94 
NATURE 
[Mov. 23, 1882 
new double-stars ; on the transit of Mercury, November 8, 1881, 
by H. C. Russell.—On the inorganic constituents from epiphytic 
ferns, by W. A. Dixon.—A census of the genera of plants 
native to Australia, by Baron Ferd. von Mueller.—On water 
storage and canalisation for the colony, by F-. B, Gipps. 
Rivista Scientifico-Industriale e Fournale del Naturalista, 
September 15.—Luni-solar influence on earthquakes, by F. L. 
Bombicci.—On the transformation of electricity into voltaic cur- 
rents, and the application of these currents, by G. Govo.— 
Doderlein’s ichthyological manual of the Mediterranean, by E. 
Riggio. . 
Archives des Sciences Physiques et Naturelles, September 15. 
—On the rotatory polarisation of quartz (third part), by MM. 
Soret and Sarasin.—The pelagic fauna of freshwater lakes, by 
F. A. Forel.—Researches on the quantity of carbonic acid con- 
tained in the atmospheric air, by E. Risler.—The air thermo- 
meter arranged with a view to a determination of high tempera 
tures in practice, by H. Schneebeli.—Remarks on M. Louis 
Lossier’s work, entitled ‘‘ Electrolytic Calculations,’ by C. E. 
Guillaume.—Geometric proof of the theorem of Wheatstone’s 
bridge. by the same.—Emile Plantamour, 
Bulletin deV Academie Imperiale des Sciences de St. Petershourg, 
Part xxviii.; No. 2.—New researches on artificial double stars, 
by O. Struve.—Topographical observations of Jupiter, by J. 
Kalazzi.—On the oxidation of isodibutylene by hypermanganate 
of potash, by A. Boutlerov.—Observations of the planets 
Jupiter, Saturn, and Neptune in their oppositions in 1881, by A. 
Sowitsch.—Determination of the mass of Jupiter by means of 
observations of the reciprocal distances and the directions of his 
satellites, by O. Backland.—Action of zinc-methyl on chloral, 
by B. Rizza.—De Marci Antonini Commentariis, by A. Nauck. 
—Hydrological researches (continued), by C. Schmidt. 
Zatschrift fiir wissenschaftliche Zoologie, Bi. 37, Heft. 2, 
September 27, 1882, contains : Contributions to the anatomy of 
Ankylostoma auodenale (Dubini) = Dochmius duodenalis (Leuck- 
art), by Wm. Schulthess (plates 11 and 12).—On the ontogeny 
of Keniera filigrana (O. Schmidt), by Wm. Marshall (plates 13 
ani 14).—Contribution to a knowledge of the structure and 
functions of the heart in osseous fishes, by Kasem-Beck and 
J. Dogiel, of Kasan (plates 15 and 16). —Contribution to a 
knowledge of the cestoid worms, by Dr. Z. von Roboz (plates 
17 and 18).—Comparative embryological studies of Elias 
Metschnikoff, No. 3, on the gastrula of some Metazoa (Zchinus 
miliotuberculatus, Lineus lacteus, Phoronis hippocrepina, Poly- 
gordius flavocapitatus, Ascidia mentula, and Discoporella radiata 
(plates 19 and 20). 
Morphologisches Fahrbuch eine Zeitschrift fir Anatomie und 
Entwichelungsgeschichte, bd, viii. heft 2, 1882, contains :—Con- 
tribution to the Angiology of the Amphibia, by Dr. J. E. V. 
Boas (with plates 6 to 8).—On the nasal cavities and the 
lachrymo-nasal canals in the amniotic vertebrata, by Dr. G. 
Born (with plates 9 and 10).—New foundations for a knowledge 
of cells, by Dr. A. Rauber (with plates 11-14).—Observations 
on the development of the crown of tentacles in Hydra, by H. 
Jung. - 
SOCIETIES AND ACADEMIES 
LONDON 
Linnean Society, November 2.—Sir J. Lubbock, Bart., in 
the chair.—Prof. J. C. Ewart, G. Fry, and Lord Walsingham 
were elected Fellows of the Society.—Mr. A. P. W. Thomas 
drew attention to a series of specimens under the microscope, 
and diagrams illustrative of the life history of the Liver Fluke 
(Fasctola hepatica). His experiments show that the embryos of 
the Fluke, as free Cercariz, burrow into and develop within 
the body of Zinneus truncatulus, and thereafter pass with the 
herbage into the stomach, and ultimately liver of the sheep. 
Salt added to the sheep’s diet is found to act as a prophylactic. 
—Mr. W. T. Thiselton Dyer exhibited specimens and made 
remarks on the plant producing Cassta dignea, and on the native 
implements used in the collection and preparation of the Cassia 
bark in Southern China.—Mr, C. T. Druery showed two proli- 
ferous forms of Athyrium filix femina, a family hitherto re- 
markable for its unproliferous nature. Both examples appeared 
simultaneously ; not the least significant feature being their 
extreme precocity, since bulbil-bearing ferns are proliferous- 
usually only on their mature fronds.—Mr. F. Crisp ex- 
hibited preparations in illustration of the views of Drs. 
Loew and Bokormy on the difference between dead and 
living protoplasm, viz. the power of the living organism to 
reduce silver salts in a very dilute alkaline solution.—Prof. E. 
Ray Lankester exhibited and made remarks on a series of 
marine organisms dredged by him, last summer, in the fjords 
of Norway. Of these may be mentioned a branch of Paragorgia 
arborea, three feet across, specimens of the same in spirit, as 
also of Lophelia prolifera, Amphiheria ramea, Stylaster nor- 
vegicus, Primnoa lepadifera, and Paramuricia ramosa, both 
dried, and also with the polyps preserved in spirit. The collec- 
tion also included some very large new forms of Foraminifera 
specimens of Rhizocrinus Lofotensis, of the aberrant mollusca 
Neomenia and Chetoderma, and of Rhabdopleura Normani, be- 
sides a large series of sponges and Asteroidea.—Mr. T. Christy 
exhibited a living specimen of the Japanese peppermint plant, 
which yields the Menthol of commerce, this being the first plant 
grown in this country. Mr. Holmes mentioned that although 
this mint did not differ in botanical characters from J/entha 
arvensis, it had a strong peppermint odour and flavour, 
which were not found in the specimens growing either 
in Europe or India. He therefore proposed that the plant 
should be named J/. arvensis, var. piperaneus by way of 
distinction,—Mr. J. G. Baker showed a specimen of Lyco- 
podium complanatum collected in Skye by Prof. Lawson.— 
Sir J. Lubbock then read his tenth communication on the 
habits of ants, bees, and wasps, a notice of which ap- 
peared in our last issue, p. 46.—A paper was read on 
medicinal plants of North-West Queensland, by W. E. 
Armit. Among these is a species of Aristolochia and a 
Croton; also Grewia jolygama, a specific for dysentery ; 
Careya arborescens, used for poultices; Lxythree australis, and 
Andropogon citriodora, tonics in febrile complaints; and £x- 
Phorbia pilulifera and Datura australis, valuable in cases of 
asthma.—A remarkable malformation of the leaves of Beyeria 
opaca, var. linearis, from Yorkes Peninsula, South Australia, 
was described by Mr. Otto Tepper.—Dr. F. Day exhibited 
specimens in illustration of a paper read by him, on variation 
in form and hybridism in Salmo fontanalis.—Mr. H. N. Ridley 
afterwards read some teratological notes on a Carex, a Grass, 
and an Equisetum 
Zoological Society, November 14.—Prof. W. H. Flower, 
F.R.S., president, in the chair.—A letter was read from Mr. 
E. L. Layard respecting a specimen of Schenicola p/atyura re- 
ceived by the british Museum from the late Mr. Cuming.— 
Prof. F. Jeffrey Bell exhibited some examples of Lymnaus trun- 
catulus, lately discovered to be the chief host of the larvee of the 
sheep-fluke.—Prof. Flower exhibited and made remarks upon 
the skull of a young chimpanzee from Lado, in the Soudan, sent 
to him by Dr. Emin Bey, which exhibited the deformity called 
** Acrocephaly,” associated with the premature closure of the 
fronto-parietal suture.—Mr. H. E. Dresser exhibited and made 
remarks on specimens of JZédlittophagus boehmi, Reichenow, 
and Merops dressert, Shelley, which he showed to be identical. — 
A communication was read from Mr. W. A. Forbes containing 
some supplementary notes on the anatomy of the Chinese Water 
Deer (Aydropites inermis),—A communication was read from 
the Rev. L. Baron, containing notes on the habits of the Aye- 
Aye of Madagascar in its native state—Mr. G. E. Dobson read 
a paper on the natural position of the family Dipodidz, which 
he maintained to be with Hystricine, and not, as generally sup- 
posed, with the Murine Rodents, and to be most nearly allied to 
the Chinchillidze.—Prof. F. Jeffrey Bell read a paper on the 
genus Pso/us, relating its literary history, and giving an enume- 
ration of the described species. Attention was cirected to the 
extensive distribution of P. faériciz, and to the variations during 
growth, After the description of other known forms, two new 
species (P. feronti and P. ambulata) were described; for the 
latter a new sub-genus was suggested, and the genus itself was 
divided into three sub-generic groups. —A second paper from 
Prof Bell contained an account of a Crinoid from the Straits of 
Magellan, obtained by Dr. Coppinger during the voyage of 
H.M.S, Aéert, which was referred to a new variety of Antedon 
eschrichti of the Arctic seas—Mr. W. H. Neale read some notes 
on the natural history of Franz-Josef Land, as observed in 
1881-82, during the stay of the Azra expedition in that land.— 
Dr. Gwyn Jeffreys read the fifth part of his list of the Mollusca 
procured during the expeditions of H.M.S. Lighining and 
