400 
NATURE 

rom) and explains to mean a weapon thrown /orwards,— 
telum missile: the subject was again discussed at a late sitting 
(:d. iv. p. 347). A paper was read by V. Martens on the im- 
plements used by the Dyaks of the interior of Borneo: a letter 
from Kupfer on the remarkable vases with human faces which 
were the subject of Virchow’s communication to the same society 
last March ; and a long paper, with woodcuts, on the vitrified 
stone sites of Oberlausitz by Prof. Virchow, which shows with 
what accustomed ability the great pathologist pursues the in- 
quiries which amuse his holidays. 
Paris 
Academy of Sciences, March 6.—M. Henry Sainte-Claire 
Deville proposed to his colleagues to enlarge the scope of their 
proceedings, and to deliberate upon any subject relating to 
social matters which can be promoted through the instrumentality 
of science. This idea was warmly advocated and supported by 
M. Bouley, M. Dumas, and others, and met with only one 
opponent, M. Combes, general inspector for Ponts-et-Chausées, 
who said that such a step was contrary to the rules of the 
Academy, and that the Academy besides had no right to pro- 
nounce on a communication from its own members. But ulti- 
mately the discussion of the proposition was referrea to a secret 
committee, which is to be held probably next week. This sitting 
was rife with discussion.—M. Faye having referred to a. special 
committee the project of a railway to be constructed between 
America and Europe through the Aleutian Islands, General Morin 
protested, saying it was merely wasting time to refer such wild 
schemes to members, and that the committee was, at all events, 
not bound to give any opinion at all. In spite of this protest, 
M. Faye referred the communication to a member in order to 
know from him if it was worth being sent before a special com- 
mission, —M. Delaunay and M. Bertrand disputed what was the 
precise opinion of M. Hopkins on the thickness of the solid 
crust of the earth. M. Delaunay said moreover that calculations 
proved it had no influence on the revolution of the earth, as no 
movement of the internal fluid could possibly have any effect 
whatever.—M. Bouley declared that the flesh of animals infected 
with the cattle plague was not unwholesome for food. It is true 
that such flesh is served out to poor people supplied from muni- 
cipal benevolent institutions. But such is not the view taken by 
the paying public, as the purchase of beef is falling, and the 
sale of mutton or pork increasing daily. The rinderpest is raging 
so severely in the herds destined for the revictualling of Paris, 
that very often carts loaded with carcasses are seen passing 
through the streets of the city.—M. Janssen was present at the 
sitting, and he is going to London, where he will arrive by the 
end of the present week. Many of the francs-fileurs have re- 
sumed their seats without any remark having been passed upon 
them. M. Becquerel the elder, the celebrated electrician, died in 
Normandy during the investment of Paris. He was about 80 
years of age. The water-tubs and towels disposed in case Prus- 
sian shells should set fire to the building have not yet been 
removed from the hall, 



BOOKS RECEIVED 
EnctisH.—The Natural History of the Strait of Magellan: R. O. Cun- 
ningham (Edmonston and Douglas) —The Story of Aristzus and his Bees: 
R. M., Millington (Longmans).—A Few Poems: E. Smith (Dunn and Fry). 
- The Ancient (Gareranhy, of India: A. Cunningham (Triibner and Co.).— 
The Chronological History of Animal Plagues from B.c. 1490 to A.D, 1800: 
G, Fleming (Chapman and Hall). 
Foreicn.—(Thiough Williams and Norgate)—Die elektrische Doppel- 
hebel: J. N. Czermak —Untersuchungen aus den Institute fiir Physiologie 
u. Histologie in Graz 2t*S Heft: A. Rollett.—Echinologie Helvétique : 
Désor et de Loriol. 


DIARY 
THURSDAY, Marcu 16. 
Royar Soctety, at 8 30.—Description of Ceratodus, a Genus of Ganoid 
Fishes, recently discovered in Rivers of Queensland, Australia: Dr. Giin- 
ther, F.R.S.—On the Formation of some of the Sub-axial Arches in Man: 
G. W. Callender. 
Society or ANTIQUARIES, at 8.30.—On Photographs of Armenian Antiqui- 
ties : Captain Lynch.—On an Undescribed Expedition to Britain in the 
eS of Augustus: W. H. Black, F.S.A.—On certain inscribed leaves of 
lead in the British Museum: W. De Gray Birch. 
Liynean Socixty, at 8. 
CHEMICAL SocIETY, at 8. 
[March 16, 1871 

Royat InsTITUTION, at 3 —Davy’s Discoveries: Dr. Odling. 
Lonpon INsTITUTION, at 7.30.—On the Colonial Question: Pro® J. E. 
Thorold Rogers, M.A. 
FRIDAY, Mancu 17. 
Royat InstituTIoN, at 9.—On the Eclipse: J. Norman Lockyer, F.R.S. 
Roya CoLieGE oF SURGEONS, at 4—On the Teeth of Mammalia: Prof. 
Flower. 
SATURDAY, Marcu 18. 
Roya InstTiTUTION, at 3.—Spirit of the Age: Mr, O'Neil. 
SUNDAY, Marcu 19. 
Sunpay Lecture Society, at 3.30.—The Total Eclipse: J. N. Lockyer. 
MONDAY, Marcu 20. 
ANTHROPOLOGICAL INSTITUTE, at 8.—Adjourned Discussion on the Racial 
Aspects of the Franco-Prussian War.—On the Migrations of the Georgians, 
Circassians, and Amazons, and their connection with the Tibeto-Caucasian 
Race : Mr. Hyde Clarke. : 
ENTOMOLOGICAL Society, at 8.—On Additions to the Atlantic Coleoptera = 
Mr. Wollaston. 
Victoria InsTiTuTE, at 8.—On some Curiosities of Ethnology :—Rev. J. 
H. Vitcomb. 
Lonpvon InstiTuTION, at 4—-On Astronomy: R. A. Proctor, F.R A.S- 
(Educational Course.) 5 
Roya CoLLecE oF SurGEONS, at 4.—On the Teeth of Mammalia: Prof. 
Flower. 
TUESDAY, Marcu 2t. 
Zoo.ocicaL SociETY, at 9.—Report on additions to the Society’s Menagerie 
during the month of February 1871: P. L. Sclater.—On the Birds of Santa 
Lucia, West Indies: P. L. Sclater. , ‘ 
STATISTICAL SociETY, at 7.45.—On Statistical Returns required by Parlia~ 
ment: Mr. Purdy. 
Roya. InstiTuTION, at 3.—Nutrition of Animals: Dr. Foster. 
WEDNESDAY, Marcu 22. 
Grovosicat Society, at 8.—On the Passage beds in the neighbourhood of 
Woolhope, Herefordshire, and on the Discovery of a new species of Zury#- 
terns, and some new land-plants in them: Rey. P. B. Brodie, MA, 
F G.S.—On the Cliff-sections of the Tertiary beds west of Dieppe, in Nor-- 
mindy, and at Newhaven, in Sussex: W. Whitaker, B.A., F.G S.—On) 
New Tree-ferns and other Fossils from the Devonian ; Prof. J. W. Dawson,. 
F.R.S. 
Society or Arts, at 8.—On Drill, the Complement of the Present School! 
Teaching : Major-General Eardley-Wilmot, R.A. 7 
Roya CoLLEGE OF SURGEONS, at 4.—On the Teeth of Mammalia: Prof.. 
Flower. 
THURSDAY, Marcu 23. 
Royat InsTITUTION, at 3.—Davy’s Discoveries : Dr. Odling. 
Roya Society, at 8.30. 
Society oF ANTIQUARIES, at 8.30. 


CONTENT 
Naturat History MuskuMs. . . «<= .« ©) = (isis eee 
SCIENCE/IN: VIENNA. 2°50) 0) © 0) is, ey ie, fel neil ike 
LauGuTon’s PoysicAL GEOGRAPHY. . + + 6 « «© © © © « © @ 
THE|SEWAGE QUESTION« « . cs + 5 3 @ c's @ «© © wl's 
Our Book SHELF, 9. 2 6 ee 0 \e «se ns 6 os > et eee 
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR :— 
Eozoén Canadense.—Dr. CARPENTER, F.R.S. . . . 2. ss 
Dr. John Hopkinson on “‘ The Overthrow of Electro: Dynamics.” — 
Rev, “HU IGHTON: 5) «, .6\ “6 =i) 6) (0) ue) pera = 
Quinary Music —B. LouGH . ... . 2 s » = « = = ofp eum 
The Experimental and Natural Sciences in Trinity College, Dublin 
Sciencetin:Schaole "5s: feu ta a) iol teen aoe : 
Dr. Donkin’s Natural History of the Diatomacee . .... . 
Lenses for Vision below Water.—Dr. DupGEON . . . . «s « 
Petrography.——W. (S. ALLPORT <3): 6 pelye . 0 ons deel 
Papers ON Iron AND STEEL. III. THE BessEMER PROCESS (CON 
TINUED). By W. Matrigu Wiitams, F.C.S. (With [iustra- 
Tue OpsERVATORY OF TRINITY CoLLEGE, Dusiin. (With Illustra- 
LION SO ea Teen ee ra ere he er 
Tue Suprosep Funcorp ORIGIN OF CHOLERA. . . ss ss 
Fossin: CieraCRA: io" <e. a) 5) ise Jn: begs uYehs chee el <i est eee 
PARASITES 2. . « « « 
NOTES’ 0.0; fe le 6) 1e)"ie\ 5 18 fe. 0 1 euia) et let ORs eee eR 
IMAGINATION. IN ‘SCIENCE /(.), SWiellta (i) bs Siehfel\/a We: Vals eee ee 
THE ROvAL Socrevy’s'SOUER. 6 (0 55 Sas Ve ieee eel te we 
ScrENTIFICSERTAES (50) 50'S OS se) ee Se fe eR we ee 
SocreTrgs AND ACADEMIES . » « + » «© © © & © © e © © « 
Booxs RECEIVED. . | fenxs 4s) 95 9) 0.usa.© Ale Rw IOERGEts! (me nae) COTS 
DIARY) o) “augers. ureife bse meh ina fe) Le MEN Ecol 2 10, eae 
a) Se Ses 
388 
391 
392 
393. 
395 
395 
396 
397 
400° 
400° 


ERRATA.—Page 370, first column, line ro from bottom, for ‘‘show us. 
Seo ” read “show no traces’; second column, line rs, for “limit” read- 
“limb.” 
