Sept. 1, 1870] 
NATURE 
365 
by a vibrating tuning-fork was observed and described by Guyot 
in 1834. (15.) ‘‘On the maximum-density and freezing 
point of mixtures of alcohol and water,” by F. Rossetti. This 
is a short extract from the author’s researches on the expansion 
of water and certain solutions, published in greater detail in the 
Annales de Chimie et de Physique for 1867 and 1869 (vols. x. and 
xy.). (16.) ‘*A Method of Examining the Structure of Flames,” 
by L. Dufour. The flame is cut across horizontally by a flat 
lamellar jet of water or of air, and can then be examined at 
leisure by looking down into it from above. (17.) ‘‘ Remarks 
on the colour of iodine,” by Carl Schultz-Sellack. The author 
calls attention to the different colour of iodine in the solid state, 
or when dissolved in water, alcohol, &c., from that which 
it shows in the state of vapour, or when dissolved in 
sulphide of carbon, stannic chloride &c., iodine transmitting 
in the former case chiefly the extreme red rays of the visible 
spectrum, and, in the latter case, chiefly the blue and 
violet rays. He argues that this difference of absorptive 
character between solid or liquid and gaseous iodine is analogous 
to the difference which exists, according to Magnus, between the 
absorptive action of liquid and gaseous water on invisible heat- 
rays. (18.) Prof. Nordenskidld announces the discovery of 
platinum as well as gold in the sand of the river Ivalo in North 
Lapland. (19.) The genuine character of the diamond lately 
found in Bohemia has been proved by Prof Schafarik by burning 
a portion of it in oxygen. 
Journal of the Chemical Society, July and August, 1870.— 
The whole of the July number and 22 pages of the August num- 
ber of this periodical are occupied by the continuation of the very 
elaborate and exhaustive paper by Dr. Divers on the combina- 
tions of carbonic anhydride with water and ammonia. The half 
_acid ammonium carbonate which was previously considered to 
be represented by the formula (CO,), (OH,); (NH,), is found 
by Dr. Divers to contain (CO,)3 (OH), (NH3),4 ; when exposed 
to the air it loses water and ammonia, being transformed into the 
acid carbonate CO, OH, NHsg, of which 8 modes of preparation 
are described. Another compound obtained in an impure con- 
dition by Rose, is considered by the author to have the composi- 
tion (CO,); (OH,), (NH,),. He also thinks it probable that 
the orthocarbonate CO, (OH,). (NH3;), or CO, (NH), exists. 
The modes of preparation and properties of ammonium carba- 
mate CO, (NH,), are fully described. The formula attributed 
to the commercial carbonate of ammonia is (CO,), OH, (NHs)3. 
The whole of this memoir bears evidence of most careful re- 
search and perseverance; the history of the compounds 
mentioned is traced out; the modes of preparation and 
properties are carefully described, and very numerous ana- 
lyses have been made in order to ascertain their composition, 
Mr. Charles Griffin describes a new gas furnace for chemical 
operations at a white heat, which does not require a blow- 
ing machine. The gas is supplied to this furnace through a 
bundle of 16 Bunsen’s burners, the upper ends of which are sur- 
rounded by a metal jacket fitting into a perforated clay plate 
supported on a tripod. When large crucibles are to be em- 
ployed, a plumbago cylinder open at both ends and pierced with 
holes is placed on the clay plate, the conical crucible being sup- 
ported by the upper end of the cylinder. The crucible and 
plumbago cylinder are surrounded by a fireclay cylinder resting 
on three bronze pennies placed on the lower plate. The cylinder is 
closed at the top bya clay plate, through whicha flue is so made 
that the current of spent gases is bent twice at right angles 
before escaping into the sheet-iron chimney ; the object of this 
flue is to check the stream of gas which would otherwise be so 
great as to cool the furnace very considerably. When small 
crucibles have to be heated, they must be supported on a grate 
consisting of a clay plate with a cusped aperture. By means of 
this furnace, ingots of cast iron 4lbs. in weight have been fused 
in 2% hours, starting with a cold furnace ; when the furnace is 
hot, 5lbs. could be fused in the same time ; the quantity of gas 
used is 33 cubic feet per hour. The cylindrical body of the 
furnace may be replaced by one of an oval shape, and contain- 
ing a muffle in which many operations may be performed, the 
temperature inside the muffle being sufficiently elevated to fuse 
silver, gold, and copper. The remainder of the August 
number is devoted to the proceedings of the society during 
the session of 1869-70, and a report of the anniversary 
meeting held on March 30, the latter including the Presi- 
dent’s address and obituaries of Mr, Brayley, F.R.S., Dr. 
Graham, F,R.S., Mr. A.B, Northcote, M.A., Dr, Penny, 
F.R.S.E., and of the late foreign members, Drs. Erdmann 
and Redtenbacher. These are followed by the list of papers read 
during the year ; the balance-sheet, which shows the society to be 
in a prosperous condition ; and the donations to the library, 
SOCIETIES AND ACADEMIES 
New ZEALAND 
Wellington Philosophical Society, June 25.—W. B, D. 
Mantell, F.G.S., president, in his address, directed attention to 
the large additions made during the past year to the collection 
of fossil Reptilian remains in the Museum by the officers of the 
Geological Survey. Several genera are represented, but owing 
to the nature of the matrix, which exceeds in hardness the most 
refractory of the ‘‘ Tilgate”’ beds, their development will be a 
work of great difficulty.—Walter Buller, F.L.S., exhibited and 
described a specimen of the now almost extinct New Zealand 
Rat or Kiori—in former days a highly valued article of food 
among the natives, and pointed out its striking resemblance to 
the ancient black rat of Britain.—T. H. Potts exhibited chicks 
a few days old of Anarhynchus frontalis, showing the charactere 
istic crooked bill, and also the eggs and manner of nidification, 
along with those of Charadrius bicinctus ; completely establishing 
the marked difference between the two birdss—W. T. L. 
Travers, F.L.S., gave an account of the habits of the Crested 
Grebe in New Zealand. He has reason to think that they pair 
for life, and stated that they make additions to the height of 
their nests, as inundation takes place, but that the eggs will retain 
their vitality though immersed in water for a considerable time, 
and inferred that this might have some connection with the 
coloured mucous layer with which the shell becomes coated 
during incubation.—Dr, Hector said he had found the nest con- 
taining eggs in a tidal lagoon, where it must have risen and 
fallen with the tide. The eggs were not discoloured. He also 
exhibited a dusky variety of the birdalong with its chick, which is 
only found on unfrequented inland lakes.—Dr. F., J. Knox exhibi- 
ted sections of the teeth of a fwo-toothed Berardius, and showed 
that, from the high state of development, they are not rudimen- 
tary as has been surmised, and yet they never appear to pro- 
trude through the gum.—John Buchanan exhibited a hybrid be- 
tween the Australian dAcena ovina, which has been lately 
introduced with imported cattle, and the New Zealand Acena 
sanguisorbe.—Dr, Hector, F.R.S., called attention to the 
practical importance of knowing what fish belonging to the 
Salmonidz are found in the New Zealand streams, as the 
English trout is being rapidly introduced throughout the 
country. Only one species, Retropinna richardsonit (the New 
Zealand smelt), is mentioned in the latest works as being found 
in New Zealand; but he exhibited in addition two very distinct 
forms, one having the same general character as that fish, but 
with dentition and form of head of an Osmerus. The third 
form is easily distinguished by its small head, forward position 
of the dorsal fin, small soft mouth devoid of teeth except a 
feeble row along the upper jaw. It is the common Opokororo 
of the natives, and grows to a very considerable size in some of 
the rivers and lakes. He also exhibited drawings of a specimen 
of Scopelus which he had obtained in Milford Sound, as a 
fourth fish related to the Salmonide. 
PARIS 
Academy of Sciences, Aug. 22,—A note was read by 
General Morin on the first session of the international metric 
commission, held from the 8th to the 13th of August.—A letter 
was presented by Professor Newcomb of Washington to M. 
Delaunay on irregularities in the moon’s motion due to the in- 
fluence of the planets.—A note was read from M. Laranja e 
Oliveira on a remarkable atmospheric electric shock expe- 
rienced at Porto-Alegre, Brazil, on June gth.—M,. Chapelas re- 
ported his observations on the August shooting-stars, He re- 
marked that the year has been distinguished by a smaller 
number of shooting-stars than has been known for a long period. 
The periodic display commenced in the last days of July, but 
the determination of its maximum presented great difficulty, both 
from the almost consta tly clouded condition of the sky, and 
from the moon being at her full. During the night of the roth, 
in which there was an hour and a half favourable for observa- 
tion, with an average clear sky amounting too’6, forty-six shoot- 
ing stars were observed, among which were two meteors of the 
third magnitude, Their mean direction was (as is generally the 
case, and especially at that hour, roh15™ to 118 45™) from 
