136 
NATURE 


and in expressing his sense of their importance Prof. Haughton 
also expressed his deep regret, shared in by the Society, at the 
loss geological science had sustained by the untimely death of so 
promising a geologist and mineralogist as Mr. Ormsby.—Mr. 
Edward T, Hardman read a paper on an Analysis of a Trachyte 
porphyry from Tardree Quarry near Antrim. The paper gave 
tha result of a careful analysis of one of the two specimens of 
trachyte known to exist in the British Islands, and from it Mr. 
Hardman was able to come to such conclusions with regard to 
the age and altered state of the rocks as led him to controvert the 
theories of Cotta and Richthofen on the relative ages of basalts 
and trachytes. Prof. Haughton, who had seen the rock 77 situ, 
was able to endorse the view taken by Mr. Hardman as to the 
altered condition of it. 
Royal Irish Academy, May 8.—Rev. President Jellett in 
the’ chair. Prof. J. M. Purser read a second report on the re- 
searches of Prof. Cohnheim on inflammation and suppuration, 
which was referred to the Council for publication. The secre- 
tary read a paper by Mr. Hyde Clarke, on the ancient name 
Hibernia. This paper was very severely criticised by several 
members of the Academy, the impression apparently being that 
the author had no true scientific basis for the conclusion at 
which he had arrived, and further that the method adopted by 
him was helping—if it had not already done so—to bring dis- 
credit upon this branch of Ethnology. 
May 22.—Rey. President Jellett in the chair. The president 
read a paper on Saccharometing, with special reference to an 
examination of specimens of sugar beet grown in Ireland.— 
Prof. Sullivan read a paper on the comparative composition of 
ancient Bronzes in connection with the ethnology of the ancient 
people of Europe; also, one on the Great Dolomite Bed of the 
North of Spain in connection with the Lithonic stage of opal. 
PARIS 
Academy of Sciences, May 5.—M. Delaunay in the chair. 
M. Roulin, a member of the Institute, delivered an address, 
discussing the last communication from M. Ledillot on Arabic 
Etymology. The learned member contends that M. Ledillot is 
deceived by superficial and casual analogies, and gives too large 
a credit to the Arabiclanguage in the formation of French. He 
frequently quoted the great Etymological Dictionary written by 
M. Littre, who is now a representative of Paris in the Versailles 
Assembly, and attempted to vindicate M. Littré’s various 
etymologies.—M. Elie de Beaumont read a letter from M. 
Bertrand, now at Tours, where he is a delegate for teaching the 
pupils of the National Polytechnic School. M. Bertrand has 
worked out theoretically the assertions of M. Navier on the flight 
of birds. He asserts that the clever mathematician was deceived 
in supposing the birds exerted an immense force in flight. M. 
Navier’s assertions, which were supposed correct for upwards of 
thirty years, were very often assailed on practical grounds, and 
almost generally supposed worthless. But it was necessary to 
revise his mathematical analyses. M. Bertrand’s communication 
wilt be welcomed by people engaged in the construction either 
of flying machines or of apparatus for guiding aérostats.—M. 
Martins, director of the Montpellier Botanic Gardens, sent a 
communication on the extraordinary frost of last December. 
He showed by reliable observations that the temperature 
at Mon'pellier was lower by 4° C., than the temperature 
at Paris. If the Paris minimum is supposed to have been 
—12°, the Montpellicr minimum must have been —16°. M. 
Martins explains the circumstance by the influence of the 
Gulf Stream, which diminishes the coldness of the air at Paris 
more than at Montpellier, owing to the greater distance of that 
southern station from the ocean. —M. Charles Emmanuel read a 
paper on certain movements of floating bodies, which he at- 
tributes to some electrical influences unnoticed and consequently 
unexplained hitherto, 
May 29.—M. Marié Davy, director of the Meteorological 
service at the Observatory, read a paper on the effects of 
the two great atmospheric currents of the atmosphere; one of 
them north-east, and the second, opposite to the first, south- 
west. To recite the history of the struggle between these 
two primary currents would be to recite the eventful history 
of temperature. Judicious balloon ascents would greatly help 
meteorologists in executing useful work.—M. Yyon Villarceau 
gave some most interesting details on the state of things at the 
Observatory during the night of May 22. The Communists tried 
to set fire to the establishment, but succeeded only in burning 
down the wood casements, used to protect the instruments 



| Fune 15, 1871 
from shelling during the Prussian investment. One circle con- 
structed by Rigault was destroyed. This circle was intended 
to be used as a mural circle for observations connected with the 
next international geodesic congress to be held at Vienna, in 
order to revise the determination of the earth’s radius. 
French Republic will be able to hold its ground on that pacific — 
battle-field.—M. Chevreul read the speech delivered on his behalf 
at the funeral of the lamented M. Payen. The learned orator 
reviewed at full length the different processes resorted to in 
order to render edible different substances during the first invest- 
ment of Paris. M. Payen was the originator of these ingenious 
processes. One of them will be largely used in naval expeditions 
for procuring fresh albumine for crews and passengers. Ordinary 
albumine, as it is used by dyers and photographers, is melted at 
a temperature of 100° C., and can be used for all the cooking — 
purposes. Distant marine expeditions will always remember 
with gratitude the exertions of M. Payen and his associates for 
feeding 2,500,000 people surrounded during months by an hostile — 
overpowering force.—M. Chevreul gave some interesting details 
on the protection of the Museum, and the losses experienced by 
the great Gobelins’ conflagration. 


BOOKS RECEIVED 
Encuisu.—Hours of Exercise in the Alps: Prof. Tyndall (Longmans) — 
Astronomy Simplified for General Reading: J. A. S. Rollwyn(Tegg and Co.) 
Foreicn.—Verhandlungen der k.k. zoologisch-botanischen Gesellschaft in 
Wien: Tribner. 


DIARY 
THURSDAY, June 15. 
Roya Society, at 8.30.—On the Fossil Mammals of Australia. Part V. 
Genus Nototherium.—Contribution to the Fossil Botany of the Coal 
Measures. II. : Prof. W. C. Williamson, F.R.S.—On Cyclides and Sphero 
Quartics: Dr. Casey.—On a Law in Chemical Dynamics, and other 
Fapeis: Dr. Gladstone, F.R.S., and A. Tribe. 
Society OF ANTIQUARIES, at 8.30.—On a Reliquary of Sculptured Ivory of 
the Sixth Century: A. Nesbitt, F.S.A. 
Linnean Society, at 8—On British Spiders: Rev. O P. Cambridge.— 
Ona Luminous Coleopterous Larva: Dr. Burmeister. 
CHEMICAL Society, at 8.—An Experimental Inquiry as to the Action of 
Electricity upon Oxygen: Sir B. C. Brodie, Bart. = 
FRIDAY, June 16. 
Roya INSTITUTION, at 9g —On the Esquimaux and Ice of Greenland, illus- 
trated by Drawings and Photographs: Mr. William Bradford, Artist, of 
New York. (Extra meeting.) 
MONDAY, June 19 
ANTHROPOLOGICAL INSTITUTE, at 8.—Mode of Preserving the Dead amo-g 
the Natives of Queensland: Alvert M’Donald.—Forms of Ancient Inter- 
ments in Antrim: Dr. Sinclair Holden—Analogies and Coincidences 
among Unconnected Nations: Hodder M. Westropp.—Peruvian Antiqui- 
ties: Josiah Harris. 
TUESDAY, June 20. 
ZooLoGIcAL SOCIETY, at 9.—Report on Additions to the Society’s Menagerie 
in May: The Secretary.—On some Arachnida, collected by Cuthbert 
Collingwood, M.D., during rambles in the China Sea: Rey. O. P. Cam- 
bridge.—Notes on some Rodents from Yarkand: Dr. J. Anderson. = 
WEDNESDAY, June 21. 
METEOROLOGICAL SocIetTy, at 7.—Anniversary Meeting 
Royat Society oF LITERATURE, at 8.30.—On the Li® and Writings of 
William of Malmesbury: Mr. W. Birch. : 
GEOLOGICAL SociETY, at 8.—Notes on the Geology of Part of the County of 
Donegal: A H. Green, F.G.S.—On some Supposed Vegetable Fossils: 
W. Carruthers, F.R.S., F.G.S —Memoranda on the Most Recent Geologi- 
cal Changes of the Rivers and Plains of Northern India, to show the Prac- 
tical Application of Mr. Login’s Theory of the Abracing and Transporting 
Power of Water to effect such Changes. T. Login, C.E. : 





CONTENTS PAGE 
PRIMUDI VE COUTURE a Min aleege tual Sl uars os koniet pane os secs 
Lea's Unionip&, By J. Gwyn Jerrreys, F.R.S. . <  eeeen 
Our Book SHELE:.” .. Sy Re St SS ee) Ve tcc eee 
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR :— 
The Paris Observatory.—Prof. C. Piazzt SMytu, F.R.S.  - 120 
Science Lectures for the People.—G. FRASER. . . .« . . 120 
The Eclipse Photographs.—A. BrotueErs, F.R.A.S. .) Fe 
Ocean Currents.—R. A. Proctor, F.RAS. . . . . .. + » I2E 
Day Auroras.—D. Low; Rev. H. Cooper Key. « IE 
Red and Blue —Dr. H. McLeop, FC.S........ . . x22 
Influence of Barometric Pressure on Ocean Currents—R, RussELL 122 
St. Mary’s Loch, Selkirkshire ane e eed oes ble - . 122 
Sun Spots and Earth Temperatures.—C. Anbe . . . . . « « 123 
Bessemer:Bombs .. .. fs 00s iep% oe) US tes) we Je le, ve Re cee 
TrE'STRASBOURG MUSEUME «. .) .) si 50s en. ols = eee 
Dust AnD SMOKE. (With [élustrations ) By Prof. Tynpatt, F.R.S. 124 
Notes. - PER ae oa oor sbeebs rg oe! 
On THE NEcEssITy FOR A PERMANENT COMMISSION ON STATE 
Scientiric Questions. By Lirut.-Cot. STRANGE, F.R.S. . 130 
SCIENTIFIC SERIALS \. fe eps) sie te) vy ete, ogee Ros 
SOCIETIES AND ACADEMIES.)). 3. « . 6 =» « ce « = © » ls © ls came 
IBOQKS/RECEIVED ...\hevae ae ey Gan & Sree te) eee 
i don SeCkuerem Cena ho Ac sl! 

M. 
Yvon Villarceau declares that in spite of this misfortune, the | 
| 
; 
j 
4 
— 
—————— 
