116 
from the habit which some squirrels possess, possibly the one | 
under consideration, of sucking the eggs of birds; the blood- 
sucking habit he assumed to be an outgrowth from tie other, 
This adoption of another’s mode of lite by S. Azdésonius, he 
thought a discovery of some note, as usurpation of habits, lead- 
ing to functional and structural changes in an animal's economy, 
is accounted an element of no mean weight in the development 
hypothesis, according to the testimony of able writers upon 
Evolution.—Prof Cope exhibited the cranium of the horned 
Proboscidian of Wyoming, Loxolophodon cornutus, and made 
some remarks on its affinities (see NATURE, vol, vii. p. 471). 
CALIFORNIA 
Academy of Sciences, April 21.—Prof. Davidson, president, 
in the chair.—Dr. Blake read a paper on the connection between 
the atomic weights of inorganic compounds and their physio- 
logical action. In acommunication read before the Academy of 
Sciences of France, February 10, Messrs, Rabuteau and Ducou- 
dray state that the poisonous effects of metals is greater 
as their atomic weight increases. When the different elements 
are grouped according to their isomorphous relations, there 
evidently exists a close connection between the zzlensity of 
their physiological action and relative atomic weights, and it is 
only under such conditions that the statement of Messrs. Rabu- 
teau and Ducoudray is even approximately correct. That no 
absolute connection exists between the atomic weight of a metal 
and its physiological action is evident ; for instance, the com- 
pounds of Beryllium with an atomic weight of 9° are far more 
poisonous than the salts of silver with an atomic weight of 103. 
As an example of the connection between the atomic weight and 
the poisonous qualities of a substance, the following table, drawn 
up from experiments which have not yet been published, fur- 
nishes strong evidence. The experiments were performed on 
tabbits, a solution of some salt of the metal being injected into 
the jugular vein. 
Name of substance. Atomic weight. 
Linn Sees Rae Vins iiss’. 6. 4O PTS. 
Sonus, fl. <) SeeR ere 0 120 5 
Rubidium © 5. J > esa a Ree) (O.7,: 
Cresinme os | GT nh. Sys 
Mihalis i° . |. 6 BORNE Pie |S) Rss 
—Mr. Edwards presented a paper on the honey-making ant of 
Northern Mexico. The community is divided into three classes 
—the workers, . carriers, and the honey-makers. The workers 
are much larger than the others, and of a black colour ; they 
guard the nest and convey to it the materials from which the 
honey is made ; these they deposit in a leaf over the centre of 
the nest, and from this leaf it is transported by the carriers to 
the honey-makers in the interior of the nest. The carriers are 
much smaller than the workers, and of a light brown colour. 
The honey-makers resemble the carriers in size and colour, with 
the exception of the enlarged abdomen. They are found in the 
centre of the nest, generally at a depth of two or three feet from 
the surface. They are supported on a sort of web made of closely 
woven fibres. Each ant occupies a superficial indentation in the 
web, in which it remains ; in fact all locomotion in the honey 
makers is impossible, as the distended abdomen, which consti- 
tutes the honey-bag, is at least twenty times as large as the rest 
of the body. The honey is of a fine flavour, and much sought 
after by the natives. 
Quantity required to kill 
Paris 
Academy of Sciences, May 26.—M. de Quatrefages, 
president, in the chair,—The Academy proceeded to the election 
of the candidates to be recommended to the Minister of Public 
{ostruction for the four vacant posts in the Bureau des Longi- 
tuies. The following were the final results :—Member repre- 
senting the Academy of Sciences, Ist line, M, Serret ; 2nd line, 
M. O. Bonnet; Member of the Marine Department, Ist line, 
M. Mouchez; 2nd line, M. Bouquet de la Grye: Member 
of the War Department, Ist line, M. Perrier; 2nd line, 
M. Blondel : Geographical Member, Ist line, M. Janssen ; 
2nd line, M. d’Abbadie. The following papers were read :— 
On the assimilability of super-phosphates, by M. Joulie. 
Vhe author found that ‘‘ super-phosphate ” consists of the 
following four bodies :—Free phosphoric acid, dihydric calcic 
phosphate, hydric dicalecic phosphate, and tricalcic phosphate, 
The first three of these can be taken up by plants; 
hen:e he decides, (1) that the amount of phosphoric acid 
soluble ia water is not a true estimate of the value of the 
NATURE 
[Fune 5, 1873 
manure, but (2) that the amount soluble in alkaline ammonic 
citrate is; he therefore recommends the latter as the proper 
reagent for such estimations.—Rectification of a portion of the — 
communication of M. Munk concerning the discovery of lunar — 
variation, by M. L. A. Sédillot. This paper related to the — 
disputed passage of Aboul Wefa.—On the calculus of the 
luminous phenomena produced in ,the interior of transparent 
media having a rapid motion of translation in those cases where 
the observer partakes of that motion, by M. J. Boussinesq.—On 
the electric balance and on electrostatic phenomena, by M. P. 
Volcipelli.—Researches on the electricity produced by mecha- 
nical action, by M. L, Joulin.—On the conditions of maximum 
magnetic effect in galvanomoters and electro-magnets, by M. 
Raynaud. 
DIARY 
THURSDAY, June 5. 
Linnean Society, at 8—On the Plants of Kilmanjaro: Dr. Hooker, 
F.R.S.—Un the Lecythidacez : John Miers, F.R.S. 
CuemIcaL 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. 
Roya Institution, at 3.—Light: Prof. Tyndall. 
FRIDAY, Jung 6. 
Roya InstiTuTION, at 9 —Lecture: Dr. Odling. 
Gzovoaists’ AssociATION, at 8.—Ammonite Zones in the Upper Chalk of 
Margate, Kent: F. A, Bedwell. 
ARCHAOLOGICAL INSTITUTE, at 4. 
GresHaM Lecrurgs, at 7.—On Headaches: Dr. E, Symes Thompson, 
SATURDAY, June 7. 
Royat InsTiTuTION, at 3.—The Historical Method: John Morley. 
GresHam LecTurEs, at7.—On Narcotics and Sedatives: Dr, £. Symes 
Thompson, 
: MONDAY, June 9. 
GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY, at 8.30. 
TUESDAY, June to. 
Puotocrapuic Society, at8.—On Experiments with three wet processes: 
Jabez Hughes.—Notes on the Phos lense process: Capt. J. Water- 
house.—On some early Photo-engravings: W. H. Fox Talbot, F.R.S. 
WEDNESDAY, June 11. 
Gerotoaicau Society, at 8.—On the Nature and probable Origin of the 
superficial Deposits in the Valleys and Deserts of Central Persia: W. T. 
Blanford.—On* Curyophyllia Brodiei, Milne-Edwards, from the Red 
Crag: Prof. P. Martin Duncan, F.R.S.—On the Cephalopoda-bed and 
the Oolite Sands of Dorset and part of Somerset: James Buckman,— 
Cetarthrosaurus Walkeri, Seeley, an Ichthyosaurian from the Cambridge 
Upper Greensand : H. G. Seeley. 
ARCH0LOGICAL. ASSOCIATION, at 8. 
GEOLOGISTS’ AssociaTIon.—Excursion to Brighton. 
THURSDAY, June 12. 
Roya Society, at 8.30. 
Society OF ANTIQUARIES, at 8.30. 
MATHEMATICAL Society, at 8.—Some general Theorems relating to Vibra- 
tions: Hon. J. W. Strutt.—Invariant conditions of three and four cun- 
currence of three Conics: J. J. Walker.—Locus of the point of concourse 
of tangents to an epicycloid inclined to each other at a constant angle : 
Prof. Wolstenholme. 
CONTENTS 
Conpensep Mirx. By Dr. Lanxester, F.R.S.. . . . «+. + 97 
Tue Puysiotocy oF MAN jG = 0. sic tee piel aise ee 
Ciopp’s CHILDHOOD oF THE Wortp. By E. B. Tytor, P.R.S.. . 99 
OuR Book SHELF... . . 
Lerrers To THE Eptror:— 
Permanent Variation of Colour in Fish.—G. J. RomaANES. . . . ror 
Venomous Caterpiliars —R. McLacntan; A. M. FesTING. . . 104 
‘The Demagnetisation of Needles.—W. H. PREECE. . « . « « 102 
Microscopes—Information Wanted . . . . «ss . « « + 102 
Arctic Explorauon.—JOHN RAE . .. . « »« ss » « « « 10S 
The Westerly Progress of Cities.—W. F. BARRgrT, F.C.S.. . . 102 
Etymology of Aphis.—Rev. W. W. SPICER. . . . . « «© « + 103 
Phosphorescence in Wood. 1. +s . « «+ »5 sees 
Tears and Care of Monkeys for their Dead.—G. Gu.iver, F.R S. 
Sag Works on EcuHINoverMS. By Prof. E, PERCEVAL WRIGHT, 
On THE SPECTROSCOPE AND ITS ApPLicaTIoNs, X. By J. NoRMAN 
Lockyer, F.R.S. (With lilustrations). . . . « » » sss « 
ON THE OrIGIN AND MeramorpPHosEs oF Insects, V. By Sir Joun 
Lussock, Bart., M.P., F.R.S. (W2th [ilustrations.). . . . . « 
Norves FROM THE Chadlenger, III. By Prot. WyviLLz ‘Tuomson, F.R.S. 
(With Iliststrations) (cis jp (eine js, > +0) 0 60) rs 
Cy i or 5 TE 
Science in Ivary. By W. Mattieu Wituiams, FCS. . , . . 113 
Scmnwiric SERIALS . SVN whe (66 © 3s) > «el ee nn 
SocieTIgs AND ACADEMIES. . « . «+. « « emer Se 
ib 7S ee) ee eee 
