Miscellaneous Intelligence. 509 
TV. MiIscELLANEOUS SCIENTIFIC INTELLIGENCE. 
1, Le Pétrole, L’Asphalte et le Bitume au point de vue géolo- 
gique par A. JaccarD. 292 pp. Paris, 1895 (Félix Alcan)— 
Bibliotheque scientifique, Ixxxi.--The subject to which this 
volume is devoted is one of high scientific interest as well as great 
economic importance. The author, M. Aug. Jaccard, who died 
at Locle, Switzerland, on the 5th of January of the present year, 
had devoted much of his life to the study of this department of 
geology and his clear, systematic presentation will be found 
interesting and valuable. He gives a critical history of the vari- 
ous scientific theories in regard to the origin of petroleum, from 
the time of von Buch (1801); he also discusses its mode of forma- 
tion and the important deposits. A later account is given of 
bitumen, asphaltum, natural gas, ete. The closing chapter con- 
tains some statistics in regard to the production of petroleum 
and suggestions in regard to its future. The author declares him- 
self strongly in favor of the sedimentary and organic origin of 
the deposits of hydrocarbons as opposed to the eruptive and inor- 
ganic; he also repeatedly argues that it is unnecessary to invoke 
violent causes to explain the observed facts. Further he urges 
that many authors have confounded the original formation of 
bitumen with the subsequent phenomenon of its reappearance at 
the surface. 
2. Les Aurores polaires par ALFRED ANGOT. 318 pp. 8Vvo. 
Paris, 1895 (Félix Alcan)——Bibliothéque | scientifique interna- 
tionale publiée sous la direction de M. Km. Alglave, lxxx.— 
An interesting and popular account is given of auroras in their 
many forms; numerous excellent illustrations show some of the 
most remarkable occurrences. The various theories advanced to 
account for auroras are detailed, and preference is given to that 
of Edlund, based on unipolar induction, as being most satisfac- 
tory (Swedish Acad., vol. xvi, 1878). An appendix, of 90 pages, 
gives a catalogue of auroras observed in Europe below lat. 55° 
from 1700 to 1890. 
8. Une Excursion en Corse —PRincE RoLanp BONAPARTE. 
273 pp. Paris, 1891.—This handsome volume is an interesting 
account of a visit by Prince Roland Bonaparte to Corsica in 
1887. The scientific observations made, in physical geography, 
geology, anthropology, etc., were presented at a meeting held in 
Berne on December 18, 1889. The story of the trip, its incidents, 
the picturesque features of that charming region, are here pre- 
sented in most readable form, Several beautiful views add 
charm to a very attractive volume. An extensive bibliography 
of works relating to Corsica fills the latter half of the work. 
WituiaM Wester & Son: The Natural History and Scientific Book Circular, 
No. 124: Astronomy, including works from the Libraries of Sir G. B. Airy, F.R.S., 
and A. C. Ranyard, F.R.A.S. 56 pp, including 1789 numbered works. 
