“6 NATURE 
[May 26, 1870 
and one molecule of chloride of acetyle takes its place. The 
first supposition, therefore, appears the more probable of 
the two.—P. Groth has entered into a long series of important 
and difficult researches to investigate the connection be- 
tween the chemical constitution and crystalline form of organic 
bodies. He communicates his first results, founded on his 
measurement of the form of benzol during the great cold of last 
winter, and comparing with it the forms of benzolic derivatives, 
in which one or more hydrogen are replaced by O H, N O,, or 
Cl. He has come to the conclusion that, by these substitutions, 
the numeric relations of two axes remain intact, the third axis 
only increasing or decreasing with the chemical substitution The 
influence thus exercised by certain elements or groups taking the 
place of hydrogen, he calls their sorphotropic power. ‘The 
morphotropic power of chlorine appears far greater than that of 
N O, or of OH. The morphotropic changes, however, depend 
likewise on the position the element or group occupies in 
the molecule, and on the crystallographic system of the 
primary substance. The author has also investigated certain 
combinations of naphthalene in the same sense. They bear’ out 
the law quoted above. For the conclusions drawn from these 
highly interesting results we must refer to the original 
paper.—M. Lex has found that phenol mixed with nitrite of 
potassium and a reducing substance (such as sugar and lime, or 
hydrochloric acid and zinc), and then exposed to the air, or the 
oxidising action of chloride of lime, gives rise to a blue colour, 
much like indigo, but very unstable. —A. W. Hofmann reported 
on the curious researches of Prof. Church on the red colouring 
matter of the feathers of the Turacon.—C. Rammelsberg has 
analysed Indian steel, or wootz, without finding in it a trace of 
aluminium.—M. Topsoe has analysed platinic acid and platinate 
of barium, to which he gives the formula: Pt O,, 2 H, O and 
Ba Pt O; + 3 H,O respectively.—M. Clemenks, by treating 
the impure choride of pyroracemic acid with alcohol and with 
ammonia, has obtained the corresponding ether and amide.— 
MM. Keékuléand Quinke report on some reactions of metaldehyde 
and of paraldehyde.—M. Czumpelik has prepared the cyanide of 
nitrobenzyle and of amidobenzyle, and some derivatives of 
cuminic and of oxycuminic acids. The same author, by introducing 
one atom of chlorine into cymol, and treating the compound with 
acetate of potassium, obtained the corresponding organic acetate. 
—Mr. Buchanan, from Glasgow, has studied the complex action 
chloride of phosphorus shows with hyposulphite of lead. 
MONTREAL 
Natural History Society, April 25.—The Rev. Dr. DeSola 
presiding. Dr. Smallwood read the first paper, ‘On some pheno- 
tena of the Solar Eclipse of August 1869.” It was intended to 
illustrate more fully a paper which he had contributed to the Caza- 
dian Naturalist, referring to the rose-coloured prominences of the 
sun’s chromosphere, and their appearance before first contact. 
He exhibited diagrams of the several eclipses of 1851, 1860, 1868, 
and 1869, which showed the various shapes of the protuberance, 
and referred more particularly to the large one observed during 
the eclipse of last August, some 30,000 miles high, which was seen 
in a direct Jine with the passage of the moon across the sun’s 
disc. He attributed the appearances which were observable a 
few seconds before the first contact of the Moon with the Sun’s 
true limb to this circumstance, and cited and illustrated the ex- 
periments of Mr. J. N. Lockyer and Janssen, in confirmation of 
this opinion. The remarks of the Astronomer Royal, on the 
causes which, up to 1861, had prevented these prominences being 
seen, except during a solar eclipse, were quoted from the Trans- 
actions of the British Association. The spectroscope and other 
optical appliances have now made it possible to examine these 
phenomena at any time when the sun is shining. ‘The experi- 
ments of Lockyer and Janssen seem fully to bear out the con- 
clusions to which Dr. Smallwood had arrived, and the lecturer 
ended by expressing a hope that observations made on the eclipse 
of next December would tend to illustrate further the somewhat 
unusual appearances which he had recorded.—The Acting Pre- 
sident made some remarks on the above paper, and expressed 
his regret at the want cf good astronomical instruments in the 
city.—Mr. A. S. Ritchie then read a paper entitled “Aquaria 
Studies, No. 1.” After some preliminary remarks, the principles 
upon which a fresh-water aquarium should be constructed and 
stocked were explained in detail, and particulars were given as 
to how the balance between animal and vegetable life might be 
best maintained. The author went on to describe some of the 
peculiarities of the larger tenants of his own aquarium, Com- 
mencing with the fishes, the various points of interest connected 
with the habits of several of the smaller Canadian fresh-water 
fishes were dwelt upon at some length. The species described 
were a new Stickleback, lately described by Principal Dawson 
in the pages of the Canadian Naturalist ; the Darter, a fish which 
has no air-bladder, and swims by jerks ; the Striped Minnow, 
the Sun-fish, American Perch, Black Bass, Cat-fish, Pond-sucker, 
the Black Minnow, a species allied to the Pike; and, although 
not a Canadian species, the Gold-fish. Illustrations were also 
given of the behaviour in captivity of the Painted Turtle, the 
Water Newt, the Shad Frog, and the American Crayfish. In 
conclusion the lecturer stated that in part No. 2 of Aquaria 
Studies, he hoped to give descriptions of the microscopical 
denizens of his miniature pond. 
DIARY 
THURSDAY, May 26. 
Society or ANTIQUARIES, at 8.30.—Election of Fellows. 
ZOOLOGICAL SociETY, at 8.30.—On Dinornis (Part xvt.), 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 InstTiTuTIon, at 3.—Electricity : Prof. Tyndall. 
FRIDAY, May 27. 
Roya InstiTuTIoN, at 8.—Primitive Vegetation of the Earth: Principal 
Dawson. 
QuekeTr MicroscoricaL SOocIeTy, at 8. 
SATURDAY, May 28. 
Roya INSTITUTION, at 3.—Comets : Prof. Grant. 
MONDAY, May 30. 
Lonpon INsTITUTION, at 4.—Botany; Prof. Bentley. 
TUESDAY, May 31. 
ANTHROPOLOGICAL Society, at 8.—On the Armenians of Southern India : 
Dr. John Shortt.—The Races of Morocco: J. Stirling, M.A. im 
Royat InstiruTion, at 3.—Present English History: Prof. Seeley. 
WEDNESDAY, June. 
ETHNOLoGICAL Society, at 8.30 (at the Royal United Service Institution, 
Whitehall Yard).—Report on the Prehistoric Antiquities of Dartmoor ; 
C. Spence Bate. 
THURSDAY, June 2. 
Royat Sociery, at 8.30. 
Society OF ANTIQUARIES, at 8.30. 
Cuemicat Society, at 8.—On the Platinum Ammonias: Dr. Odling. 
LinngAN Society, at 8.—On some New Forms of Trichopterous Insects. 
Roya InstituTIon, at 3.—Electricity : Prof. Tyndall. 
BOOKS RECEIVED 
Encutsu.—On the Strength of Beams, Columns, and Arches: B. Baker 
(E. and F. Spon).—Flint Chips, a Guide to Prehistoric Archzology: E. T. 
Stevens (Bell and Daldy).—The Interior of the Earth: H. P. Malet (Hod- 
der and Stoughton.) 
ForeiGn (through Williams and Norgate).—Palontographica, Beitrage 
zur Naturgeschichte der Vorwelt ; Supplement (Die Fauna der altern Cepha- 
lopoden): R. A. Zittel—Protozoe Helvetica: W. A. and C. F. Ooster. 
CONTENTS 
Tue New Natura History Museum. By W. H. Fiower,F.R.S . 64 
On THE Extract or Meat. By E. LANKEsTER, F.R.S.. . . . . 62 
Tue SNAKEs OF AUSTRALIA, By A. GunTHeR, F.R.S. . . . . . 64 
Our, Book'SHEEF<. “4. 56 -'eu Sse ence) ©) 0. te 
LETTERS TO THE EpITOR :— 
Oysters of the Chalk, and the Theory of Development.—THomas 
RR: R.STEBBING), [sn lGs yp sien elena’ el) vous is) a wR 
Euclid as a Text Book.—Rawpon LeveTT. . . + is oe oe 
Philology and Darwinism.—S. J. . - - - Somes . «'« 66 
Xanthidia in Flint—Frep. J. WARNER . . 46 (0 eel ene 
What is a Boulder?—C. J. WoopwarD . .... . . « 2 « 66 
The Anglo-Saxon Conquest.—Prof. RoLLeston,'F.R.S. ee 66 
Carp and Toads.—E. Ray Lanxester ; W. D. Crotcu 0 e & 
Meteorological Phenomenon.—J. J. MurpHY . . . . . +. . 67 
Keen Sight of Fish—G. F. M‘DouGatu . . . . . . . «+ 67 
Tue Mucperry Tree. By Rev. C. J. Ropinson. . . . . . . . OF 
New TREES AND SHRUBS FOR ENGLISH PLanTATions. (With Iélus- 
tyahians.) se a ede ces tec. we) ete Ce 
INOTES Sees) ic 5 69 
THE ABRADING AND TRANSPORTING PowER oF WATER. III. Prac- 
TICAL CONCLUSIONS. By. Locin . 9. ©) ~ =) eels» 92 
SocigeTigs AND ACADEMIES. . - » » + © + © + + © © © «© « 93 
Diary AND Books RECEIVED. . « . © © © © © «© © «© © © © 76 
