Feb. 10, 1870] 
NATURE 387 
I think if Mr. Lewes will turn to the preface to the first edi- 
tion of the ‘‘ Critick,” he will see that the transcendental logic 
only (and perhaps I might limit it to the transcendental dialectic) 
grapples a@zrectly with the problem indicated by the title of the 
book. The Aésthetic is a preliminary inquiry, which proves after- 
wards of great use; but is not to be considered as a Critick of 
Pure Reason in this particular department. His using the term 
“concept ” of space, is certainly confusing ; but its explanation, 
I think, is to be found in a passage in the ‘* Transcendental 
Exposition” of this ‘‘ concept” (Meiklejohn, p. 25), where he 
says, ‘It must be ovigzzeelly intuition, for from a mere conception 
no propositions can be deducted which go out beyond the con- 
ception and this happens in geometry.” In the preceding page 
he similarly qualifies his statement that Space is an intuition, 
**No conception as stch,” he says, “can be so conceived as if it 
contained, within itself, an infinite multitude of representations.” 
We may vow have a concept as well as an intuition of Space and 
Time ; but the intuition was the original form of the idea and it 
is to the intuition that we must always have recourse in mathe- 
matics when we wish to discover a new truth. 
I think, if Mr. Lewes will again read over the Transcendental 
Zésthetic and the parts of the Transcendental Analytic which are 
closely related to it, he will see that Kant never designates the 
original representations of space and time “‘ concepts,” or refers 
their origin to ‘‘ pure reason.” W. H. STANLEY Monck 
Trinity College, Dublin, Jan. 29 
[This correspondence must now cease. —ED.] 
NOTES 
THE Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society will be 
presented to M. Delaunay, the president of the Paris Academy 
of Sciences, to-morrow. It is to be regretted that the stay of 
the distinguished French savant in England is but short. 
WE referred last week to the “‘situation” at the Paris Obser- 
vatory. The action of the French Government has been of the 
promptest and M. Le Verrier is no longer Director. This step 
indicates very clearly—too clearly we fear—the strength of the 
case put before the Minister of Public Instruction, in the 
memorial, of which a copy has been sent to us. This document, 
which is signed by all the chefs de service—Villarceau, Marié- 
Davy, Wolf, and Loewy—and the astvonomes adjoints without 
exception, discusses all points connected with the administration 
of the Observatory, scientific and otherwise. It is to be sin- 
cerely hoped that M. Le Verrier may be able yet to do service 
to astronomy, in some other capacity, some position where his 
great talents alone will be called into play. His is a name that will 
never die, let us hope it is but momentarily eclipsed. 
THE Trustees of the Johnson Memorial Prize for the en- 
couragement of the study of astronomy and meteorology propose 
“the laws of wind” as the subject for the next essay :—1. With 
regard to storms ; 2. With regard to average periodical phe- 
nomena at given places on the earth’s surface. The prize is open 
to all members of the University of Oxford and consists of a 
gold medal of the value of ten guineas, together with so much 
of the dividends, for four years, on 338/. Reduced Annuities as shall 
remain after the cost of the medal and other expenses have been 
defrayed. Candidates are to send their essays to the registrar of 
the university under a sealed cover, marked ‘* Johnson Memorial 
Prize Essay,” on or before the 31st day of March, 1871, each 
candidate concealing his name, distinguishing his essay by a 
motto and sending at the same time his name, sealed up under 
another cover, with the same motto written upon it. No essay 
will be received after the 31st day of March, 1871. 
A NEw office has been constituted under the Public Works 
Department and Mr. Douglas Galton, C.B., F.R.S., has been 
appointed to it with the title of Director of Works and Buildings. 
We may congratulate ourselves that our public building will be 
looked after by one so eminently qualified by his high scientific 
attainments and great experience in such matters. 
AT the meeting of the French Academy on January 31, the 
two candidates recommended for the vacancy in the Bureau des 
Longitudes were M. de la Roche-Poncié and M. Gaussin. The 
former received 40 votes out of 43. At the same meeting the 
mineralogical section presented a list of candidates for the 
vacancy in the list of correspondents to replace Sir Roderick 
Murchison, who has recently been nominated a foreign associate. 
The candidates were, in the first rank, Prof. C. F. Naumann ; 
in the second, in alphabetical order, MM. Abich, Gustav 
Bischoff, Ami Boué, Dana, von Dechen, Domeyko, James Hall, 
von Hauer, von Helmersen, C. T. Jackson, Kjerulf, von Kok- 
scharow, W. E. Logan, W. H. Miller, Ferdinand Romer, 
Scacchi, A. Sismonda, and Studer. 
THE Goloss, of St. Petersburg, says that a special commission 
will shortly be appointed by the Academy of Sciences there, for 
the purpose of observing the transit of Venus on the 26th of 
November, 1874 (old style). The members of the commission 
are to be Messrs. Struve, Savitch and Wild, of the Russian 
Academy ; Messrs. Déllen and Wagner, superintendents of the 
Observatory at Pulkova ; Vice-Admiral S. J. Seleny and Major- 
General Forsch. The Go/oss adds that the reason the commis- 
sion will be appointed so early, is that much time will be 
required for making the necessary preparations and that similar 
commissions have been already appointed in England, France 
and Germany. 
Pror. W. H. FLower, who has recently been appointed 
Hunterian Professor of Comparative Anatomy and Physiology, 
will commence a course of eighteen lectures introductory 
to the study of the anatomy of the class Mammalia, on Monday, 
February 14, 1870, in the Theatre of the Royal College of 
Surgeons. The lectures are to be delivered on succeeding 
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, at four o’clock and will 
treat of methods and aims in the study of morphology: classifi- 
cation of the mammalia; osseous system of the mammalia: Axial 
skeleton—vertebral column; modifications of the characters of 
the vertebra in the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral and caudal 
regions inj different mammals; sternum, cranium, hyoid arch. 
Appendicular skeleton—essential structure and modifications of 
the bones composing the shoulder-girdle and anterior extremity ; 
structure and modifications of the pelvic girdle and posterior 
extremity; comparison between the structure and the functions of 
the anterior and the posterior extremities. Tegumentary system 
and its appendages: the dermis; modifications of the integument 
mainly due to peculiar conditions of the dermis; ossifications in 
the integument; the epidermis and its modifications; callosities, 
scales, nails, claws, hoofs, horns, hairs, spines, antlers, glan- 
dular organs connected with the integument, or opening on the 
external surface of the body; scent glands; mammary glands. 
Dental system: structure and essential characters of teeth; classi- 
fication and nomenclature of teeth; development and succession 
of teeth; modifications of the characters of the teeth in the 
different groups of the Mammalia; horny structures taking the 
place of teeth in certain mammals. Baleen, &c. These lectures 
are open to Fellows and Members of the College of Surgeons 
and of learned and scientific bodies in the United Kingdom. 
THE death is announced of E. W. Brayley, many years con- 
nected with the London Institution, and a frequent lecturer on 
scientific subjects. Mr. Brayley was well known for his scientific 
attainments and has contributed to scientific literature, some 
valuable papers on geology, astronomy and other subjects. 
THE second course of Cantor Lectures for the present Session 
will be given by Dr. Benjamin Paul, F.C.S. The course will 
consist of four lectures, ‘‘On the Phenomena of Combustion and 
the Chemical and Physical Principles involved in the Use of 
Fuel and in the Production of Artificial Light,” to be delivered 
on Monday evenings, the 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th of March, at 
8 o'clock, 
