Fune 29, 1871 | 
NATURE I 

vulsions much more epileptic in character than tetanic. In one 
case there was a distinct rotatory movement. 
In a few minutes these convulsions passed away, leaving the 
animal exhausted and frightened. Then followed a stage of ex- 
citement with dilated pupils and flow of saliva, very similar to 
the effects of the tetracodeia and tetramorphia salts, but less 
marked. 
Doses of half a decigramme given to adult cats produced the 
stage of excitement only, without the convulsions. 
In no case, with any specimen of product, has vomiting been 
witnessed. 
Trials with rabbits gave only negative results. Like the tetra- 
codeia and tetramorphia products, the deoxycodeia and deoxy- 
morphia salts appear to paralyse the inhibitory fibres of the 
pneumogastric. 
No marked differences could be observed between the hydro- 
chlorates and hydrobromates of deoxycodeia or deoxymorphia. 
“On the Calculation of Euler’s Constant,” By J. W. L. 
Glaisher, F.R.A.S. 
Zoological Society, June 20.—R. Hudson, F.R.S., vice- | 
president, in the chair. The Secretary read a report on the addi- 
tions made to the Society’s Menagerie during the month of May, 
1871. Amongst these particular attention was called to a Ta- 
mandua Ant-eater ( Zamandua tetradactyla) from Santa Martha, 
obtained by purchase, May 29, being the first specimen of the 
singular Mammal ever exhibited alive in the Society’s collection. 
—Prof. Macdonald, of the University of St. Andrew’s, Scotland, 
exhibited and made remarks on a series of specimens illustrative 
of the cranial bones of Fishes. —An extract was read from a letter 
received from Mr. Walter J. Scott, giving notice of a living speci- 
men of the Australian Cassowary which had been lately cap- 
tured in Queensland by Mr. Haig, and which Mr. Haig was 
anxious to present to the Society.—Prof. Newton exhibited and 
made remarks on some supposed eggs of the Sanderling (Cadidris 
arenaria), procured by the North German Polar Expedition —A 
communication was read from the Rey. O. P. Cambridge, con- 
taining notes on the Arachnida collected by Dr. Cuthbert Colling- 
wood during his recent travels in the Chinese seas. —A communi- 
cation was read from Dr. John Anderson, Curator of the Indian 
Museum, Calcutta, containing notes on some rare species of 
Rodents collected by Mr. Forsyth during his recent expedition 
to Yarkand.—Messrs, Sclater and Salvin read a revised List of 
the species of Laridze which have been found to occur within the 
limits of the Neotropical region, These were stated to be 32in 
number, whereof one belonged to the sub-family Rhynchopine, 
14 to the Sterninz, 16 to the Larinze, and one to the Lestridinz. 
—A communication was read from Dr, J. E. Gray, F.R.S., con- 
taining notes on the Bush-bucks (Cep/a/ophi) contained in. the 
collection of the British Museum, together with the descriptions 
of two new species of the genus from the Gaboon.—A second 
communication from Dr. J. E. Gray contained some notes on the 
skull of a roebuck in the British Museum, originally received from 
the Museum of the Zoological Society of London.—Mr. Sylvanus 
Hanley communicated thedescription of a new species of Moz0con- 
dylea from Sarawak, Borneo, which he proposed to call JZ 
Walpolei.—Mr. D. G. Elliot read a reviewof the genus Pu/loris, 
Sw.—Mr. D. G. Elliot also read a description of a supposed new 
species of Guinea-fowl from Ugogo, Central Africa, founded on 
a drawing made by Colonel Grant during the expedition of Messrs. 
Speke and Grant, which he proposed to name Mumida Granti.— 
Mr. R. B. Sharpe read a paper on the Birds of Cameroons, 
Western Africa, based upon collections recently formed by Mr. 
A. Crossley in that locality. The Avi-Fauna of the country was 
shown to be almost identical with that of Gaboon. A species of 

Thrush was believed to be new to science, and was proposed to | 
be called Zurdus Crossleyi.i—Mr. John Brazier communicated 
some notes on the localities of Doli melanostoma, Conus rhodo- 
dendron, and other species of land-shells found in Australia and 
in the adjacent islands of the Australian seas.—Mr. W. Saville 
Kent read a paper on two new Sponges from North Australia, 
the principal peculiarity of which consisted of their being arranged 
round a-central stem or axis. These he referred to a new genus 
proposed to be called Caulispongia. — Prof. Flower com- 
municated a paper by Mr. J. B. Perrin on the myology of the 
limbs of the Kinkajou (Cercoleptes caudivolvulus), to which were 
added some remarks on the myology of the limbs of the 
Paradoxurus typus and Felis caracal, and more particularly 
with reference to the chief points of difference between these | 
animals, 



BRISTOL 
Observing Astronomical Society.—Observations to May 
31, 1871. Zhe Sun.—Mr. T. W. Backhouse writes that on 
March 19 at 21h. 30m. aspot on the sun’s S. hemisphere had an 
umbra 19,000 miles long, but its greatest width was but 3,500 
miles, This spot passed the centre of the sun on the 21st. On 
the 22nd at 3h. there was a curious curve of numerous small 
spots starting from it. An extensive group which passed N. of 
the sun’s centre on the 23rd contained on the 27th at 5h. the 
largest spot then on the sun. Its penumbra was 29,000 miles in 
diameter, and its umbra 14,000 miles long ; yet if it existed at 
all on the 24th at 21h. it must have been quite small. A spot 
in the sun’s S. hemisphere which passed the middle of the sun 
on April 11, and which was not large on the 6th, on the 7th 
at 2th. 35m. had a penumbra 63,000 miles long. On the gth 
at 21h. 15m. it was about 41,000 miles long, and its chief umbra 
13,000 miles in diameter, and mostly of a light shade. On April 
20 at 21h. 45h. a spot also in the southern zone had an umbra 
25,500 miles long ; but its /part was very narrow, its f part was 
very irregular. Its fpart became broader, and on the 24th at 
20h. was separated from the f part. The umbra had previously 
shortened, being only about 21,000 miles long on the 23rd; at 
2th. on the 23rd it passed the same centre. On the 28th at 
3h. 20m. the penumbra was 38,000 miles long. At that time 
there was another large solar spot also in the S. zone, which had 
a penumbra 33,000 miles in diameter then ; but on May 4 at 
5h. 15m. it was 43,000 miles long and 35,000 miles wide, and it 
is now (May 8) larger still. Its umbra was roundish and much 
mottled, and on May 4 at 4h. was 17,000 miles long and 14,500 
wide. On the 5th at 21h., however, there was a very slender 
bridge of light across it towards the southern part, and another 
farther north two-thirds across it. The latter still remains (May 
8, 3h. 30m.), and nearly cuts the umbra in two ; but the former 
has disappeared. Mr. Albert P. Holden, of London, reports as 
follows :—‘* April ro, 1871. A large spot, surrounded by an 
extensive penumbra, has recently appeared, which I observed at 
2h. this day. The chief spot was rather long and narrow, 
except at one end, which was considerably wide, and the narrow 
portion was crossed by three complete (and one partial) bridges. 
The penumbra was unusually pale, and the umbra of a decided 
light-brown hue. In the upper part of the broad portion of the 
umbra was a large nucleus mtensely black, and so large and 
dark as to be visible with a very low power. Almost joining the 
‘yawning gulf’ of the nucleus was a light triangular patch, not 
quite so lightas the penumbra. From the great ease with which 
the nuclei have been seen on this and other occasions it would 
seem as if they increased in visibility with the approach of the 
maxima of the sun-spot period. When they are visible, as on 
the present occasion, the windward penumbra of the spot in 
which they occur are always unusually light in colour.”— 
Mr. William F. Denning, of Bristol, observed the sun with his 
roiin., and gin. reflector on May 26, but with the exception of a 
large scattered group the spots were neither large nor inter- 
esting. 
‘Sapiter, Mr. Albert P. Holden says: ‘‘On February 20 at 
7h. 30m. I observed this planet, and found the usual equatorial 
belts to present a most remarkable appearance. The whole 
equator was covered by what appeared to be great masses of 
clouds stretching across the planet in four parallel, but rather 
irregular, rows, each row containing about four or five distinct 
masses of cloud. As I was using a diagonal eyepiece I thought 
at first the mirror had become covered with moisture, but found 
the phenomenon to be really on the planet’s surface. With a 
low power the whole equator had a mottled appearance, but 
higher powers brought out the masses of cloud very distinctly. 
The clouds coming over prevented my observing whether the 
rotation of the planet would change the scenery of the disc at 
all.” Edmund Neison, of London, writes with regard to Jupiter : 
‘The only result worth mentioning is the gradual deepening of 
the tinge of the equatorial belts and the increase in the general 
orange tinge of the whole disc. In fact, on May 15 it appeared 
to have changed to a distinct red. This is probably due merely 
to the low altitude of the planet, and its immersion in the orange 
mists of sub-sunset.” 
Mars.—Mr. Albert P. Holden, with his 3in. refractor, has ob- 
tained some very good views of this planet. He writes: “‘ The 
Kaiser Sea and Dawes Ocean come out very distinctly. This 
planet seems to bear magnifying much more readily than other ob- 
jects, eighty to the inch of aperture giving most excellent views,” 
