1884.] 
Analyses of Books. 
239 
Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South 
Wales, 1882. Vol. XVI. Edited by J. A. Liversidge, 
F.R.S., Professor of Chemistry and Mineralogy in the Uni- 
versity of Sydney. Sydney : Richards. London : Triibner 
and Co. 
This number, though somewhat late in making its appearance, 
contains much important matter. 
The President of the Society, H. C. Russell, F.R.A.S., the 
Government Astronomer, in his Anniversary Address, discusses 
the notion of producing rain artificially. This question does not 
excite much attention in England, since in nine seasons out of 
ten we have too much rain, — if not for the entire year, yet just 
in the months when every drop is a nuisance. But in South 
Africa and Australia the power of causing rain to fall at will 
would redeem vast traCts of country from barrenness, and save 
thousands of persons from severe losses. Mr. Russell has, 
therefore, carefully collected evidence on the possibility of rain- 
making. A vague notion prevails in several countries that fires, 
explosions, great battles, &c., are often followed by rain. Cu- 
riously enough some observers ascribe to the discharge of cannon 
the very opposite effecft — the dissipation of storms ! Mr. Russell 
does not seem disposed to deny that when the atmosphere is in 
the condition called unstable equilibrium, when a cold current 
overlies a warm one, violent concussions and columns of hot gases 
ascending, might determine rain ; but in the dry years in Australia 
the equilibrium of the atmosphere is exceptionally stable. 
Mr. Liversidge contributes a paper on the Deniliquin meteorite 
of 1872. This stone is of the great weight of 145 lbs., and be- 
longs to the class of siderolites— mixtures of silicates with 
metallic nickeliferous iron. Copper, chrome, cobalt, manganese, 
and aluminium are present, but tin is absent. 
The Bingera meteorite, described in the next paper, contains 
the same metals with the addition of tin, but apparently no man- 
ganese. It is interesting to note that these meteorites have been 
examined spectroscopically. ' The question has been raised 
whether such examination might not possibly lead to the disco- 
very of certain of the rarer metals, or even of elements not yet 
recognised in our earth. The result, however, in these cases 
must be pronounced negative. Prof. Liversidge is still engaged 
with an examination of the Bingera meteorite, with especial 
reference to occluded gases. 
Mr. Liversidge makes further communications on the che- 
mical'composition of certain rocks from New South Wales, New 
Britain, and New Ireland. 
The Rev. J. E. Tenison-Woods describes at some length the 
Hawkesbury sandstone formation. He finds no evidence of 
glaciation, but notices traces of volcanic outbursts on a gigantic 
