
Fan. 12, 1871] 
NATURE 
217 

vibration. (7.) ‘‘ On the ratio of transverse contraction to longi- 
tudinal extension,” by Heinrich Schneebeli. The author has 
applied Kundt’s mode of measuring the length of stationary 
waves to the comparative measurement of the rates of the tor- 
sional and longitudinal vibrations of steel rods, and hence to the 
determination of the ratio between the transverse contraction 
and longitudinal extension produced by stretching forces : the 
mean results agree closely with those obtained by Kirchhoff and 
Okatow, as well as by Everett (Phil. Trans. 1867), from experi- 
ments on flexure and torsion. (8.) ‘*On the compensation of an 
optical difference of path,” by J. L. Sirks. An investigation of 
the condition under which the interference tints produced by 
polarised light passed through a thin plate of crystal can be 
achromatised by a compensating plate of selenite. (9) ‘‘ Re- 
joinder to Dr. Most,” by L. Boltzmann, relates to the second 
law of thermodynamics. (10.) ‘A contribution to the doctrine 
of Molecules and to the theory of Electricity,” by C. Lorenz. An 
attempt to calculate the absolute number of molecules in a milli- 
gramme of water, founded upon Weber and Kohlrausch’s abso- 
lute measurement of the electro-chemical equivalent of water 
and on the difference of potentials required for its electrolysis. 
(11.) ‘‘ A contribution to the theory of Terrestrial Temperature,” 
by O. Frélich. A discussion of Poisson’s expression for the in- 
ternal temperature of the earth at small depths below the sur- 
face, as a function of the time and the superficial temperature. 
(12.) **Remarks on the ‘ Bohemian Diamond,’” by Prof. V. L. 
von Zepharovich. The author states that only ove diamond (not 
several, as has been implied in some reports) has been found in 
Bohemia ; that this was discovered in a workshop in Dlasch- 
kowitz, where pyropes (garnets containing chromium) are ground 
and bored with the help of diamonds ; and that it is not yet as- 
certained how it came to be among the pyrope-sand in which it 
was found. (13.) ‘‘ A remarkable stroke of Lightning,” by Dr. 
J. G. Fischer. By examining the position of the magnetic poles 
in various pieces of iron and steel which were magnetised by the 
passage of the discharge, the author ascertained that the direc- 
tion in which the negative electricity passed was downwards into 
the ground. (14.) ‘‘On the ratio of the specific heat of air at 
constant volume to its specific heat under constant pressure,” by 
Dr. Witte. The author concludes, on experimental and theo- 
retical grounds, that this ratio is not constant, but is a function 
either of the temperature, or of the pressure, or of both. (15.) 
*©On the minimum of prismatic deviation,” by A. Kurz. (16.) 
** An easy mode of preparing a liquid for the production of 
Plateau’s Equilibrium-figures without weight,” by Rudolph 
Bottger. 
The American Naturalist for December opens with a paper or 
the Flora of the Prairies, by Mr. J. A. Allen, in which he gives 
an interesting sketch of some of the peculiarities of the primitive 
flora of the Upper Mississippi prairie in northern Illinois, and 
central and western Iowa, not inaptly termed ‘‘the Garden of 
the West.” He remarks that the breaking and turning of the 
soil at once exterminates a number of the previously dominant 
species, and instead of lingering as troublesome weeds, the more 
hardy exotics that through man’s influence assume an almost cos- 
mopolitan habit, usurp their places, the cereals, the cultivated 
grasses, and the noxious weeds of the old world, thoroughly crowd- 
ing out the original occupants of the soil. Dr. W. Stimpson fol- 
lows with an article on the Distribution of the Marine Shells of 
Florida ; and Mr. A. S. Packard with one on the Borers of cer- 
tain Shade trees. Spring time on the Yuron, by Mr. W. H. 
Dall, gives an account of the sudden advent of summer in that 
territory. Mr, A. S. Collins on the Impregnation of Eggs in 
trout-breeding will be interesting to pisciculturists in this country, 
explaining the principle of a new process pursued at the trout ponds 
in Caledonia, N.Y. The usual space is devoted to reviews and 
miscellaneous intelligence, and we have some further details of 
papers read at the Troy meeting of the American Association. 
The Fournal of Botany for January has increased the amount 
of its contents by a rearrangement of its type, without any 
corresponding increasein price. We are glad to observe that it 
is intended to devote the journal more exclusively in future to 
British botany, thus supplying a want long felt by workers in 
this department. In the present number there are several articles 
of interest, including a description (with plate) by Mr. Wor- 
thington Smith, of a new species of fungus gathered in Messrs. 
Veitch’s cool fernery at Chelsea ; Observations on the genus 
Pottia (of Mosses), by Mr. W. Mitten ; a few notes on Mr. 
H. C. Watson’s Compendium of the ‘‘ Cybele Britannica,” by 




the Hon. J. L. Warren ; and a Monograph of the genus \7iphion, 
belonging to Iridacee, by Mr. J. G. Baker. There is also a 
useful epitome of Dr. M‘Nab’s important paper on the ‘‘Tran- 
spiration of Aqueous vapour by Leaves,” to which we have already 
referred ; and the column of short Notes and Queries will be 
found interesting and yaluable. 

SOCIETIES AND ACADEMIES 
LONDON 
Zoological Society, January 3. — Professor Huxley, 
F.R.S., V.P., in the chair.—Prof. Flower exhibited and 
made remarks on a mounted skull of the Common Stur- 
geon (Acipenser sturio), from the Museum of the Royal 
College of Surgeons, in which the cartilaginous portions 
had been replaced by a wooden model.— Mr. ‘Tegetmeier 
exhibited and made remarks on a specimen (in the flesh) of a 
female of the Great Bustard (O¢/s tarda), which had been killed , 
on the 29th ult. near Feltham, in Middlesex.—Mr. Gould exhi- 
Lited and made remarks on a skin of Lady Rosse’s Touraca 
(Musophaga rossi), just received ina collection of birds from 
Loanda.—Mr. Wallace read some extracts from letters received 
from his brother, Mr. J. Wallace, containing remarks on the habits 
of a species of Lizard (Prynosoma) and Rattlesnake (Crotalus), as 
observed in California.—A tenth letter was read from Mr. W. 
H. Hudson, on the ornithology of Buenos Ayres. — A 
letter was read from Mr. E. P. Ramsay, giving parti- 
culars respecting the habits of the new Australian Mud-Fish 
(Ceratodus Forsteri).—The Secretary read extracts from some 
correspondence between himself and Mr. G. W. des Vceux, 
Administrator of the Government of Santa Lucia, as to the 
best method of destroying the Poisonous Serpents (Crasfedoce- 
phalus lanceolatus) found in that island.—Mr. Sclater exhibited 
and made remarks on the horn of the male Rhinoceros, which 
that animal had torn off in the Gardens on the roth August last. 
—Mr. Flower read some notes on the skeleton of the Australian 
Cassowary (Caswarius australis), in which the differences between 
the skull of that species and C. ga/eatws were pointed out. Mr. 
Flower’s observations were based on the skeleton of this bird, 
transmitted to Mr, Sclater by the Messrs. Scott, of the Valley 
of the Lagoons, Queensland, aud now in the Museum of the 
Royal College of Surgeons. —A communication was read from 
Mr. Andrew Murray, containing some notes on the structure of 
the young of the Sterlit (Acipenser ruthenus).—A communication 
was read from Mr. George French Angas, containing 
descriptions of thirty-four new species of shells from Australia. 
—A joint communication was read from Dr. G, Hartlaub 
and Dr. O. Finsch, on two collections of birds from the 
islands of Savai (Navigator group) and Rarotonga (Hervey 
group). Several new species were described in this paper, the 
most remarkable of which was a new form, allied to Gadlinuda, 
from Savai, proposed to be called Pareudiastes pacificus. 
Geological Society, December 21. — Mr. Joseph Prest- 
wich, F.R.S., President, in the chair. ‘‘On Lower Tertiary 
Deposits recently exposed at Portsmouth,” by C. J. A. Meyer, 
F.G.S. The author described some exposures of Lower Ter- 
tiary deposits made during excavations for the ‘* Dockyard Ex- 
tension Works” in Portsmouth Harbour. The thickness exposed, 
exclusive of alluvial deposits, amounted in all to 127 feet. 
The beds dip S.S.W., or nearly south, 23 to 3 degrees. The 
author grouped them under the following divisions, in ascending 
order :— 
1. Clays and sands with pyrites, 36 feet. 
2. Argillaceous sands with Dentalium, 25 feet. 
3. Sands with Zingz/a, 8 feet. 
4. Clays with Cyfrina and sandy clays, 55 feet. 
The author indicated the fossils contained in each of these di- 
visions, remarking upon the range of some of the species, and 
upon the apparent mixture of London clay forms with others 
usually regarded as characteristic of higher or lower beds which 
occurs especially in the ‘‘ Zigu/a sands.” He suggested that, 
as the species found here present some slight differences from 
those occurring in other deposits, the difficulty might be got over 
on Darwinian principles. The author considered that the fossils 
did not furnish any satisfactory evidence of the true position of 
these beds ; but, from stratigraphical evidence, he regarded them 
as being included in group 3 and part of group 4 of Mr, 
Prestwich’s section of the Whitecliff strata inthe Isle ot 
