240 
NATURE 

| Fan. 109, 1871 

phates,” noticing the good work being done at Brockville in this 
particular branch of industry, and proving that large areas of land 
now wholly or partially exhausted, in various portions of Lower 
Canada, might still have been yielding large returns of wheat 
and other cereals, had they been farmed upon a rational system 
of agriculture, coupled with the judicious employment of phos- 
phatic and other fertilisers. We quote from the concluding 
words of this comprehensive essay : ‘‘ He made especial reference 
to the comparative dormant state of this, and other equally 
obvious sources of industry in Canada, arising from a great defi- 
ciency in a most important division of our national education, 
and that nothing save a liberal augmentation of the ordinary 
courses of instruction in moder subjects can ever dispel the 
immense existing clouds of ignorance and prejudice. It is, there- 
fore, sincerely to be hoped that the very able remarks recently 
made by Principal Dawson upon this question may have their 
desired effect, and that Canada may speedily obtain a share in 
the improvements that have of late almost revolutionised the 
systems of educations in the universities of the mother country.” 
Dr. Hunt, Vice-President of the Association, then referred in a 
feeling manner to the loss sustained by science in Canada, in the 
death of Mr. Hartley, of the Geological Survey, who, though 
only twenty-three years of age, was one of the most promising 
young men in the country. 
VIENNA 
I. R. Geological Institute, December 20.—M. Fr. v. 
Hauer stated that the Institute had happily come into 
possession of the only known specimen of Psephophorus 
polygonus from Neuddrfl in Lower Austria, which had 
been described after a drawing more than twenty years old 
by Herm. von Meyer, and had been designated by him one of 
the most interesting fossil remains of a vertebrate animal ever 
found in Austria. It consists of a plate of epidermal scales 
nearly two hundred in number, and perfectly irregular in size and 
form. H. v. Meyer thought it to belong to an animal of the 
family of the Dasypodidze, whilst Prof. Miiller compared an 
analogous plate found in the Zeuglodon beds of North America 
with the plate of Dermatochelys.—M. F. y. Vivenot read a 
memoir on the microscopical examination of the syenite of 
Blansko in Moravia, in which, besides the minerals which are 
distinguishable with the naked eye, as oligoclase, quartz, amphi- 
bole, biotite, titanite, and magnetite, he discovered also orthoclase, 
epidote, and apatite.—M. E. Tietze exhibited specimens of 
cornubianite from Servia, which perfectly resembled the cornu- 
bianite of Cornwall, and like it were found in a stratum inter- 
posed between granite and argillaceous schist. —M. Posepny com- 
municated his observations on the beds of rock-salt in Transyl- 
vania. 


BOOKS RECEIVED 
Enciisu.—The Transformations (or Metamorphoses) of Insects: P. M. 
Duncan (Cassell and Co.) —Wonders of the Human Body: A. Le Pileur 
(Blackie and Son) —Dogs and their Doings: Rev. F. O. Morris (Partridge 
and Co.).—The Genesis of Species: St. George Mivart (Macmillan and Co.). 
—Matheran Hill: its People, Plants, and Animals: Dr. J. Y. Smith (Mac- 
lachlan and Stewart). 
inch orsthale der Experimentale Physik: H. F. Weinhold (D. 
utt), 

PAMPHLETS RECEIVED 
Prospectus of Sir Joseph Whitworth’s Scholarships for Mechanical Science, 
5 h ed.—A Letter to the Duke of Argyll on the Proposed Scheme for an 
Engineering College: Dr. F. T, Bond —On Equal-surface Projection and 
its Anthropological Applications: C. Piszzi Smyth —On the Cellular Struc- 
ture of the Red Blood-corpuscle: Dr. J. G. Richardson (Philade!phia),— 
Report on the Canadian Phosphates: G. Broome, pt. 1.—Eloge de Jean- 
Vheodore Lacordaire: par E. Morren,—Das Differentialphotometer u. eine 
neue Thermosadule: Prof. K. W. Zenger.—Chemische Notizen: Prof. F. 
Scolba.—Ueber Das Kieselfluorammonium u. Kieselfluornickel: Prof. F. 
Stolba.—Ueber Erzeugung algebraischer Curven durch mehrdeutige Ele- 
mentargebilde: Dr. E. Weyr.—Studien zur Theorie der Covarienten u. In- 
varcenten der biniiren Formen: Dr. J. Dienger.—Ueber den Zusammensetzen 
yerschiedener Transformationsformeln fiir elliptische Integrale: Prof. J. 
Lieblein.—Ueber fortgesetztes Tangentenziehen au Curven dritter Ordnung: 
Dr. H. Durége.— Beobachtungen tieber einige fossile Pflanzen aus dem 
Steinkehlenbecken von Radnic: C. Feistmantel.—Beobachtungen iiber die 
Entstehung einiger sphiroidischer Gebilde im Mineralreiche : C. Feistman- 
tel.—Die Porphyre im Silurgebirge von Mittelbéhmen: C. Feistmantel.— 
Die Steinkohlengebilde in der Umgebung von Radnitz in Béhmen: C. Feist- 
mantel. — Beitrage zur Lehre der universellen Summirung von Strecken : Dr. 
W. Martzka,—Die Sitze von Biiymann u. Lagrange: Dr. J. Dienger.— 
Ueber die Normalenflache zum dreiax:gen Ellipsoide: J. M. Sélin.—Ueber 
die Callianassen der bohmischen Kreideformation: Dr. A. Fritsch.—Ueber 
die physikalischen Constanten des Wasserdampfes: Prof G. Schmidt.— 
Usber die neueren physiologisch-psychologischen Forschungen im Gebiete 


der menschlichen Sinne: Dr. J. Dastich —Auflésung der Gleichungen des 
2ten, 3ten y. 4t°" Grades: J. Machometz.—Beitrage zur Weddle’s Methode 
der Aufldsung numerischer Gleichuogea: J. Popper.—Beitrage zur Auflésung 
hdherer Gleichungen: Dr. J. P. Kulik. —Ueber das Bourdonsche Me all- 
barometer: Dr V. Pierre.—Ueber das Binocularschen: Dr. J. Ritter von 
Hasner.—Die Methode der orthonogalen Projekzion auf zwei Ebenen: Prof. 
R. Skuhersky.—Paralléle entre les dépéts Siluriens de Bohéme et de Scandi- 
navie.—Resultate mehrjahriger Beobachtungen iiber jene Pflanzen deren 
Blumenkronen sich tiaglich periodisch 6ffnen u. schliessen: K. Fritsch,— 
Grundziige einer Meteorologie fiir den Horizont von Prag; K. Fritsch. 


DIARY 
THURSDAY, Janvary 19. 
Roya. Society, at 8.30.—On the Structure and Development of the Skull of 
the Common Frog: W. K. Parker, F.R.S.—Method of Measuring the Re- 
sistance of a Conductor : H. Mance —Modification of Wheatstone's Bridge 
to determine the Resistance of a Galvanometer Coil from a single Deflec- 
tion of its own Needle: Sir W. Thomson, F.R S. 
Society oF ANTIQUARIES, at 8.30.—The Pre-Christian Cross ; H..M. West- 
ropp. 
Linnean Society, at 8.—On the Vegetation of the Solomon Islands: Mr. 
Atkin.—Note on Byrsinthus (Homadlinee): Dr. M. T. Masters, F.R-S., 
F.L.S,—Historical Notes on the Radix Galanga of Pharmacy: Daniel 
Hanbury, F.R.S., F.L.S. 
CHEMICAL SocieTy, at 8. 
Royvat InstiTuTION, at 3.—Davy’s Discoveries: Dr. Odling. 
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20. 
Roya. InstTiTuTION, at 9.—Dr, Tyndall. 
SATURDAY, JANvaRyY 21. 
Rovat InstiTUTION, at 3.—Laws of Life revealed in History: Rev. W. H. 
Channing. L ¥ 
ASSOCIATION oF Orricers oF HEALTH, at 8.—On Parasites, in relation to 
the Sewage Irrigation Question: Dr. Cobbold. 
SUNDAY, JANuARY 22. 
Sunpay Lecture Socrety, at 3.30—How Coal and the Strata in which it 
is found have formed: A. H. Green. 
MONDAY, January 23. 
Lonpon InstiTuTIon, at 4.—On the First Principles of Biology : Prof. Hux- 
ley (Educational Course). 
Royat GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY, at 8.30. 
ENTOMOLOGICAL SociETy, at 7.-—Anniversary Meeting. 
TUESDAY, JANUARY 24. 
Royat InstiTuTIon, at 3.—Nutrition of Animals: Dr. Foster. 
ETHNOLOGICAL Society, at 8.—On the Languages and Trib+s of East 
Africa: Rev. Dr. Steere.—On African Weapons and Implements: Dr. 
Eyschmacher.—A Zulu Law Case : Sir John Lubbock, Bart., M.P. 
WEDNESDAY, January 25. 
Society or Arts, at 8.—On New Paper-making Materials, and the Pro- 
gress of the Paper Manufacture: P. L. Simmonds. 
Lonpon INsTITUTION, at 7.—Dust and Disease: Prof. Tyndall. (Con- 
versazione. ) 
GEOLOGICAL Society, at 8. 
THURSDAY, January 26. 
Royat, at 8.30. 
Society OF ANTIQUARIES, at 8.30. 
Lonpbon InsTITUTION, at 7.30.—On the Action, Nature, and Detection of 
Poisons ; F. S. Barff. 
Roya InsTITUTION, at 3.—Davy’'s Discoveries : Dr. Odling. 


CONTENTS 
THE MEDITERRANEAN Ecuirsg, 1870. By J. Norman Lockyer, 
BURG. 2S oe Se ie We ce) a te 
A HEARTH OF THE Pol.IsHED STONE AGE . . . «© . « 2 «© © © 
By Prof. E. FRANKLAND, F.R.S. . . 
Paces 
224 
SrponTANEOUS GENERATION. 225 
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR :— 
The Continuity of the Chalk.—Prof. WyvitLE Tuomson, F.R.S. .« 
Ocean Currents.— KritH Jounson, Jun, F.R.G.S. . . . . « 
The Measurement of Mass.—Prof. J. D. Everett, F.R.S.. . - 
The Tails of Comets, the Solar Corona, and the Aurora cons‘dered. 
as Electric Phenomena.—Prof. OsporNE REYNOLDS . . . + 
Apparent Size of the Moon.—Dr. C. M. INGLEBy . . . « «= = 
Atmospher'c Currents.—JosEPH JoHN Murpny, F.G.S. . . « 
Tue American Ectipse Expenition. By S. P. LANGLEY . . . - 228 
Sucar. II. (With [ilustrations) By Joun R. Jackson, A.L.S. . 230 
Nores . 5 6 sana 4 ee 
HenNDeERSON’s PATENT Process For Rerininc Cast-Iron. By 
James HENDERSON ... . re iS) 5) othe hewn eee 
Some Experiments ON CoLour. By the Hon. J.W.Strurr . .« 
SCIENTIFIC SERIALS) ses" os le (OR? «ln oe 
SOCIETIES AND ACADEMIES oye, (s/o dcohee!esi les «<)> hs) o) ee 
Books AND PAMPHLETs RECEIVED. . . «+ - © © © © #© © @ 
DIARY «15 Fe WYP ola ae Seat ees. Ne le he 0 A ev an eh pene 
225 
227 
227 
228 
228 
228 
233 
234 
230 
237 
240 
240 

