40 
NATURE 
7 [May 8, 1873 
of carboniferous limestone from Braidwood, near Car- 
luke, containing in great abundance the tests or shells of a 
species of Foraminifer, Saccimina carteri. Similar organisms 
had been found in a limestone from the Elf Hills, Northumber- 
land, and described by Dr. H. B. Brady in 1871. They had 
also been found once or twice in the limestones of the east of 
Scotland, but so far as he was aware, this was the first instance 
in which it had been recognised in the limestones of the Lanark- 
shire coal field.—Mr. J. Thompson, F.G.S., read a paper which 
he had prepared in conjunction with Mr. Henry Caunter, on 
the geology of the neighbourhood of Stornoway, island of Lewis. 
The authors briefly described the relations of the gneissic or 
Laurentian rocks to the Cambrian strata of the island. The 
junction of the two formations is seen in the bed of a small stream 
that flows into the sea in the harbour of Stornoway ; also in 
Garabost Bay, about seven miles to the east. The Laurentians 
dip N.W., while the lower members of the Cambrian dip at an 
angle of 23° tothe N.E. These beds have been termed by Sir 
R. Murchison, Upper Cambrian. The authors next described 
the more recent deposits of the island, beginning with the boulder 
drift, with its transported striated erratics, all of which belong to the 
Laurentian system, and are traceable to the west and north-west. 
They then referred to the gravels and drift-sand which overlie 
the remains of an extensive bed of peat seen in Stornoway Bay, 
where it attains a depth of 15 feet. At the lower extremity of 
this bed, and only seen at extreme low tides, are numerous 
stumps of trees of considerable dimensions, the roots of which 
rest upon and pass down through a bed of clay which forms the 
subsoil. From this it would seem that there has been an exten- 
sive subsidence of the island at a comparatively recent period, 
and that the climatal conditions must have been very different 
during the time when such trees grew from those which prevail 
at the present day. 
PARIS 
Academy of Sciences, April 28.—M. de Quatrefages, 
president, in the chair,—The following papers were read.—On 
the actions produced in capillary spaces by molecular attractions, 
by M. Becyerel. The author described the various results 
produced by inserting solutions contained in cracked vessels into 
other vessels containing solutions capable of producing precipi- 
tates in them, ¢.g. baric nitrate and potassic sulphate. After a 
few days the solutions communicate by the crack and electric 
curren's are started.—On the heat disengaged by the reactions 
between the alkalis and water: potassic and sodic hydrates by 
M. Berthelot. The results obtained lead the author to suppose 
that there is a potassic hydrate intermediate between the ordinary 
fused and crystallised hydrates.—On the combinations produced 
by the electric discharge between marsh gas and carbonic anhy- 
dride, and between carbonic oxide and hydrogen, by MM. P.and 
A. Thenard.—On certain particular spectroscopic observations 
by Father A. Secchi. —On the application of the pandynamometer 
to the measurement of the work performed by a steam engine, 
by M. G. A. Hirn.—On the application of the mathematical 
theory of elasticity to the study of articulated systems formed by 
elastic rods, by M. Maurice Levy.—On the composition of the 
thermic mineral waters of Vichy, Bourbon l’Archambault, and 
Weris, as regards those substances which invariably exist in 
water in minute proportions, by M. de Gouvernain.—An exami- 
nation of the difference produced in the spectrum of chlorophyll 
by different solvents, by M. J. Chautard.—On the unwholesome 
nature of the Versailles water supply, by M. E. Decaisne.—On 
the awakening of the Phylloxera in the month of April 1873, by 
M. Faucon.—On nebulz discovered and observed at the Mar- 
scilles observatory, by M. E. Stephan.—On characteristics in 
the theory of conics, on planes, and in space, and on second 
order surfaces, by M, Halphen.—On the vapour emitted at the 
same temperature by the same body in two states, by M. J. 
Moutier.—On the spectrum of erbia, by M. Lecocq de Boisbau- 
dran. The author has found that erbia and erbic phosphate 
give, when heated, different band spectra, of which the author 
exhibited plates and tables. These spectra he has carefully in- 
vestigated, and finding it impossible to attribute either of them 
to another body, he concluded that they were both due to 
erbium in different states of combination.—Observations on M. 
du Moncel’s late note on the history of the silent discharge, by 
M. Arn. Thenard.— On the Manufacture of ammonic sulphate 
from nitrogenous waste products, by M. L’Hote.—On the con- 
ditions of formation of extra silicious pig in blast furnaces, by 
M. S. Jordan. Experiments on the effects of dynamite, by 
MM. Roux and Jarrou.—On necrobiosis and gangrene, an expe- 
rimental study on the phenomena of mortification and putrefac- — 
tion as they occur in the living body, by M. Chauveau.—On the 
geology of Mount Léberon, by M. A. Gaudry. 
DIARY 
THURSDAY, May 8. 
Royvat Soctety, at 8.30.—Contributions to the Study of the Errant Anne- 
lides of the older Palzozoic Rocks : Prof. Alleyne Nicholson.—Researches 
in Spectrum Analysis in Connection with the Spectrum of the Sun: 
J. Norman Lockyer.—The Action cf Light on the Electrical Resistance of 
Selenium: Lieut. Sale. 
Matuematicat Society, at 8 —On Bicursal Curves, and Plan of a Curve- 
tracing Apparatus: Prof. Cayley. —On an application of the Theory of 
Unicursal aaa M. Hermite. 
Society OF ANTIQUARIES, at 8.30. 
Roya INSTITUTION, at 3-—Light: Prof. Tyndall. 
FRIDAY, May 9. 
Roya InsTiTUTION, at 3—A Fortnight in Asia Minor: Mr. Grant Duff, 
ASTRONOMICAL Society, at 8. 
QueketTT Cxvs, at 8. 
SATURDAY, May 10. 
Royat InstiTuTION, at 3.—Ozone: Prof Odling. 
MONDAY, May 12. 
Roya GEOGRAPHICAL Soci&ty, at 8 30. 
Lonpon InstiTuTION, at 4.—Elementary Botany: Prof. Bentley. 
TUESDAY, May 13. : 
Roya InstituTIon, at 3.—Roman History and Architecture: J. H. 
Parker. 
Puorocrapuic Society, at 8.—On instantaneous Landscape Photography : 
F. R. Elwell.—Improvements in Carbon Printing : A. Marion, 
WEDNESDAY, May 14. 
Society oF Arts, at 8.—Improvements in Rifles: Capt. O’Hea. 
GEoLoaiIcau Society, at 8.—Notes on Structure in the Chalk of the York- 
shire Wolds: J. R. Mortimer.—On the genus Pa/eocoryne, Duncan and 
Jenkins, aud its affinities: Prof. P. Mart Duncan.—On Platysiagum 
sclerocephalum and Paleospinax priscus, Egerton: Sir Philip de M. 
Grey-Egerton.—On a new genus of Silurian Asteride: Dr. Thomas 
right. i 
ARCHAOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION, at 8.—Anniversary. 
Lonpon InsTITUTION, at 7.—Paper and Discussion. 
Society or TELEGRAPH ENGINEERS, at 7.30.—On the Block System of 
Working Railways: W. H. Preece and Capt. Mallock. 
THURSDAY, May 15. 
Royat Society, at 8.30, 
SocigTy OF ANTIQUARIES, at 8.30. 
CHEMICAL Society, at 8.—On Isomerism; Dr, H. E. Armstrong. 
Numismatic Soctgty, at 7. 
Roya Institution, at 3.—Light: Prof. Tyndall. 
BOOKS RECEIVED 
EnGuisu.—Comet's Tails no longera Mystery: T. A. R. (Reeves aud 
Son).—Manual tor Medical Officers of Health: E. Smith(Knight & Co.), 
—Manchester Science Lectures, 1871-73. 3rd Series: J. Heywood & Co.— 
Tropical World. New Edition: Dr. G. Hartwig (Longmans).—The Life of 
von Humboldt, Vols. i. and ii. : Bruhns, translated by Lassell (Longmans),— 
Astronomical Plates from the Observatory of Harvard College (Tribner).— 
Text-books of Science ; Electricity, and Magnetism: F. Jenkin (Longmans). 
—Critiques and Addresses: Thomas Huxley (Macmillan & Coj— The 
Familiar History of British Fishes: Frank Buckland (published by the 
Society for promoting Christian Knowledge).—The Cruise of the Curacoa 
among the South Sea Islands, 1865: J. C. Brenchley (Longmans), 
Foreicn.—Zeitschrift fur Biologie, Part 1, Vol. ix.—Zoologische Botan- 
ische Gesellschaft in Wien, Vol, xxii., 1872.—Die Naturkrafte, Munich, 
Edited by Dr. K. A. Zittel. 
CONTENTS Page 
A Voice From CAMBRIDGE. ibys. 0) 0 ss 0. > > ys = 5 ee 
Coves’ AMERICAN Birps. .. .» 22 
Fiammarion’s ATMOSPHERE. By W. F. Barrett, F.C.S. (With 
Lbbustr ations) jx..s0,)%),= geanemeitine ace rei (0 oss: yh wind eo 
Our Book SHELF . =) feng 
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR :— 
Originators of Glacial Theories.—A. AGassiz . . . . . . « « 2% 
Scientific Endowments and Bequests.—F. M. BALFouR . . . . 25 
Permanent and Temporary Variation of Colour in Fish.—W. SAVILLE 
0) (= 2, Ree Pte 8 oe Be ee 
KENT‘. (st. 0; 2s Gem, 500 os 6, lounge 
On Approach caused by Velocity and Resulting in Vibration.— 
HERMANN SMITH. . - ar ee eee 
The Hegelian Calculus.—J. Hurcuison STIRLING eae oo 
Moving in a Circle... tis tey-0, + js.» seue) 8) aes a 
Justus Liesic. By Prof. H. E. Roscoz, F.R.S.. . 
eo © 6 y'. (eee 
Notes FROM THE Challenger (With Iilustrations). By Prof. WyviLtz of 
Tuomson, F.R.S. . eS he eb tec te a’ eg nnn 
On THE OricIn AND METAMORPHOSES OF INssECcTS, III. By Sir Joun 
Lussock, Bart., M.P., F.R.S, (Wsth Iilustrations.) . . . . . « 3% 
Notes Ta err 
On THE HyPOTHESES WHICH LIE AT THE Bases or Geometry, II. By 
BERNHARD RieMANN. Translated by Prof. W.K. CLirrorp . . . 36 
Tue Tuezory or EvoLuTion IN GERMANY, III... . 2 2. 1 es 38 
ScENTIFIC SERIALS...) acN RGR are © = ss ome Ian 
SocieTIES AND ACADEMIES . . . 6 «+ « + « eS © te, isha 
Booxs REcEIVED . |.’ \.\ ete ts) ow) at ates een 
DIARY. 2) 's 5 0 0! 0 sa aE Talis ells Glee a mene 
