May 6, 1886 | 
INAT Gio: 
1 
city Chiichow suffered most, not a house remained standing, 
many lives were destroyed ; frequent shocks occurred for a year 
after. The province of Szechuan is also liable to continuance of 
seismic throes, one of these commenced in the fourth month, 
1462, and continued eleven months—there were in all 375 
shocks. 
In the loess formation of Northern China (discovered and 
described by Baron Richthofen) the land is not unfrequently 
riven by earthquakes forming long narrow chasms of unknown 
depth that gradually disappear on account of the vertical cleay- 
age and unstratified nature of loess. 
In the first decade of the fourth month, 1828, an earthquake 
caused a fissure over three miles in length, twenty to thirty feet 
broad, from which a vapour issued that proved fatal to many : 
people, animals, houses, and tombs were ingulfed. About two 
months later, during heavy rain, the chasm gradually filled up. 
The chief earthquake region of China lies in a great seismic 
zone, which extends from near the gulf of Chihli to the shores 
of the Caspian—including Turkestan and the Aralo-Caspian 
depression. In Eastern Turkestan they present a periodic 
character (five per annum with remarkable regularity). Yet 
there are few portions of the world so far removed from active 
volcanoes. Recent Russian exploration has discovered that the 
supposed Tienshan volcano is merely a solfatara, or an ignited 
coal-field. 
Observations of officers appointed by the Emperor Chienlung 
to examine the newly subjugated territory in reference to these 
‘*firefields,” are several. They say: ‘Three days travel to the east 
of Okishu and to the south of the hill at Palikeh there are several 
firefields. The ground is of a red colour, and a number of 
variegated stones are piled upon each other in the neighbour- 
hood; from the middle of which flames upward of a foot in 
height are emitted : they are alternately extinguished and lighted 
up, while the smell is so strong as to render a near approach to 
the place impossible. For a distance of about 100 / not a blade 
of grass, not an inch of wood, nor a drop of water can be seen. 
From the peculiar smell of the fire thus raised, it is imagined 
that the soil must be strongly impregnated with sulphur.” 
The same work represents earthquakes as so common in 
Eastern Turkestan and the desert, that to the inhabitants ‘‘ they 
are not considered strong ; four or five occur every year; even 
when violent, they merely cause the doors and windows to rattle, 
but on account of the firm and adherent character of the soil, 
and thick walls and light roofs in common use, the houses are 
never thrown down.” 
A recent English traveller’ makes a similar statement re- 
specting Mid-Asian earthquakes generally. At Tashkend they 
generally average five in a year, but so slight, as not to be noticed 
by anybody, In that part of the world earthquakes appear to 
be most frequent at the close season. In the western portion of 
the seismic zone, they are of greatest frequency and violence in 
mountain regions. 
Anent the opinion of M. Perrey, that a maximum of earth- 
quakes is coincident with the moon’s perigee, I submit the 
following statistical fragment that escaped the loss referred to : 
it is partially confirmatory of Prof. Milne’s observations, that cold 
weather furnishes the maximum of frequency. 
Lists of 738 continental shocks :— 
5th month 46 
Ist month 65 | oth month 56 
and, %,, 0/32 6th ,, 63 Toth’) 4,2 643 
ayitl jy ae Wiley 55 70 Toth 55) ) (65 
Ath) 55, 49 | 8th; 70 Teth %5 83 
(The first day of the first month occurs about February 6th, 
or at the new moon which falls nearest to the point when 
the sun is in the fifteenth degree of Aquarius.) In their seismic 
records the Chinese seldom designate the day of the month 
(moon) when earthquakes occur. Yet a considerable number may 
be found. Seventy-two cases show twice as many in the first 
and second as in the third and fourth quarters of the moon’s 
phrases : forty-eight in the former period, and twenty-four in 
the latter ; of that number fifteen occurred at the syzygies. The 
6th day shows the largest number, twelve. None took place on 
the 2nd, 5th, 13th and r4th; one occurred on each of the 
following, 4th, 7th, 17th, 20th, 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 28th, 29th. 
Hours are rarely given ; so far as they go, they show that a large 
majority are nocturnal. 
® Lansdell’s ‘‘ Russian Central Asia,”’ 1385. 
UNIVERSITY AND EDUCATIONAL 
INTELLIGENCE 
Oxrorp.— The following list of lectures and classes in Natural 
Science has been arranged for the summer term :— 
Physics.—In the Clarendon Laboratory Prof. Clifton lectures 
on Instruments and Methods employed in the Study of Optics. 
Practical instruction in Physics is given by the Professor and by 
Messrs. J. Walker and A. L. Selby. At Christ Church, Mr. 
Baynes lectures on Electro-Kinematics and Dynamics, and has 
a class for practical instruction in Electric and Magnetic 
Measurements. At Balliol Mr. Dixon lectures on Elementary 
Electricity and Magnetism. At Trinity the new Millard 
Laboratory will be opened for instruction in Mechanical and 
Electrical Engineering under Mr. Frederick Smith. 
Chemistry.—In the Chemical Department of the University 
Museum Dr, Odling lectures on Some Special Points in Organic 
Chemistry. Mr. Fisher and Dr. Watts continue their courses 
on Inorganic and Organic Chemistry respectively. Mr. W. R. 
Dunstan lectures on Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry. 
Practical instruction is given in the laboratories by Messrs. 
Fisher, Watts, Baker, and Marsh. At Christ Church Mr. 
Vernon Harcourt has a class for Quantitative Analysis, and Mr. 
Dixon for Gas Analysis. 
Animal Morphology.—In the Morphological Department 
Prof. Westwood lectures on the Haustellated Orders of Winged 
Arthropodous Animals. Prof. Moseley lectures on the Mam- 
malia, Mr. Baldwin Spencer on Embryology, and Mr. J. B. 
Thompson on the Osteology, Distribution, and Odontography 
of Birds and Mammals. Practical instruction is given by Prof. 
Moseley and by Messrs. Robertson and Spencer. In Human 
Anatomy Mr. A. Thomson lectures on the Vascular and Re- 
spiratory Systems, and gives demonstrations on Topographical 
Anatomy. Daily instruction is also given in Practical Anatomy. 
Physiology.—In the Physiological Department Prof. Burdon 
Sanderson lectures on the Chemical Processes of the Animal 
Body, and on Elementary Physiology. Mr. Dixey lectures on 
Histological Methods. Practical instruction is given daily. 
Botany.—At the Botanic Garden Prof. Balfour lectures and 
gives practical instruction in Vegetable Morphology and Physio- 
logy. Prof. Gilbert gives four lectures on Rural Economy. 
Anthropology.—Dr. Tylor lectures on the Origins of Civilisa- 
tion. 
Geology.—Prof. Prestwich lectures on the Secondary and 
Tertiary Series as illustrated by the geology of the neighbour- 
hood of Oxford. Each lecture is followed by a geological 
excursion. 
CAMBRIDGE.—The Special Board for Biology ‘and Geology 
have recommended the following grants from the Worts Fund : 
(1) 507. to Mr. W. Bateson, of St. John’s College, to assist 
him in investigations into the fauna of lakes in the neighbour- 
hood of the Sea of Aral in 1886, and an additional 50/. if he 
continues his investigations into the summer of 1887. Mr. 
Bateson’s investigations into the development of Balanoglossus 
in the Southern United States have, it is well known, been of 
great value. 
(2) 60/7. to Mr. A. C. Seward, of St. John’s College, to assist 
him in studying and collecting fossil plants in Belgium and 
France. 
(3) 352. to Mr. Hans Gadow, of King’s College, to assist 
him in exploring the ossiferous caves of Portugal, which he has 
already partly explored during two former visits. Prof. Boyd 
TDawkins strongly recommends the continuance of these ex- 
plorations. 
(4) 252. to Mr. C. Potter, of Peterhouse, to assist him in 
elucidating the life-history of the alga parasitic on the water- 
tortoise in Portugal. 
In the list of lectures issued by the Board of Physics and 
Chemistry for the present term we note that Dr. Ruhemann, 
assistant to the Jacksonian Professor, will lecture on Gas 
Analysis, and also on the Aromatic Bodies. The other chemical 
courses repeat the usual advanced and elementary courses. 
In Advanced Mathematics Mr. Forsyth lectures on Thermo- 
dynamics, Mr. Glaisher on Theory of Errors, Mr. Webb on 
Dynamics of a System. The latter course will be continued 
during the Long Vacation, when also Prof. Darwin will lecture 
on the Theory of Attractions, Potential, and Figure of the 
Earth. 
In Geology Prof. Hughes lectures on Stratigraphy and Cam- 
