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in his papers in the Cavadian Naturalist, aud in the Journal of the Geological Society. With Messrs. G. T, Kennedy and G, W_ Dawson as assistants, he explored the whole of the north side and the greater part of the south side of Gaspé Bay, anc has obstained yery large and interesting collections of fossil plants. Among these are two Jarge trunks of /votaxites Legani, a new and bean- tiful species of Pavophyior, and a species of Crefostigara, a genus hitherto found only in the Devonian rocks of Ireland. Several interesting animal remains were also found, Including numerous species of large fishes (Mechxracanthus}; anil Mr. Kennedy was so fortunate as to find a Cofdadasfis, the frst representative of the genus as yet found in America, The animal fossils have been placed in the hands of Mr. Billings ant’ Dr. Newberry for comparison, and the plant will probably be described jn detail in the course of the coming winter. Specimens of some of the -more jnteresting fnssils above referred lo, were exhibited to the society. —Mr. Ritchie read a paper on the small cabbage-hutter- fly (Zieris rape), the caterpillars of which have recently been extromely destructive in Canadian gardens. ‘This insect is not indizenous to America, and was first noticed in Canada some years ago by Mr, W, Couper, Mx. Whiteaves made an interest- ing verbal commnimication on dredging fn Gaspe, and exhibited a large series of marine invertelrates.

Panis

Academy of Sciences, November 8.—M. Tasteur presente) a nole in reply to that of M, Thenard on the preservadon of wines by heat, A memoir was road by M. 11, Marés av the transformations undergone by powder ofsulphor (Hour of sulplar and powdered sulphur) when it is spread upon the soil, in which the author states that the sulphur which has been abundantly employed tn the vineyards of France of late years becomes con- verted into soljhmric acid which combines with the lime af the soil to form sulphate af lime. The author has nat aseertained whether the sulphuric acid is produced by direct oxidauon of the sulphur, or by that of sulphuretted hydrogen forme] by it in contact with manure, but he states that no odour of sulphuretted hydrogen 16 perceptible where the sulphur is used, The employ- ment of sulphur appears lo be effectual in preserving the vines from disease.—A note by M. J. Personne on the transformation ef hydrate of chloral into chloroform in the animal economy was read. The author remarked that whilst M. Liebruch main- fains that hydyale of chivral is converted inta chloroform by contact with the alkali of the blood. the French observers have cenerally held an oppesile ovinion. To bis experiments he foul that where hydrate of chloral is added to bleorl, or administered to adeg, no production of chlorotomn is perceptible, but he oh- tained chloroform by the disUllatian ef die blood. To avaid dhe objection that the heat employed in distillation might praduce the conversinn, he operated at a temperature of 40’—43° C. 194"—r113° F., conveying the vapour by a current of air through a red-hot poreelain tbe into a solution of nitrate of silver, The

reaction produced demonstrated the presence of chlarofonn in !

the vaponr, no reaction being cause) by vapour of hydrate of chloval conveyed and decompased in the sameway. Uniltke MM, Bauehet, the author detected no chloroform in the mine of ammals to which bydvate of chloral had been administered,— M- J. Ve Labordi connmuntcatet a note on the fil effects attending the arlministration of chloral.—In 2 note on chloride of gakl, M. VT. Debray remarked that although sesquichloride of gall is decomposed hy exposure to a temperature of aboul 200° U,= 392° J*.. inte proto- and per-chloride, itt may, nevertheless, be vola- tilised bya heat of 309°C. =372 Fin anatnosphere of chlerine, It then crystallises in long reddish needles. — I. A. Riche con rounicatec a note on the bronze of sonorous instruments, relaung chieily to the prodnetion af gongs anil cymbals similar ta those made in China, Chinese metal conizins about twenty per cent. of tin, Alloys made with these proportions of metal are very briule when cold, but the author found that at a dull red heat they may be forged with ease, and produces very sonorous plates,— M.A. Landrin announced that yellow coralline ts not powsonons, so that it may be employed for industrial purposes.—A. Petreqain pre- sented a note on the chemical composition and comparative physiology of the cernmen of the mammalia. Hts base is potash mman and the ox, lime in the dog, and magnesia in the hurse, —M. A. Petit state] that in the melon the rind contains unly glucose, as also the Mesh whilst still preen, During ripemng cane-sugar is gradually tleveloped in the latter, its formation commencing in the most acil pact of the pulp surrounding the seers.

English.—Transactions of the Congress of Prehistoric Archaeology (Longmans).—The Universe: or the Infinitely Great and the Infinitely Little: F. A. Pouchet (Blackie and Sons).—Physical Atlas (A. K. (Johnston).—Darwinism tested by the Science of Language: Professor A. Schleicher, translated by Dr. A. V. W. Bikkers (Hotten).—The Midnight Sky: Dunkin (Religious Tract Society).—Aesop's Fables, Illustrated by Ernest Griset (Cassell).

Foreign.—Die Befruchtung bei den Coniferen: Dr. E. Strasburger.—Die Maschinenfabrication: H. V. Reiche.—Berichte über die Versammlung der Deutschen Ornithologen-Gesellschaft. (Through Williams and Norgate.)