edition of Miss MULOCK's works, Harpers add | generally simple. Such a directory will be a great Agatha's Husband. MISCELLANEOUS. THE revival of the study of Anglo-Saxon promises to make itself felt, if not immediately, yet in the not distant future, in a greater purity in American literature. The student of this language will find abundant and useful material for his study in the Hand-Book of Anglo-Saxon and Early English, by HIRAM CORSON, of Cornell University (Holt and Williams). The latest writer given in this selection is Chaucer. A glossary and condensed grammar of Anglo-Saxon are appended. The Wonders of European Art (Scribner) hardly does justice to its subject, either in letter-press or engraving. Still it must be confessed that it would be difficult, if not impossible, to do justice to so large a subject in so small a compass as is afforded by this little volume of less than 350 pages.-The Young Mechanic (G. P. Putnam and Son) is an exceedingly useful book for boys. It gives very plain and practical directions how to use mechanical tools, beginning by describing the making of a single box, and ending with model-making and working in metal. The author has not fallen into the common mistake of explaining difficult operations to boys who do not understand the simple ones, but begins with the alphabet. The father who wants to keep his boy out of mischief could hardly do better than to buy this book and a few tools, and set him to work to make a box for himself or his younger brother. There is no toy so fascinating as a carpenter's bench. help to one who goes to the book for aid in preparing a pleasant and savory meal without much experience in cooking. The language is so simple, and the directions so plain, that a reasonably intelligent cook might avail herself of it to vary her manner of preparing even ordinary dishes. The introduction to the book should be printed as a tract and put in every house. The simple advice for the management of servants, the general directions at the head of each department of cooking, and the excellent pages on the sickroom, make as complete an aid to housekeepers as can well be desired. Ir is only a few months since we recorded in these pages the death of Alice Cary; and now our pen is called upon to record the fact that death-merciful to her, though not to us-has not suffered the long separation of the two sisters, but has caused the younger one to follow the elder, that, pleasant in their lives, in their death they may not be divided. Phoebe had always been the very incarnation of health. When her sister died she did not surrender herself to useless grief. In what was doubtless the hardest trial of her life she was able to employ her own philosophy: "My life for me Is the best; or it had not been, I hold." She put on no mourning, opened the house to the cheery sunlight, resumed her accustomed work. But she never recovered from the blow; never overcame the perpetual recurring sense of loss. She grew gray in a few weeks; seemed to lose heart and life and strength; failed, one could scarcely tell how or why; declared to a friend, "My work is done;" went-rather, was scene; rallied a little, but only for the moment; and finally, on the 31st July, breathed her last. Plain and simple in her personal tastes, warm in her affections, devout in her religious faith, she was yet so broad and catholic in her sentiments that, while no one calls in question her Christian her manner of life or her poetry, the papers are unable to settle among themselves her creed, giving her in turn to the Congregationalists, the Universalists, and the Swedenborgians. If there were no other, Common-Sense in the Household, by MARION HARLAND (C. Scribner and Co.), would be a complete refutation of the assertion that literary women are almost univers-carried-to Newport for a change of air and ally without interest in housekeeping-that the "blue-stocking," in soiled and badly fitting garments, sits unconcerned in an untidy room, and contents herself with half-prepared and poorly cooked food, while children and servants run riot in the house. This familiar picture, presented to us more frequently formerly than now, we be-character, or can well do so, who knows either lieve was never generally true, except of would-be literati and self-imagined geniuses. A truly cultivated mind will as surely seek for agreeable material surroundings as for congenial mental associations. If the women who in these last On the same day died suddenly, of a rupture few years have become distinguished in letters of a blood-vessel in the brain, Dean H. L. Manare not walking fashion plates, they are as a class sel, of St. Paul's, London. A pupil of Sir Willwell and becomingly dressed. Perhaps the most iam Hamilton, he perfected the philosophy of valuable assistance which has ever been given to his master, and applied it successfully in the soyoung persons in fitting up a house and furnish-lution of theological problems which have given ing it pleasantly at small expense has come from rise to and furnished subjects for endless discusa woman whose name stands among the first of sion. In saying that he applied it successfully, novelists. And now we have from another popu- we do not mean to sit in critical judgment on his lar novelist a cookery book, whereof our house- philosophy concerning the "limitations of religkeeper (this literary recorder is not a bachelor) ious thought," but only to indicate that his conspeaks most enthusiastically. She says that sim- tribution proved, in fact, one of the most imporplicity and clearness of expression, accuracy of tant of the age in giving shape and direction to detail, a regard to economy of material, and theological thought. Even those who criticised certainty of good results, are requisites in a use- his philosophy most severely were not unaffected ful receipt - book for the kitchen, and Marion by it; and, on the whole, we think it quite safe Harland has comprehended all these. That to say that if he carried the doctrine of mental she has by experience proved the unsatisfactori- incapacity to deal with religious problems too ness of housekeepers' helps in general is shown far, he did not err so greatly in that direction as by the arrangement of her book. She has ap-most theologians before him had erred in the dipended a star to such recipes as, after having rection of quiet assumption of boundless capacity tried them herself, she can recommend as safe and to comprehend all truth. VOL. XLIIL-No. 257.-50 SUMMARY OF SCIENTIFIC PROGRESS. In American Paleontology we have several artiUR last summary of scientific progress was cles upon fossil mammals by Professors Leidy and we now continue the series by an account of the more noteworthy announcements since that time of interest to the general reader rather than to the specialist. and upon the Pout Kennedy bone cave by Professor Cope, as well as articles upon the invertebrates by different authors. An interesting announcement in Zoology consists in the discovery, by Dr. Greeff, of a huge fresh-water rhizopod, of very low organization, allied in some respects to Bathybius, and named by its discoverer Pelobius. In Astronomy no startling discoveries are recorded. One of the most interesting papers is by Mr. Huggins on the spectrum of Uranus, made in continuation of his examination of the spectra of the planetary bodies. Numerous accounts have been published in regard to the phenomena and results of the late solar eclipse, but the main features are given in our article on the subject in the August Record. Communications have been made by different astronomers in regard to observations upon the eclipse in Decem-rupted by occasional depressions. ber of the present year, an abstract of which will be given hereafter. Several new telescopic planets are announced. In Vegetable Physiology we have to record an important paper upon the growth of plants in aqueous solutions; and one by Köppen upon the germination of seeds, in which he shows that a low temperature continued steadily is more favorable than a more elevated temperature inter In Animal Physiology we have the announcement, by Dr. Richardson, of the peculiar action on the system of a new anæsthetic, called by him Hydramyle, and possessing certain useful properties which fit it for practical applications. In Meteorology the most striking fact is the extension of the American Storm Signal Service to the Dominion of Canada, in consequence of In Economical Zoology we record the failure, arrangements made between the authorities of for the present, of the experiment of introducing the two countries. At the present time the ob- salmon into the Delaware River, in consequence servations and forecasts of the weather are pub- of an accident which killed the young brood. lished in the newspapers on both sides of the On the other hand, however, the various measline, and much benefit is anticipated from this ures that have been taken to increase the supply mutual exchange of observations. The impor- of shad in the Connecticut, Hudson, and Sustant statement has been made that auroras gen- quehanna rivers have been crowned with more erally occur simultaneously, both in the northern or less success; and the supply in the Connectiand southern hemispheres. Efforts are being cut River during the present year has been greatmade in Europe to induce the Portuguese gov-er than for very many years past. ernment to establish a meteorological station at In Technology and Applied Science we have the Azores, so that the approach of storms from various publications upon the manufacture of the southwest may be readily ascertained and artificial porphyry, and in regard to the applicommunicated by means of the proposed sub-cation of furnace slags for building purposes, by marine cable. In Geography we have memoirs from the American Hydrographic Bureau upon the Marshall group of islands and upon the Gulf Stream, both of value, showing the present state of our knowledge upon these subjects. In the way of geographical exploration unusual activity has been manifested; and in the "Scientific Intelligence" of Harper's Weekly will be found from week to week an account of the movements and discoveries on the part of Professor Hayden, Professor Marsh, Mr. Clarence King, and Major Powell in the Rocky Mountain region; of Mr. Dall and Mr. Pinart in Alaska; of Professor Hartt in Brazil; of Mr. Pavé in Siberia and Wrangell's Land; of Sir J. D. Hooker in Morocco; and of Godeffroy and Company in Polynesia, etc. The various arctic expeditions on the part of the United States, Sweden, Germany, Russia, etc., have also been adverted to. In Chemistry we have numerous papers, more or less theoretical and practical, which we must leave to specialists to discuss. Among the facts of general interest, however, may be mentioned the discovery of a new cinchona alkaloid. In Geology we have the papers of Professor Davidson upon the terraces of the Pacific coast, and the novel hypothesis of M. Latterade, in which he ascribes the heat preceding the glacial period to the proximity of a temporary star or me:cor. converting them, under slow cooling, into a species of stone resembling genuine porphyry. The selenitic mortar of Colonel Scott and the cement of Mr. Sorel are also considered of great value in the arts. The application of tannin in the manufacture of beer seems to be following very closely the Pasteur process for the same object. Many valuable papers have appeared in regard to the theory and practice of dyes, and the list of new coloring matters announced is almost endless. Among other articles of this same general nature we find an important communication, by Dr. Reimann, of Berlin, on the subject of extracting aniline dyes from fabrics of different materials, leaving them entirely white and ready for subsequent operations. The Annual Reports of the principal scientific establishments in the United States have made their appearance, and among them that of the Smithsonian Institution, the Museum of Comparative Zoology in Cambridge, the Peabody Academy of Salem, the Sheffield Scientific School, etc. The list of Deaths among men of science is quite considerable, including A. Keith Johnson, the geographer, Payen, the chemist, Ed. Claparède, Ramon de la Sara, and William P. Turnbull, zoologists, and Robert Houdin, the necromancer and electrician. Not to be classed with certainty under any of the preceding heads is the most startling and re markable announcement among all we have mentioned-namely, that by Mr. W. Crookes, of London, in reference to his scientific examination of certain "spiritualistic" exhibitions by Mr. David Douglas Home, the celebrated "medium." From this he infers the existence of what he terms a new force, or rather one hitherto unrecognized, and which he terms the "Psychic Force." The scientific journals of the day are filled with criticisms, favorable and otherwise, of this paper, and it is likely that the whole subject will be thoroughly overhauled. Fuller accounts of the above announcements, as well as others, will be found in the "Scientific Record" of the Monthly, and the "Scientific Intelligence" of the Weekly. FAUNAL PECULIARITIES OF THE AZORES. Of late years much attention has been directed by naturalists to the peculiarities of the fauna of islands; and the study of their native animals has tended to throw great light upon the question as to the length of time that must have elapsed since such islands were either lifted up from the bed of the sea or cut off from connection with the main. We have given, in previous pages, some notices of the fauna of Madeira and its special peculiarities; and in the recent work of Mr. Frederick Godman, upon the natural history of the Azores, we have a similar problem elaborated. The most striking feature, as developed by Mr. Godman's book, is the great similarity between the productions of the islands and those of Europe, although separated by an interval of a thousand miles and a channel of 15,000 feet in depth. Thus eighty to ninety per cent. of the birds, the butterflies, the beetles, and the plants are the same as the European forms, while only one or two per cent. are American. This appears anomalous at first, in view of the fact that the currents of both water and air are from the westa fact which should produce a preponderance of western or American forms. Great Britain, and especially Ireland, are every year visited by numbers of American birds, brought by the westerly winds, no less than sixty or seventy species having already been recorded; while, as far as we can learn, not one bird has ever been carried from Europe, in the opposite direction, to America, there being good reason to believe that the European stragglers, picked up from time to time in our country, have reached us by way of Greenland. Mr. Godman's explanation of this anomaly is to the effect that the Azores are in the region of storms from all points of the compass, and that every year these storms bring birds from Europe, and probably carry away an occasional American straggler. The enormous preponderance of species undistinguishable from those now inhabiting the Continent, and the entire absence of native mammalia and reptiles, according to our author, are conclusive proof that the fauna and flora are not due to a former continental extension connecting the islands with Europe. We have already referred to the peculiarity of the Madeiran beetle fauna in the existence of numerous wingless genera; and a similar condition appears to prevail in the Azores, some of these insects being undistinguishable, even as species, from their European allies, excepting in this characteristic. A single species of beetle belongs to a genus peculiar to Madagascar, and a single plant alone represents Africa in the Azores; and it is suggested that both the beetle and plant may have been carried thither by means of a floating log, brought from the regions indicated. Attention is called by Mr. Godman to the difference between the Azores and the Galapagos, where, at only half the distance from South America, the fauna is almost entirely peculiar. This is explained by the suggestion that these latter islands are in a region of calms instead of storms, and that the introductions have been, therefore, of much rarer occurrence, and, when once established in their isolation, have been more readily modified by external conditions. PELOBIUS, A NEW FRESH-WATER RHIZOPOD. Of the discoveries in natural history within the past few years scarcely any are considered of greater importance than that by Professor Huxley of the occurrence, in the depth of the ocean, of a living, organized mass of an animal nature, termed Bathybius, its relationships to other forms of animal life, both recent and fossil, having proved to be of the highest interest. This has recently been supplemented by the discovery, on the part of Dr. Greeff, of a somewhat similar substance existing in fresh-water, which he characterizes as a shell-less fresh-water rhizopod, remarkable for its gigantic stature in comparison with all previous-known organisms of the kind. This substance, which he calls Pelobius (a name which Nature, from which we borrow this account, states to have long been preoccupied), occurs in many standing waters with a muddy bottom, especially such as have continued in that state for a long time without having dried up. This substance never disappears from these waters, but remains throughout the year, great masses appearing sometimes in one place and sometimes in another, in their external form presenting the appearance of more or less spherical lumps, varying from one or two millimeters in diameter down to the most minute points, scarcely perceptible by the naked eye. These are said to be so densely filled with mud particles, diatomaceæ, etc., that by transmitted light they can scarcely be distinguished from the actual mud without experience and careful examination; they may, consequently, be compared to a living mud. By direct light, on the other hand, they appear as grayish-white, yellowish, or brownish bodies. Their movements consist in an amoeboid and often lively creeping, by means of processes which are usually broad and lobate, during which the transparent body-substance often protrudes at the margins in elevations and undulations. This fundamental substance of the body consists of a hyaline protoplasm of irregularly frothy or vesicular consistency, containing, besides the above-mentioned ingested particles, a great number of very peculiar elementary particles. Among these there may be distinguished round or roundish oval nucleiform bodies, and fine bacilliform structures. Of the former, by far the greater number consist of shining pale bodies without any special structural characters, but of great firmness, and presenting considerable resistance to re-agents (acetic acid and caustic potash). These bodies may possibly be correlated with the coccoliths, etc., of Bathybius. Besides these, however, there are less numerous roundish nuclei of softer consistency, and with more or less finely granular contents, which, from their whole nature, must undoubtedly be regarded as equivalent to the ordinary cell-nuclei. Hence, in spite of its great simplicity in other respects, Pelobius represents a pluricellular organism, and is not to be referred to the so-called monera, like Bathybius haeckelii, according to the investigations of Huxley and Haeckel. Nevertheless, in connection with its possible relationship to Bathybius, it must be noticed that the cell-nuclei of Pelobius may occur in very variable quantity, often in so small a number as almost to disappear altogether; and further, that they can be detected only in the perfectly fresh state. This latter statement applies also to the frothy vesicular arrangement of the body-substance, which disappears immediately after death or the application of re-agents. The second kind of the chief elementary parts of Pelobius consists of fine, clear, shining bacilli, which are scattered through the whole body, and likewise present great resistance to the action of acetic acid and caustic potash. These were mentioned by Dr. Greeff in a former publication, when he expressed the opinion that they originate in certain nuclei, which, however, he has since seen reason to doubt. We are promised further details in regard to this substance, as much yet remains to be done for its proper elucidation. PRINCIPLE OF "LEAST ACTION IN NATURE.” In a course of lectures lately delivered before the Royal Institution of Great Britain by Rev. Samuel Haughton, of Dublin, he attempts to prove that in every arrangement of bone, muscle, joints, and parts of animals, the relations must be such as to produce a given result with the least possible expenditure of labor, and that this principle of "Least Action in Nature" is a guiding one, and can be shown to exist not merely in the movements of the planetary and stellar bodies, but also, and illustrated as well, in all physical phenomena, as in those of an organic nature. As is well known to many of our readers, Professor Haughton is one of the highest authorities on special and animal mechanics, and it is in this branch of research that he endeavors to prove the existence of the law in question. SELECTION OF INSECTS FOR FOOD BY Although we look, and with ample reason, to the birds as the main agency in destroying insects injurious to vegetation, observation shows that different forms of insects are molested by them in very different degrees. This is especially the case in regard to the Lepidoptera, some forms of which are not touched by any birds whatever, and others again are devoured by some and spared by others. As a general rule, it is said that the most beautiful and brilliantly colored Lepidoptera owe their safety to their tints, as the bird first attacks the most striking portion, namely, the red hinder wing, and the insect tears itself away and escapes. Hairy caterpillars. again, are less eaten than the smooth species, not only, perhaps, on account of their bris tly covering, but their more nauseous taste. The streaked caterpillars, spotted with yellow, are usually refused, while all the smooth and dark kinds, especially those resembling plants in color, or of a reddish tint, are generally devoured with great avidity. INFLUENCE OF CLIMATE ON ANIMAL In the late proceedings of the Royal Society of London will be found a paper by Dr. Rattray upon some of the more important physiological changes induced in the human economy by a change of climate, as from temperate to tropical and the reverse, the inquiries being directed toward the peculiarities of respiration, the pulse, temperature of the body, kidneys and skin, and weight and strength. In regard to the subject of respiration, the author shows, as the result of many experiments, that in the tropics there is an increase in the capacity of the chest for air, with a decrease of the number of respirations; from which it results that the lungs, unaltered in size, contain less blood and more air in tropical than in temperate climates, the blood being in part diverted to the excited skin and liver. The benefit derived in the early stage of consumption by a sojourn in a tropical climate he explains in the following manner: "Residence in a warm atmosphere is followed by a decrease in the quantity of blood in the affected lungs, by diminished activity in the vital processes carried on therein, by facilitated respiration, and, above all, by diminished lung-work from vicarious action of the physiologically excited skin and liver; while the inhalations of milder, more equable, and less irritant air diminish the chances of excitement and increase of distressing local inflammation, and those bronchial attacks so apt to break up old, and cause the deposition of new tubercles. Now if we can imitate nature's operations, and, by increasing the temperature of a sick-room or ward in the temperate climate of England, can convert it into a local sub-tropical or tropical climate, we withdraw no inconsiderable amount of blood from the lungs to the skin and liver, thus relieving its overloaded capillaries, permitting freer access of air, and so aiding the respiratory process-a safe and sure mode, both of relieving dyspnoea and cough, and aiding the vis medicatrix. This law, according to the author, is suggestive in relation to the nature of food and to hygiene in the tropics. He calculates that, in a tropical climate, the lungs eliminate less carbon to the extent of above an ounce in the twentyfour hours than in England. Hence he infers that in hot countries the diet should be less carbonaceous than at home, and that, independently of the diet, especial attention should be paid to the condition of the skin. PERMANENCE OF BONE. Karl Aeby discusses the cause of the permanence of the organic substance of bone, and comes to the conclusion that its resistance to putrefaction is a consequence of the small quantity of water it contains, which, besides, is in chemical combination, fresh bones having about eleven or twelve per cent. of water and twentyeight of organic matter. As a proof that the water is combined chemically, Mr. Aeby men tions that thoroughly dried and finely pulverized bones, when moistened, become considerably heated (one gram of bone evolving about twelve units of heat). This chemically combined water seems to act the part of water of crystallization, and can not induce putrefaction, while the rigidity of the inorganic substance prevents swelling-i. e., the reception of more water from the outside. Crushed and finely pulverized bones, on the contrary, swell by soaking, and then speedily putrefy. NEW AFFECTION OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. A peculiar and hitherto undescribed affection of the nervous system is mentioned by Dr. Fieber, of Vienna, as being characterized by an impossibility of executing moderately fast movements through the agency of the will, while extremely slow or very rapid movements can be executed without any difficulty. NEW INVERTEBRATE FOSSILS. A recent number of the "Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences," Philadelphia, contains a paper by Professor Meek upon various new species of invertebrate fossils from the carboniferous and Devonian rocks of Ohio, based upon specimens collected during the Ohio Geological Survey under the direction of Professor J. S. Newberry. CURE OF BONE-FELON. Professor Hüter, of Berlin, cures bone-felon, or whitlow, by first carefully probing the swelling of the finger, and making a small incision where the pain appears greatest. The pain of the operation, which may be lessened by the local application of ether, or by the inhalation of chloroform, can not be compared with the relief given to the patient after a few minutes. The after-treatment is equally simple. The small wound is to be covered with lint and carbolic acid, and bathed morning and evening in tepid water, and after a very few days is perfectly healed. GLASS FOR PHOTOGRAPHING. Photographers have long been aware that common glass is better adapted, as far as clearness is concerned, for receiving several successive negatives than mirror or plate glass, notwithstanding the difference in the evenness of the surface. This is said to be due to the fact that the speedy cooling of the surface of glass develops a very hard external skin or layer, the pores of which are extremely compact, this coating being removed in the process of grinding plateglass. If a negative be made upon a plate of ground glass, and afterward apparently entirely removed, it will often happen that in attempting to print from a second negative the figures of the first one will be likewise reproduced, sometimes with remarkable clearness, although not the slightest trace may be visible to the eye. This accounts, in some if not all cases, for the socalled "spirit photographs" which have oc tors. Common glass, on the contrary, by the compactness of its pores, resists the absorption of the silver, and permits the original picture to be entirely removed. It is found, too, that in many instances thin colored liquids will be absorbed in the surface of ground glass so that they can never be removed-a condition which does not occur with the common kind. BONE-BLACK AS AN ANTIDOTE. Charcoal, and especially animal charcoal, is extensively used in technical establishments for decolorizing sirups and other organic substances. A German chemist directs attention to its prop-casionally perplexed and even terrified operaerty of absorbing inorganic bodies also, and suggests that bone-black might occasionally serve as a valuable antidote in cases of poisoning. Lead, copper, mercury, small quantities of arsenic, alkaloids, etc., are removed from solutions by the action of animal charcoal, while phosphorus is fixed by it. This latter property is especially recommended for application in all the establishments where vapors of phosphorus abound. It is thought that a respirator filled with animal charcoal would do better service as an air filter than the use of spirits of turpentine, recommended by Letheby, which in many cases has an injurious effect in itself. PREPARATION OF BAR IRON FROM PHOS- In view of the great eminence of the Mining Academy at Freiberg as a school for instruction in practical metallurgy and mining, it may be of interest to know that one of its professors, T. Scheerer, has lately announced that he has discovered a method by which an excellent bar iron may be prepared from cast iron containing any amount of phosphorus. The expense of the process (which is not at all complicated nor very peculiar) is said to be trifling, and the discovery must be considered of the utmost value to workers in iron. Although it has been patented in various countries, the discoverer is quite willing to place it at the service of iron-masters throughout the world at a very moderate rate. With out, as yet, announcing his terms, he invites all persons interested to visit the establishment in Germany where iron is at present being manufactured according to the new method. A glass is now prepared in Liverpool, according to the photographic journals, which is free from the defects in question. Although it is blown, yet this is done with very great care, and the surface is afterward very carefully and thoroughly polished by appropriate machinery without removing the external skin referred to. REMOVAL OF SPOTS AND STAINS FROM In an elaborate article lately published in the German Muster-Zeitung upon the eradication of spots of different kinds from clothing we are informed that benzine is undoubtedly by far the best and cheapest substance for removing grease, resin, stearine, paraffine, tar, wagon grease, etc., the purest kind to be applied to the more delicate fabrics. Ether and petroleum ether are said to be of almost equal efficiency in this respect. Such spots are often complicated by the adhesion of dust or other matters, which, even if insoluble themselves, readily fall off when the substance with which they are combined is removed. For spots of oil it is best to add a little alcoholic ether. Silver spots and indelible ink can be removed, even after a long time, by means of cyanide of potassium or iodide of potassium applied in a concentrated solution. Rust |