616 Analyses of Books. [October, 
tasting human or indeed any kind of mammalian blood. Hence 
it follows that such blood is not necessary to their existence, and 
that the pain which they infliCt is as “ needless ” as “ profitless.” 
Mr. A. E. Nevins is the author of a paper on “ Modern 
Meteorology, considered in its Bearing upon Tropical Storms.” 
He argues that in whatever part of a storm a ship is, she will 
be approaching the centre, in a more or less oblique direction, if 
she runs dead before the wind. He raises the question whether 
the two currents of air forming such storms are not charged 
with electricity of opposite names ? 
J. Linton Palmer furnishes some interesting notes on the 
“ Colours of the Sea.” 
The Rev. T. P. Kirkman, F.R.S., writes on the “ Solution of 
the Problem of the Autopolar P Edra with Full Construction up 
to P=io.” He remarks, “ It may come to be evident, although 
I confess that I cannot clearly conceive how, that this complete 
theory of the polyedra is a necessary introduction to dynamical 
science yet undiscovered.” He adds, “ For look how grandly we 
can talk about matter and law — this Realm of Matter and this 
Reign of Law ! or, more accurately, this Realm of Rubbish and 
this Majesty of Must-be.” 
Richmond Leigh, M.R.C.S., treats very ably on “Changes of 
Climate, Secular and caused by Human Agency.” He expounds 
in particular the dire mischief which has been occasioned by the 
wanton aud reckless destruction of forests. 
Dr. Francis Imlach contributes a memoir on the “ Levantine 
Plague, Past and Present,” and warns us to be wise in time. 
Mr. F. P. Marrat, in a paper on the “ Arrangement of the 
Shells in the Genus Nassa ,” remarks that fully nine-tenths of 
the shells now ranking as species will be found to come under 
this general term (viz., intermediate forms, and even many of 
those at present appearing as distinCt will find a place in this 
series. 
Mr. E. D. Jones, of San Paolo, Brazil, communicates some 
very valuable notes on the larvae and pupae of Brazilian Lepi- 
doptera. The larva of a Papilio (species not named) is described 
as having the power of flinging a drop of a fluid (colourless, but 
possessing a very pungent and offensive odour) upon the offend- 
ing objeCf. The author is doing exceedingly useful work in 
studying and recording the metamorphoses of the Brazilian 
butterflies. 
At one of the meetings of the Society Mr. Jos. Boult argued 
that overcrowding is by no means so important an element in 
the causes of a high death-rate as is generally supposed. 
