150 
own proceedings and papers, of discoveries of ancient remains 
in tumuli and elsewhere, and papers in which questions in their 
special pursuit are discussed. Two numbers are out. The first 
contains an opening address by Rokitansky, and among the 
contributors we notice the names of F. Miiller, Graf Augustus 
von Breuner, F. von Hauer, and Freiherr von Sacken. Austria 
is so rich in ethnological varieties and relics that interesting 
matter sufficient for a monthly periodical must, we should think, 
e always forthcoming. It will be an acceptable addition to the 
scientific libraries of this country, and we offer to the society our 
best wishes for its success. 
Kart von Litrrow’s “ Zahlung der nérdlichen Sterne im 
Bonner Verzeichnisse nach Gréssen” has been reprinted from 
the Sitzungsberichte der k. Akademie der Wissenchaften. He 
estimates the number of stars to the sixteenth magnitude (or 
more exactly to the megnitude 15°8) at 588 millions for the 
northern hemisphere, and about 1,200 millions for the whole 
heavens. 
‘“*Nores AND Queries for China and Japan,” which has 
just entered on a new series, is a monthly medium of inter- 
communication for professional and literary men, missionaries, 
and residents in the East generally, conducted by C. Langdon 
Davies. In the number just received we find an article on the 
Fung tree (Ziguidambar formosana Vance), the leaves of which 
afford food to a species of caterpillar (termed the wild silkworm), 
which produces an inferior kind of silk. 
Tuer ‘‘ Proceedings of the Bath Natural History Society and 
Antiquarian Field Club” for 1870, are mainly occupied, as they 
should be, by papers of local interest, which well illustrate the 
great wealth of the districts to the naturalist, whether geologist, 
botanist, or antiquarian. Thus we have ‘‘The Mammalia and 
other Remains from Drift Deposits in the Bath Basin,” by C. 
Moore, with copious lists of organic remains found in the pre- 
historic alluvium and gravel deposits; ‘Remarks on some of 
the Fungi met with in the neighbourhood of Bath,” by C. E 
Broome (edible fungus hunting seems to be a favourite pursuit 
with local field-clubs since the Woolhope naturalists set the 
example) ; ‘‘ Notes on the Chapel and Hospital of St. Mary 
Magdalene,” by Rey. W. Stokes Shaw; and ‘‘ Notes on a pair 
of Celtic Spoons found near Weston, Bath, in 1866,” by Rev. 
Preb. Scarth. Of articles of a less local character, we have 
‘Chemical Geology,” by Charles Ekin, containing a sketch of 
recent spectroscopic researches; and a pleasant gossiping paper, 
by Rev. H. N. Ellacombe, on ‘*The common English names 
of Plants.” 
A REporT from Mr. R. S. J. Ellery, Government Astronomer, 
on the subject of the Equatorial Telescope at Melbourne, has 
been received by the Victorian Legislative Council. The tele- 
scope arrived in November 1868; its erection at the Obser- 
vatory was commenced early in July 1869, and the building for 
its protection was not finished till the rst June, the final fitting 
up of the telescope being completed early in July. Observa- 
tions were attempted as early as April last year, but the telescope 
was not in working order till the middle of August, since which 
date observation has progressed more or less satisfactorily, The 
principal work has consisted in examination and mapping of 
nebule, but the very unfavourable weather throughout almost 
the whole season has prevented much progress of other work. 
Positive observations have been made of Winnecke’s periodical 
comet. With respect to spectroscopic observations, Mr. Le 
Sueur, theastronomer in charge, says—The spectroscope furnished 
by Mr. Grubb has already proved of much service for nebulz 
work. For star work, so far as I can at present judge, it is un- 
suitable; nevertheless, a very important observation has lately 
been made therewith, showing that the spectrum of the principal 
NATURE 
[Fune 23, 1870 
n Argo is crossed into bright lines. In his report to the Board 
of Visitors in April last, Mr. Ellery referred to the construction 
of the telescope, but could not at that time speak of its per- 
formance or capabilities ; but during the several months’ use 
since then Mr, Le Sueur has tested its performance most care- 
fully, and although he has had no prior experience with reflect- 
ing telescopes of such dimensions as this, he has been enabled 
from frequent observations to form a sound opinion of its powers, 
> 
With the large mirror first used the telescope certainly did not 
perform so satisfactorily as could be desired, and making all 
allowances for atmospheric disturbances, the definition was never 
good ; but with the other mirror (supposed B) it became very 
much better, and Mr. Le Sueur speaks of its performance now 
as far more satisfactory. The building for the protection of the 
telescope is in most respects satisfactory. 
arrangements and appliances yet required, before the telescope 
can be said to be properly provided, among which are more con- 
venient observing seats, drawing stands, and the erection of a 
platform outside the telescope room for photographic operations. 
Some of these are already in progress, and, should sufficient 
means be available, will soon be completed. 3 
IN the recently issued Colonial Blue Book (‘‘ Reports on the 
state of H.M. Colonial Possessions,” part I., West Indies), the — 
Governor of Jamaica reports as follows :—‘‘ The cinchona plan- | 
tation is a most interesting experiment, which may now be 
pronounced a complete success. Cinchona plants were first re- 
ceived here in 1866. By the close of 1867 the number of 
young plants had so much increased, that it became necessary 
to provide land for their final establishment on a planter’s scale. 
Six hundred acres of virgin forest in Blue Mountain were — 
acquired early in the year, and were set apart for the purposes 
of a cinchona plantation, for which the place is in every way 
admirably suited. The elevation above the sea ranges from 
4,000 to 6,000 feet. 
20,000 plants of five different species were planted. By 
the latest accounts all of these were in full vigour, and the 
plantation must by this time be doubled in extent. The plants 
have stood one of the dryest seasons that has ever been remem- 
bered on Blue Mountain, without suffering in the least. There 
is now no doubt that the cinchona can be successfully reared in 
Jamaica.” The plants for sale, deliverable in the spring of 
1869, were applied for to the number of about 2,000 only ; 
but Sir James Grant expresses the hope that with the growth 
of the plants a spirit of intelligent enterprise will grow 
amongst the proprietors of mountain wastes, sufficient to in-— 
duce them to turn some attention to such a highly promising 
experiment. F: 
THE Journal of the Franklin Institute describes a new explo- 
sive which has been invented by Mr. Noble, the inventor of nitro- 
glycerine and dymanite, and which he calls dualine. It consists 
principally of nitrate of ammonia and very fine saw-dust which 
has been acted on by nitro-sulphuric acid. It is said not to be 
decomposed by accidental contact with acids, and will not con- 
geal or lose any of its properties during cold or hot weather. Its 
explosion does not produce any noxious gases, and it will burn in 
the open air without exploding. 
THE Architect states that the North-Eastern Railway Com- 
pany is forming a new line between Gilling and Helmsley, which — 
passes through the Caulkless spur of the Hambletons, in a deep 
cutting near Stonegrave. 
a large chamber in the Oolite rock has been discovered. It is as 
large as an ordinary room, and has three openings from it. The 
cave is on the same horizon as the famous Kirkdale cave, 
There are several — 
It is well watered, has the best aspects, — 
and possesses a soil reported to be admirably suited to the — 
requirements of the cinchona. Fifty acres were cleared, of which — 
forty were filled with cinchonas in the course of the year ; about — 
Here, at a depth of nearly thirty feet, — 
Oca achat. eel eoen uit e_ nin dia 
——— 
