379 
NATURE 
| Mar. 13, 1873 
went it did not seem to him that the rainfall of the whole 
globe daring last year was larger than usual. In the West 
Indies it was a very dry year up to the beginning of November. 
In the United States, at least till the end of September, it 
was drier than usual, and in the north of Europe much drier 
than usual. In short it seemed that the rainfall of the year in- 
stead of being more evenly distributed, as usually happened, had 
been more concentrated in Scotland, England, France, Italy, 
south of Norway, Germany, and Austria, 
PARIS 
Academy of Sciences, March 3.—M. de Quatrefages, 
president, in the chair.—The following papers were read :— 
**On the Elliptical Oscillation of Solar Cyclones,” by M. Faye. 
The paper dealt mainly with the mathematical nature of the 
spots, and the author gave a table in which he showed the exact 
resemblance which can be traced between the solar and terrestrial 
cyclones,—“ On the Action of the Electric Current ona Mixture of | 
equal volumes of Methene and Carbonic Anhydride,” by MM. P. 
and A. Thenard, The authors find that the silent discharge, when 
allowed to act on the above mixture, produces a clear, limpid 
fluid, but that the spark causes an expansion of the gases some- 
times accompanied by a deposit of carbon. No analysis of the 
liquid was given.—‘‘ On the Nature and Origin of the Solar 
Spots,” a letter from Father Secchi, who believes that, even 
admitting M. Faye’s cyclones, yet the cause of these must be 
sought in eruptions. He asserts that he did not say, as M. Faye 
supposed, that the spots zveve eruptions, but that they were f7o- 
duced by eruptions—The Academy then proceeded to elect a 
member of the physical section in the place of the late M. 
Duhamel. M. Berthelot obtained 33 votes, M. Desains 23, and 
M. Le Roux 4. M. Berthelot was accordingly elected.—A 
report on a memoir by M. Kretz on the elasticity of moving 
machines was read.—A paper on the botanical geography of 
Morocco, by M. F. Cosson, followed; and next came a paper 
on geodetic oper.tions, by Col. H. Levret, and one on the 
simultaneity of barometric variations in the high latitudes of 
either hemisphere, by M. J. A. Broun—M. B. Renault pre- 
sented a paper on the fructification and on the structure of the 
stems of dnnularia and Sphenophyllum,—M. Chasles presented 
a paper on the trajectories of the points of a straight motion in 
space, by M. A. Mannheim, and a note on double curves of the 
sixth order, by M. Ed. Weyer.—M. L. Joulin sent a paper on 
saline decomposition, a paper relating to the part played by the 
water used to dissolve a body, when that body is precipitated 
by means’ of another.—MM. Troost and Hautefeuille sent 
2 second instalment of their paper on the solution of 
gases in molten cast-iron, They find that a highly sili- 
cious iron scarcely dissolves any hydrogen.—M. Gernez pre- 
sented another paper on the action of films on svper- 
saturated solutions.—M. Pasteur presented a paper by M. 
j. Chautard, on the modification of the chlorophyll absorption 
spectrum, produced by the action of alkalics, The alkalies 
cause the appearance ofa second band in the red.—MM. Houzeau | 
and Renard presented a paper on the use of concentrated ozone 
in investigations in organic chemistry, and on ‘‘ ozobenzine,” 
The latter is a gelatinous body produced together with formic 
and acetic acids by the action of ozone on pure benzine.—Mr, | 
T. L. Phipson sent a note on Anthracenamine.—M. Wurtz pre- 
sented a second note on the derivatives of Tetrachloride of 
naphthaline, by M. Grimaux.—This was followed by M. P. Bert’s 
ninth note on the effects of changes of barometric pressure on life. 
MM. P, Fischer and de Tolin sent a note on the bathymetric 
exploration of the fosse at Cape Breton, and M. J. Jullien a note 
on the respiration of the Psammodroma. 
DIARY 
THURSDAY, Marcu 13. 
Roya Society, at 8.30.—Note on Supersaturated Saline Solutions: C. 
‘Yomlinson.—Visible Direction: Dr. Jago. 
SocteTy or ANTIQUARIES, at 8.30.—Excavations in the Troad ; Dr. Schlie- 
mann. 
Lonpon Matitematicat Society, at 8.—On an Extension of the term 
<lrea toaclosed curve of double curvature or Skew Polygon: R. B. 
Hayward.—On the Evaluation of a class of Definite Integrals involving 
Circular Functions in the Numerator, and powers of the Variable only in 
the Denominator : J. W. L. Glaisher.— Note on Normals and the Surface 
of Centres of an Algebraical Surface: S. Roberts. 
Rovat Institution, at 3,—Forces and Motions of the Body: Prof. 
Rutherford. 
1 
FRIDAY, Marcu 14. 
Se INSTITUTION, at 9.—Coral Reefs and their Architects: Prof. 
Allman. 
ASTRONOMICAL Society, at 8, 
QuexketrT Cvvs, at 8. 
Roya COLLEGE OF SURGEONS, at 4.—Extinct Mammals: Prof. Flower. 
g ~ 
SATURDAY, Magcu 15. 
Rovat INSTITUTION, at 3.—On the Philosophy of the Pure Sciences: Prof. 
W. K. Clifford. 
SUNDAY, Marcu 16. 
Sunpay Lecture Society, at 4.—The Education of Women: 
Fawcett. 
Mrs, 
MONDAY, Marcu 17. 
ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY, at 7. 
ASIATIC SOCIETY, at 3. 
Lonpon INSTITUTION, at 4.—Physical Geography: Prof. Duncan. 
Roya CoLLeGe oF SURGEONS, at 4.—Extinct Mammals: Prof. Flower. 
TUESDAY, Marcu 18. 
STATISTICAL SOCIETY, at 7.45- 
ANTHROPOLOGICAL Society, at 8.—On “‘ Theories regarding Intellect and 
Instinct,” and ‘*The Concurrent Contemporaneous Progress of Renovation 
and Waste: George Harris. : 
Zootocicat Socigty, at 8 30 —On some Marine Mollusca from Madeira, 
including a new genus of the JZuricide. Communicated by Mr. Gwyn 
Jeffreys: R. B. Watson.—On a specimen of Acanthias vulgaris and 
a species of Gadeus, probably new, taken off Flinder’s Island, Bass’ Straits : 
Dr. John Denis Macdonald —Note on the Gazelles of India and Persia, 
with description of a new species (Gazella_fuscifrons): W. T. Blanford. 
Royat INsTITUTION, at 3.—Forces and Motions of the Body: Prof. 
Rutherford. 
WEDNESDAY, Marcu 19. 
Society or Arts, at 8.—Oun certain improvements in the Manufacture of 
Printing Types: J. R. Johnson. 
METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY, at 7.—On some results of Meteorological Tele- 
graphy: R. H. Scott.—On the Barometric Depressions of Jan. 24, 1872: 
Wm. Marriott. 
Roya CoLieGE or SURGEONS, at 4.—Extinct Mammals: Prof. Flower. 
Lonpon INsTiTuTION, at 7.—Travers Course (Lecture I). 
THURSDAY, Marcu 20. 
Royat Institution, at 3 —The Chemistry of Coal and its Products: A. V. 
Harcourt. 
CHEMICAL Society, at 8.—On Iron and Steel: C. W. Siemens. 
LinnEAn Society, at 8.—On the “ Take-all” Corn Disease of Australia : 
Dr. Miicke. 
PAMPHLETS RECEIVED 
Encuisu.— Report of the Marlborough Natural History Society. fanaa 
of the Iron and Steel Institute, No. 4 —Quarterly Journal of the Meteoro- 
logical Society. 
AmerIcAN.— Annual Report of the Survey of the Northern and North- 
Eastern Lakes: C. B. Comstock (Washington).—Moyable Torpedoes : Capt. 
Ericsson.—On a new Sub-Class of Fossil Birds.—On the Gigantic Fossil 
Mammals of the order Dinocerata: Prof. O.C. Marsh. 
ForeiGNn.—Introduction a I'Eiude de Ja Nutrition des Plantes, &c.: E. 
Morren.—Report of the Proceedings of the Meteorological Conference at 
Leipzig, 1873.—Cosmos, No. 1. 
CONTENTS PAGE 
Hervert Spencer's Psycuotocy. By Doucras A. SPALDING . . 357 
Geikie’s PuysicAL GEOGRAPBY. . . . . « oe 8s, eae naan 
Our Boox SHELF. . ©. 6 2 6 es 6 © ee es 8 ow ls ss GOO 
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:-- 
Perception in the Lower Animals——Cuartes Darwin, F.R.S. . 360 
‘The Sense of Smell in Animals —W. H. Brewer . © Ak eG 
External Perception in Dogs. . « - « + « « «© « « « » » 3OEr 
Sight in Dogs —J..H, WALTERS . . . + © « s » sue en enor 
Selenium.—WILLOUGHBY SMITH . . « . « « «© &© © « = = 3OK 
Brighton Aquarium. MarsHALL HALL...» ++ + « + 362 
General Travelling Notes —J. Raz . oe CURA TEM eee 
New Guinea.—S. J. WHITMEE. . . 2. © 6 « © 6 © = = © 908 
Flight of Projectiles.—W. Hope . . . 2. « + soap) sos wee 
Glacial Action.—J. J. Murrny, F.G.S... . . . «. +» » « « 362 
The Feeding Habits of the Belted Kingfisher.—Prof. Cuas. C. 
ABBOTT .. ey Sa eer 
A PETRIFIED Forest 1N THE LipyAN Desert. By W. Dixon . . 365 
Pror. FLower’s HUNTERIAN LECTURES. . ». « +» « + » © « © 304 
FAUNA OF THE New ENGLAND COAST . .. . +. - «. « « « = JOS 
On Dinoceras Mirasicis (MArRsH). (With Illustrations.) _. . . 366 
THE TROGLODYTES OF THE VEZERE (With J//ustrations), 11. By Paut 
BROCA. 2.5 6. os 6 SAR ers! couse, =) oe | naires 
Noves®. 2 5° 3... 7 PME 
SCIENTIFIC SERIALS . . Ga es 6 os es . Aare Biri 
SocizTi#s AND ACADEMIES 2 © « + «© « + + 6 © « «apse, B7a 
PAMPHLETS RECKIVED . Sinus te fo fe we s+ 6) lat aoe) ee 
BUIARY'.  jeuids olue dey, ofa Si, vs 6 aso 0) 6) num) ReaD 
