298 
NATURE 
[ Fan. 13, 1870 
order to obtain the length of the arc of any orthogonal trajectory 
to the two geodetic lines in question, comprised between the 
same lines. Prof. Geiser of Zurich has generalised, for any 
number of dimensions, or translated into an analytical fact for 
any given number of variables, “A theorem of Steiner relating 
to properties common to all the Maximum Triangles inscribed in 
a given Ellipse.” A communication from the illustrious Clebsch, 
professor at Gottingen, refers to those ‘‘ Surfaces which have the 
property of being representable point by point above a plane.” 
Such representations are known to afford an extremely powerful 
instrument of geometric analysis. Prof. Bardelli has collected 
and demonstrated all the formulz proposed by various geometers 
(Euler, Monge, Rodrigues Broschi), for the very useful problem 
of the ‘‘ Transformation of Co-ordinates in Space,” showing the 
relation and the geometric significance of the several systems of 
auxiliary variables adopted by those authors. Finally, amongst 
the mathematical researches may also be included a note by 
Schiaparelli on ‘‘The principle of the Arithmetic Mean in the 
calculation of Observations,” and one by Prof. Porro, ‘‘On the 
new Cleps-cyclic Theodolite,” an instrument invented by the 
author for rapid surveying. 
Hydraulics. —The memoirs presented to the Institute under this 
head were chiefly of local interest, relating to the rivers and 
canals of Upper Italy. There is also one by Senator Lom- 
bardini, entitled ‘*Geographical and Hydrological Researches 
in the Regions of the Upper Nile and Central Africa.” 
Astronomy, Meteorclogy, and Terrestrial Physics. —In a memoir 
entitled the ‘* Variations of the Eccentricity of the Earth’s Orbit, 
and of Terrestrial Climates in the Geological Epochs,” Schiaparelli 
endeavours to prove that the changes of eccentricity in the orbit 
cannot be the cause of the great oscillations of temperature which 
have taken place in geologic epochs, and that the origin of the 
glacial periods must be sought elsewhere.— Prof. Cantoni, speak- 
ing of ‘The Rains of the Autumn of 1868 in Upper Italy,” 
discusses the cause of the terrible inundations of that year. 
Cavalleri communicates an ‘‘ Observation on the Aurora Bo- 
realis of the 13th of March, 1869,” which was visible over a large 
part of Europe; and lastly, Prof. Rialti of Forli communicates 
a note ‘‘On the Cause of the Incandescence of Bolides,” which 
gave occasion to Prof. Cantoni to make a calculation respect- 
ing the heat developed in bolides by the resistance of the air, 
analogous to those which had been made on the same subject by 
Reichenbach in Germany and Marsh in America. 
Physics.—Prof. Cantoni has made a series of researches on 
“* Frictional Electrical Machines,” and especially that of Holtz; 
the ‘‘ Theory of the Electrophorus and of Electro-static Induc- 
tion,” respecting which the author modifies essentially the ideas 
hitherto generally received; ‘‘The application of the Galva- 
nometer to the study of electric phenomena,” in which part of 
the research Cantoni was assisted by Prof. Brusotti of Pavia ; 
“The relations between the variations of intensity of a current, 
and those of the temperature in a voltaic circuit ;” and other 
subjects connected with the preceding. —ihe memoirs of Prof. 
Vilari relate to ‘‘ The Influence of Magnetisation on the Electric 
Conductivity of Iron and Steel; the Currents induced between 
Tron and other Metals ; the Heat developed by Caoutchouc when 
submitted to Traction ;” and in association with Dr. Marangoni, 
on ‘‘The limits of perception of Sounds with respect to their 
duration.” 
Chemistvy.—Prof. Polli, in examining the intimate mode of 
action of Sulphurous Acid and Alkaline Sulphites on Fermentable 
Organic Matters, has endeavoured to show that the mode of ac- 
tion of these preparations consists in an isomeric modification of 
the molecular aggregation, without alteration of the elementary 
chemical composition.—Prof. Selmi, of Mantua, hascommunicated 
his experiments on the miasmatic air of Mantua. 
Natural History and Geology.— Under this head there are two 
botanical memoirs by Prof. Gorovyaglio: one on a New Species of 
Sensitive Plant, cultivated in the Botanic Garden of the Univer- 
sity of Pavia; the other containing a project for the establish- 
ment of a laboratory of Cryptogamic Botany, with the view ot 
studying the maladies of plants and animals produced by crypto- 
gamic parasites.—In connection with zoology, there is a note by 
Crivelli and Maggi on the Corpora fimbriata of the Frog, and 
another by Tigri, on the Silkworm Disease.—In Geology, Paolo 
Garini communicates a paper on a method of producing experi- 
mentally the phenomena of Glaciers.—Leopold Maggi commu- 
nicates his researches on Lacustro-glacial Deposits; and, lastly, 
Negri and Spreafico have presented a memoir on the Geology of 
the Environs of Varese and Lugano, 
DIARY 
THURSDAY, January 13. 
Royat Society, at 8.30—On the Mineral Constituents of Meteorites: 
Mr. N. S. Maskelyne.—On Fluoride of Silver: Mr. G. Gore, F.R.S — 
Approximate Determination of the Heating Powers of Arcturus and a 
Lyrz: Mr E. J. Stone, F.R.S. 
MATHEMATICAL Society, at 8.—Equation of Centres and Foci of certain 
Involutions: J. J. Walker. 
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY, at 8.30. 
Lonpon INSTITUTION, at 7.30. 
FRIDAY, JANUARY 14. 
Royat ASTRONOMICAL SocIETY, at 8. 
QuekeTtT Microscopicat Crus, at 8. 
MONDAY, JANuary 17. 
Royar Astatic Society, at 3. 
Roya Institute oF BritisH ARCHITECTS, at 8. 
MeEpIcAL Sociery at 8. 
TUESDAY, Ji.Nuary 18. 
SratistTicAt Society, at 8.—On the Statistics of Joint Stock Companies 
from 1814 to the present time, and of Companies with Limited and Un- 
limited Liability formed since 1856: Prof. Levi. 
ANTHROPOLOGICAL Society, at 4.—Anniversary Meeting. 
Royar Institution, at 3.—On the Architecture of the Human Body: 
Prof. Humphry. 
PATHOLOGICAL SocIETY, at 8. 
INSTITUTION OF Civit ENGINEERS, at 8. 
WEDNESDAY, JANvARY 19. 
METEOROLOGICAL SocigtTy, at 7. 
SocizTy oF ARTs, at 8. 
THURSDAY, January 20. 
Linnean Society, at 8.—On the Flora of Iceland: Prof. Babington.—On 
New British Spiders: Rey. O. P. Cambridge. 
Roya InstiruTion, at 3.-—On the Chemistry of Vegetable Products: 
Prof. Odling. 
ZooLoGicat SocieTY, 8.30 P.M.-—Descriptions of a new genus and of 
eighteen new species of Eand and Marine Shells, Henry Adams. ‘‘ On 
the geus Pelargposis of the family Alcedinda,” R, B. Sharpe. 
Description of a new Fish from the vicinity of Aden, Lieut.-Colonel 
R. L, Playfair. 
a 
BOOKS RECEIVED 
EncuisH.—Wonders of the Deep: M. Schele de Vere (Sampson and 
Low). —Anatomy of the Blowfly: b. T. Lowne (J. Van Voorst) —Journal of 
the Scottish Meteorological Society, 10 numbers.—Ancient Classics, Homer's 
Iliad: Rey. W. L. Collins (W. Blackwood and Sons).—Cups and their 
Customs (J. Van Voorst).—Geology and Revelation: G. Mulloy (Longman 
and Co.).—Across America and Asia: R. Pumpelley.—The Andes and the 
Amazon: James Orton (Sampson Low). 
AMERICAN.—Farming for Boys —Our own Birds of the United States: 
W. L. Bailey (through ‘Triibner and Co.). 
ForeiGn.—Die ‘lechnisch verwendeten Gummi-arten, Harze and Bal- 
same: Dr. Julius Weisner.—Lehrbuch der Chemie: Dr. J. Moser —Unter- 
suchungen Uber die theorie und das allgemeine Geographische System der 
Winde: Dr, Adolph Miihry.—Anatomische Studien: Dr. C. Hasse.—Aut- 
fassung der Organischen Natur; Prof. Wilhelm His.—Untersuchungen tiber 
die microscopische Zusammensetzung und Structur der Basalt-gesteine: Dr. 
F. Zirkel.—Recherches pour servir a l'histoire naturelle des Mammiétres ; 
Livraison 5, feuilles 13 215: H. Miln-Edwards. 
————_——————S[{Ss 
CONTENTS 
PAGE 
GOVERNMENT AID TO SCIENCE . OPO Co) ON a Ce) 
Tue THAMES Subway. By J. Prestwicu, F.R.S. (With [ilustvations.) 280 
Tue Mammatia or SwitzeRLanp. By_E. Ray Lankester, F.L.S. 28r 
Ol ashlee og o Goo O Oo 0 4 & go a oe ooo 3 ASN 
On THE PERiopicITY OF THE SOLAR Spots. ...... . . 284 
NoTE ON THE CORRELATION OF CoLouR AND Music. By W. F. 
BARRETT, KiCiS. ((72tk Diagram) 9. 1.) ie ee 286 
THE SLAVONIANS IN TURKEY . . 287 
LETTERS TO-THE EDITOR :— 
Government Aid to Science.—A. R. WALLACE SO. os ot OEE 
Kant’s View of Space.—G. H. Lewes . . . ...... =. 289 
Transcendent Space.—Dr. C. M. InGLEBy . Se Aros soa! 2%) 
The Cyclone.—Reyv. S. J. Perry At oe Do oe oe Os oS 
The Suez Canal.—T. Loain, C.E. aslo ooo wo BS 
Mes OOO 69 OF moro oFD G o Gio oo o Yo AD 
Tue BesseMER Process UNDER Pressure. (With Jilustvations) . 292 
POOR ALS ep G Oo mg 1 £2 Kop meee Me wis 293 
SCIENTIFIC SERIALS . cetaoe co to. Gi ne obdea o 293 
SOCIETIES AND ACADEMIES . ... . . 204 
Diary. Booxs REecEIvVED 298 
Erratum.—The word “practical,” in the 37th line on page 267, should 
have been ‘‘partial.” 
