352 Mr. J. N. Lockyer on the [Mar. 2, 



Decalcified in 1-per-cent. solution of nitric acid in water. 



Transferred directly to guru-water, soaked a few hours, and then placed 

 in a paper bag surrounded by spirit. 



Imbedded in Stirling's machine and cut. 



Gum gradually dissolved away in proof spirit. 



Mounted, stained or otherwise, in glycerine or Canada balsam. 



I have examined the cochleae of the following mammals : — man, mon- 

 key, sheep, dog, cat, rat, guineapig, rabbit, porpoise, kangaroo. "With 

 the exception of the peculiarities in man and monkeys referred to, I have 

 found a striking similarity in the organ of Corti of all these animals.- 



Unfortunately all my efforts to procure the cochlea of a monotreme 

 have as yet proved unsuccessful, a circumstance much to be regretted, 

 as I fully anticipate that it presents some appearances which link the 

 very dissimilar cochleae of mammals and birds. 



II. " Preliminary Note on the Compound Nature of the Line- 

 Spectra of Elementary Bodies/' By J. N. Lockyer, F.R.S. 

 Received January 20, 1876. 



In a former communication to the Royal Society (Proc. vol. xxii. p. 380, 

 1874) I referred briefly to the possibility that the well-known line- 

 spectra of the elementary bodies might not result from the vibration of 

 similar molecules ; and I was led to make the remark in consequence of 

 the differences in the spectra of certain elements as observed in the spec- 

 trum of the sun and in those obtained with the ordinary instrumental 

 appliances. 



I have now clear evidence that the molecular grouping of calcium which, 

 with a small induction-coil and small jar, gives a spectrum with its chief 

 line in the blue, is nearly broken up in the sun, and quite broken up in 

 the discharge from a large coil and jar, into another or others with lines 

 in the violet. 



I say " another " or " others," because I have not yet been able to 

 determine whether the last-named lines proceed from the same or dif- 

 ferent molecules ; and it is possible we may have to wait for photographs 

 of the spectrum of the brighter stars before this point can be determined. 



This result enables us to fix with very considerable accuracy the electric 

 dissociating conditions which are equivalent to that degree of dissociation 

 at present at work in the sun. 



I beg permission to append the following Letter from Prof. Stokes and 

 my reply : — 



March 3, 1876. 



My dear Lockyer, — You might perhaps like that I should put on 

 paper the substance of the remarks I made last night as to the evidence 

 of the dissociation of calcium. 



