480 
NATURE 

[April 13, 1871 

C; Hg N, Oy, and therefore most intimately allied to theobromine 
and caffeine. —M. Tschermak presented a paper containing ob- 
servations on a meteoric iron from the desert of Atacama in Chili. 
It is a large shield-shaped mass, weighing 103 pounds, and 
when broken not only shows the usual figures after treatment 
with acid, but even before the application of acid thin lamellze of 
triolite are recognisable, inserted parallel to the hexahedral sur- 
faces and interrupting the octahedral texture. A similar phe- 
nomenon is presented by a meteoric iron from Jewell Hill, Madi- 
son County, North Carolina, 
February 9.—A memoir by Prof. Linnemann, entitled ‘‘A Con- 
tribution to the further knowledge of Pinakone,” was read, and 
its author claimed the priority in the discovery that formaldehyde 
is produced by the dry distillation of formiate of lime, and that 
from it methylic alcohol and other compounds may be obtained. 
A. memoir on the employment of an electrometer for the 
stroboscopic determination of the elevation of notes, by M. A. 
von Obermayer, was read.—A paper by Prof. A. Weiss, on the 
structure and nature of the Diatomaceze, was communicated. The 
author stated that the silica of the Diatomacean frustule polarises 
light, that the Diatomaceze are composed of innumerable, minute, 
but perfectly individualised, cells, and that it is to these that the 
markings of the silicious shells are due.—Dr. E. Klein pre- 
sented a memoir on the median germ lamella, and its relation 
to the development of the first blood-vessels and blood corpuscles 
in the embryo of the fowl, and communicated a paper on the finer 
nerves of the vaginal mucous membrane, by Dr. A. Chrschtscho- 
noyitsch of Kasan.—Dr. A. Schrauf presented a second series of 
his mineralogical observations, in which he noticed certain forms 
of crystals of gypsum, crystals of argentite, the properties and 
paragenetic relations of the Azorean azorite and pyrrhite, a new 
mineral from Leadhills, to which he gave the name of eosite, 
and the characters of vanadite, dechenite, and descloizite.—Dr. 
S. Stern read a memoir on the theory of the resonance of 
solid bodies, with reference to the accompanying vibration of the 
air; and Prof. Reuss presented the first of a series of memoirs 
by Dr. Manzoni, on Mediterranean Bryozoa. In this the author 
notices sixteen species (one Aippothoa, one Membranipora, and 
fourteen Lepralia). 
February 16.—A memoir by Dr. U. R. von Jepharovich, on 
diaphorite and freieslebenite was read. The author stated that 
two species, one monoclinic, the other rhombic, have been in- 
cluded under the name of freieslebenite. Their composition is 
identical, but they differ in density. For the rhombic species he 
proposes the name of diaphorite.—A memoir was also read on 
the theory of gases by Prof. L. Boltzmann.—Prof. Reuss com- 
municated a memoir on some fossil star-fishes from the Rhenish 
grauwacke, by Dr. S, Simonowitsch. Four new species were 
described, namely, Astertas acuminatus, Aspidosoma petaloides, 
and two species forming a new genus, Yexaster, X. marzaritatus 
and simflex,—Prof. von Oppolzer reported upon the calculations 
undertaken by him for the re-discovery of the lost pl+net (62) 
Erato.—Prof. F. Simony made some remarks on the Lacustrine 
erosion of shore-rocks belonging to various limestone formations. 
I, R. Geological Institution, March 28.—Theodor Peter- 
sen read a paper on ‘‘ Cceruleolactin.” By this name he desig- 
nates a new phosphatic mineral, which has been found in the 
mine of Rindsberg, near Katzenellenbogen (Nassau), in a layer 
of brown iron ore, It must be placed between Kolaite and 
Wawellite. The specific gravity is 2°59, the hardness 5. 
—Variscite. This mineral described by Breithaupt from 
Plauin had never been analysed. Petersen determined its sp. 
gr. to be 2°408.—Diabase from Nassau. Exact inquiries 
have proved that diabase very often contains small quantities 
of metallic compounds, and is probably the original source 
of different strata of ores. The felspar in diabase is usually 
oligoclase, and not as had been generally supposed lab- 
yadorite.—F. Karrer and Th. Fuchs on the “ Relations be- 
tween the different strata of the marine deposits of the 
Miocene Vienna Basin.” From many new sections which they 
obtained along the aqueduct now in construction between 
Vienna and Gloggnitz, the authors endeavour to show that 
the clay of Baden and that of Geinfahrn, the sandstones of 
Pcetzleinsdorf, the limestones (leithakalk), &c., are not deposits 
of different geological ages, as had hitherto been generally sup- 
posed, but represent different facies of the same age, and like 
the zones of living organisms in the seas of our day, pass into 
each other without any exact limit.—M.F. Posepny spoke of 
the penetration of Klastic masses through eruptive or sedi- 

’ 
mentary rocks. The so-called Glam in the Transylvania 
mining districts is an evident example of this phenomenon, an 
may be compared with the dowkies in N.W. England, and th 
Gangthonschiefer in the mines of the Harz. An exact study 
of the phenomenon showed that it originated from very differen 
causes. Sometimes the klastic masses were formed by 
mechanical friction, in other cases they have been successively 
deposited by water, sometimes they are masses of mud and | 
pebbles, which penetrated in open veins or cavities of the rock. i) 
| 







| 
BOOKS RECEIVED | 
Enouisu.—British Insects; their Form, Structure, and Habits: E. F.” 
Staveley (L Reeve and Co.).—On Intelligence: H. Paine, translated by | 
T. D. Haye, part L. (L. Reeve and Co.)—The Bijou Gazetteer of the World ; 
W. H. Rosser (Warne and Co.) 
AMERICAN AND ForEe1Gn.—A Synopsis of the Family Unionida: Dr. Isaac 
Lea. New York—(Through Williams and Norgate)— Lehrbuch der Sparischen — 
Astronomie: Dr. F. brunnow—Memoires de la Soc été de Physique et~ 
d'Histoire Naturelle de Genéve, tome XX, ‘ 

DIARY 
THURSDAY, Apvrit 13. t 
Matuematicat Society, at 8.—On Diagrams of the Stresses in Warrenand — 
Lattice Girders: Prof. Crofton, F.R.S.—On Quartic Surfaces: Prof. — 
Cayley, F.R S. 
FRIDAY, AvRit 14. 
AsTRONOMICAL Socirty, at 8, 
QueketrT Microscoricat Cuus, at 8, 

SATURDAY, Apri 15. | 
Roya Scuoot or Mines, at 8.—Geology : Dr. Cobbo'd. 1 
MONDAY, Aprit 17. : 
ANTHROPOLOGICAL INsTITUTE, at. 8.—The Position of the Australian | 
Languages: Dr. W. H J. Bleek.—Comparative Table of the Australian © 
Languages: Rev. G. Taplin.— Menta! Characteristics of Primitive Man as 
exhibited in the Aborigines of Australia: Mr. Wake. 
TUESDAY, Aprit 13. 
4 
Statistica Society, at 7 45. | 
ZooLoGICAL Society, at 9 —Un the Dodo, Part II. ;—Notes on the Articu- 
lated Skeleton of the Dodo (Didus 7#eftus) in the British Museum,—On 
Japanese recent Brachiopoda: Mr. Thomas Davidson. 
Royat InstiTuTion, at 3 —On the Geology of Devonshire, especially of the 
New Red Sandstone: William Pengelly, F.R.S. : 
WEDNESDAY, Aprit 19. 
MereoroLocicat Society, at 7.—On Deep-sea Thermometers: Stafi- — 
Commander John E, Davis, R N. : 
Society or Arts, at 8 —On the Economical Construction of Workmen’s 1 
é 
Dwellings: Dr. J. H. Hallard. 
THURSDAY, Aprit 20, 
Royat Society, at 8.30. 
Society oF ANTIQUARIES, at 8.30. 
CuemicaL Society, at 8. 
LInNEAN Society, at 8 
Royat InsTITuTION, at 3.—Oa Sound: Prof. Tyndall. 



<r 
CONTENTS . pice 
‘THE ProposED SCHOOL OF PuysicaL ScIENCE AT NEWCASTLE-UPON- 
TYNE st et Stl haste Vay Ee EP ee ee 
Tue Urtivisation oF Naturat History Museums For SCiENTIFIC 
InsTRUCTION IN GERMANY. —II. eri a te los eee 
‘THe Descent or Man.—II. By Dr. P. H. Pye Smiru. (With 
Tblstst¥Qtions.). va va =, day se) Yoga) fol eee 
HELMHOLTz'’s TONEMPFINDUNGEN. By SepLey TayLoR ... . 
OuRBook' SHELF alfa! ie fe We gels Waleat (se (sn cl oie) tel mnneamn 
LErrers TO THE Epitor :— 
Pangenesis.—J. MARSHALL, F.R.S. 2) 0 je) 3) 5) a ee 
The Spectra of Aurora and Corona.—H. R. Procter. . -. .~ 
The Aurora.a—T. H. WALLER... . oe 82 Jee 
Solar Science at the Pleasure of Seéret Referees.—Prof. C. Piazzi 
SMYTH, F.R:S..5.. 'e.osrie,, Vlei sy leita Syenuei a ei 
Ocean Currents.—J. J. Murpuy, F.G.S. . . . . 2. . «© « « 
Sun Spots..—W. H. Warenn, EGS). l. 5 5 00 epee ee 
Echoes of the Royal Alb=rt Hall.—W. Marttieu WILLIAMs, F.C.S, 
Gun Dammar.—H. PocKtINGTON. . . . «6 « + « « © « 
‘THE\IRON/AND STEELSINSTITUTE! Aye) 8h le =) bee ne 
INOTES, 0) wisi jo cei ws, Zaltle UEE he ge! in we bao Pine ae) ee . 
EXAMPLES OF THE PERFORMANCE OF THE ELECTRO-MaGnetic En- ’ 
GINE, By Dr. J.P: Jours, |FARSiv) >.) alia ee) ee ieee ee 
OpjecT TEACHING AND SCIENCE IN AMERICA. . «© « + se  e 
TRANSMISSION THROUGH PNEUMATIC Tubes, By RoBerT SABINE, 
SCUSNTIFIC SERIALS | 5 \,¢0:)  \-npfeins ys) Laie alatt's 9. <1 staan 
SOcIRTIES AND ACADEMIES... s-ehos-gsi et © © 2 2 eee 
BOOKS RECEIVED 10 his) os hom’ pone gis BraORRI RS, eh «eis ec 
Olt.) ee re ea renee ee ne 
460 
462 
