60 
NATURE 
gum round a projecting point of polished enamel, and that the 
teeth were probably enclosed in the retractile sheath of the gum. 
Dr. Hector stated that, in a recent description by Dr. Haast of 
a whale of the same species, it was stated to have shown its 
teeth when infuriated, which supported the view that the 
teeth were not completely undeveloped externally.—The next 
communication by Dr. [ector, on the interior of the North 
Island, gave the leading features of the geology of the 
Kaimanawa and Ruahine ranges, which had been recently 
examined by him. The modern tertiary rocks that form the 
eastern portion of the Hawke’s Bay province, were described as 
rising in the interior to an altitude of 2,700 feet, but that it was 
probable that the Kaimanawa range and certain parts of the 
Ruahine mountains had always remained as islands above the 
tertiary sea. The tertiary rocks comprise three groups—1. 
Limestone containing a large percentage of existing shells ; 
2. Clay marls, containing few shells; and 3. Sandstones and 
conglomerates with irregular seams of coal, some of which 
might yet prove valuable as fuel. The upper group is of much 
Tater date than the others, but all are distinctly tertiary. The 
axis of slate rocks, which divided the tertiary series at the time of 
the development of the conglomerates, is within twenty miles of 
the present East Coast line, but is broken through by several 
modern rivers which rise in the Taupo plains ; so that easy passes 
exist from Napier to the interior, a circumstance which has an 
important bearing on the opening up of the country. The 
Kaimanawa range is formed of the same slate and sandstone 
rocks as the Ruahine, but it lies at a considerable distance to the 
west of the proper axis of the island. The space left between 
them is occupied by the same tertiary rocks as on the east 
side, and which slope gradually to the sea-coast at Wanganui. 
As the tertiary rocks are quite free from any trace of volcanic 
matter, the eruption of the central volcanoes must have com- 
menced after their deposit was completed. In referring to the 
auriferous specimens which had been found on Mr. Lyon’s run 
at Kereru, Dr. Hector stated that chemical analysis had proved 
that, notwithstanding its granitic appearance, the rock to which 
the gold quartz was attached was only an altered form of the 
sandstone, as it contained traces of graphite, and 91 per cent. 
of silica. This is strongly in favour of the view that it is derived 
from the Ruahine range, as the sandstones in them have been 
previously mistaken for granite. After alluding to the recent 
Increase in the activity of the volcanic forces in the Tongariro 
district, Dr. Hector described the route to the West Coast from 
the interior, and drew attention to maps and reports by Mr. 
Geo. Swainson and Mr, Field. He also exhibited a new geologi- 
cal map of the central district. The Hon. Mr. Fox considered 
that there was no doubt of the practicability of a route to Taupo 
district from the Wanganui coast. He believed that the track 
through the bush country was almost completed, and he was 
glad to find that no insurmountable obstruction would be en- 
countered beyond that point. In reply to Mr. Mantell, Dr. 
Nector stated that he did not think that any rich auriferous quartz 
had been obtained in the Kaimanawa, but that his opinion re- 
mained unchanged as to the probability that gold would yet be 
met with in the district he had described. 
PHILADELPHIA 
American Philosophical Society, March 4.—A paper 
was read entitled ‘‘On the Periods of certain Meteoric Rings,” 
by Prof. Daniel Kirkwood. Mr. P. E. Chase discussed the 
subject of the tides, referring to the recently-published theory of 
Prof. Challis, and contrasting his views with those of Airy and 
others. Prof. Cope read a paper ‘On Adocus, a genus of Cre- 
taceous Emydidze.” Dr. Brinton read a paper entitled ‘‘ Con- 
tributions to a grammar of the Muskokec language.” 
March 18.—Prof. Cope described the disinterment of a number 
of human remains from a pit in New Jersey, which probably 
belonged to some of the first European emigrants, whose history 
has not been preserved. He also exhibited photographs of 
human foot-tracks, sculptured in Cretaceous rocks of Kansas, 
and made observations on yertebree of a large gavial from 
New Jersey. _ Dr. Brinton made some observations on a dic- 
tionary of the Maya language. 
April 1.—Dr. F. V. Hayden described the position and ap- 
pearance of the Tertiary strata on Green River, Wyoming Terri- 
tory, mentioning the highly bituminous character of the shales. 
Prof. Cope exhibited two species of fishes from them, which 
he regarded as new, and named Cyfrinodon levatus, and Clupea 
pusilla, and stated that their presence indicated connection with 
tide-water. Dr. Hayden mentioned the occurrence of insects 
and Myriopoda in the same shales. 
DIARY 
THURSDAY, May 19. 
Roya Sociery, at 8.30.—Experiments on the Use of Alcohol (ethyl alcohol) 
in the Human Body: Dr. Parkes and Count C. Wollowicz.—On the 
Cause and Theoretic Value of the Resistance of Flexure in Beams sub- 
jected to Transverse Stress: Mr. W. H. Barlow —On Deep-sea Ther- 
mometers: Commander J. E. Davis, R.N.—On the Difference between 
a Hand and a Foot, as shown by their Flexor Tendons: Rey. Dr. 
Haughton, and other papers. 
Society of ANTIQUARIES, at 8.30.—On recent discoveries in the Roman 
Wall, comprising Eighteen inscribed Altars: Rev. C. J. Bruce, ' 
CHEMICAL Society, at 8.—On some Bromine Derivatives of Coumariné: 
W. H. Perkin, F.R.S. { i 
ANTHROPOLOGICAL Society, at 8 (at St. James’s Hall).—Race in Music: 
Henry F. Chorley. 
Roya Institution, at 3.—Electricity : Prof. Tyndall. 
FRIDAY, May 20. 
Royat Institution, at 8.—Atoms: Prof. Williamson. 
SATURDAY, May 21. 
Roya InsTITuTION, at 3.—Comets: Prot. Grant. 
MONDAY, May 23. 
Roya GroGraruicat Society, at 1.—(Anniversary Meeting.) 
Victoria INSTITUTE, at 4.—(Anniversary Meeting.) 
Lonpon Institution, at 4—Botany: Prof. Balfour. 
= TUESDAY, May 24. 
Linnean, at 3.—(Anniversary Meeting.) 
ETHNOLOGICAL Society, at 4.—(Anniversary Meeting.) 
INSTITUTION OF CivIL ENGINEERS, at 8.—Discussion on Hot Blast Stoves.— 
On the Relative Safety of different Methods of Working Coal: George 
Fowler.—On Coal Mining in Deep Workings: Mr. Emerson Bainbridge, 
Stud. Inst. C.E. 
WEDNESDAY, Mav 25. 
GEOLOGICAL SocieTY, at 8. 
THURSDAY, May 26. 
Society oF ANTIQUARIES, at 8.30. z 
Zoo.ocicat Society, at 8.30.—On Dinornis (Part xvi.). containing Notices 
of Internal Organs of some Species, with a Description of the Brain 
and some Nerves and Muscles of the Head of the Apteryx australis: 
Professor Owen, F'.R.S.—Notes on the Anatomy of the Prongbuck 
(Antilocapra americana): Dr. J. Murie.—Some Remarks on the Poison 
Glands of the Genus Callophis: Dr. A. B. Meyer.—Notes on some 
Fishes from the Western Coast of India: Surgeon Francis Day. 
Roya InstituTIon, at 3.—Electricity : Prof. Tyndall. 
BOOKS RECEIVED 
ENGLIsH.—Balfour’s Class Book of Botany, 3rd Edition (A. and C. Black). 
—Meteorology : Sir J. F. W. Herschel (A. and C. Black)—How Crops 
feed: S. W. Johnson (Triibner and Co.)—Lecture Notes for Chemical 
Students, Vol. 1.; Inorganic Chemistry, by E. Frankland (Van Voorst).— 
‘Trowbridge’s Annual of Scientific Discovery for 1870 (Triibner and Co.),— 
Stanford’s Family Atlas ; Stanford's Complete Atlas ; Stanford's Cyclopadian 
Atlas (E. Stanford).—Mammalia: their various Orders and Habits, by L. 
Figuier (Chapman and Hall).—Researches into tle Early History of Man- 
kind, new edition, by E. B. Tylor (Murray). 
ForeIGN (through Williams and Norgate).—Malacologia del Mar Rosso: 
A. Issel.—Lecons sur la Physiologie et l'Anatomie comparée de Homme et 
des Animaux, Tome ix. ee 2: M.-Edwards.—Troschl’s Archiv fir N tur- 
geschichte, 1870, pt. 1.—Publicato per cura dei Professori S. Richardi e G. 
Canestrini, Vol. 1. Sect. 2.—Lehrbuch der chemischen Technologie zum Un- 
terricht und Sebst-studium: D. F. Knapp.—XV. ‘Tafeln zu H. Engelhardt's 
Flora der Braunkohlen-formation im Konigreich Sachsen. 
CONTENTS 
Pace 
Screntinic EpucaTion’ .\« 4, a) Leisales ge) 5) eee nn 
Leonarvo ba Vinci AS A Boranist. By Atrrep W. BENNETT, 
|S My stain. Achy Prey Sh ules St te ele 
Ture Racssior InDia . ): zee & x ei aoe 5 2 OF Sc 
Qur. ‘Book: Sage...) <6) salts ty ae oe) eo) pg 
LETTERS TO THE EpiToR :— 
Strange Noises heard at Sea off Greytown.—Rev. Canon KinGs- 
LEY ; Staff-Captain F. J. Evans, F.R.S.; H.P. Mater . . . 46 
The Sources of the Nile—AuGustus PETERMANN . . «. . . « 47 
Scandinavian Skulls.—G. STRACHEY . . . . «©». + «© + «© 47 
The Anglo-Saxon Conquest.—A. HALL . . . . . . » «+» » 48 
Analogy of Colour and Music.—SepLey Taytor. . . . . + « 48 
Colour of the Sky.—Rev. T. G. Bonney. . . . 1. 5 © 3 = 48 
The Royal Society.—NoTANF.R.S.. 1. . . 1 2 ews « 48 
The Origin of Species and of Languages. —WiLt1AmM TayLor . . 48 
STAUNTON COLLEGE SCHOOL 63. <5 2 2% 6 ss 6 = ne 
Tue SciENCE OF EXPLOSIVES AS APPLIED TO WARLIKE Purposes. II. “ 
Recent IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANIPULATION AND FIRING OF 
Exrtosive Cuarces. (Weth Illustrations.) . . 2. . « «© « © 49 
NOTES. Sp.) «. a eR MSIOS ccs cae ka Sa ce 
A New Form or OpntHAtmoscore. (With J/lustraticns.) By HENRY 
Power, M.B. . . . a + is tot oe sy @ here ecee 
SCURNTIBIG SERIALS. Mouisaiof ls, fs) = oh. eu plage ge Pt 
SOCIETIES AND ACADEMIES. . . . . « « Efe ee ae.) ar 5 Sn 
Diary and Books Receivep. . . . «+ am 08 - 5 
[May 19, 1870 
— 
