BiG NATURE 
I am disposed to view them all as varieties merely of A. salina. 
Prof. Leidy stated that from time to time he had observed speci- 
mens of teeth from various cretaceous formations which were 
identical in character with those of Zamna elegans and L. cuspidata 
of tertiary deposits, except that they were devoid of the lateral 
denticles. He had now in his possession well-preserved speci- 
mens of such teeth, unabraded, but exhibiting no trace of the 
existence of lateral denticles. There were teeth of the Z. elegans 
variety found with the skeleton of Hadrosaurus Foulkii in New 
Jersey, and others from the cretaceous of Mississippi and Kansas. 
There were also teeth of the Z. cuspidata variety from the creta- 
ceous of Kansas, and one in a block of chalk from Sussex, Eng- 
land. The absence of the lateral denticles in all the cretaceous 
specimens he thought could hardly be accidental, and suspected 
that these teeth represented the oxyrrhina ancestors, of the terti- 
ary Lamna elegans and L. cuspidata, which lived during the cre- 
taceous era, 
PARIS 
Academy of Sciences, Dec. 30, 1872.—M. Faye, president, 
in the chair. The president read the second portion of hi 
paper on the solar spots. He argued in favour of their cyclonic 
nature, and said that the pores were simply minute spots. He 
pointed out that Wilson, in 1783, had suggested that the spots 
were ‘‘eddies and whirlpools,” and that Sir J. Herschel had made 
use of a similar phrase, but that the knowledge only recently ob- 
tained was required before these suggestions could be accepted.— 
M. Jamin read a note on concealed magnetism (magnétisme dis- 
simulé). The author found that when a current used to magne- 
tise a horse-shoe bar of iron attained a certain power, the bar 
appeared to return to its natural state; but that, with either 
stronger or weaker currents, magnetism was produced. This 
neutral state he calls ‘* concealed magnetism,” and supposes it 
to be due to a particular distribution of the magnetic force. —A 
note from Mr. A. Cayley on the condition under which a family 
of surfaces forms part of an orthogonal system, was next read.— 
M. Janssen read the second part of his report on the eclipse of 
December 31. It was referred to the astronomical section. —M. 
F. P. Le Roux read a paper on peri-polar induction. The 
author applies the above name to a new form of electro-mag- 
netic phenomena, in which the different points of the body acted 
on remain at the same distance from the active pole.—A paper 
on the dimensions of the pores of membranes by M. Guerout 
was presented by M. Becquerel.—M. Delafont sent a memoir on 
the first elements of the theory of conjugate points and right 
poles, which was submitted to the examination of M. Serret.— 
MM. Le Clére and Du Plantys sent a note on Phyl/oxera which 
were sent to thatcommission; anda second memoir on fermenta- 
tion from M. Sacc was referred to a special commission. — Gene- 
ral Doutrelaine sent a note relating to the questions of priority 
concerning the prolongation of the French meridian ; M. Bail- 
laud the elements and ephemerides of 127; and Mr. N. Lockyer 
an abstract of his late paper on spectrum analysis, communicated 
to the Royal Society.—MM. Troost and Hautefeuille sent a note 
on certain reactions of the chlorides of boron and silicon. These 
bodies decompose porcelain at a high temperature.—M., P. 
Pichard read a note on the estimation of manganese in iron ores, 
cast-iron, and steel, by a calorimetric process; and M. A. 
Houzeau, one on the volumetric estimation of minute quantities 
of antimony and arsenic.—M. Sorin read a note on the presence 
of methylamine in methylic nitrate and in methylic alcohol.—M. 
L. Colin’s note on the passage of the blood pigment through the 
vascular sides in melanemia palustris was presented by M. Larrey, 
which was followed by a note on the distribution of the tympanic 
cord, by M. J. L. Prevost—M. A. Béchamp read a note on the 
alcoholic and acetic fermentation of the liver, and on the physi- 
ological alcohol of human urine. The author has obtained from 
two litres of urine from a man of 50, enough alcohol to estimate. 
—mM. A. Bernard presents a memoir on the ‘‘ degeneration” of 
nerves after section, by M. L. Ranvier.—M. L. Posaoz sent a 
note on the estimation of sugar by cupric solutions. He stated 
that these liquids may be preserved from their usual faults by 
the passage of a stream of carbonic anhydride, or by the 
addition of alkaline bicarbonates.—M. J. Chautard sent a note 
on the absorption spectrum of delorophyll; and M. Sicc a note 
entitled, ‘‘ Studies on Marmots,” relating principally to the 
composition of the urine of these animals.—M. Decharme sent a 
paper on the ascending motion of liquids in very narrow vessels 
(bands of porous paper) compared with their ascent in capillary 
tubes.—M. Boileau sent a note on the preservation of potable 
water. The author kept eighty bottles of water fresh and free 
(Fan. 16, 1873 
from bad odour “during the siege of Paris, by leaving them 
simply covered with caps of paper.—M. Belgrand made some 
observations on this note-—M. Dausse sent a note on the best 
position for flood gauges in rivers, 4 
DIARY 
THURSDAY, January 16. 
Rovat Society, at 8.30.—Note on an Erroneous Extension of Jacobi’s 
Theorem: J. Todhunter.—On a New Formula for a Microscopic Object- 
Glass: F. H. Wenham.—Additional Note to the Paper On a Su 
Alteration in the Amount of Astronomical Aberration of Light ced. 
by the Passage of the Light through a considerable Thickness of Refract- 
ing Medium: Sir G. B. Airy. ol 
Rovat InsTituTION, at 3.—On Oxidation: Dr. Debus. 
ZOOLOGICAL SocIETY, at 4- ; * 
SocieTy OF ANTIQUARIES, at 8.30.—Election of Fellows.—Opening of Ex- 
hibition of Bronze Implements and Weapons. 
Lies Socigty, at 8.—On the Recent Synonyms of Brazilian Ferns: 
er. 
CHemIcAL 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. Kinggeth, 
Nomismatic Socigry, at 7. 
Royat Society Cus, at 6. 
FRIDAY, JANUARY 17. 
Roya. InstituTIon, at 8.—On the Old and New Laboratories at the Royal 
Instituuion: Dr. W. Spottiswoode. 
GresHam Lectures, at 7.—On Contagion and Infection: Dr. E. S, 
Thompson. F 
MepicaL anp MicroscoricaL Society, at 8.—President’s Introductory 
Address: Jabez Hogg. 
SATURDAY, January 18. 
Roya InsTITUTION, at 3—On Comparative Politics: Dr. E. A. Freeman. 
GresHAM LECTURES, at 7-—On Antiseptics and Disinfectants: Dr. E. S. 
Thompson. * 
MONDAY, January 20. 
Lonpon InsTITUTION, at 4 —On Air, Earth, Fire, and Water: Prof. Arm- 
strong. 
Society oF BriTIsH ARCHITECTS, at 8. 
MEDICAL Society, at 8. 
ASIATIC SOCIETY, at 8. 
Vicroria INSTITUTE, at 8. 
TUESDAY, January 21. 
Socrery oF Civit ENGINEERS, at 8. 
STATISTICAL SOCIETY, at 7.45. 
ANTHROPOLOGICAL SOciETY, at 8.—Annual General Meeting. 
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY, at 8.30. 
WEDNESDAY, Janvary 22, 
Society or ArTs, at 8 ae 
Geotocicat Society at 8.—On the Glaciation of Ireland: J. F. Campbell.— 
Otservations on the more remarkable Boulders of the North-West of 
England and the Welsh Borders: D. Mackintosh.--On the Origin of 
Clay-ironstone: J. Lucas. 
Royat Society oF LiveRaTURE, at 8.30. 
ARCHAOLOGICAL A-SOCIATION, at 8. 
Lonpon InsTiTUTION, at 7-—Conversazione. The Song of Roland: Victor 
Pleiginer. 
THURSDAY, January 23. 
Royat Socrety, at 8.30. 
Roya Society Crus, at 6. 
Roya InstiruTion at 8.—On Oxidation; Dr. Debus. 
Society OF ANTIQUARIES, at 8.30.—Implements of the Bronze Period : 
John Evans. 
CONTENTS Pacs 
Tue INTERNATIONAL METRIC Commission.—H. W. CHISHOLM . 197 
MINERAL PHOSPHATES . 5 4 + + « ¢ «© 5 « 0) 0) ennen 
Licnt SCIENCE. .°. 2 ss 0 © © © =) e © 6 9) (Reese 
Our Book SHELF. . . - + © © 8s 0 © «© © © © «© @ 66s co 
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR :— 
Aurora Spectrum.—J R. Capron. . 
oe 0 0 8 Jee Sn eee 
Polarisation of the Zodiacal Light and the Aurora.—A.C. RANYARD zor 
he Diathermacy of Flame.—W. M. Wixtiams, F.C.S. . . . . 201 
Pollen-eaters.—A. W. BENNETT, F.L.S. . . . « ¢ « «© «© « 202 
Welwitschia.—Prof. W. R. McNaB_. . « + « «© + 6 « «© « 202 
Gauges for Ocean Rainfall.—W. J. Brack. . ». » © + « « . 202 
Star shower in 1838.—T. W. WEBB . - « «+ 6 « 2 » « + 203 
Salmonidz of Great Britain.—A. GunTHER, F.R.S, . . . . . 203 
M. Figuier and the American Indians.—C. C. Assort, M.D... . 203 
Tue ZopiacaL LicuTt.—Maxwett Hai (With Diagram). . . . 203 
Tue Lats Pror. MacQuoRN RANKINE.—JOHN MayeR . . . . . 204 
Tue Birtu or Cuemistry, By G. F, Ropwe., F.C.S. (With 
Lilustrations.) ae Ne OO ROE 
Tue Arctic EXPEDITION .« 2 + + + 6 « + 2 8 6 1s) aeeoe 
NODES '. Pe! @ ito Mb ats, ey Oe eM 
FuRTHER DETAILS OF TiE RECENT METEORIC SHoweR.—Prof, A. S, 
Herschel, F.R.Ad. 2. se Be 0 «ese. 0 et Sl ee 
Tue NATIONAL HERBARIA «4 «+ + 6 8 + o 2 0s (0 » oR 
SCIENTIFIC SERIALS 7 Jere isle a ss 6 0 6 js, 213 
SocigTiES AND ACADEMIES » + «+ 2 + + ss ee ee es 
DIARY. . <<: GHSwENRURE Sore 5 co 
