336 
photosphere, but rather to the inaccuracies of measurement 
which inevitably attend such very difficult observations. In 
observations of the contacts on the solar border by means of the 
micrometer, there are two principal sources of error, the influ - 
ence of which may sensibly vary from day to day; they are: 
(1) The difference of the conditions between the contacts 
of the west and east limbs. Prof. Respighi observed first by 
a micrometer in a faintly illuminated field, and secondly in a 
highly illuminated one : this is apt to introduce an error variable 
from day to day into the observations of the same person, in 
proportion to the clearness or transparency of our atmosphere, and 
will probably become greater when the sky is less clear. (2) From 
the state of un ‘ulation of the solar limo, variable from day to 
day, there may result a sensible and variab.e inc ease of the extent 
of the disc or diameier of the sun, These influences will not be ex- 
cluded by the proficiency of the observer, by the use of good in- 
struments, nor by the chronographic registration of the contacts. 
For the purpose of more thoroughly studying these varia- 
tions, and investigating their origin, recourse was recently 
had to the spectroscopic combination of Father Secchi, by 
which the solar limb or image was obtained, formed 
by monochromatic or almost monochromatic rays ; and from a 
series of observations made with this apparatus it was found that 
the solar diameter was less by “6” than that given in the Vautical 
Almanac. Hence it has been inferred that by depriving the 
solar disc or diameter of the influence of the chromosphere its 
extent is diminished by about 8” from that obtained by means of 
the telescope. And therefore it has been inferred that the varia- 
tions in the solar diameter very probably depend on the vari- 
able increase produced on it by the chromosphere, in relation to 
the extent and intensi y of light and the varying state of trans- 
parency of our atmosphere. Prof. Respighi, after having suown 
how the light of the chromosphere could not make any sensible 
difference to an image of the solar limb or disc, expounded the re- 
sults obtained from various observauions, made by him on the 
solar diameter by means of the spectroscupic combination alluded 
to, both with the objective and direct-vision prisms, applied in 
front of the slit of the spectroscope, using every precaution to ex- 
clude the various sources of error. From these observations it 
results that the duration of the passage of the solar diameter is 
essentially the same, taking the contacts at the various spectral 
lines, B, C, D, E, F, and that the measurement agrees very 
closely with that of the Mawlical Almanac. The same result 
is obtained in determining the duration of the passage of the solar 
limb by means ;of the slit of the simple specitruscope. Hence 
Prof. Respighi concludes that while the ditterence beiween the 
solar diameter, as given by the spectroscope and that gtven by 
the telescope alone has not been proved, so the suspected origin 
of this difference is inadmissible, and therelore also any daily 
variations in the solar diameter. 
VIENNA 
I. R. Geological Institute, Jan. 7.—Contributions to a 
more accurate interpretation of fossil vegetable remains from 
the salt-stock of Wieliczka (Galicia), by M. Dionys Sur. By 
dissolving in water pieces of salt from Wieliczka, which included 
vegetab e remains, M. Stur succeeded in getting the Jatter in a 
state of preservation and purity which permitted an accurate 
examination ; hs very inieresting inquires rectly in many poiuts 
the determinations made by one or the firs authoriues in tossil 
botany, Prof. Unger, who many years ago had piven a descrip- 
tion of these remains in the first volume of the memvirs of the 
Vienna Academy. To the most frequen: of them belong pine- 
nuts ; besides the one spe ics, Pimus salinarum Partsh, descrived 
by Unger, Stur discovered two other species : P. polonica, which 
is allied to the existng P. Massoniana Lamb, and the larger, 
P. Russeggeri, resembling the P. 7#gida Mill. A very curious fact 
is note1 in connection with these cones ; while many of them 
are perfectly well preserved, many others were found with 
scales gnawed or bitten off, exactly in the same manner as 
squirrels (Scirus) demolish the pine-nuts of our forests in order 
to get their seed corns. Pine-nuts which were not quite ripe 
are bitten on one sie (the sun-side) only, while perfectly ripe 
nuts are demolished to the basis, which then shows a decep- 
tive likeness with the cupula of an acorn. Indeed the two 
vegetable remains described by Unger as the cupulz of Quercus 
Saturni and Q. limnophila are but pine-nuts destroyed in the 
same manner: moreover the oak-apples themselves, mentioned 
by Unger, have proved to belong to quite different plants. The 
so-called nut of Q. glans Saturni Unger, is the nut of Carya 
NATURE 
[ Feb. 27, 1873 
costata Sternb, which is also gnawed by a squirrel, whilst the 
nut taken by Unger for the fruit of Q. /immophila, is the fruit of 
a palm very similar to that of the existing Raphia tacdigera, andis 
named by Stur Raphia Ungeri.—K. v. Hauer gave a description 
of the large quarries in the tertiary limestone of Zogelsdorf in 
Austria, ; in former years they had furnished almost all building 
stones for Vienna, especially for the famous tower of St. Stephen. 
Upon the discovery of a very good building stone nearer 
to the town in the Leitha mountains the quarries of Zogels- 
dorf decayed, but as soon as the Franz-Joseph railway, 
which passes very near the spot, made cheap transport prac- 
ticable, they were reopened by the present possessor, 
Baron Suttner, and are worked now very extensively.—Dr. G, 
Stache described an earthquake which was felt in Vienna on 
January 3, some minutes before 7 o'clock in the evening. In 
some parts of the iown, for instance in the working rooms of 
the Geological Institute, in the palace of Prince Liechtenstein 
two shucks were observed, the second tolerably vehement, with 
a rolling noise. The direction seemed N. W. to S.E, ; the dura- 
tion of the phenomenon was about four seconds, 
DIARY 
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27. 
Royat Society, at 8.30.—On Leaf Arrangement: Dr. Hubert Airy. 
SociETY OF ANTIQUARIES, at 8.30.—Northamptonshire Star-Chamber Pro- 
ceedings, Temp. James I.; W. H. Hart. 
Roya Inst TuTION, at 3 —On the Aruficial Formation of Organic Sub- 
stances : Prof. Ruther ord. 
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28. 
Rovav InsTITUTION, at g.—On Livingstone’s Explorations in Africa: Sir 
H. C. Rawlinson. 
QueketT C.vs, at 8. 
Roya CoLLuGE oF SuRGEONS, at 4.—Extinct Mammals: Prof. Flower. 
SATURDAY, Marcu 1. 
Rovat InsTiTuTION, at 3.-—On the Philosophy of the Pure Sciences: Prof. 
W. K. Clifford. 
MONDAY, Marcu 3. 
ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY, at 7. 
Lonpon INSTITUTION, at 4.—Physical Geography: Prof. Duncan, 
Roya Co.iece oF SURGEONS, at 4.—Extinct Mammals; Prof. Flower. 
Royat InsTITUTION, at 2,—General Monthly Meeting. 
Cantox Lectures, at 8 —On the Energy of Electricity: Arthur Rigg. 
TUESDAY, Marcu 4. 
ANTHROPOLOGICAL SociEgTY, at 8.—On the Looshais: Dr. A. Campbell.— 
implements and Pottery from Canada: Sir Duncan Gibb, Bart, M.D.— 
The Veninor F.ivts ; Hodder M. Westropp. 
SocteTy OF HIBLICAL ARCHOLOGY, at 8.30. 
Zoo.oGicaL SocixTy, at 8.30 —On the Spiders of St. Helena: Rev. O. P. 
Camoridge.—On some Marine Mollusca from Madeira: R. B. Watson. 
ane PASTKEU TION, at 3.—Forces and Motions of the Body: Prof. 
utheriord, 
WEDNESDAY, Marcu 5. 
Society or Arts, at 8.—On Gas-lighting by Electricity, and Means for 
Lighting and Extinguishing Street and other Lamps: W. Lloyd Wise. 
MickoscoricaL Society, at 8.—Notes on the Micro-Spectroscope and 
Mic osec»pe: E. | Gayer. 
Lonpon LNstITUTION, at 7.—Musical ! ecture. 
Roya CoLLece or SuxGkons, at 4.—Extinct Mammals: Prof. Flower. 
CONTENTS Pace 
WESTERN YuNAN. By JOHN EVANS. . « - © © «© + «© © = = 317 
THE HYGIENE OF AIx AnD WATER. . oe @ © (6 tele iite aae mC 
UUR BOOK -HELF. . . 2 « « PaO 
LETTER> TO THE EDITOR :-- 
Prof. Baltour Stewart on the Spectroscope.—Dr. Wm. Hucecins, 
ERS. = Be AS Ss POR Se ae So 
The Beginnings of Life.—Dr. H. CHarLTon Bastian, F.R.S. . 321 
Himalayan Ferns ic) « 0 & <0 @ ©" 2 ue celeeetenemEnneEn 
General Travelling Notes. . . » » + + © «© «© © © «© + «© 322 
Mirage —A. RAMSAY. 5 <) 3 8 ss 5) alm) in ee 
Bniliant Meteor of Feb. 3.—J. P. EARWAKER: WILLIAM F. 
DENNING, F_R.A.S. eo Bich = Selina) ood 
oo ge teeling —ARTHUR Ransom; ALFRED W. BENNETT, 
External Perception in Dogs.—Prof. G. CkoomM ROBERTSON. a 
Fiords and Glacial Action. —JoserpH JoHN MurpHy F.G.S.. . . 323 
Norte on a PoLyDACTyLuUS CAT FROM COOKHAM Dean. By Prof. 
Lawson TalT . . Oe ee ee Ns 2 
On AcTION aT A Distance. By Prof. CLERK MAxwe tt, F.R.S. . 323 
Tue TROGLODYTES OF THE VEZERE (With Lilustrations), II. By Paut 
Roca. . = » & gue Delle ss Se. i le aoc fete 
Tue New Hyprocarson Gas ... + + PPM he 
HUNTERIAN LEctuRES BY PROF. FLOWER . . . - « en er ease 
Nores. . . . « « GRO Ge 4. oe sw) en 
Pror. RAMSAY ON LAKSSie 4s 0 0% © 6 « « clo Seemann 
SCIENTIFIC SERIALS . GgeNewne re ess S «. fog shite Meee 
SocieTIBS AND ACADEMIES «+ + + +. «+ «i 33% + 0 © 334 
DDTARY » (ce, 6, 6 oR eo) acre Pee en 
’ 
: 
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