yan. 11, 1874J 



NATURE 



229 



considered as an intermediate form between Agnostus 

 and Paradoxidcs (resembling the former in its segments, 

 the latter in its head), but then its geological position is 

 above, not below, those genera. 



In the Primordial fauna no single Trilobite has been 

 discovered which can be regarded as an intermediate con- 

 necting link between and two other genera. 



Finally, no trace of a Tribolitc has been found in the 

 antecedent Cambrian formation, and yet from the number 

 of these fossils found it is eminently likely that had they 

 existed they would have left traces of their existence 

 amongst the Cambrian fossils. 



The author concludes that we have here a very im- 

 portant discord between Darwinism and facts. 



NOTES 



By the kindness of Dr. Draper, of New York, we are 

 enabled to issue to our readers this week a copy, absolutely un- 

 touched, of a photograph of a part of the solar spectrum 

 recently obtained by that gentleman by means of the reflection 

 grating suggested by himself, and made by Mr. Rutherfurd. 

 There is no doubt that in all such physical inquiries as those in 

 which Dr. Draper is interested all observations will in time be 

 permanently recorded by means of photography, and to tliis end 

 the labours of Drs. Draper, father and son, will have contri- 

 buted in no mean degree. 



We learn from the Athcmnivt that the Gold Medal of the 

 Royal Astronomical Society has been awarded by the Council 

 of the Society to Prof. Simon Newcomb, of the United States, 

 for his tables of Neptune and Uranus, and other mathematical 

 works. 



The French Academy of Sciences, at their meeting on Monday 

 last, elected Dr. Muggins, F.R.S., and Prof Simon Newcomb, 

 to fill two vacancies among the correspondents in the Astro- 

 nomical Section. 



AVe regret to announce the premature death of two eminent 

 French savatiis. Dr. Legros, who has been poisoned in the 

 course of histological researches, and M. Femand Fapillon, well 

 known for his physiological mvestigations. 



Sir Samitel Baker has been appointed Rede Lecturer 

 in the University of Cambridge for the ensuing year. Sir 

 Samuel, upon whom the University confen'ed the honorary 

 degree of Master of Arts in iS66, will deliver the lecture in the 

 Easter Term. 



Sir Samuel Baker was entertained on Monday at a banquet 

 given by the Mayor and Town Council of Brighton, at the 

 Royal Pavilion. In a long and interesting speech Sir Samuel 

 Baker referred to the progress of African discovery, the re- 

 sources of Africa and the future of the natives, which he does 

 not think hopeful, and of what he did for the suppression of the 

 slave-trade. 



There has been a good deal said recently as to the fate of the 

 Memorial to Government in favour of an Arctic Expedition ; but 

 we believe the matter stands exactly as it did when our article ap- 

 jieared on Dec. 1 1 last (N.vture, vol. ix. p. 97). The uncalled- 

 for and aggravating delay of Mr. Gladstone in answering the 

 Memorial is only what might be expected. 



From the ist inst. there will be published daily at Copen- 

 hagen a "Bulletin Meteorologique du Nord," containing the 

 daily reports from the Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish stations. 

 This makes the fourth such iiublication in Europe, the others 



being published in France, Russia, and in this country. In 

 almost all other countries the reports appear at least in the news- 

 papers. 



Ornithologists will be glad to hear of the safe arrival 

 lately in the Gardens of tlie Zoological Society, of a pair of 

 very interesting new species of White .Stork {Ckonia boyciana) 

 from Japan, described by Mr. R. Swinhoe nearly a year ago. 

 This new form presents points of particidar interest, as in 

 general appearance it resembles both the common European 

 Stork (C alba) as well as the Maguari Stork (C ina'^nari) of 

 South America, and so tends to favour the impression derived 

 from other .facts — such as the geographical distribution of the 

 Tapiridcc, of the Ciiniidir, and perhaps of the Cervulidu\ if, as 

 shown by Sir Victor Brooke, Cciinis piidti is related to them in 

 important osteological peculiarities — that it is in that direction, 

 and not across the Atlantic Ocean that the European continent 

 was last in communication with the New World. 



We direct the attention of our readers to the account, given 

 in another page, of an extraordinary gigantic new form of 

 Miocene mammals, the Brontotheridu:, from Colorado, dis- 

 covered by Prof. Marsh of Yale College. 



We are glad to observe that Mr. Dresser's excellent work on 

 "The Birds of Europe" continues to appear with marvellous 

 regularity, considering the amount of work involved. A double 

 number, comprising Parts 23 and 24, is just issued, completing 

 the second volume in fourteen months ; and the author states 

 that he has such a large amount of manuscript ready in advance, 

 t'lat he can with confidence promise equal punctuality with the 

 next volume. The work continues to maintain its high character 

 both in letter-press and illustrations. The plates representing 

 the S|)Oonbill and the Snowy Owl, in the parts just issued, are 

 cliarming pictures as well as accurate ornithological portraits. 



A TELEGRAM from Philadelphia announces that the Siamese 

 Twins died .on Saturday at their home in North Carolina, aged 

 63. Eng lived two hours longer than Chang. 



We learn that IM. J. C. Houzeau has been investigating the 

 directions of the major axes of cometary orbits. He has exa- 

 mined 233 orbits from Miidler's catalogue, but for the purposes 

 of his investigation he has eliminated those comets of short 

 period, having their aphelia inside the orbit of Neptune, num- 

 bering 15, and also the seven probable appearances of Halley's 

 comet and three others whose elements are uncertain, and so 

 reduces the number 233 to 208 ; he, however, adds Comet I., 

 1819, making 209 comets whose orbits he discusses. He finds 

 that there is a decided tendency in the major axes of those orbits 

 to place themselves parallel to the double heliocentric meridian 

 102° 20' and 282" 20', bemg only 28° from long. 254° 5', in whicli 

 tlie point that the solar system is approaching is situate. The 

 major axes do not, however, show a tendency to aggregate near 

 lat. -^ 57° 26', in which the before-mentioned point lies ; but he 

 observes that it is probable that a large number of southern 

 comets have passed unseen, and that there may be inaccuracies 

 in the elements of the orbits. 



We have received several documents relating to the School 

 of Mines, Ballaarat, which was estabhshed in 1S70, its primary 

 object being to impart instruction in the various branches of 

 science relating to mining, the theory and practice of mining, 

 mine management, mining surveying, and mining engineering. 

 It grants certificates'to all classes of men connected with mining, 

 from minmg-engineers and assayers to engine-drivers, all candi- 

 dates being subjected to a good testing examination. The 

 attendance at the School has increased every quarter since it was 

 started, the number of students in the third term of 1873 having 

 been 59. The benefit likely to accrue to a mining country such as 

 Victoria from an efficient school of this kind is incalcuUble, an 1 



