Page images
PDF
EPUB

of printing. With regard to publication, negotiations respecting the proposed album of representative photographs were then in progress. The Erratic Blocks Committee had presented a report, and they were going to publish as much as they could as soon as possible, The Coast Erosion Committee had not sent in a report, though they had plenty of material in hand. The Committee on Type Specimens in Museums was making arrangements for the registration of those specimens, and information was required as to where those specimens were housed.

In Section D, Mr. T. V. Holmes (secretary) read a letter from Dr. Vachell stating that he had come to Nottingham in order to present the Report of the Birds' Eggs Protection Committee that morning, September 16, and regretted he should be unable to stay till the conference on the 19th.

Mr. Slater thought it was high time something was done to protect the eggs of wild birds. Influence might be brought to bear upon boys. He also deprecated the wanton shooting of gulls.

re

The Chairman stated that the committee had been appointed, and that the delegates would in due time receive a final communication on the question.

Mr. Holmes then read a letter from Mr. W. Cole, hon. sec. Essex Field Club, on the maintenance of local museums. Mr. Cole thought that if an annual sum for the maintenance of local museums could be obtained from the Technical Education grants in each county, there would be no great difficulty in obtaining substantial sums towards buildings and fittings. The fear that a museum might not be permanent often kept back subscriptions. Donations, both of money and of specimens, would rapidly come in when once the public felt that the museum would be permanent. And in no way could a portion of the Technical Education grant be better expended than in placing on a satisfactory footing the local museum of the county. The Chairman hoped that members of the Corresponding Societies would occasionally read papers on the specimens in their local museums, each writer keeping to a certain department. These papers would be catalogued in the societies' list, and brought before the notice of many workers in the same subject elsewhere. They would also be available for reference at headquarters in London.

In Section H, the Chairman commended the Ethnographical Survey (the first report of which had been placed in their hands at the previous meeting) to the attention of the delegates and the societies they represented, and explained in what ways they could assist the committee. Local physical, intellectual and moral characteristics, folk-lore, manners, customs, dialect, and ancient monuments might all be noted by various observers, and the results sent to the Ethnographical Committee. Ancient human remains should be carefully preserved, together with any pottery and implements found with them. If any difficulty occurred with regard to the best mode of making any exploration, information might always be obtained at the Anthropological Institute, 3, Hanover Square, London. In some cases he had known pottery and implements had been carefully preserved, and bones thrown away or buried; in others skulls had been kept by the explorer, and the large bones thrown away. The Anthropological Institute was always ready to advise or to send some one down to examine the remains found. It was better to leave barrows, &c., as they were, unless people were prepared to examine them thoroughly and systematically.

After some remarks on a proposed excursion of the delegates, a vote of thanks to the chairman closed the proceedings.

THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA.

THE fifth summer meeting of the Geological Society of America was held at Madison, Wisconsin, on August 15 and 16; vice-presidents J. C. Chamberlain and John J. Stevenson presiding, in the absence of the president, Sir J. W. Dawson.

The popular feature of the meeting was an illustrated lecture in the Assembly Chamber of the Capitol, by Prof. H. F. Reid, on "The Gravels of Glacier Bay, Alaska." The stereopticon views gave quite the best exhibit of this interesting glacial region that has yet been presented.

The papers presented included a description of a new species of Dinichthys, a new Cladodus from the Cleveland shale, and a remarkable fossil jaw from the Cleveland shale, by Prof. E. W. Claypole, who is carrying on the work begun by the late Prof.

J. S. Newberry on Devonian fossil fishes. The remains described are those of new and remarkable species, one of them showing a degree of specialisation quite surprising for that low horizon. The author even surmised that some of the remains may be amphibian.

Prof. J. J. Stevenson, in his paper on the origin of the l'ennsyl vania anthracite, seemed to have actually subverted the accepted dogma, that the metamorphosis into anthracite was caused by disturbances of the strata. He showed that the difference between anthracite and bituminous beds is due to circumstances con nected with deposition; the former having been laid down rapidly and in thick beds, and having been long under water; they are also earlier than the bituminous beds.

G. Frederick Wright and A. Frederick Wright, in their re spective papers on extra-morainic drift in New Jersey, and on the limits of the glaciated area of New Jersey, admitted the correctness of Prof. Salisbury's first announcement that these were genuine glacial depo-its, though occurring beyond the limits of the glaciated area.

Edward H. Williams, Jun., in a paper on South Mountain glaciation, described a similar formation in Pennsylvania, where he found transported Medina sandstone and glacial striation.

The programme also included papers on the study of fossil plants, by J. W. Dawson; the Manganese series of the North-Western States, by C. W. Hall and F. W. Lardeson; on the succession in the Marquette Iron district of Michigan, by C. R. Van Hise; terrestrial subsidence south-east of the American Continent, by J. W. Spencer; evidences of the derivation of the kames, eskers, and moraines of the North American ice-sheet, chiefly from its englacial drift, and the succession of pleistocene formations in the Mississippi and Nielson River basins, by Warren Upham; the cenozoic history of Eastern Virginia and Maryland, by N. H. Darton; the Arkansas coal measures in their relation to the Pacific carboniferous province, by James P. Smith; glaciation of the White Mountains, N. H., by C. H. Hitchcock; dislocation in the strata of the lead and zinc region of Wisconsin, and their relation to the mineral deposits, with some observations upon the origin of the ores, by W. P. Blake; geology of the sand hill region in the Carolinas, by J. H. Holmes; notes of geological exhibits at the World's Fair, by G. N. Williams.

BLEEDING BREAD.

THE phenomenon known in Germany as "Blut im Brode," and to us as bleeding bread, has appeared in this country, to no little dismay of the peaceful inhabitants. The subjects of this visitation are not only bread and biscuit, but also boiled potatoes, rice, and other farinaceous substances, on which red stains appear, which resemble blotches of blood. In former times, before their nature was known, these blood stains created much consternation amongst the superstitious as portents of calamity. The first modern naturalist who described it in scientific terms was Dr. Sette, of Venice, who recorded its ap pearance in Padua, in 1819, and gave it the name of Zoagalactina imetropha. In this instance it is stated that "a peasant of Liguara, near Padua, was terrified by the sight of blood stains scattered over some polenta, which had been made and shut up in a cupboard on the previous evening. Next day similar patches appeared on the bread, meat, and other articles of food in the same cupboard. It was naturally regarded as a nuracle and warning from heaven, until the case had been submitted to a Paduan naturalist, who easily recognised the presence of a microscopic plant."1 Subsequently Ehrenberg saw the same production near Berlin, in 1848, and, as usual with him under like circumstances, referred it to the animal kingdom, under the name of Monas prodigiosa; but during the same year it occurred in the experience of Dr. Camille Montagne, who saw it on cooked fowls and cauliflower, at Rouen, and it was regarded as an Algoid, under the name of Palmella prodigiona. The first definite record of its occurrence in Britain appears to have been in 1853, when H. O. Stephens communicated an account of it to the Bristol Microscopical Society, and submitted specimens to the late Rev. M. J. Berkeley, who declared it to be identical with the organisms described by Ehrenberg and Montagne, but which he regarded as a fungus.

The record of its appearance at Bristol is to the following

1 Trouessart, ** Microbes, &c." London, 1889, p. 125.

effect:-"I observed at table the under surface of a half round of boiled salt beef, cooked the day before, to be specked with several bright carmine-coloured spots, as if the dish in which the meat was placed had contained minute portions of red currant jelly. Suspecting what these might turn out to be, I directed the beef to be placed aside. On examination the next day the spots had spread into patches of a vivid carmine-red stratum of two or more inches in length. With a simple lens the plant appears to consist of a gelatinous substratum of a paler red, bearing an upper layer of a vivid red hue, having an uneven or papillated surface. The microscope shows this stratum to consist of generally globose cells, immersed in, or connected by, mucilaginous or gelatinous matter. The cells vary in size, and contain red endochrome; they seem to consist of a single cellmembrane, and contain a nucleus. Treated with sulpho-iodine they become blue."

As to its place in the organic kingdom, Mr. Stephens was of opinion that it was a Palmella closely allied to Palmella cruenta, but distinct, the cells or granules of the latter differing from it, not only in their colour but size, being very much smaller than those of P. prodigiosa. As to its propagation, he further remarks that it seems to extend itself by elastically spurting a sort of jet or column of red particles, which Berkeley compared to a jet of blood from an artery, and by this method it was suggested that the extraordinary rapidity with which a large surface becomes covered can be explained. The vitality of the cells is not impaired (within a certain time) by desiccation, even at a high temperature, and when dry they retain their germinating powers for a considerable period.

The spherical cells are filled with a reddish oil, which gives to them a peach-blossom tint, and when transferred to raw meat they assume a splendid fuchsia-colour, resembling spots of blood. The plant is only developed in the dark, and the nitrogen necessary for its nutriment must be derived from the air, especially when developed upon bread. About 1886 an epidemic appearance on the Continent was attributed to this source. Pieces of cooked meat presented a singular carminered colouration, and stained vividly the fingers or linen with which they came in contact. These phenomena prevailed regularly for a period of three months. Food cooked over night was found the next morning covered with red patches, and it then underwent rapid alteration. Coincident with a sudden and considerable fall in the temperature the epidemic ceased, and did not reappear."

[ocr errors]

Fresenius records the result of his examination of this organism, in his "Beitrage,' to the effect that "he took four boiled potatoes, and placed them in a drawer, having previously rubbed two of them slightly here and there with the red substance. After about twenty-four hours, the two potatoes which had not been rubbed, and which had not been in immediate contact with the other two, were affected with fresh spots of the red substance, whilst the spots upon the two which had been rubbed had increased in extent. The spots showed themselves in the form of irregular groups of blood-red drops of different size, which in some places were distinct, and in others had run into one another. The individual bodies of which the spots consist are mere molecules, their diameter varying from one twothousandth to one four-thousandth of a line. They are mostly round, occasionally oval, and sometimes slightly constructed in the middle, by way of preparation for increase by division into two small round cells. By far the greater number of them, when brought under the microscope in a drop of water, remain at rest-they lie close together in large numbers; when they are more dispersed in the fluid they have a motion which is not distinguishable from ordinary molecular motion. When the drop of water moves they are carried mechanically over the stage like other molecules, and when this motion ceases they remain at one spot in a sort of quivering state until a fresh current carries them in another direction. If the eye be kept carefully upon a part of the stage where the small bodies are thinly dispersed, it will be observed that they passively follow the current of the water, nor, when the current has become sluggish, or has even altogether ceased, are individual bodies ever seen to detach themselves from the group, and take a contrary direction, which real monads would do with great activity."

The present determination of this organism, according to some, is Micrococcus prodigiosus, but according to others it is 1 H. O. Stephens, on Palmella prodigiosa in Annals of Nat. Hist. vol. xii. December, 1853.

2 Pharmaceutical Journal, January 29, 1887, p. 610.

Bacillus prodigiosus, and consequently one of the Schizomycetes. It has been pointed out that as the temperature rises this Bacillus loses its power of forming a pigment, and if it is grown on potato or bread paste, in an incubator at blood heat, instead of at the temperature of the room, the colour is gradually lost, and the culture no longer smells of herring brine, but the power of forming lactic acid from milk-sugar, with the accompanying precipitation of the casein, is frequently considerably increased; so that it would appear that the energy required for the building-up of the pigment substance was, in this case, diverted into another channel, and lactic acid, and perhaps other substances, are produced in place of the usual pigment.1

The reappearance of this organism in this country, during the late hot weather, and especially on cooked potatoes, gives interest to its history, and is sufficient apology for these observations. M. C. COOKE.

FORTHCOMING SCIENTIFIC BOOKS.

THE autumn publishing season has opened with announcements of forthcoming books to suit all requirements. From this year's list we see that many works of high scientific importance are in the press, but the chief feature is the large number of text-books announced. The work of the Technical Instruction Committees of our County Councils has naturally resulted in the preparation of books on various arts and handicrafts, and since the authors of these books are usually well versed in the technicalities of their subjects, it may be presumed that the 'prentice hand will derive benefit from their literary efforts.

[ocr errors]

"Hand

The following books are announced by Messrs. MACMILLAN AND CO:-The Collected Works of Thomas Henry Huxley, F.R.S., in monthly volumes, from October I. Vol. i. "Methods and Results" (just published); vol. ii. "Darwiniana"; Vol. iii. "Science and Education"; vol. iv. "Science and Hebrew Tradition "; vol. v. "Science and Christian Tradi tion"; Vol. vi. "Hume." Systematic Survey of the Organic Matters," by Drs. G. Schultz and P. Julius, translated and edited, with extensive additions, by Arthur G. Green, Examiner in Coal Tar Products to the City and Guilds of London Institute. "Text-Book of the Diseases of Trees," by Prof. R. Hartig, translated by Dr. R. Somerville, Lecturer on Agriculture at Durham College of Science, with a preface by Prof. H. Marshall Ward, F.R.S., with numerous illustrations. "Methods of Histological Research," for the use of students and physicians, by Dr. C. V. Kahlden, Lecturer in the University of Freiburg, translated by H. Morley Fletcher. "Materials for the Study of Variation in Animals." Part i. "Discontinuous Variation," by William Bateson, Balfour Student and Fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge, illustrated. "Handbook of British Marine Fauna," vol. i. Tunicata, Polyzo1, and Echinodermata, by Prof. W. A. Herdman, F.R.S., with numerous illustrations. "The Romance of the Insect World," by Miss L. N. Badenoch, with illustrations. "A Text-Book of Pathology," systematic and practical, by Prof. D. J. Hamilton, vol. ii. book of Public Health and Demography," by Edward F. Willoughby, Diploma in Stare Medicine of the London University, and in Public Health of Cambridge University. "The Practitioner," an index to vols. 1-50 of the Practitioner, a journal of therapeutics and public health. The three following volumes have been designed to suit the requirements of the examinations of the Department of Science and Art :-"Organic Chemistry for Beginners," by Dr. G. S. Turpin ; " Physiography for Beginners," by J. E. Marr, F. R.S., and Alfred Harker, M.A.; "Physiology for Beginners," by Prof. Michael Foster, F.R.S., and Dr. L. E. Shore. "Geometrical Conic Sections," by Charles Smith. "Geometrical Conic Sections," by Asutosh "GeoMukhopadhyay, Fellow of the University of Calcutta. metrical Conics," Part ii., the Central Conic, by John J. Milne and R. F. Davies. "Elementary Trigonometry," by H. S. Hall, Master of the Army Class, Clifton College, and S. R. Knight. "Sketches in Sport and Natural History," by the late Dr. George Kingsley; "The Beauties of Nature," by the Right Hon. Sir John Lubbock, Bart., F. R. S., new edition without illustrations; "The Theory of Heat," by Thomas Preston, with illustrations; "Researches on the Propagation of Electrical Force," by Prof. Heinrich Hertz, of Bonn, authorised translation by Prof. D. E. Jones, with preface by Lord Kelvin, P.R.S., 1 Dr. G. S. Woodhead, "Bacteria and their Products" (1891), p. 9.

580

illustrated; "A Text-book on Electro-Magnetism and the
Construction of Dynamos," by Dugald C. Jackson, Professor of
Electrical Engineering, University of Wisconsin; "The Mechanics
of Hoisting Machinery, including Accumulators, Excavators,
ad Pile Drivers," by Dr. Julius Weisbach and Prof. Gustav
Hermann, with 177 illustrations, authorised translation from the
second German edition, by Karl P. Dahlstrom, Instructor in
Mechanical Engineering at the Lehigh University; "Hydro-
statics," by A. G. Greenhill, F. R. S., Professor of Mathematics to
the Senior Class of Artillery Officers, Woolwich; "Essays in
Historical Chemistry," by Prof. T. E. Thorpe, F. R.S.; "The
Rise and Development of Organic Chemistry," by the late
C. Schorlemmer, F. R.S., translated and edited by Prof.
Smithells, Yorkshire College, Leeds; "Popular Lectures and
Addresses," Vol. ii., contributions to Geology, by Lord Kelvin,
"The Life of Sir A. C. Ramsay," by Sir Archibald
P.R.S.;
Ge kie, F.R.S.; "A Text-book of the Physiological Chemis-
try of the Animal Body, including an Account of the Chemical
Changes occurring in Disease," by Dr. Arthur Gamgee, F.R.S.,
Brackenbury Professor of Physiology in the Owens College.
"Boot and Shoe Manufacture,'
with illustrations, Vol. ii.;
by C. W. B. Burdett, Head Master City and Guilds of London
Leather Trade Schools, with numerous illustrations; "Lead
Work," by W. R. Lethaby, with illustrations; "Gold-Milling,'
with illustrations, by H. Louis; "Elementary Course of
Practical Science," by Hugh Gordon.

The CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS announce :-"The
Scientific Papers of John Couch Adams," Vol. i., edited by Dr.
William Grylls Adams, F.R S., &c., Professor of Natural
Philosophy in King's College, London, late Fellow of St. John's
College, Cambridge, with a memoir by Dr. J. W. L. Glaisher,
F. R.S., &c., Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge; "A
Treatise on Spherical Astronomy," by Sir Robert S. Ball,
F. R.S., Lowndean Professor of Astronomy and Geometry; " A
Treatise on the Theory of Functions of a Complex Variable,"
by Dr. A. R. Forsyth, F. R. S., Fellow of Trinity College, Cam-
bridge; "Plane Trigonometry," by S. L. Loney, Part i., up
to and including the Solution of Triangles, is published separ
ately; "Solutions of the Examples in a Treatise on the Ele-
ments of Statics and Dynamics," by S. L. Loney, late Fellow
of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge: "Elementary Hydro-
s'atics," by John Greaves, Fellow and Lecturer of Christ's
College; "The Steam Engine and other Heat Engines," by J.
A. Ewing, F.R.S., Professor of Mechanism and Applied
Mechanics in the University of Cambridge; "Elementary
Paleontology for Geological Students," by Henry Woods;
"Practical Physiology of Plants," by F. Darwin and E. H.
:-"Euclid's Elements
Acton. Pitt Press Mathematical Series:-
"Solu-
of Geometry," Books v. and vi, by H. M. Taylor, Fellow
and formerly Tutor of Trinity College, Cambridge:
tions to the Exercises in Euclid," Books i iv. (Pitt Piess
Mathematical Series, by H. M. Taylor), by W. W. Taylor.
The Cambridge University Press are also about to publish
a series of Natural Science Manuals, which will cover a
wide field, some of the books being adapted for beginners,
whilst others will deal with special topics, and will be useful
The series will be divided
only to more advanced students.
into two sections, a Biological and a Physical. The former
will be published under the general editorship of Mr. Arthur E.
Shipley, Fellow and Tutor of Christ's College, Cambridge; it
will include A Manual of Invertebrate Paleontology," by
Mr. H. Woods, Demonstrator of Palaeobotany at Cambridge,
which is now ready; "A Text-book on the Practical Physio-
logy of Plants," by Mr. Francis Darwin, of Christ's College,
and Mr. E. Hamilton Acton, of St. John's College, which is
"Works on Physical Anthropology," by Prof.
in the press;
Alexander Macalister; "On the Vertebrate Skeleton," by Mr.
S. II. Reynolds, of Trinity College; "On Fossil Plants," by
Mr. A. C. Seward, Lecturer in Botany in the University, and
"An Introduction to the Study of Botany," by Mr. Francis
Darwin, which are in preparation. Other volumes will shortly
be announced. The volumes of the Physical Series already
arranged for include three by Mr. R. T. Glazebrook, F.R.S.,
Assistant Director of the Cavendish Laboratory, on "Light
ani Heat," "Electricity and Magnetism," and "Mechanics and
Hydrostatics"; these will be elementary text-books, based on
the Practical Courses of Physics for Medical Students at the
Cavendish Laboratory. The volume on "Light and Heat" is
in the press, and the other volumes are in preparation.

66

Messrs. CHARLES GRIFFIN AND Co.'s announcements in

clude:-"A Text-book of Ore and Stone Mining for the Use
of Mine-owners, Mine-managers, Prospectors, and all interested
in Ore and Stone Mining," by Dr. Clement Le Neve Fower,
F.R.S., Professor of Mining, Royal College of Science, H M.
Inspector of Mines; a new Metallurgical series, edited by W.
C. Roberts-Austen, C.B., F.R.S., Chemist and Assayer of the
Royal Mint, Professor of Metallurgy in the Royal College of
Science. (1) "Introduction to the Study of Metallurgy," by
(2) "Gold (The Metallurgy
the Editor; third edition.
of)," by Thos. Kirke Rose; (3) "Copper (The Metallurgy
ol)," by Thos. Gibb; (4) "Iron and Steel (The Metal-
lurgy of)," by Thos. Turner; (5) "Metallurgical Ma-
chinery : the Application of Engineering to Metallurgi.
cal Problems," by Henry Charles Jenkins; (6) “- Alloy-,”
by the Editor. Technological Manuals: Oils, Fans,
Waxes, and Allied Materials, and the Manufacture there-
from of Candles, Soaps, and other Products," by Dr. C. R.
Alder Wright, F. R.S.; "Agricultural Chemistry and An-
alysis: A Practical Handbook for the Use of Agricultural
Students," by Dr. J. M. H. Munro, Professor of Chemistry,
Dairy Chemistry: A
Downton College of Agriculture;
Practical Handbook for Dairy Managers," by H. Droop Rich-
mond; "Cements: A Practical Handbook on their Manu-
facture, Properties, Testing," &c., by Gilbert R. Redgrave;
"Petroleum: A Treatise on the Geographical Distribution,
Geological Occurrence, Chemistry, Production, and Refining
of Petroleum; its Testing, Transport, and Storage; and the
Legislative Enactments relating thereto; together with a De
scription of the Shale Oil Industry," by Boverton Redwood,
assisted by Geo. T. Holloway. With maps and illustrations. The
special features of Mr. Redwood's work will be (1) the hitherto
unpublished descriptions of undeveloped sources of petroleum in
various parts of the world; and (2) that the testing, transport, and
storage from the point of view of legislation, and the precautions
which experience in this and other countries has shown to be
necessary in the interests of public safety. "A Text-book of
Physics including Properties of Matter, Heat, Sound and
Light, Magnetism and Electricity," by Dr. J. H. Poynting,
FR.S., late Fell. of Trinity Coll., Cambridge; Prof. ol
Physics in the Mason Coll., Birmingham, and J. J. Thomson,
F.R.S., Fell. of Trinity Coll., Cambridge; Prof. of Exper.
Physics in the Univer. of Camb.; "The Mean Density of the
Earth: An Essay to which the Adams Prize was adjudged in
1893 in the University of Cambridge," by Dr. J. H. Poynt
ing, F. R.S., in large 8vo, with bibliography, illustrations in
the text, and lithographed plates; “Marine Engineering Rules
and Tables (A Pocket-book of): for the use of Marine
Engineers, Naval Architects, Designers, Draughtsmen, Super-
intendents, and all engaged in the design and construction of
Marine Machinery, Naval and Mercantile," by A. E. Seato6
and H. M. Rounthwaite, with illustrations; "Gas, Oil, and
Air Engines: A Practical Text-book on Internal Combustios
Motors without Boiler," by Bryan Donkin, with illustrations;
Sewage Disposal Works," by W. Santo Crimp. Second
edition, with additional plates; "Engineering Drawing and
Design: A Practical Manual for Engineering Student," by
Sidney H. Wells, Principal, Battersea Polytechnic Institute,
late of Dulwich College. Part I.-Geometry: Practical, Plane,
and Sulid. Part II.-Machine and Engine Drawing and
Design. Complete in one vol., with numerous illustrations and
folding-plate; "Applied Mechanics (An Advanced Text-book
of)," by Prof. Jamieson, Glasgow and West of Scotland Tech-
nical College, with very numerous illustrations.
AND Co.'s forthcoming
Messis. SWAN, SONNENSCHEIN
We note:-" A Student's Text-
works are chiefly text-books.
book on Botany," by Dr. Sidney H. Vines, Professor of Botany
in the University of Oxford, editor of "Pranti's Botany,*
copiously illustrated; "Text book of Embryology, Inverie-
brates," by Drs. Korschelt and Heider, of the University of
Berlin, translated and edited by Dr. E. L. Mark, Professor of
Anatomy in Harvard University, and Dr. W. M. Woodworth,
Instructor in Microscopical Anatomy in Harvard University,
Part I., illustrated; "The Cell, its Anatomy and Physiology,'
by Dr. Oscar Hertwig, of the University of Berlin, translated
and edited by Dr. H. J. Campbell, illustrated; "Text-book of
Palæontology for Zoological Students," by Theodore T. Groom,
illustrated; Lectures on Human and Animal Psychology,"
by Wilhelm Wundt, Professor of Philosophy in the University
of Leipzig, translated and edited by James Edward Creighton,
Instructor in Philosophy to the Cornell University, Ithaca,

New York, and Elward Bradford Titchener, of the Cornell University; "Handbook of Systematic Botany," by Dr. E. Warming, Professor of Botany in the University of Stockholm, translated and edited by M. C. Potter, M. A., Lecturer on Biology and Botany in the Durham College of Science, illustrated; "Town Flowers," by J. W. N., with a preface by Canon Benham and Prebendary Weob-Peploe; "Zoology," by B. Lindsay, illustrated; "Fishes," by the Rev. H. A. Macpherson; "Flowering Plants," by James Britten, editor of the Journal of Botany; "Grasses," by W. Hutchinson; "Mammalia," by the Rev. H. A. Macpherson; "The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne. by Gilbert White, Bennett's edition, with notes by J. E. Harting, illustrations by Bewick, Harvey, &c., new edition.

Messrs. CROSBY LOCKWOOD AND SONS have in preparation and in the press." Machinery for Metalliferous Mines: a Practical Treatise for Mining Engineers, Metallurgists, and Managers of Mines," by E. Henry Davies (illustrated); "The Practical Engineer's Year-book for 1894, comprising Modern Engineering Formulæ, Rules, Tables, and Memoranda, in Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Marine, and Mine Engineering," by H. R. Kempe; "Practical Building Construction: a Handbook for Students Preparing for the Examinations of the Science and Art Department, the Royal Institute of British Architects, the Surveyors' Institution, &c., designed also as a Book of Reference for Persons engaged in Building" (1000 illustrations), by John Parnell Allen; "Concrete: Its Nature and Uses: a Book for Architects, Builders, and Clerks of Works" (with numerous illustrations), by George L. Sutcliffe; "Tramways: Their Construction and Working, embracing a Comprehensive History of the System; with an exhaustive Analysis of the various Modes of Traction, a description of Rolling Stock, and details of Cost and Working Expenses" (with plates and other illustrations), by D. K. Clark. new edition, in one volume, rewritten and revised; New Volumes of Hasluck's Series of "Handybooks for Handicrafts,' viz. : 'The Woodworker's Handybook: a Practical Manual on the Tools, Materials, Appliances and Processes employed in Woodworking" (with 100 illustrations); "The Metalworker's Handybook: a Practical Manual for use in Technical Classes and Workshops' (with 100 illustrations); "Wall Paper Decoration" (with numerous illustrations), by A. S. Jennings; "An Astronomical Glossary; or Dictionary of Terms used in Astronomy, with Tables of Data and Lists of Remarkable and Interesting Celestial Objects," by J. Ellard Gore.

"Our

Messrs. CASSELL AND CO. promise the following books :"The Story of the Sun," by Sir Robert S. Ball, F. R.S., Lowndean Professor of Astronomy in the University of Cambridge, about 380 pages, with 8 coloured plates and other illustrations; "The Story of our Planet," by T. G. Bonney, F.R.S., Professor of Geology in University College, London, Fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge, with 6 coloured plates and maps and about 100 illustrations; "The Dawn of Astronomy, a Study of the Astronomy and Temple Worship of the Ancient Egyptians," by J. Norman Lockyer, F.R.S.; Railways, their Development, Enterprise, Incident, and Romance," by John Pendleton, illustrated; "Electricity in the Service of Man, a Popular and Practical Treatise on the Applications of Electricity in Modern Life," with nearly 850 illustrations, new edition, revised by Dr R. Mullineux Walmsley; "Cassell's New Technical Educator," an entirely new Cyclopædia of Technical Education," with coloured plates and engravings, Vol. ii.; "The Book of the Horse," by S. Sidney, thoroughly revised and brought up to date by James Sinclair and W. C. A. Blew, with 17 full-page collotype plates of celebrated horses of the day, specially produced for this edition, and numerous other illustrations.

The following are included in Messrs. GEORGE PHILIP AND SON's list of forthcoming publications :-"The Mineral Resources of Western Australia, with full descriptions of the Goldfields," by Alfred F. Calvert; "Philips' Anatomical Model," a Pictorial Representation of the Human Frame and its Organs by means of superimposed Plates printed in colours, with descriptive text by Dr. Schmidt, English edition by William S. Furneaux; 66 'Philips' Geological Map of the Envirous of London, extending about twenty miles round Charing Cross, showing the Nature of the Soil and the Elevation of the Land," by George Philip (scale, one inch to a mile); "Lessons on Woodwork for Evening Classes, comprising Exercises in the Principles of Joinery, and Studies

and Designs for Wood-Carving," with numerous illustrations and explanatory letter-press; published under the direction of the Technical Education of the Hants County Council.

In addition to a number of books of travel, Messrs. SAMPSON LOW, MARSTON AND Co.'s publications will be :-" A History of Scandinavian Fishes," described by B. Fries, C. Y. Ekström, and C. Sundeval!, with coloured plates painted from living specimens, and engraved on stone by Wilhelm von Wright, besides numerous text illustrations, second edition, thoroughly revised and completed by Prof. F. A. Smitt; "A School Course in Heat," revised and enlarged, by W. Larden, Assistant Master in the R.N.E. College, Devonport, late Science Scholar, Merton College, Oxford, numerous illustra tions, fifth edition; "Chemistry for Beginners," adapted for Elementary Stage of the Science and Art Department's Examinations in Organic Chemistry, by R. L. Taylor, fifth edition, thoroughly revised and partly rewritten.

Messrs. CHAPMAN AND HALL have in hand -"About Orchids a Chat," by Frederick Boyle, with numerous illustrations; a book by Mr. Charles Dixon, entitled "Jottings about Birds"; "Woodworking Positions," by W. Nelson, with twelve illustrations by Herbert Cole; "A Text-book of Mechanical Engineering," by Wilfrid J. Lineham, Head of the Engineering Department at the Goldsmiths' Company's Institute, New Cross, late Professor of Engineering at the School of Science and Art and Technical College, Newcastle on-Tyne; "Illustrations of the Principal Natural Orders of the Vegetable Kingdom," prepared for the Science and Art Department, by Dr. D. Oliver, F. R.S., with 109 plates by W. H. Fitch; 'Food, some Account of its Sources, Constituents, and Uses," by A. H. Church, F. R.S., Professor of Chemistry in the Royal Academy of Arts in London, new edition, revised.

66

66

The following works will be published by Mr. YOUNG J. PENTLAND:-"Atlas of Diseases of the Skin, in a Series of Coloured Illustrations from Original Drawings, with Descriptive Letterpress," by Dr. H. Radcliffe Crocker; "Manual of Practical Anatomy," by Dr. D. J. Cunningham, Professor of Anatomy and Surgery, Trinity College, Dublin; Hygiene and Diseases of Warm Climates, in a Series of Articles by Eminent Authorities," edited by Dr. Andrew Davidson, author of "Geographical Pathology," illustrated; "Beri-Beri, Researches concerning its Nature and Cause, and the Means of its Arrest," by C. A. Pekelharing, Professor in the Faculty of Medicine, University of Utrecht, and C. Winkler, Lecturer in the University of Utrecht, translated by James Cantlie; "Atlas of Ophthalmoscopy, a Series of Coloured Plates from Original Drawings, with Text," by W. Adams Frost.

Mr. W. B. CLIVE (University Correspondence Press) will publish :-" Elementary Qualitative Analysis," by William Briggs and Dr. R. W. Stewart; "An Elementary Textbook of Geometrical Conics," by G. H. Bryan; "Geometrical Deductions," by T. W. Edmondson; "Geometry of the Simpler Figures and the Plane, Euclid VI. and XI.," by C. W. C. Barlow; "An Elementary Text-book of Hydrostatics," by William Briggs and G. H. Bryan; "Examples in Magnetism and Electricity," by C. H. Dibb; "An Elementary Text-book of Mechanics," by William Briggs and G. H. Bryan ; The Elements of Trigonometry," by William Briggs and G. H. Bryan; "Co-ordinate Geometry, Part II.," by G. H. Bryan.

[ocr errors]

In Mr. MURRAY's list of forthcoming books we find :—“The Life of Prof. Owen, based on his Correspondence, his Diaries, and those of his Wife," by his grandson, the Rev. Richard Owen, with portraits and illustrations. 2 vols. "A Manual of Naval Architecture, for the Use of Officers of the Navy and Mercantile Marine, Ship-owners, Ship-builders, and Yachtsmen," by W. H. White, C.B., F.R.S., Assistant-Controller and Director of Naval Construction, Royal Navy. edition thoroughly revised and in great part rewritten, with 150 illustrations.

Third

The announcements of the CLARENDON PRESS include "Mathematical Papers of the late Henry F. S. Smith," Savilian Professor of Geometry in the University of Oxford, with portrait and memoir, 2 vols.; "A Manual of Crystallography," by M. H. N. Story-Maskelyne, F.R.S.; "Observations Points connected with Hospital Construction," by Sir Douglas Galton, K. C. B. F.R.S.; "A Monograph on the Oligochata," by Frank E. Beddard, F. R. S.; "Adler's Alternating Generations,

on some

a Biological Study of Oakgalls and Gallflies," authorised translation, by C. R. Straton.

-

Messrs. LONGMANS, GREEN AND CO. have in preparation :"Agricultural Analysis, a Manual of Quantitative Analysis for Students of Agriculture," by Frank T. Addyman; "The Outdoor World, or the Young Collector's Handbook," by W. Furneaux, with 546 illustrations, including 16 coloured plates; "Eskimo Life," by Fridtjof Nansen, author of "The First Crossing of Greenland," translated by William Archer, with illustrations.

Camille Flammarion's "Popular Astronomy" is being translated by Mr. J. Ellard Gore, and will be published by Messrs. CHATTO AND WINDUS. This firm will also publish "The Sagacity and Morality of Plants: a Sketch of the Life and Conduct of the Vegetable Kingdom," with coloured frontispiece and 100 illustrations; "Our Common British Fossils, and Where to Find Them, a Handbook for Students," with 331 illustrations; "The Playtime Naturalist," with 366 illustrations.

[ocr errors]

The volumes on scientific subjects announced by Messrs. RIVINGTON, PERCIVAL AND CO. are:-"The School Euclid," by Mr. Daniel Brent; "The Beginner's Text-Books of Science" Chemistry," and "Heat," by Mr. G. Stallard; "Geology and "Physical Geography," by Mr. C. L. Barnes; "Electricity and Magnetism" and "Mechanics (Treated Experimentally),' by Mr. L. Cumming; Light," by Mr. H. P. Highton ; Practical Physics," in three parts, by Prof. W. F. Barrett; "Practical Lessons and Exercises in Heat," by Mr. A. D. Hall.

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

In the list of books about to be published by Messrs. W. H. ALLEN AND Co. we find :-"The Naturalist's Library," each section rewritten by well known naturalists, edited by Dr. R. Bowdler Sharpe, in 20 vols. ; "Handbook of British Hepaticæ, containing Descriptions and Figures of the Indigenous Species of Marchantia, Jungermannia, Riccia, and Anthoceros," by Dr. M. C. Cooke, author of "A Manual of Structural Botany," &c. ; The Flowering Plants of Western India," by the Rev. Alexander Kyd Nairne.

[ocr errors]

Messrs. KEGAN PAUL AND Co. announce a new volume of "Modern Science Series": "The Fauna of the Deep Sea,' by Sydney J. Hickson, Downing College, Cambridge (with illustrations); also a new volume of the International Scientific Series: "The Dispersal of Shells: an Inquiry into the Means of Dispersal possessed by Fresh-water and Land Mollusca," by H. Wallis Kew, with a Preface by Dr. Alfred Russel Wallace, F. R. S., &c. (with illustrations).

Messrs. GEORGE BELL AND SONS propose to issue Vol. iii. of the "British Fungus-Flora, a Classified Text-book of Mycology," by George Massee, author of "The Plant World," with numerous illustrations; "The Elements of Applied Mathematics, including Kinetics, Statics, and Hydrostatics," by C. M. Jessop: "Elementary Analytical Geometry," by the Rev. T. G. Vyvyan.

Messrs. FREDERICK WARNE AND CO. announce :-"The Royal Natural History," edited by Richard Lydekker, with preface by P. L. Sclater, illustrated with seventy-two coloured plates, and upwards of sixteen hundred wood engravings, by W. Kuhnert, J. Wolf, T. Specht, Gambier Bolton, P. J. Smit, &c., to be issued in monthly parts, beginning this month.

Messrs. METHUEN AND CO. will add to their University Extension Series a popular introduction to modern physical astronomy, entitled The Vault of Heaven," by R. A. Gregory; and " Meteorology; the Elements of Weather and Climate," by Mr. H. N. Dickson.

Investigations

From Messrs. A. AND C. BLACK will come 64 in Microscopic Foams and on Protoplasm," by Prof. O. Bütschli, translated from the German by E. A. Minchin, illustrated; and the remaining two parts of Prof. Newton's "Dictionary of Birds."

The following are among the educational announcements of Messrs. BLACKIE AND SON :-"Text-book of Heat," by Dr. C. H. Draper; "Students' Introductory Handbook of Systematic Botany," by J. W. Oliver; "Elementary Hydrostatics and Pneumatics," by R. Pinkerton.

Messrs. W. AND R. CHAMBERS will add to their list :"Electricity and Magneti m," by Prof. Cargill G. Knott; "Organic Chemistry, by Prof. Perkin; " Elementary Science,' by S. R. Todd; 'Navigation," by J. Don.

Among Messrs. WILLIAMS AND NORGATE'S forthcoming books is A Pocket Flora of the Edinburgh District," by C. O.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors]

TRILOBITES WITH ANTENNÆ AT LAST!

MR. W. D. MATTHEW is to be warmly congratulated on being the first to describe Trilobites with visible antenne. His detailed and illustrated description of a rich find (some sixty specimens) of Triarthrus Beckii with antennæ, made by Mr. Valiant in the Hudson River shales near Rome, N. Y., must naturally cause excitement among biologists all over the world.

The complete absence of all traces of visible antennæ, and, further, the failure of Walcott, after the most patient research by means of sections, to discover any antennal system at all, have resulted in the Trilobites remaining without abiding home in the zoological system. They have been Isopods, Phyllopods, and even Arachnida. And now, at last, Trilobites have been found with very pronounced antennæ ! The first question we naturally ask is, what light do these antennæ throw upon the affinities of this mysterious group?

According to the description, these organs are long, manyjointed, typical crustacean antennæ. "They come out close together from just under the centre of the anterior border of the head shield." "Their point of origin seems to be unter the front part of the glabella, as they can be traced a little way under the head shield, where they almost coalesce, then turn upwards and outwards and disappear." .... "Just over the spot where they come out, the anterior margin of the head shield is arched slightly upwards, seemingly to give room for them to play to and fro."

From these details we deduce the following:

(1) All Trilobites had antennæ, which except, as far as we know, in the case of Triarthrus Beckii alone remained shut in under the head shield.

(2) These ventrally placed antennæ were inserted, approxi mately, one on each side of the labrum.

It seems to me that these natural conclusions from the facts go far to establish the relationship between the Trilobiles and the Apodidae originally maintained by Burmeister, and recently elaborated by the present writer (The Apodidae," "Nature Series," 1892). But however weighty the arguments (amounting, it seemed to me, to a proof) in favour of this relationship, the inability actually to demonstrate the existence of the antennæ was a felt weakness. That weakness has now been finally removed, and my arguments have been fully con firmed, by the finding that the Trilobites had antenne in practically the same position as the anterior pair in the Apodida

The Trilobites may therefore take a firm place at the rout of the Crustacean system, with the existing Apus as thei nearest ally.

The modern Crustacea, with their two pairs of antenne arranged in a group with the eyes at the most anterior end of the body, have then to be deduced from primitive forms in which the antenna were placed ventrally at the sides of the labrum, and were shut in under a large head shield. Triarikou Beckii shows us one attempt to bring the antennæ forward. A pair of antennæ (presumably the anterior pair) lengthened con siderably, and, without apparently changing their places of insertion, projected from under the head shield through median groove. In spite of this actual discovery, I still think that the method of attaining the same end proposed by me ria cit.) was the method finally adopted. I suggested two groove, one on each side of the median line, along which the antennæ moved bodily to the front. This would allow both pairs to ac! as anterior feelers, whereas the method adopted by Triarthrus would apparently only allow one pair to do so. Further, the piece between the grooves would account for the rostrum, which we know was very early developed. The antennæ in the early Phyllopod Ceratiocaris papilio were not long and filiform as in the Trilobite Triarthrus, but look exactly like a pair of Apus antennæ moved bodily to the front.

Whether the remarkable resemblance of the Isopods to the

On the Antenna and other Appendages of Friarthrus Beckik” (American Journal of Science, August, 1893)

« PreviousContinue »