116 
NATURE 
[ Fune 9, 1870 
syrupous ; in a day or two the vessel is filled with acicular 
crystals. —A memoir was read on the organisation of silicified 
branches probably belonging to a Sphenophyllum, by M. B. 
Renault. The author described the structure of a stem, which 
he identifies with Sphenophyllum (naming the species S. 
Charmassui), and from the characters displayed by which he is 
led to remove Sphenophyllum from the Equisetaceze.—M, 
Blanchard presented a memoir by M. Lacaze Duthiers con- 
taining his researches upon the evolution of Molgula tubulosa. 
The author stated that the larva of this species, instead of the 
tadpole-like form supposed to be common to the larve of the 
Ascidia, is an amceboid body which, as it were, flows out of the 
ruptured egg.—M. A. Duméril presented a note, by M. G, 
Pouchet, on some monstrous gold fish (Cyprinus auratus) from 
China. This note related to the well-known doubling of the 
tail in these fish, which, according to the author, always occurs 
below the extremity of the vertebral column.—M., de Quatrefages 
presented a note, by M. Bordone, on the organisms which are 
developed in the silkworms attacked by the disease called 
Morts flats, M. Dumas made some remarks upon this paper.— 
M. Decaisne communicated a note, by M, J. E. Planchon, on 
the Phthiriosis of the vine known to the ancients, and on the 
Coccidze of the vine of modern times. The cause of the vine- 
disease known to the Greeks as Phthiriosis is said by 
M. Koressios to be the Piy//oxera ; the author stated that it 
was a coccid, but not, as supposed by Walckenaer, the Coccus 
Vitis. (Linn.) He identified it with Dactylopius longispinus, of 
Targioni Tozzettii—M. A Duméril presented a note by M. E. 
Moreau, on the cranial region of Amphioxus, forming a continua- 
tion of his paper on the structure of the dorsal chord in that 
fish,—A note by M. N. Gréhant, on the rapidity of the absorp- 
tion of oxide of carbon by the lungs, was commnuicated by 
M. Cl. Bernard. The author stated that the absorption of oxide 
of carbon into the blood commences immediately, and advances 
rapidly. The blood of a dog breathing air containing one- 
tenth of oxide of carbon, furnished a gaseous mixture containing 
4°28 per cent. of oxide of carbon, in less than 25 seconds, 
and 18:41 per cent. in less than 13 minute.—M. C. Robin pre- 
sented a note by M. J. Chéron, on the state of muscular con- 
tractibility, judged comparatively by means of continuous 
currents, and of currents of induction, in a certain number of 
paralyses.—M. C. Sainte-Claire Deville presented the first 
volume of the ‘‘ Bulletin of the Meteorological Observatory of 
Montsouris,”” and made some remarks upon its contents.— 
Numerous other papers and memoirs were communicated, of 
which we have only the titles. 
BERLIN 
German Chemical Society, May 23.—M. Ador has ob- 
tained the radical of phthalic acid by treating its chloride with 
silver. Three molecules thus unite into one. The new body 
yields three different acids by oxidation, the last of which is 
phthalicacid.—A. Baeyer, in his own and in M. Emmerling’s name, 
reported on the transformation of isatine into indigo. As isatine, 
when treated with nascent hydrogen, unites with it and forms 
indol, a substance not capable of uniting with the reduced substance 
was sought for, and discovered in phosphorus, the solvent em- 
ployed being chloride of acetyle or of phosphorus, Real indigo- 
blue and indigo-red were thus produced. The latter stands in 
the same relation to the blue as purpurine does to alizarine. To 
complete the long hoped-for discovery of producing artificial 
indigo, all that remains to be done is now to transform indol into 
isatine.—Prof. Cannizzaro, of Palermo, sent in a paper on 
isomeric cyanuric ethers. Solid chloride of cyanogen acting on 
benzylic alcohol produces an ether isomeric with one formerly 
described, and belonging to the series lately investigated by 
Hofmann. —Messrs. Gomp-Besanez and Grinva have produced 
artificially the essential oil of rue by distilling together caprate 
of sodium C,)H,,NaQO,, and acetate of sodium. ‘The acetonic 
nature and the formula C,, H,, O (hitherto doubtful) of the oil are 
thereby fully established.—C. Rammelsberg, in a paper on mete- 
orites, remarked on the absence of alkalis in these celestial rocks. 
The ‘‘Shalkah” stone foundin India has lately been analysed, 
and consists of 22 per cent. of olivine and 88 per cent. of bronzit. 
He found that sulphuric acid only attacks the former mineral and 
leaves the latter untouched.—Messrs. Naumann and Vogt report 
on what Wurtz considered as a combination of chloride of 
cyanogen with hydrocyanic acid, but which according to them is 
a mixture.—A. Claus has studied the action of bromine on 
dichlorhydrine, and that of chloride of sulphur on aniline.. The 
latter reaction has not as yet produced pure substances,—L. 
Henry by treating with nitric acid, glycol, lactic, and_ malic 
acids, has replaced the alcoholic group O H by the group NO,,— 
A. W. Hofmann reported on the danger of preparing chloride of 
cyanogen by the action of chlorine on cyanide of mercury. Some- 
times explosions take place during this preparation, particularly 
at the end of it, when the salt remaining behind and acted upon is 
a double salt of the chloride and the cyanide of mercury. —Messrs. 
Baeyer and Martins recommended the action of chlorine on 
hydrocyanic acid, and that of chloride of lime on cyanide of 
potassium for producing chloride of cyanogen. 
DIARY 
THURSDAY, Junto. 
ZooLoGICAL Society, at 8.30. 
MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY, at 8. bs 
Roya InstTiTuTion, at 3.—Electricity : Prof. Tyndall. 
FRIDAY, June ro. 
no 24 InsTITUTION, at 8.—The Ammonia Compounds of Platinum: Prof, 
Odling. 
Roya ASTRONOMICAL Society, at 8. 
QuveEkeTr MicroscoricaL Society, at 8, 
SATURDAY, June 11. 
Roya INsTITUTION, at 3.—Comets : Prof. Grant. 
MONDAY, June 13. 
Royat GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY, at 8.30. 
TUESDAY, June 14. 
ANTHROPOLOGICAL Society, at 8.—On the Kelts of Ireland: Dr. John 
Beddoe.—On the Irish Celts; Dr. H. Hudson.—Notes on the Race 
Elements of the Irish People; G. H. Kinahan. 
PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY, at 8, 
WEDNESDAY, June 15. 
METEOROLOGICAL Soctety, at 7.—Anniversary Meeting. 
THURSDAY, June 16. 
Roya. INSTITUTION, at 8.30. 
Roya Society oF ANTIQUARIES, at 8.30. 
Linnean Society, at 8. 
CHEMICAL Society, at 8. 
NumismatTic Sociery, at 7—Anniversary Meeting. 
BOOKS RECEIVED 
Enc.isu.—Atlas and Handbook of Physical Geography : Keith Johnston, 
jun. (Johnston and Co.).—The Story of Aristzeus and his Bees; R. M. Mil- 
One (Longmans).—Selections for Latin Prose: R. M. Millington (Long- 
mans). 
ForEicN.—Lecons d'Optique physique: E. Verdet. Masson, Paris.— 
(Through Williams and Norgate),—Traité de Paléontologie Veégétale, et 
Atlas. Tom ii. pt. 1©.; W. P. Schimper.—Beitrage zur Morphologie und 
Physiologie der Pilze: A de Bary and Woromin. 
CONTENTS 
PAGE 
THe Naturat History CouLecTIONS » 6. 40. & «fi 6 8 eee 
LonGevity In Man AND Animats. By H. Power, M.B. . ... . 98 
Our, Book SHELF. <2). % «, 8s) s>ceilly (el vi be sh ee 
LETTERS TO THE EpITOR :— 
The Cretaceous Epoch.—Dr. W. B. CARPENTER, V.P.R.S. . . 100 
The Aye Aye.—Humpury SANDWITH . . . ss 6 «© & © & TOE 
Carp'and Toads = 5. . js, > «5. & ae, cy cee nah pend ee 
Anticipated Destruction of the Cheesewring.—E. H. W. DunkIN. tor 
Left-handedness 55. 2 os) see Me SA) EPO) ore 
The ‘‘ Chromatic Octave."—C. J. Monro . . .... ... YO2 
The Colour of the Moon by Day and by Night . . . .. . . 102 
What is a Boulder ?—J. W. CRAWLEY... +» r02 
Scandinavian Skulls.—J. Beppog, F.R.S. ik Ra eae 103 
Formation of Caverns.—H. P. MALET . . « . . t+ + «© « 4 103 
The Anglo-Saxon Conquest.—A. HAL . 
Curious Effect of the Words “ Carmine” and “ Germinal Matter.” 
=—LioneL” BEARS, M. Bi R-ROSP Mi. os. SL cee 103) 
Holly Berries. -HENRY KEEKS . 6 3 8% of Oo Se 
Origin of Languages.—ARTHUR RANSOM . ...... « 103 
Stone IMPLEMENTS FROM Burma, By Joun Evans, F.R.S. . . . 104 
M. Fizeau's EXPERIMENTS ON ‘‘ NEwTon’s RinGs.” By Pror. G. C. 
Foster, F.R.S. 10s 
Tue New AusTRALIAN “Mup. Fish. (With Iliustration.) By P. Li 
Scrater, F.R.S., Secretary Zoological Society. . . . . . « 106 
NOTES’: 5 \sBes see oleae Ws ea ns ete o) Aue) hv ap ten 
Prize MepAts oF THE Royat GeoGRAPHICAL Society. By J. A. 
CHESSAR Bho sore: 6 She he) a Sa Cee hes eee 
ON THE ProGREss OF BOTANY DURING 1869. II. By G. BenTHAM, 
PLUS aes een is Ne oe igh) igre) plies cls heal e tt neh eee 
Screnrivic Semags .0 5% <4 (6 FOS ee ee 113 
SOCIETIES AND ACADEMIES . . «6 « © © «© « 4.0 et, Cee 
Diary AND BooKS RECEIVED . « « © + + © + «© «© © «© «© « 20 
Errata.—In No. 31, p. 95, second column, line 52 from top, for “ fires” 
read ‘‘ fuses ;” lines 58 and 6r (éss), for “‘ carbonate ” read “‘ carbamate,” 
