SCIENTIFIC SUMMARY. 
109 
With the great Foucault reflector of the Paris Observatory, M. Chacornac 
has been able to resolve the annular nebula of Lyra into separate and 
distinct stars. He describes the appearance of this well-known object as 
if looking down a funnel. He verifies the measurement of Sirius and its 
companion as previously given by him. 
The present summer has been fruitful in solar spots of considerable size. 
In the gallery of “ philosophical instruments,” at the Exhibition, we 
notice the photographs of Mr. Titterton, of Ely, bearing upon this subject, 
and more particularly that of August 4 of the present year, where the 
spot, lying at the margin of the sun, makes a considerable indentation on 
that part. Another remarkable spot was seen by Mr. Hodgson, on June 8. 
The Saturnian phenomena, observed_ during the absence of the ring, 
have been sufficiently curious. Mr. Dawes has made many remarkable 
observations of Saturn and its satellites and ring, but more particularly an 
immersion of Titan in the shadow of Saturn, on May 25, and a transit of 
the shadow of Titan across the disc of Saturn on J une 2. 
BOTANY. 
Araucaria Imbricata . — The destruction of two fine specimens of the 
Chili pine in the Edinburgh Botanic Garden by the frost of December, 1860, 
has given Professor Balfour the opportunity of making some observations 
upon the bark of these trees. Removing the leaves and outer bark, 
quadrilateral markings appear, varying in form according to their height 
up the stem, each of them having been connected with a leaf, and more 
distinctly visible when the external bark separated spontaneously. The 
appearances thus presented show so close a resemblance to the marks 
upon the fossil stems, called Sigillarise and Lepidodendron, usually looked 
upon as allied to ferns and lycopods, that Professor Balfour thinks the 
subject has been too hastily decided, and that it should at least be re-con- 
sidered ; very properly insisting, that the fossil botanist who decides upon 
mutilated ancient plants should at least have a good knowledge of those 
now covering the globe. 
Substitute for Paper. — M. Eugene Simon has recently sent from Japan 
to the Societe d’Acclimatation some young trees the bark of which is used 
by the Japanese for making paper. These belong to the mulberry sub- 
division of the bread-fruit tribe, and are closely allied to the tree from 
which the Chinese manufacture what is termed crape papjer, and termed 
Broussonetia papyrifera. The Japanese trees are B. kaminoki, of Van Sie- 
l.'oldt ; and this bark, when properly prepared, could he imported for half 
the price of rags into this country. Moreover, it might easily be acclima- 
tised in various parts of Europe, upon stony, calcareous soils. The 
branches are cut off every two years, placed for half an hour in hot water, 
which causes the bark to separate ; it is then dried, macerated, and 
bleached several times, and finally boiled in a lye of ashes ; then dried, 
and pounded into a pulp with water, and the pulp made into sheets. 
Substitute for Cotton. — Another important article of consumption which 
has much failed of late has taxed the iiigenuity of inventors to find a 
