at the time of the commencement of the existing period of geological history. The Professor's illustrations were chiefly derived from his investigations of the distribution of sea-fish and land-snails. Professor F. Zirkel, of Kiel, made some communications on the mineralogical constitution of the basalt-lavas of Laacher See and the Eifel. Professor von Rath described a new mineral from Laacher See, which he proposes to call Amblystegite, in allusion to the extreme obtuseness of some of its angles. It is of a reddish brown colour; hardness almost equal to that of quartz; specific gravity 3'454; melts with great difficulty, forming a black glass insoluble in hydrochloric acid. In composition it is allied to hypersthene, but is distinguished from that mineral by the absence of the characteristic cleavage. Extracts from a paper by Professor Fuhlrott on the caves of Grevenbrück and the Hönnethal were then read; and Professor Schaffhausen availed himself of the opportunity of insisting upon the desirableness of a systematic exploration of the bone-yielding caves in which Westphalia is so rich. We are glad to hear that steps are being taken to raise funds for this purpose among the members of the society. The most important finds in the Grevenbrück cave are coprolites of hyaena, and two human lower jaws of primitive form. VIENNA Imperial Academy of Sciences, November 18.-Professor Unger communicated a memoir on the anthracite deposits in Carinthia. He stated that nineteen species of plants, chiefly ferns, have been detected in the shales accompanying this deposit. They agree with those of the coal-measures, and eight of them occur also in the anthracite deposits of Styria, Switzerland, and the French Alps. Two undescribed Fern-stems were particularly noticed by the author, who took the opportunity of opposing the ordinary notion that the Stigmarie are the roots of Sigillaria. Of the latter he regarded those species which have not furrowed stems, as ferns.--Dr. C. Jelinek presented a preliminary communication upon the hurricane-like storm which visited Vienna on the 14th November. The greatest velocity of the wind was 46'6 Paris feet per second, about noon; the diminution of barometric pressure continued until 6 P.M., when the mercury had fallen 717 lines, the velocity of the wind being 36'5 feet per second.-Director Tschermak communicated a memoir on a new salt from Hallstadt. This mineral, to which the author gives the name of Astrakanite, occurs mixed with common salt, anhydrite, and a mixture consisting chiefly of sodium sulphate in the Christina gallery at Hallstadt. It forms a bluish layer, the colour being due to enclosures containing iron, and the crystals, which are very small and occur in druses, being frequently colourless. Its composition is expressed by the formula, MgSO4, Na,SO4, 4aq, so that it is the third natural magnesium-sodium sulphate with which we are acquainted. M. Tschermak also presented a paper by M. P. Hausenschild, giving an account of his microscopic examination of the minerals called Predazzite and Pencatite. By the examination of thin slices of the most homogeneous looking specimens, the author found that two minerals may be distinguished in them with certainty, namely, calcite and brucite. Dr. Samuel Stern presented a memoir entitled "Contributions to the theory of ordinary (not musical) sounds, as an objective character, with reference to the special requirements of medical diagnosis."-Prof. E. Ludwig presented a paper by himself and Dr. J. Hein upon the synthesis of hydroxylamine, which, they said, may be effected by the direct addition of nascent hydrogen to pure nitrous oxide as follows:NO+H3 NH3O. The process consists in passing nitrous oxide through a mixture of tin and hydrochloric acid, freeing the fluid from tin by sulphuretted hydrogen, evaporating the filtrate from the sulphuret of tin to dryness, washing the residue in cold and dissolving it in hot alcohol, separating the ammonium chloride with platinum chloride, and precipitating the pure hydrochlorate of hydroxylamine by anhydrous ether. The analysis and measurement of the crystals thus obtained proved their identity with Lossen's salt.— The following memoirs were presented, but only their titles are given: By Prof. Hyrtl, "On a præcorneal vascular net in the human eye," and "On an insular intercalated bone in the parietal bone;" and by Prof. B. Lapschin, of Odessa, "On the specific gravity of the water of the Black Sea," and "On the conductibility of cork for heat, and its application to the construction of a barometer." Prof. Julius Wiesner also presented a memoir on the origin and increase of Bactria, the results of which had been communicated to the Academy on the 29th April last. DIARY THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9. ROYAL SOCIETY, at 8. 30.-Spectroscopic Observations of the Sun, No. V.: Mr J. Norman Lockyer, F.R.S.-Researches on Gaseous Spectra in relation to the Physical Constitution of the Sun, Note 111: Dr. Frankland, F.R.S., and Mr. J. Norman Lockyer, F.R.S.-On the Successive Action of Sodium and Iodide of Ethyl on Acetic Ether: Mr. J. A. Wanklyn. SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES, at 8 30.-On a Faliscan Inscription: Padre MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY, at 8.-Gauss' Theorems and Napier's Analogies: LONDON INSTITUTION, at 7.30.-Architecture: Prof. R. Kerr. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10 ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, at 8. QUERETT MICROSCOPICAL CLUB, at 8. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11. MONDAY, DECEMBER 13. ROYAL INSTITUTE OF BRITISH ARCHITECTS, at 8. LONDON INSTITUTION, at 4-Elementary Physics: Prof. Guthrie. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14. ROYAL MEDICAL AND CHIRURGICAL SOCIETY, at 8 30. ANTHROPOLOGICAL SOCIETY, at 8.-Race Affinities of the People of Madagascar: Mr. C. Staniland Wake, F.A. S. L. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15. SOCIETY OF ARTS, at 8.--On India-rubber-its History, Commerce, and Supply: Mr. J. Collins. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16. ROYAL SOCIETY, at 8.30. BOOKS RECEIVED ENGLISH.-The Monthly Microscopical Journal, December 1869 (Robert Hardwicke).-Chemistry for Schools: C. Haughton Gill (James Walton) — Burton-on-Trent-its History, its Waters, and its Breweries: W. Moly neaux, F.C.S. (Trübner).-Outlines of Chemistry; or, Brief Notes of Chemical Facts: Dr. Odling (Longmans)-Earth and Sea: Louis Figuier (Nelson and Sons).-The Second Table of the Commandments: Dr. Rowland (Longmans).-Heads and Tails: Adam White (Nisbet).-Romance of Natural History, 2 vols.: P. H. Gosse (Nisbet). —Facts and Dates: Rev. A. Mackay (Blackwood).-Physical Ethics: A. Barratt (Williams and Norgate).Womankind in Western Europe: J. Wright (Groombridge). FOREIGN-Les Pierres Précieuses: J. Rambosson.-Histoire des Météors: J. Rambosson.-Leçons sur la Respiration: P. Bert.-Die Blausäure: W. Preyer-Landwirthschaftliche Zoologie: Dr. Giebel. (Through Williams and Norgate.) LATHES, CHURCH AND TURRET CLOCKS, BELLS, &c. T. COOKE AND SONS, CLOCK AND LATHE MAKERS TO HER MAJESTY'S HOME AND INDIAN GOVERNMENTS, Also Illustrated Catalogues o Lists of Church, Turret, and other Clocks, made and erected, and Bells supplied and hung by T. COOKE and SONS. CHURCH AND STATE. 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WHEN a person takes cold immediate relief It may be secured by the use of SPENCER'S PULMONIC ELIXIR. possesses every property which can be beneficial in cases of colds, coughs, asthma and all complaints of the chest and lungs. Spencer's Pulmonic Elixir may be had of all the principal druggists and medicine vendors throughout the world, in bottles at is 1 and 25. 9d. each. ROYAL THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1869 [PRICE FOURIENCE [All Rights are Reservel INSTITUTION OF GREAT CLERGY MUTUAL ASSURANCE BRITAIN, Albemarle Street, W-PROFESSOR TYNDALL, LL.D., ROYAL H. BENCE JONES, Hon. Sec. INSTITUTION OF GREAT BRITAIN, Albemarle Street. W.-PROFESSOR TYNDALL, LL.D., F.K S., will deliver, during the Christmas Vacation, a Course of Six LECTURES (adapted to a Juvenile Aud tory). "On LIGHT." They will commence on TUESDAY, December 28th, at Three o'clock. Payment for this Course One Guinea. Chi.dien under 16 years of age, Half-a-Guinea; for all the Courses of Lectures in the Season, Two Guineas. A COURSE of Twenty-four Lectures on the Elements of Geometry will be given by Professor Hirst, at St. George's Hall, Langham Place, on Mondays and Fridays at 11 AM (beginning on Jan 17). The lectures will be of an elementary character requiring no previous knowledge of the subject: the extent to which it will ultimately be carried being dependent upon the progress of the class as studied by written exerc.ses. Fee for the course of Geome.ry or any other Course in connection with the Assoc.ation (except that of Chemistry) 1 11s. 6d Governesses £1 1s Chemis.ry Course £2 45. Lacies over 17 years of age may join the classes after Christmas on the above terms. Applications for tickets to be made to the Hon Sec., J. E. MYLNE, Esq., 27, Oxford Square, W THE UNIVERSE; or, the Infinitely Great and the Infinitely Little. By F. A. POUCHET, M.D. Illustrated by 343 Engravings on Wood, of wh.ch 73 are full-page s.ze, and 4 Coloured Plates. Handsomely bound, gilt top, 31s. 6d. BLACKIE & SON, 44, Paternoster Row. In Crown 8vo. price 125. SYMBOLISM; or, MIND, MATTER, LANGUAGE, as the Elements of Thinking and Reasoning, and as the Necessary Factors of Human Knowledge. By JAMES HAIG, M.A. WILLIAM BLACKWOOD & SONS, Edinburgh and London. BYRON'S POETICAL WORKS. Now ready, Post 8vo. price Half-a-Crown. THE PEARL BYRON; Being a New and Copyright Edition of the Complete POETICAL WORKS of LORD BYRON, col.ated and revised from the Author's MSS. The Pall Mall Gazette. "This PEARL EDITION of LORD BYRON'S WORKS is certainly the most remer able reprint. For HALF-a-CROWN may now be had a complete and faithful collection of the poet's works. "The BEST EDITION of BYRON is now brought within the means of the poorest student of the English class.cs." JOHN MURRAY, A.bemarle Street. SOCIETY. ESTABLISHED IN 1829. OFFICE-No. 2, BROAD SANCTUARY, WESTMINSTER. TRUSTEES. The ARCHBISHOP of CANTERBURY. The ARCHBISHOP of DUBLIN. The BISHOP of WINCHESTER. Total Existing Assurances. Total Annual Income. Total Invested Capital £4,473.023 0 173-545 9 7 1,623.975 I 6 For the year ending 31st May, 1869, 315 proposals, assuring 274,540, and yielding in annual premiums £9,385 16s. Ed, were completed; and 488,483 135. 1d. was (notwithstanding the large reduct.on made by Bonus in every fifth year from 1831 to 1866, both inclusive) added to the Fund accumulating for the purpose of meet.ng future claims. Prospectuses, Accounts of Bonus, &c &c., to be had at the Office, on application persona ly, or by letter; also a Pamphlet by the Rev. J. Hodgson, caled "Notes on Life Assurance," containing explanat.ons on various inte resting points. Clergymen and their Wives, and the relations of Clergymen and of their Wives, are invited to make Life Assurances n this Soc e.y. OBSERVATIONS IN REFERENCE TO DURATION OF LIFE p.esent. 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It possesses every property which can be beneficial in cases of colds, coughs, asthma and all complaints of the chest and lungs. Spencer's Pulmonic Elixir may be had of all the principal druggists and medicine vendors throughout the world, in bottles at is. 1d. and zs, od, each, |