340 

“*secrets.” The woods chiefly employed in wood distilling are 
oak, beech, birch, thorn, crab or apple, hazel, alder, and ash. 
Great preference is given to holly and yew, whilst poplar, elm, 
and the whole of the coniferous order are avoided. The ovens 
or retorts are of various forms, and either of cast or of wrought 
iron, protected outside by brickwork against the dire effects of 
the fire. The condensers of iron and copper are constructed so 
as to permit the ready passage of very large volumes of gas, and 
to admit frequent cleaning. The temperature at which the dis- 
tillation is conducted influences the amount of the products ; as 
a rule, greater heat yields more of the so-called naphtha, and a 
lower temperature more acetic acid. - The liquid products of dis- 
tillation which form two layers, are differently treated according 
to the object the manufacturer has in view, After having given 
a lengthy description of the various products obtained in wood 
distilling, the author went on to say that some easier and more 
exact methods of estimating the commercial values of the various 
products ought to be introduced.—‘*‘ On the effects of pressure on 
the absorption of gases by charcoal,” by John Hunter. Very 
numerous experiments lead to the observations—first, that the 
amount of absorption increases with the pressure to which the 
gas is exposed ; and secondly, the same change of pressure pro- 
duces about the same amount of increase in the quantity of each 
gas absorbed.—‘‘ On the solubility of the phosphates of bone- 
ash in water holding carbonic acid,” by E. Warington. 
CAMBRIDGE 
Philosophical Society, February 13. — ‘‘ On the Great 
Trigonometrical Survey of India,” by Colonel J. T. Walker, 
R.E. The author carefully described the process of carrying 
out the survey and the instruments in use, pointing out 
the various difficulties which were experienced, and the mode 
in which they were overcome. He also gave an account of the 
earlier efforts in this field and pointed out the importance of 
careful survey, and the mode by which accuracy in geodelic 
investigations was secured. In conclusion he discussed the 
mathematical difficulties which presented themselves, and a 
theorem which had been found useful in the reduction of ob- 
servations. 
Norwicu 
Naturalists’ Society, January 3.—The chairman read a 
paper by Mr. W. M. Crowfoot, on Spontaneous Generation. 
Alter distinguishing between the origin of life and the ature of 
life, two very distinct subjects, which have at all times been more 
or less confounded with one another, Mr. Crowfoot proceeded to 
review briefly the history of the theories concerning the nature of 
life as propounded by Hippocrates, Paracelsus, &c. ; he then 
gave a condensed history of the views concerning the origin of 
life, and of the experiments of Redi, Needham, Pasteur, Huxley, 
and Bastian, and a résumé of the discussion which has been 
recently carried on in the columns of NATURE and elsewhere ; 
concluding with some practical remarks on the nature of epidemic 
diseases, and the important results which may arise from such 
discussions. The thanks of the meeting were voted to Mr. 
Crowfoot for his very interesting paper, which was followed by 
an animated discussion. 
DUBLIN 
Royal Geological Society, January 11.—Rev. Maxwell 
Close in the chair. Edward Hull, F.RS., read a paper on 
the Geological Age of the Ballycastle Coalfield, and its relations 
to the Carboniferous rocks of the west of Scotland.—Mr. John 
Leech read a paper on the moving bog of Castlerea, Co. Ros- 
common. 
February 8.—Dr. Reynolds in the chair. The annual report 
of council, and statement of accounts for the year 1870 were sub- 
mitted, and the following were elected as officers and council for 
1871 :—President, the Earl of Enniskillen, F.R.S. ; Vice-presi- 
dents, Colonel Meadows Taylor, J. Emerson Reynolds, Sir 
Robert Kane, F.R.S., Rev. H. Lloyd, Provost T.C.D., F.R.S. ; 
Sir Richard Griffith, Bart., LL.D. ; Treasurers, William An- 
drews, and Samuel Downing, LL.D.; Secretaries, Rev. S. 
Haughton, M.D., F.R.S., and Alexander Macalister, M.D. ; 
Council, Alphonse Gages, B. B. Stoney, W. Frazer, George 
Dixon, Alexander Carte, M.D., W. H. S. Westropp, C. R.C. 
Tichborne, Rey. Maxwell Close, Francis M. Jennings, Ramsay 
H. Traquair, M.D., R. Callwell, John Barker, M.D., John 
Ball Greene, Edward Hull, F.R.S., William H. Baily.—Mr. J. 
Scott Moore read a paper on a moulded piece of quartz, and 
exhibited a remarkable specimen of dendritic markings in 
NATURE 
| Fed. 23, 1871 
granite.—A paper was read from Mr, G. H. Kinahan on folia- 
tion. 
PERTHSHIRE 
Society of Natural Science, February 2.—Dr. Bu- 
chanan White, president, in the chair, Mr. C. Fleck- 
stein read a paper upon the Zoology and Botany of the 
Ancients. The paper, which was of general interest, was con- 
fined almost entirely to a consideration of the knowledge of 
natural history possessed by those nations termed par excellence 
the ancients, viz., the Greeks and Romans, and related chiefly to 
the researches of Aristotle and Pliny. Mr. W. Herd read a 
paper upon the Lepidoptera of Moncrieffe Hill and its neigh- 
bourhood. It was illustrated by specimens of the insects men- 
tioned, and contained the results of Mr. Herd’s own observations 
of the habits of the less common species found in the district 
selected, 


DIARY 
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23. 
Royat Society, at 8.30.—On the Mutual Relations of the Apex-Cardo- 
raph and the Radial Sphygmograph Trace: A. H. Garrod.—On the 
thermo Electric Action of Metals and Liquid: G. Gore, F_R.S. . 
Society oF ANTIQUARIES, at 8.30.—On the Topography of Jerusalem, with 
special reference to the results obtained by the Palestine Fund Committee: 
Thomas Lewin, M.A., F.S.A. (Second paper.) 
Royat InstituTIon, at 3.—Davy's Discoveries: Dr. Odling. 
Lonvon InstiTuTION, at 7.30.—On the Action, Nature, and Detection ot 
Poisons: F. S. Barff, M.A., F.C.S. 
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24. 
Roya InstiTuTION, at 9.—On Rumford’s Scientific Discoveries: W-. 
Mattieu Williams. 
QueEKeETT Microscopicat Cuus, at 8, 
eee COLLEGE OF SuRGEONS, at 4.—On the Feeth of Mammalia: Prof. 
ower, 
SATURDAY, FEsruary 25. 
Royat InstiTuTION, at 3.—Socrates: Prof. Jowett. 
MONDAY, Fesruary 27. 
Roya GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY, at 8.30. 
Lonpon InstituTION, at 4.--On the first Principles of Biology: Prof. 
Huxley. (Educational Course.) 3 
Royat CoLieGE of SuRGEONS, at 4.—On the Teeth of Mammalia: Prof. 
Flower. 
TUESDAY, Fresrvary 28 
Royat InstiTuTION, at 3.—Nutrition of Animals: Dr. Fosten 
WEDNESDAY, Marcu x. 
Royat Microscoricat Society, at 8.—Notes on the Microscopical Ex~ 
amination of Waters for Domest c Use: J. Bell. 
Society oF Arts, at 8.—On the Patent Laws and their Administration, with 
a view to the Adoption of Practical Amendments: A. V. Newton. 
Roya Society oF LITERATURE, at 8.30. 
Lonpon INnsTITUTION, at 4.—On the first Principles of Biology: Prof. 
Huxley. (Educational Course.) 
eS CoLLEGE OF SURGEONS, at 4—On the Teeth of Mammalia: Prof. 
ower, 
THURSDAY, Marcu 2. 
Roya Society, at 8.30. 
Society OF ANTIQUARIES, at 8,30. 
Linnean Society, at 8.—On the Tamil nanes of Plants: Rev. S. Mateer.- 
—Contributions towards a knowledge of the Curculionidae : H. P. Pascoe.- 
CHEMICAL SocigTy, at 8. 
Royat InstiTuTIon, at 3 —Davy’s Discoveries: Dr. Odling. 
Lonpvon InstiTuTIoN, 7.30.—On the Colonial Question: Prof. J. E.. 
Thorold Rogers. 

—-- 
CONTENTS PacE: 
Tue MrpITERRANEAN Ec ips, 1870. II. By J. Norman Lockyer, 

ESRCS: (Wile dilusteatsonsi) 2) 2h. ta Sc tects . Pits ec 
Puysicat Lasporatorigs. By Prof.W.G. ADAMS. . . . « « « 322 
MorgLr's GEOMETRY 5. sss 0 es ee ee Se ee 
RopweEtv's DicTIONARY OF SCIENCE . . . «sss Peete ime ty 
LETTERS TO THE EpiTor :— 
Ocean Currents.—J. K. LAUGHTON . . . © « 2 « © + © « 326° 
The Frost,—Dr.' GH. FYELDING 3. )<.\3) = 6 0:46 ©) © Ne ea 
Caves near St. Asaph —T. McK. Hi cues, F.G.S. . . . . . 327 
‘The Primary Colours.—F.T.Motr. . . . . . 2. © « © «© 327 
Californian Oaks.—Dr. R. Brown, F.L.S.. . . . ss - (g27" 
Tue Ecuipse Puotocrarus. By A. Brotuers, F.R.A.S. (With 
Tlésestration) » «1 « «= @ ele =», se) 6) eh in ds eee 
Tue Late East Inpia Company’s MuszeuM—A Zootocist’s GRIE- 
VANCE . 6 fe 8 ee 0 ee 00) a inp ccs 0. im se ee 
Tue Metamorruoses oF Insacts. By A. R Wattace, F.Z.S. 
(With Wiustratzons,) «sc ste = pm |4 18) 606) ya) ee) bel el 
NOTES . +) 5 oes es ee =, San ky ocean teen 
THe Microscorg. IMPROVEMENTS IN THE LENSES OF MICROSCOPES 334 
Revort on Deep-Sea Researcugs. By Dr. CarreNnTER, F.R.S., 
and J. Gwyn JEFFRzeys, F.R.S. (With Illustrations.) . « Sglaae 
SCIENTIFIC/SERIALS) .y <= =) el cre. Semen ie) ee 
SOcIRTIUS AND ACADEMIES” 5 . (3 f))s tale ays > 5” 2 5 ee 
DIARY 2c “eo hie at is) See Fo, me ree ie ts cp 0 gee 


Erratum.—Page 266, second column, lines 15, 16, for “three times” read. 
“ ¢ times.” 
