640 
NAT ORE 
[ Oct. 29, 1885 
sensitive and ganglia cells have been discovered by the 
author. These and many other histological details are de- 
scribed in the paper, which dwells also on the morpho- 
logical significance of these interesting new sponges.—On a 
sponge destructive to oyster-culture in the Clarence River, 
by R. von Lendenfeld, Ph.D. In this paper the author describes 
a new sponge, Chalinula coxit, which appeared some years ago 
on certain oyster beds in the Clarence River, and destroyed some 
of them completely. —Note on the Glacial period in Australia, 
by R. von Lendenfeld, Ph.D. The author draws attention to 
some further evidence of ice action in the Mount Lofty group 
near Adelaide, where some glacier-polished Siluro-Devonian 
rocks, with very well preserved strize, have been discovered and 
photographed.—Jottings from the biological laboratory of Syd- 
ney University, by William A. Haswell, M.A., B.Sc., F.L.S., 
&c., Lecturer on Zoology and Comparative Anatomy. This 
paper contains (I) some notes on an Australian species of Bonel- 
lia, which seems scarcely to differ from the European species, 
Bonellia viridis ; and (2) some observations on aquatic respira- 
tion in fresh-water turtles.—On the supposed Glacial epoch in 
Australia, by Capt. F. W. Hutton, F.G.S., &c. The author 
discusses the phenomena which have been adduced as evidence 
for the former existence of a Glacial epoch in Australia, and 
shows that they are susceptible of a different interpretation. He 
distinguishes between a Glacier epoch, such as has occurred in 
New Zealand, in which, owing to various local, but only local, 
causes, ice-fields prevailed over much. larger districts than at 
present, and a Glacial epoch, such as has been demonstrated in 
the Northern Hemisphere, which is the result not of variations 
caused and limited by local circumstances, but of alterations 
universal or cosmical in character. The Glacier epoch in New 
Zealand is regarded as anterior to the Glacial epoch of the 
North. 
Paris 
Academy of Sciences, October 19.—M. Bouley, President, 
in the chair.—Remarks on the 209th volume of the ‘‘ Connais- 
sance des Temps” for the year 1881, presented to the Academy 
on behalf of the Bureau des Longitudes, by M. Faye.—Note on 
the establishment of a laboratory in the Institute for the measure- 
ment of the photographic plates obtained during the transit of 
Venus in 1882, by M. Bouquet de la Grye. Arrangements have 
been made, by means of which it is hoped that the calculations 
and measurements relating to 700 plates will be completed in 
fifteen months.—Note on the Dinoceratide discovered by Mr. 
Marsh in the Eocene formations of Wyoming, United States, by 
M. Albert Gaudry. These huge pachyderms, which seem most 
to resemble the European Coryphodon described by M. Hébert, 
are specially remarkable for the characteristic horny protuber- 
ances on the frontal region, whence their name (de:vos, terrible, 
and képas, horn). The skull is also distinguished by its small 
size, in this respect resembling that of a reptile, as well as of 
several other mammals of the Lower Tertiary epoch.—On the 
birational geometrical transformations of the 7 order, by M. de 
Jonquicres.—Note on the fifth part of the topographical map of 
Algeria, presented to the Academy on behalf of the Minister of 
War, by Col. Perrier. This part comprises the six divisions of 
Jebel-Filfila, Bone, Wed-Guergur with Cape Rosa, Menerville, 
Medeah and Mostaganem to the scale of 1: 50,000.—Note on 
the sub-lacustrine ravines of glacial streams, by M. F. A. Forel. 
During his recent surveys of Lakes Constance and Geneva, M. 
Hornlimann has discovered that both the Rhine and the Rhone 
continue their course under the lacustrine waters through deep 
ravines excavated beneath the respective submerged deltas. 
That of the Rhine has been traced for a distance of four kilo- 
metres and to a depth of 125 metres below the lake, while that 
of the Rhone may be followed for over six kilometres from the 
mouth of the river with a depth varying from 200 to 230 metres. 
—On the origin and classification of meteorites, by M. Stanislas 
Meunier. The author discusses the objections urged against his 
views on the nature and classification of meteoric bodies, by M. 
Brezina in the ‘‘Meteoritensammlung des Mineralogischen 
Hofkabinets in Wien,” Vienna, 1885.—On the latitude of 
the observatory of Bordeaux, by M. G. Rayet. The mean 
latitude of this establishment, whose longitude was deter- 
mined in 1881 at 11m. 26444s. W., is found to be 44° 
50° 77"°23.—On the integrals of total differentials of the 
second species, by M. E. Picard.—Questions relating to a 
bundle of plane cubic figures, by M. P. H. Schoute.—On the 
torsion of prisms, by M. Marcel Brillouin.—Description of a 
new apparatus for measuring electric currents (one illustration), 
by M. F. de Lalande. This apparatus, for which the name of 
“electric areometer” is proposed, dispenses with a permanent 
magnet, the source of so much error in other appliances, is 
highly sensitive and practically unaffected by changes of tempera- 
ture, while its readings are unmodified by the neighbourhood of 
metallic bodies or even of powerful magnets.—On the theory of 
the transmitting electromagnetic telephone, by M. E. Mercadier. 
—Note on the electrolysis of the salts, by .M. Ad. Renard.— 
Combination of the neutral carbonate of magnesia with the bi- 
carbonate of potassa, by M. R..Engel.—On the adulteration of 
olive oil intended for consumption by the addition of sesame 
cotton and other oils extracted from seeds, by M. A. Au- 
doynaud. The bichromate of potassa and nitro-sulphurie acid 
are proposed as reagents for determining the presence of these 
substances. —On certain peculiarities in the development of the 
teeth of the cachalot (spermaceti whale), by M. G. Pouchet.— 
On the process of development of Zpzcauta verticalis, by M. H. 
Beauregard.—On the part supposed to be played by the living 
tissues of wood in the ascension of the sap in large plants, by 
M. J. Vesque. The author contests the opinion of those physio- 
logists who hold that it is impossible to explain by the aid of 
purely physical forces the ascension of water in plants over 
10 metres high.—On a waterspout observed at Shanghai on 
| August 21, by M. Martial.—Account of the same waterspout, 
by M. Mare Dechevrens.—Description of M. Buisson’s new 
rifle, by Gen. Favé. For this weapon it is claimed that 
it can be fired from five to ten times in a minute by troops 
charging the enemy without stopping an instant to re-load. As 
many as a hundred rounds may be fired off in this way. 
CONTENTS PAGE 
The Anti-Cholera Inoculations of Dr. Ferran. By 
Drs kdein has S ae 2 ae OD 
Life of Sir William Rowan Hamilton . 619 
An Agricultural Note-Book is 623 
The Prevention of Blindness 623 
Our Book Shelf :— 
Among the Rocks round Glasgow. 624 
Three Martyrs of Science of the Nineteenth ‘Century 624 
Letters to the Editor :— 
Upper Wind Currents over the Equator. —Hon. Ralph 
Abercromby . . 624 
The Hellgate Explosion and Rackarock.—Dr. H. 
Sprengel, F.R.S. 625 
An Earthquake Invention. —Prof. C, Piazzi Smyth 625 
On the Behaviour of Stretched India-rubber when 
Heated.—_H. G. Madan... . 625 
The Resting Position of Oysters. Col. H. Stuart- 
Wortley . . 625 
The Value of the Testimony to the Aurora-Sound.— 
Samuel Sexton : 3 OZ 
The Red Spot on Jupiter. —W. F. Denning 626 
A Remarkable Sunset.—Paul A. Cobbold . 626 
A Tertiary Rainbow.—T. C. Lewis . ee eOZO) 
The Sense of Colour.—Margaret Heaton .... 626 
Stone Axes, Perak.—A. Hall. . . 626 
Photographic Action on Ebonite. Edward i 
Robinson fas 4 @ & oO) ene - 626 
The Slide Rule. By C. V. Boys oo 627 
Homing Faculty of ye aa ae Dr. George 
Romans heh s sion enemas «fe qe aE ORO 
The Heights of Clouds... .. ee 630 
The Recent Total peas ‘of the Sun, (Wlus- 
trated’) 1a: wae gone too falls. see Bo Heel 
Notes 5 gece, cece ccs ele age shee; MOSS 
Our Astronomical Column :— 
Periodical Comets in 1886. +: [sins te BO 
A Catalogue of 1000 Southern Stars 36 be ORS 
Astronomical Phenomena for the Week, 1885, 
November %=7 0) 050) a) eae ee sn 636 
The Scottish Meteorological ‘Society a 636 
Prof. Kiessling’s Investigations into the Origin of 
the Late Sunset Glows. By J. Edmund Clark . 637 
A Century of Science in Bengal . . si oh ae meas 
University and Educational Intelligence Se eee 
Societies and Academies. ........-++.- 039 
