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. Fuly 20, 1871] 
NATURE 
235 

_ That a parallel structure equally, if not better developed than 
_ any occurring in the gneiss of Donegal, is common to many 
volcanic rocks, as in a specimen laid before the meeting, in which 
this parallel foliated structure due to crystallisation-layers is so 
__ well developed as to make it appear exactly like a stratified rock, 
_ and even split along these lines, and this, although the product 
of volcanoes still active is found for great distances both over- 
lying conformably and intercalated between beds of the Cretaceous 
and Oolite formations. Mr. Scott was unwilling to accept the 
section given by the author as satisfactory. He agreed, however, 
as to the bedded appearance of the granite, and to the masses 
lying in general conformably with the lines of stratification of the 
country. The nearest spot at which fossiliferous rocks occurred 
was separated from the beds described by the whole width of the 
county of Tyrone, though some presumed Eozoonal forms had 
been found at a less distance. He was not prepared to believe 
in the original absolutely fused condition of granite, nor in there 
being two distinct forms under which it occurred.—* Memoranda 
on the most recent Geological Changes of the Rivers and Plains 
of Northern India, founded on accurate surveys and the Artesian 
well-boring at Umballa, to show the practical application of Mr. 
Login’s theory of the abrading and transporting power of water to 
effect such changes,” by T. Login, The author commenced by re- 
ferring to the general conditions of the surface of the country under 
consideration, and to the evidence afforded by it of a great decrease 
in the amount of rainfall, and a great change in the nature of the 
rivers. His object was to show that the superficial deposits of 
the plains of India were formed by the action of mountain 
streams, the deposits being irregular transversely, but exhibiting a 
uniform section longitudinally, in a curve which the author 
believed to be a true parabola, as indicated by Mr. ‘Tylor. The 
connection of this with the author's theory as to the transporting 
power of water was indicated. The author also showed that the 
beds of the large Indian rivers are rising rather than being 
lowered, and pointed out that this was in accordance with his 
theory. 
HAirax, Nova Scoria 
Institute of Natural Science, May 8.—Mr. J. Matthew 
Jones, F.L.S., president, in the chair. Mr, Frederick Allison 
read a paper entitled ‘‘ Results of Meteorological Observations 
at Halifax, Nova Scotia, for1870.” The temperature of January 
had not been approached since 1863. Mean pressure was great. 
Cloud was scanty, and winds strong, N.W. prevailing. Very 
large total precipitation, due to heavy rain, the snow-fall being 
deficient. No fog, and but five days’ sleighing during the whole 
of January. Strong east gales at the close of the month. Feb- 
ruary was nearer to normal temperature. Mean pressure very 
light. Cloud far exceeded that of January and its own average. 
Prevalent wind, N.W., strong. Great precipitation, nearly 
doubling the average amount, and especially large in rain, One 
fog, and sleighing from the Ist to 25th. On the 9th strong east 
gale in moming, and blowing at night from the west. March 
bore much the same relation to normal temperature as did Feb- 
ruary ; but the minimum of the year, 6°, occurred on the 12th of 
that month. Pressure still extremely light. Cloud in decided 
defect. Prevalent wind N.N.W., with mean force great. Pre- 
cipitation, both of rain and snow, small. Only one fog. Eleven 
days of sleighing. Three gales, all more or less eastwardly. 
Wild geese (Amser Canadensis) passed over on their northerly 
migration on the 19th. Peach, trained against a south wall, 
blossomed on the 24th. The American robin ( 7irdus migrato- 
yius) appeared on the 3oth. April was warm. Pressure 
29743, but ‘oor below an eight years’ average. Cloud still 
deficient. A peculiar direction of wind was prevalent—E.S. E. 
Mean force small. Precipitation close to average ; rain being 
abundant, but snow only one inch. Five fogs recorded. 
First thunder and lightning this year on the 12th, One short 
gale from E.S.E. Frogs (Hylodes Pickeringit) first heard on 
the 8th; and May flowers (Zfigwa repens) in full bloom 
on the 12th. The mean temperature of May was a little less 
than average. On the 3oth 80°°2 was reached. Mean pressure 
a little light. A very bright month, with only 3°19 inches of 
rain, the average being 4°33. Snow inappreciable, the latest 
falling on the 24th, and melting as it fell, Four fogs. Thunder 
and lightning on the 9th and rath. The garden cherry blossomed 
on the 23rd, and the humming-bird (7Zvochilus colubis) was first 
seen on the 18th. June was slightly cool, somewhat low in 
pressure and decidedly bright. Only 1°69 inches of rain fell. 
Mean velocity of wind but 8°8 miles per hour ; direction W.S.W 
Three fogs noted. No frost after the 24th of the preceding 



month, either at five fect high or on the surface of the earth. 
Thunder and lightning twice. The apple blossomed on the 6th, 
and red clover same date ; horse-chesnut on the 2nd ; wild straw- 
berries ripe on the 20th. Grass mowing began about Halifax 
on the 3oth. July temperature was 1°°85 above the average. 
On the 24th 915 was marked. The mean of six equidistant 
observations on 25th, 75° 27, being the warmest day recorded at 
this station for at least twelve years. Mean pressure low. Great 
want of cloud. Light winds; direction S. 59° W. ; velocity 
81 miles per hour. Rain, 3°21 inches, being much above 
average. Four fogs. Thunder and lightning twice. August 
was warm also. Mean pressure almost identical with July, being 
29°659. Very little cloud. Wind, resultant direction, N. 77° W. 
Mean velocity 10°5 miles perhour. Rain scanty, giving but 2'20 
inches. Fogs three. Thunder and lightning thrice. September 
mean temperature 57°'20, having fallen 7°*60 below August. 
On the 30th exactly 32° was registered by grass minimum ; but 
atmosphere never descended to freezing point. Mean pressure 
still low, and cloud also deficient. Wind, resultant direction 
N. 15° W., and mean velocity only 10°6 per hour. Rain, half 
an inch less than average. Three fogs. Hoar frost on the 3oth. 
Thunder once. Lightning twice. Three gales. October had 
a mean temperature of 48°14. Mean pressure 29°825. Still a 
quantity of cloud, though October is frequently a bright month 
in Nova Scotia. Resultant direction of wind N. 42° W., and 
mean velocity 12°45 miles per hour, Heavy rainfall, and eight 
inches of snow. One fog. Three gales from N.W., S.S.W., 
and S. First frost, five feet above ground on the 26th ; tem- 
perature having been above 32° 155 days. Measurable snow on 
3ist. The mean temperature of November remained above the 
average. The whole pressure again small. The month was 
rather less cloudy than usual. Resultant direction of wind 
N. 87° W., and mean velocity only 10°75 miles per hour. Rain- 
fall large, 5°67 inches, and snow depth great, 7°7 inches. Three 
fogs. Three gales, N.W., S.S.E., and S.E. Meteors on the 
night of the 14th. December was very mild. Mean tem- 
perature 30°. Pressure very low. Much cloud. Resultant 
direction of wind N. 76° W., and mean velocity 11°6 miles 
per hour. Rain was heavy, and snow small, though con- 
taining larger amount of water than average. One fog, 
Four days’ sleighing. On Christmas Eve thermometer reached 
4°°6, minimum of month. After noting the cyclone of the 
3rd and 4th uf September, Mr. Allison proceeded to connect 
it with the gale of the 7th moving in the Bay of Biscay, in which 
the Captain foundered. Giving the following figures from a mass 
of observations, to show the storm path :—S.S. Rolert Lowe at 
sea, lat. 43°2' N., long. 65°3’ W., September 4, 4 A.M., bar. 
28 7co ; wind 25|b. per square foot. Halifax N.S., lat. 44°39! 
N., long. 63°36’ W., September 4, 9.30 A.M., bar. 28952, 6 to 
7 A.M. ; wind velocity 65°7 per hour, and reaching 70 miles in 
gusts, fully 24°5lb. per square foot. Glace Bay N.S., about 
250 miles from Robert Lowe, E.N.E., bar. 3 P.M. 29°333 3 wind 
3 P.M. 86 miles per hour. This storm was travelling at direct 
rate of about 23 miles per hour in this longitude, its speed being 
accelerated as it progressed eastward. It would be due, with its 
south-eastern edge, in diminished force probably, in Bay of 
Biscay on evening of 6th of September. From these and other 
data a world-wide system of telegraphic storm warnings was 
urged.—Another interesting paper, “On the Meteorology of 
Glace Bay, Cape Breton, N,S.,” by Mr. Henry Poole, was also 
read, 
Paris 
Academie des Sciences Morales et Politiques, June24.— 
M. Jules Simon in the chair. Notice was given of the death of 
M. Ramon de Ja Sagra, a Spanish gentleman who had been a 
great traveller in America, and was well known as a botanist.— 
M. Egger read some pages of his great work “On the Pro- 
gressive Development of Infants.” 
July 8.—M. Paul Janot in the chair. Notice was given of two 
letters received from M. Henry Martin, a member of the 
National Assembly, and M. Filon, an inspector of the Academy 
of Paris, both contending for the seat left vacant by the late M. 
Pierre Clement, who wrote, many years ago, a history of the Revo~ 
cation del Edit de Nantes, vindicating Protestantism, and pub- 
lished many articles in the Fournal des LEconomustes, in 
support of free trade policy. The contest will be severe, as M, 
Henry Martin is very popular, being the author of a History of 
France. M. Filon is a gentleman of a wider intellect, and has 
written a Comparative History of France and England. The 
election will take place on the 22nd, 
