470 
on the diamonds discovered at Dlaschkowitz in Bohemia, in 
which it was stated that fragments of the stone have been burnt, 
for the purpose of demonstrating its identity with diamonds from 
other localities.--A note from M. Liebreich on the use of 
strychnine as an antidote for chloral, was presented by M. 
Wurtz. The physiological action of these two substances was 
stated to be so antagonistic, that either of them may be employed 
with more or less effect as an antidote to the other.—M. 
Duchartre communicated a memoir by M. Prillieux on the 
formation of small masses of ice in the interior of plants. These 
masses, which occur in many plants, when exposed to severe frosts, 
were described by the author as composed of numerous prismatic 
needles closely applied to each other, and formed inlacunze between 
the cells of the living tissues. —M. A. Chatin presented a second 
note on the causes of the dehiscence of anthers, in which he 
described the part taken in the production of this phenomenon 
by the second membrane or mesothecium.—M. F. Lenormant 
continued his notes on animals known to the ancient Egyptians, 
with an account of the domestication of some species of ante- 
lopes under the old empire, especially the fourth and fifth 
dynasties—Of the following communications no particulars are 
given.. A memoir by M. Delaurier on a new general theory of 
the production of static and dynamic electricity, —an clectvo-thermic 
theory ; a memoir on the pathology and therapeutics of cholera, 
by M. J. de Zycki of Wilna; a note by M. G. Adeline on the 
influence of copper as a preservative from cholera; a note by 
M. Allegret in continuation of his remarks on the geometrical 
representation of the elliptical function of the first kind with an 
arbitrary modulus, &c.; a note on the theory of magic squares, 
by M. Marie; a letter on the formation of ice, and a note ona 
case of catalepsy from Mr. Jackson Davis. 
NeEw ZEALAND 
Wellington Philosophical Society, November 13, 1869.— 
Mr. W. L. Travers, F.L.S., in the chair. 
Dr. Hector called attention to two live specimens of the mud 
fish from Hokitika, Veochanna apoda of Gunther. The speci- 
mens were swimming actively in clear water, and had perfect 
vision, although their eyes are small, so that the undeveloped 
state of the eye in the specimen previously received must have 
been exceptional. The Hon. Mr. Fox remarked that these mud 
fish were not peculiar to Hokitika. Five years ago he remem- 
bered seeing a fish dug up froma grayelly-clay ten feet below 
the surface at Rangitikei, and he believed that it was identical 
with the fish exhibited. 
A remarkable meteor, observed in Wellington on the 8th inst. 
at 11.30 P.M., was described by the Rev. Mr. Stock. It was 
observed in E.S.E. and descended almost vertically with three 
distinct coruscations, attended by showers of sparks and bright 
prismatic colours. The brightness was equal to that of Venus. 
Mr. Kebbell and Mr. Gillon corroborated Mr. Stock’s observa- 
tions. A description of three additions to the New Zealand flora, 
with specimens, was laid on the table, and Dr. Hector gave a 
short abstract of a report by Mr. Kirk, of Auckland, on the 
botany of Cape Colville peninsular. This paper gave the results 
of a survey that had been made for the Geological Department 
for the purpose of obtaining an accurate record of the original 
vegetation, as it was undergoing rapid modification by the gold 
diggers. Several new species of plants were described, of which 
specimens were exhibited. 
The next paper was a description of the mechanical apparatus 
employed in raising the Zuvanaki, by Mr. J. T. Stewart. Dr. 
Hector directed attention to a collection of the marine animals 
that were found on the vessel, among which are three species of 
anomia, two of mytilus, ostrea, pecten, sexpula, balanius, and 
teredo. We remarked that some of these animals are usually con- 
fined to depths only slightly below low water. Their occurring 
so well-grown within a year at the depth of 100 feet, seemed to 
indicate that depth of water did not so much control their exist- 
ence as a supply of nourishment, which was probably abundant 
near the wreck. 
Mr. Skey showed that the temperature obtained by the common 
blowpipe, with proper precautions against conduction of heat, 
was at least 5,100° Fahr., as it is capable of fusing fine points of 
platinum, and described a new process to facilitate the analysis 
of supposed auriferous quartz, when sulphides were present in 
large quantities. Iodine or bromine is used as the solvent, and a 
apid test is obtained by dipping filter paper in the solution 
and burning it with due care, when if gold be present a very 
characteristic purple hue is imparted to the ash. Ly this test 
NATURE 
[March 3, 1870 
the presence of gold in the proportion of one dwt. in the ton 
can be detected with great economy and certainty. 
Dr. Hector described the bones of a fossil penguin recently 
discovered on the west coast of Nelson, and presented to the 
museum by Mr. Dingan. The discovery is interesting, as a fossil 
bone found by Mr, Mantell in the Oamaru limestone of Otago in 
1849, was pronounced by Prof. Huxley to belong to a gigantic 
penguin five feet in height. ‘The fossil bones found by Mr. 
Dingan, appeared to be those of a bird not larger than penguins 
that still exist in antarctic seas. The fossil shells sent from the 
same formation as the bones, indicate that they belong to a lower 
pliocene period. ; 
Mr. Hamilton read a paper on the educational system. 
DIARY 
THURSDAY, Marcu 3. 
Roya Society, at 8.30.—Results of Monthly Observations of Dip and 
Horizontal Force made at Kew Observatory: Dr. Balfour Stewart.— 
Spectroscopic Observations made with the great Melbourne Telescope, 
Nebula in Argo, and the Spectrum of Jupiter: A. Le Sueur. 
CHEMICAL SocleTy, at 8.—Indices of Refraction: Dr. Gladstone. 
Linnean Society, at 8.—Hybridism among Cinchonz; Mr. J. Broughton. 
PATHOLOGICAL Society, at 8. . 
Ee tae BS CERRO at 3.—Chemistry of Vegetable Products: Prof. 
Odling. 
Society oF ANTIQUARIES, at 8.30.—Monastic Inventories: Rey. M.S. C. 
Walcott. 
Lonpon INSTITUTION, at 7.30. 
FRIDAY, Mancu 4. 
Groxoaists’ AssocraTIon, at 8, 
PHILOLOGICAL Society, at 8.15. 
Roya InstTiruTion, at 9.—Iron-built Ships: Mr. E. J. Reed, C.B. 
ARCHAZOLOGICAL INSTITUTE. 
SATURDAY, Marcu 5. 
Royat InstitTvTIon, at 3.—Science of Religion: Prof. Max Miiller. 
MONDAY, Makcu 7. 
Lonpon InsTITUTION, at 4. 
MEDICAL Society, at 8. 
ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY, at 7. 
Society oF Arrs, at 8—Cantor Lecture: Dr. Paul. 
Roya InsTiTuTion, at 2—General Monthly Meeting. 
TUESDAY, Marcu 8. 
PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY, at 8. A 
ETHNOLOGICAL Society, at 8.—On the opening of a Cairn in North 
Wales: Col. A. Lane Fox.—On the Earliest Phases of Civilisation: 
Hodden M. Westropp. 
InsTITUTION OF CivIL ENGINEERS, at 8.—The San Paulo Railway, Brazil: 
Mr. D. M. Fox, M. Inst. C.E. 
MEDICAL AND CHIRURGICAL SOCIETY, at 8.30. 
Roya INsTITUTION, at 3.—Plant Life: Dr. Masters. 
WEDNESDAY, Marcu 9. 
Society or Arts, at 8.—Street Tramways: W. B. Adams. 
ARCHAOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION, at 8. 
Royat Microscopic Society, at 8.—1. On the Comparative Steadiness of 
the Ross and Lister Models under Trying Circumstances; 2. On the 
Shell Structure of Fusulina; 3. On the Microphyle of the Fish’s Ovum ; 
4. On the Reparation of the Spines of Echini: Dr. W. B. Carpenter. 
GroLocicaL SocieTy, at 8.—On the Structure of a Fern-stem from the 
Lower Eocene of Herne Bay, and on its allies, recent and fossil: Mr. 
W. Carruthers, F.L.S., F.G.S.—On the Oolites of Northamptonshire : 
Mr. Samuel Sharp, F.G.S.—On the Geology of the district of Waipara 
River, New Zealand: Mr. T. H. C. Hood, F.G.S. 
THURSDAY, Marcn 10. 
Royat InsTiTuUTION, at 3.—Chemistry : Prof, Odling. 
Royat Society, at 8.30. 
MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY, at 8. ‘ 
ZooLoGicaL Society, at 8.30.—On Dinornis: Professor Owen.—Descrip- 
tion of a new species of Ampullaria: Dr. J. C. Cox.—On the Birds of 
Veragua: Mr. O. Salvin.—On new birds from the Yantze-kiang: Mr. 
R. Swinhoe. 
Lonpon INSTITUTION, at 7.30. 
CONTENTS 
NatuRAL SCIENCE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE, 
Pace 
By Rey. 
T. G. Bonney. . TRU ee ee eet as ae 
Tue Measurement oF Geovocicat Time. II, By A. R. WaLLAcz, 
CNS eas SOUR ae LD aoe ee: “eae red oS 452) 
FRESHWATER CRUSTACEA OF NoRWAY .... +--+ + © « + « 455 
Tue THREE Kincpoms or NaTuRE Sere Meee » 450 
Our Boox' SHELE <4. (50 oh oh. ease eel Oe a ee 
Letters TO THE Eprror:— 5 
On Prof. Tyndall’s Exposition of Helmholtz’s Theory of Musical 
Consonanc:—SEDLEY TAYLOR . enon” ont 7 
The Valuation of Liquid Town Sewage—Dr. Benjamin H. Paur 459 
Weeds in newly turned ground Pa oF CP CUCM eo, Zise) 
Skeleton Lectureson Science. . . « - += +» +» + 6 = «© + + 459 
AnciENT BriTISH LonGc Barrows (With Jilustrations.) . . a Trude 400 
How LARGE SEEMS THE Moon? By R.A. Procror, F R.A.S. . ~ 462 
NOTES) ie! Cet eed se) beri taeets Pe niece igen oF > 2 
ous heme, el Gh dt RO yO - 405 
SCIENTIFIC (SERUAUS) ber Melt) ojo ge cence VaNey dell eych Selle aialt=amS EES 405 
Srar-Drirt. ‘By R.A. Proctor, F.R.AS. . . . . 2 + «© + + 466 
SOCIETIES AND ACADEMIES Sekb.c Pie Ey cee on! ep Oe Be AON, 
Diary 9.) Ae. ARTE Bh a Rs eS ere ee ee ores 
