la; and several in Yucatan, of which Uxmal and Chichen Itza the most famous. It was very remarkable that all these ruins, dently the work of one particular and highly-civilised race of lians, should only be found in a very limited area. None exist South America, and none in that part of the continent comonly distinguished as North America-they all lie within the pics, between the 14th and 22nd parallels of north latitude, d were chiefly adjacent to the Mexican and Honduras Gulfs, in the plains on the west of the Cordilleras of Central merica. On the eastern or Pacific slopes and plateaux, within e same parallels, are also remains of ancient fortifications and crificial altars, but these are of a less elaborate type, and are lied to the Aztecan structures of Mexico. The paper went on give an interesting account of a journey undertaken by the riter across the continent, in the sping of last year, from the acific, through Guatemala to the Atlantic, to enable him to xamine in detail the mixed populations and conditions of the inds between the Cordilleras and the Pacific, the central plaeaux, with their aboriginal Indian races and ruins, the regionImost entirely unknown-inhabited by those unbaptised Indians called the Candones, near which lie the ruins of Ocosingo and Paleque, and finally concluding the journey by traversing Yuatan, visiting the strange ruins with which the country abounds, and emerging on the northern coast of the peninsula at Sisal.

SCIENTIFIC SERIALS

THE Journal of Anatomy and Physiology. Conducted by G. M. Humphry, M.D., F. R.S., Professor of Anatomy in the University of Cambridge; and William Turner, M. D., Professor of Anatomy in the University of Edinburgh. No. VIII. May, 1871 (Macmillan and Co.).-This number is quite up to the standard of its predecessors, but the papers it contains are so numerous that we can do little more than indicate the subjects of most of them. Mr. Perrin heads the list with a couple of papers on muscular variations observed in the dissecting room of King's 1 College, London, during two winter sessions; and Mr. Wagstaffe, demonstrator at St. Thomas's, Mr. Bradley, of the Manchester Medical School, and Mr. Cameron contribute similar papers, and thus illustrate one great use of the journal, for without it such observations would probably go unrecorded. Mr. W. A. Hollis gives an account of the so-called salivary glands of the cockroach, and seems to show satisfactorily that they are really part of the tracheal system of the insect, and not glandular at all.-Dr. Wickham Legge contributes some observations on the physiological action of hydrochlorate of cotarnamic acid, a derivative of narcotine obtained by the late Dr. Matthiessen; the most interesting points about the new poison are the length of time (often several days) which elapses before its effects show themselves if it be administered by the mouth, and the great diminution of blood pressure and the paralysis of the cardiac branches of the vagus which it produces.-Mr. Garrod, of St. John's College, gives an account of a very simple cardio-sphygmograph which appears likely to prove useful, and also a description of the telson of Schyllus arctus, in which he endeavours to show that it is not a mere azygos appendage as it is usually supposed, but is a true body segment, possessing appendages of its own.-Dr. Wilson Paton has a paper on the influence of certain drugs, of diet, and of mental work, on the urine; one of his most important results being that neither the infusion, alcoholic extract of alkaloids of broom tops, have any effect in increasing the quantity of any of the constituents of the urine, at least in health, although they are so commonly regarded and prescribed as diuretics.-Prof. Cleland gives an account of a case occurring in his practice which showed that the trapezius plays an important part in keeping the bones of the shoulder joint in contact; he also describes a case of epispadias.-Prof. Rutherford describes a modification of Stirling's section machine, which is especially fitted for getting microscopic sections of frozen tissues, and also gives some experiments on the excitability of the trunk of a spinal nerve which go to negative Pflüger's "avalanche" theory.-Dr. Kennedy contributes an account of a young Aino cranium; and Prof. Turner concludes the original articles of the number with papers on the "Two-headed ribs of whales and man" and on the Transverse processes" of the seventh cervical vertebra in Balaenoptera Sibbaldii. The review of the recently published works bearing on the natural selection theory is peculiarly full and interesting, and the reports on the progress of anatomy and physiology during the preceding three months,

which conclude the number, are drawn up with their usual com. pleteness.

yearly volume, and it maintains its character of being a useful Symon's Meteorological Magazine has now reached its fifth monthly medium for the interchange of meteorological jottings, tific societies. It contains, in addition to reviews and abstracts which are not of sufficient importance to form papers for scienor reprints of papers published elsewhere, some valuable notices of special investigations carried on by private observers, such as a discussion on solar radiation temperatures, conducted by the Rev. F. W. Stow and Mr. Nunes. The tornado of October 19, and, of course, the aurora of October 24 and 25, find a place in its pages. The standing portion of the magazine, however, consists of monthly rainfall returns and notes on weather from about fifty stations, and thus forms a sort of supplement to the annual volume, "British Rainfall," brought out by the same author.

=

Journal of the Chemical Society.-The last number of this journal contains the "abstracts of chemical papers" which have been already noticed in our columns, and two papers read before the Society, the first being "The Action of Heat on Silver Nitrite,' by Dr. Divers. The author finds that when silver nitrite is submitted to the action of heat it is decomposed, the products of the action consisting principally of silver nitrite, metallic silver, and oxide of nitrogen, but that the relative proportions of these vary according to the conditions of the experiment. When the nitrite is heated in an open dish, the result may be represented by the equation 3 NO,Ag N2O3 + Ag2+ NO,Ag, but if it is heated in a vessel nearly closed, so that the gaseous products may be kept in contact with the undecomposed nitrite, the loss of weight is less, and the amount of nitrite formed is greater, the hot silver nitrite apparently reducing the higher oxides of nitrogen to nitric oxide. When the nitrite is freely exposed to a moist atmosphere, and heated, it tends to yield only metallic silver and nitrogen peroxide. Mr. Gill, in "Laboratory Notes on the Examination of Glucose containing Sugars," after remarking on the effect produced by the use of an excess of lead subacetate in decolouring sugar solutions for optical examination, the action of inverted sugar on polarised light being greatly altered by the presence of this reagent, proposes the use of a strong solution of sulphur dioxide as a satisfactory method for removing the lead.

article is a "Flora of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens," by IN the Journal of Botany for August the most interesting the Hon. J. L. Warren. This apparently unpromising field for botanising yielded to a careful search no fewer than 190 species of indigenous flowering plants, some half-dozen of them by no means common plants, and the list might probably be considerably extended. A hundred years hence this list will be of considerable interest to the botanist of the future. The other original articles in this number are of a more technical character.

July 18

7.45 a.m.

37,000

22,500

14,500

July 20

41,00Q

27,500

18,000

22,500

7,500

7.55 a.m. July 22 9.15 a.m. "It was comparatively small on July 9. The umbra was one of the largest I have ever seen.'

Comets I and II., 1871.-Mr. John Birmingham, of Tuam, reports that he "had several observations of Comet I., from April 22 to May 8, but under very unfavourable circumstances, caused by the state of the atmosphere and strong twilight and moonlight. Still notwithstanding its faintness a nucleus was easily detected, and the comet seemed in general to present a granulated appearance. On April 22 it was not visible in the finder, but bore magnifying up to 126 very well. There was a slight elongation in the normal direction of a tail. By the best

measurements that I was able to apply, the comet seemed always slightly in advance of the position computed by Pechüle. On July 17, at 12h 15m, Dublin' mean time, I first found Comet II., the cloudy weather having rendered a previous search ineffectual. This comet was of extreme faintness, and without the sharpest attention it might easily pass unnoticed across the field. When first observed it was in contact with a small star, not identified, from which it gradually detached itself, and its position seemed to agree well with Pechule's calculation. It was best seen with 56 and 99, and with the latter, after intent gazing, the momentary flickerings of minute points in its misty form could be caught at instants of good definition. This so strongly suggested the ap pearance of a nearly resolvable cluster that I was not satisfied with the comet's identity until I perceived its motion. Previous to this observation I had not read the description of the object by Herr Tempel, the discoverer, but subsequently I was pleased to see his allusion to its appearance as if sprinkled with little stars towards the middle. If the light of the comet is sufficient, I shall not be surprised to hear of its giving indications of a continuous spectrum in addition to the usual bright lines." Mr. Charles Hill, of Bristol, also observed Comet II. on July 18, and found that it was an exceedingly faint object. It was scarcely perceptible in his 84 in. equatorially mounted reflector.

Venus.-Mr. Henry Ormesher has succeeded in detecting the dark markings on several recent occasions. On April 22 they were rather pale, but the terminator was clear and well defined. On May 10 they were well seen, and appeared to him to be very similar to the dusky markings on the surface of Mars. On May 21 and 29 he also saw the markings. Mr. H. W. Hollis examined the planet on July 17, at 6h 30m, with his 6 in. O.G. power 150. "The rounding off of the southern cusp was evident at a glance, and the prolongation of the northern one more remarkable than I have ever seen it before. A dusky ill-defined spot, of uncertain shape, was visible. On the 18th, at 5h 15m, I suspected the presence of this spot again somewhat nearer the terminator, but of this I cannot speak positively.” Mr. John Birmingham, of Tuam, writes: "I have been carefully observing Venus at every opportunity without detecting any definite markings besides the well-known peculiar forms exhibited by the cusps, which appear to me brighter than other parts of the planet."

Saturn. Mr. H. W. Hollis reports as follows:-" On July 17, at 10h 20m, I inspected Saturn on the meridian, and notwithstanding his low altitude, found the shadow of the ball upon the the rings clearly visible. I could trace Ball's division all round in moments in fine definition. But what especially interested me was that, under a power of 250, the eastern opening between the ball and the inner ring was unmistakeably wider than the western one. Of this I am certain. The air was too unsteady to admit of any operations with the micrometer."

PARIS

Academy of Sciences, August 14.-M. Faye in the chair. M. Dumoncel sent a note on the Influence of Electrodes in the Generation of Electricity. It is well known already by every working electrician that a cool surface may be enlarged with advantage for a certain distance and surface of zinc.-M. Demosquay sent a paper, which showed that many Communist Nationals were wounded when intoxicated. The result of it was an immense mortality amongst them, which could not be prevented by the most assiduous care. The temperature of the patients was remarkably low, which is always indicative of great danger.-M. Arson, chief engineer of the Parisian Gas Company, has conducted with great care for many years experiments with the view of correcting the compass from every variation produced by the iron containe I in ships. These experiments were worked out in the great La Villette gas works, where the company keeps about twenty large gas-meters. A commission appointed for the purpose will in course of time publish an elaborate report. M. Lependry, engineer of the canalisation in the same company, has commenced to study all accidents analogous to the extraordinary gaslighting by thunderbolts, described in M. W. de Fonvielle's memoir.-M. Resal, an engineer in the mining service, sent a note showing that connecting chains as they are used by railway carriage constructors are not strong enough.-M. Durand Claye, an engineer in the Ponts et Chaussées, sent a paper strongly advocating a radical change in the way of dealing with the sewage of Paris. The learned engineer shows, by conclusive arguments, that it is absolutely necessary to deal with these refuse waters according to the British system, as worked for years in Edinburgh, &c., &c. It is not the first time that

learned members of our scientific administration hav naturalise that excellent method. But every real pa stopped by the prevalent system of Imperial red t ruption. It is to be hoped that the French Repuis lose time in putting an end to the disgusting waste now permitted to poison a noble stream. M. Durand C posed to irrigate the celebrated Gennevilliers penus. extent is only 5,000 acres.-M. Leverrier read a rese servation of the August meteors, of which a summary lished in the Times of August 17. He read also a M. Coggia stating that his bolide was not an imaga M. Elie de Beaumont expressed an opinion that po extraordinary bolide was not of planetary origin, but a fire formed in our superior atmosphere, possibly by the electricity. M. Henry Sainte-Claire Deville read :: written by MM. Nagi and Hautefluelle, two teacher normal school, on a peculiar fact of chemistry relating bination of chlorine of silicium, which appears to be from 700° to 1,000° C, and to be formed again from 1. to 1,500° C.-M. Charles Sainte-Claire Deville read a note on a stroke of lightning which exploded within his logical observatory, two hours only before an academic had taken place. The natural electricity was attracted leaden tube, in which an isolated metallic wire belongir, telegraphic system of the observatory had been inserted leaden tube had performed the part of a condenser, and the was created on the spot of the explosion as the primary **. in connection with the earth.

BOOKS REceived

ENGLISH.--Bird Life, Part 1: A. E. Brehon (Van Voors!) FOREIGN. (Through Williams and Norgate).-Geschichte der Giv von Hippokrates bis zum amfange des Neunzehnten jahrhu De Mai Solomon.-Ueber die Helligkeitsverhältnisse der Jupiters: Dr. R. Engelmann.-L'Homme pendant les Ages de la Pierre: M L Dupont.

PAMPHLETS RECEIVED

ENGLISH.-British Railway Reform: J. H. Watson-Western Chr of Science.-Cassell's Book of Birds, Part XXII.-On the Spart Emina Hardinge.—Transactions of the Boys' Literary Society, Sidcue S 1870-71.-Sidcot School Board Chronicle.

AMERICAN AND COLONIAL- What are they doing at Vanar-5 Annual Report of the Trustees of the Peabody Museum-Transaction the Entomological Society of New South Wales, Vol. ii., Part 2.

FOREIGN.-Bulletin de la Société de Géographie for May, June, 1871.-L'Institut, No. 1.921.-Allegemeine für Deutschland, No Tour du Monde, No. 565.-La Révue Scientifique, No. 9-Read Vol. iv., No. 15.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1871

THE IRON AND STEEL INSTITUTE FTER having on so many different occasions dwelt upon the importance and advantages to be derived m the cultivation of Science by those engaged in the lustrial undertakings of this country, we cannot do erwise than refer in terms of deep interest to a meeting, ich took place during the past week at Dudley, under e presidency of Mr. Bessemer, in the heart of the oldest on-making district of Great Britain.

About three or four years ago a few gentlemen in leveland, the youngest seat of the iron trade in the orld, propounded the idea that it would be beneficial to I concerned to organise an association of those interested the manufacture of iron and steel, to meet and discuss Il matters connected with these branches of metallurgical cience, but from which all questions of a merely trade haracter should be carefully excluded.

To dispel any idea of this Iron and Steel Institute, as it s designated, being intended by its original promoters to e confined to their own locality, they solicited and obtained the consent of the Duke of Devonshire to act as their first President. Looking at his Grace's position as one largely interested, but in an entirely different district, in the manufacture this body was intended to foster, and having regard to the literary and scientific attainments of this distinguished nobleman, a more judicious selection could not have been made.

From the day of the first introduction of this association to the public to the present, we find an unflagging interest has been maintained in the papers submitted at the gatherings, and in the discussions which have followed their reading. As a natural consequence we are glad to find that among its 450 members is included almost every name of note in this very important branch of our national industry.

We know of no manufacturing operation requiring for successful enterprise a more extensive acquaintance with scientific truth than that of the iron-smelter and its associated branches. His work is conducted in apparatus of a very costly and gigantic character, and under circumstances which render experimental research very difficult; while, on the other hand, its prosecution upon a commensurate footing is attended with so much expense as to render failure almost ruin.

It unfortunately happens also, that the pursuit of pure scientific inquiry connected with the subject is impeded by obstacles of no ordinary character. A blast furnace containing twenty or thirty thousand cubic feet of space and filled with nearly 1,000 tons of materials, chiefly in a state of intense ignition, is not a field to which the chemical philosopher can, without considerable preparation, transfer his labours. From the crucible of the laboratory to such an enormous and almost inaccessible mass, the focus of very intricate and violent chemical action, is too great a step to be made by the chemist for a few hours

with any chance of success; for the very questions in which the iron-master would desire his assistance are the results of anterior circumstances, which themselves must

VOL. IV.

be well known to him who attempts to explain their consequences.

On the Continent-in France, in Belgium, in Germany, in Sweden-there are to be found men of great reputation who have identified themselves with this union of science with art, because in these countries are to be found educational establishments so located as to afford the professors who fill the respective chairs abundant opportunity of making themselves personally acquainted with the action of the iron furnace, and, indeed, with every step in this and in other branches of manufacture.

We can adduce no better proof of the real value of the labours of the Iron and Steel Institute than the estimation in which they are held by some of the Continental professors, two of whom we noticed were present at the meeting to which we have alluded.

In our own country, without saying to whom the blame, if any, belongs, men of science and men of industrial occupation have not been brought sufficiently together. As a rule our schools of science are remote from the scenes where science is practically applied. In consequence our professors are, perhaps, less familiar with and less interested in, pursuits, which, in the eyes of a Leoben cr Louvain teacher of metallurgy, possess sufficient attraction to induce him to undertake a long journey to be present at a meeting, or to study the operations of our own iron makers, rarely or never visited by the learned of their own nation.

It is this reflection, perhaps, more than any other, which has induced us to notice so favourably the proposition to found in the centre of a great mining and manufacturing district the proposed College of Physical Science at Newcastle-on-Tyne. We regard it as a desideratum no less important to the philosopher than to those who may seek for instruction within its walls, for it is one which will afford to him who has to instruct ample opportunity of studying the application of those great and important truths which it is his office to teach.

We cannot conclude this brief notice without heartily commending the spirit in which the members of the Iron and Steel Institute, throwing aside all narrow-minded prejudice and jealousy, communicate to each other the result of their own individual research, and make known for the use of all the progress each has effected in his own sphere. It seems to us that everyone is acting under the feeling that, on giving information, he is in reality promoting his own advancement. However this may be, society at large, not the least interested in their progress, cannot fail to profit by assistance thus rendered and received, and therefore we most cordially wish all prosperity to the Iron and Steel Institute.

INSTRUCTION TO SCIENCE TEACHERS AT SOUTH KENSINGTON

DURING the months of June and July, a number of science teachers from various parts of England, Scotland, and Ireland, were assembled in London, for the purpose of attending special classes, arranged for their instruction under the auspices of the Science and Art

Department. We propose to give some account of the

course of instruction in the principles of Biology, which was directed by Prof. Huxley, to whose suggestion, we believe, liberally accepted by Mr. Forster and acted upon

U

re made use of for embedding delicate pieces of tissue, ch as leaves, in order to facilitate the cutting of thin ctions. A few typical flowers (e.g., Campanula, Rosa, ola, various Orchids) were next studied as examples the kind of modification of parts exhibited by phanegamous plants, and also the female flowers of a small onifer. Before proceeding to the animal kingdom, a cture was devoted to a retrospect of the steps through hich the class had passed from the simple to the more mplex forms, a comparison of the various methods reproduction, and an outline of the physiology of getable life. Amabæ, the colourless corpuscles of the Triton's lood, and the amoeboid particles of Spongilla, were the rst examples of animal life studied, each member of the lass making drawings of the various forms due to protolasmic movement presented by an individual example f each of these cases of simple organism whilst in the eld of his microscope. The Gregarinæ of the earthvorm next occupied a day, and every student was able to bserve and draw the actively moving nucleated Grearina, its simple encysted condition, and its various tages of breaking up into pseudonaviculæ.

The structure of Infusoria was next examined, as exemplified in Vorticella and Vaginicola, the nucleus, Contractile vacuole, mouth, &c., being fairly observed and Irawn by all the students. Specimens of Hydra were provided on the following day, and the endoderm and ectoderm, thread-cells and reproductive organs studied. To this followed a copious supply of Cordylophora lacustris (from the Victoria Docks), in which the class were able to study a typical compound Coelenterate, and to recognise not only the male and female gonophors, but the larval "planula-form" as it escaped from the reproductive capsules. Plumatella as a typical Bryozoon succeeded this, and then two days were given to the dissection and histology of Anodon, of which each student was provided with two or three specimens. The lobster as a typical Arthropod was then examined, a fresh specimen being supplied to each table; the heart and vessels were first studied, then the alimentary canal, liver, reproductive organs, and green glands. A large piece of mill-board covered with paper was used by each pair of students for placing out in order, numbering, naming, and comparing the twenty somites and their appendages, an instructive preparation being thus made. The corresponding parts were again examined, and the microscopic structure of the muscular tissue, blood, liver, and gills, in specimens of the river cray-fish. The careful dissection of the frog next occupied some days, and to this succeeded the rabbit.

Simultaneously with the dissection of these vertebrata, the study of the microscopic structure of the various tissues and organs was commenced, so that whilst one student was using the microscope, his companion at the table was dissecting, and vice versa. The blood of the frog and of man, the movements of the colourless corpuscles in both cases, and the action of acids on them, the varieties of epithelium, the various forms of connective tissue and its corpuscles, cartilage, bone, muscular tissue smooth and striped, nerve fibres and cells, the termination of nerve in muscle, and the structure of the more important organs, were examined by the class, not in already prepared and mounted "slides," but in specimens which each student took for himself, usually from the animal under dissection, and treated with various reagents, the methods of cutting thin sections and embedding tissues in wax or paraffin being learnt at the same time.

A simple injecting apparatus (formed by two Wolff's bottles and a large vessel of water) was put up, and the method of injecting a frog shown to each student. The best part of a day was spent in a thorough dissection of a sheep's heart, and another in the dissection of the sheep's larynx. Vertical antero-posterior sections of the sheep's

head were supplied to the various tables, and in these the parts of the brain and cranial nerves (already made out in the rabbit), the tongue, the relations of the cavities of the mouth, nose, and ear, the ducts of the salivary glands, and the muscles of the eye, were studied. The structure of the eye was again examined by each student, in specimens of those of the bullock, supplied in quantity, and the internal ear and auditory ossicles were demonstrated in rough preparations of the sheep and rabbit.

But little time could be afforded to Physiology; and, indeed, it was hardly possible that each member of the class should perform many physiological experiments for himself. The movements of the heart in the frog after excision, and the localisation of the nerve-centre, was made out by each student for himself; also the phenomena of reflex action in the frog after the destruction of the cranial portion of the cerebro-spinal nervous system. Again, each table was supplied with simple galvanic forceps, and the irritation of nerve and of muscle examined, also the action of chemical and mechanical stimuli on the nerve. The action of curare poison on the frog (Bernard's experiment) was examined by every student, and the condition of the poisoned and the unpoisoned leg compared. Every member of the class was made familiar with the simplest way of demonstrating the circulation in the frog's foot, tongue, and mesentery, under the microscope, and repeatedly examined the phenomenon for himself. Rigor mortis and the artificial rigor produced by warm water were examined. The conversion of starch into sugar by the saliva, and the methods of proving the presence of starch and grape sugar, were made the subject of experiment by every individual of the class. The peristaltic movements of the intestine and the absorption of the chyle by the lacteals were exhibited and closely examined. A model of the circulation, consisting of india-rubber tubes and pump, was used for demonstrating the nature of the pulse, the pressure (by means of manometers placed in connection) in the arteries and veins, and the effect of dilatation and contraction of the capillaries and of rate of pulsation on this pressure. Finally, the thorax was opened in a narcotised rabbit, and the heart exposed, and each student satisfactorily witnessed the pulsations of that organ and the inhibitory effect of irritation of the vagus nerve; the blood-pressure was exhibited to each member of the class in a similarly narcotised dog by means of the hæmodynamometer, a tube being placed in the animal's carotid artery; and as a concluding demonstration the important fact of the influence of nerves upon gland secretion was demonstrated by the beautiful experiment of Bernard, the chorda-tympani being irritated, whilst a canula was placed in the duct of the submaxillary gland. Great care was taken that none of the experiments exhibited to or performed by the members of the class should be open to the charge of cruelty, the animals used being either completely narcotised, or (as in the case of the frogs) having the cerebral portion of the nervous system destroyed in the proper

manner.

Throughout the course the morning's lecture was made preparatory to or an extension of what was afterwards brought under actual observation. The concluding lecture was devoted to a retrospect of the work which had been gone through, and an exposition of the idea which had guided the scheme of study pursued, the object having been not to make botanists, nor zoologists, nor anatomists, of the members of the class, but to give them a practical insight into the structure and activities of living things, in such a way as to enable them to observe for themselves the relations and connections of the various forms of life, and to follow from actual examples the characteristics and increasing complexity of different plans of structure.

The reports of work and lectures daily sent in by the members of the class were entirely satisfactory, and the