394 
NATURE 
[7eb. Te; e7om 
chort paper on the Parasitic character of Pyrola rotundifolia— 
Wintergreen—and stated his belief, founded on minute personal 
investigation, that it 7s Parasitic on the root of the dwarf willow, 
Salix repens. We never found Pyrola where the willow was 
absent and in some cases he detected the fibrous roots of the 
Pyrola apparently growing on those of the willow. 
BRIGHTON 
Brighton and Sussex Natural History Society, January 
13.—The president, Mr. T. H. Hennah, in the chair. The 
receipt of a copy of a paper by Mr. C. Roper, on the Decapod 
Crustacea found at Eastboume, was announced.—Mr. J. E. 
Mayall communicated a note on what he helieved to be a new 
fact in connection with coal gas. While engaged in the spectrum 
analysis of organic bodies, he had found his results interfered 
with by the presence of copper. Examining the solutions and 
no trace of copper being found, it occurred to him that it might 
be present in the common coal gas used in the Bunsen lamp, in 
which the incandescence of the organic matter was produced. 
Having candles with wicks dipped in the chlorides of various 
metals always at hand as standard spectra, on comparing the 
flame of a copper candle with that of the gas under examination, 
their spectra were found to be identical. From this ke inferred 
the copper was generated from pyrites contained in the coal. 
Mr, J. E. Mayall then read a paper on Volcanic Theories. 
PARIS 
Academy of Sciences, January 24.—M. Lecoq de Bois- 
bandeau communicated a note on the continuity of luminous 
spectra, in which he developed his theory of the production of 
spectra by inequalities in the luminous molecules, and referred 
especially to the phenomena presented by rubidium, cesium, 
and potassium.—At this meeting there were no other papers on 
subjects of any special importance. 
January 31.—M. Veérard de Sainte-Anne read a Memoir on a 
project for establishing a communication between France and 
England. The author proposes the establishment of a railway 
bridge, cither open or tubular, across the Straits of Dover. - A 
continuation of M. J. Boussineq’s memoir on the theory of the 
flow of a liquid through an orifice in a thin partition was pre- 
sented by M. de Saint-Venant.—M. Gaiffe communicated a 
letter containing remarks on the process employed by Mr, Adams 
to produce deposits of nickel by electrolytric action, in which he 
maintained that the neutral chloride and sulphide of nickel and 
ammonia with no trace of free fixed alkali can alone furnish 
workable baths.—M M. Becquerel maintained that the presence 
of soda and potash does not hinder the deposition of the 
nickel.—M. A. Lallemand stated that when a solution of sul- 
phur in sulphide of carbon is exposed to solar light concentrated 
by a lens, insoluble sulphur is produced: the spectrum of the 
emergent light is deficient in all the rays between G and H and 
the ultra-violet spectrum has entirely disappeared. A solution 
of phosphorus in sulphide of carbon is similarly acted upon. 
—M. Cahours presented a note by M. L. Daniel, giving an 
account of some interesting experiments with vacuum-tubes 
under the influence of magnetism. — A note on the heat 
of combination of boron with chlorine and with oxygen, 
by MM. L. Troost and P, Hauteville, was presented by Mr. 
H. Sainte-Claire Deville, who also communicated a paper 
by Mr. Landrin on the division of a limited quantity of 
acid between two bases employed in excess. From his experi- 
ments it appears that the oxides are dissolved in simple equiva- 
lent proportions, 72, I to 2, 3, 4, 5, &c.—A note by M. E. 
Bourgoin on the cause of the unequal loss of oxalic acid at the 
positive and negative poles and on the nature of oxalic acid when 
dissolved in water, was presented by M. Bussy. The loss by 
decomposition is three times as great at the positive as at the 
negative pole ; the gas disengaged at the former is pure carbonic 
acid, at the latter hydrogen. The author concludes that the 
composition of oxalic acid in solution in water, is C+ H® O8, 2 
H2, O*.—M. C. Dareste read a paper on the convolutions of the 
brain.—M. P. Gervais presented a reply to the observations 
of M. Balbiani on the ova of the Sacculine, by M. E. Van 
Beneden and M. A. L. Donnadieu noticed a case of monstrosity 
(hemiterism) in a carp.—M. A. Chatin communicated a note 
on the cause of the dehiscence of the anthers of plants, in 
which he denies that this phenomenon is due exclusively 
to the fibrous cells of the endothecium as supposed by Purkinje 
and shows that in some cases certainly and in many others pro- 
bably, the exothecium or epidermic layer plays an important part 
in it, 
DIARY 
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10. 
Roya Socrety, at 8.30.—On some remarkable Spectra of Compounds of 
Zirconia and the Oxides of Uranium: H. C. Sorby, F.R.S.—On the 
Mathematical Theory of Stream Lines, especially those with four foci 
and upwards: Professor Rankine.—On Linear Differential Equations: 
W. H. L. Russell, F.R.S. 
MATHEMATICAL SocIETY, at 8.—Quartic Surfaces: Prof. Cayley. 
ZooLtocicaL Society, at 8.30.—Ona new Cervine Animal from the Yang- 
tze-Kiang: R. Swinhoe.—On the Size of the Red Corpuscles of the 
Blood of ALoschus, Tragulus, Orycteropus, Ailurus aud some other 
mammalia, with historical notices: G. Gulliver. 
ANTIQUARIES, at 8.30. 
Lonpon INSTITUTION, at 7 30. 
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11. 
QvurKeTr Mrcroscoricat Ciun, at 8.—For exhibition of objects and 
microscopic gossip. 
Roya Institution, ato.—The Deep Sea: Dr. Carpenter. 
ASTRONOMICAL SocieTy, at 3.—Anniversary Meeting. 
SATURDAY, Veurvary 12, 
ROYAL BoTAnic, at 3.30. 
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14. 
Mepicat Society, at 8. 
Roya InstTituTE oF British ARCHITECTS, at 8. 
TUESDAY, Fesruary 15. 
ANTHROPOLOGICAL Society, at 8.—On the Aborigines of the Chatham 
Islands: Dr. Barnard Davis and A. Welch.—Polygamy: Dr. John 
Campbell.—Inscribed Stone from Venezuela: R. Tate. 
PATHOLOGICAL SocIETY, at 8. 
SratisTicat Society, at 8.—On International Coinage and the Variations 
of Foreign Exchanges during recent years: E. Seyd. 
INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS, at 8. 
Roya Institution, at 3.—On the Architecture of the Human Bedy: 
Prof. Humphry. 
WEDNESDAY, Fesrvary 16. 
Society or Arts, at 8.—On Emigration : T. Plummer. 
METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY, at 7. 
THURSDAY, YEGRUARY 17. 
Roya. InsTITuTION, at 3—Chemistry: Prof. Odling. 
LINNEAN Society, at 8.—On the Tree Ferns of British Sikkim: Mr. Scott. 
CHEMICAL SocIETY, at 8. 
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY, at 4. 
ANTIQUARIES, at 8.30. 
Roya Society, at 8.30. 
BOOKS RECEIVED 
TENGLISH.—Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute, 
1868: Edited by J. Hector, M.D. (Triibner).—The Year Book of Facts: 
J. Timbs (Lockwood and Co.). 
ForeIGN.—BPericht tiber die Fortschritte der Eisenhiitten-Technik im 
Jahre, 1867, ncbst einem Anhange enthaltend die Fortschritte der anderen 
Metallurgischen Gewerbe: A. K. Kerpely.—Studien aus dem Institute fiir 
expcerimentelle Pathologie in Wien aus dem Jahre, 1269: S. Stricker.— 
Zeitschrift fiir Parasitenkunde: Dr. E. Hallier and Dr. F. Ziirn. -Hand- 
buch der theoretischen und clinischen Percussion und Auscultation yom 
historischer und critschen Standpuncte bearbeitet: Dr. P. Niemeyer.— 
Beitrage zur Naturkunde Preussens herausgegeben von der kéniglichen 
physikalisch-6konomischen Gesellschaft zur KOnisberg: miocene baltische 
Flora: O. Heer.—Landwirthschafliche Zoologie : Dr. C. E. Giebel (Williams 
and Norgate). 
CONTENTS 
THE Royat COMMISSION ON SCIENCE. « » » «© «© «© « 2 © «= « 
IeFopMd GAVE IN po) GV Noto Ge nly deo. ger ool Oo 6 oO a 3 ay 
HosritaL Construction. (W7th Iliustrations.) . . . + + » » 377 
I GtopiCpolené IMINO G Gm 6 oO oo 0 CO a oO oo o 6 SF 
Our Book SHELF . er Ne! an jai tey fel. ied) (e Lre) le Wesa le teltoNt =) a EC 
Tue Work or THE SEA. By CHartes W. WuiTaker. (IV ith 
LTD AO ON ONn SO. Dbithhon D Geol oa ot Og 0 a 9 oo GUE 
MicroscoricaL INVESTIGATON OF METEORITES. . . - « » « « 382 
LETTERS TO THE EpITOR:— 
Japanese Sea Shells.—J. Gwyn JeFFreys, F.R.S. . . . . . . 383 
An \OversizhtibyMaradays—Jk ye iets =) te elas eMtel cts IN Te nC ma ON 
Where are the Nebula ?—Ricup. A. Procror, F.R.A.S.. . . . 384 
Analogy of Colour and Music.—W. S. Okety; Francis DEAs . 384 
Government Aid'to Science: —E. G. AU). 2 2. Se SR 385 
Kant’s View of Space.—Grorce Henry Lewes; W. H. STANLEY 
NG) <oider a iid Oe PeOroed o cain 6 Alo oa oc a 6 2s 
Were Gidea ooo 6 Go DO 4 6 Oo So oO wo 0 oo Ay 
Screnriric SERIALS Db oD 2 - 389 
SociETIES AND ACADEMIES :— 
Lonpon—Royal Society ; Royal Astronomical ; Zoological ; Chemi- 
cal ; Royal Geographical ; Anthropological . . . + 390—392 
DUSLIN—NaturalBELstonys siecle memo nn-nl nte 303 
Mancuester—Literary and Philosophical. . . . . . . « « 393 
Liverroor—Naturalists’ Field Club . . . .. .- On OFrE 
Bricguton—Brighton and Sussex Natural History . - 304. 
Paris—Academy of Sciences. 5 394 
Diary, Books RECEIVED ... . « : Bas ont 3 ae . + 304 
