356 
snowstorms fifty out of sixty days. The bay where we are now 
is where Parry left the Aec/a when he went North on sledges, 
It is anything but a fertile place, as the low ground is all one 
great swamp, and there is a lot of snow on the ground still. We 
are going to stop here to take in water, and to get the provisions 
and coals out of the Samson.” 
THE additions to the Zoological Society's Gardens during the 
last week include a Naked-footed Owl (Athene noctua), Euro- 
pean, an Egyptian Vulture (eophron percnopterus), and two 
Buzzards (Buteo tachardus), from Africa, presented by Mr. S. G. 
Reid and Lieut. Denison ; a Golden Eagle (Aguila chrysaétus), 
European, presented by Mr. A. W. Tait ; a Paradoxure (Para- 
doxurus typus) from India, presented by Mr. A. F. Adey; a 
Mantchurian Crane (Grus montignesia) fcom N. China; a Wild 
Pig (Sus scrofa) from N. Africa; three Common Guillemots 
(Uria troile), British ; a White-backed Piping Crow (Gymnorhina 
Zeuconota) from Australia, deposited, and four Gambel’s Part- 
ridges (Callipepla gambelii) hatched in the Gardens. : 
SCIENTIFIC SERIALS 
Der Naturforscher for July 1873, contains, among other inte- 
resting matter, an account of observations by Herr Nageli, 
among plants in Alpine regions, as to the production of closely- 
related plant forms. He is led to conclude, (in opposition to the 
common view), that association is more favourable to the forma- 
tion of species, than isolation. There are also botanical papers 
on the assimilation of air-plants under water, and the opening and 
closing of flowers. In physics and chemistry we have M. 
Amagat’s recent important experiments on the expansion and 
compressibility of gases, and those of Troost and Hautefeuille on 
isomeric and allotropic transformations ; a notice of M. Bichat’s 
investigation of the influence of aggregate state on magnetic 
rotatory power, &c. M. Bichat has ascertained a decrease of 
this power as temperature rises, and entire disappearance of it 
in the state of vapour. Some striking facts with regard to the 
meteorological differences between northern and southern hemi- 
spheres are from a paper by Prof, Dove to the Berlin Academy. 
In physiology there are notes on the place of decomposition of 
albumen in animal bodies, and on the significance of common 
silt in the animal economy. Astronomy and technology are 
also represented, and there is a good selection of Aieinere Mit- 
thetlungen. 
THE current number of the /ézs commences with an article 
on the ‘‘ Ornithology of Sardinia,” by Mr. A. B. Brook, which 
is one of a series on that subject. The part belore us includes 
the Woodpeckers, their allies, the Swifts, and some Passerine 
birds, among which are AZelizophilus sardus. Bradypterus cetti, 
and the Corvine birds. Mr. R. Swinhoe describes the habits 
and plumage of the Rosy Ibis of China and Japan (/érs nz /on). 
He also notes points in its visceral anatomy, comparing them 
with the corresponding structures in the common Heron, in 
order to show that the affinities supposed by some to exist be- 
tween the two birds are but slight. An editorial note verifies 
the conclusion that the [bis and Spoonbill are intimately related, 
and dilfers jusly from the author’s conjecture that the former 
bird is related 10 7anta/us, which is a trae Stork.—Mr, J. H. 
Gurney gives a tenth additional list of birds fiom Natal, includ- 
ing several species from the rich collection of Mr. R. B. Sharpe. 
Mr. J. E. Harting contributes a paper on Charadrius pecuarius 
of Temminck, in which it is shown that this bird is the smaller 
of the two allied species inhabiting Africa, but not found in St. 
Helena, and that the St. Helena species, till now unnamed, is 
distinct (Aegialiles sancte helene, Harting). Vieiilo’s name, 
Ch. varius, must also take precedence of Temminck’s C4, 
pecuarius. An illustration is given of each of the birds 
refeired to.—Messrs. Salvin and Eliot, in continuation of their 
notes on the 7rochilide, discuss the genera Pygmornis, Glaucis,and 
Threnetes, separating the first into three groups, from the second 
removing G. dokrni to the genus Grypus, as already suspected by 
Mr. Gould, ana adding G/aucis ruckeri io the third. Thesame 
ornithologists help to clear the synonomy of Lophornis gould: by 
naming LZ. zeine of Gould, ZL. strictolophus.—Mr. T. Ayres 
continucs his notes on birds in the republic of Trans-Vaal, and 
Mr. G. N, Lawrence on the Cuckoos of the genus \eomorphus 
NATURE 
=i odet : ‘ ; 5 [3 wha 
[Aug. 28, 187 
defines precisely VV. geoffroyi, NV. salvint, NV. rufipennis, and 
NV. pucherani, showing that the specific validity of the last- 
named has been questioned by several distinguished ornitho- 
logists ; though some time ago, Mr. Sclater, on seeing the type- 
specimen, was convinced of its being an excellent species. 
—Mr. Salvin figures the typical specimen of Filica alba of 
White, showing that it is evidently of the genus JVo/ornis, as 
pointed out by Herr von Pelzeln.—The Viscount Walden, 
P.Z.S., describes, as the last paper, a collection of birds from 
the Andaman Islands, made by Lieut. R. W. Ramsay ; figuring 
Centreoccyx andamanensis, Kittacincla albiventris, Sturnia 
andamanensis and Fanthenas columboides, also entering into 
detail with reference to Spzlornis elgint. 
SOCIETIES AND ACADEMIES 
‘ RIGA 
Society of Naturalists, March 5.—Dr. Petzholdt concluded 
a series of tive lectures on Turkestan, having described the 
fauna and flora, ethnographical features, dwellings, manners and 
customs, state of agriculture, mining and manufacture, &c. He 
commends the mode of treating silkworms as superior to that 
in Europe, and thinks the system of irrigation more perfect than 
in any other land not having scientific appliances. The Russian 
portion of Tasckkent, it is stated, has now a good chemical 
laboratory. 
The Correspondenzblatt (No. 6) contains a note on uncommon 
forms of hair-growth, with reference to two Russian peasants 
exhibited before the Society in December. 
March 19.—Herr Berg gave an account of his excursion to 
Kurland, and the plants and mollusca he met with. ; 
March 26.—Dr. Nauck described an electrical experiment. 
A funnel with leather bag at the end is placed in & lon 
glass cylinder, and has mercury poured into it. The liquid 
streams through the pores against the glass sides, and runs down. 
The lower part of the cylinder and the mercury in it are found 
positively electric, while the upper part and the funnel with its 
mercury are negative. The limit between positive and negative, 
after some variation, divides the cylinder into two parts, of which 
the lower is double the upper. 
April 2.—Dr. Schell reported on the present arrangement of 
the meteorological station of Riga, and on observations of the | 
water-mark at Riga and at Duna mouth in 1872. 
BOOKS RECEIVED 
Foreicn.—Remarks on Synonyms of European Spiders : Prof T. Thorell 
(Upsa'a).—Lehrbuch der Physik, Dritte Lieferung : Dr. Paul Reis (Leipzig). 
EnGLisuH.—Gateway to the Polynia, a Voyage to Spitzbergen, from the 
Journal of J C. Wells, R.N (H. S. King & Co.).—Sound and Music : 
Sedley Taylor, M.A. (Macmillan & Co.) —- Echoes from distant Footfalls : 
Rev. |. Boyes (Hodder & Stoughton).—Man a special Creation: William 
Sharpe, M D. (K Hardwicke) —Introduction to Physical Measurements : 
Dr. F. Hohlrausch (J. & A. Churchill).—Mitchell’s Manual of Practical 
Assaying ; Edited by Wm. Crookes (\.ongmans & Co.).—Descriptive Socio- — 
logy, Classified and arranged by Herbert Spencer (Williams & Norgate).— 
Introductory ext Book ot Gevlogy: David Page, LL.D. (W. Blackwood 
& Sons).—Advanced Text Book of Physical Geography : David Page, | L D, 
(W. blackwood & Sons) —/Half-hours in the Green Lanes: J. E. Taylor, 
F.Z.S. (R. Hardwicke),—The African Sketch Book: Winwood Reade — 
(Smith, Elder & Co.),—Lacerda's Journey to Cazembe in 1798, Translated 
by Capt. R. F. Burton (J. Murray).—Elements of Mineralogy: james 
Nicol, F.R.S.E (A. & C. Black).—Harveian Oration, 1873: G. Rolleston, 
M D., F R.s. (Macmillan & Co.).—Researches in Zoology, 2nd edition: — 
Joha Blackwall, F.L.S. (J. Van Voorst). 
CONTENTS 
THE Beene OF THE SCIENCE COMMISSION ON THE OLD UNIVERSI- 
TIES, eee ORI erm ees 
METEOROLOGICAL CONFERENCE AT LEIPSIG DURING AUGUST 1872. . 
Tue Typxoip Epipemic in Lonpon. By Prof. W. H. CorFretp. . 
Dotmen-Mounps v. FREESTANDING AND Trivop CroMLEcHS. By 
Capt. S. P. Ouiver, R.A. (4ith [dlustrations). o. + ieee 
Nores FROM THE Challenger, VI. By Prof. WyviLLe THomson, F.R.&. 
(With Llustrations) eiptetiie! i 2 fe ee. os wy 
THE FRENCH As: OCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE . . 
Pace 
337 
34t 
CurisTOPRER HANSTEEN. Gs 2+ + > 3 s+ cee ap pen 
‘THe Notornis or Lorp Howe's IStanp. By Prof. ALFRED NewToON 350 
ASTRONOMICAL ALMANACS) EL . 6 2 + 6 | oe 8 ue en 
SoutH/AFRICAN MUSEUM Cheese o> ra vel ta te « 2 « « 352 
GuroLocicat MAP OF AUSTRALIA AND TASMANIA. os + » 352 
NOTES ecw ns 6. ce 3 ea. epi'oiitelt ines ae 
ScimNTIFIC SERIALS . « « carr foe 6a aie Ma ten 
SocieTies AND ACADEMIES! js 40/5» 5 2 woes » © aie LRMenSeO 
Books RECRIVED',: ....c GaMESEEUSUeh is 0: << cpa nse «- 9) «0 350) 
