274 
compound prepared by the latter is not pure, but contaminated 
by the presence of a considerable amount of alcohol.—M. Du- 
brunfant continued the discussion on the nature of inverted sugar, 
by a description of his method of separating levulose from it. 
He effects the separation by the addition of hydrate of lime to a 
solution of inverted sugar, presses the crystalline magma pro- 
duced, and removes the lime by treating both the solid residue 
and the expressed fluid with an acid. This process, according 
to the author, effects the nearly complete separation of the two 
forms of glucose, and he suggested that it might become of import- 
ance, as levulose possesses far higher sweetening powers than right 
glucose. —Mr. T. L. Phipson communicated a note on some sub- 
stances extracted from the fruit of the walnut. From the green en- 
velope of the fruit he obtained a yellow, crystalline substance, of 
little stability ; this, in a few hours, produced a black, amor- 
phous, resinous substance, C, H, O,, which the author called 
regianic acid, Vith alkalies it forms soluble salts of a magni- 
ficent purple colour, and with oxide of lead a violet-brown in- 
soluble salt. For the yellow body he proposed the name of 
regianine. A substance occurring in the episperm of the nut was 
called xucitannine; it is the cause of the harsh taste of that 
skin. rom it, by treatment with mineral acids, the author 
obtained glucose, ellagic acid, anda red, insoluble body, which 
he named vothic acid. Its composition was said to be Cy, Hy. Oj4. 
The green envelope, when fresh, absorbs oxygen with avidity 
from the air; when mixed with soda, it absorbs oxygen much 
more rapidly than phosphorus.—In a note on the simultaneous 
action of the intra-pilar current and nascent hydrogen upon 
organic acids, M. E. Royer described his treatment of oxalic 
acids by these agencies. Concentrated solution of that acid, 
placed in the porous cell of a Grove’s battery, furnished a con- 
siderable quantity of formic acid in a few days, the oxalic acid 
having been split, and hydrogen having combined with each of 
the two half-molecules. No carbonic acid was set free.—M. 
Delafosse presented a report upon M. Kokscharow’s contribu- 
tions to the mineralogy of Russia, indicating the general character 
of that work.—M. Feil exhibited some specimens of heavy glass 
(Faraday’s glass), prepared by a new process which enables it to 
be produced in large masses. He also sent in some examples of 
artificial gems.—A note by M. M. A. Gaudin, on the production 
of artificial gems, was also communicated ; it was accompanied 
by a small collection of specimens.—A memoir was presented on 
the general movements of the atmosphere, by M. Peslin ; also one 
on the graduation of galvanometers, by M. P. Blaserna; and 
another, containing the first part of a new method for the solu- 
tion of problems in mechanics, by M. Piaron de Mondesir.—Of 
biological papers, M. Lacaze-Duthiers communicated a_ first 
memoir on the morphology of the mollusca, relating to the 
Gasteropoda. To this we may probably refer elsewhere.—M. 
P. P. Dehérain presented a paper on the metamorphoses and 
migrations of the proximate principles in herbaceous plants, in 
which the author traced the course of the more important vege- 
table compounds from one set of organs to another during the 
life of the plant, and indicated the changes which they undergo 
in different parts. He ascribed the transport of soluble mate- 
rials from one part of a plant to another to the varying amount 
of aqueous evaporation from the surface. The accumulation of 
insoluble proximate principles in the seed was also accounted 
for by the author on the supposition (experimentally arrived at) that 
wherever in a system fully charged with liquids there is a point at 
which the dissolved elements become insoluble, they tend towards 
that point in order to maintain the equilibrium. Of the means by 
which the soluble elements are converted into insoluble ones, the 
author attempted no explanation.—M. Milne Edwards presented 
a note by M. Balbiani on the constitution and mode of formation 
of the ovum in the Saccw/ime@, in which that author contests 
some of the points insisted on by M. E. van Beneden in a former 
paper (see NATURE, p. 246).—The question of the antiquity of 
the horse in Egypt formed the subject of notes by MM. F. 
Hément, F. Lenormant, and Faye. M. Lenormant disposes of 
the passage in Genesis in which #zw/es are supposed to be 
referred to. He seems inclined to consider that the word trans- 
lated mules (which occurs nowhere else in the Bible) really signi- 
fies hot springs. M. Faye, in opposition to all authority, holds 
fast by the ordinary modern version, and also cites the passage 
in the same book in which horses are mentioned among the 
animals taken by Joseph in exchange for corn during the years of 
famine in Egypt. From the fact that horses are here familiarly 
mentioned, M. Faye infers that their employment in Egypt as 
lomestic animals must then have been of long standing.—M. E. 
NATURE 
| Fan. 6, 1870 
Decaisne communicated a paper on suckling by mothers ; and 
Mr. T. L. Phipson a note on the explosion and fall of meteorites. 
Papers were also presented by M. Bonjean, on the detection of 
hydrocyanic acid and cyanides in cases of poisoning; by M. 
Guyot, on the toxical effect of rosolic acid; by M. Trouvé, on 
the employment of electricity in seeking metallic bodies in 
wounds, &c.; by M. L. Colin, on telluric emanations and their 
connection with fevers ; by M. Gouteyron, on the influence of 
the shell of iron vessels upon the compass; by M. Jouglet, on 
the production of an explosive powder by the action of coal-gas 
upon nitrate of copper; and by M. Dupuis, on a new hydraulic 
lever. 
DIARY 
THURSDAY, January 6. 
Roya Society, at 8.30-—Some Account of the Suez Canal: J. F. Bate- 
man, F.R.S.—On the Mineral Constituents of Meteorites: N. Story 
Maskelyne.—On Fluoride of Silver: G. Gore, F.R.S. 
Roya. Institution, at 3.—On Light (Juvenile Lectures): Prof. Tyndall, 
F.R.S. 
SATURDAY, January 8. 
Roya InsTiTuTION, at 3-—On Light (Juvenile Lectures): Prof. Tyndall 
F.RS. 
MONDAY, JANvuary to. 
Royat GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY, at 8.30. 
MEDICAL Society at 8, 
TUESDAY, J:.NvaRy 11. 
Civic ENGINEERS, at 8. 
PHOTOGRAPHIC Sociery, at 8. 
ErHNOLOGICAL Society, at 8.—On the Kitai and Kara-Kitai: Dr. Gus- 
tave Oppert.—On the Origin of the Tasmanians, geologically considered : 
J. Bonwick, Esq. —On some Prehistoric Remains discovered in New 
Zealand: Dr. Julius Haast, F.R.S. 
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12. 
Microscopicat Society, at 8.—On the Calcareous Spicula of the Gorgo- 
niade ; W. S. Kent, F.Z.S.—On an Undescribed Stage of Development 
of Tetrarhyncus Corollatus: Alfred Sanders, M.R.C.S.—On a New 
Method of Measuring Spectra Bands: John Browning, F.R.A.S. 
GroLocicaL Society, at 8.—On the Superficial Deposits of Portions 
of the Avon and Severn Valleys and Adjoining Districts: T. G. B. 
Lloyd, Esq., C.E., F.G.S.—On the Geological Position and Geogra- 
phical Distribution of the Reptilian or Dolomitic Conglomerate of the 
Bristol Area: R. Etheridge, Esq., F.G.S. 
THURSDAY, Janvary 13. 
Lonpon MATHEMATICAL Society, at 8.—Equations of Centres and Foci 
of certain Involutions : Mr. J. J. Walker. 
CONTENTS 
PAGE 
Tue LapourinG Force oF THE HumMAN Heart. By Rev. Prof. 
lech erenh LAGS Gog oO Gg om a o8m 6 660-6 %S 50 0 
Tue ScrENcE oF LanGuace. By Prof.Max Mutter. . . . . . 256 
THE Universe. (With Illustrations.) . . . . . +». « « « « 259 
OuR™BOOK SHEDR 7.) cv ere) pel ae) niet tet met tole hic aca EEZIC 
A PLEA FOR THE MATHEMATICIAN. II. By Prof. SytvesTer, F.R S. 261 
Tue New Tevescore aT Eton. By H. G, Mapan. (With Ldlustra- 
pits Ot: Oo 6 So Oo a 5 ISPALG mp oft oa 4 @ 9 28H 
REMARKS ON TERRESTRIAL MAGNETISM. By Batrour STEWART, 
1XS Sn. iO fOsmnONG Ol Oo UNO OUIOE a obo 0 0 piel 
BRITISH. (RAINFALL is ge sth i) eis) = 5) el. Selo) el oe Ea 
THE LATE ProressoR MICHAEL SARS, OF CHRISTIANIA. By J. Gwyn 
Spade sy ELE Ao goo a oo 0 oo 6 Og 6 6 6 B85 
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR :— 
Cuckows’ Eggs.—Prof. A. NEwTon ieee . 265 
The Veined Structure of Glaciers—E, WHYMPER .... . . 266 
Trish Lepidoptera——Epwin BiRcHALL , « . - - » « « « « 267 
Deep Sea Corals.—P. Martin DUNCAN . .... = = . « 267 
A Meteor. —W th ENGRLL YA) fol siiisioyal cna illcnn sian intS « 267 
or) men Su OMT Re AO Oo So oo dig So Sy 
ASTRONOMY: Rilo hes) =f al) @) Eel pel ened ne + 269 
C@BREMISTRY . 20% Je: silie fe) eee) gis) el eS: RW CIC ZOO) 
SCIENTIFIC (SERIATS! fo) louie et date ite ken ora ot CO 7 
SOCIETIES AND AcADEMIES ..... « + 270 
IDTARY: con core Tis, AA Aare comer cs ties On fet ae + 274 
