Fuly 29, 1886] 
on these several branches are noticed in greater or less detail, 
and there is appended an ample ‘‘ Bibliography of Anthro- 
pology, 1885,” which is arranged in alphabetical order, and 
which will be found most useful for purposes of general refer- 
ence. It includes not only independent works and memoirs, 
but also special papers bearing on the subject, which have been 
contributed in the specified period to various English, American, 
French, German, and other scientific journals. Amongst the 
essays more fully noticed are M. Gabriel de Mortillet’s work on 
“‘The Precursor of Man,” advancing the theory that the flints of 
Thenay were the workmanship, not of man as fully developed, 
but of his immediate predecessor, the anthropopithecus ; Dr. 
Lissauer’s paper on human craniolozy, introducing the sagittal 
suture as a new element in obtaining anthropological measure- 
ments ; Dr. Hermann Welcker’s treatise on the capacity of the 
cranium in connection with the three diameters, with classifica- 
tions of races according to their skull capacity ; Dr. Topinard’s 
masterly work on genera! anthropology, from which copious 
extracts are made; Dr. Otto Stoll’s contribution to the com- 
parative philology of Central America, embodying a scientific 
classification of the eighteen languages still current in Guate- 
mala. Here the Maya family is specially dealt with and divided 
into four distinct groups: Tzental (Chendal), Pokonchi, Quiché, 
and Marne. It is incidentally mentioned that in 1885 the 
Woman’s Anthropological Society was organised in Washington 
under the presidentship of Mrs. Tilly Stevenson. The object of 
this association is stated to be ‘‘to conduct investigations to 
which the avenues are especially open to women, and to en- 
courage the sex in the prosecution of scientific work.” 
THE catalogue of the Library of the Chemical Society, 
arranged according to subjects with indexes containing authors’ 
naines and subjects, will be useful to chemists, 
Voi. I. of ‘‘ Studies from the Biological Laboratories of the 
Owens College” (Manchester: Cornish) is mainly a reprint of 
papers that have appeared in various journals. 
WE have received the last (19th) Report of the Peabody In- 
stitute of Baltimore. There is no marked advance over past 
years in any department, but all have been prosperous and the 
results attained have been satisfactory. The attendance at the 
courses of lectures was exceptionally large, but the use of the 
library has been somewhat reduced owing to the opening of 
another free public library in Baltimore. Amongst the lectures 
during the year were courses on Arctic Explorations and Life in 
the Arctic Regions, on Mexico, Ancient and Modern, on the 
Mound Builders of Ohio, and on the Poetry of Science. 
Mr. C. G. Rockwoop, jun., of Princeton, N.J., writes that 
the shock of earthquake at Sandy Hook, New York, of June 11, 
noticed in NATURE of June 17 (p. 153) is anerror. The tremor 
which was felt in that vicinity at the time stated, and which was 
at first reported as an earthquake, was afterwards traced to the 
firing of heavy guns on board the U.S.S. Fuziata, at that time 
approaching Sandy Hook. 
THE additions to the Zoological Society’s Gardens during the 
past week include a White-handed Capuchin (Cebus hypoleucus) 
from Brazil, presented by Madam Sangiorgi; a Levaillant’s 
Cynictis (Cyrictis penicillata 8), five Suricates (Suricata tetra- 
dacyla 6 6 § 2 ¢), two Triangular Spotted Pigeons (Columba 
guinea), three Vinaceous Turtle Doves (7zstur vinaceus), two 
Cape Turtle Doves (Zurtur capicola) from South Africa, pre- 
sented by Mr. R. A. Fairclough; two Red Foxes (Canzs 
fulvus & 3) from North America, presented by Messrs. Enson, 
Weber, and Co. ; a Masked Paradoxure (Paradoxurus larvatus) 
from Hong Kong, presented by Mr. J. Orange ; five Forster’s 
Milvagos (A/i/vago australis) from the Fal.land Islands, pre- 
sented by Mr. James Moore; a Tawny Owl (Syrnium aluco), 
NATURE 301 
British, presented by Master C. G. Gregory; five Common 
Toads (Bufo vulgaris) from the South of France, presented by 
Mrs. F. Walker; a King Vulture (Gyfagus papa) from Brazil, 
deposited ; three Lions (Felis eo 6 2 2) from Africa, a Grey 
Squirrel (Scizerws cinereus), a Mink (Putorius vison), three Hud- 
son’s Bay Squirrels (Sciurus hudsonius), a Virginian Eagle Owl 
(Bubo virginianus) from North America, purchased ; two Mule 
Deer (Cariacus macrotis 8 8), born in the Gardens. 
ASTRONOMICAL PHENOMENA FOR THE 
WEEK 1886 AUGUST 1-7 
(OS the reckoning of time the civil day, commencing at 
Greenwich mean midnight, counting the hours on to 24, 
is here employed. ) 
At Greenwich on August t 
Sun rises, 4h. 26m. ; souths, 12h. 6m. 4’9s.; sets, 19h. 46m. ; 
decl. on meridian, 17° 59’ N.: Sidereal Time at Sunset, 
16h. 27m. 
Moon (one day after New) rises, 5h. 59m. ; souths, 
sets, 20h. 26m. ; decl. on meridian, 11° 23’ N 
13h. 19m. ; 
Planet Rises Souths Sets Decl. on meridian 
h. m. h. m. h. m. A ; 
Mercury 6 43 13 26 20 9 7 52N. 
Venus ... I 45 9 54 18 3 22 29 N. 
Mars - 1055 16 23 21 51 Oss 
Jupiter... 9 27 15 31 21 35 OM SENT 
Saturn.. 2 21 Io 28 18 35 22 10N. 
Oo ciianions of Stars By the Moos (visible at Greenwich) 
Corresponding 
Aug. Star Mags Disap: “Reap. Se SRS 
inverted image 
h. m. h. m. o ° 
By c--| Oh, WIrGinis; cs. (6) sec) 20) 544-22 22053) ea OOr 207 
5 ... 94 Virginis ... 6 ... 22 3 nearapproach 202 — 
Aug. h. 
iss TS Mercury stationary. 
Variable Stars 
Star R.A. Decl. 
h m. ones h. m. 
U Cephei © 522... 81 10 N.... Aug. 2, 22 30 m 
A Tauri 3) 5404 cap l2 TOMNaees ssl Gs 22. Leave 
U Monocerotis Uf Behe @) BRATS 205 58 ; M 
S Virginis ae Pehla (9 S4/h sos oy m 
V Corone BOA pom sie) Si INIS ceo gq SS MM 
U Ophiuchi... SOG Gti OO en a Se © Be 
R Scuti PA ng GS OG: Ge pp M 
n Aquilz +o LOE A4Oe7 inc.) OLAS Nita. e ssn en ORZz 
5 Cephei 5 2202450) 857 5ONte: esas tO mEOnZE 
M signifies maximum ; #2 minimum. 
Meteor Showers 
Showers have been observed at this season from the following 
radiants :—The Azdromedes (I.), from R.A. 8°, Decl. 36° N. ; 
from Camelopardus, R.A. 12°, Decl. 70° N. ; near 7 Persei (the 
Perseids), ®.A. 45°, Decl. 56° N. ; near 7 Herculis, R.A. 254°, 
Decl. 372 No; near A Aquarii, R.A. 342°, Decl. 9° S. ; from 
Lacerta, R.A. 342°, Decl. 40° N. ; and one near Fomalhaut, 
R.A. 342°, Decl. 34° Se 
Stars with Remarkable Spectra 
Name of Star R.A. 1886'0 Decl. 1886*0 Type of 
h om. s. 5 7 spectrum 
DM. + 44° 3877 ... 21 30 42)... AA 50ON. «2. 
249a Schjellerup ... 21 37 13... 34 594N. .. DW 
paeephell....* 26. =<. 2U AO) WL 2.) FOULS cAU Nil eee Ill. 
254 Schjellerup see, 2YAO Al 22) U2UAACANS econ Ill. 
258 Schjellerup ... 21 59 I ... 27 47°8N. ... IIT. 
18 Cephei... . ZZ OL ZO 62038:5u Ne esee Ill. 
D.M. + 56° 2821 ... 22 BA TO) SONN eco eieres III. 
BePepasiit... on sae) 22050 01d eee 27 ouNeraes ILI. 
THE VOLCANIC ERUPTION IN NEW 
ZEALAND 
7 URTHER details have been received of the volcanic erup- 
tion in the Hot Lake district of New Zealand, which has 
| been the scene of a terrible and unexpected catastrophe which 
