260 

“Calcaire grossier.”” He mentioned indications of the presence 
in the vicinity of a Miliolitic marble, and of a limestone con- 
taining Nummulites. Between Antequera and the Torcal, he 
noticed a small calcareous deposit containing many forms of 
Gryphaa. The paper was illustrated by photographs of two 
scenes on the Torcal, and of several species of Ammonites. 
Prof. Ansted remarked that the condition of the Torcal was 
similar to that prevailing in many other limestone districts, and 
was probably due to subaerial denudation. Mr. W. W. Smyth 
mentioned that he had lately had an opportunity of examining, 
at Cadiz, a collection of fossils formed by Mr. Macpherson in that 
district, which also contained specimens of Ammonites. It 
appeared that there were large tracts in which the rocks appeared 
almost destitute of fossils, which rendered their classification 
extremely difficult; and great credit was due to the author for 
his exertions in a country where unfortunately so little interest 
was taken in geology. He mentioned that some of these un- 
fossiliferous rocks had been classified as Silurian by some French 
geologists ; but for this there was not the slightest evidence. It 
appeared far more probable that they were of Jurassic age. Some 
red beds, which had been called Triassic, were also in all pro- 
bability Tertiary. Mr. Gwyn Jeffreys, who had examined several 
collections in Spain and Portugal, stated that he had been much 
struck with the absence of newer Tertiary fossils, the latest being 
of Miocene age. These latter presented a tropical aspect, and 
differed from the mollusca now inhabiting the neighbouring seas. 
Mr. Blake was not satisfied with the determination of the Am- 
monites, which appeared to him rather of Cretaceous than Jurassic 
forms. Mr. Tate observed that the French geologists had 
determined the existence in Spain of the whole Jurassic series, 
from the Lower Lias to the Portlandian beds ; and, judging from 
the photographs, he should consider the Ammonites to be 
Jurassic. Mr. Boyd Dawkins cited the remains of RAinoceros 
¢fruscus, procured by the late Dr. Falconer at Malaga, as affording 
evidence of the presence of Pliocene age in that district. Prof. 
Duncan mentioned that he had found corals of the genus 
Fla*ellum, such as were found in the Tejares clays, in recent 
deep-sea dredgings in the Atlantic, and among specimens brought 
from Japan. 
Linnean Society, January 19.—Mr. G. Bentham, president, 
in thechair. ‘‘ Historical Notes on the Radix Galange of Phar- 
macy,” by D. Hanbury, F.R.S. The introductionof this drug into 
Europe appears to have been due to the Arabians ; its common 
use in the West does not date earlier than the 15th century. It 
is an aromatic stimulant, and may be used to replace ginger ; but 
the high virtues ascribed to it by the ancients cannot be sustained. 
—‘‘ On the Vegetation of the Solomon Islands,” by Mr. J. Atkin, 
The writer had spent some months in these little-known islands, 
chiefly in Christoval, the southernmost of the group, which lies 
between 10° and 11° S. lat., and between 162° and 163° E. long. 
The whole group extends for about 300 miles eastwards to 
Papua, over 43° of longitude and 4° of latitude. They are 
mainly of volcanic origin ; the low lands consist of coral, which 
reaches to an elevation of from 300 to 500 feet. Earthquakes 
are very frequent, almost every month, but not very severe. The 
nearest active volcano is Tinkalu, 200 miles to the westward. 
The wet season is in winter, especially the early part of July, 
when an enormous quantity of rain falls. The temperature is 
remarkably uniform ; the writer had never seen the thermometer 
below 75° F. or above 88° in the shade, or 132° in thesun ; the 
air is extremely damp. The highest land in Christoval is from 
3,000 to 4,000 feet elevation, and is probably granite. The 
island is entirely covered with vegetation, except near the sea. 
Grasses are very few. In the forests are very few trees with 
trunks five feet in diameter. The bush is very thick, and 
climbers numerous. One Aroid was noticed, and eight or nine 
Orchids, all epiphytal. Several Zingibers, including the true 
ginger, native. Three or four species of Pandanus, which are 
extremely variable. The cocoa-nut and sago palms are native, 
the latter growing eighty feet high ; also the areca-palm, and the 
betel-nut ; the latter is universally chewed. The yam is grown, 
as well as five other roots probably belonging to the same order. 
The bread-fruit is abundant ; and a variety of mango grows wild, 
as wellasa bitter orange. Theleaf of the sago-palm is used for 
thatch. There is a Cycas thirty or forty feet high, which is 
sometimes branched. Of ferns the genera most observed were 
Asplenium and Acrostichum ; but no tree-ferns, although they 
are so abundant in the neighbouring Banks’s group. Two Con- 
volvuli were noticed and an Ipomeea ; two Hibisci, two Casua- 
rinz, and two Acacias, a tree and a shrub ; also a Begonia, the 
NATURE 



[ Fan. 26, 1871 

same species as in Banks’s group ; and a handsome species of 
nettle. The men are short, with dark curly hair. They use 
spears, and sometimes bows and arrows ; their canoes are very 
beautifully omamented. Animals are comparatively few. Dogs 
and pigs are abundant, both apparently native ; also opossums 
and a small rat. There are many beautiful birds; the white 
cockatoo is never seen, though so abundant in islands separated 
by a channel only fifteen miles broad. Insects are plentiful. 
Snakes, both land and water, abound, but none are poisonous. 
Scorpions are numerous but small. Alligators were found, but 
not abundant. Frogs plentiful ; lizards innumerable ; one iguana 
was seen four feet long.—‘‘ Note on Byrsanthus,” by Dr, M. T. 
Masters, F.R.S. The chief interest of this paper lay in the 
author’s exposition of the relation between the glands and the 
perfect stamens. 


DIARY 
THURSDAY, Janvary 26, 
Roya Society, at 8.30.—On the Mineral Constituents of Meteorites. XII. 
The Breitenbach Meteorite: Prof. Story-Maskelyne, F.R.S —On the 
Organisation of the Calamites of the Coal Measures: Prof. W. C. William- 
son, F.R.S.—On Approach caused by Vibration {a Letter to Prof. Guthrie) 
Sir W. Thomson, F.R.S. 
Royat INnsTITUTION, at 3—Davy’s Discoveries: Dr. Odling. 
Society or ANTIQUARIES, at 8.30.—On Remains on the Site of Keynsham 
Abbey: Rev. H. M. Scarth, M.A. 
FRIDAY, JANUARY 27. 
Roya InsTiTuTION, at 9.—Dr. Odling. 
Quekett MicroscopicaL Cuus, at 8. 
SATURDAY, January 28. 
Royat InstiTuTION, at 3.—Laws of Life revealed in History: Rev. W. H. 
Channing. 
SUNDAY, JANUARY 29. 
Sunpay LecTurRE SOCIETY, at 3.30.—The Nature of the Earth’s Interior: 
D. Forbes. 
MONDAY, January 30. 
Vicroria INSTITUTE, at 8.—Archzology: Rev. J. Titcomb. 
Lonpon InsTiTUTION, at 4.—On the First Principles of Biology : Prof. Hux- 
ley (Educational Course). 
TUESDAY, January 31. 
Rovat InsTITUTION, at 3.—Nutrition of Animals: Dr. Foster. 
ANTHROPOLOGICAL SOCIETY, at 8.—On some of the Racial Aspects of Music: 
Joseph Kaines, F.A.S.L. 
WEDNESDAY, Fesruary 1. 
Society or ARTS, at 8.—On the Preservation of Vegetables : O. Buchanan. 
THURSDAY, FEsRvARY 2. 
Royat Society, at 8.30. 
SociETY OF ANTIQUARIES, at 8.30. 
Lonpon InstituTION, at 7.30.—On the Action, Nature, and Detection of 
Poisons : F. S. Barff. 
Linnean Society, at 8.—Natural History of Deep-Sea Soundings between 
Galle and Java: Capt. Chimmo, R.N 
CuHEmIcAL Society, at 8,—On the Development of Fungi in Potable Water : 
Dr. Frankland. 
Roya InsTITUTION, at 3.—Davy's Discoveries : Dr. Odling. 


CONTENTS 
Puysicar. LABORATORIES. By Prof. Epwarp C. PickERING 
Science TEACHING IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS ... . 
Pace 
241 


evs 253.6 fee ee 
Coun’s CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE BioLocy oF PLants. By F. Currey, . 
URS sine alae, 2. cements a nae ee a ashe 242 
Our Boor SHeur 2) ‘ttf. eet: tle See) ete ae ee 
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR :— 
‘The Isolatioa of St. Michael’s Mount.—Prof. Max Miter . . 245 
Earth-Currents.—R. S. BROUGH... «2 + + + « © « + 245 
Lunar Bows. (With [ilustrations.)—F. J. J.; SAMUEL BARBER. 245 
Yellow.—C. J. Monro. . . ..... oa teem 240 
The Primary Colours.—F.T. Morr. .....,. - 246 
Utilisation of Sewage.—Prof. W. H. Corrigtp, F.R.S. . . . 246 
Ocean Currents.— J. K. LAUGHTON ; JAMes Cro.t, F.G.S. . 246 
me faa Experiments.—Dr. H. CHARLTON BASTIAN, 
The Tails of Comets, the Solar Corona, and the Aurora considered st 
as Electric Phenomena.—RicHARD A. ProcToR . . ... « 247 
Browning's Spectroscope.—Prof. C. A. Younc . . oe) 0, RO 
St. Mary's Hospital —Dr. W. B. CHEADLE  . . . «6 s +. 248 
IMPROVEMENT OF GEOMETRICAL TEACHING - . . . 2 « « « 248 
A Hint To Evecrricians. By Prof. Sir Witt1aM THomson, F R.S- 248 
Tue GaussIAN CONSTANTS OF TERRESTRIAL MaGngetisM. By Sir J. 
F.W. Herscner, FURS.) ) 54 6° a) oe Pe itera ee 
AccounT OF THE AuGuUSTA Ec .ipse Exrepition. By Prof. W. G. 
ADAMS, FYR.S: \ 2:01, teyeroiyts ne 470 to |= ogee ee a (che Ramee 
Fiower’s OsTEOLOGY OF THE MAMMALIA. (With Illustrations.) . 251 
Norns (2''. 5 VS URIS CSS Jo es oc een eRe 
‘Science In AMERICA, 3)! ote hea eee es Se + 250 
Tue INFLUENCE OF INTENSE CoLD ON STEEL AND IRON . . + 256 
SCIENTIFIC/SERIALS 96 ro3 se n.6,0fs) 0 Wm Mail eit. <o.00 wets ie sal eee See 
SocigTigs AND ACADEMIES . 2 o + + © © © « + © «© © © © 259 
DIARYS 0 UF SR ROCREE terre G0 se aie, eee 
