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274 compound prepared by the latter is not pure, but contaminated by the presence of a considerable amount of alcohol.—M. Dubranfant continued the discussion on the nature of inverted sugar, by a description of his method of separating levulose from it. He effects the separation by the addition of hydrate of lime to a solution of inverted sugar, presses the crystalline magma produced, and removes the lime by treating both the solid residue and the expressed fluid with an acid. This process, according to the author, effects the nearly complete separation of the two forms of glucose, and he suggested that it might become of importance, as levulose possesses far higher sweetening powers than right glucose.—Mr. T. L. Phipson communicated a note on some substances extracted from the fruit of the walnut. From the green envelope of the fruit he obtained a yellow, crystalline substance, of little stability; this, in a few hours, produced a black, amorphous, resinous substance, C6 H6 O7, which the author called regianine acid. With alkalies it forms soluble salts of a magnificent purple colour, and with oxide of lead a violet-brown insoluble salt. For the yellow body he proposed the name of regianine. A substance occurring in the episperm of the nut was called nucitannine; it is the cause of the harsh taste of that skin. From it, by treatment with mineral acids, the author obtained glucose, ellagic acid, and a red, insoluble body, which he named rothic acid. Its composition was said to be C28 H12 O14. The green envelope, when fresh, absorbs oxygen with avidity from the air; when mixed with soda, it absorbs oxygen much more rapidly than phosphorus.—In a note on the simultaneous action of the intra-pilar current and nascent hydrogen upon organic acids, M. E. Royer described his treatment of oxalic acids by these agencies. Concentrated solution of that acid, placed in the porous cell of a Grove's battery, furnished a considerable quantity of formic acid in a few days, the oxalic acid having been split, and hydrogen having combined with each of the two half-molecules. No carbonic acid was set free.—M. Delafosse presented a report upon M. Kokscharow’s contributions to the mineralogy of Russia, indicating the general character of that work.—M. Feil exhibited some specimens of heavy glass (Faraday’s glass), prepared by a new process which enables it to be produced in large masses. He also sent in some examples of artificial gems.—A note by M. M. A. Gaudin, on the production of artificial germs, was also communicated; it was accompanied by a small collection of specimens.—A memoir was presented on the general movements of the atmosphere, by M. Peslin; also one on the graduation of galvanometers, by M. P. Blaserna; and another, containing the first part of a new method for the solution of problems in mechanics, by M. Piaron de Mondesir,—Of biological papers, M. Lacaze-Duthiers communicated a first memoir on the morphology of the mollusca, relating to the Gasteropoda. To this we may probably refer elsewhere,—M. P. P. Dehérain presented a paper on the metamorphoses and migrations of the proximate principles in herbaceous plants, in which the author traced the course of the more important vegetable compounds from one set of organs to another during the life of the plant, and indicated the changes which they undergo in different parts. He ascribed the transport of soluble materials from one part of a plant to another to the varying amount of aqueous evaporation from the surface. The accumulation of insoluble proximate principles in the seed was also accounted for by the author on the supposition (experimentally arrived at) that wherever in a system fully charged with liquids there is a point at which the dissolved elements become insoluble, they tend towards that point in order to maintain the equilibrium. Of the means by which the soluble elements are converted into insoluble ones, the author attempted no explanation,—M. Milne Edwards presented a note by M. Balbiani onthe constitution and mode of formation of the ovum in the Streceéi-c, in which that author contests some of the points iusisted on by M. E. yan Beneden in a former paper (see NaTVRE, p. 246).—The question of the antiquity of the horse in Mgypt formed the subject of notes by MM. F. Uément, F. Lenormant, and Faye, M. Lenormant disposes of the passage in Genesis in which safes are supposed to be referred to. Ife seems inclined to consider that the word trans. lated mules (which occurs nowbere else in the Bible) really signt- fies hot springs, MM. Faye, in opposition to al) authority, bolds fast by the ordinary modern version, and also cites the passage in the same book in which horses are mentioned among the mimals taken hy Joseph in exchange for corn daring the years of famine in Eevpt. byoum the lact that horses are here familiarly taentioned, M. Faye infers that their employment in Egypt as lomestc animals tust thea have buen of long standing. —M. E.

Ducaisne communtcated a paper on suckling by mothers ; and Myr, T. L. Phipson a note on the explosion and fall of meteorites, Papers were also presented by M. Banjean, on the detection of hyilrocyanic acid and cyanides in cases of voisoning; by M. Guyet, on the toxical effect of rosolic acid ; by M. Trouyé, on the employment of electricity in seeking metallic bodies in wounds, &c.; by M. L. Colin, on telluric emanations and their connection with fevers; by M. Gouteyron, on the influence of the shell of ivon vessels upon the compass; by M. Jouglet, on the production of an explosive powder by the action of coal-zas eo nitrate af copper; and by M. Dupuis, on a new hydraulre ever,

DIARY THURSDAY, January 6.

Rovar Society, at 8.30 —Some Account of the Suez Canal: J. b. Bate- maa, PLR.S.—On the Mineral Constituents of Meteorites: N. Story Maskelyne.—On Fluoride of Silver: G. Gare, PRS,

Rovat Isstivytion, at 3.—On Light (Juvenile Lectures): Prof. Tyndall, BIR.S,

SATURDAY, January 8.

Royat Institution, at 3-—On Light (Juvcoite Lectures); Prof. Tyndall Vrs, MONDAY, Jaxvary 10, Rovat GeoaxarH(caL Society, at 8.30. Mepicar Soctety at 8, TUESPAV, JeNvary os. Civ Enceneers, at 8. PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCTRTY, at B Lyuxotogicar Socmty, at 8&—On the Kitai and Kara-Kitai: Dr. Gus- tave Oppert.—On the Cirigin of the Tasmanians, geulogically considered : J Bonwick, Esy. —On soe Prehisivric Remains discovered in New Zealand: Tir. Julius Haast, PRS.

WEDNESDAY, JANVARY 12.

Microscoricar, Socirty, at 8&.—On the Calcarcous Spicula of the Gorgo- niade: W.S, Rent, P.Z S.—Ou an Unilescribed Stage of Development of ‘Vectrarhyneus Corollatus: Aifred Saaders, MLR CS —On a New Method of Measuring Specira Bands: Joh Brownirg, PORLALS.

Gronoctcan Socery, at 8.—On the Superficial Deposits of Purtions of the Avon and Severn Valleys and Adjoining Districts: 1. 1% B, Lisyd, Esq, CE. F.G 5 —Ou the Geulogical Position and Gengra- phical Jtistribution of the Reptiban or Dolomntic Conglomerate uf the Pristul Area: R. Evheridge, Esq., 2.0.8,

THURSDAY, Jaxvarv 73.

Lanpos MatHEMATICAI, SocigTy, at 8—Rquations of Centres aad Pou of certain Involinions: Mr. J J Walther.

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