374 Notes. [June, 
A zoological “ station” is being commenced in the Department 
of the Eastern Pyrenees, and will be opened next winter. 
According to a communication made to the Academy of 
Sciences, M. J. Chatin has detected Trichinae encysted in the 
intestinal coats of the pig, as used for sausage-skins. 
Messrs. L. Reeve and Co. are about to publish a complete 
illustrated work, by Dr. H. C. Lang, F.L.S., on the Diurnal 
Lepidoptera of Europe. 
Dr. Seubert has determined the atomic weight of platinum as 
194-46124, instead of the formerly admitted value 197*4. This 
change brings platinum into harmony with the requirements of 
the periodic law. 
It is rumoured that a process for melting and forging iridium 
has been exhibited before the Scientific Society of Cincinnati. 
A bar of this metal, used in place of the negative carbon in an 
eleCtric lamp, showed no loss of weight after burning for sixty 
hours. 
The subject of colour-blindness as a possible cause of disasters 
at sea and on railways is attracting increasing attention. 
C. W. C. Fuchs, in the “ Naturforscher,” gives a general sum- 
mary of earthquakes and volcanic outbreaks for the year 1880. 
They appear to have been exceptional both in number and 
violence. 
According to the “ Baptist Family Magazine ” (American) 
J. A. Parker’s formula for the ratio of the diameter of a circle to 
the circumference is identical with the one “ used by the archi- 
tect of the Great Pyramid in its construction, and also by Moses 
and Solomon in the construction of the Tabernacle and Temple 
and their contents.” 
Prof. J. Collett, the State Geologist of Indiana (“Clinton 
Herald ”), contends that the mastodon must have survived down 
to very recent times. 
Prof. H. J. Detmers (“ Science ”) traces the disease known as 
“ swine-cholera ” to a microscopic schizophyte, which is absent 
in healthy animals. The author points out a method of pro- 
tecting swine against the disease by a species of vaccination. 
Mr. C. H. Barton (“ Victorian Review”) summing up the dis- 
astrous phenomena, meteorological and otherwise, of the year 
1880, which he terms “ Annus mirabilis,” draws the soothing 
conclusion that the earth is yet “ instinCt with vital energy,” and 
betrays an exuberance of cosmic power not easily reconcilable 
with planetary old age. It might, however, be contended that 
the bulk of the disasters enumerated, being due to the want of 
heat, are by no means a proof of exuberant energy, but rather of 
