72 
NATURE 
et 
[Vov. 16, 1882 
fragments of the hornblende schist and a kind of gneiss occur in 
a conglomerate in the former, south of Nare Point. The author 
considers the metamorphic series (the microscopic structure of 
which was fully described) undoubtedly Archean, and probabiy 
rather early in that division. The rocks of the micaceous group 
have considerable resemblance in the greenish and lead-coloured 
schists of Holyhead Island and the adjoining mainland of Angle- 
sey, and of the Menai Strait. Two outlying areas of serpentine, 
omitted in his former paper, were described—one at Polkerris, 
the other at Porthalla. The latter shows excellent junctions, 
and is clearly intrusive in the schist. The author stated that he 
had re-examined a large part of the district described in his 
former paper, and had obtained additional evidence of the in- 
trusion of the serpentine into the sedimentary rock with which 
it is associated. This evidence is of sc strong a nature that he 
could not conceive the possibility of any one who would care- 
fully examine the district for himself, entertaining a doubt upon 
the matter.—Notes on some Upper Jurassic Astrorhizidee and 
Lituolide, by Dr. Rudolf Hausler, F.G.S. 
Paris 
Academy of Sciences, November 6.—M. Blanchard in the 
chair.—The following papers were read :—On the comparative 
observation of telluric and metallic lines as a means of esti- 
mating the absorbent powers of the atmosphere, by M. Cornu. 
He selects telluric lines (caused by aqueous vapour, and varying 
in intensity with the amount of it) near D, the scale being four 
times as large as Angstrém’s. Metallic lines, for comparison, 
are indicated ; also a method of deducing the total quantity of 
vapour.—Results of experiments made at the exhibition of elec- 
tricity, &c. (continued), by M. Allard and others, Three more 
systems are here discussed.—On M. Siemens’ new theory of the 
sun, by M. Him. The recombination of the elements dissociated 
in space could occur only at a notable distance from the sun’s 
photosphere, and on falling into this they must be anew entirely 
dissociated, an action which would cost the heat developed by 
combination. Again, the work done by solar radiation in dis- 
sociation must reduce the intensity of radiation; so that the 
brightness of the sun. stars, and planets should diminish 
much more rapidly than inversely as the square of the 
distances. M. Hirn also supports M. Faye’s objections by 
numerical examples.—On the functions of seven letters, 
by M. Brioschi—The earthquake of the Isthmus of Panama, 
by M. de Lesseps. The phenomena (of which he gives a scien- 
tific account) seem to have been much exaggerated. The cha- 
racter of comparative immunity of the isthmus (as compared 
with regions near) is not seriously affected ; and in any case, the 
construction of a maritime canal without locks is justified. There 
is no ground for apprehension as to the banks of the canal.—M. 
Peligot presented a ‘‘ Treatise of Analytical Chemistry applied 
to Agriculture,” and indicated its scope.—MM. de la Tour 
du Breuil addressed a further note regarding their process for 
separation of sulphur ; they have modified the process so that 
it is applicable either to resistant or to pulverulent ores.—On the 
comet observed in Chili in September, by M. de Bernardiéres.— 
On the great southern comet observed at the Imperial Observa- 
tory of Rio de Janeiro, by M. Cruls. JZnter alza, he refers to 
the aspect of the tail as of a current of extremely bright light, 
in which were distinct bright lines, Behind the nucleus was a 
dark space, and one was reminded of a bridge-pile in a strong 
current. The tail extending a length of 12°, seemed sud- 
denly interrupted, and the extension for 15° beyond was 
of much less width and brightness, Sodium and carbon 
lines were observed in the spectrum.—On the functions 
of the genus zero and of genus one, by M. Laguerre. 
—On a result of calculation obtained by M. Allégret, by 
M. MacMahon.—On the relation between the electromotive 
force of a dynamo-electric machine and its velocity of rotation, 
by M. Levy.—Spectrophotometric measurements of different 
points of the solar disc, by MM. Gouy and Thollon. They 
could measure separately the 200,oooth part of the solar disc, 
and the thousandth part of the spectrum. The figures obtained 
show the decrease of radiation on approaching the limb (greater 
the more refrangible the rays). The method is also applied to 
spots.—On the comparison of mercury thermometers with the 
hydrogen thermometer, by M. Crafts. Fifteen Paris thermo- 
meters examined (the crystal containing 18 per cent. lead oxide) 
behaved like the thermometers of ordinary glass studied by Reg- 
nault, but very unlike those of Choisy-le-Roy crystal (with 
nearly twice as much oxide). A German thermometer of soda- 
glass gave a curve much nearer the mean than many others of 
Paris crystal.—On a hydrate of molybdic acid, MoOQ,2HO, by 
M. Parmentier.—On the transformation, in cold, of the blood 
of animals into solid and inodorous manure, by a new ferric’ 
sulphate, by M. Marguerite-Delacharlonny. This sulphate has 
the formula Fe,O0,4SO3. With it the elimination of the water 
attains nearly one-half. It forms a hydrate which crystallises 
easily, and dissolves readily in heat. On adding a solution of 
the sulphate to fresh blood, the latter forms in a few seconds a 
firm elastic paste, It is then treated in a hydraulic press, and forms 
a sort of cake.—Researches on the passage of alcoholic liquor 
through porous bodies, by M. Gal. His experiments show the 
influence of the surrounding atmosphere on the alc /holic strength 
of liquids in bladders (an influence that has been too much over- 
looked),—On the reduction of sulphates by living beings, by 
MM. Etard and Olivier. The authors proved experimentally 
the reduction of sulphates, by Beggiatoa, and found at least three 
other alga capable of the same action.—On mono-chlorised 
allylic alcohol and CHz,=CClI—CH, (OH) and its derivatives, 
by M. Henry.—Chemical studies on white beet of Silesia (con- 
tinued), by M. Leplay.—On the reduction of nitrates in arable 
land (continued), by MM. Deheraine and Maquenne. Bacillus 
amylobacter is probably the reducing agent, — Direct fermentation 
of starch; mechanism of this metamorphosis, by M. Mercano. 
Diastase isa product of the vital activity of the microbe of 
maize, which produces it incessantly as it traverses the envelopes 
of the starch grains, thus favouring its action on the stratified 
granulose. The microbe is that which causes the fermentation 
of sugar-cane juice. —On the 7é/e of earthworms in propagation 
of charbon, and on the attenuation of the virus, by M. Feltz. 
His experiments confirm the views of M. Pasteur as against 
those of M. Koch.—On the disinfectant and antiseptic action of 
copper, by M. Burcq. He suggests treatment of infectious dis- 
eases with salts of copper, injection of the wood of huts 
with copper sulphate, also applications of copper to infected 
furniture, clothing, &c.—Analysis of the reflex of C. Loven, by 
M. Laffont.—On the venomous apparatus and the poison of the 
scorpion, M. Joyeux-Laffuie. The poison should be placed 
among poisons of the nervous system (Bert) and not among 
blood-poisons (Jousset de Bellesme).—Researches on the genital 
organ of oysters, by M. Hoek. 
VIENNA 
Imperial Academy of Sciences, October 5.—E. vy. 
Bruecke, vice-president, in the chair.—The following papers 
were read :—L. Ditscheiner, on Guebhard’s rings.—L. Pebal, 
note on the mechanical separation of minerals.—H. Schwarz, on 
new bodies obtained from coal-tar, isomerides of pyrocresso].— 
F. Schroeckenstein, geological leisure hours ; a contribution to 
the petrography of crystalline rocks. 
CONTENTS Pace 
Recent CHEMICAL SYNTHESES . - + « «© © «© © © «© © © « «© 49 
Tue BurrerFuies or INDIA. By H. J.Etwes ....-.. . + 50 
Our Book SHELF :— 
Buckley's ‘* Winners in Life’s Race”. . . . . . - += « + + SI 
LETTERS TO THE EpDITOR:— 
‘Weather Forecasts.’"—The BisHorp of CARLISLE . . . . - « 
The Comet.—J. P. McEwen, R.N., Assistant Harbour Master ; 
T. W. Bacxuouse; Geo. M. SeaprokeE; Henry Cecit. . « 52 
Magnetic Arrangement of Clouds.—Rev. W. CLement Ley. . . 53 
“A Curious Halo.’”’—Rev. W. Crement Ley; Rev. GeRARD 
Pete oh Goe sy th eg Oo ty Jo, seo oA a> ees 
Priestley and Lavoisier.—C. Tomutnson, F.R.S. . . . . . + 53 
Ware '(Guns!—WUH CoB es Sons fa fe om) hm ce ula pret Sun aS TnSeS 
Paleolithic River Gravels. —Wm Wuite; T. Karr CALLARD . + 53 
Aurora.—CuEMENT L. WRAGGE. . 2 6 + 2 « 2 © 6 8 8 sw 5H 
A Dredging Implement.—W. A. HErpMAN . . «©. + + « + 54 
Forged Irish Antiquities. —-W. J. KNowLEs. . . - » +. « « + 54 
Tue New Naturat History MusEuM .....- - += 5 « « « 54 
Sine: COMET. so feria) ues ics: ieee te) 1s) ean sie 56 
Recent Dynamo-Evecrric Macnuines (With Illustrations) . . . 58 
THE ProjecTION PRAXINOSCOPE (With Illustration) . .. . * 60 
NOTES’, Soma he oh oh Pas av. Sy elec Maine ae Nom (a nO 
GroGRABBIGALANOTES) (6 canis) «> Gale j dude eee com eke ee eS 
Tue Aims AND METHOD oF Ggotocicat Inquiry, II. By Prof. JaMEs 
Garin) .D:, BORIS SL sandiEs 5 sc) gel pore i- ns) ae! f-)eaee 
A METHOD FOR OBSERVING ARTIFICIAL TRANSITS « « + - ea 
Evectrric LIGHTING, THE TRANSMISSION OF ForRCE BY ELECTRICITY. 
By Dric, W. SmweEns, FOROS 0 8c os in ce = aso 
UNIVERSITY AND EpUCATIONALINTELLIGENCE «© » + - - + + + JE 
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