562 
the advantage being that the readings of several different instru- 
ments can be recorded by means of a single steel graver, making 
traces on a varnished copper sheet. The sheet is fixed on a 
vertical cylinder, which rotates at equal intervals (e.g. every ten 
minutes) ; an electric circuit, of which the instrument to be ob- 
served forms part, is closed by the movement of the cylinder ; 
this liberates the graver, which then gives a tracing proportional, 
in length, to the indication of the instrument. At each revolu- 
tion the graver descends a little; thus a series of equidistant 
lines are obtained, the extremities of which form the curve of 
observations. The copper sheet is afterwards dipped in an acid 
and thus made ready for engraving.—M. Terby communicates 
some drawings made by M. Schroeter, in the end of last century, 
which show the configuration of the spots of Mars at that time. 
He finds, in these, fresh proof of the permanence of the spots.— 
A letter from Prof. Genocchi, of Turin, on several mathematical 
questions, calls forth a long report from M. de Tilly with refer- 
ence to the alleged impossibility of demonstrating the postulates 
of Euclid by plane geometry, or by any geometrical reasoning.— 
We further find notes on the congelation of alcoholic liquids, 
(Melsens), on the motion of projectiles, on hypo-sulphurous acid, 
on some storms at Aartselaer in July, and other topics. 
Bulletin de la Société Impériale des Naturalistes de Moscou, 
No. 1, 1873.—In this number there is a valuable paper of 
spectroscopic solar observations in 1872, by M. Bredichin. Four 
plates are appended, showing the spectroscopic profile of the sun 
from July 22 to September 10. The author's results confirm, in 
the main, those of Secchi.—M. Berg gives some particulars as 
to the successful acclimatisation of a Japan silkworm, the Az- 
therea Yama Mayu, in the Baltic provinces. Cultivators were 
looking in this direction partly because of the difficulty of accli- 
matising mulberry in the north ; the new animal feeds on oak 
leaves. One striking fact is, that some of the eggs were ex- 
posed, at times, for three days successively, to a temperature of 
12° R., without apparent injury. The temperature at which 
the worms were kept after leaving the egg till spinning time, 
varied between 12° and 16° R. The entire extra-oval life of the 
Yama Mayu in Riga is about 164 weeks ; or 9 in the caterpillar, 
6 in the chrysalis, and 14 in the moth stages respectively. Ex- 
periments, extending over three years, have fully shown that the 
scheme in question is a practicable one. We have further to 
note a long and interesting account, by M. Wolkenstein, of cer- 
tain ancient cemeteries named ‘‘Jalnikis,” found on many of the 
hill-sides in Novgorecd, The tombs are made of unhewn stones 
arranged in form of a rectangular cyst, which contains the 
skeleton. In his study of the question whether these cemeteries 
belonged to ancient Novgorodians, or some other people, the 
author is led to assign a Slavic origin.— Among the remaining 
papers are a note by M. Stepanotf on the development of Calyp- 
treea, and a reply by M. Lubimoff to M. Bredichin. 
Reale Istituto Lombardo di Scienze Lettere Rendiconti Fasci 
cole, XV, 1873.—In addition to a large quantity of historical 
and philosophical matter, which includes a fourth paper on Kant’s 
philosophy, by C. Cantoni, this number contains observations of 
Comet II, 1873, by S. Tempel ; a long paper on the polymor- 
phism of Pleospora Herbarum, by Drs. Gibelli and Griffini ; and 
also some anatomical and medical notices. 
THE Annali di Chimica applicata alla medicina for September 
contains the usual number of notices on pharmaceutical prepara- 
tions, &c. 
American Fournal of Science dnd Arts, October.—This 
number contains a description of some valuable improvements 
in the silt analysis of soils and clays, by Mr. Hillgard. From 
minute observations on the working of the elutriating appara- 
tuses of Nodbel, Schulze, Fresenius, and others, he concludes 
that all determinations hitherto made with conical vessels are 
vitiated by irregular currents, and a kind of miniature avalanche 
formed by the particles. He employs a cylindrical elutriating 
tube, having a rotary churn attached to its base, but screened by 
wire from the liquid column. This has given good results.— 
Prof. Dana has a (continued) paper on the quartzite, limestone, 
and associated rock of the vicinity of Great Barrington, Berk- 
shire Co., Mass.—Mr. May describes some experiments on the 
determination of lead as peroxide, and Mr. Remsen communi- 
cates a note on isomeric sulpho-salicylic acids.— Mr. Bentham’s 
anniversary address to the Linnean Society is given; also a 
French Academy notice of Dr. Verneuil, who did valuable 
service to North American geology.—We further note accounts of 
various survey operations in Colorado, Sierra Nevada, Utah, &c. 
NATURE 
[Oct. 30, 1873 
Atti della Reale Academia det Lincei, Roma, Dec. 1872 
This publication contains, among other papers, an interesting 
description, accompanied with plates, of certain human bodies 
found in a remarkable state of preservation in a cemetery at Fe- 
rentillo, The authors, MM. Maggiorani and Moriggia, made 
analyses of the soil, which abounded in salts of lime having, of 
course, avidity for water. The ground was porous, and readily 
permitted passage of vapour from one stratum to another. 
Scarcity of humus and good ventilation were other fayouring 
causes. There was a popular tradition that the soil was brought 
from Palestine, but this is thought incorrect. The mummies 
were throughout invaded with sporule and various other para- 
sites, which doubtless contributed to the mummification.—A long 
paper by M. Volpicelli offers a complete and general solution, 
through the geometry of situation, of the problem relating to the 
course of a horse over a checkered surface.—Prof. Cantoni has an 
article on the various modes of electrical testing (es//orazione) and 
on the influence of hypothesis in electrostatics ; in which he makes 
some strictures on certain passages in Tyndall’s little work on 
Electricity, referring to the existence of two fluids: —We further 
notice a paper by Prof. Cadet on the functions of the white 
nerve substance, and one by Prof. Respighi on the shower of 
falling stars observed November 28, 1872. j 
St 
SOCIETIES AND ACADEMIES 
Paris 
Academy of Sciences, Oct. 20.—M. de Quatrefages, pre- 
sident, in the chair.—The following papers were read :—Theory ~ 
of the movement of a point attracted towards a fixed centre, © 
by M. J. Bertrand.—On Dr. Reye’s explanation of the solar 
spots, by M. Faye. Dr. Reye considers that the heat of a 
facula causes an up-rush and expansion of the superincumbent 
atmosphere, causing a sort of vortex through which the materials — 
of lower strata rise, expand, cool duwn, and condense, M. Faye, 
a(ter explaining the theory in question, argued that a very simple 
fact overthrows it at once. Dr. Reye’s theory would make the - 
vortex or spot oz the sun, while the measurements of Carrington: 
have shown that it is really zz the sun.—Anatomical researches — 
on the tardigrade Zdentata, by M. P. Gervais—M. Alph, de - 
Candolle presented the last volume of the “ Prodromus Syste-— 
matis Naturalis Regni Vegetabilis.’—The secretary reported on 
a number of papers on the Py//oxera.—Researches on an easy © 
method of measuring the capacity of ships, by M. d’Avout.— 
Additional note to the monograph on the fish of the family of the 
Symbranchide, by M, C. Dareste.—On the production of galls 
on vines attacked by the Phy//oxera, by M. Max Cormu.—On - 
the reproduction of the oak Phylloxera, by M. Balbiani.—On 
the production of certain crystalline borates in the dry way, by 
M. A. Ditte. The paper in question described several borates o} 
barium and magnesium, and also several double salts of the 
same class.—Note on the chlorovanadates, by M. P. Haute- 
feuilie. —On the production of methylamines in the manufacture — 
of pyroligneous products. ; 
CONTENTS 
Our NATIONAL MusEUMS. . « «sss 5 «= «© )5)ey eee 
Spencer’s Descriptive SocioLocy. By E, B. Tytor, F.R.S. . . 
Our Book SHELF fice. 5) 6 ys) eo) 0) Ww Gey ct 
LeTrers TO THE EDITOR :— 
Remarkable Phenomena.—H. C. Russet, Government Astronomer 547 
Periodicity of Rainfall—C. Metpkum . . . . .. . . . «6 5ag 
Dr. Sanderson’s Expzriments and Archebiosis.—Dr. H. CHARLTON ; 
Bastian, FURS, 20. (5. 6) te 2 Oy) 8 548 
Foreign Orders... <=)» « 8) © ©» (os jalan 549° 
Mr. Forbes on Mr. Mallet’s Theory of Volcanic Eruption.—Roserr 
Ma tet, F.R.S.. . See Mee ih 
Settle-Cave Report.—W. Boyp Dawkins, F.R.S.. . . 2. . 
The Oxford Science Fellowships—The Campripce B.A, ; 
JORN.PERRY sep ie + se 1a) os >! oy eh y 
Simple Diffraction Experiment. . . .. . . » «» = » =). )S500m 
Publication of Learned Societies’ Transactions.—W. B. Gipps. . 
EXAMINATIONS OF THE SCIENCE AND ArT DEPARTMENT IN BioLoGy 
ON THE SCIENCE OF WEIGHING AND MEASURING, AND THE STANDARDS s 
or WeicHtT AND Measure, VII. By H. W. CuisHotm, Warden « 
of the Standards (With Iélustvations) . . .. . Seer |) 
CincHona CuLTuRE. By Henry B. Brapy, F.L.S. oe. 
IDONATI Og 4. Ce he ee eat ne i oe + 55 
Norges... 7 
Oricina ResEARcH AS A MEANS OF “Epucation, In By Prof, 
Roscoz, F.R.S. . . . 
Hexrvetic Society or Naturat ScIENCES . . .... : 
SCIENTIFICISERIALS +5) .-1) ese ih at om, eae 
SOCIETIES AND ACADEMIRS«% as...) cee) et oe 
