter from M. Denis on certain deductions tending to 
simplify the principles of natural philosophy was referred 
to a special commission.—M.Rouget’s note on a_ theorem 
which extends to imaginary roots the method given by Sturm 
for real roots, was referred to M. O. Bonnet.—M. Yvon 
Villarceau presented an account of the discovery and observa- 
tions of Planetoid 128 at Ann Arbor by Mr. James Watson, 
and also some observations of 128 made at Marseilles} by M. 
Borrelly.—M. F. Perrier read a note on the Astronomica station 
of Dar-Baida near Oran——M. Laussedat read some observations 
on the prolongation of the French Meridian into Spain and 
Algeria.—Colonel H. Levret followed with some observations on 
M. Laussedat’s paper, and a letter to Colonel Levret on the 
same subject from General Blondel followed.—Next came a note 
on celestial mechanics by M. Newcombe.—M. de Pambour read 
a note on the caiculus of effects by the method of coefficients 
applied to water wheels.—M. Wurtz presented a note by M. 
Gariel on the distribution of magnetism in magnets, which was 
followed by a new note on the action of conductors placed sym- 
metrically about an electroscope by M. Ch. V. Zenger.—M. 
Balard presented a note on a new application of silver salts for the 
production of designs, by M. Renault. The author describes a 
new method of printing from engravings, &c.—A note from 
M. Schutzenberger on the action of Iodine on certain of the 
Aromatic Hydrocarbons was then read. <A certain quantity of 
hydriodic acid is formed and acts as a hydrogenating agent.— 
M. Cahours presented a note by M. Jungfleisch on the Reciprocal 
‘Transformation of Inactive Tartaric and Racemic Acids and on 
the preparation of the former. Inactive tartaric acid is prepared 
by heating dextrotartaric acid and water to 160° for two days, 
removing the racemic acid (only a small quantity is formed) 
by crystallisation, saturating half the liquid with potassic 
hydrate, adding the other half and separating the very soluble 
potassium salt by repeated crystallisations——A note by M. 
Defresne on the Biliary and Pancreatic Secretions of Omni- 
vorous Animals followed. Next came a paper on Normal 
Torsion of the Humerus in the Vertebrata, by M. J. Durand.— 
M. Milne Edwards presented a note on the Structure of the 
Beak of the Platalea, by M. Jobert ; and also a note on certain 
passages from an Arab author of the tenth century, relative to 
the gigantic birds of South-East Africa, by M. Devic.—A note on 
the Meteors of November 27, observed at Palermo, by Father 
Tacchini, was read. 
DIARY 
THURSDAY, January 9. 
Rovat Society, at _8.30,—Further Researches on the Sense of Sight in 
Birds: Dr. R. J. Lee.—Confirmation of the Existence of an Intra-Mer- 
curial Planet by means of the Behaviour of Sun-spots: W. De La Rue, 
B. Stewart, and B. Loewy.—On the Union of Ammonia-Nitrate with 
Ammonia: Dr. E, Divers ——On a New Method of Viewing the Chromo- 
sphere: J. N. Lockyer and G. M. Seabroke 
Society oF ANTIQUARIES, at 8.30.—Further Particulars Respecting the 
Early Discovery of Australia: R, H. Major. 
Royat Socrery Civs, at 6. 
Marntemaricat Socrery, at 8.—On Parallel Surfaces: S. Roberts. —Sum- 
mation of certain Series: Prof. Wolstenholme. 
cae INSTITUTION, at 3.—Juvenile Lectures—On Air and Gas: Prof. 
dling. 
FRIDAY, January 10, 
QuEKeETT Cus, at 8. 
ASTRONOMICAL Society, at 8. 
SATURDAY, Janvary 11. 
Royat Botanic Society, at 3 45. 
SUNDAY, January 12. ; 
Sunpay Lecture Society, at 4.—The Musalmans of India and Central 
Asia: Dr. F. J. Mouat. 
MONDAY, January 13. 
Roya GEOGRAPHICAL Society, at 8.30. 
Mepicat Society, at 8. _ i tes 
Lonpon InstiTuTION, at 4 —(Holiday Course, 11.).—On Air, Earth, Fire, — 
and Water: Prof. Armstrong. , 
TUESDAY, January 14. 
Rovat MepicaL AND CHIRURGICAL Socigty, at 8.30. 
PuoroGRarHic Society, at 8.—On the Photographic Operations of the 
Royal Observatory at Greenwich with Astronomical and Meteorological 
Records : J. Glaisher.—The Fading of Albumenised Pictures: E. J. Gayer. 
Society or Crvit ENGINEERS, at 8. 7 i 
Roya InsTiruTION, at 8.—On the Forces and Motions of the Body: Prof. 
Rutherford. 
——e 
WEDNESDAY, JANvARY 15, 
Lonpon INsTiTUTION, at 7.—Ancient Science: G. F. Rodwell. 
METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY, at 7.—On Solar Radiation: Rev F. W. Stow. 
—On Temperature in Sun and Shade; an Account of Experiments made 
at Harpenden, Herts: Rev. F, W.Stow.—Remarks on the Pocky Cloud, 
observed July 27, 1872: J. S. Harding.—Account of Hurricane in Western 
Australia: R J. Sholl. p 
Society or Arts, at 8.—On the Sulphur Deposits of Krisuvik, [Iceland ; 
Charles W. Vincent. 
THURSDAY, January 16. 
Royat InsriruTion at 8.—On Oxidation : Dr. Debus. 
ZOOLOGICAL Society, at 4. ' 
Royat Society, at 8.30. 5 
Society OF ANTIQUARIES, at 8.30. kd, 
Linnean Society, at 8.—On the Recent Synonyms of Brazilian Ferns: 
J. G. Baker 
Cuemicar Society, at 8.—On Ethylamyl: Mr. Grimshaw.—On the Hep- 
tanes from Petroleum: C. Schorlemmer —On the Vanadates of Thallium : 
T. Carnelley.—On the Formation of Sulphide of Sodium by the Action of 
Sulphuretted Hydrogen upon Sodium Chloride ; C. T. Kingzeth, 
Numismatic Society, at 7. 
Royat Society Cuus, at 6. 
BOOKS RECEIVED 
EnGtisH.—The Gospel of the World’s Divine Order: D. Campbell 
(Triibner). 
PAMPHLETS RECEIVED 
ENGLtsu.— Natural History Transactions of Northumberland and 
Durham, Part 2, Vol. iv. (Wilhams & Norgate)—Workman’s Magazine, 
No. 1: (Kent).—Transactions of the Institute of Engineers and Ship- 
builders in Scotland.—Popular Science Monthly, No. 9,—Little Hodge: 
Author of ‘‘Ginx’s Baby” (King) —Astronomical Register, No. 121.— 
Journal of Botany, No. 121.—Society of Telegraph Engineers ; Annual 
Report.—Evidence for the Ice Sheet in North Lancashire and adjacent 
parts of Yorkshire and Westmoreland: R. H. Tiddeman.—Note on an 
Experiment to predict the Annual Rainfall: W. Pengelly.—Rainfall on the 
St. Mary Church Road, Torquay, during the Eight Years ending Dec. 31, 
1871: W. Pengelly.—Literature of the Oreston Caverns near Plymouth : 
W. Pengelly.—Is ita Fact? W. Pengelly.—Signs of Hotels, Taverns, Inns, 
&c., in Devonshire: W. Pengelly—On the Kombé Arrow Poison (Sfvo- 
phanthus Hispidus, D.C.) of Africa: Thos R. Fraser, M.D.—Messenger 
of Mathematics, No. 20, 
AmeRIcAN.—American Naturalist, vol. vi. No. 12,—American Journal of 
Insanity, vol. xxix. No. 2.—Penn Monthly, Nos. 29—33. 
ForEIGN.—Journal de Physique, No. 12.—Nuovo Giornale Botanico, 
vol. iv. No. 4.—Bulletin de l’Academie Royale des Sciences de Belgiquer 
No. 11.—Bulletins de Ja Societé d’Anthropologie de Paris, Nos. 1-4.—V. der 
K. K. Geologischer Reichsanstalt, No. 16.—Poggendorff’s Annalen der 
Physik und Chimie, Nos, 12 and 13. 
CONTENTS Pace 
Deep Sprincs (With Illustrations.) . . . 6 6 + +s . «© wo WT 
SHELLEY'S Birps oF EGyPT 4 ©. 2 >) Gs ole «6 pa aunmage 
Our Book SHetF. . . o 06love « 0) 0 © le fete eT 
Lerrers To THE EpiTor:— 
Dr. Bastian’s Experiments on the Beginnings of Life.—Dr. Burvon- 
SanvErson, F.R.S.. , oe ke se lease) a. fe. «5 aan et cee 
The Recent Star Shower at'Sea $=). se ssp te 
Curious Auroral Phenomenon.—W. GiFFoRD PALGRAVE. . . . 181 
The Spectrum of the Aurora and of the Zodiacal Light—J. Ranp 
Capron o 2 a. sie. aeidins Bly aketn lees ) lott are ore 
Ocean Rainfall—G. J. Symons. . . . . + + + « « « « « 983 
InrRopucrory Lecture oF THE MurcHISON Cuair or GazoLocy 
aT EpinsurGu, II. By Prof Geikiz, F.R.S.. . .... . . 183 
Tue Recent Star SHower. By Prof A. S. Herscuer, F.R.A.S. 
(With Iilustrations.). . 1.» «+ ee ee ee og oy OE 
Norss . os + '*. oie MeMMBMIb tn Toads ans 8.05) te.” «5 pan 
THE SCIENTIFIC ORDERS OF THE “CHALLENGER” . . . . . 19r 
TERRESTRIAL MaGnetism, II. By Rev. S. J. Perry. . . .-. « 103 
SCIENTIFIC SERIALS 5) sss reise Ae eke Tails Wiel igen 194 
SOCIETIES AND ACADEMIES Silueiue) tine, (solv jc\'e's © Sau 195 
Books AND PAMPHLETS RECEIVED . +. «+ ss + «1 eee 196 
PDA e's ew a toe fu SOREN mC eatin mre e+ + © © 196 
