Oct. 27, 1870] 
NATURE 
521 
THE first meeting for the session of the Chemical Society will 
be held on Thursday evening, Nov. 3, when Mr. A. H. Elliott 
will read a paper ‘On the Analysis of Cast-iron.” 
THE first meeting of the Linnzean Society will be held on 
Thursday evening, November 3, when papers will be read by 
Dr. Mansel Weale ‘‘ On the Fertilisation of Orchids and Ascle- 
piads,” and ‘‘ On a Solitary Bee from South Africa.” 
THE forthcoming exhibition of the Photographic Society of 
London will be inaugurated by a Conversazione open to mem- 
bers and their friends, to be held at the Architectural Gallery, 
9, Conduit Street, on Thursday evening, Noy. 8, at seven 
o'clock. The Exhibition will remain open during the remainder 
of November from 9 A.M. till dusk daily. Intending exhibitors 
are requested to send in their works not earlier than Noy. 1, nor 
later than Noy. 3. 
WE shall be happy, in accordance with a suggestion from a 
correspondent, to insert (gratuitously) in our advertisement 
columns, a list of ‘‘ Scientific books wanted” by any of our 
subscribers who are unable to obtain them through the ordinary 
channels. 
THE following lectures will be delivered during the ensuing 
season at the London Institution, Finsbury Circus. Educational 
Courses—Mondays, at Four. Eight lectures on Chemical 
Action, by Professor Odling ; Oct. 31 ; Nov. 7, 14, 21, 28; Dec. 
5, 12, 19, 1870. Six lectures on the First Principles of Biology, 
by Professor Huxley, Jan. 23, 30; Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27, 1871. 
Eight lectures on Astronomy, by R. A. Proctor ; March 6, 13, 
20, 27; April 3, 17, 24; May 1, 1871. Conversazione lectures 
— Wednesdays, at half-past seven, On Dust and Disease, by Pro- 
fessor Tyndall, Dec. 21, 1870. On Alizarine and other Colouring 
Matters, by W. H. Perkin, Feb. 15, 1871. Stained Glass eestheti- 
cally considered with reference to Modern Art, by Henry Holiday, 
March 15, 1871, Evening courses—Thursdays, at half-past seven. 
Two lectures (with instrumental music) on the Acoustics of the Or- 
chestra, by Dr. W. H. Stone, Nov. 10, 17, 1870. Two lectures 
on Precious Metals and Precious Stones, by Professor Morris, 
Noy. 24; Dec. 1, 1870. Two lectures on Count Romford and 
his Philosophical Work, by W. Mattieu Williams, Dec. 8, 15, 
1870. Two lectures on Music, Characteristic and Descriptive, 
by John Ella, Jan. 12, 19, 1871. Four lectures on the Action, 
Nature, and Detection of Poisons, by F. S. Barff, Jan. 26; Feb. 
2, 9, 23, 1871. Six lectures on Economic Botany, or Vegetable 
Substances used for Fcod, and in the Arts and Manufactures, by 
Professor Bentley, March 23, 30; April 6, 20, 27; May 4, 
1871. 
A course of three lectures (on Nov. qth, 7th, and 8th) will 
be delivered at the Gresham College, Basinghall Street, by 
Dr. E. Symes Thompson, on the Organs of Respiration in 
Health, on Hay Fever, and on the Respiratory Organs in 
Disease. The lectures, which are illustrated by diagrams and 
chemical experiments, are free to the public, and commence each 
evening at 7 o'clock. 
Mr. Van VoorstT announces the following works in prepa- 
ration :—‘‘ The Natural History of the British Diatomacez,” by 
Arthur Scott Donkin, M.D. ‘‘ Heads of Lectures on Geology 
and Mineralogy,” delivered at the Royal Military College, Sand- 
hurst, by Prof. Rupert Jones. ‘‘The Ornithology of Shake- 
speare,” by J. E. Harting. ‘‘The Natural History of the 
Azores,” by F, DuCane Godman, F.L.S. A fourth edition of 
**Varrell’s British Birds,” edited by Prof. Alfred Newton. 
A fourth edition of Prof. Rymer Jones’s ‘‘ Organisation of the 
Animal Kingdom.” ‘‘ Dr. Bevan on the Honey Bee,” a revised 
and enlarged edition, by W. Augustus Munn, “Prof. Frank- 
land’s Lecture Notes for Chemical Students.” Vol. 2 (Organic 
Chemistry). 
THREE hundred bags of a remarkable-looking seed, new to 
British commerce, have recently been brought into this country 
as an oil seed; they were shipped from Lisbon to Liverpool, 
but are believed by the Liverpool merchants into whose hands 
they have been delivered to have come originally from the 
east coast of Africa. Mozambique is, in all probability, the 
port from whence they were first shipped, seeing that they are 
the seeds of 7e/fairia pedata, a tall climbing cucurbitaceous plant, 
native of the coast opposite Zanzibar. These seeds have some- 
what the colour and appearance of almonds, but they are flat, 
nearly circular, and about 14 inches across ; they are covered 
with a very closely reticulated net-work of woody fibre, and the 
kernel is about the colour and hardness of that of a Brazil nut and 
contains a large quantity of oil, which is probably intended for use 
in this country as a culinary oil. The kernels, however, are of a 
rank, bitter taste, though they are stated in books to be as sweet 
as almonds. The fruit is very large, and is said frequently to 
contain as many as 250 seeds. Two species only are known of 
the genus, the one under consideration and 7. occidentalis, 
native of the opposite or West Coast of Africa. 
WE are glad to call attention to the fact that the American 
Fournal of Science and Arts, which has from its commencement 
been the leading vehicle for the original papers of the scientific 
men of America, will be continued after the close of the present 
year as a monthly journal. This increased frequency of publica- 
tion will, it is believed, meet a wish often expressed by authors 
for a more rapid interchange of views, and an earlier knowledge 
of the progress of research ; and the editors hope that the friends 
and patrons of science will aid in promoting its wider circulation. 
We believe that there are many public and private libraries, and 
reading-rooms, throughout the country, which are not yet sup- 
plied with this journal, which is certainly one of the most impor- 
tant of existing scientific publications. 
THE bastion in front of Fort Bicétre, known as Bastion No. 87, 
is manned by the members of the Ecole Polytechnique. The 
professors of the college have consented to serve under their 
former pupils, wherever these have been sclected as lieutenants. 
In this bastion may be seen MM. Bertrand, Bonnet, Langier, 
Fremy, Tissot, Laguerre—all members of the Institute, pro- 
fessors at either the College de France or at the Sorbonne—daily 
at their posts in the bastion, which has already acquired the 
reputation of being one of the best mounted among the fortifi- 
cations of Paris. 
TuE Council of the Institution of Civil Engineers print a list 
of 38 subjects, respecting which they invite communications, as 
well as upon others ; such as(1) Authentic Details of the Progress 
of any Work in Civil Engineering, as far as absolutely executed 
(Smeaton’s Account of the Eddystone Lighthouse may be taken 
as an example) ; (2) Descriptions of Engines and Machines of 
various kinds ; or (3) Practical Essays on Subjects connected with 
Engineering, as, for instance, Metallurgy. For approved 
Original Communications, the Council will be prepared to award 
the Premiums arising out of special funds devoted for the pur- 
pose. 
THE shock of an earthquake was felt last Thursday at 11°30 
A.M. both in the United States and in Canada. The motion, 
accompanied by a loud rumbling noise, was felt at Boston, New 
York, Montreal, Torento, and St. Katherine, and throughout the 
provinces of Ontario and Quebec. The shock lasted twenty 
seconds, and appeared to travel eastward. 
THE towns of Reading and Maidstone have been among the 
earliest to throw themselves into the new movement in favour of 
Technical Education. Classes in various departments of Natural 
Science are being formed at both places, 
