256 
CALIFORNIA 
Academy of Sciences, Dec. 17, 1872.—Mr. W. H. Dall 
read, ‘‘Preliminary Descriptions of new Species of Mollusca 
from the N. W. coast of America.” The AZagasella Aleutica (Dall, 
n.s.), has its Aadifat in the Aleutian Islands from Akutan Pass 
to the Shumagins, attached to the under surface of rocks at 
extremest low water of spring tides. This pretty species resem- 
bles in miniature Zagueus rubella of Sowerby, but is proportion- 
ately shorter and broader. 
Acmea (Colisella)-peramabilis (Dall, n. s.), inhabits the Shumagin 
group of islands, Alaska Territory, on rocks near low water 
mark, ‘This lovely species has no relations with A. sybaritica, 
Dall, and rosacea, Cpr., except those of colour. The two latter 
are much smaller and the rose colour is much lighter and differ- 
ently disposed. Its nearest allies are some varieties of A. patina, 
Argonauta expansa (Dall, n. s.) The interior of the shell is 
smoothly polished, the exterior, especially on the protuberances 
of the carinz, is covered with a multitude of exceedingly 
minute rough pustules, which give a very rough, harsh feel to 
the shell, and under a lens appear hemispherical. Laying the 
shell upon its aperture, with the apex posterior, we have the 
following measurements. Total length 3°25 in. Width of dorsal 
area posteriorly 0°32 in. ; ditto, anteriorly 0°7. Height of shell 
2‘oin. ‘Total extension of axis from end to end, 4 in Total 
length of aperture 2°25 inches; length from the anterior edge 
of the spire to the anterior edge of the aperture 19 in, Zaditat, 
in the Gulf of California. This pretty and peculiar argonaut 
possesses an assemblage of characters not common to any de- 
scribed species, though there are several which have a some- 
what similar lateral extension of the axis. 
PARIS 
Academy of Sciences, January 20.—M. de Quatrefages, 
president, in the chair. The President announced the death of 
M. le Baron C. Dupin, member of the Mechanical Section.— 
M. Chasles read a paper on the number of points of intersection 
of two curves of any order at a finite distance—M. Cahours 
read a note on certain new derivatives of Propyl. The bodies 
described were propylic sulphide, mercury propyl, tin propyl, 
and nitro-propane; the author finds that propylic iodide, which 
occupies @ place between the iodides of ethyl and amyl, behaves 
like then.—M. A. Trécul read the first part of a paper on the 
carpellary theory of the Papaveracea. This part of the paper 
was devoted to the Papaver family.—An account of some 
new researches on the tympanic chord, by M. A. Vulpian, 
followed.—M. A. Dumont sent a paper on the possibility 
of destroying the Phylloxera in the Valley of the Rhone 
by submerging the vines.—M. du Pepin sent a note on 
the residues of the fifth power and one on the quadratic 
forms of certain powers of the primary numbers.—M. O, Tamin- 
Despalles sent a note on the connection between ozonometric 
determinations and the death-rate of Paris. The author finds 
that the winds from south to north round by west are favourable 
to health, and that large ozone indications are accompanied by 
small death-rates.—M. Yvon Villarceau read a letter from M. 
Borrelly detailing some observations of No. 128, and the discovery 
of a new variable star. The latter is situated in the Balance ; 
its mean position for 1873 is, 15" 14™ 5*69° R. A. ; 109° 55’ 42°7” 
N.P.D.—M. P. Volcipelli sent his fifteenth note on the 
“Blectric Influence.”—M. Ch, Viollette sent a note in reply 
to the late communication of Messrs. Tomlinson and Van 
der Mensbrugghe on the action of thin films of liquid on 
supersaturated solutions. He asserts that the ten-atom sodic 
sulphate crystal always caused the solidification of the solu- 
tion of that salt, and that it does this of itself, and not by 
means of its chemical dirtiness. —M. Arm. Gautier sent a note 
on certain phosphorous compounds, in which that body appears to 
exist in the amorphous form. The formula for one of these bodies 
is P; H, O ; it is formed by the action of water on PI,.—M. A. | 
Chevalier sent a note on the modifications produced on coloured 
light by the various tinted glasses used for spectacles. He de- 
cides that as the neutral tint alone cuts out the very brilliant red 
and yellow portions of the spectrum that it alone is of any use. 
DIARY 
L d THURSDAY, JANvARY 30. 
Roya Society, at 8.30.—Note on the Origin of Bacteria, and on their 
Relation to the Process of Putrefaction: Dr, Bastian.—On Just Intonation 
in Music : R. H. M. Bosanquet.—On the Composition and Origin of the 
Waters of a Salt Spring in Huel Seton Mine, with a Chemical and Micro- 
scopical Examination of certain Rocks in its Vicinity: J. A, Phillips. 
NATURE 
The animal is rather sluggish. ! 
Society oF ANTIQUARIES, at 8.30.—Oriental Bronze Implements: A. W. 
Franks. 
FRIDAY, JANvARY 31. 
Roya. InsTITUTION, at 9-—Music of the Future: Mr. Dannreuther. 
Society oF ARTS, at 8.—Progress of India during the last Fourteen Years : 
J. H. Stocqueler. 
SATURDAY, FEsBruary 1 
Royat INSTITUTION, at 3.—On Comparative Politics : E. A. Freeman. 
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2. 
Sunpay LecTurE Society, at 4—The Early History of Domestic Animals : 
L. C. Miall. 
MONDAY, FEsRuary 3- 
Rovat InsTiTuTION, at 2.—General Monthly Meeting. 
ENTOMOLOGICAL SocIETy, at 7. 
AsIa?Pic SociIETY, at 3. 
Lonpon InsTITUTION, at 4 —Physical Geography: Prof. Duncan. 
TUESDAY, FrEpruary 4. " 
Roya InstTiTuTION at 3.—Forces and Motions of the Body: Prof. 
Rutherford. 
Society oF Civit ENGINEERS, at 8. 
ANTHROPOLOGICAL INSTITUTE, at 8.—On the Looshais: A. Campbell.— 
The Inhabitants of Car Nicobar; A. L. Distant. 
Socrety oF BisticAL ARCHOLOGY, at 8.30.—On the Era of Ezra and 
Nehemiah: Dr. H. Haigh —On an Assyrian Patera with an Inscription 
in Hebrew Characters.—Rev. J. M. Rodwell.—Some Remarks upon a 
Passage in the Pzenulus of Plautus: Rev. J. M. Rodwell. : 
ZooLocica SociETy, at 8.30.—On a certain Class of Cases of Variable Pro- 
tective Colouring in Insects: B. Meldola.—Report on the Hydroida col- 
lected during the Expeditions of H.M.S. Porcupine: Prof. Allman.— 
Measurements of the Red Blood Corpuscles of Batrachians: G. Gulliver. 
—Notes on some Reptiles and Batrachians obtained by Dr. Adolf Bern- 
hard Meyer in Celebes and the Philippine Islands: Dr. Giinther. 
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5. 
Lonpon INsTITUTION, at 7.—Fresco and Siliceous Painting: Prof. Barff. 
Society oF ARTS, at 8. 
GEoLocicat Societyat 8. é 
Microscopicat Society, at 8.—Anniversary. 
THURSDAY, Fesruary 6. 
Cuemicau Society, at 8.—On Anthrapurpurin: W. H. Perkin.—On the 
Solidification of Nitrous Oxide: T, Wills.—On Isomerism in the Terpene 
Family; Dr. C, A. Wright. 
BOOKS RECEIVED 
EnGutsu.—Lectures on the Philosophy of Law : J. H. Stirling (Longmans), 
—The Botanist’s Pocket-Book: W. R. Hayward (Bell & D aldy} —The 
School Manual of Geology. Second !Edition; Jukes Browne (A. & C. 
Black).—History of Bokhara: A. Vambéry (H. S. King & Co.).—Ozone 
and Antozone: Dr. C. B. Fox (J. and A. Churchill). 
Foretcn.—Reisen in der Phillippen: F. Jager. (Bertin.) 
PAMPHLETS RECEIVED 
ENGLISH.—National Education and New School Boards: Thomas Bonnar. 
Quarterly Weather Report of the Meteorological Office, No. 14, Part 2, 
April to June, 1871.--Journal of the Women’s Education Union, No. 1, 
January, 1873 (Chapman & Hall).—Report of the Kew Committee for fifteen 
months, ending Octoker 31, 1872.—Quarterly Journal of Science, No. 37, 
January 1873.—On the Genetic Relation of Cetaceans and the Methods in- 
volved in Discovery: Theodore Gill. 
Forricn.—Zeitschrift fur Meteorologie, No. 1, Vol. viii. January 1873.— 
Uber den Von Pogson, am 2 December, Aufgefunden der Komete on 
Prof. Theodore V. Oppalzer. 
CONTENTS 
Tue INTERNATIONAL METRICAL Commission, II,—H W.CuIsHoLM, 
Warden of the Standards . ... + Aare rer re 
Pace 
De Morcan's BupGeT OF PARADOXES . + + +» « « « «© « + «+ 239 
BuRMEISTER’S ANNALS OF THE Pusiic Museum or Bugnos Ay2ES . 240 
Our Book SHELF... . 2fe = ss 6 lf le 6 se ny ee 
LETTERS TO THE EpiIToR:— ‘ 
The Invention of the Water-Air-Pump.—Dr SPRENGEL . « . «+ 24% 
Kant on the retarded Rotation of Planets jand Satellites.—C. J. 
Monro) 6). ).)_ eee reer ey 
Pollen-eaters..-—W. E. HART. = 2. @ « s0 0» «© \s) sue eeueeeee 
Meteors in South Pacific—S. J. WHITMEE ....+ + + « « 242 
Aurora Spectran—H.R. PROCTER. « «© » « + + + + « + « 242 
On the Words “‘ Diathermanous,” “‘ Diathermancy,” &c.. . . + 242 
Dr. Sanderson’s Experiments.—E. Ray LANKESTER . . « « + 243 
THe NATIONAL HERBARIA MEMORIAL . . » « « «© « © © + 2» 243 
THE METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATORY AT MAURITIUS . . « + + «© 243 
Tue NATIONAL HerpariA. By Prof. THISELTONDyER. . . « «. 243 
Tue RAINFALL AND TEMPERATURE OF NorTH-WESTERN EUROPE. 
By-A. Bucian, M.A... |) leis Miaiiwlbe Niet owl ia. ca ite) bel tte nna 
On THE SPECTROSCOPE AND ITS APPLICATIONS, IV. By J. NoRMAN 
Lockyer, ERS. . .) Seeaieeie nese 1 . es) 16 ene 
NOTES sce co 5. Aa. RRIRRMIIS ital wo: Las, . Seen 
THE SCIENTIFIC ORDERS OF THE “CHALLENGER,” II,. . « « «. » 252 
SCIENTIFIC SERIALS: .: .: Hayle Meaiey embelly Nettles) cs wre oss tiis alain 
SOCIETIES AND ACADEMIES . + «+ « « + of. ey ee 
BOOKS AND PAMPHLETS RECEIVED. . + . + oa ee, eee 
DIARY Sn eC ee este oie: Se ete ti pits ene 
[Fan. 30, 1873 
