96 
plants of interest exhibited. He called attention to specimens 
of Cytisus Adami, believed to be a graft-hybrid, which bears 
upon the same branches, besides its own proper intermediate 
flowers, the ‘dissociated very distinct flowers of its parents.— 
Tillandsia tonantha and a large flowering specimen of Cycas 
revoluta were also alluded to. 
Scientific Committee.—Dr, J. D. Hooker, F.R.S., C.B., in the 
chair.—Mr, Anderson-Henry sent cuttings from black currant 
bushes, the buds of which were swollen to an unusual size, but 
abortive. This was due to the presence of a four-legged acaroid, 
similar to those on lime and hazel. In gardens near Greenock 
it was seriously affecting the cultivation of the fruit; it is be- 
lieved there to haye been imported with plants obtained from 
the Low Countries.— A letter from Mr. Andrew Murray to Mr. 
Berkeley was read, dated Salt Lake City. Hesent an Osci//a- 
zoria, which he had found in a hot sulphuretted spring ; also 
specimens of a JVostoc, with very large-celled chains, which 
blackened the stones in the brooks.—Dr. Masters called atten- 
tion to a mode of propagating the vine described by M. Riviere. 
Cuttings were planted vertically in the ‘ground in the spring, 
the uppermost bud being completely covered with 3 to 4 inches 
of soil. 
EDINBURGH 
Royal Society, May 19.—Memoir on the placentation of 
the sloths, by Prof. Turner. After referring to the absence of 
any definite information on this subject in anatomical literature, 
the author described his dissection of the gravid uterus cf a 
specimen of that species of two-toed sloth, which Peters has 
named Choloepus Hoffmanni, Wis specimen was perfectly fresh 
when it came into his possession, and he had succeeded in 
obtaining satisfactory injections both of the foetal and maternal 
systems of blood-vessels. His dissections have led to the 
following conclusions :—The placenta of the sloth is not coty- 
ledonary, in the sense in which the term is employed to express 
the non-deciduate placenta sub-divided into distinct and 
scattered masses, as in the ruminants. In the fullest sense of the 
word it is a deciduate placenta. If the inference which has 
been drawn from Sharpey’s observations on the placenta in 
Manis, viz. that it is non-deciduate, be correct, then it is clear, 
if any value is to be attached to ,the placental system of classifi- 
cation, that the scaly ant-eaters can no long be regrouped along 
with the sloths in the order Edentata, which order must therefore 
be broken up, The memoir concluded with some remarks on 
the affinities, as regards their placental form and structure, of the 
sloths to the other deciduate mammals, 
PARIS 
Academy of Sciences, May 19,—M. de Quatrefages, 
president, in the chair.—The following papers were read.—A 
note on solar cyclones, with an answer, by S. Respighi to M. 
Vicaire and Father Secchi, by M. Faye. M. Vicaire in his late 
critique on M, Faye’s solar spot theory had asked how that 
author could compare the barometric depressions in terrestrial 
cyclones which only amount to a few millimetres of mercury with 
the enormous lowerings of the chromosphere which ought to take 
place on the solar spots but which are inadmissible. M. Faye 
now replied that these depressions are facts long and carefully 
observed by Respighi, and quoted a letter from him on the sub- 
ject. With regard to Secchi’s assertion that Respighi had been 
deceived by the small size of his telescope (4% inches aperture) 
he pronounced the objection utterly invalid, for, whatever might 
be the shortcomings of the telescope as regards minute details, it 
could never make the chromosphere appear very low where it 
was in reality very high.—Note on the mechanical properties of 
different bronzes, by M. Tresca. Hydrologic studies of the Seine 
Part II., Agricultural applications, by M. Belgrand.—On the 
part played by the substratum in the distribution of rock lichens, 
by M. Weddell.—New observations on metallic deposits on zinc, 
&c., and a new heliographic process, by M. C. Gourdon.— 
On an electro-diapason of continuous movement, by M. E, 
Mercadier.—On an electro-dynamic experiment, by MM. G. 
Planté and Alf. Niaudet-Breguet—On the action of dry 
ammonia gas on ammonic nitrate, by M. F. M. Raoult. 
The author found that the liquid produced by the action 
varies in composition with the temperature. At — 10° C., 100 
grammes of the nitrate absorb 42°50 grammes of the gas; this 
gradually diminishes as the temperature rises until at + 29° 20°9 
grm. only are retained and the product is solid, at 79° only 
0°5 grm. of NH; remain.—On certain peculiarities observed in 
spectrum researches, by M. Lecoq de Boisbaudran,—On the 
NATURE . 
[May 29, 1873 
preparation and properties of oxymalcic acid, by M. E. Bour- 
goin.—On the acid derivatives of napthylamine, by M. D. 
Tommasi.—On the different propylenic chlorides. A classifi- 
cation of the absorption-bands of chlorophyll; accidental 
bands, by M. J. Chautard. The author so calls the bands 
produced by the action of acids, alkalies, or other re-agents 
upon normal chlorophyll. —Observations on the regulation of 
the magnetic compass, by M. Gaspari.—Experimental Re- 
searches on the influence of barometric changes on life, tenth 
note, by M. P, Bert.— Mineralogical determinations of the true 
meteoric irons (Holosidéres) in the Museum, by M. Stan. 
Meunier. During the meeting an election to the vacant seat of 
the late M. le Comte Jaubert (Academecien libre) took place. 
M. de la Gournerie obtained 44; M. Bréguet, 9 ; M. Sedillot, 
5; M.Jacqmin, 2; and M. du Moncel, 1 vote. M. de la 
Gournerie was accordingly declared elected. 
DIARY 
THURSDAY, May 209. 
Rovat Society, at 8.30.—Croonian Lecture on Muscular Irritability after 
Systematic Death: Dr. B. W. Richardson 
Society OF ANTIQUARIES, at 8.30.—Ballot for election of Fellows. 
Royac Institution, at 3.—Light: Prof. ‘Tyndall. 
FRIDAY, May 30. 
Royat Institution, at 9 —On the Radiation of Heat from the Moon : The 
Earl of Rosse. 
HorTICULTURAL SOcIETY, at 3.—Lecture. 
SATURDAY, May 31. 
Rovat InstitTuTION, at 3.—The Historical Method: John Morley. 
GEoLocisTs’ AssociIATION.—Excursion to Finchley. 
MONDAY, June 2. 
ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY, at 7. 
Royat InstiTuTion, at 2,—General Monthly Meeting. 
TUESDAY, June 3. 
ANTHROPOLOGICAL INSTITUTE, at 8.—On a ready method of measuring the 
Cubic Capacity of Skulls: Prof. Busk, F.R.S.—Flint Implements from 
St. Vincent’s : Pref. Rolleston, F.R.S.—Copy of a Mural Inseription in 
large Samaritan Characters from Gaza: Rev. D. I. Heath.—Strictures on 
Darwinism, Part II. ; the Substitution of Types: H. H. Howorth, 
ZootocicaL Socigty, at 8.30.—The Antelopes of the genus Gaseé/a and 
their Distribution : Sir Victor Brooke, Bart.—The Birds of the Philippine 
Islands: Viscount Walden. 
Roya InsTITUTION, at 3.—Roman Archzology: J. H. Parker, 
WEDNESDAY, June 4. 
MicroscoricaL Society, at 8. 
THURSDAY, June 5. 
CuemiIcat Society, at 8.—On the Dioxides of Calcium and Strontium : 
Sir John Courcy, Bart.—On Iodine Monochloride: J. B. Hannay.—A 
new Ozone Generator will be exhibited by Mr. T. Wills. 
LinnEAN Society, at 8. 
Roya. InstiTuTIon, at 3.—Light: Prof. Tyndall. 
BOOKS RECEIVED 
Encuisu.—The Art of Grafting and Budding : C. Baltet (W. Robinson),— 
Elementary Crystallography: J. B. Jordan (I. Murby).—The Noaic De~ 
luge: S. Lucas (Hodder and Stoughton).—British Rainfall, 1872: G. J. 
Symons (E. Stanford).—On Coal at home and abroad: J. R. Leifchild 
(Longmans).—The Olive and its Products: L. A. Bernays (J. C. Beal, 
Brisbane).—The Philosophy of Evolution (an Actonian Prize Essay): B. T. 
Lowne (Van Voorst). 
CONTENTS 
Tue Zoorocicat Station aT NapLes. By Dr. ANron Donrn . . 8&r 
Gaupin’s “ WoRLD oF ATOMS” (5%. 5. 1. 1. GS sg 
Our Book SHELF. . « shis/e" sl oy» (© 0 ©) 0) = soiite nes 
LETTERS TO THE EpITOR :— 
Science at Cambridge.—Rev. T. G. Bonney, F.G.S. 
. Op wall fy 
Arctic Exploration —CLemenTs R. Markuam, C.B. . 
Ae ae 83 
Clerk-Maxwell’s Kinetic Theory of Gases.—Prof. Te CLERK-Max- 
Forbes and Tyndall.—Principal J. C. SHairr . . 84 
WELL ..\ s « -« Aphiy ss 0 6 2 bes woes ee ee een 
Additional Remarks on Abiogenesis.—Prof. HuiziInca. .. . . 85 
Flight of Birds.—J. Guanriz™ . 4. <)).n 2 (3) sols ee ee 
Tuermo-Evectricity: Repe Lecrure at Camsripce. By Prof, 
P.G.TAIT . . +o Eee na cake gs es sre ee 
ON THE SPECTROSCOPE AND ITS APPLICATIONS, IX. By J. NoRMAN 
Lockyer, F.R.S. (With Illustrations)... .... « « « 89 
Minp IN THE Lower Animas, By Dr. J. Lauper Linpsay . . . o4 
NOTES. 0.0 © 6, GMIRUplle pw oe) 0 > Sie 
SCIENTIFIC SERIALS . Jeaneuen sl tetas is) 2 0 > a) Ja ns 
SoclETIES AND ACADEMIES . . » « + «© « « oe 6 ee 6 85 
DIARY...» « «0 « Ses = 5 0) > o) see ne 
BOOKS Recerven ..°. Use! we Se oe ot item ae 
Errata.—P. 64, col. 1, line 13 from bottom, for “drift” read “ draft.” 
Col. 2, line 14 from top, for “‘ unnecessary” read ‘‘ necessary.” 
———— 
