Nature (journal)/Volume 1/Number 9

A WEEKLY ILLUSTRATED JOURNAL OF SCIENCE

“To the solid ground
Of Nature trusts the mind which builds for aye.”—Wordsworth



No. 9]
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1869
[Price Fourpence


Registered for Transmission Abroad]
[All Rights are Reserved

[Advertisements]

EVENING LECTURES. Royal School of MINES, Jermyn Street.—Professor RAMSAY, LL.D., F.R.S. will commence a Course of Ten Lectures on GEOLOGY, on Tuesday next, the 4th January, at eight o'clock; to be continued on each succeeding Friday and Tuesday at the same hour. Tickets for the whole course, 5s.

TRENHAM REEKS, Registrar.


BRITISH ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT of SCIENCE.—The next ANNUAL MEETING of this Association will be held at LIVERPOOL, commencing on Wednesday, September 14, 1870.

President Elect.—PROFESSOR HUXLEY, LL.D., F.R.S., President of the Ethnological and Geological Societies of London. General Treasurer.—W. SPOTTISWOODE, Esq., F.R.S., 50, Grosvenor Place, London. General Secretaries.—Professor HIRST, F.R.S., the Athenaeum Club, Pall Mall; Dr. T. THOMPSON, F.R.S., Kew. Assistant General Secretary.—G. GRIFFITH, Esq., M.A., Harrow.


LINNEAN SOCIETY.

This day is published, price £1, the First part of Vol. XXVII. of the TRANSACTIONS OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY OF LONDON, consisting of the SERTUM ANGOLENSE of Dr. Welwirch.

Sold by LONGMAN & CO., Paternoster Row, and by Mr. KIPPIST, at the apartments of the Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly; of whom may be had all or any of the preceding volumes. The Fellows of the Society are requested to apply to Mr. KIPPIST for their copies, between the hours of Ten and Four o'clock.

Dec. 24, 1869.


UNIVERSITY OF LONDON

The Senate are about to appoint an ASSISTANT REGISTRAR. The Salary will be £500 a year. In common with the other Officers of the University, he will be subject to annual re-election. The whole time of the Assistant Registrar must be devoted to the business of the University. He will be required to enter on his duties on May 1, 1870. Further information may be obtained by application to the Registrar.

Candidates are desired to send in their names to the Registrar, with a statement of their age, previous career, and qualifications, and with such testimonials as they may think desirable, before Tuesday, March 1, 1870.—It is particularly requested by the Senate that no personal applications be made to its members individually.

17, Savile Row W.,
Dec. 22, 1869
WILLIAM D. Carpenter,
Registrar

In Two Vols. 8vo. with Portraits and Woodcuts, price 28s.

The LIFE and LETTERS of FARADAY.

By Dr. BENCE JONES, Secretary of the Royal Institution.

"Faraday's letters and diaries are by no means restricted to scientific subjects, and will be of great interest to many not specially concerned in the study of natural philosophy. They are full of acute observation on a thousand matters… The record of his life, as presented to us in these admirable volumes, is one from which the reader cannot rise but with purified feelings and increased zeal."—British Medical Journal

London: LONGMANS, GREEN, & CO., Paternoster Row.


Now ready, crown 8vo. 3s. 6d.

HANDBOOK OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. By KEITH JOHNSTON, Jun., F.R.G.S.

W. & A. K. JOHNSTON, Edinburgh, and 74, Strand, London.


Neatly half-bound, eighteenpence,

WHITAKER'S ALMANACK FOR 1870.

The best, most complete, and cheapest Almanack published.

To be had of all Booksellers and Stationers.


NEW CHEMICAL CLASS-BOOK

Now ready, 100 illustrations, small 8vo. 4s. 6d.

CHEMISTRY for SCHOOLS: an Introduction to the Practical Study of Chemistry. By C. HAUGHTON GILL, Assistant Examiner in Chemistry at the University of London, late Teacher of Chemistry in University College School.

London: JAMES WALTON, Bookseller and Publisher to University College, 137, Gower Street.


Fcap. 8vo. cloth, price 3s.

POEMS FROM CALVARY

AND

THE HUNTER'S TALE

BY R. HILTON.

London: PROVOST & CO., 5, Bishopsgate Without, E.C.


ELEMENTARY LESSONS IN ASTRONOMY. By J. NORMAN LOCKYER, F.R.S. With Coloured Diagram of the Spectra of the Sun, Stars, and Nebula, and numerous Woodcuts. 18mo. 5s. 6d.

"The book is full, clear, sound, and worthy of attention not only as a popular exposition, but as a scientific index."—Athenaeum

"An admirable text-book—those who do not know much of the science could not find a better and more accurate guide."—Museum

MACMILLAN & CO., LONDON


Mr. DÜRR of LEIPZIG has been appointed Agent to the Publishers of "NATURE" for GERMANY and EASTERN EUROPE. Books for Review, Orders, and Advertisements may be forwarded direct to him. Address: Alphonse Dürr, Leipzig, Germany.


MACMILLAN AND CO.'S PUBLICATIONS.

PROFESSOR ROSCOE'S "SPECTRUM ANALYSIS." Lectures delivered in 1868. With Appendices, Engravings, Maps, and Chrono-lithographs of the Spectra of the Chemical Elements and Heavenly Bodies. Royal 8vo. 21s.


FORCE and NATURE: ATTRACTION AND REPULSION. The Radical Principles of Energy graphically discussed in their Relation to Physical and Morphological Development. By C. F. WINSLOW M.D. 8vo. 14s.

"Dr. Winslow's treatise is one which deserves thoughtful and conscientious study."—Saturday Review.


Second Edition.

Mr. WALLACE'S "MALAY ARCHIPELAGO:" The Land of the Orang-Utan and the Bird of Paradise. A Narrative of Travel, with Studies of Men and Nature. Two Vols. Crown 8vo. With Nine Maps and more than 50 Illustrations, 24s.

"A vivid picture of tropical life, which may be read with unflagging interest, and a sufficient account of his scientific conclusions to stimulate our appetite without wearying us by detail. In short, we may safely say that we have seldom read a more agreeable book of its kind."—Saturday Review.


SIR C. W. DILKE'S "GREATER BRITAIN." A Record of Travel in English-Speaking Countries (America, Australia, India, during 1866 and 1867. With Illustrations. Fifth Thousand. Crown 8vo. 6s.

The Times.—"Sir Charles Dilke's account of his tour in the West is delightful reading from first to last. Even when we differ from him, we are always ready to admit the industry of his research and the accuracy of his information, as well as his exceedingly clear way of stating his views. As a mere work of travel his book is exceedingly pleasant reading, and it gives one, in a comparatively small compass, an infinity of information of the sort one most cares to know. Above all, it is eminently suggestive, and what we should pronounce its highest merit is not so much the knowledge it communicates as the craving it evokes or more."

Saturday Review.—"Sir Charles Dilke has written a book which is probably as well worth reading as any book of the same aims and character that ever was written. Its merits are, that it was written in a lively and agreeable style, that it implies a great deal of physical pluck, that no page of it fails to show an acute and highly intelligent observer, that it stimulates the imagination as well as the judgment of the reader, and that it is on perhaps the most interesting subject that can attract an Englishman who cares for his country."


A NARRATIVE OF A YEAR'S JOURNEY THROUGH CENTRAL AND EASTERN ARABIA, 1862–3. By WILLIAM GIFFORD PALGRAVE. Fifth and Cheaper Edition, with Map, Plans, and Portrait of Author. Crown 8vo. 6s.


BY SIR SAMUEL WHITE BAKER.

Eighth Thousand.

THE ALBERT N'YANZA GREAT BASIN OF THE NILE, AND EXPLORATION OF THE NILE SOURCES. New and Cheaper Edition with Portraits, Maps, and Illustrations. Two Vols. crown 8vo. cloth gilt, 16s.


Sixth Thousand.

THE NILE TRIBUTARIES OF ABYSSINIA, AND THE SWORD HUNTERS OF THE HAMRAN ARABS. With Portraits, Maps, and Illustrations. Third Edition. 8vo. cloth gilt, 21s.

Daily News.—"Sir Samuel Baker has added a much-coveted laurel to many honours of British discovery—he has conquered the secret of this mysterious river."


THE BRITISH EXPEDITION TO ABYSSINIA. Compiled from Authentic Documents. By CAPTAIN H. M. HOZIER, late Assistant Military Secretary to Lord Napier of Magdala. 8vo. 9s.

Civil Service Gazette.—"Captain Hozier's literary ability and professional experience have given us what will be regarded as the standard work on this interesting subject.… We do not know that we ever met with any historical sketch which was at once more lucid, concise, and comprehensive."


A HISTORY OF CHEMICAL THEORY, from the Age of Lavoisier to the Present Time. By AD. WURTZ. Translated by H. WATTS, F.R.S. Crown 8vo. 6s.

Pall Mall Gazette.—"The discourse, as a résumé of chemical theory and research, evinces singular luminousness and grasp. A few judicious notes are added by the translator."

MACMILLAN & CO., LONDON.


PELICAN LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY,

Established in 1797,

70, LOMBARD STREET, CITY, and 57, CHARING CROSS, WESTMINSTER.

Directors.
Henry R. Brand, Esq. M.P. Kirkman D. Hodgson, Esq.
Octavius E. Coope, Esq. Henry Lancelot Holland, Esq.
John Coope Davis, Esq. Sir John Lubbock, Bart. F.R.S.
Henry Farquhar, Esq. John Stewart Oxley, Esq.
Charles Emanuel Goodhart, Esq. Benjamin Shaw, Esq.
Jas. A. Gordon, Esq. M.D. F.R.S. Marmaduke Wyville, Jun. Esq.
Financial Position.
Total Amount Insured, with Bonus Additions £3,007,431
Liability on the same at 3 per cent. Interest 846,712
Accumulated Funds 1,227,253
Annual Revenue from Premiums £92,787
Annual Revenue from Interest 57,163
149,950

The whole invested in Government, Real, and other first-class Securities in addition to which the assured have the guarantee of a large and wealthy proprietary.

For Prospectuses and Forms of Proposal apply at the Offices as above, or to the Agents of the Company.

ROBERT TUCKER,

Secretary and Actuary.


NEW ELECTRIC LAMP.—Browning's New Large Automatic Electric Lamp. In this lamp both carbons are moved by the electricity of the battery employed (without the aid of clockwork): the light remains uniform in height, and more steady in action than any of the expensive regulators previously introduced. Price £8 8s. Illustrated circular for stamped envelope.

JOHN BROWNING, Optical and Physical Instrument maker to the Royal Observatory, &c. &c., 111, Minories, E., London. Established 100 years.


SPECTRUM APPARATUS.—John BROWNING has great pleasure in introducing to the notice of Lecturers and others, an economical set of apparatus for projecting the spectra of metals, or the absorption bands of liquids, on a screen. Illustrated catalogue of Spectroscopes sent for thirteen stamps.

JOHN BROWNING, Optical and Physical Instrument Maker to the Royal Observatory, &c., &c., 111, Minories. Prize Medal, 1862.
Established 100 years.


SCHOOL OF CHEMISTRY

20, GREAT MARLBOROUGH STREET, LONDON, W.

Directed by ARTHUR VACHER.


BRAGG'S VEGETABLE CHARCOAL or PURE CARBON BISCUITS, a nutritious, pleasant, and healthful diet, which has produced great benefit and positive relief to thousands of sufferers from indigestion, inte. acidity, foul breath, dyspepsia, heartburn, worms, &c. There is medical testimony to its beneficial effect in these complaints.—Sold in tins, 1s., 2s., 6s., and 8s. each, by all chemists, and by the manufacturer, J. L. BRAGG, 14 (late 2) Wigmore Street, Cavendish Square.


OZONE.

BARTH'S Apparatus with pure Oxygen retained in its active state by compression is specific in all Diseases arising from impurity of blood. May be had on Hire with option of purchase from G. BARTH & CO., 26, Duke Street, Bloomsbury, W.C.


GEOLOGY AND CONCHOLOGY.

Collections of Marine, Land, and Freshwater Shells, Tertiary, Cretaceous, Oolite, Liassic, Carboniferous, and Silurian Fossils, accurately named.

Price from 7s. 6d. each series.


THOMAS D. RUSSELL,

BRITISH NATURAL HISTORY COLLECTIONS,

Whittington Club, Arandel Street, London, W.C.

Full Particulars and Catalogue Post-free.

CONTENTS

PAGE
A Deduction from Darwin's Theory. By Prof. W. Stanley Jevons. 231
The State Telegraphs. 232
The Gold Fields of Victoria. II. By A. Geikie, F.R.S. 233
Oliver's Indian Botany. By the Rev. M. J. Berkeley. 234
Our Book Shelf. 236
A Plea for the Mathematician. By Prof. Sylvester, F.R.S. 237
Technical Education. 239
Whence Come Meteorites? 239
Letters to the Editor:—
Dr. Livingstone's Explorations—Dr. Beke 240
Food of Oceanic Animals—Dr. Wallich 241
Colouring of the Cuckoo's Egg—Cecil Smith 242
The Cloaca Maxima—W. Hope 243
Hydro-carbon Colours—T. W. Freckelton 243
Notes. 243
Scientific Serials. 245
Botany. 246
Chemistry. 246
Mineralogy 246
Zoology. 246
Societies. 247
Diary. 250