January 7.—Dr. Ruschenberger, president, in the chair 
—E. Goldsmith described what he considers a new mineral 
which he names 7razufwinetle, after its first observer, Mr. 
J. C. Trautwine. The mineral has a green colour; the 
hardness is between 1 and 2, and it is micro-crystalline. 
The regular forms, which he saw, were short hexagonal 
pyramids, the infinite pyramid (prism), and triangular slender 
prisms, which may be one-sixth sections of the hexagonal 
prism. Under ordinary circumstances the mineral is dull, but 
when observed under power it appears vitreous. The streak is 
light green, The qualitative chemical examination indi- 
cated the oxides of chromium, iron, and magnesium,—Prof. 
Cope remarked, that, through the kindness of Prof. B. F. 
Mudge, he had an opportunity of examining additional 
specimens of the turtle from the cretaceous of Kansas, described 
by him in the Proceedings of the Academy, 1872, p. 129. The 
phalanges indicated a large flipper of the type of marine turtles, 
‘They are more flattened than in the Prof/uride so far as the 
latter are known, and are proportionally larger. The genus and 
species were named Zoxochelys latiremis, 
ParRIs 
Academy of Sciences, April 21.—M. de Quatrefages 
president, in the chair.—The following papers were read.—A 
final answer to M, Secchi, by M. Faye. M. Faye called atten- 
tion to the fact that Father Secchi has accused him of insinu- 
ating that his drawings of the spots are not authentic, which 
insinuation also applies to the drawings of Carrington and 
Father Tacchini. This he showed was not the case, his state- 
ment that photographs, and not drawings, were required, being 
perfectly obvious as regards its signification. He then pro- 
ceeded to answer Secchi’s statements as to eruptions projecting 
the erupted matter towards a common centre, and asked how it 
was that these masses cooled during a passage which lasted 
often but a day or two, or even a few hours, could produce 
spots which lasted for months. He then answered several other 
objections, and called attention to Respighi’s observations of the 
chromosphere, the earliest, as they are the best yet executed, 
as fully beerimg out his theory.—On the condensation of 
Carbonic Oxide and Hydrogen, and of Nitrogen and Hydrogen, 
by the silent electric discharge, by MM. P. and A.Thenard. 
The authors had noticed that the protocarbide of hydrogen and 
carbonic anhydride, which, under the silent discharge condensed 
to a liquid, were doubled in volume and converted into carbonic 
. Oxide and hydrogen by the spark. they therefore sought to 
recombine the two latter gases by the discharge ; in this they 
succeeded, and the action was more rapid than with the first. 
They also succeeded in producing ammonia from three volumes 
of hydrogen and one of nitrogen when treated in the same 
way; the action was most rapid when an acid was present to 
absorb the NH, as fast as it was formed.—On the physical 
and political history of Chili, by M. Gay, was a sketch 
of a work by the author in Spanish consisting of thirty 
volumes.--On the qualities necessary to the springs required 
for the supply of water to Paris by M. Belgrand.—M. Ley- 
merie was then elected correspondent of the Mineralogical 
section in place of the late M. Haidinger, and M. Didion 
correspondent of the Mechanical section in place of the late 
Canon Moseley.—On a spectral illuminator, by M.F. P. Le 
Roux, described a new method of obtaining monochromatic 
illumination.—On the action of electricity on flames by M. 
Neyreneuf.—On the application of the curves des debits to the 
study of the laws of rivers and to the effects produced by a 
multiple system of reservoirs by M. de Graeff.—Observations on 
Phylloxera vastatrix, by M. Maxime Cornu.—A decree from the 
President of the Republic was received authorising the Academy 
to receive a legacy of 40,000 francs, left to it by the late 
Marshal Vaillant.—On the interference fringes observed in the 
case of Sirius and several other stars when large telescopes are 
employed ; a consequence of the relative angular diameter of 
the stars in question, by M. Stephan. The author hopes, by 
means of certain observaiions, to obtan an approximate 
measurement of the diame’er of Sirius. —On the comparison of 
electrical machines, by M. Mascart.—Remarks on the resistance of 
galvanometers, by M. J. Reynaud.—On the condensed discharge 
of the induction spark, by M. Th. du Moncel.—Researches on the 
chloride bromide and iodide of trichloracetyl, by M. H.Gal— 
On the action of sodic sulphide on glycerin, by M. F. Schlagden- 
hauffen.—On a volumetric method of estimating oxygen in 
hydric peroxide and other liquids, by M. F. Hamel ; this is an 
application of the disengagement of oxygen from the above 
NATURE 
body, by means of potassic permanganate. The gas liberated and ~ 
the permanganate used form the data necessary for the prepara- 
tion of standard permanganate solution, where the oxygen 
liberated per c.c, of reagent used is known, Oa the properties 
and composition of a cellular tissue which extends throughout the 
organism of the vertebrata, by M. A. Miintz.—Discovery of a 
new human skeleton of the paleolithic period in the caverns 
of Baoussé Roussé, by M. E. Riviéreg—On the influence of 
various coloured rays on the spectrum of chlorophyll, by M. J. 
Chautard.—A note on the habits of ‘*Lombrics,” by M, E. 
Robert. 
DIAR 
THURSDAY, May x. 
Royvat Society, at 8.30.—On the Effect of Pressure on the Character of the 
Spectra of Gases: C, H. Stearn and G. H. Lee.—On the Condensation of 
a Mixture of Air and Steamupon Cold Surfaces: Prof. Osborne Reynolds. 
—Further Observations on the Temperature at which Bacterra Vibriones — 
and their supposed Germs are killed when exposed to Heat, &c,—Dr. 
Bastian. 
Society or ANTIQUARIES, at 8.30.—Flint Implements from Japan; W. L. 
Lawrence.—On Religious Guilds, and particularly the Privileged Guild 
at Walsoken, Norfolk; J. G. Nichois. 
LINNEAN SocieTy, at 8.—On Cinchonas: J. E. Howard, 
CHEMICAL SociETY, at 8.—On Zirconia: J. B. Hannay.—On a new class 
of Expiosives: Dr. Sprengel. ’ 
Roya [NnsTITUTION, at 2.—Annual Meeting. 
FRIDAY, May 2. 
Geo.oGisTs’ AssociATIon, at 8.—On the Valley of the Véztre (Dordogne), 
its Limestones, Caves, and Pre-histor.c Kemais: T. Rupert Jones, 
Roya LnstiTuTion, at 9.—Alcohois from Flints; Prof. Reynolds. 
ARCH/ZOLOGICAL INSTITUTION, at 4. 
HORTICULTURAL Society, at 3 —Lecture. 
Royat InsTituTION, at 3.—Oz-ne: Prof. Odling. 
SUNDAY, May 4. . 
Sunpay Lxcture Society, at 4.—The Relations between Science and some 
Modern Poetry : Prof. Clifford. 
MONDAY, May 5 
Royat Institution, at 2—General Monthly Meeting. 
GgoLocists’ AssociaTion.—Excursion to Aylesbury, from Euston Square 
at 10.15 A.M. 3 
ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY, at 7. 
ASIATIC SOCIETY, at 3. 
Lonpvon_InsTITUTION, at 4.—Elementary Botany: Prof, Bentley. 
TUESDAY, May 6. 
ANTHROPOLOGICAL INSTITUTE, at 8.—Eastern Coolie Labour: W. L. Distant. 
‘Dhe Westerly writing of Nomades irom the Filth to the Nineteenth 
Century. Part X. ‘Lne Alans or L.sghs: H. H, Howorth, — 
OCIETY OF BIBLICAL ARCHZULOGY, at 8.30.—Un the Signincation and Ety- 
mology of the Hebrew Noun snow dirshatha; R. Cuil—On the Chrono- 
logy of the Olympiads in Connection with the Golden Age of Greece: 
W. K. A. Boyle.— On the sites ef Ophir and l’aprobane, trom Greek and 
Hindu Authonties: A M. Cameron.—On the Character of the Prepusiuion 
in the Egyptian Language: ¥. Le Page Kenout.—LJrausiation of an 
Egyptian Hymn to Ammon: C, W. Goodwin. : . 
ZooLoGicaL Society, at 8.30.—On some new Species of Avaneidea: O. P. 
Cambridge.— On Airican Buffaloes: Sir Victor Brooke. 
Royat InsritTuTIoN, at 3 —Music of the Drama: Mr, Dannreuther. 
WEDNESDAY, May 7. 
Society oF ARTS, at 8,—Improvements in the Manufacture of Guu Cotton. 
S. J. Mackie. 
HorTicuLturat Society.— Exhibition of Roses, Azateas, &c. 
MucroscoricaL Socigety, at 8.—On the Development of the Sturgeon’s 
Facial Arches: W. K. Pavker. 
London LNSTITUTION, at 7,—Conversazione and Lecture by Prof. Clifford, 
LHURSDAY, May 8. 
Roya InsTiTuTION, at 3.—Light: Prot. ‘lyndall. ’ 
MATHEMATICAL SUCIETY, at_8 —On an application of the Theory of Uni- 
cursal Curves; Plan of a Curve-tracing Apparatus: M. Hermite,—On 
Bicursal Curves: Prof. Cayley. - 
- 
CONTENTS a 
Tre Witp Birps Prorecrion. ACT. . . . «© © « ‘s © isle Une 
Fauna ber KigLer Bucut. By J. Gwyn Jerrreys, F.R.S. . . . 3 
Our Book SHELF... Ss es 0) 6 1%) 8 6) ss ee 
LETTERS TO THE EpITOoR :-- 
bieia’s Comets —Prof. Danie: KirnKwoop. . . . ..+ .s+ 4 
Earthquake in Dumfnes.—J. SHAW. MP merAce co YS 
East Judia Museum.—ALFRED R. WALLACE, F.Z S.; Hype CLARKE 5§ 
lustinct. —GEORGE DARWIN ; JAMES B. ANDREWS; A. Percy SMITH 6 
Prehisroric Art << 6: ieee ys obi ee) oe ee ee 
April Meteors —WitiiaM F. Denninc, F.RAS. . . . + ss 6 
A Proposed New Barometer.—J. K. LauGHTON . . . . . «+ 6 
Acquired Habits in Piauts.—Prof, C. C. Bauincron, F.R.S. . . 7 
The Zodiacait Light.—MaxweE_tt Hatt . . «. . . - . © ss 7 
On VENOMOUS LA. EKPILLAKS. By A. MURRAY . . «2. 4 2 ee 7 
On Spacek oF Four wimensions. By G. F. Ropwett, F CS... . 8 
By J. NoRMAN - 
ON THE SPECTRUSCOPE AND ITS ApPLicaiions, VIII. 
Lockyer, #.K.S. (With Lieustrations). . 5 
Norges oe aes A. 2S ee 
On THe HyPOTHESES WHICH LIE AT THE Bases oF GEOMETRY. « By 
BERNHAKD KIEMANN. ‘Lranslated by Prof. W K. Cuirrorp . 
SCIENTIFIC‘SERIALS . “.) MENe es ss |) ot ee 
SocigeTIES AND ACADEMIES « + © e+ - + es s+ @ es «eee 
DYARY (. ic is + 2, a/R NEES TID piace 0 = 0 le) Sight 
SATURDAY, May 3. . 
