Oct. 30, 1873] 
some most careful observations of his own on the luminous 
phenomena of the great Polar aurora of the 4th to the 5th 
_ of February, 1872 ; and we had hoped that other important 
observations by the illustrious Italian astronomer would, 
_ to the great advantage of Science, have been published 
in the future Notes issued from that scientific establish- 
ment. 
NOTES 
WE regret to have to record the death of two notable men this 
_ week. Theone is Sir Henry Holland, Bart., M.D., F.R.S., &c., 
who died on Tuesday, the 28th inst., at the age of 85 years. Sir 
_ Henry had caught cold on returning from Paris, which, in spite 
_ of his wonderfully robust constitution, proved too much for the 
_ veteran iraveller, The other is Mr. Albany Harcock, the 
_ distinguished anatomist, who died on the 24th inst. He was a 
_ medallist of the Royal Society, though not a Fellow. We hope 
shortly to give memoirs of both men. 
Sir Rosert Mac ture, C.B., so well known in connection 
with Arctic discovery, died on the 17th inst., at the age of 66. 
_ Srp SAMUEL BAKER was announced to appear before the Geo- 
graphical Society on Monday first, and give an account of the 
geography of the country he has lately visited ; but we regret 
very much to hear that illness will ‘prevent him from fulfilling 
this and other engagements. He has been suffering from in- 
flammation of the lungs. 
Pror, FLOWER, we regret to hear, has been compelled to 
spend the winter in Egypt on account of the state of his health, 
Dr. J. Emerson REYNOLDs has been elected Professor of 
Chemistry to the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. The 
College of Surgeonsis to be congratulated on this appointment. 
Dr. Reynolds will, we believe, still hold his appointment of 
Keeper of the Minerals and Professor of Analytical Chemistry 
to the Royal Dublin Society. 
Mr, Joun Stuart Mi1v has left his herbarium of European 
plants to Kew. 
WE are informed that the authorities of the Jardin des 
Plantes, of Paris, have acquired the valuable collection of books 
on Natural History belonging to the late M. J. Verreaux, and 
also his private collection of Sugar birds (Mectarinide), which 
includes many unique specimens, ; 
IN connection with St. John’s College, Cambridge, there will 
be offered for competition an Exhibition of 50/7. per annum for 
proficiency in Natural Science, the Exhibition to be tenable for 
three years in case the exhibitioner have passed within two years 
the previous examination as required for candidates for honours : 
otherwise the exhibition to cease at the end of two years. The 
examination (commencing on Friday, December 12, at 9 A.M.) 
in (1) Chemistry, including practical work in the Laboratory. 
(2) Physics, viz., Electricity, Heat, Light. (3) Physiology. 
_ They will also have the opportunity of being examined in one 
or more of the following subjects, (4) Geology, (5) Anatomy, 
(6) Botany, provided they give notice of the subjects in which 
they wish to be examined four weeks prior to the examination. 
No candidate will be examined in more than three of these six 
subjects, whereof one at least must be chosen from the former 
group. It is the wish of the Master and Seniors that excellence 
in some single department should be specially regarded by the 
~ candidates. They may al-o, if they think fit, offer themselves 
_ for examination in any of the Classical or Mathematical subjects. 
Candidates must send their names to one of the tutors fourteen 
NATURE 
| phide of carbon. 
candidates for the Natural Science Exhibition will have a spec’al | 
days before the commencement of the Examination. The tutors 
are Rev. S. Parkinson, D.D. ; Rev. T. G. Bonney, B.D., and 
J. E. Sandys, Esq., M.A. 
THE Royal Horticultural Society of Tuscany has announced 
an International Horticultural Exhibition to be held at Florence 
from May 17 to 25, 1874, and has also issued the programme of 
an International Botanical Congress to be held on three days 
during the Exhibition. A very large number of prizes, including 
100 gold medals, are offered for collections of plants or single 
plants, which are included in 248 different classes ; and among 
other objects for which prizes may be obtainei are bouquets, 
botanical drawings, models, garden tools and ornaments, garden 
structures, manures, herbaria, specimens of timbers, &c. The 
Congres; will be opened by the president, Prof. Parlatore ; ex- 
cursions to the neighbourhood of Florence and the principal 
gardens will be inaugurated, &c. ; and among the subjects pro- 
posed for discussion, zxfer alia, are the following :—On the 
duration of dormant vitality ia plants, and on the means of re- 
storing it; on the causes of the movements in leaves; on the 
acclimatisation of perennial plants ; on the analogy between the 
reproductive organs of flowering and (so-called) flowerless plants ; 
on the general occurrence, or otherwis2, of cross-fertilisation, 
and on the durability of the vitality of pollen; on the nature 
and functions of the gonidia of lichens: on the nature and 
origin of Bacteria ; on the possibility of establishing rules for a 
rational distinction between the groups called species, race, 
variety, &c. ; on the value to be set on the determination of 
fossil plants, &c. ; on the character and origin of Alpine floras, 
and especially on the causes which have limited their extension. 
The Horticultural Society of Tuscany seem determined to do 
everything they can to attract visitors, who must send their 
names to the president or secretary at the Musée Royale de 
Physique et d’Histoire Naturelle at Florence ; and altogether 
botanists and horticulturists seem likely to have a gool time 
of it. 
AN effectual remedy for the devastations committed on the 
vines by the Piyl/loxera vastairix is said to have been discovered 
by MM. Monestier, Lautand, ani D’Ortoman, of Montpellier. 
It consists in placing in the ground, close to the root of the in- 
fected plant, an uncorked tube containing about 2 0z. of bisul- 
The vapour from the bisulphide in a short 
time permeates the whole of the ground about the root; the 
vapour is not, like the liquid itself, injurious to the plant, but is 
immediately fatal to the insect. Care must be taken not to spill 
any of the liquid on the roots of the vine. 
THE following subjects for prizes to be awarded in 1874 hay 
been proposed by the Batavian Society of Experimental Philo- 
sophy :—1. To discover if tiere exists in the molecular state ot 
bodies, modifications other than thos? caused by temperature, 
which are such as to give for the same body, different spectra, 
The Society wishes that this inquiry should bear chiefly on the 
magnetic condition of bodies. 2. To find out by new experi- 
ments if the vapour of water exercises on raliant heat an absor- 
| bant effect much more powerful than dry atmospheric ait, as 
Mr. Tyndall maintains ; or if there exists no difference in this 
respect between dry and moist air, as M. Magnus maintains. 
| The Society desires that the new experiments which it asks for 
| be conclusive and enable it to decide between the two opinions, 
| 3. To determine what influence the pressure which is put upon 
| an electrolyte has on electrolysis, and how far in this case is the 
principle of conservation of energy confirmed. It is wished that 
this inquiry bear on three liquids at least, to be chosea by the 
competitor. 4. To determine the resistanc2 of the liquid amalgams 
of zinc and gold to the galvanic current. Six at /east of each of 
| 
| these amalgams, in various proportions, ought to be examined. 
5. A prize is pro posed for new experiments which will enable a 
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