446 
NATURE 
[/eb. 24, 1870 
of which he ascribes to the splitting of a drop of water too 
large to form a single crystal; the twin crystals are united by 
a small stay of a hexagonal prismatic form, having each of 
its edges corresponding exactly to the origin of one of the six 
regular branches of the two crystals.—A note by M. P. Bert 
on the influence of green light on the Sensitive plant, was 
presented by M. Claude Bernard. The author placed several 
young Sensitive plants in lanterns filled with variously coloured 
glass, and found that those exposed to green light lost their 
sensibility and died almost as quickly as those placed in 
perfect darkness. —M. A. Milne-Edwards communicated a 
note on some Mammalia from Eastern Thibet, which notwith- 
standing the rigour of the climate, is inhabited by two species 
of monkeys, a MMacacus and a Semnopithecus.—The author 
noticed two forms of Insectivorous mammals forming new 
genera—one, which he calls Wectoga/le elegans, being intermediate 
between the Desmans and the Shrews ; the other very nearly 
related to the latter, and called Amowrvosorex on account of the 
rudimentary state of its tail—A singular animal, resembling a 
bear in general appearance, was noticed as forming a new genus, 
Ailuropoda, allied to the pandas and raccoons.—A long-snouted 
mole and a new flying squirrel were also mentioned.—The 
following notes and memoirs were communicated, but no parti- 
culars of their contents are given.—On the statistics of the 
therapeutical properties of the mineral waters of Baréges, 
Amélie-les-Bains, Vichy, and Bourbonne, by M. Champouillon; 
on some questions which may be referred to the theory of per- 
manent isothermal lines, by M. E. Combescure ; on staphylo- 
raphie, and on the action of hydrate of chloral, by Mr. Lawson 
Tait ; on the cause of the oscillatory movement of molecular 
granules by M. Lerique de Mouchy ; on an accumulation of 
heat by the concentration of radiant heat through convex 
lenses of rock salt and the application of this heat to the 
production of a current of air giving rise to a continuous move- 
ment, by M. Vernier ; on the production of the electric light by 
induction coils, by M. Delaurier; and a note on the trisection 
of the angle, by M. L. Vezzia. 
BERLIN 
German Chemical Society, February 14.—A. W. Hofmann 
gave a new instance of the aid science derives from industry. 
The manufacture of chloral yields as a secondary product chloride 
of ethyle mixed with other chlorinated liquids. By treating this 
mixture with alcoholic ammonia in Frankland’s digester, large 
quantities of the chlorides of ethylated ammonia bases are 
formed, while sal-ammoniac separates. This appears now to be 
the most reasonable method for producing ethyl-amines. Thechlo- 
rinated compounds mixed with the chloride of ethyl are not acted 
upon by NH,. Theyremain behind. These liquids commence to 
boil at 30° C., and seem to consist partly of dichlorinated marsh 
gas.—O. Liebreich reported on Suewern’s disinfecting process. 
The bulk of the substance employed consists of lime disguised by 
the presence of chloride of magnesium and tar. Its utility 
proved to be very limited. Amongst the details given by Mr. 
Liebreich he mentioned that the canal water operated upon 
contained nitrogenous matter in extremely variable quantities 
according to the temperature of the air. For 59 parts of N. 
found in it during warm days, it contained 2 parts only while 
the weather was cold.—V. Meyer described a new and ingenious 
synthetical method for producing organic acids. This method 
is founded on the observation that formiate of sodium, when 
heated, splits into H and the group COO Na. Thus, when 
heated alone, the formiate yields oxalate of sodium and H,. 
When heated with the potassium salt of a sulpho-organic 
acid such as phenyl-sulphurous acid HKSOs, acid sulphate of 
potassium separates and COO Na takes the place occupied by the 
group KSO 3. In the instance mentioned benzoate of sodium is 
formed. Sulphobenzoate of potassium similarly treated yields 
isophtalic acid. The same chemist made some interesting re- 
marks on the constitution of camphor and of camphoric acid.— 
Mr. Franck, the discoverer of potassium salts in Stassfurth, and 
the originator of the important industry founded on this occur- 
rence, gave some details of the manufacture of bromine from the 
mother liquors. After describing an apparatus for pouring 
bromine from one yessel to another, he described his process for 
purifying this substance by re-distillation. This he {effects by 
allowing the vapour to pass through a solution of bromide of iron 
before it passes into the condenser. The chlorine mixed with 
the bromine is thus retained in the shape of chloride of iron. 
Bromide of iron is the best material for the production of potas- 
sium. It is also well suited for transport ; and a large quantity of 
the bromine shipped to America, goes there in the form of dry 
bromide of iron. Parchment-paper and clay mixed with colza 
oil, serve to unite the vessels used in the distilling process of 
bromine. The retorts are made of sandstone, and are lined 
with tar inside. The bromine acts on the tar, entailing the in- 
evitable loss of sixty or eighty pounds of bromine in a new 
retort, and the production of brominated organic products, 
boiling between 60° and 400° C., but containing no bromoform, 
The bromine manufactured at Stassfurth contains no trace of 
iodine. 
DIARY 
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24. 
Roya Society, at 8.30.—Note on Certain Lichens: Dr. Stenhouce.— 
Successive Action of Sodium and Iodide of Ethyle upon Acetic Ether : 
Dr. Frankland and Mr. Duppa. 
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY, 
Society oF ANTIQUARIES, at 8.30.—On the Guilds at Wymondham, Nor- 
folk: Mr. G. A. Carthew. 
Roya INSTITUTION, at 3.—Chemistry ; Prof. Odling. 
Lonpon INSTITUTION, at 7.30. 
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25. 
QuEKETT Microscorica Cup, at 8.’ 
Roya Institution, at 9—On the Results of the Ordnance Survey of 
Sinai: Captain Wilson. 
SATURDAY, Fevruary 26. 
Royat InsTiITuTION, at 3—Science of Religion: Prof. Max Miiller. 
Roya. Botanic Society, at 3.45. 
MONDAY, Fesrvary 28. 
GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY, at 8.30. 
INSTITUE OF BrITISH ARCHITECTS, at 8. 
INSTITUTE OF ACTUARIES, at 7.—On the Proper Method of Loading the 
Premiums required for the Grant of Life Annuities and Assurances ; 
Mr. W. M. Makeham. 
Lonpvon INsTITUTION, at 4. 
TUESDAY, Marcu tr. 
MEDICAL AND CHIRURGICAL SOCIETY, at 8.30. 
ANTHROPOLOGICAL SocieTY, at 8.—On the Circassian Slaves and the 
Sultan’s Harem: Majo: F. Millingen. 
INSTITUTION OF CiviIL ENGINEERS, at 8,—Discussion upon The Mhow- 
Ke-Mullee Viaduct, and The Pennair Bridge.—The Wolf Rock Light- 
house: Mr. J. N. Douglass. 
Syro-EcGyPTIANn SOCIETY, at 7.30. 
Royav InstiruTIon, at 3-—Plant Life: Dr. Masters. 
WEDNESDAY, Marcu 2. 
OBSTETRICAL Society, at 8.—Anniversary. 
HortIcuLTuRAL Society, at 1 30. 
Society oF Arts, at 8. 
THURSDAY, Makxcu 3. 
Roya InsTITUTION, at 3.—Chemistry : Prof. Odling. 
Roya Society, at 
Linnean Socigty, at 8.—On Hybridism among Cinchone: Mr. J. © 
Broughton. 
—S 
CONTENTS PAGE 
THe MINISTER OF Pusric INSTRUCTION 5 423 
ProtopLasmM.—By Dr. H. CHARLTON BasTIAN . 424 
AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY (W2th [llustrations.). 426 
Our Book SHELF - Ondo Rho cf yo) aes 428 
Tue TRIAL OF THE Pyx 429 
LETTERS TO THE EvrToR:— 
Red-necked Grebe—W. TuckWELL Gyr + 430 
Prof. Listing’s Amplifier—Dr. Royston Picott . 430 
Analogy of Colour and Music—Sepiey TayiLor 36 430 
Solar Spots visible to the naked eye—Ropert M‘CiurE . 431 
Flight of Birds—T. Sournwett . . ...... 431 
Relations of the State to Scientific Research.—In Sicco + 431 
NKokye GWO OL Clo bo acd. — ciclo oS: Be on iS sa «0 43% 
Canons. (With Illustrations. ArcH. GEIKIE, F.R.S. ae 
SGHENTIRIC! SERIAL ES Rd) oto ath te, eee eee eg oe 
On THE PROGRESS OF PAL@ONTOLOGY. By Prof. T. H. Huxvey, F.R.S. 437 
Soci: TIES AND ACADEMIES |) [eilel 10) <<) leh sal latina ene: Renonanna act 
ID} S-) ae eA ae ORE el OM CIC EN MO pat. Lge “Onion id a LEE. 
ErrATa.—Page 409, first column sixth line: for ‘‘Fern Deal,” read 
“ Ferndene.”—Page 410, first column, fourth line: for ‘‘29,” read “ 19,"— 
Page 410, second column, fortieth line: for “so,” read ‘‘4o,”—Page 406, 
second column, twenty-fourth line: for ‘‘ x,” read “g.”” 
_Professor Jevons requests us to state that the subject of the paper read by 
him at the Manchester Philosophical Society, though similar to that read a 
the Royal Society, was not the same as was inadvertently stated in our repor 
at p. 393. 
| 
