Aug us I 10, 1882] 



NATURi 



35i 



Mediterranean basin ; physiology of the nervous system ; ocular 

 hygiene ; yellow fever ; the Verbenacere ; mints of France ; 

 European clover ; funeral furniture of a dolmen ; a palaeolithic 

 and neolithic station (see the Rente Scientifique, July 27 and 

 August 5). 



The remains of the late Prof. Balfour were, on Saturday, 

 nterred at Whittingham. 



The British Medical Association is holding its fiftieth annual 

 meeting this week (beginning Tuesday, the Sth in^t.) at Worces- 

 ter, the city of its birth, under the presidency of Dr. W. Strange, 

 of Worcester Infirmary. Among other events, a bust of Sir 

 Charles Hastings (to whom the Association mainly owes its 

 origin) is to be presented to the city. 



A severe earthquake is reported to have been felt in Chios 

 (August 7), but no damage was done. 



It has been announced that an " Exhibition of Practical 

 Electric Development," with reference chiefly to telephones, 

 electric lighting, transmission of power, and the economical 

 application of electric energy to practical work, will be held in 

 the Royal Aquarium, Westminster, from November I, 1882, till 

 March r, 18S3. Prizes amounting to a total of 1,000/. will be 

 awarded by a Committee which the scientific societies w ill be 

 invited to nominate. The subjects (in brief) are : — I. Best 

 system of storage and generator for railway systems ; generator 

 to be worked from axle of train. 2. Best systems of storage 

 battery, large and small. 3. Design in models, showing the 

 best method of utilising (a) wind or water, (<?>) tidal forces for 

 electrical storage. 4. Best electromotor for stationary or tram- 

 car work (three kinds). 5. Best automatic (shunt or otherwise) 

 system of dynamos for compensating change of resistance in 

 external circuit, and economising power absorbed by machine. 

 (6) Best model or drawing (with estimates) of central stations for 

 20,000 electric lights over a radius of one mile. 7. Best electric 

 meter for houses. 8. Best set of twenty-five fancy fittings for 

 electroliers. 9. Best set of fittings for restaurant or hotel bars, 

 and counters. 10. Best application of electric light fittings 

 to photographic studio. II, Best fittings, Sac, for drawing 

 and other private rooms. 12. Best system of street mains 

 or leads for public supply. 13. Best electric couplings for 

 trains. 14. Best photometer, if possible, self recording. 15. 

 Best electro dynamo-meters {a) for direct, and (A) for alternating 

 currents; both in one instrument. 16. Bet thermopile for 

 utilisation of waste heat and conversion into light or power by 

 means of storage. 17. Best lamp for mine or sub-marine opera- 

 tions. 18. Most complete apparatus for remedial appliances, 

 especially with regird to use of a bath in which the patient is 

 immersed. Applications for space must be made (for England) 

 not later than August 21. 



The Times Correspondent in Paris mentions having seen, at a 

 recent popular file at the Tuileries, a solar apparatus set in 

 motion a printing machine, which printed several thousand 

 copies of a specimen newspaper called the Soldi Journal. He 

 also saw cider and coffee made with its aid, and a pump set in 

 motion. He suggests the use of such apparatus for troops in 

 Egypt and India. 



We are glad to learn that there is some prospect of an addi- 

 tion being made shortly to the small number of technical schools 

 a T . present existing in this country, and that in a district where 

 such a school, if properly organised, should prove of gieat utilty, 

 viz., Cleveland. Mr. Samuelson, M.P., whose active interest 

 in the subject of technical education has been so fruitful, has 

 been discussing with some of the leading manufacturers in 

 Cleveland the propriety of establishing a science school, having 

 special reference to chemistry and metallurgy, at Middlesborough, 

 and we understand that the proposal has been received with 



general approbation, and a definite scheme will soon be put 

 forth. It is estimated by Col. Festing that a building, including 

 a lecture theatre to hold over 200, and all necessary accommoda- 

 tion, would cost at least 2500/., and that the laboratory fittings, 

 &c, would cost 600/. ; but it would be essential to look for a 

 present expenditure of from 5000/. to 6000/., exclusive of land. 

 As to maintenance, the institution would have a fixed revenue 

 from fees ; there will be payment for results, and some help 

 towards a sustenta f ion fund is looked for from the City Guilds 

 of London. The cost of laboratory fittings would doubtless be 

 partly met from South Kensington. Mr. Samuelson is prepared 

 we hear, not only to contribute liberally towards the funds 

 required for the institution, but also to give his personal and 

 practical aid in the w orking out of the scheme. A meeting of 

 those who sympathise with the movement will shortly be held, 

 at which he and others will fully explain the objects and mode 

 of operation. We trust that in the organisation of this 

 school, due regard will be had to the interests of pure science, a 

 thorough grounding in which is essential to true progress, on 

 the part of the apprentice, in technical study. 



Mr. O'Neill, H.B.M. Consul at Mozambique, has recently 

 reported to the Foreign Office that from Mr. James Heathote, 

 of Iuhambane (who was employed by him for the recovery of 

 the body of the late Capt. Wybrants), he has received informa- 

 tion of the discovery of a considerable tract of copal forest. 

 Mr. Heathcote writes : " The forest where I obtained this gum, 

 of which I send you specimens (I have collected six tons) is fully 

 200 miles long. It is a belt which runs parallel with the coast, 

 and is midway between the coast and the first range of moun- 

 tains. From Inhambane it is nearly 100 miles to get right into 

 it." The distance of the forest from Inhambane is a little great, 

 and may retard its being opened up ; but its discovery adds to 

 the known wealth of the district, and a new export to the place. 

 Mr. Heathcote points out the following curious coincidence, and 

 although it may not be the first time that attention has been 

 drawn to it, the Consul mentions it : " The native name of this 

 gum is 'Stakate' and ' Staka.' The Zulu name for gum is 

 'Inthlaka.' The name 'Stacte' mentioned in Exodus xxx. 34 

 (this is believed to be the gum of the Storua tree, Sty rax officinale), 

 would be pronounced as the above native name. The tree 

 domineers over all, and standing in any place overlooking the 

 forest, you see here aud there trees growing as it were in a hay- 

 held. The gum has a beautiful odour if pounded and burnt, 

 also if boiled in a pot of water." The ordinary gum copal tree 

 of the mainland of Zanzibar and Mozambique, though as a rule 

 lofty, is by no means of the striking stature indicated by Mr. 

 Heathcote's comparison. 



The Iro 1 and Steel Institute hold an Autumn meeting in 

 Vienna this year, from Tuesday, September 19th to the 23rd. 

 Besides visits to engineering and other works in Vienna, and 

 various entertainments, alternative excursions are arranged (for 

 the 22nd) to Leoben andGratz in Styria, and to Buda-Pesth, in 

 Hungary. 



The American Committee for the Darwin Memorial (to co- 

 operate with the English Executive Committee) has for its 

 chairman Prof. Asa Gray ; treasurer Prof. Alex. Agassiz. The 

 other names are those of Baird, Dana, Eliot, Gilman, Hall, 

 Lecjnte, Leidy, Marsh, Mitchell, Newcomb, Norton, Walker, 

 aud Wooley. 



The United States Bureau of Education issued not long ago 

 a circular on the subject of Spelling Reform, which the Com- 

 missioner, General Eaton, pronounces to be of great importance. 

 It contains a report, dated 1877, from four or five professors, 

 who, after three years' discussion of the subject by the 

 American Philological Association, were appointed a com- 

 mittee with recommendations which have been carried out as to 



