be content. Had we been so, we should have been spared the Darwins and other members of the modern Materialistic School.

The BRITISH ASSOCIATION was divided into the seven usual sections, to wit, A. Mathematical and Physical Science; B. Chemical Science; C. Geology; D. Biology, including under this general head the subdivisions of 1. Zoology and Botany, 2. Physiology; E. Geography and Ethnology; F. Economic Science and Statistics; G. Mechanical Science. In each of these sections, many excellent papers were read, to some of the best of which we shall now briefly call

attention.

Section A. was opened by a learned address from its President, Professor Tyndall, in which he pointed out some of the great wonders shown during the rapid and recent development of physical science, and called especial attention to the fact that, in science, we are not yet able to get beyond molecular attraction, though this seems to explain every thing except the actual working of the human brain, and, therefore, that there is a limit at which the Materialist is brought to a halt, and where he is no longer entitled to say that his molecular grouping explains every thing. The problem of the connexion of body and soul is as insoluble in its modern form as it was in the pre-scientific ages. Science is mute in this matter; yet need we not grumble at this; the mystery is not without its uses. It certainly may be made a power in the human soul, and a power, too, which has feeling, not knowledge, for its base.

Mr. Glaisher and Mr. Birt brought up the reports of the "Lunar Committee," and stated that the process of mapping the surface of the moon had gone on satisfactorily during the past year, and that there were now no less than thirtythree gentlemen engaged in observing systematically certain zones in accordance with the instructions of the Committee, or in examining particular objects at its request. Able papers were also read in this section by Mr. Huggins and Padre Secchi "On the Spectral Analysis;" by Mr. L. Bing "On Actinometry;" by Mr. W. Ladd "On the further Developments of the Dynamo-Magneto-Electric Machine;" and "On the Electric Conductivity of Platinum as effected by the Process of Manufacture," by Mr. C. W. Liemens.

Professor Rankine brought up the "Report of the Committee on Tidal Observations," which was highly praised for its ability by Admiral Ommaney and others present. Its chief popular interest was in the proof it afforded of solar and lunar action on the tides; and, further, that the tendency of friction was to increase the rapidity of high and low water. Other able papers were contributed by Professor H. J. S. Smith, and by Professor Everett. An excellent report by the Rainfall Committee for the year 1867-8 was forwarded by G. J. Symons on a subject of the highest scientific, not less than economic interest, when we remember the special heat and drought of last summer, and the violent storms which, late in the autumn, have come to revive and to refresh the parched-up earth. Three very important papers in this section were those by that renowned astronomer, Padre Secchi, "On Meteorological Results obtained in the Observatory at Rome," and by Mr. C. Meldrum "On Storm Warnings in Mauritius," and "On Synoptic Weather Charts of the Indian Ocean." Those who have studied that delightful book by Admiral Maury, "The History of the Sea," will readily understand what a valuable labour for nautical science has been inaugurated by Mr. Meldrum. We are glad to see that the Hon. J. W. Strutt, the only son of an English peer who has ever attained the exalted rank of Senior Wrangler, has not allowed his steel to grow rusty, but has carried his mathematical talents to the study of one form

of electricity in a paper "On a Permanent Deflection of the Galvanometer Needle by a rapid Series of equal and opposite induced Currents;" and that another brilliant contribution to electrical science On the Construction of a Galvanometer for the Detection of weak Electric Currents," by the well-known electrician, Mr. F. H. Varley, has been read at this meeting of the British Association. The two instruments made by Mr. Varley are models of skill and knowledge in the manipulation of very small and delicate apparatus. To Mr. G. Gladstone we owe a very interesting paper entitled "Observations on the Atmospheric Lines of the Solar Spectrum in High Latitudes." These lines would appear to be due to the presence of some substances in the earth's atmosphere, as they are always most prominent at sunrise and sunset, when a considerable tract of air has to be looked through; while, on the other hand, they are scarcely to be detected when the sun is high above the horizon.

In Section B. (Chemical) Science, many valuable papers were read, as those by Professor Tomlinson "On the Action of Nuclei in inducing Crystallization;" by Dr. Gladstone "On Re fractive Equivalents and Chemical Theories; by Mr. Spiller "On the Analysis of the Ancient Roman Mortar of the Castrum of Burgh in Suffolk; and by Dr. Meusel and C. H. Gill "On Paraffin and its Products of Oxydation." Professor Williamson, in speaking on this paper, remarked that the beautiful wax-like substance now used in the manufacture of candles was among the most remarkable products which had been produced from coal; but what is also very curious is the chemical fact that this substance had not as yet been found fit for any thing but candles.

Dr. Meusel also contributed another paper of much chemical interest "On the Physical Properties of two Chemical Compounds." During the reading of this paper Dr. Meusel exhibited an experiment which showed the rapid change in the physical state and colour of compounds of iodine and of metallic bodies when subjected to a moderate heat. In this experiment slips of paper covered with yellow were changed to red, and from red to purple, On the slightest shaking of the paper in the air the original colour returned. Other papers were those by Mr. Guthrie "On Amyl-Ethyl-Methyl-Acetonamine," a name so long that we fear, not being chemists, we may not have transcribed it correctly; by Mr. W. Ditt'On Vapour Tensions;" by Mr. Gerstl "On different Spectra of one Chromium Salt;" by Mr. A. R. Catton "On Mitscherlich's Law of Isomorphism, and on the so-called Cases of Dimorphism."

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Section C. (Geology) was, as usual, well represented, and was opened by a very able paper by the President of the Section, Mr. R. A. C. Godwin-Austen, "On the Chief Geological Features of Suffolk and Norfolk," in which he showed that, geologically as well as ethnologically, they formed one region-a portion of the North Sea Valley-the depth of which was very small. The channel parallel to the coasts of Essex, Suffolk, and Norfolk is not deeper than 180 feet; a depression of this amount would lay bare the whole sea-bed from Northumberland to Jutland. Mr. Godwin-Austen was followed by a series of excellent memoirs, the principal of which were the following:-"On the Denudations of Norfolk," by the Rev. O. Fisher; "On the Glacial Structure of Norfolk and Suffolk," by Messrs. S. V. Wood and F. W. Harmer; "On the Norwich Crags and their relation to the Mammaliferous Bed," by J. E. Taylor; "On the Sequence of Deposits in Norfolk and Suffolk superior to the Red Crag," by Mr. Maw; "On the Conchoidal Fracture of Flint as seen on Flint-faced Buildings in Norwich,"

by Mr. C. B. Rose; "On the Condition of some of the Bones in Kent's Cavern," by Mr. W. Pengelly, a paper of much interest, as showing by a comparison with similarly treated bones from the Zoological Gardens, that many of them must have been crushed by hyenas. Some, which Mr. Pengelly had found, had been split open to get at the marrow; these, he thought, must have been due to man's agency. As a portion of a human upper jaw with eight teeth was also found, it is certain that man must have been there; but whether he lived with the bears, hyenas, and hippopotami, of which there were also remains, is a far wider and more doubtful question. Another very important paper, which was highly praised by Sir Charles Lyell, was that of Professor Otto Torrell, “On some New Fossils from the Longmynd Rocks of Sweden." Professor Torrell, who is celebrated as an Arctic geologist, having spent no less than four summers in Spitzbergen, exhibited several slabs, on the undersides of which were the markings of rain-drops and the trails of marine worms, which had crawled over them during the process of their formation; with them was a piece of shingle or conglomerate, which the Professor rightly deemed a portion of an old sea beach. Other papers were read by Dr. J. Low, "On the Carstone of West Norfolk," by Mr. C. B. Rose; "On the Crag at Aldeby in Norfolk ;" and a very ingenious experiment "On Artificial Rocking Stones," was described by W. R. Grove, Q.C. Dr. E. Crisp also described "The Skeleton of a Fossil Whale recently found on the Eastern Coast of Suffolk;" Mr. J. Evans, "Some Cavities in the Gravel of the Little Ouse;" Mr. E. Ray Lankester, "The Oldest Beds of the Crags;" and the Rev. W. Fox, "The Skull and Bones of the Iguanodon."

Our limited space does not allow of our giving further details here of the other sectional meetings; but we may add that in each section most important and valuable papers were read before crowded audiences. We will only mention just by name a few which appeared to us specially noteworthy. Such were Mr. J. G. Jeffreys' "Last Report on Dredging among the Shetland Islands;" C. R. Markham "On the Physical Geography of the portion of Abyssinia traversed by the English Expeditionary Force;" Professor J. G. Macquorn Rankine "On a Probable Connexion between the Resistance of Ships and their Mean Depth of Immersion;" Mr. C. W. Merrifield "On the Necessity of Further Experimental Knowledge respecting the Propulsion of Ships;" Rev. F. W. Holland "On the Peninsula of Sinai, and its Geographical Bearings on the History of the Exodus;" Professor Leone Levi "On the Progress of Learned Societies Illustrative of the Advancement of Science in the United Kingdom during the Last Thirty Years;" Dr. Cleghorn "On the Distribution of the Principal Forest Trees of India;" Frank Buckland "On the Progress of Salmon Cultivation in England;" Mr. Waddington "On the Overland Route through British North America; Dr. Richardson "On the Transmission of Light through Animal Bodies;" The Rev. Canon Girdlestone "On the Condition of the Agricultural Labourer.” We may also notice papers by Mr. Whitworth (the well-known maker of rifled cannon) "On the Proper Form of Projectiles for Penetration under Water;" by Mr. W. C. Liemens; “On Puddling Iron;" by Professor Huxley "On Some Organisms which Live at the Bottom of the North Atlantic in Depths from 6000 to 15000 Feet;" by Dr. H. Jackson "On the Physiology of Language Founded on Facts Supplied by Cases of Disease of the Brain;" by Mr. E. Whymper "On Explorations in Greenland;" by Sir W. Elliot "On Sepulchral Remains in Southern India;" by Sir Edward Belcher, R.N., "On the Safety of

Merchant Ships and their Passengers;" by Mr. J. Jones "On Some Points Affecting the Economical Manufacture of Iron;" and by Professor Tennant “On the Recent Discovery of Diamonds in the Cape Colony."

In concluding this résumé of the Science of the year, which is necessarily more brief than we could have wished, we will only add that the great "Catalogue of Scientific Papers," planned, compiled, and executed under the superintendence of the Royal Society, has reached its second volume, and may be consulted as far as the name "Graydon." Scarcely so much as two more volumes will bring this valuable work to a conclusion. Of its use there can, we suppose, be no doubt; and, considering the number of journals, English and foreign, which it has been necessary to consult, we are surprised to find so few errors. We regret, howveer, that when it was determined to collect all the scientific papers published from 1800 to 1863 in the Journals and Transactions of Societies, &c., it was not at the same time determined to add to this list many interesting papers, especially on subjects connected with Natural History, which are, at present, hidden at the end of voyages and travels undertaken for scientific purposes, and often known but partially even to those who have read the travels. A little further inquiry, a few sensible queries addressed to our leading naturalists, would have brought under the notice of the editors of these volumes many valuable memoirs now in great part unknown, or, at all events, forgotten by those, whose studies are not specially directed in the course which these researches illustrate. Of the fertility of our men of science this collection is an admirable exponent. Thus there are no less than 497 distinct memoirs in print contributed by that indefatigable worker, Dr. John Edward Gray, Keeper of the Natural History in the British Museum, and written between 1824 and 1863, while we have reason to know that this marvellous list does not exhaust all his recorded labours in behalf of Natural History.

PART II.

CHRONICLE

OF REMARKABLE OCCURRENCES

IN 1868.

JANUARY.

2. SWEARING-IN OF SPECIAL CONSTABLES.-In consequence of the late Fenian alarms, a large number of persons in the metropolis and the provinces availed themselves of the permission given them by the authorities to serve as special constables, and Mr. Alderman Copeland, Mr. Alderman Wilson, and Alderman Sir Sydney Waterlow, assisted by Mr. Oke, the Chief Clerk to the Lord Mayor, were engaged for three hours at Guildhall in swearing-in and enrolling them. At the close of the day considerably more than 5000 had been enrolled to act in the city alone, including those appointed in the various wards. The swearing-in and organization of the special constables in the city of Westminster proceeded with vigour. At the St. Martin's vestry Mr. Flowers sat and administered the oath to several hundreds of the inhabitants.

At St. Paul's, Covent-garden, Mr. Henry White and Mr. Stillwell, the county magistrates, sat for many hours administering the oath, and in all 1272 inhabitants of the district were attested, all of whom received their warrants, staves, and instructions.

At Southwark upwards of 200 persons attended before Mr. Partridge and were sworn in, among whom were 101 workmen employed by Messrs. Stevens and Sons, the extensive gas engineers, Darlington Works, Southwark-bridge-road. The members of the firm were also sworn in.

Colonel Sir F. L. Arthur and Mr. J. A. Shaw Stewart, magistrates, attended at 165, Sloane-street, and swore in a great many more special constables, including Captain Diplock and No. 1 company of the South Middlesex Rifle Volunteers, and several other officers and members of that regiment and of the 1st Middlesex Engineers.

A