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From these facts we may fairly conclude that in the healthy human heart, and most probably in the hearts of most animals, the areas of the four apertures bear an exact mathematical relationship to each other, and consequently that if the areas of any three of the openings be known, the area of the fourth orifice can be correctly calculated.

I need scarcely dwell upon the importance of a knowledge of this law in estimating the amount of contraction or dilatation of orifice which a morbid specimen may present. I will, however, now show from my own measurements how this law was applied, and how closely the observed and calculated results agreed in the case of a strong healthy man who died in the London Hospital from the effects of a fractured spine. The heart was perfectly healthy. I carefully measured the pulmonic, mitral, and aortic orifices, calculated the area of the tricuspid, and then measured its circumference. Having worked out its area, I was able to observe what difference existed between the result of actual measurement and the result derived from "the law of the orifices" which I had discovered.

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The calculated and observed results differ so little from each other' that this case evidently strongly corroborates the correctness of the law which I believe regulates the relative magnitude of the areas of the four cardiac openings.

If, moreover, we scrutinize the measurements, we shall observe an equally inportant fact, that the ratio of the areas of any two corresponding orifices is almost constant in the same, and, I may almost add in all animals, man included.

Thus the area of the tricuspid is nearly 1-3 times the area of the mitral orifice, and the area of the pulmonic of course bears the same proportion to that of the aortic opening. By measuring, therefore, the two orifices of the right (supposed healthy), we are enabled by this law to deduce approximatively the magnitude of the areas of those of the left heart and vice versa. One healthy orifice being known, the area of the corresponding opening in the other side of the heart can be approximately calculated; and should the latter be diseased, its deviation from the normal area can be determined, and the amount of abnormal contraction or dilatation fairly estimated.

(To be continued.)

GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

MARCH 23RD.-Warington W. Smyth, Esq., M.A., F.R.S., vice-president, in the chair. Frederick Antony Potter, Esq., B.Sc., Assoc. Royal School of Mines, Cromford, Derbyshire, was elected a fellow of the society. The following communications were read :

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Professor Huxley communicated a letter received by him from Dr. Emanuel Bunzel, of Vienna, giving a short account, illustrated with figures, of the posterior portion of a skull obtained by Professor Suess from a coal-mine of Upper Cretaceous (Gosau) age. stated that at the first glance this skull appeared to possess Reptilian Dr. Bunzel characters, but that the convexity of the occiput, and its gentle passage into the roof of the skull, the presence of a transverse ridge in the occipital region, the absence of sutures, the globular form of the condyle, and some other peculiarities, prevent the animal to which this skull belonged from being referred to any known order of Reptiles. The author compared this fragment of a skull with that of a bird, and suggested the establishment of a new order of fossil reptiles (Ornithocephala), closely related to Prof. Huxley's Ornithoscelida. He proposed to refer his fossil to a new genus, which he named Struthhiosaurus. "On the Discovery of Organic Remains in the Caribean Series of Trinidad," by R. J. Lechmere Guppy, Esq., F.L.S., F.G.S.-The author described the rocks of the "Caribean Group gneiss, gneissose, talcose, and micaceous slates, and crystalline and as consisting of compact limestones, and remarked upon the probable distribution of rocks of the same series on the continent of South America. Trinidad the uppermost member of the series is a compact dark blue limestone, which contains obscure, but very abundant fossils; in the subjacent clay-slates and quartz rocks calcareous strings and bands containing more distinct traces of organisms occur. lieved that he had detected an Eozoon (which he called E. caribeum), The author bea Favosites (named F. fenestralis), a coral, and fragments of Echinoderms. He considered it probable that the Caribean series was preSilurian.

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Discussion.-Dr. Carpenter, from the slight examination he had been able to make of the fossils, was unwilling to speak decidedly about them. There was, however, no doubt of numerous organic remains occurring in the rocks, and among them serpuline shells and Echinoderms. As to the supposed Eozoon, he had not been able to recognize any of the characteristics of that fossil; and by treating the Trinidad specimens with acid, he found no traces of structure left, and yet there had not been sufficient metamorphism to destroy other organisms. some dredgings from the Ægean Sea he had found fragments of EchinoIn derms and other organisms, in which a siliceous deposit had replaced the original sarcode in the same manner as had occurred in the Canadian Eozoon, thus proving the possibility of this form of substitution, which had been warmly contested.

Mr. Tate offered some suggestions as to the age of these beds, which were certainly older than Neocomian. The Californian gold-bearing beds appear to be Jurassic. Similar beds occurred in New Mexico, Guatemala, and were observed by him in Nicaragua and Costa Rica. These present lithological and mineralogical affinities to the Venezuelan and Trinitatian metamorphic series, and were conjectured to be of the same age.

"On the Palæontology of the Junction-beds of the Lower and Middle Lias in Gloucestershire," by Ralph Tate, Esq., A.L.S., F.G.S.

April 6, 1870.]

-The object of this paper was to show that the attachment of the zone of Ammonites raricostatus to the Lower Lias and that of A. Jamesoni to the Middle Lias harmonizes with the distribution of the organic remains: 50 species were catalogued from the united zones of A. oxynotus and A. raricostatus, 8 of which pass up into the Middle Lias, whilst 13 occur in the lower horizons; 115 species were enumerated as occurring in the zone of Ammonites Jamesoni, 60 of which pass to higher zones, whilst 11 made their first appearance in the Lower Lias; the number of species common to the contiguous zones being 14.

The author inferred that, as the conditions of depth and deposit of the upper part of the Lower Lias are repeated in the lower part of the Middle Lias, accompanied by a total change in the fauna, a break in the stratigraphical succession existed between the Lower and Middle Lias. This view is supported by the fact of the numerical decrease of species in passing up through the several stages of the Lower Lias, and that of the introduction of many new generic types with the zone of Ammonites Jamesoni. Many new species were described. Discussion.-Prof. Boyd Dawkins had attempted to test these Liassic zones as a means of classification of the rocks in Somersetshire, and the result had been that he had been unable to accept them as fixing hard and fast lines of demarcation, for he had found three of the distinctive Ammonites together in one bed. On our present shores the change of one form of molluscan life for another seemed to take place in limited areas, and to be dependent on some slight variation of physical conditions rather than on any great change. He had not been able to trace any stratigraphical unconformity between the Middle and Lower Lias in many parts of England, whatever might be the case in Gloucestershire.

Mr. Tate, in reply, gave an account of the manner in which he had arrived at his conclusions, and expressed his assent to the view that Ammonite zones were only of value over limited areas, but considered that a triple division in the Lower, and a dual division in the Middle Lias, were well established on paleontological and lithological features. The break which he had pointed out was paleontological rather than stratigraphical, though the one might be inferred from the other. Geological Observations on the Waipara River, New Zealand,” by T. H. Cockburn Hood, F.G.S.-In this paper the author described the general features of the locality from which he has obtained bones of Plesiosaurus, Ichthyosaurus, and Teleosaurus. The bones were not obtained in situ, but from large boulders and blocks scattered in the ravines of the Waipara and its tributaries.

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Discussion.-Prof. Boyd Dawkins remarked on the presence of Crocodilia in New Zealand being proved by the procelian vertebra.

R. H. Scott, Esq., F.G.S., communicated an extract from a letter addressed to him by M. Coumbary, Director of the Imperial Observatory of Constantinople, containing an account received from M. L. Carabello of the reported fall of a large meteorite near Mourzouk, in the district of Fezzan, in lat. 26° N., and long. 12° E. of Paris. It fell on the evening of the 25th December last, in the form of a great globe of fire, measuring nearly a mètre in diameter; on touching the earth it threw off strong sparks with a noise like the report of a pistol, and exhaled a peculiar odour. It fell near a group of Arabs, who were so much frightened by it that they "immediately discharged their guns at this incomprehensible monster."

The following specimens were exhibited :-Rock-specimens from the Caribean Series of Trinidad; exhibited by R. J. Lechmere Guppy, Esq., F.G.S. Fossils from the Gloucestershire Lias; exhibited by R. Tate, Esq., F.G.S.

ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

MARCH 24TH.-Dr. E. Hamilton, V.P., in the chair.-Mr. P. L Sclater exhibited a coloured drawing received from Dr. Salvadori, oʻ Turin, C.M.Z.S., of a bird which Dr. Salvadori had proposed to describe as a new genus and species, but which was evidently referable to the singular pigeon recently named by Mr. Gould as Otidiphaps nobilis.

Mr. W. B. Tegetmeier exhibited and made remarks on a living specimen of an Axolotl (Siredon pisciformis) which had undergone the change into the Salamandroid form recently described by Professor Dumeril, of Paris.

A third letter was read from Mr. W. H. Hudson, C.M.Z.S., containing remarks on the ornithology of the vicinity of Buenos Ayres.

Mr. Osbert Salvin read a paper on the Birds of Veragua, based on large collections recently formed by Henrique Arce in that country, and in continuation of a former memoir on the same subject. The present communication contained an account of 214 species not given in the former list, and made altogether 434 species now known to occur in this limited district. Of these additional species several were stated to be new to science and of great interest.

Mr. P. L. Sclater read a notice of two rare species of Pheasants from Upper Assam recently added to the society's living collection. These were a Monaul (Lophophorus Sclateri), and a Tragopan (Ceriornis Blythii both lately described as new by Dr. Jerdon. For these specimens, both of which were in fine plumage and of very remarkable

beauty, the society was indebted to the liberality of Major Montagu of the Bengal Staff Corps.

Mr. P. L. Sclater read some further notes on the Cuckoos of the genus Coccyzus, in continuation of a former paper on the same subject. A communication was read from Professor J. V. Barboza du Bocage, F.M.Z.S., containing a description of a new species of Pelican from Angola, proposed to be called P. Sharpii.

A communication was read from Dr. J. C. Cox, C.M.Z.S., giving descriptions of eight new species of Shells from Australia and the Solomon Islands.

A communication was read from Mr. Jonathan Couch, of Polperro, C.M.Z.S., describing a new species of Aplysia, or Sea-hare, which had recently occurred on the coast of Cornwall, and which he proposed to call A. melanopus.

CHEMICAL SOCIETY.

MARCH 17TH.-Dr. A. W. Williamson, F.R.S., &c., president, in the chair. The following gentlemen were elected fellows :-D. Brown, A. Muirhead, T. L. Paterson, D. Penny, S. T. Smith.

The first paper read was "On Artificial Alizarine," by W. H. Perkin, F.R.S.-Mr. Perkin first entered upon a long but important account of the chemical history of alizarine and its production artificially. He then went on to say that artificial alizarine is entirely identical with the colouring matter obtained from the madder root. Both of the products crystallize in needles, which are usually curved, especially when small. They dissolve in caustic alkalies, forming violet solutions of the same tint. When applied to mordanted fabrics they produce exactly the same colours, bearing the treatment with soap equally. They also possess precisely the same tinctorial value. The colours produced on fabrics by the artificial alizarine are as fast against light as those of madder. Cupric acetate produces in their alcoholic solutions a purple colouration. Their alkaline solutions show identical absorption bands in the spectrum. Both yield phthalic acid when treated with hydric nitrate.

It may be observed that a solution of sulphoxanthraquinonic acid in alcoholic potash has a very similar spectrum as an analogous alizarinic solution; but the spectra of the respective aqueous solutions are quite different.

As a substitute for madder artificial alizarine has been objected to, on the ground that pure alizarine alone will not produce the madder colours, other colouring matters being required. But Schunck says that, after a long course of experiments, he has been led to the conclusion, that the final result of dyeing with madder is simply the combination of alizarine with the various mordants employed, and he recommends extraction from madder prints as the easiest method of preparing pure alizarine on a small scale. Mr. Perkin, on experimenting in this direction, could find nothing but alizarine in finished madder print. There is a second colouring matter in the madder root, the purpurine, but this cannot be found in the colour of the prints; if a mere trace of it were present it could easily be detected by its characteristic spectrum. It cannot be affirmed that purpurine never exists on prints dyed with madder or garancin, but it is certain that the higher, the class of print, and, consequently, the more brilliant the colours, the purer is the alizarine in combination with the mordants.

Artificial alizarine as sent to the dyer and printer is not exactly pure alizarine, and generally produces, with alumina mordants, a somewhat redder shade than madder. This is due to some impurities, whose nature is, as yet, not known. Schunck has, however, already succeeded in obtaining a yellow crystalline body from the residues; but this yellow substance does not appear to have any affinity for mordants, and therefore cannot be injurious.

A good deal has been said about the supply of anthracene. It must be remembered, however, that tar-distillers have had as yet but little experience in separating this substance. Mr. Perkin's investigations on this matter have led him to believe that coal-tar contains considerable quantities of this hydrocarbon. No doubt the kind of coal used as well as the temperature employed in the gasworks, influences the quality of the tar as a source of anthracene, but upon these points no definite information has yet been obtained.

Mr. Perkin illustrated his highly interesting lecture by exhibiting samples of fabrics dyed and printed with artificial alizarine, and also by projecting the spectra of some alizarine solutions on a screen.

The following paper was "On the Combinations of Carbonic Acid with Ammonia and Water," by Dr. Divers, the reading of which, however, was, on account of the advanced hour, postponed for the next meeting (to-morrow evening), when, besides this, the following papers will be read:-"Deep Sea Water," by John Hunter, and "Refraction Equivalents of Aromatic Hydrocarbons," by Dr. Gladstone.

ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY.

AT the ordinary evening meeting of this society, on Monday week, Sir Roderick Murchison, president, in the chair, there was a large

attendance of members and their friends assembled to hear Sir Charles Nicholson's account, of Forrest's journey in the interior of Western Australia, and on the recent progress of Australian discovery. The expedition of Mr. John Forrest was undertaken by order of the Colonial Government of Swan River, with a view to ascertain the truth of reports that had been received of the murder many years ago of two white men far in the interior, north-east of the settled parts of the colony, who it was conjectured were a portion of the missing Leichhardt party. The expedition, according to Sir Charles Nicholson, was exceedingly well managed throughout, the native, "Jimmy Mungaro,” who originated the report, forming one of the party. With Mr. Forrest were associated Mr. George Monger and Mr. M. Hamersley as second and third in command, and important observations were made on the general features and productions of the country. The party started from Newcastle on the 19th of April, 1869, and reached the furthest point yet attained to the east on the 2nd of July, in 28° 41′ S. lat., and 122° 50′ E. long. The remains of the supposed white men turned out to be the bones of horses which had strayed from an outlying station. Several large salt lakes were discovered, one, Lake Barlee (named after the Colonial Secretary), being of irregular form, and more than 30 miles in length. The country was pronounced to be worthless for pastoral or agricultural purposes. Sir Charles then proceeded to notice the recent survey of the neighbourhood of Port Darwin, in the northern territory, which, he said, had been most inju diciously made over by the Imperial Government to South Australia. Port Darwin lies a little to the west of the Adelaide River, on the northern coast, opposite Melville Island, and the Government surveyors had gone over about a million acres of what might be considered available land, all the rest being of little or no value. The overland journey from South Australia is found to be quite impracticable, and Mr. Goyder, the colonial surveyor, was of opinion that the best route to the new settlement of Port Darwin would be that followed by Mr. Kinlay, from northern Queensland; thus Sir Charles observed, the territory so unwisely allotted was naturally dependent on Queensland and New South Wales. In conclusion, he alluded to the magnificent island of New Guinea as really forming part of Australia, being connected with our settlement at Cape York by a line of small islands. This was one of the most tempting fields of exploration that yet remained in the world. Nothing whatever was known of the interior except that lofty ranges of mountains, 10,000 ft. to 13,000 ft. high, with richly-wooded slopes, were in sight for many days together to vessels coasting along the shores, and that one large river at least, with an extensive delta, disembogued on the south coast.

In the discussion which followed the president stated that he had formerly endeavoured to impress upon our Government the necessity of reserving the northern territory of Australia as an Imperial possession, and for stations for our marine.

Mr. George Campbell mentioned the project of breeding horses in Australia for export to India from Port Darwin, but Sir Charles Nicholson explained that the intention is to transport the herds of horses (bred in the southern settlements) overland to the northern ports, and that the route they would follow must necessarily be via the interior of Queensland; the project was perfectly feasible, and the horses well suited for India.

The following new members were elected :-Lieut. J. C. Ardagh, R.E.; Somerset Beaumont, M.P.; Charles Clark; John Douglas; Lieut. S. T. Stratford Lecky; Capt. C. E. Luard, R.E.; William Martindale; John Moore; W. J. Newall; Major-Gen. the Hon. C. D. Plunkett; W. O. Stoton; Lieut.- Col. D. W. Tupper; and Thomas Wall Stephens.

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It having been suggested that the usefulness of the Brighton and Sussex Natural History Society would be much extended if increased facilities could be afforded to its members for microscopical study, the committee recommended that as microscopical examination and the use of the microscope were almost indispensable to the pursuit of knowledgo in natural history, it appeared to be advisable to form a section of the society, to be called the "Microscopical Section," which should provide for the study of subjects connected with the use of the microscope, and for the more frequent intercourse of such members of the society as were interested in microscopical study; that these objects could be attained by monthly meetings of the sec

tion, when papers on strictly microscopical subjects could be read, such reading to be restricted to twenty minutes, so that time might be afforded for the examination of objects and for the comparison of observations; by the formation of a cabinet, to which members be invited to contribute slides, particularly of such objects as tended to illustrate the natural history of Sussex (members to have specimens from the cabinet for home examination), and by the encouraging of the exchange of slides among the members. The section to consist of all members of the society who signify their wish to the secretaries to join the section. The government to be under the present officers of the society until the annual meeting in September, when the committee shall suggest rules for its future government; the meetings to be held on the fourth Thursday in each month at eight o'clock, when the chair shall be taken by the president, or, in his absence, by a member of the committee. After the transaction of the ordinary and special business of the evening, the meeting shall resolve itself into a conversazione at which slides illustrative of the subject of the meeting shall have precedence of other objects of interest and novelty. Before separating the subject for the next meeting shall be announced.

On the motion of Mr. Hazlewood, seconded by Mr. Wonfor, it was resolved "that the report of the committee be received, approved, entered on the minutes, and acted upon," the effect of which is to establish a microscopical section, and to make the meetings of the society twice instead of once a month, one for the general, and the other for microscopical subjects in relation to natural history.

The meeting then became general, when a paper by Mr. Clifton Ward, F.G.S., "A Sketch of the Geological History of England, so far as it is at present known," was read by Mr. Wonfor, hon. sec., in which, from the earliest dawn of the Cambrian period, to the present day, the changes produced by depression, deposition, elevation, denudation, &c., together with an account of the various animal and vegetable types of the different periods, were graphically described, and the amount of land above water in England at the different periods was represented by a series of 15 charts.

It was announced that the Bryological Flora of the County of Sussex would soon be ready for distribution, the society having determined to publish it at once, instead of waiting until the issue of the annual report in September.

BOSTON (U. S.) NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.

MARCH 16TH.-In consequence of a violent storm there was no quorum, and a somewhat informal meeting was held, Mr. W. T. Brigham in the chair. The secretary read a paper presented by Mr. F. W. Putnam, of Salem, entitled "Note on the Occurrence on the Atlantic Coast of America of two Species of Hemiramphi, heretofore known only from the South Pacific and Indian Oceans."

Mr. Putnam referred to the five forms of Hemiramphus described by Dr. Günther in his valuable Catalogue of the Fishes of the British Museum, and said that while agreeing with Dr. Günther that the teeth are too rudimentary to warrant the establishment of genera based on them alone, yet he thought the characters afforded by the head, body, and fins, were sufficient to establish these groups as generic; certainly there could be no question as to the group under consideration.

Valenciennes has described two species of Hemiramphus with very long jaws, long bodies, and long pectoral fins,-one from the Bay of Bengal, figured in the illustrated edition of Règne Animal, which he called H. longirostris, on account of its very long jaw; and another, with a still longer jaw, from De Peysters Island (South Pacific), in the Hist. Nat. Poiss., as H. macrorhynchus.

In 1859 Gill founded the genus Euleptorhamphus, a Hemiramphus with tricuspid teeth in the lower jaw, and described E. Brevoortii, a species closely allied to H. macrorhynchus and H. longirostris, and, on account of the teeth, considered it not only a distinct species, but the type of a new genus.

In September, 1869, Mr. Putnam received from Mr. Francis Gardner a fish, caught at Nantucket, Mass., which appeared to him to be the same as II. longirostris of Valenciennes. On looking over the collection of the Academy at Salem, he found two others, one from Cayenne, Guiana; and the other, presented 70 years ago by Capt. J. Cheever, from some locality unknown, both of which he considered to be the same as H. macrorhynchus, Val. In the museum of the Boston Society of Natural History he had found four specimens, locality unknown, which were unquestionably the same as the one from Nantucket. In the museum of comparative zoology at Cambridge, he found three specimens from Hawaii, which he was satisfied were the same as the Nantucket specimen.

Mr. Putnam did not consider the character of tricuspid teeth in E. Brevoortii as of much importance, as one of the three specimens in the Cambridge Museum had tricuspid teeth in the lower jaw, while the others had simply conical teeth. In one of the specimens from the museum of the Boston Society, the back teeth were tricuspid, while the front ones were simple. He had not been able to detect tricuspid

teeth in the two specimens which he considered as H. macrorhynchus, though he had found them in the three specimens which he had identified as H. longirostris. This character, he said, could not be considered as of specific importance.

The secretary next read the title only of a paper presented by Mr. W. H. Dall, of Washington, D.C., on "A Revision of the Classification of Mollusks."

He also read a paper presented by Mr. L. Trouvelot, of Medford, Mass., "On the Growth of Trees."-The writer referred to the frequent appearance of trees having their branches permanently bent in a certain direction, generally to the E. or S.E., or perpendicular to the magnetic meridian, and spoke of the theories which have been advanced to account for it: such as the influence of the prevailing winds; the rotary motion of the earth; or magnetic currents. He did not think it owing to the winds, for he had observed it in trees in sheltered places. He had also observed that some trees were more affected in this way than others: the cherry-tree most, the maple less, and the apple and oak least of all. The writer called attention to the bearing of this subject upon agriculture, and inquired whether the frequent death of trees after transplanting is not owing to their being set in a different position from that they originally held. He would suggest the importance of observing whether this phenomenon is observable all over the globe, or is it confined to any particular locality; and also as to the kind of trees exhibiting this peculiarity in the greatest degree.

In a few remarks on this paper, the chairman stated that he had found the maple and silver-leaf poplar (P. alba) often bent in this way; and, contrary to Mr. Trouvelot's experience, had found the apple, especially the native apple, to exhibit this turning in a marked degree. He had transplanted a tree thus bent, turning it 180°, and found that the tree did not suffer. He had found no preponderance of wood on either side of the trunk of trees exhibiting this peculiarity; but the rings of growth were uniform.

FOREIGN ACADEMIES.

THE FRENCH ACADEMY.

PARIS, MARCH 28TH.-In the absence of the president, vice-president, and the two secretaries, M. Chevreul presided.

M. Trécul explained, with the aid of diagrams, the results of numerous observations made by him on the difference presented in the insertion of petioles according to the mode of vasculary arrangement in plants.

M. Jamin also explained the method followed by him in some recent experiments which he has made in conjunction with M. Amaury, to determine the specific heat of liquids and gases, and although those experiments are not yet of a nature to be published, M. Jamin thought it necessary at present to point out some of the results of those experiments, which tend to confirm those already published by M. Hirn, and which are in opposition to those previously announced by MM. Pflaundler and Platter. The latter physicists have concluded from a series of experiments tending to determine the calorific capacity of water at temperatures near its maximum density, that far from being almost constant and equal at unity, as has been stated, its capacity on the contrary varies remarkably. The following are the values that they have found:

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M. Hirn proceeded differently. The following is the principle of his method:-Having added successively to the same mass of water equal quantities of heat, he then proceeded to measure the increase of temperature produced by each of those additions, it is sufficient to say that the results of his experiments do not accord with those of MM. Pflaundler and Platter.

After a discussion on the errors which may have influenced both the methods, M. Hirn concluded by saying that it appeared difficult to admit that the calorific capacity of water about the maximum of density varied in the manner indicated by the preceding table as he believed it to increase nearly regularly from 0° to 10°. However, as he recognized the work of MM. Pflaundler and Platter to have been executed by skilled hands with the aid of the most simple method, he desired to ascertain the origin of the discordance. On this subject M. Hirn remarked, Was it not possible that the same bo ly and same mass of water receiving an even quantity of heat, takes different temperatures according to the manner in which the addition of heat is made? He said in his method a constant quantity of water is forced to partake of successive and constant quantities of heat, and that in that of MM. Pflaundler and Platter they combined two masses of water with two different temperatures.

M. Hirn asked if, in the second case, it was certain that all the heat contained in excess in the hottest mass is manifested by the thermometer at the moment of its dispersion into the coldest one. The force of M. Hirn's remarks is slightly now diminished, since M. Jamin, by following another method, has arrived at results coinciding with M. Hirn's, and differing from those of MM. Pflaundler and Platter. He has found, by eight series of experiments, that there is no irregular change whatever towards 4°.

This communication gave rise to some observations from M. Regnault, who entered into some lengthened details on experiments which he himself has made on the same subject which have not yet been published. He is convinced from these experiments that there is somewhere about the maximum of density a slight perturbation, of whose value he has not yet been able to determine. He thinks that in the principle followed by M. Jamin there is a source of error which renders the results hardly worthy of confidence.

The correspondence was then presented by M. Elie de Beaumont, and various other communications were presented. The Academy then resolved itself into a secret committee.

ROYAL INSTITUTE OF LOMBARDY.

MILAN, FEBRUARY 24TH.-The first paper was read by Dr. Maggi, on the lesser-known languages of Ancient Italy.

This paper gave rise to some remarks from MM. E. E. Lombardini and Rossi, and some objections on the part of the secretary, Signor Ascoli.

The Marquis Gerolamo d'Adda read an account of some of his researches on Roman arts and industry.

Dr. Lemoigne described a case of removal of the cerebellum in a bird. He exhibited the animal to the Academy, and proved that it showed no remarkable alteration of function.

Professor Amati read a paper on primary and secondary methods of education.

Professor Biffi presented the Academy, in the name of the author, Dr. Achille Visconti, with a work entitled "Chemical and Anatomical Account of a Case of Echinococcus of the Cerebellum."

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From these numbers it would seem that the capacities at 1.50° and 6.50 differ by themselves nearly 20 per cent. Such a variability would constitute one more irregularity to be added to that already presented by the water at 4°.

M. Hirn, wishing to ascertain if this anomaly was real, or if it only resulted from errors in the experiments, or in the method itself, proceeded to a new determination of the calorific capacity of water near the maximum of density, following another from that already tried by MM. Pflaundler and Platter. The latter have employed the mixture method. Two masses of water weighed exactly, taken at different temperatures, exactly estimated also, were rapidly mixed; then they took the temperature of the mixture, and with the aid of this and a great number of other experiments made in the varied conditions of weights and temperatures, they have arrived at the solution of the problem.

NOTES AND MEMORANDA.

Observations on Sound in the Lake Tunnel at Chicago.-The eighth Annual Report of the Board of Public Works, of the city of Chicago, in giving a history of the lake tunnel, says that observations on sound were frequently made during the progress of the work. The first distinct notice of anything of this kind was when the tunnel had been made one hundred yards from the land shaft. Just above the tunnel is the breakwater inclosing the inlet basin. The outside of the breakwater consists of round piles, laced 1 ft. to 2 ft. apart. The waves could be distinctly heard in the tunnel below, striking those piles through 60 ft. of earth. The next observation was the passing of propellers and tugs, when the tunnel reached half a mile or more out. The different noises made by a vessel or engine passing overhead could be heard as distinctly through 30 ft. to 40 ft. of earth as on the surface of the water. It was considered a matter of much interest to determine how far sound could be heard through the clay. The miners thought it could not be more than 150 ft. to 200 ft. In order to be certain, observations were made when the faces were 800 ft. apart, and sounds of blows of iron on stone or iron in the clay, but not on the clay itself, could be heard with great distinctness. Whether the sounds passed through 800 ft. of clay, or first through 30 ft. of clay, then through 800 ft. of water and then through 30 ft. of clay, is a question-probably the latter.

A Substitute for the Platinum Still.-M. Cotelle, says the Pharmacist, has invented a cheap substitute for the platinum still used in distillation of sulphuric acid. It consists of a stone tower, into which the acid drops in small quantities, while a current of hot air enters at the bottom and drives over the acid, which is condensed in the usual way.

The White Hand-Under this name we have received from Messrs. Lillian a toilet preparation, which, without having any injurious qualities, appears to improve the appearance of the skin by preventing the hurtful action of the harsh winds of March.

SCIENTIFIC DIARY.

WEDNESDAY, April 6th.

Institution of Naval Architects, noon.

Aunual Report of the Council. Address by the President. "On the Influence of the Suez Canal on Ocean Navigation," by J. D'Aguilar Samuda, Esq., M.P. "The Channel Passage-Vessels and Piers," by Vice-Admiral Sir Edward Belcher, K.C.B. "International Communication by Railway Steamships," by John Scott Russell, Esq., F.R.S.

Society of Arts, 8 p.m.

Pharmaceutical Society, 8 p.m.

Royal Society of Literature, 4.15 p.m.

Obstetrical Society, 8 p.m..

Belfast United Natural History Societies, 8 p.m.

"Illustrations of the Diffusion of Liquids," by Prof. James Thomson, LL.D., C.E. "The Aquarium," by Dr. Henry Burden. The Members of the Naturalists' Field Club are reminded that the Annual Meeting will be held on April 13th. Intending competitors for the Prizes offered by the Club, should have their collections at the Museum, on or before April 9th.

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Royal Society Club, 6 p.m.

Society of Artists and Amateurs, 8 p.m.

London Institution, 7:30 p.m.
Linnean Society, 8 p.m.

"On New Species of Annelids," by Dr. Baird. "On Algae from the North Atlantic Ocean," by Dr. Dickie. Social Science Association, 4 p.m. (at St. James's Hall). "On the Education of the Blind Sons of Gentlemen, in connection with the Worcester Proprietary College."

Royal Institution, 3 p.m. "Chemistry of Vegetable Products," by Prof. Odling, F.R.S.

Perthshire Society of Natural Science, 8.30 p.m. "On the Falconidae of Perthshire." "On the Mollusca of the Ponds of the District." Harveian Society, 8 p.m. "On Lithotomy," by Mr. T. Carr Jackson. Institution of Naval Architects, noon. "On the Load-draught of Merchant Ships," by W. W. Rundell, Esq. "The Fleet of the Future," by John Scott Russell, Esq. "On Naval Armaments," by Capt. R. A. E. Scott, R.N. "Description of a Sea-going Ironclad Ship of War," by Ralph Dawson, Esq.-7 p.m. "The Experiments recently proposed on the Resistance of Ships," by C. W. Merrifield, Esq. On certain Theorems connected with the Geometry of Ships," by M. Emile Leclert. "On the Position of the Centre of Gravity of a Ship and its Relation to Stability," by Charles F. Henwood, Esq. "The Influence of Pressure on the Sides of Ships, under certain circumstances," by Charles Lamport, Esq.

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Quekett Microscopical Club, 8 p.m.

Clinical Society, 8.30 p.m.

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Institution of Naval Architects, noon. "On the Law of Resistance of Armour Plates composed of one or more thicknesses," by Sir W. Fairbairn, Bart., LL.D., F.R.S. "On the Treatment of Iron Masts by Sailors of the Merchant Service," by William Symington, Esq. "On Bulkheads," by Laurence Hill, Esq. "The Navigable Dock,' by Vice-Admiral Sir Edward Belcher, K. C.B. "On Compound Marine Engines," by Arthur Rigg, Jun., Esq.-7 p.m. Simple Plan of Applying Zinc in a Fluid State to the Surface of Ships," by Charles Lamport, Esq. "On the Present State of the Liquid (or Condensed) Fuel Question," by Capt. J. H, Selwyn, R.N. SATURDAY, 9th,

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[April 6, 1870.

Institution of Naval Architects, noon. "On the Small Fastenings of
Wooden Ships," by William Poole King, Esq. "On a Mechanical
Method of Lifting Screw Propellers," by Capt. Symonds, R. N. "On
a New Kind of Balanced Rudder," by C. G. Gumiel, Esq. "On
Balanced Steering Gear," by Vice-Admiral Sir Edward Belcher,
K.C.B.
SUNDAY, 10th.

Sunday Lecture Society, St. George's Hall, 4.30 p.m. "On Witchcraft and the Lessons we learn from it," by Rev. Allen D. Graham, M.A. Oxon.

MONDAY, 11th.

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LUNAR MAP.-" W. R. B."-We shall be glad to receive the circular when ready. It will enable us to judge, as you say. We have reproduced one or two of the facts communicated to us.

THE FORMATION OF DEW.-" H. H."-The MS. has reached us, and shall appear in due course. We think you hardly deal fairly with Wells; that is to say, that you do not give him credit for all he deserves.

SOLAR SPOTS.-"A. E. S.”—A very large one is now traversing the disk. The communication appears.

SIR W. THOMSON AND GEOLOGY.-"A. P."-We cannot insert the letter. We have already had quite enough of the subject, and are merely continuing the correspondence to enable Mr. Menteath to justify his posi tion. Besides, your letter is too long. Those who have communications to make to us, should remember how much matter presses each week upon our pages, and should state their opinions in moderate compass.

LECLANCHE CELL.--"S. L. T."-We quite agree with you. The opinion we arrived at is quite the same as yours. The battery seems an excellent and constant and cheap one, but its manufacturers do not take any trouble to make it known to our readers. We have had several letters about it, in regard to its price, &c., but we cannot, nor is it our duty to, reply to them. If manufacturers do not see their own interests, it is no affair of

ours.

FOSSILS OF NORTH STAFFORD LIMESTONE.-T. W."-Thank you for the very excellent printed list of the fossils of this deposit. It is most creditable both to Mr. Carrington, and to the North Stafford Field Naturalists' Club.

EAST KENT NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.-Report is in type, but is delayed by press of matter.

FIRING UNDER WATER.-"C.O.H.S." did not state the source from which the account is taken, nor did he send the blocks. If he will favour us with the latter, of good size, we shall be happy to afford him space to describe his invention himself. This will be better than a second-hand quotation.

EAR COUGH.-C. F." The subject is of great interest; but, unfortunately, not suited to our pages.

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, CIRENCESTER. -Our correspondent need be in no way alarmed. The former article to which he refers was written by a gentleman having no interest whatever in the matter, and who never even saw the gentleman referred to. The second statement was merely relative. We shall be happy to do anything in our power for the Insti tution,

MUSEUM OF COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY, CAMBRIDGE, U.S.-"R. B."— We are much obliged to you. We shall be glad to assist your museum in any way in our power, by publishing lists of species required, or intelligence of any kind which the authorities may wish to have widely disseminated.

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