356 
that of the Morse telegraph instrument as worked in America, 
The tape is drawn bya clock at the uniform rate of 6 inches 
per hour. As it passes over a grooved«brass roller, holes are 
punched in it by a sharp steel point, drawn down by an electro- 
magnet whenever the electric circuit is completed, and drawn 
back by a spiral spring when the contact is broken. There are 
two grooves in the roller and two electro-magnets, one of which 
is worked by the anemometer, and the other by the rain-gauge. 
Thus, when both magnets are in operation, two parallel rows 
of holes are punched in the tape.—‘* On the Madras Cyclone of 
May 2, 1871,” by Captain H. Toynbee, F.R.A.S. After giving 
extracts from several logs containing data taken during the time of 
the hurricane, and observations taken at the Madras Observa- 
tory ; the author says it seems fair to conclude that the centre of 
this cyclone passed to the W. and probably to the N. W. between 
the parallels of 10° and 13° N. ; thatits route was probably 
much interfered with by the high land to the W. and S.W. of 
Madras ; but that it caused very disturbed weather on the west 
coast of India. The paper concludes with some practical 
suggestions as to how ships might more safely ride out a gale.— 
**On the character of the storm of August 21 and 23, 1868, over 
the British Isles,” by Captain T. O. Watson. 
PARIS 
Academy of Sciences, Feb. 17.—M. de Quatrefages, presi- 
dent, in the chair. A decree of the President of the Republic 
authorising the election of M. Janssen to the Academy was 
read, and M. Janssen admitted. M. Faye read the termination 
of his answer to Fathers Secchi and Tacchini ; it was devoted to 
the refutation of Secchi’s statement that spots were solar erup- 
tions and the proof that they were down-rushes caused by 
cyclones.—M. A. Trecul read apaper on the carpellary theory 
as regards Martynia fragrans.—M, A. de Caligny contributed 
a further paper on hydraulic engineering, &c.—Colonel H. 
Levret sent a note on the determination of geographical position 
on any elipsoid, and M. Boutin anote on the presence of nitre 
in Amarantus Blitum ; the dried plant contains 11°68 parts per 
cent. by weight of potassic nitrate.—M. T. Tissandier presented 
a description of some meteorological observations made ina 
balloon.—M. L, Hugo sent a note on two antique dodecahe- 
dra in the Louvre, and M. Brachet two microscope lenses made 
of spinelle ruby; he believes that these will act better than 
the portion of the object-glass which is usually made of crown 
glass. A letter from P. Tacchini witha drawing of the remarkable 
appearance of Jupiter during January was received.—M. J. Bour- 
get sent a paper on the mathematical theory of Pinaud’s experi- 
ments on the sounds produced by heated tubes.—M. Wurtz 
presented a note from Dr. L. C, de Coppet on the recent 
communications of MM. Gernez and Vander Mensbrugghe on 
super-saturated solutions.—M. Bussy communicated a note from 
M. Lefranc on atractylic acid; this acid occurs in Af¢ractylis 
gummifera L. —MM. Schiitzenberger and Risler sent a paper on 
the oxidising power of blood.—The eighth note of M. P. Bert 
on experimental researches on the effect of changes of barometric 
pressure on life, was received—M. Laboulbéne communicated 
a note on the cause of the elevation of central tempera- 
ture in cases of acute pleurisy, &c.—M. E. Riviere sent a 
note on the pre-historic station of Cape Roux.—From M. Cham- 
pouillon a note on certain imperfections in the official report on 
recruiting in France was received.—M. Guerin sent a note on 
silkworm disease; he finds that both healthy and unhealthy 
moths lay sound eggs. 
Feb. 24.—M. de Quatrefages, president, in the chair.—M. 
Pasteur read a note on M. Comalia’s report on silkworm cultiva- 
tion. M. Pasteur believes that his system of preserving the 
healthy eggs will produce good results,.—M. Dumas reported on 
Mr. Fayrer’s book on Indian poison snakes.—M. J. Raulin pre- 
sented a paper on the silkworm disease, and M. Hugo a note on 
a necklace of polyhedric beads in the Louvre. M. Ed. Weyer a 
note on left-handed curves of the sixth order. M. de Rebaucour 
on the cyclic systems, MM. Troost and Hautefeuille on the 
“*solution ” of gases in cast and wrought iron and in steel. The 
authors believe that the gases given offin the ‘‘ boiling” of iron 
are due to decompositions in the iron itself—M. Ch. Violette 
sent a note on the compound of sugar with potassic chloride, 
and M. Grimaux one on the solidifying points of solutions of 
acetic anhydride in water.—M. Bidaud sent a note on the flame 
reaction of boric anhydride, He finds it to be excessively deli- 
cate, with a coal-gas bunsen flame.—M. L. Ranvier sent a paper 
on the regeneration of cut nerves. - MM. D. Tommasi and G, 
NATURE 
| Mar. 6, 1873 
Quesneville on the action of zinc on acetylic chloride ; M. G. 
Perry, notes on the third ray in triple refracting crystals and on 
the variability of the co-efficient of elasticity and dispersion. 
_ 
DIARY : 
THURSDAY, Marcu 6. 
Royat Society, at 8.30.—On the Vapour Density of Potassium: J. Dewar 
sect Dittmarr.—On New Sources of Ethyl and Methyl Aniline: J. 
piller. 
Society oF ANTIQUARIES, at 8.30.—On the Troad: Sir John Lubbock. 
Linngan Society, at 8.—On the Perigynium of Carex: G. Bentham. 
CHEMICAL Society, at 8.—On the Action of Hydrechloric Acid on Codeine : 
Dr. C. R. A. Wright.—New Process of Mercury Estimation, with some 
Observations on Mercury Salts: P. Hannay.—On a Method of Estimating 
Nitric Acid : T. E. Thorpe —Note on the Action of Acetates upon Solu- 
oats a Pine Salts, with Remarks on the Solubility of Plumbic Chloride : 
I. Field. 
Roya InstTiTuTION, at 3.—Forces and Motions of the Body: Prof. 
Rutherford. 
FRIDAY, Marcu 7. 
Roya InstITuTION, at 3.-—On the Temperature of the Sun and the Work 
of Sunlight: James Dewar. 
Gerotocists’ Association, at 8 —On the Geology of Brighton: James 
Howell.—On some Fossils from the Margate Chalk: W. Wetherell. 
Roya. CoLLecE oF SuRGEONS, at 4.—Extinct Mammals; Prof. Flower. 
SATURDAY, Marcu 8. >. 
Roya InstiTuTION, at 3.—On the Philosophy of the Pure Sciences: Prof. 
W. K. Clifford. 
SUNDAY, Marcu 9. 
Sunpay Lecture Society, at 4.—The Education of Women; 
Fawcett. 
MONDAY, Marcu to. 
Roya CoLiece or SuRGEONS, at 4.—Extinct Mammals: Prof. Flower. 
Lonpon InsTITUTION, at 4.—Physical Geography: Prof. Duncan. 
Royat GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY, at 8 30.—Notes of a Journey in Southern 
Formosa: J. Thomson. 
Cantor LecTurEs, at 8.—On the Energy of Light, with especial reference 
to the Measurement and Utilisation of it; Rev. Arthur Rigg. 
TUESDAY, Marcu 11. ¥ 
Puotocrapuic Society, at 8.—On the Development of Negatives and 
‘Transparencies : Col. Stuart Wortley.—On the Photographic Operations 
for observing the coming Transit of Venus: Lord Lindsay. 
Royvat INsTITUTION, at 3.—Forces and Motions of the Body: Prof. 
Rutherford, 
WEDNESDAY, Marcu 12. 
Society or Arts, at 8.—Ou Signalling at Sea, with speclal reference to 
Signals of Distress : Capt. Colomb. = 
GEOLOGICAL Society, at §.—On the Sotfatarajand some Sulphur-deposits at 
Kalamaki, near Corinth; Prof. Ansted.—On the Origin of Clay-ironstone ; 
J. Lucas.—Note in vindication of Leptophlaum rhombicum and Lepido- 
dendron gaspianum: Principal Dawson.—Synopsis of the younger forma- 
tions of New Zealand: Captain F W. Hutton 
ARCHAZOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION, at 8. 
Lonpvon InstiTuTION, at 7.—Fresco and Siliceous Painting ; Prof. Barff. 
Roya CoLieGE oF SuRGEONS, at 4.—Extinct Mammals: Prof. Flower. 
Mrs, 
BOOKS RECEIVED 
Encuisu.—The Student’s Manual of Comparative Anatomy and Guide to 
Dissection, Part 1, Mammalia: G. H. Morrell, M.A—The Romance of 
Astronomy: R. K. Miller (Macmillan).—Colymbia (Triibner).—A Course 
of Qualitative Chemical Analysis: W. G. Valentin (Churchill).—£xalted 
States of the Nervous System. 3rd Edition: R. H. Collyer (Renshaw).— 
The Story of the Earth and Man: J. W. Dawson (Hodder and Stoughton). 
Foreicn.—Einleitung in die Theoretische Physik : V. Von Lang (Williams 
and Norgate). 
CONTENTS PAGE 
Harvestinc Ants AND TrAp-Door Sripers. By AtFreD R. 
Watrace, LS. 2 2. 58s oe 3 8s 8 
Tue SEpuLCHRAL MoNUMENTS OF CORNWALL . « «. « « « «© + 337 
Our Book SHELF. . > 6) 10,0 + © © © + \s)) 9 eee eee 
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR :-—- 
Excernal Perception in Horses.—Rev. Canon KINGSLEY . . + . 340 
External Perception in Dogs.—HybDg CLARKE .. .. . « . 340 
Mr. Wallace on Instinct.—W, R. Nicott. . « .» « . + + « = 340 
Effect of Light on the Electric Conductivity of Selenium.—Harry 
Napier Draper; M. L. SALE, R.E.. . . « - « «© « « =» 340 
The Zodiacal Light —Maxwett Hatt; T. W. BACKHOUSE . . 340 
The Meteoric Shower.—MAxwELL HALL. . . - - « 6 « + 342 
Maupertius on the Survival of the Fittest.—Prof. W. STANLEY 
Jevons, F.R.S.  . Site ee oe ss ss 
“Diathermanous” or ‘‘ Transfervent.”—W. G. Apams, F.R.S. . 341 
Flight of Projectiles—A Query.—RopertT REID. . . . . « « 340 
On Action AT A Distance. By Prof. Clerk Maxwe tt, F.R.S, 34t 
On Lear-ARRANGEMENT. By Dr. HuBert Atry . 343 
5 is. een 
On THE SPECTROSCOPE AND ITS APPLICATIONS, V. By J. NoRMAN 
Lockyer, F.R.S. (With Tilustrations.) . . . . + « 6 « 5 © 345 
HunrTeriaAn LEcTuRES BY ProF. FLOWER F.R.S.. . . « « + « » 348 
NOTES.) «co ta co 0 BD ele eS ou) oh ane 
Tue Tueory ofr EvotuTionIN GERMANY. . .« oe. ise, oe 
SoclETIES AND ACADEMIES «+ + + + te hae oy ee aes 
BOOxs RECEIVED, = © lpia © (6 eee oe) eee Ee 
DDYARV <6 0 cia 6 Qe OSB Te, ce 6c) a) na 
ee 
