A great advance in our knowledge of typhoons in the China Sea will no doubt follow on the construction of a lighthouse on the dangerous Pratas Shoal, such as has for many years been talked about. Our storm-warnings would gain still more in value, and the cost of construction need not exceed the loss caused by a single disastrous typhoon. EARTHQUAKE IN SIERRA LEONE THE following correspondence has been forwarded for pub. lication by Mr. R. H. Scott, F. R.S., Secretary, Meteorological Office : Government House, Sierra Leone, October 29, 1886 SIR, I have the honour to transmit a copy of a communication received from Mr. J. M. Metzger, Manager of the Western District, in which he reports that an earthquake was felt at Sennehoo, in the Bompeh River, about the middle of last month. (2) In the third and fourth paragraphs of his letter, Mr. Metzger draws attention to the fact that the shock in question was almost simultaneous with those experienced in other quarters of the globe, and that the latitude of the Bompeh District is within a few degrees of Charleston, America, where their effects lately proved so disastrous. I have, &c., I HAVE the honour to state, for the information of His Excellency the Administrator-in-Chief, that on the return of the District boat from the Bompeh River on the 16th inst., the coxswain reported that he had been informed at Sennehoo that about the middle of last month an earthquake was felt at that place and in the upper parts of the country; in consequence of which, many of the natives, who interpreted the event as prognostic of coming war, hastened down to the water-side to procure arms and powder in preparation for hostilities, which they regarded as imminent. (2) The shock is said to have been continuous, accompanied with a rumbling noise as of some heavy-laden cart being moved along, resulting in the cracking and falling down of the mud plaster on the walls of the houses at Sennehoo. What happened in the upper parts of the country is, of course, not known, but the force must have been sufficiently severe to impress the people and influence them as they appeared to have been. (3) It is remarkable that these vibrations, which seemed to have been extensive throughout the Bompeh District, and which seemed to have been so distinct, are almost simultaneous with those experienced in some places in the Mediterranean Sea, in Greece, and notably at Charleston, on the Atlantic coast of America, where their effects were so disastrous. (4) The Bompeh, like the Ribbee and Cockborough Rivers, runs into Yawry Bay, which is an arm of the Atlantic, and the Bompeh District, on the eastern side of this ocean, is opposite to, and not many degrees of latitude below, the scene of the late disasters in America. (5) I think it my duty to make this communication, as the information might possibly be of use to scientists engaged in the study of the facts connected with the range and transmission of these seismic disturbances. (Signed) Jos. M. METZGER, Manager Kent, Western District, October 20, 1886 SCIENTIFIC seriaLS American Journal of Science, November.-The higher oxides of copper, by Thomas B. Osborne. The oxides here dealt with tre copper dioxide and copper sesquioxide; but being unable to continue the subject, at least for some time, the author publishes the incomplete results so far obtained, in the hope that they may be of use to others wishing to continue this line of investigation. -The structure of the Triassic formation of the Connecticut Valley, by William Morris Davis. It is shown that disturbance has taken place after the period of deposition; that it was not caused by overflow or intrusion of trap-sheets; that it was not a simple monoclinal tilting; and that there is evidence for occurrence of unseen faults. The probable character of the disturb ing force, its action on the fundamental schists, with consequent monoclinal faulting of overlying Triassic strata, and generally the area and depth of the disturbance, are questions also discussed in this elaborate paper. Researches on the lithia micas, by F. W. Clarke. Descriptions and exhaustive analyses are given of the lepidolites of Rumford, Hebron, Auburn, and other parts of Maine, and of the iron-lithia micas of Rockfort granitequarries near Cape Ann, Massachusetts.-The thickness of the ice in North-Eastern Pennsylvania during the Glacial epoch, by John C. Branner. So far from rising only 2200 feet above sealevel, as hitherto supposed, the ice is shown to have covered the twin peaks of Elk Mountain (2700 and 2575 feet), and no doubt also the Sugar Loaf, Ararat, and the other loftiest summits of this region during the Glacial epoch. A sheet of ice 1500 feet or less in thickness could never have flowed across such a mountainous region, so regardless as the great glacier was of its marked topographical features. -On the time of contact between the hammer and string in a piano, by Charles K. Wead. Owing to the uncertainty attending the theory developed by Helmholtz regarding the action of the hammer on a piano string, the author has attempted to measure directly the time of contact by a simple process with results here tabulated.-Photographic determinations of stellar positions, by B. A. Gould. This is a reprint of the paper presented at the late Buffalo meeting of the American Association, and containing a brief history of stellar photography, and of the results so far obtained by the author in this department of practical astronomy.—Lucasite, a new variety of vermiculite, by Thomas M. Chatard. A description and full analysis is given of this substance, specimens of which have been found associated with corundum at Corundum Hill, Macon County, North Carolina. It has been named lucasite in honour of Dr. H. S. Lucas, so well known in connection with the Chester emery mine, Massachusetts. -Crystallographic notes, by W. G. Brown. An account is given of certain artificial copper crystals, of artificial crystallised cuprous oxide (cuprite), and of crystallised lead carbonate (cerussite) found under circumstances here described. --On the chemical composition of ralstonite, by S. L. Penfield and D. N. Harper. A comparative table is given of the analyses made by Nordenskjöld, Penfield, and Brandle of this rare mineral, which was found associated with thomsenolite at Arksuk Fjord, Greenland. -Analyses of the thomsenolite by the same chemists.-Mineralogical notes, by Edward S. Dana. Descriptive analyses are given of columbite from Standish, Maine, of diaspore from Newlin, Pennsylvania, of zincite from Stirling Hill, New Jersey, and of some native sulphur from Rabbit Hollow, Nevada, interesting because of its complex crystalline form. Rivista Scientifico-Industriale, October.-On the cause of the magnetic rotatory polarisation, by Prof. Augusto Righi. Fresnel's hypothesis having been proved inadequate by recent experiment, the author has resumed the subject, with the view of ascertaining whether it may be explained by the reflected or transmitted vibrations of bodies endowed with rotatory power. If the incident polarised ray on penetrating a body is really decomposed into two inverse circular rays endowed with different velocities, the intensity of the two rays must also vary both in the reflected and transmitted light. The ray possessing greatest velocity of propagation, and consequently a lower index of refraction, must possess least intensity in the reflected and greatest in the transmitted light, assuming the two indices to be greater than unity, as in the opposite case the result would be reversed. Hence both the reflected and transmitted ray will become elliptical; and Prof. Righi has succeeded in determining this ellipticity by employing iron, the body endowed with the greatest rotatory power. The elliptical vibration of the reflected ray is in the opposite direction to that of the magnetising current, while that of the transmitted ray is in the same direction. In a future communication it will be shown that this agrees with the hypothesis of double circular refraction.-On the tests of fatty substances, and especially of olive oil, by Professors G. B. Bizio and L. Gabba. This paper contains a critical inquiry into the methods of testing the purity especially of olive oil, and it concludes that none of the processes now in use are absolutely trustworthy. Even that of Bechi fails to distinguish with certainty between olive and cotton oil. 142 SOCIETIES AND ACADEMIES Royal Society, November 18.-"A Theory of Voltaic Action." By J. Brown. Communicated by Lord Rayleigh, Sec. R. S. The difference of potential near two metals in contact is due to the chemical action of a film of condensed vapour or gas on their surfaces. Such a pair of metals is thus similar to a galvanic cell with its electrolyte divided by a diaphragm of air or other gas, and it is the difference of potential of the films that is measured in "contact" experiments; the metals themselves being at one potential. Experiments with an electrometer having quadrants of the metals under examination, the construction of which was described, were made on the rate of decrease of the difference of potential near two metals in contact, and exposed to the action of the air and of other gases; also where a change in the constituents of the atmosphere surrounding a pair of metals in contact reverses the difference of potential near them in correspondence with the reversal of electromotive force which takes place after a similar change in the corresponding liquid electrolyte used with the same metals as a voltaic cell. Such reversal takes place with pairs of copper-iron when hydrogen sulphide gas, or ammonia gas, is added to the air surrounding them; with silver-iron, when hydrogen sulphide is added; and with copper-nickel when either ammonia or hydrochloric acid gas is added. Neutral or inert gases have little or no effect. Covering the metals with varnish, or immersing them in naphtha, to protect them from atmospheric action, reduced the difference of potential near them considerably, but not to zero. Drying the atmosphere about a copper-zinc pair by means of phosphoric anhydride in one instance reduced the difference of potential in 173 days from '66 to 5 Daniell. Then, on opening the instrument, it rose to 67 Daniell. A permanent current was produced by placing the (apparently) dry plates of copper and zinc in close proximity, so that their When the plates were either brought films were in contact. into actual metallic contact, or separated farther apart than a This "filmcertain distance, as stated the current ceased. cell" could also be polarised by sending a current through it from another battery. Modifying an old experiment, due to Gassiot, so as to avoid any contact of dissimilar metals, it was shown that, when the zinc plate of the volta condenser was joined to the zinc quadrant of the electrometer and the copper of the condenser to the copper of the electrometer, on altering the capacity of the condenser an alteration of the difference of potential near the quadrants was produced. In an appendix, Mr. J. Larmor, of St. John's College, Cambridge, points out the difficulty of explaining this last experiment by any hypothesis other than that of some kind of chemical action at the surface of the metals. November 25.-A paper by Sir Richard Owen, F. R. S., was read, of which the subject was a fossil lower jaw of the large extinct marsupial quadruped which the author, from previous fragmentary specimens, had referred to a carnivorous pouched species of the size of a lion, to which was assigned the generic name Thylacoleo, and the probable prey of which had been the larger forms of herbivorous marsupials, which, with their destroyer, had become extinct. Several species, allied to the kangaroo, but equalling respectively in bulk a rhinoceros, an ox, an ass, had become extinct. The largest existing kind, to be seen in the Zoological Gardens, was named by Dr. Shaw, Macropus major. It has escaped extinction by its swiftness and power of concealment in the "scrub." Wombats, also, of the size of fallow-deer, co-existed with the huge kangaroos; the small kinds, capable of concealing themselves in burrows, alone survive. Remains of the large extinct marsupials, both devourers and prey, are to be seen in the Geological Department of the Museum of Natural History; they are described and figured in the author's work on "Fossil Marsupialia." Their extinction is attributed, with that of the wolf-like Cynocephalus and the Thylacoleo, to the aboriginal natives of Australia. Linnean Society, November 18.-W. Carruthers, F. R. S., President, in the chair.- Mr. H. Bury was elected a Fellow of the Society. Mr. W. H. Beeby showed specimens of Callitriche truncata, Gussone, from near Westerham, Kent. The species had years - Dr. long been supposed to be extinct in this country, being only known each to Melastomacea and Compositæ. Of well-known Cape types, Pelargonium, Stoebe, Cineraria, and Belmontia are now for the first time added to the Madagascar flora. The faint affinity of the flora of Madagascar to that of India and Malaya is strengthened by the discovery of the genus Cyclea, and of new species of Alyxia, Didymocarpus, and Strobilanthes. Of types of economic interest there are new species of Dalbergia, Macaranga, Strychnos, Balsamodendron, and Garcinia. It seems that during the last ten years between 1100 and 1200 new plants from Madagascar (29 of which are new genera) have been described in the Journal of the Linnean Society and Journal of Botany, nearly all of them collected by our own countrymen. Chemical Society, November 18.-W. Crookes, F.R.S., Vice-President, in the chair.-The following papers were read: -Researches on the relation between the molecular structure of carbon compounds and their absorption-spectra; part 8, a study of coloured substances and dyes, by W. N. Hartley, F.R.S.Spectroscopic notes on the carbohydrates and albumenoids from grain, by W. N. Hartley, F.R.S.-Preliminary note on the electrolysis of ammonic sulphate, by Herbert McLeod, F.R.S. -The preparation and hydrolysis of hydrocyanides of the diketones, by Francis R. Japp, F. R.S., and N. H. J. Miller, Ph.D. -The action of salicylic aldehyde on sodium succinate in presence of acetic anhydride, by Gibson Dyson.-The reduction of nitrites to hydroxylamine by hydrogen sulphide, by E. Divers, F.R.S., and T. Haga.-Note on some double thiosulphates, by J. B. Cohen, Ph. D.-Preliminary note on the action of triphenylmethyl bromide on ethyl sodio-malonate, by George G. Henderson, M.A., B. Sc.-Action of silicon tetrachloride on aromatic amido-compounds, by Arthur Harden, B.Sc. Physical Society, November 27.-Prof. W. G. Adams in the chair.-The following papers were read :-On a method of measuring the coefficient of mutual induction of two coils, by Prof. G. Carey Foster, F.R. S. The two coils are for convenience designated by P and S (primary and secondary). The method as originally devised consists of two parts: (1) observing the swing of the needle of a galvanometer placed in series with the secondary coil when a current of strength y is started in the primary; (2) placing the galvanometer and a condenser of known capacity, c, as a shunt between two points, A and B, of the primary circuit, such that the first swing of the galvanometer needle on completing the primary is the same as in (1). It is easily seen that under these conditions M crr, where M is the coefficient to be determined, resistance between the points A and B, and r1 = resistance of galvanometer and secondary coil. The method requires the value of y to be the same in the two experiments, and facilities for varying without altering y. To overcome these difficulties the arrangement has been modified so as to make it a null method. The con nections remain the same as in (2), excepting that the ends of the secondary coil are connected to the terminals of the galvanometer through a variable resistance with no self-induction. If be the resistance of the secondary coil and variable resistance when adjusted, so that, on completing the primary circuit, the integral current through the galvanometer is zero, it is shown that cpr, where and have the same meaning as before. For let A and E be the potentials of the galvanometer terminals at any time, t, g the resistance of galvanometer, y the current through it, and N and L the coefficients of self-induction of the galvanometer and secondary coil respectively. Then considering the path from A to E through the secondary coil we have A - E = px + L For path through galvanometer dx dy di dy A - Egy + N dt Mdt a telephone. By inversion, the method could be used for determining the capacity of condensers in absolute measure if M be known. The author thinks the method will be useful for dynamo-machines, and gave a series of numbers obtained by experiments on different coils, showing that it gives consistent results. Mr. C. V. Boys suggested that, by arranging a switch to change the connections from (1) to (2) in rapid succession, a steady deflection might be obtained, and thought that this would enable very small coefficients to be determined. Remarks by Prof. Forbes, Prof. Adams, and Prof. Perry were answered by Prof. Foster and Dr. Fison.-On the critical mean curvature of liquid surfaces of revolution, by Prof. A. W. Rücker, M. A., F.R.S. The paper is chiefly mathematical, and deals with liquid surfaces of revolution attached to two circular rings, the planes of which are at right angles to the line joining their centres. By mean curvature the author designates half the sum of the reciprocals of the two principal radii of curvature of the surfaces. Maxwell has shown in his article on "Capillary Action" ("Encyclopædia Britannica"), that, if the film be a cylinder, a slight bulge will cause an increase or decrease in the mean curvature according as the length is < or > times the 66 diameter. If /= П 2 π 2 d, then a small change in the volume of the their diameter. If the distance between the rings is altered, a similar property is possessed by some other surface. The author's paper investigates the general relation between the magnitude and distance apart of the rings, and the form of the surfaces of critical curvature. If x is the axis of revolution, then the equation to a liquid surface of revolution is given by the expressions x = αE + BF, j2 = a cos2 + B'sin, where F and E are elliptic integrals of the first and second kinds respectively, of which the amplitude is p, and the modulus K = √a - B/a as usual, ▲ = √1-A sin2, whence y = a▲, and if K sin 0, then B = a cos e, and since a > B, a and B are the maximum and minimum ordinates. The results show that as increases from o° to 90°, the surface of critical mean curvature is an unduloid with limits of cylinder and sphere, when = 0°, and 6 = 90° respectively. When @ passes from 90° to 180°, the surface is a nodoid with limits of sphere and a circle whose plane is perpendicular to the surface of revolution. In the third quadrant the surface is still a nodoid the limits of which are a circle and the catenoid. Finally, in the fourth quadrant the surface is an unduloid, the limits being the catenoid and cylinder. Experiments were shown proving that with cylindrical films, where /<-d, increase of internal pressure produced a π 2 will result, whereas if /> d, there will be unstable equilibrium. Anthropological Institute, November 23.-Francis Galton, F.R.S., President, in the chair.-The election of Mr. C. W. Rosset as a Corresponding Member was announced.-Prof. A. H. Keane read a paper, by Consul Donald A. Cameron, on the tribes of the Eastern Soudan.-The Assistant Secretary ex 144 hibited, on behalf of Mr. J. Olonba Payne, nine symbolic letters (Aroko) as used by the tribe of Jebu in West Africa. -The Secretary read a paper, by Mr. T. R. Griffith, on the races inhabiting Sierra Leone.-The Rev. George Brown gave a brief résumé of his paper on the Papuans and Polynesians, the reading of which was adjourned till the next meeting. PARIS In Society of Naturalists informs the Academy that it is organising at STOCKHOLM Academy of Sciences, November 10.-On a recently discovered map of Scandinavia and parts of the North Atlantic, edited, in 1539, by Olaus Magnus, a Swedish Catholic clergy. man, by Baron A. E. Nordenskjöld.-On the mineral thorite, from two new localities, by the same.-On the Quaternary strata of the Isle of Gothland, by Herr H. Munthe.-On the develop. ment of bi-periodic functions in the series of Fourier, by Dr. C. Charlier. Contributions to the knowledge of the infloration and fructification of the Scandinavian alpine plants, by Dr. C. Lindman. BOOKS AND PAMPHLETS RECEIVED Histoire Générale des Races Humaines: A. de Quatrefages (A. Hennuyer. Paris).-Microscopic Fungi. 5th edition: Dr. M. C. Cooke (Allen).- The Greyhound: H. Dalziel (Gill).-British Dogs: H. Dalziel (Gill).-British Cage-Birds: R. L. Wallace (Gill).-On the Conversion of Heat into Werk: W. Anderson (Whittaker).-Lives of the Electricians: W. T. Jeans (Whittaker)-Clark's Transit Tables for 1887: L. Clark (Spon).-A Text-Book of Steam and Steam-Engines: Prof. A. Jamieson (Griffin).-Outlines of Quantitative Analysis: Prof. A. H. Seaton (Griffin).-Studien über Protoplasmamechanik: Dr. G. Berthold (Felix, Leipzig).-Proceedings of the Queens land Branch of the Geological Society of Australasia, vol. i. (Watsun, Brisbane).-A New Department in Science: Dr. C. Radcliffe (Macmillan) -The Mystery of God, 2nd edition: T. V. Tymms (Stock). CONTENTS Comparative Anatomy of Vertebrates Academy of Sciences, November 29.-M. Daubrée in the chair. The medal prepared by the youth of France to commemorate the centenary of M. Chevreul, was presented to the President of the Academy, with some appropriate remarks by M. de Quatrefages. The medal, which is a fine work of art by M. Roty, bears on one side a bust of the illustrious savant, and on the reverse his full figure, seated in an armchair, in an attitude "La Jeunesse française au Doyen des of study, with the legend Étudiants, 31 Août, 1786–31 Août, 1886." After defraying the expenses of this and another medal of smaller size, a copy of which will be supplied to all subscribers, the Committee has a large balance in hand, which it proposes to utilise by issuing a complete Catalogue raisonné of M. Chevreul's works.-Remarks on the 210th volume of the Connaissance des Temps (for 1888), presented to the Academy by M. Faye.-A contribution to the history of the decomposition of the amides by water and the diluted acids, by MM. Berthelot and André. These studies have been undertaken for the purpose of better determining the degree of stability, in presence of the acids, of some typical amides, which play an essential part in the tissues of organised beings, such as urea, asparagine, and others.-Glycose, glycogene, and glycogeny, in relation to the production of heat and of mechanical power in the animal system, by M. A. Chauveau. In this second communication the author deals with combustion and the development of heat in the organs while at work. In this state of physical activity the quantity of glycose which disappears in the capillaries is increased, and is in pro portion with the excessive activity of the combustions excited by the play of the organs.-Fluorescences of manganese and bismuth, by M. Lecoq de Boisbaudran. this preliminary paper three conditions are considered: (1) a single solid dissolvent and two active substances, each fluorescing with this dissolvent; (2) a solid dissolvent and two active substances, of which one alone fluoresces with the dissolvent; (3) two solid dissolvents and one active substance fluorescing with each of the dissolvents.-Treatment of the grape-vine with the salts of copper against mildew, by MM. Crolas and Raulin. Quantitative analyses are given of the amount of copper detected in the products of vines treated by this process. Although the actual quantity is never really dangerous, special precautions are recommended in all cases where the grape is intended for consumption. On the phosphates and arseniates of silver, by M. A. Joly. The precipitated triargentic phosphate, PO.Ag, obtained by double decomposition, is shown to be amorphous, easily dissolving in phosphoric acid even at a low temperature. The limits are determined within which the concentration of the phosphoric solution should be varied in order to obtain at pleasure the crystallised triargentic phosphate or the diargentic phosphate, PO,Ag2H.-On some coloured reactions of the titanic, niobic, tantalic, and stannic acids, by M. Lucien Lévy. Some new specific characters of these acids are described, the reagents employed being substances which nearly always Hence reciprocally these latter present a phenolic function. may in their turn be characterised by the same mineral acids. On the conditions favourable to the restoration of the elements of the transparent cornea, by M. Gillet de Grandmont. These conditions are shown to be suppression of the suppuration, absolute repose, and absence of all intervening irritation. On a process for intensifying the normal virulence of the microbe of symptomatic charbon, and restitution of the original activity after attenuation, by MM. Arloing and Cornevin. Note on some essays in antituberculous vaccination, by M. Vittorio Cavagnis. These experiments were made according to M. Pasteur's method, on some rabbits and guineaThe author is now endeavouring pigs, with but partial success. to ascertain whether this method of vaccination is at all applicable to tuberculosis. On the conformation of the external reproductive organs in the female of the anthropoid apes of the genus Troglodytes, by M. A. T. de Rochebrune.-Observations on the continuous blastogenesis of Botrylloides rubrum (MilneEdwards), by M. S. Jourdain.-New methods of preparing the crystallised carbonates, by M. L. Bourgeois.-The Uralian "Acta Mathematica" Shenstone's "" 'Methods of Glass-Blowing Two Hours with a Subject Index."-Justitia . . 123 F.R.S.. 124 Heredity in Abnormal-Toed Cats.-William White 123 Seismometry.-Thomas Gray Botanical Lecture Experiment.-Prof. Bayley Bal four. A Lecture Experiment on the Expansion of Solids by Meteors and Auroras.-Dr. M. A. Veeder. The Electric Charge on the Atom. 120 126 126 By A. P. 131 132 132 134 Music and Mathematics. By Prof. J. J. Sylvester, Our Astronomical Column :— Corrections to Refraction Tables. 222 28 834 Astronomical Phenomena for the Week 1886 135 135 141 141 142 144 Earthquake in Sierra Leone. By J. S. Hay and Scientific Serials Societies and Academies. Books and Pamphlets Received ROYAL SOCIETY, at 4.30.-Note to a Paper on the Geometrical Construction of the Cell of the Honey-Bee: Prof. H. Hennessy, F. R.S.-A New Method for the Quantitative Estimation of the Micro-organisms present in the Atmosphere: Dr. P. F. Frankland.-Further Experiments on the Dis tribution of Micro-organisms in Air (by Hesse's method): Dr. P. F. Frankland and T. G. Hart.-On the Intra-ovarian Egg of some Osseous ... £1,000,000. £246,000. Compensation Paid for 112,000 Accidents, Chairman £2,215,000. HARVIE M. FARQUHAR, Esq. Apply to the Clerks at the Railway Stations, the Local Agents, or West-End Office-8, Grand Hotel Buildings, W.C.; OR AT THE Head Office-64, Cornhill, London, E.C. SECOND EDITION, GRIFFIN'S CHEMICAL HANDICRAFT. PRICE 45. 7d. POST FREE. Fishes: Dr. R. Scharff-Note on a New Form of Direct-Vision Spectro- A CATALOGUE OF CHEMICAL APPARATUS; scope: Prof. Liveing, F. R.S., and Prof. Dewar, F.R.S. MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY, at 8.-Circular Notes: R. Tucker.-On the Linear Partial Differential Equations satisfied by Pure Ternary Reciprocants: E. B. Elliott. SOCIETY OF TELEGRAPH-ENGINEERS AND ELECTRICIANS, at 8.-Annual General Meeting. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10. ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, at 8. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11. PHYSICAL SOCIETY, at 3.-On the Influence of Change of Condition from the Liquid to the Solid State on Vapour-Pressure; and On the Nature of ILLUSTRATED, CLASSIFIED, DESCRIPTIVF HOW & CO.'S ociable shown by a Study of the Thermal Properties of Stable and Dis. Geological Transparencies for the Lantern, Bodies: Prof. W. Ramsay and Dr. Sidney Young.-On Cauchy's Theory of Reflection and Refraction: James Walker. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12, SUNDAY LECTURE SOCIETY, at 4.-The Skeleton and its History (with Oxy-hydrogen Lantern Illustrations): Dr. Andrew Wilson, F.R.S.E. MONDAY, DECEMBER 13. ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY, at 8.30.-Journey of the Expedition under Colonel Woodthorpe, R.E., from Upper Assam to the Irawadi, and return over the Patkoi Range: Major C. R. Macgregor (Bengal Staff Corps). TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14. ANTHROPOLOGICAL INSTITUTE, at 8.30.-Papuans and Polynesians: Rev George Brown.-Notes on Songs and Song-Makers of some Australian Tribes: A. W. Howitt, F.G.S.-Music of the Australian Aborigines, G. W. Torrance, M.A., Mus. D.-On the Aborigines of Western Australia: R. H. Bland. INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS, at 8. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15. ROVAL METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY, at 7.-On the Proceedings of the International Congress of Hydrology and Climatology at Biarritz: G. J. Symons, F.R.S.-Report on the Phenological Observations for 1886: Rev. T. A. Preston, M.A.-A Criticism of certain Points of Prof. Langley's Researches on Solar Heat: Prof. S. A. Hill, B.Sc.-Account of the Hurricane of March 3-4, 1886, over the Fiji Islands: R. L. Holmes.— Results of Meteorological Observations made at the Military Cemetery, Scutari, Constantinople, 1866-85: W. H. Lyne. GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY, at 8.-Notes on Nummulites elegans, Sow, and other English Nummulites: Prof. T. Rupert Jones, F.R.S.-On the Dentition and Affinities of the Selachian Genus Ptychodes, Agassiz: A. Smith Woodward.-On a Molar of a Pliocene Equus from India: R. Lydekker, B.A. Descriptive Catalogue on Application. WALKER'S SPECIFIC GRAVITY BALANCE FOR ROCKS AND MINERALS. HOW & CO.'S POCKET MICROSCOPE LAMP, 8s. 6d. MICRO-PETROLOGY.-Sections of Pitchstones, Obsidians, Granites, Syenites, Diorites, Gabbros, Dolerites, Basalts, Tachylites, Trachytes, Andesites, Porphyrites, Rhyolites, Lavas, Ashes, Gneiss, Schists, Lin estones, &c., price is. 6d. each. JAMES HOW & CO., 73, FARRINGDON STREET, London. VAN HOUTEN'S pure soluble COCOA is the best and although a little dearer really the cheapest in the end. The British Medical Journal says:-"VAN HOUTEN'S COCOA " is admirable. In flavour it is perfect, and it is so pure, well prepared, and rich," &c. &c. |