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closely resembles, in its mode of growth, Leucosolenia botryoides, but afterwards, in some instances, becomes massive and semiglobose. It has been submitted for examination to Dr. Bowerbank, who describes it as follows:-"In the young state, a con

geries of thin fistulæ, like a Leucosolenia; when adult massive; furnished with numerous thin conical or cylindrical cloacal organs, very variable in size and length. Surface of the mass mooth and even; small cloaca furnished with numerous long, slender, acerate, external defensive spicula, projected ascendingly at small angles to the surface; large cloaca nearly destitute of external defensive spicula, furnished with a few long, slender, acerate, procumbent spicula; internal defensive spicula of cloaca spiculated, equi-angular, tri-radiate; spicular ray, slender and attenuated.

the cloaca.

Oscula minute, distributed on the inner surfaces of Pores unknown. Dermal membrane pellucid aspiculous. Skeleton spicula, equi-angulated and rectangulated, triradiate; radii slender and unequal in length, distorted; colour, cream white. Habitat, Brighton Aquarium, Henry Lee. Examined in the dried state." This sponge will be figured in three several conditions of its development, in the forthcoming third volume of Dr. Bowerbank's valuable monograph of the British Spongiada, published by the Ray Society, and will be known as Leuconia Somesii; Dr. Bowerbank having named it after Mr. Somes, the chairman of the Brighton Aquarium Company.

A CORRESPONDENT of the Scotsman points out how desirable a thing it is that a marine aquarium should be erected in Edinburgh. "The city," he rightly says, "abounds in educational establishments, to which such an institution would be an invaluable accessory. Great local facilities exist for the creation of an aquarium, and were a scheme for that purpose but set on foot, many willing hands would aid in its realisation. The cost would not be great, considering the advantages to be obtained; and it is certain the establishment would be self-supporting." We hope to see the matter earnestly taken up by proper hands.

THE fifth part of the illustrated work on Lepidoptera, domestic and foreign, by Mr. Herman Strecker, of Reading, Pennsylvania, has made its appearance. In the present part the illustrations relate entirely to the genus Catocala, of which one supposed new species is presented under the name of C. perplexa, from the vicinity of Brooklyn. Mr. Strecker merits particular commenda. tion from the fact that this work is prepared exclusively by his own hand, the illustrations being drawn on stone, printed, and coloured by himself and, if we mistake not, the type of the text is set up by him likewise-all done in the intervals of his daily labour as a mechanic. The expense of the work-fifty cents per number- is such a mere trifle that we trust he will be encouraged by a sufficient subscription list to continue it to completion, increasing the number of plates, as he promises to do, without any change in the price, should he receive the desired patronage.

THE London Association of Correctors of the Press held a conversazione on Saturday last under the presidency of Mr. B. H. Cowper, editor of the Queen. We are glad to notice that the principal items of the programme were of a scientific character. Mr. E. R. Johnson, Chairman of the Association, read a paper on the past work of the Association, enumerating some of the papers and discussions on philological topics which had engaged its attention, and while commending the study of philology, the advantage of an acquaintance with one or other of the exact sciences was set forth. Mr. G. Chaloner, late Secretary of the Association, and lecturer on Chemistry at the Birkbeck Institution, enlightened the meeting as to some of the properties of hydrogen, accompanying his remarks with appropriate experiMr. J. T. Young discoursed on the glacial period, and exhibited some fossils illustrative thereof. The wonders of the

ments.

microscope and stereoscope also contributed to the enjoyment of the evening.

THE two scientific papers in the last number of the Quarterly Journal of the Meteorological Society are :—“ On some Results of Temperature Observations at Durham," by Mr. J. J. Plummer; and "Notes on the Connection between Colliery Explosions and Weather in the year 1871," by Messrs. R. H. Scott, F.R.S., and W. Galloway. The subject of the latter article is of the greatest importance to miners, and, in connection with it, we would call attention to a letter in yesterday's Times warn. ing colliery managers of the present high reading of the barometer. We are glad to see from the Report of the Council that the Society has attained an exceedingly prosperous and altogether satisfactory condition.

No. XI. of Petermann's Mittheilungen, contains a brief letter from Dr. Richard v. Drasche, concerning his geological voyage to Spitzbergen in July and August last. The letter contains a few very valuable details as to the physical and geological cha racteristics of the west coast of the island.

SIR GEORGE ROSE, F.R.S., died at Brighton on the 3rd inst in the 92nd year of his age.

DR. SPEIER, of Fulda, has been appointed by the Japanese Government as Professor of Natural Sciences at Yeddo. A very handsome salary has been guaranteed to him by the Japanese Embassy at Berlin. Other appointments are expected to follow in the departments of Experimental Physics and Medicine.

Apropos of the letter in this week's number on the British Museum, we take the following from an article in a recent number of Iron on "Our National Museums: "As at present constituted, Museums may be broadly di vided into three types: first, that of the South Kensing ton, Jermyn Street, and Bethnal Green Museums in London, and the Albert Museum in Exeter,-a type of the actually useful museum, where the artisan may see illustrations of manufactur ing operations, and the artist may find examples of the master pieces of old. Here everything is neat, orderly, and simple; no object is without a label, which explains clearly what it is; and spectators need not wander about among collections of incomprehensible curiosities, which excite in their minds wonder but no interest. The second type is that of the British Museum, which is purely scientific. Museums like this are scattered over the country, containing vast numbers of useful specimens buried in drawers and cases, adorned with Latin labels; museums wherein the populace rove about with awe, partly at the mun strous objects displayed to their gaze and partly at the tre mendous names which they bear. These museums are only fitted for scientific persons; they are next to useless to others, unless, as has been lately done in the British and Ipswich Mu. seums, superintendents and curators are willing to descend from their high level and escort bodies of the simpler folk through the collections, giving as they go some plain account of the more prominent objects. A third type of museum is scarcely to be found in any national collection. It is usually seen in small country towns, where dusty cases are arranged in ill-lighted rooms, and are made the receptacle of rubbish brought by resi dent gentlemen from all parts of the world-one giving a collec tion of minerals for which he has not room; another a few drawers of butterflies of which he has grown tired. South Sea islanders' weapons, elephants' tusks, and other spoils of the chase are scattered about in corners and on walls, and the collection of oddments is dubbed a "museum." Our readers can draw on their own experience for other details on this subject, and we are much mistaken if they do not agree with us that the energy that is expended with but little useful result on our local and national museums is almost or entirely thrown away.

THE little town of Massa Marritima (Tuscany), says the Journal of the Society of Arts, sets an example which would be well to be followed by many larger and better known towns, both in Italy and this country. In 1867 the municipality of Massa purchased the interesting collection of minerals, models of mining machinery, and specimens of tools used in mines in various countries from Signor Teodoro Haupt, a well-known mining engineer of Florence, together with a complete series of maps and plans of most of the mines in Tuscany. This forms the nucleus of the museum, which has since been enriched by a collection of the birds and animals found in the province, the donation of a medical man residing in the town, and their value is considerably enhanced by being well arranged and tabled with both common and scientific names. The library now contains about 6,000 volumes, some of which are of great value, as being extremely rare, and relating to the history of the republic of which Massa was once the capital. The archæological department contains a very beautiful Etruscan funeral urn,

THE additions to the Zoological Society's Gardens during the past week include four Bull Frogs (Rana mugiens) from Nova Scotia, presented by Dr. B. Sanderson, F.R.S.; two white-handed Gibbons (Hylobates lar) from the Malay Peninsula, presented by Sir H. Ord, C.B.; two 'Griffin Vultures (Gyps fulus) and a Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), European, presented by Mr. A. J. White; two Rough-legged Buzzards (Archibuti lagopus), European, presented by Mr. A. B. Hepburn; a Green Monkey (Cercopithecus callitrichus) from India; and a Bonnet Monkey (Macacus radiatus) from India, presented by Miss Bradshaw; a Barasingha Deer (Cervus duvaucelii) from the Himalayas, received in exchange; and a Hairy Armadillo (Dasypus villosus) from La Plata, deposited.

SCIENTIFIC SERIALS

Der Naturforscher, Oct. 1873.-Among the abstracted matter in this number we find an account of recent experiments by M. Exner, to determine the "reaction time" of the sensorium. Some part of the body having been stimulated, the person immediately made a signal by pressing a key with the right hand. Marks were produced on a blackened cylinder, both at stimula tion and at signalling, and the interval was noted. The reaction time (which ranged between 01295 and 0.3576 sec. in 7 persons) seems independent of age, and is shortest in those who have the habit of concentration. The tables also show it to have been shortest in stimulation of the eye with an induction shock; then follow, in order, electric shock to finger of left hand, sudden sound, electric shock to forehead, shock to right-hand finger, sight of an electric spark; and lastly, shock to toes of left foot. M. Exner analyses the reaction time into 7 "moments."-In chemistry we have some important observations on the nonluminous flame of the Bunsen burner, by M. Blochmann, and on vinegar-ferment and its cause, by MM. Mayer and Knierim, who think the action of mycoderma aceti probably physiological, and that it is a kind of bacterium which shows a mobile and an immobile state; the latter producing rapid acetification. Further, the vinegar-production occurs without the presence of nitrogenous substances, though less slowly than where they are present. An interesting question in plant-geography is that as to the transport of seeds by ocean-currents, and in other ways independent of human agency. M. Thuret has been experimenting on this in Antibes. Having tried 251 different species, he knows of only two kinds of bare seed which are capable of float. ing, Maurandia and Phormium. A long immersion in sea-water does not always destroy the vitality of seeds. Out of 24 species immersed more than a year, at least 3 germinated afterwards as vigorously as seeds kept quite dry.-We find astronomical notes on the spectra of the two new comets, III. and IV., of 1873, and on the connection of solar protuberances with auroras (Tacchini); and in meteorology there is a notice of Dr. Koppen' valuable researches on an eleven years' period of temperature.In physics, the subjects are: short galvanic currents and electrical discharges (Edlund), armatures of magnetic bundles (Jamin), and molecular rotatory power of vinous acid and its salts (Landolt).—A review of Hackel's Die Kalkschwämme, by M. v. Martens, is worthy of notice.

SOCIETIES AND ACADEMIES

LONDON

vice-president, in the chair. Zoological Society, Dec. 2.-Dr. A. Günther, F.R.S. A communication was read from

Dr. James Hector, containing an account of the complete skeleton of Chemiornis calcitrans, Owen, and showing its affinity to the Natatores.-Prof. Owen, F.R.S., read a paper containing a restoration of the skeleton of Cnemiornis calcitrans, Owen, with the twentieth part of his series of memoirs of extinct birds remarks on its affinities to the Lamellirostral group, and forming of the genus Dinornis and its allies.-A communication was read from Mr. W. H. Hudson, containing an account of the habits of the Pipit (Anthus correndera) of the Argentine Republic.-A communication was read from Mr. A. G. Butler, containing a revision of the species of the genus Protogonius.-A communication was read from Dr. J. E. Gray, F.R.S., on the skulls of some seals from Japan, with description of a new species, proposed to be called Eumetopias elongata.-Mr. P. L. Sclater read a paper on some birds collected in Peru by Mr. H. Whitely, being the seventh of the series of articles upon this subject.-A additional notes on humming-birds collected in High Peru.-A communication was read from Mr. Henry Whitely, containing communication was read from Mr. R. Swinhoe, containing remarks on the Black Albatross with flesh-coloured bill, of the China Seas.-Mr. Garrod read a paper on the visceral anatomy of the Ground Rat (Aulacodus swinderianus).

Linnean Society, Dec. 4.-Mr. G. Bentham, president, in the chair.-Revision of the genera and species of Tulipee, by Mr. J. G. Baker. In this tribe of Liliaceæ the author includes the caulescent capsular genera with distinct perianth-segments and leafy stems bulbous at the base, viz., Fritillaria, Tulipa, Lilium, Calochortus, Erythronium, and Lloydia. The characters presented by the different orders were described seriatim in the paper. In the structure of the underground stems there are four leading types, viz., (1) a squamose perennial bulb, consisting, when mature, of a large number of thin flat scales tightly pressed against one another, and arranged spirally round a central axis which is not produced either vertically or horizontally, as exemplified in all the Old-world species of Lilium; (2) in most of the species of Fritillaria we have a pair only of hemispherical scales, half as thick as broad, pressed against the base of the flower-stem, these scales being the bases of single leaves which die down before the flower-stem is produced; (3) an annual laminated truncated bulb occurs generally in Tulipa, Calochortus, and Eu-Lloydia; (4) in the section Gageopsis of Lloydia we have a truncated corm. The leaves are very uniform throughout the tribe, with the exception of a section of Lilium, Cardiocrinum, with long clasping petioles. The perianth leaves are all coloured except in Calochortus, when the three outer segments are sepaloid and lengthened into points. The stamens are always six in number and nearly equal in length, hypogynous, and the dehiscence of the anther never properly introrse, but lateral, exactly as in Colchicum. In the capsule, Calochortus differs from the other genera in its septicidal dehiscence. As regards the connection between Liliacia and Colchicaceae Mr. Baker is disposed to lay less stress than before on the evidence of any sharp line of demarcation between the orders, all the characters usually ascribed to the latter order being found in some of the genera of Liliace. In its Geographical Distribution the tribe is spread throughout the north temperate zone; only one species, Lloydia serotina, is really boreal and Alpine; the southern limits are Mexico, the Philippines, South China, the Neilgherries, and the southern borders of the Mediterranean; the principal concentration of species is in California and Japan; nearly all are hardy in this climate. Lilium with 46, and Fritillaria with 55 species, have the distribution of the tribe; the latter stopping eastwards at the Rocky Mountains, while the former reaches the Atlantic World, reaching from Spain, Britain, and Scandinavia to Japan sea-board; Tulipa, with 48 species, is restricted to the Old and the Himalayas; Calochortus, with 21 species, is confined to Mexico and the west side of the Rocky Mountains; of the 5 species of Erythronium, I is confined to the Old World and 4 to while Lloydia serotina is the most widely spread of all the Lilithe New; the 3 species of Gageopsis are Oriental and Siberian ; acies, and a unique instance of a petaloid Monocotyledon of the North Temperate Zone with almost universal high mountains and Arctic distribution.

Chemical Society, Dec. 4.-Dr. Frankland, F.R.S., vicepresident, in the chair.-A paper entitled Mineralogical Notices,

by Prof. Story-Maskelyne and Dr. W. Flight, was read by the former, treating of the composition of caledonite and lanarkite.Mr. John Williams then exhibited some fine specimens of crystallised phosphorous acid and metallic phosphites, and gave a short account of their reactions.-Prof. Church made a communication to the society on the composition of the mineral autunite.-Prof. Lawrence Smith of the United States, whilst describing a modification of the Bunsen gas burner employed by him for hea ing the crucible in determina ions of the alkalis in silicious minerals, gave a short sketch of the process he had devised for that purpose.-In the course of the evening a gas burner by Mr. Fletcher of Warrington was also exhibited.

Royal Microscopical Society, Dec. 3.-Chas. Brooke, F.R.S., president, in the chair.-The list of donations to the society included a valuable binocular microscope with apparatus complete, from Mr. Charles Woodward, for which the special thanks of the meeting were returned.—A paper in continuance of the one read at the November meeting, was read by the secretary.-On some further researches into the life history of the Monads, by Rev. W. H. Dallinger and Dr. Drysdale, in which the complete process of fission was described in all its stages, and also the conjunction of two or more bodies, the whole course of internal division, of final rupture of the containing envelope and escape of minute free organisms.-Mr. Charles Stewart exhibited a section of Ficus elastica showing cystoliths, described the method of preparation and mounting, and stated it to be his belief that they were rather deposits of a gum-like substance, than actual concretions.

Society of Biblical Archæology, Dec.2.-Dr. Birch, F.S. A., president. The following papers were read:-Future Punishment of the Wicked, a Doctrine of the Assyrian Religion, by H. Fox Talbot, F. R. S.-Notes from Borneo, illustrative of Passages in Genesis, by A. M. Cameron. In this paper the author cited a Dyak radition, that at an archaic general inundation, the ancestors of the Chinese, Malay, and Dyak had to swim for their lives; and (possibly foisted on this tradition) the Dyak preserved his weapons, and the Chinaman his books. A second tradition stated that an ancestral Dyak made a ladder to go up to heaven; unhappily one night a worm ate into the foot of the ladder and brought all down. Mr. Cameron further stated that one of the two Dyak names for the Supreme Being is Yaouah: the author refers to the similar soun ing Jehovah and Yahveh of the Bible.

PHILADELPHIA

Academy of Natural Sciences, June 17.-The president, Dr. Ruschenberger, in the chair.-Laws of Sex in Juglans nigra.-Mr. Thomas Meehan said he had at various times during the past few years called the attention of the Academy to specimens of numerous plants which illustrated the principle that sex in plants was the result of grades of vitality; or, as it had been suggested, viability; and that this power of life was a mere matter of nutrition; the highest grades of vitality only producing the female sex. He now exhibited specimens of the common black walnut, Juglans nigra, which furnished excellent illustrations of what had been said on other occasions. Examining the tree at the flowering season, it would be plainly seen, by even a superficial observer, that there' were grades of growing buds. The largest buds made the most vigorous shoots.

These seemed to be wholly devoted to the increase of the woody system of the tree. Lower down the strong last year shoots, were buds not quite so large. These made shoots less vigorous than the other class, and bore the female flowers on their apices. Below these were numerous small weak buds, which either did not push into growth at all, or when they did bore simply the male catkins. He was fully satisfied that there is not so great expenditure of vital force on the production of male flowers as there is in female flowers, PARIS

Academy of Sciences, Nov. 24.-M. de Quatrefages, president, in the chair.-The following papers were read:On the development of polyps and their corals, by M. H. de Lacaze-Duthiers. The author described some results obtained by him in a cruise on board the Narval, off the North African coast of the Mediterranean during the summer.-Remarks on the South American fauna, with anatomical details of some of its most characteristic types, by M. P. Gervais.-Observations on the expansion of water below 4°, in relation to M. Piarron de Mondesir's note, by M. F. Hement. The author suggests that the phenomenon in question is due to a re-arrangement of the

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molecules of the water just as a box of pins when shaken up will occupy more room than they did when arranged in regular layers.-A long extract from a letter by M. A. Poey was nad relating to his observations of the relation between so ar spots and terrestrial hurricanes. The author stated that during the last 125 years there have been 12 maximum periods of hurricanes and 10 of these correspond to sun-spot maxima and 11 periods of hurricane minima, of which 5 correspond to sun-spot minima --Observations on the analogies which exist between the sour spots and terrestrial cyclones, by M. Marié Davy. - Note on solar and terrestrial cyclones, by M. H. de Parville-On the discharge of elect ified conductors, by M. J. Moutier.-On the variable state of electric currents, by M. P. Blaserna, an answer to M. Cazin.-Application of the phosphates of ammonium ali barium to the purification of saccharine products, by M. P. Lagrange -On the physiological and therapeutic action of hydrochlorate of amylamine, by M. Dujardin-Beaumetz. During the meeting Dr. A. W. Williamson and M. Zinin were elected Correspondents

December 1.-M. de Quatrefages, president, in the chair.-On solar and terrestrial whirlwinds, by M. Faye. The author argued against Reye's ascending axes in the cases of these cy clones, and urged that both by theory and observation there is a down-rush about the axis.-On the conclusion of the note, General Morin made some remarks on the small eddies observed in rivers as examples of the descending current in the centre of similar vortexes.-On the directions of the vibrations in the ray refracted in uniaxial crystals, by M. Abria.-Analytical and experimental investigations of the interference of elliptical rays, Ly M. Croullebois.-On the return of carrier pigeons during the seg of Paris, by M. W. de Fonvielle.-On the habits of the Phylloxera, by M. Max. Cornu.-On a theorem of celestial mechanics, by M. F. Siacci.-Note on magnetism, by M. A. Trève.-On the difference of physiological action caused by induced currentfrom coils formed of different metals, by M. Onimus. The author stated that, with a coit made of a badly conduc ing metal the contraction of the muscles was greater and the effect on the cutaneous nerves smaller than when the coil is made of a good conductor.-On the conjunctive elements of the spinal marrow, by M. L. Ranvier.-On the Anthracotherium, discovered at Saint Menoux by M. Bertrand, by M. Gaudry.-On the secre tions of the flowers of Eucalyptus globulus, by M. Gimbert.

BOOKS RECEIVED

ENGLISH.-The Pearl of the Antilles: Walter Goodman (H. S. King and Co.). The Internal Parasites of our Dome ticated Animals: Dr. Spenc Cobbold (Field Office) --A Phrenologist among the Todas: Col. Marsha!! (Longmans). The ible and the Doctrine of Evolution: W Woods Smyth. (H. K. Lewis).-The Threshold of the Unknown Region: Clements R. Markham (Sampson Low).-Easy Introduction to Chemistry: Arthur Rige (Rivingt ns).-Chemistianity: J. C. Sellars (Author).-The Romance of Peasant Life: Francis George Heath (Cassell).-Cholera, how to Avoid and Treat it Henry Blanc, M D. H. S. King & Co.).-Centrifugal Force ar! Gravitation, Supplement B: John Harris (Trübner & Co.)-Kant's Histor of Ethics Translated by T K. Kingsmill (Longmans).-Physical Geogra; by in its relation to the Prevailing Winds and Currents: J. K. Laughton (JD Potter). A Treatise on Medical Electricity: Dr. Althaus, Longman) — Weather Folk-Lore: Rev. C. Swainson (Blackwood) -Ganot's Physics Translated by Atkinson. 6th edition (Longmans).-Waste Products and Undeveloped Substances: P. L. Simmonds Hardwicke)-Man and Ape: St. George Mivart (Hardwicke).-Body and Mind: Alex. Bain (H. S. King & Co.).-Metamorphoses of Insects: Sir John Lubbock (Macmillan & Ca

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1873

THE TRANSIT OF VENUS EXPEDITIONS OME time ago we called attention to the admirable opportunity which would be afforded by the approaching Astronomical Expeditions for the observation of the Transit of Venus to investigate the Natural History of several little-known islands of the Pacific. The addition of one or two members to these expeditions could make but a comparatively trifling addition to the expense, and while the Astronomers were observing, the Naturalists would be busily employed in collecting. We are glad to be informed that at a recent meeting of the Council of the Royal Society it was determined to take action in this matter, and to advise the Government to attach a small staff of Naturalists to the two expeditions destined to observe the transit in the Island of Rodriguez and Kerguelen's Land. There can be little doubt, we presume, that the Government will readily accede to the advice

thus offered to them.

Rodriguez, an outlier of the Mascarene group, is in many ways specially worthy of thorough investigation. As a general rule oceanic islands lying at a distance from the great continents are of volcanic origin. The Seychelles and the island of Rodriguez are almost the only known exceptions to this rule. Rodriguez, so far as the slight information we possess on the subject extends, is believed to be composed of granite overlaid by limestone and other recent rocks. It is, therefore, of great importance that an accurate geological examination should be made of this island, more especially as its nearest neighbours Bourbon and Mauritius follow the ordinary rule of being volcanic. A second rich field of biological research in Rodriguez will be found in the fossil remains to be met with in the caves of the limestone rocks. These have already yielded good fruit to the investigations of Mr. Edward Newton. the Colonial Secretary of Mauritius, aided by grants from

being made for the observation of the great astronomical event. In 1840 Kerguelen's Land was visited by the Antarctic Expedition under Sir James Ross. The distinguished naturalist who accompanied the expedition ascertained that it contains a scanty land-flora of flowering plants, some of which belong to types elsewhere unknown, and an extraordinary profusion of marine forms of both the animal and vegetable kingdoms. Of the land-plants a good series was obtained, but as regards the marine flora and fauna much must remain to be done-especially as Sir James Ross's visit took place in mid-winter. The Challenger will visit Kerguelen's Land early next year in order to ascertain the best station for an Astronomical Observatory, and her excellent staff of naturalists will, without doubt, not neglect the opportunity thus given to them. But looking to the great size of the island, which measures nearly 100 miles by 50, and to what is reported of the excessive richness of the marine forms of life, there will certainly be ample occupation left for the naturalist whom it is proposed to send there along with the Transit expedition.

There is, in fact, no doubt that it would be difficult to find two spots on the earth's surface where investigation is more likely to lead to satisfactory results than in the case of these two little-known islands. Nor is the opportunity now offered of obtaining these results at a very small cost to the nation likely to recur, if now neglected. We trust, therefore, that on the part of the Government there will be no hesitation in acceding to the scheme put before them by the Council of the Royal Society.

ELLIS'S LIFE OF COUNT RUMFORD Memoir of Sir Benjamin Thompson, Count Rumford, with Notices of his Daughter. By George E. Ellis. (Published in connection with an edition of Rumford's complete Works by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Boston.)

the British Association. The complete skeleton of THIS biography supplies a want that has been sorely

Pezophaps solitaria, a bird allied to the Dodo of the Mauritius-has been restored from these remains, as is well-known from the excellent memoir upon this extinct bird published by Mr. Newton and his brother, Prof. Newton of Cambridge, in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society. But besides additional bones of the Solitaire, which will be welcome to many Museums, it will be desirable to become acquainted with the other animals which were the Solitaire's fellow-creatures when in existence. Some of these are also obscurely known through the exertions of the Messrs. Newton, but it cannot be doubted that ample materials of this kind are still lying hid in the caves of Rodriguez for the benefit of future explorers.

The recent Zoology and Botany of Rodriguez also merit thorough investigation in order to ascertain whether they show any parallel differences to that of its geological structure as compared with the rest of the Mascarene group of islands.

Kerguelen's Land, the second point selected for biological investigation, is also likely to give ample occupation for a naturalist who will be able to devote several months to its exploration, while the necessary preparations are VOL. IX.-No. 216

felt by all who have desired to obtain a reliable account of Count Rumford's eventful life. It is, I think, impossible to name any equally eminent man of modern times concerning whom so little was known before the The only preceding sources publication of this work. of information, Prof. Pictet's letters, Prof. Renwick's sketch in "Sparks's Library of American Biography," Cuvier's Eloge and] the Cyclopædia biographies made up from these and each other, are most vexatiously contradictory on points of primary interest. Aided by Rumford's own correspondence, and other original and direct sources of information, Mr. Ellis's industry has at last rescued us from these perplexities.

The career of scientific notables is usually of a simple and uneventful character, but that of the poor schoolmaster of New Hampshire is sufficiently adventurous and romantic to supply materials for a sensationnovel writer.

He married early; to quote his own words—“ I took a wife, or rather she took me, at 19 years of age." He describes his married life as both happy and profitable, but it lasted scarcely three years, during which he became a prominent public man and a full-blown soldier, with

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the rank of major at 20 years of age. The part he took in connection with the American rebellion excited popular indignation against him, led to his imprisonment, the confiscation of his property, and his subsequent flight from home shortly after the birth of his daughter. He never saw his wife again, nor did he see his daughter until 20 years afterwards, when she rejoined him in Europe.

At the age of 23, he appears in a new character upon another scene. He is now a diplomatist, presenting his first state paper to Lord George Germaine in London. He steps at once into a responsible position in the Colonial Office, and presently becomes the "Secretary of Georgia." In the meantime he is doing important scientific work, is elected Fellow of the Royal Society in 1779, when 26 years of age, and suddenly appears on board the Victory as a volunteer sailor under Sir Charles Hardy, experimenting with ship's guns, and writing treatises on naval signals and naval architecture. In the following year he is promoted to the office of "Under Secretary of State for the Northern Department "(Colonial).

Thirteen months after this he re-appears in military uniform as Lieut.-Colonel Thompson commanding "The King's American Dragoons," and profoundly occupied with experiments upon light artillery, &c. Before 1781 is ended, we find him on the other side of the Atlantic with his dragoons on Long Island, and fighting in the neighbourhood of Charleston at the beginning of 1782. In April we hear of him in New York, and presently find that he has returned to England promoted to the rank of full colonel, and otherwise honoured for his American services.

In the midst of all this activity and excitement he is busily engaged in scientific research chiefly upon subjects connected with gunpowder, bullets, and artillery. With his characteristic exaltation of present pursuits he is now consumed by military ardour, and, dissatisfied with his late inglorious outpost skirmishing in America, obtains appointment for active service in the defence of Jamaica against the French, but is frustrated by the temporary pacific re-action that suddenly prevails. He offers to serve in India, but the Government has become economical. Determined to fight somebody, he selects the Turks, with whom Austria is temptingly disposed to quarrel, and, having obtained the King's permission, proceeds to Vienna, with war-horse, arms, and uniform. Halting on his way he creates considerable sensation by appearing as a visitor on the garrison parade at Strasburg, displaying his handsome figure, brilliant English uniform, and his skilful management of an English blood-horse. Field-Marshal Prince Maximilian de Deux Ponts rides up to the stranger, salutes, and asks a few questions. Thompson, with the polished courtesy and tact of which he is so accomplished a master, turns this introduction to good account, secures the friendship of the Prince, who is so strongly impressed with the varied attainments of the brilliant soldier, that he presses him to pass through Munich on his way to Vienna and visit the reigning Elector of Bavaria, an uncle of the Prince.

The visit is made most successfully, and, with additional introductions, Thompson proceeds to Vienna with a ready-made continental reputation, though only a few weeks old. Here, as he says, "I owe to a beneficent Divinity that I was cured in time of that martial folly."

The agent or Divinity of this reformation, was a lady. who, as he says, "formed an attachment to me, gave me wise advices, and imparted a new turn to my ideas, by presenting me in perspective other species of glory than that of conquering battles." It is proper to add, in expla nation, that the lady was seventy years of age.

In the meantime the Elector of Bavaria invites Thompson to enter his service. For an English office to do this, permission from the king was necessary. This was obtained in London, and with it the honour knighthood, which was conferred in February 1784, with a continuance of half-pay as colonel.

Sir Benjamin Thompson proceeds immediately to Munich, and there enters upon the most remarkable par of his extraordinary career. The task which he set before himself in Bavaria was nothing less than a complete reformation and re-organisation of the army, and a general improvement of the physical and social condition of the whole nation. Invested with full powers by the Elector he sets about his work in a strictly philosophical manner. The first four years-1784 to 1788-are devoted to a cool, impartial, and systematic investigation of the social statistics and general condition of all classes, civil and military, in Bavaria. Having thus inductively col lected and generalised his data, he now proceeds deductively to devise his remedies for the evils thus demonstrated. In all his efforts, from the improvement of saucepan-lids and gridirons to the moral reformation of a whole nation of human beings, he is rigidly methodical and strictly scientific, and his success follows as a direct and visible consequence of this scientific mode of proceeding.

His well-known and important researches on the Convection and general Transmission of Heat were undertaken and carried out mainly for the purpose of determining the best and most economical means of clothing the Bavarian soldiers, and the construction, warm ing and ventilation of their barracks. Another equally important though less known series of researches were instituted for the purpose of learning how to feed in the most economical manner the beggars, rogues, and vagabonds, whose sustenance and reformation he had projected.

His success in reorganising both the men and materials of the army was marvellous. It was in the course of his work in erecting cannon foundries and remodelling the Bavarian artillery that his celebrated demonstration of the immateriality of Heat was suggested.

It may safely be affirmed that the foundation of the present military system and of the recent military successes of Germany was laid by Benjamin Thompson in Bavaria. He tells us that the fundamental principles upon which he proceeded were "to unite the interest of the soldier with the interests of civil society, and to render the military force, even in times of peace, subservient to the public good ;" and further, " that to establish a respectable standing military force which should do the least possible harm to the population, morals, manufactures, and agriculture of the country, it was necessary to make soldiers citizens, and citizens soldiers."

Besides the important technical reforms of discipline, arms, barracks, quarters, military instruction, &c., which he carried out, "schools were established in all the regiments, for the instruction of the soldiers in reading,

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