236 
NATURE 
| [Kan. 23, 1873 
aenous micro-photography,” and exhibited pictures of live | a bureau whose duty (like that of the ‘‘ Nautical Almanac 2 
animalculz in water.—Dr. E, J. Gayer also read a paper ‘‘ Ona 
cause of fading in albumenised pictures.” 
Paris 
Academy of Sciences, Jan. 6.—This was the annual 
general meeting of the Academy, and M. Faye, after delivering 
an address mainly devoted to the transit of Venus expeditions, 
vacated the chair, where he was succeeded by M. de Quatre- 
fages.—M. Le Baron C, Dupin read a note on the French popu- 
lation, which, allowing for the ceded provinces, shows a de- 
crease of 1,279,451. The decrease the Baron asserts to have been 
directly and indirectly caused by the late war.—M. Boussingault 
gave an account of his experiments on the formation of nitric 
compounds by the soil. He finds that these bodies are not 
formed from the nitrogen of the air, as he had been inclined to 
think.—M. A. de Caligny read an interesting paper on the effects 
of certain kinds of waves on sand-banks.—Further observations 
of 128 by M. Borrelly were received, and also M. Bossert’s 
Elements and Ephemerides of the same planetoid.—A paper 
on orthogonal surfaces, by M. G. Darbonn, was then read, and 
followed by an answer to M. Gernez’s criticisms by M. G. Van 
der Mensbrugghe, who defends his and Mr. Tomlinson’s theory 
of the action of films on saturated solutions.—A note on certain 
phosphorous compounds, in which that body appears to exist in 
the amorphous (red) form, by M. A. Gautier followed.—M. A. 
Houzeau sent a paper on the estimation of ammonia in coal 
gas.—MM. Estor and Saint-Pierre sent a short note on respira- 
tory combustion. They have made experiments which prove 
intra-arterial as against pulmonary combustion. —M. Sanson sent 
a paper on the horse of the quaternary fauna, which was followed 
by a note by M. Diamilla Miiller on the absolute magnetic 
declination at Tiflis, at Sevrova, and at Paris.—M. de Rouville 
sent a paper on the upper Jurassic formations of the department 
of L’Herault. 
January 13.--M. de Quatrefages, president, in the chair. M. 
Jamin presented his fourth note on a magnetic condenser, a de- 
scription of an apparatus he has contrived, by which the power 
of magnets is much increased.—M. E. Mouchez read a note on 
the rising of the Algerian Coast.—M. H. Resal sent a note on 
Savart’s observation of the mu:ual influence of two pendulums.— 
MM. Troost and Hautefeuille read some researches on the Allo- 
tropic forms of phosphorus ; they point out the similarity of 
the changes of vapour density in phosphorus when undergoing 
allotropic modification to those of cyanic ; they also state that 
the sudden development of heat in the case of phosphorus when 
at the point of change has an exact analogy in the case of the 
acid mentioned.—MM. F. Bagault and Roche sent a note on a 
new process for the manufacture of steel. The process consists 
of decarbonising cast iron by means of rich iron oxide ores. 
—An interesting mathematical paper on orthogonal surfaces was 
received from M. G. Darbown.—M. Gernez controverts some 
assertions of Van der Mensbiugghe as to the effects of liquids of 
high surface tension on liquids of low tension. Van der Mens- 
brugghe asserts that when such liquids are in contact, if the first 
contains a dissolved gas it is compelled to liberate it.—M. 
Melsens sent a note on sulphurous and chlorosulphuric acid and 
on the combination of chlorine and hydrogen in darkness. The 
author saturated charcoal with chlorine, and then introduced it 
iito an atmosphere of hydrogen. The two gases completely and 
quietly combined in absolute darkness.—M. Prenier sent a 
note on ‘‘ Polypropylenic Carbides.” ‘These bodies are formed 
by acting on propylenic bromide by nascent hydrogen ; their 
general formula is C*™H*".—M, J. Chaulard sent a nute 
on the spectroscopic examination of the chlorophyll in 
residues of digestion. This body does not seem to be 
broken up in the stomach, as its absorption bands are 
distinctly recognisable in the excrements of animals fed on 
vegetables.—M. Stan. Meunier sent a note on ‘‘ The increase 
of mechanical forces in the star (now destroyed), from whence 
the meteorites are derived.—M. P. Fischer sent a note on the 
Jurassic formations of Madagascar.—M. Pisani sent a paper 
on the analysis of Lanarkite from Leadhills, Scotland ; he asserts 
that the mineral is a basic lead sulphate. —M. Chapelas’s note on 
the aurora of January 7, was then read, and followed by a note 
from M. Puirée, on the levelling of the zero of the flood gauges 
of the Scine.—A letter from M. P. Bert to the President con- 
c rning M. Faye’s recent defence of the Bureau des Longitudes 
was next read, M. Bert says that he did not propose the total 
S pj ression of the Bureau, but that he said that as it had not 
enswered the expectations of science, it ought to be replaced by 
office in England), would be to publish the Connaissance des 
Temps, and this office should receive not more than 40,000 francs 
(per annum ?) 
DIARY 
. 
THURSDAY, January 23. 
Royvat Society, at 8.30.—Contributions to the History of the O:chins: Dr. 
Stenhouse —On the Fossil Mammals of Australia: Prof. Owen.—Notes 
on the Wide-slit Method of Viewiag Solar Prominences: W. Huggins. 
Royat Socigety Cuvs, at 6. 
Royat InstituTion, at 3-—On Oxidation: Dr. Debus. js 
Society oF ANTIQUARIES, at 8.30.—Implements of the Bronze Period : John 
Evans. 
. FRIDAY, January 24.% 
RovatInstituTION, at 9.—Analogies of Physical ana Moral Science ;: Prof. 
Birks. 
PHILOLOGICAL SocigtTy, at 8.15. 
QUEKETT Cus, at 8. 
O_p CHANGE MicroscopicaL Society, at 8.30.—On the Senses of Insects: 
T. Rymer Jones 
SATURDAY, JANuARY 25. 
Rovat InsTITUTION, at 3.—Comparative Politics; Dr. E. A. Freeman. 
Roya Botanic SOCIETY, at 3 45- 
SUNDAY, January 26. 3 : 
Sunpay Lecture Society, at 4—The Glacial Period; a Chapter in 
English Geology.—An Account of the Physical Changes which Great 
Britain has undergone since Tertiary Times: A. H. Green. 
MONDAY, JANUARY 27- 
Roya GroGRaPHIcaL Society, at 8 30.—Sistan. With an Accourt of a 
journey from Bander Abbas to Meshed, through that Province: Major 
Gen. Sir Frederick Goldsmid —Note on the Comparative Geography and 
Ethnology of Sistan ; by the President. 
ENTOMOLOGICAL SociETY, at 7.—Anniversary. 
MEDICAL Society, at 8. 
Lonpon InsTiTUTION, at 4 —Physical Geography ; Prof. Duncan. 
TUESDAY, January 28. 
Royat MEbIcAL AND CHIRURGICAL SOcIgTY, at 8.30. 
Civic ENGINEERS, at 8. 
WEDNESDAY, January 29. 
Lonpon INSTITUTION, at 7.—Musical Lecture. 
Society oF Arts, at 8. 
BOOKS RECEIVED 
EnG.isH.—The Gospel of the World’s Divine Order: D. Campbell 
(Triibner).—Lectures on the Philosophy of Law: J. H. Stirling (Longmans). 
—The Botanist's Pocket-Book: W. R. Hayward (Bell & Daldy) —The 
School Manual of Geology. Second Edition A, J. Jukes-Browne 
(A. & J. Black), 
PAMPHLETS RECEIVED 
ENGLISH.—Scottish Naturalist, Vol. ii. No. 9.—Food Journal, Vol iii. 
No. 36.—American Journal of Science and Art, Nos. 24, 25, for Dec. 1872 
and Jan. 1873.—The Astronomical Almanack, 1873: W H. Hollis (Simpkin 
and Marshall).—Zoologist, No. 88.—Entomologist, No. 112.,—Sermons in 
Sonnets: W. Whale.—Proceedings of the Zoological and Acclimatisation 
Society of Victoria, and Report of the Annual Meeting of the Society, held 
March 1, 1872, Vol. i—Fifth Annual Report of the Executive Committee of 
the Manchester National Society for Women’s Suffrage.—Journal of the 
Royal Horticultural Society of London, Part 11, 12, Vol. iii. 1873.—Prac- 
tical Magazine, No.1. 1873. “ 
AmeErican,—The Lens, Vol. i. No. 4. t a 
ForeiGn.—Rendiconti, Vol. v. No. 19 —Bulletin de Ja Société Imperial des 
Naturalistes de Moscow, 
CONTENTS Pace 
THe NAVY AND SCIENCE «4 « «) 5.0 « «© 0 © © 6) «| () Unie 
ELECTROSTATICS AND MAGNETISM. . «. + © «© © «© «© y» «© «© + 218 
Qur Booxk)SHELF.. . . 2)» Sees © eb ee ee 
LETTERS TO THE EpIToR:— 
Phosphorescence in Fishes o! fol 225 
Movements of the Earth's Surface-—F. W. Hutton . . « 
Meteor Observed at Mauritius. -Rev. W. WRIGHT. . . - 
Moon's Surface..—C, H. W. MERLIN. . « ; 
The Twinkling of the Stars.—Dr. G. F. BuRDER «.. . «. 222 
Logarithmic Tables.—Prof. ASAPH HaLL . . « «+ + s + 222 
Will-o’-the-Wisps.—Howaro Fox. . . . « « «+ «© «© « 222 
Spect: oscopic Ubservations.—E. W. PRINGLE. . «. + «+ = 222 
GeorGE CaTLIN Pee ec a 
On THE OLD AND New LasoraTORIES AT THE Roya INnsTITUTION. 
By WiLu1aM Spottiswoobk, Treasurer R.S.andRI.. . . . « 223 
PROFESSOR TYNDALL IN AMERICA . . 2 + « 0 6 © © 8 8 « « 224 
ON THE SPECTROSCOPE AND ITS AppLicaTions, I1I. By J. Norman 
Lockyer, F.R.S. (Wrth Illustrations.) . . + «+ + - « 226 
SCHOLARSHIPS AND EXAMINATIONS FOR NATURAL SCIENCE AT CAM- 
BRIDGE; 1873 5 3°. Ws a iy SUE ew) oe) Be oat ee 
Notes on Zoo.oGcy anp Botany IN Lisson. By H. N, Moserey 
VOTES cee ates so) ade) = Reet OI Eg) ces ia th 
STAR SHOWER SEEN AT Mauritius. By C. MELDRUM . . 
Science in ITaty By W. Martizu Wituiams, F C.S.. . 
© ee area Gentes & 
b 
ce 
* 
. . 
oie) ey a 
. . 
SCIENTIFIC SERIALS... 5 [5 hb = . . 234 
SocreTIgs AND ACADEMIES . + «+ © «+ + + 235 
Books AND PAMPHLETS RECEIVED. »« + + + + + wae 230 
DARE ais ee: 6 ppd ee Re a aria te dud 236 
