“7 
620 
NATURE 
[| April 26, 1883 
4Bellerine, Cape Otway, Apollo Bay, Colac and the Wannon), 
Tasmanian (Jerusalem), and the Hawkesbury sandstone as 
Jurassic or Lower Oolite. He expresses a doubt whether the 
Wianamatta beds can be regarded as a distinct formation, his 
own opinion being that they are shales distributed at various 
levels all through the Hawkesbury sandstone. The new species 
of plants described are: Phyllotheca concinna, Equisetum roti- 
ferum, Vertebraria tivoliensis, V. towarrensis, Sphenopteris 
(Aneimoides) flabellifolia, S. (A.) f. var. erecta, Trichomantdes 
laxum, T. spinifolium, Thinnfeldia media, T. australis, T. fal- 
cata, Alethopteris currant, Teniopteris carruthersi, Gleichenza (?) 
lineata, Feanpaulia bidens, Ptilophyllum oligonerum, Brachy- 
phyllum crassum (which the author thinks may be a variety of 
B. manidare), Sequoiites australis, Walchia milneana, Cun- 
ninghamites australis. Besides these new species, the following 
Indian or Euwopean fossils are new to Australia :—Podozamites 
lanceolatus, Lindley and Hutton; Mertanopsis major, Feist ; 
Angiopteridium ensis, Oldham, The monograph is meant to be 
a complete reference for students on the subject of Australian 
coal fossils, and is illustrated by six plates of heliographs and 
two of lithographs.—Further contributions to the flora of 
Queensland, by the Rey. B. Scortechini, F.L.S.—Descriptions 
of two new fungi, by the Rev. Carl Kalchbrenner. The species 
-described are Polyporus Pentskei and Paxillus hirtulus, both 
from the Daintree River, Queensland.—Notes on the fructifica- 
tion of the Bunya Bunya in Sydney, by the Hon. James Norton, 
M.L.C.—Descriptions of some new fishes from Port Jackson, by 
E, P. Ramsay, F.L.S.—The President read some notes on the 
Tuena Gold Reefs, by M. F. Rate, mining engineer. 
BERLIN 
Physical Society, March 16.—Dr. Frilich exhibited a 
torsion galvanometer prepared in Messrs. Siemens and Halske’s 
establishment for measuring electricity mechanically, in which 
the deflection of the magnetic needle is indicated by the corre- 
sponding torsion of a spring whose constant expansion power is 
known. The torsion galvanometer was at first constructed for 
measuring the current of the large dynamoelectrie machine 
fitted up in Ocker for copper electroplating, and which at least 
resistance possesses a power of 800 amperes. Here it was im- 
possible to employ either a dynamometer, owing to the irregu- 
larity of the mercurial contact, or a tangent compass, which has 
to be directly inserted in the main cireuit. Hence measurement 
could be effected only by lateral closing, and as Dr. Frolich fully 
explained, the determination of the potential at any required 
number of points in the circuit, as rendered possible by the new 
apparatus, gives the data for ascertaining the electromotor 
strength, the resistance, and the power of the current. He 
described in great detail the construction and adjustment of the 
new appliance, in which, after insertion of determined resist- 
ances in the lateral circuit, the number of volts can be read off, 
and from these the amperes and ohms determined in the simplest 
manner. ‘The torsion galvanometer is prepared in two forms, 
vertical with a magnet suspended to a cocoa fibre, and horizontal 
with a magnet resting on an edge. The latter form is intended 
especially for cases in which the apparatus undergoes no delicate 
manipulation.—Prof. Neesen briefly mentioned modifications 
which he has introduced both in the heat regulator used by him 
and in his ice calorimeter, illustrating them with diagrams, He 
has found them work well in practice. 
PARIS 
Academy of Sciences, April 16.—M. Blanchard in the 
chair.—M. Jordan read a note on the works of the late Prof. H. 
Smith, and M. kertrand added some remarks on the award of 
the mathematical prize.—Two new methods for determination of 
the right ascension of polar stars, and of the inclination of the 
axis of a meridian above the equator, by M. Loewy.—Memoir 
on the temperature at the surface of the ground and of the earth 
to 36m. depth, as also of the temperature of two pieces of 
ground, one bare, the other covered with turf, during 1882, by 
MM. Becquerel. This confirms previous results.—Graphic 
demonstration of a theorem of Euler concerning the partition of 
numbers, by Prof. Sylvester.—On the project of the interior 
African Sea, by M. de Lesseps. After a visit to the region, he 
affirms (with several associates) the urgency and fea-ibility of the 
scheme.—M. Wolf was elected Member in the Section of Astro- 
nomy in place of the late M. Liouville.—On the evolution of 
malignant pustule in man and its treatment with iodised injec- 
tions, by M. Richet. So long as general infection has not com- 
menced, by bacteria or their spores entering the blood, active 
5 
local treatment with tincture of iodine is efficacious. —Experiments 
on caustic anzesthesia, and observation of a case of ulcerated 
tumour of the breast operated with the aid of this method, by 
M. Guerin. A space was cauterised round the tumour with 
Vienna caustic and incised throughout; then the tumour was 
detached.—Mechanical action produced by magnets and by ter- 
restrial magnetism (second memoir), by M. Le Cordier. —Calculus 
of a double integral, by M. Callandreau.—Observations of the 
Swift-Brooks comet at Lyons Observatory, by M. Gonessiat.— 
Law of periods (continued), by M. de Jonquiéres.—On the 
groups of transformations of linear differential equations, by M. 
Picard. —On functions with lacunar spaces, by M. Poincaré.— 
Ona generalisation of the theorem of Fermat, by M. Picquet.—On 
the heat of combination of glycolates and the law of thermal 
constants of substitution, by M. Tommasi.—On the liquefaction 
of oxygen and nitrogen, and on the solidification of sulphide of 
carbon and alcohol, by MM. Wroblewski and Olszewski. By 
making ethylene boil in vacuo, they obtained temperatures as 
low as —136°C. Liquid oxygen was obtained easily; it is 
colourless and transparent like carbonic acid; is very mobile 
and forms a very distinct meniscus. Sulphide of carbon freezes 
about —116° C, Alcohol solidifies (after being viscous about 
— 129°) about —130°°5, forming a white body. Liquid nitrogen 
(colourless, and with visible meniscus) was obtained later.—Re- 
searches on phosphates, by MM. Hautefeuille and Margottet.— 
On artificial Hausmannite, by M. Gorgeu.—On the chloride of 
pyrosulphuryl, by M. Konovaloff.—On the difference of reac- 
tional aptitude, &c. (continued), by M. Henry.—Researches on 
the essence of Angelica of roots (Amgelica officinalis), by M. 
Maudin.—Some effects of climate on the rapidity of growth of 
plants, by M. Capus. His measurements of various trees and 
sbrubs in the botanical garden of Samarcand show the remark- 
able rapidity of growth there in April, May, and June.—Orien- 
tation of leaves with reference to light, by M. Mer. Certain 
parts of leaves (the border generally) receive the Juminous im- 
pression, while other parts (petioles, motor-enlargements) perform 
the movements neces-ary to place the former ina favourable 
position.—Contribution to the experimental study of the elonga- 
tion of nerves, by M. Minor. He supports the view that this 
stretching isa purely local operation, a’sort of incomplete section 
of a nerve.-—Experimental studies on the physiological action of 
iodoform, by M. Rummo.—New experimental researches on the 
physiological action of veratrine, by MM. Pecholier and Redier. 
—The synthesis of the heavens and the earth, by M. Moigno. 
He deduces all from ether, first forming hydrogen. Universal 
gravitation is the direct effect of impulsions of ether.—A frontal 
electric photophore, for medical use, was described by MM. 
Helot and Trouvé. It is an incandescent lamp, supplied 
from a bichromate battery, and fitted with a reflector and con- 
vergent lens. It is attached to the forehead. 
CONTENTS PacE 
ScrentTiric Worruis, XXI.—WiLi1aAmM~ Sporriswoove (W7th 
Steel PlatesEmpyaving)) i ssraisy sei. © tuawiicns 6 
““A MANUAL OF THE INFusoRIA.”” By Prof. E. Ray LANKESTER, 
BERES. Oe ears a vat ne ohne tel Nel ee (ene cline at an ER 
Our Book SHELF:— 
Griffith and Henfrey’s ‘‘ Micrographic Dictionary” . . . - « 603 
LETTERS TO THE LE DITOR:— 
Speke and Grant’s Zebra.—Sir J. Favrer, K.C.S.1, F.R.S. . . 604 
Leaves and their Environment.—GraNT ALLEN... . .« 604 
Forms of Leaves.—Sir Joun Lupnock, Bart, M.-P. . . . + . 605 
TheiKGbn:—A IRVING: V-)Je beluicu: sal) oie seus foe BOSE OOS 
The Zodiacal Light (?)—W. H. Ropinson; Ropert Dwarris 
Grisney; E. Brown; D. J. Rowan . mca A a eet Goe 
On the Value of the “ Neoarctic ” as one of the Primary Zoological 
Regions.—Prof. ANGELO HEILPRIN . . . . -.- + + « = 606 
Mock Moons.—F T. Morr. Seuss te: &, fo wee Teen) 
Benevolence in Animals —GrorGe J. RoMANES, F.R.S. . . . 607 
“‘Medioscribed Circle ’’—R. T shiich Osh es ° : 607 
AGRICULTURE IN MapRaS. fh, KV ey ia) fo ae» Ya gw 8 al ee we ORL 7 
ANTHROPOLOGICAL NoTES IN THE SOLOMON IsLAnDs. By Surgeon- 
Major H. B. Guppy (With Lilustration) « +e ae cs) ede eT, 
On a Fine Specimen oF APATITE FROM TYROL, LATELY IN THE 
Possession oF Mr. Sam! EL HENSON (With /ilustration) . . . 608 
Tue EvoLuTion OF THE AMERICAN TrOTTING-HorsE. By Wo. H. 
BREWER . . ; SIRS aC OC ae tints cud. OS 
INSTITUTION OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS - is ie sa anOnT 
Coroners’ SCIENCE IN CuHtna. By Roperr K. DouGras . . . «. 612 
ZooLOGYANETABAND pose iel mets. us) cece wien sce ie gi- a= MeO 
NoTEs\:, “oo a phen ee) Lite on ter el ee ta carte to cite reer TELOX 
Our AsTRONOMICAL CoLtuUMN:— 
Schmidt’s Variable Star near Spica» «© «© + «© © © «© © «= « 617 
D?Axrest?s;Gamets ca), susctre alse age eee. ist ag Oe sy iat EON 
On THE SENSK OF COLOUR AMONGST SOME OF THE LoWER ANIMALS. 
By Sir Joun Luspock, Bart., M.P. . . - - © © © © © + @ 6138 
UnaiversiTy aND EDUCATIONAL INTELLIGENCE . » - 6 + + + + 618 
Sociztrgs AND ACADEMIES . . . - s+ + + + + + © © + = 618 
432-7 
