ART. XV. On the Nebular Hypothesis; by Professor DANIEL XVI. On a new Theory of Light, proposed by John Smith, M.A.; XVIII. Crystalline form not necessarily an indication of definite Chemical Composition: or, on the possible variation of con- stitution in a mineral species independent of the Phenomena of Isomorphism; by Prof. JOSIAH P. COOKE, Jr., Journal of the American Geographical Society: Schla- gintweit's Mission to Central and High Asia, 217.-Cana- XXII. Discussion between two Readers of Darwin's Treatise on the Origin of Species, upon its Natural Theology, XXIII. Description of three New Meteoric Irons, from Nelson County, Ky., Marshall County, Ky., and Madison County, North Carolina; by Prof. J. LAWRENCE SMITH, M.D., XXIV. Description of a new Trilobite from the Potsdam Sand- stone; by FRANK H. BRADLEY, with a note by E. BILLINGS, 241 XXV. On the Combustion of Wet Fuel, in the Furnace of Moses Thompson; by Prof. B. SILLIMAN, Jr., XXVI. Note on a case of Artificial Crystallization of Metallic. Copper and Di-oxyd of Copper; by Prof. J. W. MALLET, 253 XXVII. Review of Dr. Antisell's Work on Photogenic Oils, &c., 254 Technical Chemistry.-Care of Platinum Crucibles, by ERDMANN, 265.-Safe and easy method of rectifying Sulphuric Acid, by N. NEESE, 267.-Vulcanization of Caoutchouc, by means of mixed Sulphur and Hypochlorite of Lime, by G.-DE CLAUBRY: Preparation of Cyanid of Barium and of Ammonium with the Nitrogen of the Air, by MARGUERITTE and DE SOURDEVAL: Gun-Cotton Filters, by Prof. BOETTGER, 268.— Preservation of Flesh, by VERDEIL, 269.-Magnesium as a source of Light, by A. SCHMITT, 270.-Method of employing carbonic acid in connection with the hypochlorite of lime used for bleaching paper-stock, by DIDOT and BARRUEL: New fusible metal, by Dr. B. WOOD, 271. Geology.-Note from Dr. NEWBERRY, in reply to Mr. LESQUEREUX, 273. Botany and Zoology.-Geological and Natural History Survey of North Carolina. Part III. Botany, etc., by Rev. M. A. CURTIS, 275.-Thwaites, Enumeratio Plantarum Zeylanica Walpers, Annales Botanices Systematice, by Dr. C. MÜLLER: Bueck, Index ad De Cand. Prodromum, etc.: Synopsis Methodica Lichenum omnium hucusque cognitorum, præmissa introductione lingua Gallica tractata, scripsit WILLIAM NYLANDER, 276.- Reports of Explorations and Surveys for a Railroad from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean, (FISHES), by CHARLES GIRARD, 277. Astronomy and Meteorology.-Solar Eclipse of July 18, 1860: Notice of the Astronomical Expedition to Cape Chudleigh (or Chidley), Labrador, 281.-Extract of a letter from the Superintendent of the Coast Survey to the Editors in relation to observations made on the Western coast of the United States, by Lieut. J. M. GILLISS, U. S. N., 285.Observations made during the Total Eclipse of 18th July, 1860, on the summit of Mount Saint-Michel, in the desert of Palmas, Spain, by A. SECCHI, S. J., 288.-On the polarization of the light of the corona, and of the red protuberances, in total solar eclipses, Bailey's Beads, LEEPIAULT: Third Comet of 1860, 292.-The meteor of July 20th, 1860, 293.-The Meteors of August 2d and 6th, 1860, by Prof. C. S. LYMAN, 295.Further Notice of the New Concord (Ohio) Meteor, of May 1, 1860, by Professor E. W. EVANS: Shooting Stars of August 9-10, 1860, 296. Miscellaneous Scientific Intelligence.-Fourteenth Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, 292.-List of papers presented to the Association, 299. -Reclamation by Gov. STEVENS of Washington Territory, 302.-Dr. Suckley's Disclaimer: Stereoscopic Advertisements (with illustration), by E. W. BLAKE, Jr.: Paraselena and Lunar Rainbow, by Lieut. J. M. GILLISS, 304.-Oil Wells of Pennsylvania and Ohio, 305.-Artesian Well at Columbus, Ohio, by T. E. WORMLEY, Esq. Salt Wells in Michigan, 206. Book Notices.-A Treatise on Elementary and Higher Algebra, by Prof. THEODORE STRONG, LL.D., 306.-Contributions to the Paleontology of Iowa, by JAMES HALL, 307. Personal.-Prof. Dana: Prof. C. U. Shepard: Prof. Elias Loomis, LL.D.: Joseph E, Sheffield, Esq, 308. Proceedings of Societies, 308. POSTSCRIPT. Le Verrier's Report on the Solar Eclipse of July 18, 1860, at Tarazona in Spain, 309. ART. XXVIII. Lecture on the Gulf Stream, Prepared at the Re- quest of the American Association for the Advancement of Science; by A. D. BACHE, Supt. U. S. Coast Survey, XXIX. On Fermented and Aërated Bread, and their Compara- tive Dietetic Value; by J. DAUGLISH, M.D., XXX. Additional Note on the Potsdam Fossils; by E. BILLINGS, 337 XXXI. The Great Auroral Exhibition of Aug. 28th to Sept. 4th, XXXV. Some experiments and inferences in regard to Binocular Vision; by Prof. WILLIAM B. ROGERS, XXXVI. Geographical Notices. No. XIV, Prof. Guyot's Measurements of the Alleghany System, 391.-New Map of the Alleghany System, by Mr. E. Sandoz, 392.-Narrative of a Voyage to Spitzbergen, in the year 1613, 393.-Dr. Engelmann's Measure- ment of the Elevation of St. Louis above the Gulf of Mexico, 394.-Kiepert's Neuer Hand Atlas, 396.-Ex- ploration of Western British America, 397:1. Report from the Select Committee on the Hudson's Bay Com- pany. House of Commons, 1857.-2. Papers relating to the Affairs of British Columbia. London, 1859.— 3. Northwest Territory. Reports of Progress. By HENRY YOULE HIND, M.A., in charge of the Expedi- tion. Toronto, 1859.-4. Report on the exploration of the Country between Lake Superior and Red River Settlement. By S. J. DAWSON, Esq., C.E. Toronto, 1859.-5. Geological Survey of Canada. Report of Progress for the year 1858. Montreal, 1859.-6. Map of the Northwest part of Canada, Indian Territories ada from Red River to the Gulf of St. Lawrence, com- piled by THOMAS DEVINE. November, 1859.-Dr. XXXVII. Further Remarks on Numerical Relations between XXXVIII. On the Production of Ethylamine by Reactions of the XXXIX. On the Optical Properties of the Picrate of Manganese; XL. On our inability from the Retinal impression alone to deter- XLI. Correspondence of J. NICKLES, of Nancy, France.-Phys- ical Chemistry.-Polarized light employed as a reagent, BIOT, 409.-On the existence of new simple bodies, BUNSEN and KIRCHHOFF, 410.-Catalysis and Contact Actions, LOE- WELL: His researches on supersaturated saline solutions, 411.-Empiricism-Application of the Physical Sciences to Chemistry and Physics.-Chemical Analysis by Observations of Spectra, 415.-Sodium, 416.-Lithium: Potassium, 417.-Strontium: Calcium, 418.-Barium, 419.-On some numerical relations between the densities and equivalents of certain elements: On the Loss of Light, by Glass Shades, by WM. KING and Prof. VERVER--with a note of additional experiments, by FRANK H. STORER, 420.-Note on the last, by B. SILLI- Astronomy.-New Planets, the 59th, (FERGUSON): the 58th, Concordia (LUTHUR), 424. Personal.-Prof. J. D. Whitney; Prof. Wm. H. Brewer; Mr. William Ashburner, 424; sailed for California in charge of the Geological Survey of that State. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SCIENCE [SECOND SERIES.] ART. I.-On the Origin of Species; by THEOPHILUS PARSONS, Dane Professor of Law in Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts. IT has frequently occurred in the history of science that some startling theory, which, when first announced, was regarded as the antagonist of received opinions, and became at once the subject of earnest hostility as well as unqualified approbation, has, after much discussion been importantly qualified and modified, and thus reconciled with views which it seemed to contradict; and when thus shorn of its excess and moderated in its demands, has been generally adopted as an important addition to knowl edge. It may yet be so with Mr. Darwin's views. His theory, stated very briefly, is, that all organisms tend to reproduce themselves in a geometrical ratio, and with such exuberance of life, that each one would speedily fill the earth, if not repressed by constant and powerful causes of destruction. Hence but a very small proportion of seeds or ova which are impregnated are able to mature and reproduce. Therefore there must be a competition, or as he phrases it, a "struggle for life," among all these impregnated germs of life; and if one in a hundred only lives there must be a reason why that one lives rather than the ninety and nine which perish. This reason must again be frequently, or at least sometimes, that it had some advantage in this "struggle for life," by a structural or functional difference. That is, it varied from its kindred, in such wise, that it was somewhat easier for it to live, to grow, to mature, and to reproduce, than for them. This difference or variation it must, as a general rule, impart to its offspring. When it be SECOND SERIES, VOL. XXX, No. 88.-JULY, 1860. |