


observations made at the observatory of Montsouris. The two 
observatories are at a distance of something less than a mile, and 
a deadly feud appears to exist between them.—M. Ch. Sainte- 
Claire Deville then read a paper relating to the part taken by 
him in the projecting of the meteorological atlas of France in 
1847.—M. de Falen and Fisher described bathymetrical obser- 
vations and researches executed on the coasts of France, in 
1847, in depths varying up to 250 fathoms. The submarine 
fauna has no peculiarity worth mentioning. M. Gustave Tis- 
sandier, one of the postal aeronauts, presented a 7ésuzzé of the re- 
sults obtained by the sixty-four postal aeronautical expeditions 
during the siege of Paris. He merely gives however the num- 
ber of letters and pigeons sent, but not the number of pigeons 
returned to Paris, and of letters duly posted in the post-offices 
of the French postal service delegated in the provinces. 
July 3.—M. Claude Bernard in the chair.—M. Delaunay read 
a letter fom M, Marie Davy, in answer to M. Ch. Sainte-Claire 
Deyville’s communication on the Physical Atlas of France. The 
learned astronomer, supporting M. Marie Davy, admits that the 
idea of constructing a physical atlas belongs to M. Ch. Sainte 
Claire Deville, who originated it in 1847 ; but he contends that in 
1868 he tried to start it, since nothing had been done during 
twenty-one years. M. Delaunay contends moreover that it is a duty 
for the National Observatory to undertake such a publication. 
It is to be hoped that M. Delaunay’s exertions will not interfere 
with M. Sainte-Claire Deville’s own publications, and at all 
events, that we shall have at least an atlas worthy of the French 
reputation in meteorological matters. But the safer way for both 
contending parties should be to agreein a common work. Such 
a resolution would diminish the expenses to the Republic, and 
enlarge the chances of common success. M. Sainte-Claire 
Deville’s brother, the chemist, was not returned a member for 
Paris, although he received more than 50,000 votes. —M, Delaunay 
presented for M. Latterade a most extraordinary memoir on 
“The Theory of two Suns.”” M. Latterade contends that the 
warm period which is demonstrated by the presence of tropical 
fossils in Sweden and Norway was produced by the proximity of 
a very powerful star which had given to the earth an immense 
quantity of heat, and which from that time has receded into the 
abysses of celestial space. M. Latterade contends that the sa- 
plementary sun has not disturbed the elements of the planets, 
because its attractive power was smaller than its warming power. 
He states, moreover, that the warming power does not vary 
according to the mass, like the attractive power. This communi- 
cation was referred gravely to a committee composed of three 
members.—M. Champion sent a new memoir on nitro-glycerine, 
which he has studied with so much care during the investment of 
Paris. It is not only a very dangerous study, but also a very 
painful labour, as violent headaches are experienced by persons 
engaged in such operations. The whole of the memoir is 
worthy of being read attentively by working chemists. 
We will not try to analyse it, but merely mention two 
facts. Electricity is without action on glycerine as proved 
by Ruhmkorff, and explosion does not take place at 360° Fah. 
as supposed, but at 540° only.—M. Quatrefages presented an 
interesting memoir from M. Dareste, who is pursuing with con- | 
stant success his studies on artificial monstrosities, produced by 
different operations on eggs during incubation. ‘The learned 
physiologist examines the alterations produced in the blood, and 
finds the number of corpuscles is very small indeed under special 
circumstances.—Father Denza sent from Italy an account of the 
aurora borealis observed in Italy on the evenings of April 9, 10, 
18, and 23. Father Denza mentions other aurorz boreales on 
the 7th, 12th, and 18th of June. This last display was very 
brilliant, and was accompanied with very great magnetical 
disturbances. It coincidei, moreover, with great storms ob 
served in England and other countries.—Baron Larey announced 
that Dr. Castano is just leaving France for a climatological and 
medical inspection of Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and perhaps 
Iceland, as well as the Faroe Islands.—In its secret sitting the 
Academy is discussing the titles of several candidates to fill the 
room of M. Lamé, who was mostly engaged in abstruse researches | 
on the application of high mathematics to molecular physics | 
M. Puiteux was chosen as candidate | 
during his whole lifetime. 
in the first line. He will be certainly returned on the roth. M. 
Lamé cannot have any fitter or more qualified successor.—M. 
Delaunay has published the result of observations for the month 
of June. The greatest excess of black bulb thermometer zz 
vacuo exposed to the sun over the ordinary thermometer in the 
shade was 354° Fah. on June 1, and the smallest on the 5th, 
when it was only 4°, 
| containing corections of errors in Kunzek’s meteorological obser- — 
vations made at Lemberg.—Dr. von Monckhoven exhibited a 








VIENNA 
“Imperial Academy of Sciences, May 11.—Dr. Neilreich : 
communicated a critical revision of the species, forms, and hybrid 
forms of the genus /Yieracium hitherto observed in Austria and — 
Hungary. The author remarked upon the peculiar difficulty of 
deciding what constitutes a species among the Hawkweeds, and | 
pointed that by one course, the number of species is inordinately ~ 
increased, whilst the other diminishes it to an unnatural mini- — 
mum. In his treatment of the Hawkweeds of Austria and Hun- 
gary he has adopted a middle course, namely, the establishment 
of what he calls “artificial species.” — Prof. E. Linnemann 
transmitted a memoir on the simultaneous formation of propylic 
aldehyde, acetone, and allylic alcvhol with acroleine, by the desic- 
cating action of chloride of calcium upon glycerine.—Prof. 
F. Simony presented the conclusion of his memoir upon the 
glaciers of the Dachsteingebirge.—Prof. V. von Lang communi- 
cated a paper on the dioptrics of a system of centred spherical — 
surfaces.—Prof. C. Jelinek communicated a note by Prof. Handl — 
blowpipe constructed by him for the production of the Drum- 
mond light, which permits the use of hydrogen, common 
gas, or alcohol as the combustible material. He also dis- 
cussed some of the incandescent materials which may be em- 
ployed, of which he seems to prefer white marble. Prof. Briihl 
transmitted three plates of the anatomy of the lice, intended for 
early publication, for the purpose of claiming priority in case of 
his results being hit upon by Dr. v. Graber, in his memoir on 
the same subject lately communicated to the Academy of Sciences. 
May 16.—The following memoirs were communicated :— 
“ Graphical determination of the stereographic and allied projec- 
tions of the lines of the geographical sphere,” by Prof. J.O.Streiss- 
ler ; ‘The pressure of water as a motor,” by M. F. Schindler.— 
Director C. von Littrow presented a report upou the determina- 
tion of the latitude and azimuth effected by Prof. E. Weiss at 
Dablitz.—M. F. Unferdinger communicated two mathematical 
papers, one upon four integrals, the other upon the theory of that 
spherical triangle in which one angle is equal to the sum of the 
other two. 
BOOKS RECEIVED 
ENGLIsH.—Mycological Ilustrations: W. W. Saunders, W. G Smith, A.W. 
Bennett, part (Van Voorst).—Darwinism Refuted : S. H. Laing(E. Stock).— 
A Treatise oa Asiatic Cholera: C. Macnamara (Churchill)—A History of 
British Birds: W. Yarrell, edited by A. Newton, part 1 (Van Voorst).—The 
Census of England and Wales for 1871, Preliminary Report. 
AmeErIcan.—A Treatise on Diseases of the Nervous System; W. A. Ham- 
mond (New York, Appleton). 
ForerGn.—Das Leben der Erde: N. Humnel (Leipzig, Fleischer).—Die 
Grundsatze graphischen Rechnens, part 1: K. Von Ott (Prag, Calve). 




CONTENTS 
Tue Next Tora Sovar Eciirse . 
TyNnDALL's ‘‘ Hours of EXERCISE IN THE Bure 
PaGE 
<. koje) Moo Fee ee 
By the Rey. T. G, 
Bonney, F.G.S. SEC hes oe ec ge Gt SS eS 193 
Our Book Suetr. (Weth Illustration.) . . . « «. a 199 
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR :— 
A New View of Darwinism.—H. Howortu; Lawson Tair . . 200 
Recent Neologisms.—Dr. C. M. INctepy. . ... . 207 
Affinities of the Sponges —E. ParFitT . . . .... 201 
Cramming for Examinations . + 202 
Great Heat in Iceland during the aaa: Sumas at Beci CHAN . 202 
The Late Thunderstorm.—R. L. Jack . . . . 2... se 202 
Saturn’s Rings.— Lieut. A. M. Davies, R.N. . 202 
On an Error in Regnault’s Calculation of the Heat Conv seit ats 
Work in the Steam Engine.—A. W. Bickerton, F.CS. . 203 
Tue Causes OF THE COLOURSOF THESEA. By Lieut.-Col.W. M‘MasTER 203 
THE TEMPERATURE OF THE SUN. By J. Ericsson . 204 
GREYTOWN AND ADJACENT CounTRY. es Lieut. S. P. Our ER, [Rk in 
(With Iilustration.) 5 eC maUO, 
Tue Date or THE INTERMENT IN THE Aun RIGNAC Caves By We 
Boyp Dawkins, F.R.S. Tel es ietcetgicy ve Sei ea Nt Aaa toute 208 
DAYLIGHT AURORAS:. |. | [GARE MA/Eteteh Sel Gb. ic eS 209 
DNODESa Diente te td Fale atte < tO * « « 210 
Screntiric INTELLIGENCE FROM AMERICA 5 ogee eat 
CORRESPONDENCE OF NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN AU ROR. * By Dr. 
E. HEIs Py eee) oer hel geile ee atateh 5 cnet Vets 
SocigTIES AND Acaveizs/ MORO OEPMOROMOMGY OO Hyioo> G35 
BOOKS: RECRIVED: /.: (5. |. SoMEEPLc ran "e) /<1 (0) Kemet Seam C ECTS + 216 
Rey 2 eatin el 
