94 
INGA TE OLS, 
| Vov. 18, 1869 
—— 
in his papers in the Canadian Naturalist, and in the Journal of 
the Geological Society. With Messrs. G. T. Kennedy and G. W. 
Dawson as assistants, he explored the whole of the north side and 
the greater part of the south side of Gaspé Bay, and has obtained 
very large and interesting collections of fossil plants. Among 
these are two large trunks of Protaxites Logani, a new and beau- 
tiful species of Psilophyton, and a species of Cyclostigma, a genus 
hitherto found only in the Devonian rocks of Ireland. Several 
interesting animal remains were also found, including numerous 
species of large fishes (Mechzracanthus); and Mr. Kennedy was 
so fortunate as to find a Cephalasfis, the first representative of 
the genus as yet found in America. The animal fossils have 
been placed in the hands of Mr. Billings and Dr. Newberry for 
comparison, and the plant will probably be described in detail 
in the course of the coming winter. Specimens of some of the 
‘more interesting fossils above referred to, were exhibited to the 
society. —Mr. Ritchie read a paper on the small cabbage-butter- 
fly (Pieris rape), the caterpillars of which have recently been 
extremely destructive in Canadian gardens. This insect is not 
indigenous to America, and was first noticed in Canada some 
years ago by Mr. W. Couper. Mr. Whiteaves made an interest- 
ing verbal communication on dredging in Gaspé, and exhibited 
a large series of marine invertebrates. 
Paris 
Academy of Sciences, November 8.—M. Pasteur presented 
a note in reply to that of M. Thenard on the preservation of 
wines by heat. A memoir was read by M. H. Marés on the 
transformations undergone by powder of sulphur (flour of sulphur 
and powdered sulphur) when it is spread upon the soil, in which 
the author states that the sulphur which has been abundantly 
employed in the vineyards of France of late years becomes con- 
verted into sulphuric acid which combines with the lime of the 
soil to form sulphate of lime. The author has not ascertained 
whether the sulphuric acid is produced by direct oxidation of the 
sulphur, or by that of sulphuretted hydrogen formed by it in 
contact with manure, but he states that no odour of sulphuretted 
hydrogen is perceptible where the sulphur is used. The employ- 
ment of sulphur appears to be effectual in preserving the vines 
from disease.—A note by M. J. Personne on the transformation 
of hydrate of chloral into chloroform in the animal economy 
was read. The author remarked that whilst M. Liebruch main- 
tains that hydrate of chloral is converted into chloroform by 
contact with the alkali of the blood, the French observers have 
generally held an opposite opinion. In his-experiments he found 
that where hydrate of chloral is added to blood, or administered 
to a dog, no production of chloroform is perceptible, but he ob- 
tained chloroform by the distillation of the blood. To avoid the 
objection that the heat employed in distillation might produce 
the conyersion, he operated at a temperature of 40°—45° C. = 
194°—113° F., conveying the vapour by a current of air through 
a red-hot porcelain tube into a solution of nitrate of silver. The 
reaction produced demonstrated the presence of chloroform in 
the vapour, no reaction being caused by vapour of hydrate of 
chloral conveyed and decomposed in the sameway. Unlike M. 
Bouchet, the author detected no chloroform in the urine of 
anmals to which hydrate of chloral had been administered.—M. 
J. V. Labordi communicated a note on the ill effects attending 
the administration of chloral.—In a note on chloride of gold, 
M. H. Debray remarked that although sesquichloride of gold is 
decomposed by exposure to a temperature of about 200° C, = 
392° F., into proto- and per-chloride, it may, nevertheless, be vola- 
tilised by a heat of 303° C. =572° F., in an atmosphere of chlorine. 
It then crystallises in long reddish needles. —M. A. Riche com- 
municated a note on the bronze of sonorous instruments, relating 
chiefly to the production of gongs and cymbals similar to those 
made in China. Chinese metal contains about twenty per cent. of 
tin. Alloys made with these proportions of metal are very brittle 
when cold, but the author found that at a dull red heat they may 
be forged with ease, and produces very sonorous plates. —M. A. 
Landrin announced that yellow coralline is not poisonous, so that 
it may be employed for industrial purposes. —M. Petrequin pre- 
sented a note on the chemical composition and comparative 
physiology of the cerumen of the mammalia. Its base is potash 
in man and the ox, lime in the dog, and magnesia in the horse. 
—M. A. Petit stated that in the melon the rind contains only 
glucose, as also the flesh whilst still green. During ripening 
cane-sugar is gradually developed in the latter, its formation 
commencing in the most acid part of the pulp surrounding the 
seeds. 
DIARY 
THURSDAY, Novemeer 18. 
Roya Society, at 8.30.—Preliminary Report of the Scientific Exploration 
of the Deep Sea in H.M. surveying vessel Porcupine, during the summer 
of 1869, conducted by Dr. Carpenter, V.P.R.S., Mr. J. Gwyn Jeffreys, 
F.R.S., and Prof. Wyville Thomson, LL.D., F.R.S. And other papers. 
Society OF ANTIQUARIES, at 8.30—Ancient British Barrows (Round): 
Dr. Thurnam. 
Linnean Society, at 8.—Review of the genus /7ydrolea, with descriptions 
of three new species: Mr. A. W. Bennett, F.L.S. 
Numismatic Society, at 7. 
Lonpon INnsTITuTION, at 7.30.—Architecture, or the Fine Art of Building: 
Prof. Robert Kerr. 
CHEMICAL SocrETy, at 8.—On Namaqualite and Chemical Researches on 
new and rare Cornish Minerals—No. 6. A new Ferric Silicate; Prof. 
Church. On Chloranil and Bromanil—No. 2: Dr. Stenhouse. 
FRIDAY, NovEMBER 19. 
PHILOLOGICAL Society, at 8.30. 
MONDAY, NovEmMBER 22. 
Royar GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY, at 8.30. 
Lonpon InstiTuTIOoN, at 4.—Elementary Physics: Prof. Guthrie. 
TUESDAY, NovemMBeER 23. 
ETHNOLOGICAL Society, at 8.—On some Quartzite Implements of Palzeo- 
lithic Type from the Drift of the Cape of Good Hope: Sir George Grey, 
Bart. On the Races and Languages of Dardistan hitherto undescribed : 
Dr. Leitner. 
WEDNESDAY, NovEMBER 24. 
GEoLociIcat Society, at 8.—On the Dinosauria of the Trias, with obser- 
vations on the Classification of the Dinosauria: Prof. Huxley, F.R.S., 
President. The Physical Geography of Western Europe during the 
Mesozoic and Cainozoic periods, elucidated by their Coral-faunas: Dr. P. 
Martin Duncan, F.R.S., Sec.G.S. 
THURSDAY, Novemser 25. 
Roya Society, 8.30. 
Lonpon INsTiTUTION, at 7.30.—Architecture: Prof. R. Kerr. 
Lonpon MATHEMATICAL SocIETY, at 8. 
ZOOLOGICAL Society, at 8.30—Notes on some Spiders and Scorpions from 
St. Helena, with descriptions of new Species: Rev. O. P. Cambridge. 
On a small collection of Birds from the Tonga Islands: Dr. O. Finsch 
and Dr. G, Hartlanb. 
BOOKS RECEIVED 
Enctisu.—Transactions of the International Congress of Prehistoric 
Archzology {Longmans).—The Universe ; or the Infinitely Great and the 
Infinitely Little : F. A. Pouchet (Blackie and Sons).—Physical Atlas (A. K. 
(Johnston).— Darwinism tested by the Science of Language: Professor A. 
Schleicher, translated by Dr. A. V. W. Bikkers (Hotten).—The Midnight 
Sky: Donkin (Religious Tract Society). sop’s Fables, Illustrated by 
Ernest Griset (Cassell). 3 
ForeicGn.—Die Befruchtung bei den Coniferen: Dr. E. Strasburger.— 
Die Maschinenfabrication : H. V. Reiche.—Berichte iiber die Versammlun 
der Deutschen Ornithologen-Gesellschaft. (Through Williams and NSrEaES 
CONTENTS ae 
E 
Lectures TO WorkinG Men. By JAmes StuarT . ..... 9 
Dr. Livincstonr’s Exprorations. By F.R.G.S. (With Maf.). . 72 
Cuckow’'s Eccs. By Prof. ALFRED Newton, F.L.S.. . . . . 74 
By E. Ray LANKESTER ... . : 70 
By Joun Evans, F.R.S. . . . 
OricIn oF Bioop-LetTine. 
PREHISTORIC ARCH AOLOGY. 
Tue WoRLD oF THE SEA, By the Rev. Canon Kincstey (W7th [dlus- ay 
(Lig NS. Ga) bof eo od b Silove coop Galo - 78 
Barrr’s HanpBook oF CHEMISTRY. By E. J. Mitts, D.Sc. , 80 
OuR. BOOK ISHELE.) (ou op tlle ce el Pete nael tice ao en ee 
De ISuEZS CANAL.) (0) trap). a) od tee nat dena 
MEETING OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION. . . seats BS 
New Star-Atias. (With Illustration.) cre Od 
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR :— 
Personal Equation of Astronomical Observers.—. J. 85 
The Fertilisation of Winter-flowering Plants.—C. Darwin, FERS. 85 
Elimination of Alcohol—A. Dupre . . . . oo ge EB 
1 ol de pee Eom ROE ot HOS De abe ol oo lo ba wo asia ite 
ASTRONOMY :— 
Correction of Atmospheric Chromatic Dispersion . . . . . . 87 
Cause of the Incandescence of Meteors, &c. . . .... =. 88 
Botany :— 
Spontaneous Motion of Protoplasm, &c.. . ..... . . 88 
CHEMISTRY :— 
Italian Mineral (Waters as accamel (Wile Joi fell cul cl sop tela cnCnnT EGE 
Sal-ammoniacum)Martialej&e. 39) . 2 ¢ 2 8 2) 5 See 8s 
GEOLOGY :— 
SESS Go ico Om eo tho Oo oc oO ou Ue 
SpherodusiGigas Goats soa. (a) cs 5) ciples) MeuRCeee nti aT ESO) 
(Ceri M Wet! hg og cease deo o 5 G@ oo a wa o fh) 
Puysics :— 
Dynamics of Prince Rupert’s Drops . . . . . . .. + = 89 
PuysioLocy : 
The Kinship of Ascidians and Vertebrates . . . . . . . . go 
Societies AND ACADEMIES Otoko GP FY Gord Sob gS 
Diary *. 5 itis CUE Mo idk oO TIO a ow CY! 
BOOKS#REGRIVED 1 J. ely ol tate ieee nate i tt oa ct Cc Oa 
