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209 
NATURE 
+. (Fan. 20, 1870 
forms. Of the species described, 12 are from the middle 
miocene of Turin, 4 from the middle pliocene of Castelarquato, 
and the remaining 5 from the upper pliocene of the neighbour- 
hood of Reggio in Calabria.—Professor A. Winckler presented 
a memoir on some formulze and methods relating to the theory 
of definite integrals. —Dr. Tiele, of Bonn, and Dr. T. Oppolzer 
communicated statements of the elements of Comet III, 1869, 
and the latter a memoir on the determination of the path of a 
comet.—Professor E. Hering presented a first memoir on the 
influence of respiration on the circulation of the blood, in which 
he maintained that the system of the vasomotor nerves expe- 
riences a periodic innervation by the respiratory nervous centre, 
which causes periodic contractions of the muscular coat of the 
vessels. These he regarded as respiratory movements of the 
vascular system.—Dr. F. Steindachner communicated the 
second portion of*his memoir on the Fishes of the Senegal, in 
which he described the species (28 in number) belonging to the 
families Gobiidz, Mugilide, Gerrida, Chromidz, Anabatidee, 
Pletronectidz, and a part of the Siluridze. Four of these were 
described as new, namely: Lveotris senegalensis, daganensis, 
and Lebretonis, and Mugil Dumerili. The first two belong 
to Bleeker’s sub-genus Ci//ius, the previously known representa- 
tives of which occur in the Indian Ocean and Polynesia. The 
author regarded Chromis mossambicus (Peters) as specifically 
distinct from C. niloticus, Hemichromis bimaculatus and auritus 
(Gill), and A. guttatus (Giinther) as varieties of one species, 
Chrysichthys acutirestris (Giinther) as identical with C. wigro- 
digitatus (Lac.), and Gerres octactis (Bleeker) with G. melanopterus 
of the same author. 
BERLIN 
German Chemical Society, January to. — The fol- 
lowing papers were read :—Wichelhaus, ‘*‘On a base isomeric 
with cyanide of ammonium.” By the action of the tribasic 
formic ether CH (OC,H,), on acetamide NH,C,H,0, a base of 
the following composition, CH.NC,H,0.NHC,H,0, was 
obtained. ‘This substance is converted by water into the acetate 
of the new base CH.NH.NH,. The latter is a volatile liquid, 
yielding crystallised salts. — Philipp, ‘On perchloride of iodine ;” 
Hansen, ‘‘On the ethylides of thallium;” P. W. Hofmann, 
“On the manufacture of sulphuric acid.” The author, who is 
at the head of the manufactory of Dienze in France, accounts for 
the loss of oxides of nitrogen in the manufacture of sulphuric 
acid, by proving that these oxides are partly reduced to nitrogen, 
when the sulphuric acid in the lead-chambers sinks below a cer- 
tain strength. The loss can therefore be avoided by carefully 
regulating the steam admitted into the chambers.—Schoras, (1) 
“Qn the influence of sunlight on the reduction of metallic 
chlorides through oxalic and tartaric acids;” (2) ‘‘On the 
colorisation of dry platinocyanides through traces of mois- 
ture.”’— Friedel and Ladenburg, ‘‘ On silicopropioxic acid ;” 
Tieman, ‘‘ On derivatives of guanidine ;” Junning, ‘‘ Mechani- 
cal explanations of chemical reactions ;” Schuchard, ‘*On the 
preparation of zirconium.” 
Bonn 
"Lower Rhenish Society for Natural and Medical 
Science—Chemical Section, November 13. — Professor Binz 
exhibited a new body, ** Dihydroxylchinin,” obtained byG. Kerner 
from quinine by treating the latter with potassic permanganate. 
It gives all the reactions of the alkaloid, but differs from it 
amongst other things in the want of basic properties and the 
absence of influence on the organ of taste. It likewise differs 
from it essentially in its physiological properties, being entirely 
indifferent even in large doses. Dr. Zinke gave an account. of 
new synthesis of aromatic acids. He has obtained phenyl-acetic 
acid from Monochloroacetic acid, and brombenzol by treatment 
with finely-divided silver. Professor Kekulé communicated the 
results of some experiments of Dr. Thorpe, showing that bromine 
free from iodine enters the ethyl-group of ethylbenzole even at a 
low temperature, and that from the bromide thus formed various 
derivatives can be obtained, some of which have already been 
proved by Berthelot. Dr. Budde gave a preliminary report on 
his researches on the electric conductivity of hydrogen, oxygen, 
and nitrogen, at various pressures. His results agree most nearly 
with those of Faraday, and show a greater decrease of resistance 
than of pressure. 
November 27.-—-Dr. Muck communicated his recent researches 
on the formation of manganic sulphide from various manga- 
nese salts and various soluble sulphides. ~ Professor Rhitthausen 
likewise made some communications on the occurrence (not 
hitherto obseryed) of amygdaline in vetch seeds. 
DIARY 
THURSDAY, -Jaxvary 20. 
Royav InsTirution, at 3—On the Chemistry of Vegetable Products: 
Prof. Odling. ee 
Royat Society, at 8.30—QOn the Mechanical Performance of Logical 
Inference : W. Stanley Jevons —Preliminary Paper on certain Drifting 
Motions of the Stars: R. A. Proctor.—On Jacobi’s Theorem respecting 
the relative Equilibrium of a Revolving Ellipsoid of Fluid, and on Ivory’s 
Discussion of the Theorem: J. Todhunter, F.R-S. : 
Linnean Soctrty, at 8—On the Flora of Iceland: Prof. Babington.—On 
_New British Spiders: Rev. O. P. Cambridge. 
ZooLoGicaL Soctery, 8.30.—Descriptions of a new genus and of 
eighteen new species of Land and Marine Shells: Henry Adams. —On 
the genus Pelargopsis of the family Alcedinide: R. B. Sharpe.— 
Description of a new Fish from the vicinity of Aden: Lieut.-Colonel 
R. L. Playfair. 
CHEMICAL Society, at 8. 
NuMisMatTIc SOcIETY, at 7. 
FRIDAY, JANUARY 21. 
Roya. Institution, at 3-—On Haze and Dust: Professor ‘'yndall. 
PHILOLOGICAL Society, at 8.15. 
SATURDAY, January 22. 
Roya. INsTiTuT10N, at 3—On Meteorology: Mr. Scott. 
Royat Boranic Sociery, at 3.45- 
MONDAY, January 24. 
Royat GEroGRAPHICAL SOCIETY, at 8.30. 
ENTOMOLOGICAL Society, at 7.—Anniversary Meeting. 
Lonpon InstiTuTION, at 4. Mepicav Socigry, at 8. 
TUESDAY, January 25, 
Roya Institution, at 8.—On the Architecture of the Human Body: 
Prof Humphrey. 
ErHNoLoGicaL Society, at 8.—On the Origin of the Tasmanians, geologi- 
cally considered: J. Bonwick—On a Frontier-line of Ethnology and 
Geology: H. H. Howorth.—The Nicobar Islanders : G. M. Atkinson. 
INSTITUTION OF CrIvIL ENGINEERS, at 8. 
Rovat MeEpICcAL AND CHIRURGICAL SOCIETY, at 8.30. 
WEDNESDAY, January 26. 
Society or Arts, at 8.—On the Modes of Reading in Use bythe Blind, and 
the Means for arriving at Uniformity : Thomas Armitage, M.D. 
GrotocicaL Society, at 8.—On the Crag of Norfolk and associated Beds: 
Joseph Prestwich, F.R.S., F.G.S.—On the Fossil Corals of the South 
Australian Tertiary Deposits: Dr. P. Martin Duncan, F.R.S., Sec. G.S. 
—Note on a very large undescribed Wealdean Vertebra: - J. W. Hulke, 
E.R.S., F.G-S. 
ARCHAOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION, at 8. 
ANTIQUARIES, at 8°30. 
BOOKS RECEIVED 
Enxcutsu.—The Vear-book of Photography for 1870: G. W. Simpson 
(Piper and Carter).—The Bible in India: Louis Jacolliot (J. C. Hotten).— 
The Body and its Health: E. D. Mapother, M.D. (Simpkin, Marshall and 
Co).—Natural Phenomena and Chronology of the Seasons, Part I. : 
E J. Lowe, F.R.S. (Bell and Daldy).—Journal of the Statistical Society. — 
The Geology, Botany, and Zoology of the Neighbourhood of Alnwick: 
G. Tate (H. Hunter). 
ForeiGN.—Note sur les Surcharges & considerer dans les Calculs des © 
Tabliers Metalliques: M. L. Leygue.—Chénes de ]'Amerique Tropicale. — 
Compendium der Physiologie des Menschen : Julius Budge. — Untersuchungen 
aus dem Physiologischen Laboratorium in Wurzburg: R. Gescheidlen. —Die 
Praktische Markscheidekunst: E. Borchers.—Industries anciennes et 
moderne de l’Empire Chinois: Paul Champion.—Annales des Sciences 
Géologiques: Hébert et Alph. Milne-Edwards.— Cours Elémentaire de 
Mecanique Theorique et Appliquée: Ch. Delauny.—Cours Elementaire 
d’Astronomie: Ch. Delaunay. —Recherches sur Il’Ancienneté de l' Homme 
dans les Grottes et Monuments Megalithiques du Vivarais: J. Ollier de Mari- 
chad—Berliner Astronomisches Jahrbuch fiir 1872: W. Forster —Handbuch 
der Chemischen Technologie: P. A. Bolley —Ueber die Altesten Formen 
des Organischen Lebens: Ferd. Roemer.—Ueber den Parasitismus in der 
Organischen Natur: Maximilian Pertz (through Williams and Norgate). 
CONTENTS Pace 
Tue ProyecrepD CHANNEL Raitways. II. (With Map.) ._. . .. 303 
Dx. BALFouR STEWART’s MergoroLocicat BLockape. By Prof. Sir 
WiALLIAM cL HOMSON, Roose ceeds: ss) fe chicane Si EO 
Tue SCENERY OF ENGLAND AND WALES . . 306 
Our Book SHELF... . gos - 
SENSATION AND Perception. By Dr. H. Cuartton Bastian, F.R.S. 309 
Tue GERMAN AND SWEDISH EXPEDITIONS TO THE ARCTIC REGIONS. 
By Ricnaknp A. Procror, FRAS (With Map.) = 3x2 
ImproveD Eciipse CAMERA. (With Iélustration.). . 313, 
Lerrexs To THE EviroR:— Z 
Kant’s View of Space —Prof. T. H. Huxtey, F.RS.; Dr. C. M. 
INGLEBY =| Prof: J;-J. SYLVESTER, PeR.o. 9 oso ee teen 
Correlation of Colour and Music.—W. R. Grove, F.R.S., Q.C. ; 
Dr: KDE CHAUMONT 3 fo) Ealsn 620c ee 6) Yor tel inl pe 
Government Aid to Science —ALrrep R. Watvace, F RGS.. . 315 
Food of Oceanic Animals. —J. Gwyn Jerrreys, F.RS.; Prof. 
Wyvitte Tuomson, F.R.S.; Dr. P. Martin Duncan, F.R.S>.315 - 
Notes SPOS de oars 316 
AN!HROPOLOGY AND ETHNOLOGY . 318 
SOCIETIES AND ACADEMIES. . . . .'« « 319 
Diary. Books Receirvep - 322 
Errata —Page 238, second column, line 34 of footnote: for ‘habitude” 
read “ hebetude.”—Page 289, second column, line 37: for “*rectorial” read 
“vectorial.” : : ; 
