520 

should be represented by C,,H,,O... The measurements of the 
crystals! mentioned in Mr. Gill’s paper were executed by Prof. 
Miller. 
Paris 
Academy of Sciences, April 3.—The account of this 
sitting is printed in the Yournal Offciel, the first time 
since the beginning of the investment of Paris. The account 
was signed and written by M. Henry de Parville.—M. Simon 
Newcomb was present at the sitting, and read a communication 
on the perturbations in the motion of the moon, owing to the 
attraction of the different planets. The American astronomer 
proposes to solve this great question, by anew method. The 
problem is to be solved by one hundred and fifty different 
equations! M. Newcomb admits it is quite impossible to solve 
it, without some startling simplification. The present communi- 
cation is to show the Iustitute the way through which the author 
hopes to realise these ‘simplifications. It is not the final work, 
which, if it is successful, will prove M. Newcomb has made a great 
analytical discovery. But in such a matter experience passe 
sctence, M. Delaunay offered no remark on the subject, although 
he has devoted to it the greater part of his life. He remains 
on the defensive. —M. Robin, the celebrated microscopist, 
handed a note on the analysis of blood taken from a man 
attacked by scurvy. The author shows, from observations 
made at Necker and Gros Caillou Hospitals, that under these 
circumstances many white globules are mixed in the blood. But 
Jeucocithemic having been observed in other affections, it cannot 
be considered as a specific character of that dangerous affection 
so common in besieged towns, and which was frequently ob- 
served in Paris towards the end of 1870. 
The candidates for the great prize for curing cholera are not 
easily frightened by the civil war. The premium of 4,000/., 
given by the late M. Breaut, is worth incurring any risk. A 
M. Drouet sends a note giving the true cure. The process is 
simple enough. _ It is sufficient to cover the stomach of the patient 
with the film of a collodion, prepared by a mixture of ordinary 
collodion and castoroil. This collodion film is a specific against 
hysterical fits, typhoid fever, &c. It must be admitted 
that the total stopping of ali perspiration may be considered as 
being of some help in different affections. The process may be 
considered as worth a trial at least, under some peculiar cir- 
cumstances.—It was stated that the Institute will not interrupt 
its sittings at any price. If there remains only a single member, 
that member will sit in order to keep a regular register of com- 
munications addressed to the learned company. Itis the only 
means for securing intellectual prosperity of scientific discoveries, 
and it cannot be stopped even by Communalists. We have no 
news of the sitting of the roth. 


BOOKS RECEIVED 
ENGLIsH.—The Illustrated History of British Butterflies: E. Newman 
(W. Tweedie).—Select Methods of Chemical Analysis: W. Crookes (Long- 
mans/+ 
American.—Medical and Surgical Electricity: G. M. Beard and A. D. 
Rockwell (New York, W. Wood and Co.). 
Foreicn.—(Through Williams and Norgate)—Die Anwendung des Spec- 
tral-apparatus: K. Vierordt. 
PAMPHLETS RECEIVED 
EncGuisu.—On the Gibraltar Currents, the Gulf Stream, and the General 
Oceanic Circulation: Dr. W. B. Carpenter.—Preparatory Programme of the 
National University for Industrial and Technical Training, and Report of 
Provisional Committee.—Transactions of the Scottish Arboricultural Society, 
Vol. vi., part 1.—The Iron and Steel Institute: Address of the President, 
Mr. H. Bessemer.—The Sicilian Eclipse Expedition: Lecture by Dr. T. E. 
‘Thorpe.—Barometer, Manual, Board of Trade: R. H. Scott.—Annual Re- 
port of the Manchester Scientific Students’ Association for 1870.—Protest 
against Mr. J. H. Walshs Decision in the Bedford Level Survey: W. Car- 
penter.—Gas, its high Price in the Metropolis, and the Way to Reduce it: 
C. G. Cleminshaw.—Explanatory Memoir to accompany sheets 86, 87, 88, 
and eastern part of 85 of the maps of the Geological Survey of Ireland: 
G. H. Kinahan and R G. Symes.—Common Salt, a Remedy against Small- 
ox,—On the Uniform Flow of a Liquid: Canon Moseley.—On the Mean 
Thickness of the Sedimentary Rocks of the Globe: James Croll.—The Pro- 
ceedings of the Cotteswold Naturalists’ Field Club for 1869.—On the Post 
Glacial Deposits of Western Lancashire and Cheshire: C. E. de Rance.— 
On the Glacial Phenomena of Western Lancashire and Cheshire: C. E. de 
Rance.—A Lecture on Vegetarianism: Prof. F. W. Newman.—Science 
Lectures for the People delivered at Hulme Town Hall, second series. 
AMERICAN AND COLONIAL.—The Principles of Pure Crystallography : G. 
Hinrichs.—The Great Pyramid of Jizeh; the Plan and Objects of its Con- 
struction.—Monthly Report of the Department of Agriculture for January 
1871.—Second Annual Keport of the State Board of Health of Massachu- 
2» 
NATURE 





[ April 27, 1871 
setts.—Preliminary Sketch of a Natural Arrangement of the Order Doco- 
glossa: W. H. Dall.—Reports of the Mining Su-veyors and Registrars, Vic- 
toria, for the quarter ending Dec. 31, 1870.—Digest of the return of all the 
Deaths from Phthisis in Melbourne and suburbs during 1865-69 and the first 
half of 1870: W. Thompson —Government Telegrams and Reports for the 
benefit of Commerce (Washington).—On the Physical Conditions of a closed 
Circu contiguous to a permanent and constant Voltaic Current: A. M. 
Mayer. — Observations on the Variations of the Magnetic Declination in Con- 
nection with the Aurora of October 14, 1870: A. M. Mayer.—On the Tem- 
perature and Physical Constitution of the Sun: (from the Journal of the 
Franklin Institute) Prof. Zéllner.—G. W. Childs: a Biographical Sketch, 
by James Parton. 
ForEIGN.—Die Tang*ntialwage und ihre Anwendung zur Bestimmung 
der Dichte fester u. fliissiger Kérper mittelst directer Ablesung: K. W. 
Zenger.—Ueber die Steinsalzablagerung bei Stassfurt: C. Reinwarth — 
Zur Erinnerung au Wilhelm Haidinger: F. Ritter v. Hauer. 
DIARY / 
THURSDAY, Aprrit 27. 
Roya Soctety, at 8.30.—On the Increase ot Electrical Resistance in Con- — 
ductors with Rise of Temperature, and its application to the measure of . 


Ordinary and Furnace Temperatures ; also on a simp!e Method of Measur- 
ing Electrical Resistances: C. W. Siemens, F R.S. 
Lonpon [NsTITUTION, at 7.30.—On Economic Botany: Prof. Bentley. 
Royat Institution, at 3.—On Sound: Prof. Tyndail. 
FRIDAY, Avrit 28. 4 
Queketr Microscopicat Cuus, at 8. _ 
Rovat InstiruTion. at 9.—On the revived Theory of Phlogiston: Prof. — 
Odling, F.R.S. { 
‘ SATURDAY, Aprit 29. 
Roya ScHoot oF Mines, at 8.—Geology : Dr. Cobbold. : 
ZooLoGicaL SocigETy, at 1.—Anniversary Meeting. 
Roya InstitTuTIon, at 3.—On the Instruments Used ia Modern Astro- 
nomy; J. N. Lockyer, F.R.S. 
MONDAY, May t. 
ENTOMOLOGICAL Society, at 7. 
Royat INSTITUTION, at 2.—Annual Meeting, 
Lonpon INSTITUTION, at 4.—On Astronomy : 
(Educational Course.) 
R. A. Procter, F.R.AS. 
TUESDAY, May 2. 
ZoovocIcaL Society, at 9—On the Birds of the Island of Celebes: Vis- 
count Walden.—On Speke’s Antelope and the allied species of the genus 
Tragelaphus: Sir V. Brooke, Bart. 
Society or Brs_icAL ARcH.©oLoGy. —On a Hieroglyphic Tablet of Alexan- 
der, son of Alexander the Great, recently discovered at Cairo: S. Birch, 
LL.D., F.S.A.—Some notice of three new bronze Himgaritic Tablets. 
Royat Institution, at 3 —On the Geology of Devonshire, especially of the 
New Red Sandstone System: William Pengelly, F.R.S. 
WEDNESDAY, May 3. 
Roya Microscopicat Society, at 8 —On the Structure of Lepidopterous 
Scales as bearing on the Structure of Lepidecyrtus curvicollis: Dr. Mad- 
dox.—On the Foot of Dityscus marginalis: B. T. Lo wne. 
Society oF Arts, at 8.—On the Production of Artificial Cold: Prof. J. 
Gamgee. 
THURSDAY, May 4. 
Roya Society, at 8.30. 
Society oF ANTIQUARIES, at 8.30. 
Linnean Society, at 8 —The phenomena of Protective Mimicry, and its 
bearing on the Theory of Natural Selection as illustrated by the Lepidop- 
tera of the British Islands: Raphael Meldola, F.C.S. 
CuemicaL Socigty, at 8.— On the Productive Powers of Soils in relation to 
the Loss of Plant Food by Drainage : Dr, Voelcker, F.R.S. 
Roya. INsTITuTION, at 3.—On Sound: Prof. Tyndall. 

CONTENTS PAGE 
Tue Hore or France. By THE EDITOR . ... ». «.» « « « 5OX 
PANGENESIS: © By’C. DARWIN, F-R.S., °. 5% 42 3 2). (So Ges 502 
Tue New HospiTat of St. THomas II. By Dr. MANN . . .« « 503 
Zootocicat TEXT Books. . « « aver s 4 is) 5. se) we, Pas eenSte 
‘Our’ Book SHELE 2.7) so ee) ep ek a 8) Oe ee ee 
LETTERS TO THE EpITOR :— 
Variability of Natural Selection. —Epwarp Fry, Q.C.. . .« 
Protective Resemblances.—J. P.M. WEALE. . . . » 
Sexual Selection.—R. MELDOLA . . . .. se + . 
The Irish Fern in Cornwall.—E F.1m Tourn . 7 
o 8 : 5 
Fertilisation of Hazel—JoHN Duncan. . - . +. ss + Be 
Thunderstorm at Preston.—STEPHEN WILLIAMS . . .. - 509 
Meteorology in Asia.—Rosert H. Scott. . . . «+ + « 509 
A Wind Direction Rain Gauge.—J. J. Hatt, F.M.S.. . . . 
Spectra of Aurora, Corona, and Zodiacal Light.—Pror. P1azz 
SMyTH PEURIS. © (Sieg ae = aie) «ict eeu 509 
Aurora by Daylight.—J. LANGTON : 510 
Bie Se, Sai hei) gan ale 
. . 
UNIVERSITY INTELLIGENCE - . + +s - =e Se OR eee 510 
NOTES. he CFTR A le Seen ehe. eran a. eee 518 
THE TRANSITS OF VENUS IN 2004 AND 2012. By J. R. Hinp, F.R.S. 513 
JAMERIGAN NOTES.) yo: vat) isy b) sain) taco ettian pany e- nt cen 
EXPERIMENTS ON THE SUCCESSIVE POLARISATION OF LIGHT, WITH A 
DESCRIPTION OF A NEW POLARISING APPARATUS. (With [ilustra- 
Zions.) “By Sir'C) WHEATSTONE, F-RiSj 5 26 ee Ss ee eee 
SCIRNTIFIC SERIALS 6) (6)... sof sige we 0 sie) Peri s. 
SocrgTIES AND ACADEMIES . - 6 + «© © «© © © © © © © © «© SIZ 
Books AND PAMPHLETS RECEIVED. . + « + + + + © + « «© « 520 
PPAR ye) beh SE i leah Sh at Hat atate tah a ald MEY. ae) a em 
Oo &> oP 
32 7 
