NATURE 
[ Dec. 16, 1869 
\ 
nences, with some remarks upon them by himself. Mr. Gould’s 
letter related to the luminous protuberances observed during the 
last eclipse. He referred them to the chromosphere, which he 
regarded as the general atmosphere of the sun, and he accepted 
the notion that they indicate a predominance of hydrogen in that 
region, but he inclined to ascribe to this a greater elevation than 
is generally given to it, especially as the Coast Survey Expedi- 
tion had obtained photographs which show traces of it at an ele- 
vation of 7 minutes. Mr. Gould also remarked upon the evidence 
furnished by the perihelion distance of the comet of 1843.—M. 
Respighi’s note referred to the relation between the protube- 
rances and solar spots, and he stated that in the neighbourhood 
of the poles of the sun the protuberances are almost constantly 
wanting, that they are in close relation with the faculze and spots, 
and that the faint shadows which appear upon the photosphere 
are due to the interposition of the materials of eruptions, 
which may persist for many days together.—M. C. Marignac 
presented a paper on the influence of water upon saline double 
decompositions, and upon the thermic effects which accompany 
them. He described the mode in which he experimented, and 
gave the following results :—The dilution of a solution causes a 
variation of temper.ture in either direction, which usually dimin- 
ishes with the degree of dilution, but with sulphuric acid the 
increase of temperature is augmented by dilution. The mixture 
of solutions of two salts which do not decompose each other, 
generally gives rise to an evolution of heat less than that pro- 
duced by the simple dilution of the solutions. When they can 
form a double salt, there is usually absorption of heat. The 
mixture of alkalme sulphates with sulphuric acid causes a con- 
siderable absorption of heat. With solutions of the alkaline 
bisulphates, the addition of water produces a_ considerable 
and increasing evolution of heat. The mixture of two 
saline solutions, or of a salt and an acid capable of decom- 
position without producing an insoluble compound, gives 
yise to consiJlerable thermic effects, which, in some cases, 
at least, are increased by dilution. With mixtures, the result 
appears to be different according as the dilution is effected before 
or after the mixture of the solutions. —A note by M. H. Resal, 
on the relative movements of the water in the curved floats of 
Poncelet’s water-wheel was read; as also a note by M. Bosscha 
in answer to observatious made by M. Regnault upon a previous 
letter of the author’s on the measurement of temperatures.—M. 
Lecoq de Boisbandeau presented a memoir on some points of 
spectrum analysis, in which he confirmed Secchi’s observations 
on the spectra of different parts of Geissler’s tubes, and com- 
municated his own remarks on the spectra of the aureola of the 
positive pole, of the blue light of the negative pole, and of the 
spark itself, He also remarked upon differences caused by 
alterations in the conditions under which the spark is produced. 
—M. J. L. Soret communicated a note on the illumination of 
transparent bodies, in which he maintained, in opposition to M. 
Lallemand, that this is to be ascribed to suspended particles, 
especially in water. He described some experiments made by 
him. M. Chevreul in remarking upon this communication, no- 
ticed the decomposition of glass by water even at a temperature of 
98° C. (= 208, 4° F.), and referred to the action of other bodies 
upon glass.—M. J. Maumené presented a reply to M. Dubrun- 
faut’s note on inverted sugar, and M. Dubrunfaut a notice of his 
investigations of the catalytic phenomena presented by the 
action of acids upon crystallised sugar by the examination ot 
the rotatory properties of its products.—M. A. Petit communi- 
cated a note on the sugar normally contained in wine, in which 
he stated that he had found in all wines a quantity of sugar vary- 
ing from 050-5 grammes per litre. Sugar also occurs in 
vinegar.—M. Sanson, in a note on the caballine species of 
the genus Lgzus, endeavoured to show that our domestic 
horses belong to eight distinct species—A memoir on the 
chemical composition of fossil bones by M. Scheurer-Kestner 
was presented by M. Milne-Edwards. The author remarked upon 
the conversion, in fossil bones, of a portion of the ordinary 
osseine into soluble osseine, and showed by analysis that the per 
centage of the latter is, ca@terts paribus, equal in bones of the same 
date, so that its amount may furnish an almost infallible proof of 
the contemporaneity or otherwise of bones found together in 
the same cave or deposit. M. Elie de Beaumont made some 
remarks on this communication. —Notes were communicated by 
M. Ruffner on the preservation of meat by sulphurous acid, and on 
various questions of hygiene, and by M. Coffin on the ‘‘meta- 
physics of the differential calculus ;” of these the titles only are 
given. 
DIARY 
THURSDAY, DecemBer 16. 
ROYAL Society, at 8.30—Researches into the Constitution of the Opium 
Bases. Part III. On the Action of Hydrochlcric Acid on Codeia: A. 
Matthiessen, F.R S , and C. Wright.—On the Thermodynamic Theory 
of Waves of Finite Longitudinal Disturbance: Prof. Rankine, F.R.S.— 
On Approach caused by Vibration: Prof. Guthrie. 
Society or ANTIQUARIES, at 8.30.—On the Descent and Arms of the House 
of Compton: Mr. Evelyn Philip Shirley, F.S A. 
LINNEAN Society, at 8.—On a species of /fomaa yielding Tampico Jalap : 
Daniel Hanbury, F_R.S. 
Cnemicav Society, at 8. 
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY, at 4. 
Numismatic Society, at 7. 
PHILOSOPHICAL CLUB, at 6, 
Lonpon INsTITUTION, at 7.30 —Architecture: Prof. R. Kerr. 
EpinburGH GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY, at 8. 
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17. 
PHILOLOGICAL Society, at 8 15. 
QueketTr Microscopicat Cuus, at 8. 
MONDAY, DECEMBER 20. 
MEDICAL Society, at 8. 
Royac Asiatic Society, at 8. 
LonDon INsTIruTiON, at 4.—Elementary Physics: Prof. Guthrie. 
INSTITUTE OF ACTUARIES, at 7. 
Society oF ARTs, at 8.—Ihe Spectroscope and its Applications: Mr. J. 
Norman Lockyer, F.R.S. 
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21. 
InstTiTUTION OF CiviL ENGINEERS, at 8.—Anniversary Meeting. 
STATISTICAL Society, at 8. 
PATHOLOGICAL Society, at 8. 
Etunococicat Society, at 8.—Onan Ancient Calvaria, assigned to Con- 
fucius: Prof. Busk, F.R.S.—On the Koords and Armenians: Major 
Millingen, F.R.G.S.—On the Kitai and Kara-kitai: Dr. Gustav Oppert. 
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22. 
Society oF ArTs, at r.—On Wines—their Origin, Nature, Analyis, and 
Uses ; with special reference to a new Alcoholic Drink made from Tea: 
Dr. J. L. W. Thudichum, 
Gro.ocicaL Socikty, at 8.—On the Iron-ores associated with the Basalts 
of the North.cast of Ireland: Mr. Ralph Tate, F.G.S., and Dr. J. S. 
Holden, F.G.S —Note on the Skull of the Large Kimmeridge Croco- 
dilian, Dakesaurus maximus, Buenstedt, Stencosaurus, Geoffr. St. 
Hilaire: Mr. J. W. Hulke, F.R S.—Note ona fragment of a Jaw with 
peculiar Teeth from Kimmeridge Bay: Mr. J. W. Hulke, F. RS. — 
Notes on the Structure of S%gz/lavia: Principal Dawson, FR S. of 
Montreal.—Notes on some new Animal Remains from the Carboniferous 
and Devonian of Canada: Principal Dawson, F.R.S. 
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23. 
Society oF ANTIQUARIES, at 8.30. 
BOOKS RECEIVED 
EncuisH.—Home Life of Sir David Brewster: By his daughter, Mrs. 
Gordon (Edinburgh: Edmonston and Douglas): : 
ForeIcn.—Histoire’ de la Création: par H. Burmeister; traduite de 
l’allemand : E. Maupas.—Monographie des Ligumineuses Ceesalpinées: H. 
Baillon.—Die Nordamerikanische Zuckerfabrikation aus Sorgo und Imphy: 
Dr. Karl Léffler und Peter von Papi-Balogh.—Untersuchungen tiber Bau 
und Entwicklung der Arthropoden: Dr. Anton Dohrn.—Ueber die Bau- 
weise des Feldspaths: Dr. Fredrich Scharff. —Japanisches Meeres-Conchylien: 
Dr. C. E. Lischke.—Die Pflanzenstoffe: Dr. Aug. Husemann und Dr. 
Theod Husemann.—Die Lagerstatten der Nutzbauren Mineralien; Johann 
Grimm. - Archiv fur Mikroskopische Anatomie : Max Schultze. 
CONTENTS 
PAGE 
DARWINISM AND NATIONAL LiFe . tt OF Oso do oF ab GS ES 
Tue Pxrocress oF NaturAL Puitosopny. By Prof. P.G. Tair. . 184 
Dana's Miveratocy. II. By Prof. N. Srory MaskKELYNE . . 186 
BipLioTHEQUE DES MerVEILLEs. By G. Farrer Ropwe tt, F.C.S. 
(With Illustrations) . 187 
COPS hoover SS Goo os og oo 
THe Javanese. By J. C. Cuessar. (With Iélustrations.). . . . 190 
THE Foon oF Oceanic ANIMALS. By J. Gwyn Jerrreys, F.RS. . 192 
Go tp DicGers 1n THIBET. Rae ofa o. God loWd "Go dea G5 HES 
LETTERS TO THE EpIToR :— 
Lectures to Ladies ie Le ht 2 xis + 193 
Chrysophantis Disparate net me een - 193 
cpheyBrighton’Aquaritin igen eee were eres » 193 
The Cloaca Maxima . : q + 193 
Lightning in a Clear Sky + 193 
Norters PR ee boon. Ono" eds) Geo hao) oO Beer ROS, 
Societies aND AcapEmigs. Diary. Books RECEIVED. 194—202 
Erratum.—Line 26, col. 2, p. 166, should read as follows; “total num- 
ber about 2e0. I have identified at least 60” 
