oo 
156 
rodents, in which he stated that the African genera Ctenodactylus 
and Pectinatoy differ in all essential points from the jerboas 
(Difus), and agree rather with Chinchilla, and Octodon, or 
Lchinomys, whilst they show some tendency towards the A/uriue. 
April 7.—Prof. Rammelsberg read a paper on the position of 
thallium in the series of elementary bodies. He described several 
salts of thallium, such as the iodates and periodates, the chlorides, 
bromides and iodides of thallium and their double salts, and 
referred to the isomorphism of the salts of thallium with those of 
potassium (rubidium and ammonium) as shown especially by the 
researches of Des Cloiseaux. He stated that although both 
physically and chemically thallium is a metal, it presents a com- 
bination of characters in its compounds which renders its precise 
location difficult. Prof. Poggendorff noticed a new form of 
electrical machine, upon which he promised full details at a future 
meeting of the Academy. 
April 28.—A memoir by Dr. P. Groth on the relation between 
crystalline form and chemical constitution in some organic com- 
pounds, was communicated by Prof. G. Rose. The author 
remarked upon the failure hitherto experienced in all attempts to 
apply the theory of isomorphism to organic compounds, and 
stated that he adopted a new method of investigation, which 
consisted in ascertaining the nature of the change produced in 
a given crystalline form by the access of a definite atom or 
atomic group replacing hydrogen. He described a long series of 
experiments, which lead him to conclude that there are atoms and 
atomic groups, which, by substitution, alter the crystalline form 
of a body only in a certain direction, This change he proposes 
to call ‘‘ morphotropism,” and he indicates the different modes in 
which the ‘‘ morphotropic force” may be modified in action. 
German Chemical Society, June 13.—Prof. Hofmann has 
employed his method for taking vapour-densities, to control the 
formule of several organic compounds. Sulphuretted methylic 
aldehyde (or what has been considered as such) is C, Hg Ss. 
The vapour-density taken in xylidine-vapour was found to be 
70-72° instead of 69° required by the theory. The corresponding 
ethyl compound was found to be C, H,, S3. It is more volatile 
than the methylic compound. Chinone (prepared from benzidine 
instead of aniline, the former giving a better result) has the 
formula C,; Hy O,, and not the double formula which has been 
lately proposed for it. He then showed a fine specimen of an- 
thrachinone prepared by Messrs. Hopkins and Williams of Lon- 
don.—M. Schlebusch has prepared some derivatives of camphoric 
acid, and of camphor, notably tetranitro-camphor.—W. Thomsen, 
who has lately published views on the connection of the basicity 
of an acid, and the heat developed by its combination with water, 
draws conclusions from this theoryas tothe basicity of silicic, hydro- 
fluoric, and fluosilicic acids. —L. Henry described chloroiodides 
of ethylene, and of allyl.—A. Kekulé described the properties 
of crotonic acid prepared from aldehyde, from oil of mustard, 
and from cyanide of allyl; the latter two being identical. The 
former melts at 72°, boils at 184°°7 C., and crystallises in the 
monoclinoédric system.—M. Daube has extracted the colouring 
principle of the curcuma-root. He gives to it the formula 
Cy Hy5 O3, and the name curcumin.—W. Knop has published a 
preliminary notice of the action of sulphuric acid and alcohol 
on albumen. 
GOTTINGEN 
Royal Society of Sciences, January 5.—A paper, by M. 
Max Nother, on Algebraical Surfaces which may be represented 
by plane figures, was communicated by M. A. Clebsch. 
January 19.—MM. W. Mamné and A. Creite communicated 
a paper on the Physiological Action of the Alcoholic Extract of 
Cynoglossum officinale, The authors deny that this extract acts 
in the manner of curare, as stated by some Russian writers ; they 
describe its action as that of a narcotic, and state that it causes 
death by paralysing the respiratory centre. Dr. Rudolph Fittig 
communicated some further researches upon the constitution of 
piperic acid, in which he described several of its derivatives. 
Professor Wohler noticed the analysis of the supposed meteoric 
iron of the Collina di Brianza, by Dr. Haushofer, who had 
stated that he found in it both nickel and cobalt, the presence of 
which was denied by previous analysts. The author had ana- 
lysed a portion of this iron, and had also applied to Professor 
Rose for an analysis of the fragments in Berlin ; no trace of co- 
balt or nickel was detected by them. Dr. Haushofer’s analysis 
was probably made from a fragment of true meteoric iron. 
February 16.—M. Clebsch communicated a memoir, by M. S. 
Lie, on the relations of reciprocity of Reyé’s complex. Dr. 
NATURE 
[ Fune 23, 1870 
Rudolph Fittig read a paper on Tetramethylbenzole, in which he 
described a new solid hydrocarbon, having the formula ascribed to 
tetramethylbenzole [C,, H,,—=C, H, (C Hg),]. For this he 
proposed the name of duvo/e, and he described two of its com- 
pounds, namely, divitrodurole and dibromodurole.—Professor A. 
Enneper read a paper on an enlargement of the idea of paral- 
lel surfaces, 
March 16.—Professor Kohlrausch communicated a memoir, 
by M. E. Riecke, on the replacement of a system of galvanic 
currents existing upon a surface by a distribution of magnetic 
masses. —Professor Henle communicated some zoological obser- 
vations made at Naples by Dr. Alexander Stuart, of Odessa. The 
author described the development of new individuals in a colony of 
Collozoum imerme, which takes place by a process of gemmation, 
He confirmed his former statement that the cilia of Coscinosphera 
are composed of calcareous crystals. With regard to the medusa- 
brood of Velella spirans, the author stated that all the tissues 
of the polypary take part in their formation, and that at an early 
period they possess a body cavity distinct from that of the 
stomach, which is afterwards filled up with connective tissue, so 
as to leave only the canals of the water-vascular system. He 
noticed the occurrence of something which he regards as a di- 
gestive passage in the Gregarine of the earthworms, and _ briefly 
described the nervous system of Cresets acicula, in which he found 
a ganglionic cesophageal ring and dorsal and ventral ganglia, each 
of the latter emitting nervous stems. 
DIARY 
THURSDAY, June 23. 
ZooLocicat Society, at 8.30.—On the Walrus: Dr. J. Murie.—Catalogue 
of the Mammals of South China and Formosa: Mr. R. Swinhoe.—On , 
a Collection of Birds from the Island of Trinidad : Dr. O, Finsch. 
SUNDAY, June 26. 
Sunpay Lecture Society, at 8.—Cruelty in relation to the Lower Animals: 
Dr. T. S. Cobbold, F.R.S. 
MONDAY, June 27. 
Erunovocicat Society (Extra Meeting), at 8.—On the opening of the 
Park Cwm Tumulus: Sir John Lubbock, Bart—On the opening of 
Grim’s Graves, Norfolk: Rev. Canon Greenwell.—On the discovery 
of Platyenemic Men in Denbighshire : W. B. Dawkins and Prof, Busk. 
Lonpon INnsTITUTION, at 4.—Botany: Prof. Bentley, F.R.S. 
WEDNESDAY, June 22. 
Soctety or Arts, at 4.—Anniversary Meeting. 
BOOKS RECEIVED 
Enc.isH.—Woolhope Naturalists’ Field Club : Report for 1869.—Remarks 
on Synonyms of European Spiders, No.1: T. Thorell (Williams and Nor- 
gate. ) 
Fore1cn.—(Through Williams and Norgate),—Bericht iiber die Forts- 
chritte der Anatomie und Physiologie im Jahre 1869: Henle, Meissner und 
Grenacher.—Die Ophthalmologische Physik und ihre Anwendung auf die 
Praxis: Dr. H. Gerold—Nouveaux éléments de Physique Médicale : Des- 
plats et Gabriel.—Die Bierbrauerei und die Dickmaischbrauerei : P. Heiss. 
—Etude sur les Diatomacées: Ch. Manoury.—Die Land und Siisswasser 
Conchylien der Vorwelt: Dr. Sandberger. 
CONTENTS Pace 
THE UNIT: OF LENGTH (loa) oul ees 0 eet ae ee o 5S 
Museums or NaTuraAt History .. . - - © us ie a ne 
OvurT.ines of HUMAN Puysio.ocy . reer. 
Our Book SHELF. . . w sie Vide «© © se, 36 lp 
Lretrers To THE EpIToR :— 
The Corona.—Dr. B. A. GoutpD ..... 
Euclid as a Text-Book.—R. TucKER. . . . - 
The Interior of the Earth—H.P. MALer . . . 
Prismatic Structure in Ice.—Rev. T. G. Bonney. 
Etna in Winter.—W. H. Corrie.p ate be 
Paraplegia in Kangaroos.—Dr. J. Yo “Pe 
Geology and the Chatham Dockyard.—R. C. Hart. 
Dust and Disease.—E. L. Layarp . a, eee oat ° 
Hernricu Gustav Macnus. By A. Oppennetm. (With Portrait.) 143 
Recent AppITIONS TO THE ZOOLOGICAL SocieTy’s GARDENS, By P. 
L. Scuater, F.R.S. (With Illustrations.) . . . «. « . 
Noes’. 6 ae So. a: a! i a ee 
Mr. MELDRUM ON THE ORIGIN OF STORMS IN THE Bay OF BENGAL 
CuemistrY : Speciric GRAVITIES OF AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS 
SCIENTIFIC SERIALS"... “<i daien | Gua neue tone ateene 
SOCIETIES AND ACADEMIES .-. . © © « + se e * © 
Diary AnD Books RECEIVED «. . . ss s+ ee oo 
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