112 pp. 4to, with 3 plates. Philadelphia, 1866. From the Transactions of the American Philosophical Society.-The author has here given a complete treatise, as far as facts have been collected, on the North American Myriapods, describing the genera and species in detail, with full synonymy, and illustrations both by means of wood-cuts and plates. He closes his memoir with a chapter on the natural arrangement of the Myriapoda.

7. Synopsis of the Polyps and Corals of the North Pacific Exploring Expedition, under Commodore C. Ringgold and Captain John Rodgers, U. S. N., from 1853 to 1856, collected by Dr. Wm. Stimpson, naturalist to the Expedition; with descriptions of some additional species for the west coast of North America; by A. E. VERRILL. Part II, Alcyonaria, with two plates.-This paper contains descriptions of 2 new species of Pennatulidæ, 4 of Pavonaridæ, 9 of the Gorgonia tribe, and 8 of the Alcyonium tribe, besides notices of other species.

V. ASTRONOMY.

1

1. On the Physical History of Meteorites; by H. C. SORBY, F.R.S.Though I am most willing to admit that much remains to be learned before we can look upon the following theory as anything more than provisional yet at all events it serves to unite a great number of facts, and is not opposed to any with which I am now acquainted. I shall describe the facts and discuss the objections to this and other theories in a communication to the Royal Society.

As shown in my paper in the "Proceedings of the Royal Society," (xiii, 333) there is good proof of the material of meteorites having been to some extent fused, and in the state of minute detached particles. I had also met with facts which seemed to show that some portions had condensed from a state of vapor; and expected that it would be requisite to adopt a modified nebular hypothesis, but hesitated until I had obtained more satisfactory evidence. The character of the constituent particles of meteorites and their general microscopical structure differ so much from what is seen in terrestrial volcanic rocks, that it appears to me extremely improbable that they were ever portions of the moon, or of a planet, which differed from a large meteorite in having been the seat of a more or less modified volcanic action. A most careful study of their microscopical structure leads me to conclude that their constituents were originally at such a high temperature that they were in a state of vapor, like that in which many now occur in the atmosphere of the sun, as proved by the black lines in the solar spectrum. On cooling, this vapor condensed into a sort of cometary cloud, formed of small crystals and minute drops of melted stony matter, which afterwarde became more or less devitrified and crystalline. This cloud was in a state of great commotion, and the particles moving with great velocity were often broken by collision. After collecting together to form larger masses, heat, generated by mutual impact, or that existing in other parts of space through which they moved, gave rise to a variable amount of metamorphism. In some

'From a sheet "printed privately" and communicated to the Editors of this Journal.

few cases, when the whole mass was fused, all evidence of a previous history has been obliterated; and on solidification a structure has been produced quite similar to that of terrestrial volcanic rocks. Such metamorphosed or fused masses were sometimes more or less completely broken up by violent collision, and the fragments again collected together and solidified. Whilst these changes were taking place, various metallic compounds of iron were so introduced as to indicate that they still existed in free space in the state of vapor, and condensed amongst the previously formed particles of the meteorites. At all events the relative amount of the metallic constituents appears to have increased with the lapse of time, and they often crystallized under conditions differing entirely from those which occurred when mixed metallic and stony materials were metamorphosed, or solidified from a state of igneous fusion in so small masses that the force of gravitation was too weak to separate the constituents, although they differ so much in specific gravity. (Report of Brit. Assoc., 1864.) Possibly however some meteoric irons have been produced in this manner by the occurrence of such a separation. The hydro-carbons, with which some few meteorites are impregnated, may have condensed from a state of vapor at a relatively late period.

I therefore conclude provisionally that meteorites are records of the existence in planetary space of physical conditions more or less similar to those now confined to the immediate neighborhood of the sun, at a period indefinitely more remote than that of the occurrence of any of the facts revealed to us by the study of geology-at a period which might in fact be called pre-terrestrial.

Broomfield, Sheffield, July, 1865.

2. On the Mineralogical Structure of Meteorites;' by H. C. SORBY, F.R.S. For some time past I have endeavored to apply to the study of meteorites the principles I have made use of in the investigation of terrestrial rocks, as described in my various papers, and especially in that on the microscopical structure of crystals (Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc., 1858, vol. xiv, p. 453). I therein showed that the presence in crystals of "fluid-, glass-, stone-, or gas-cavities" enables us to determine in a very satisfactory manner under what conditions the crystals were formed. There are also other methods of inquiry still requiring much investigation, and a number of experiments must be made which will occupy much time; yet, not wishing to postpone the publication of certain facts, I purpose now to give a short account of them, to be extended and completed on a subsequent occasion."

In the first place it is important to remark that the olivine of meteorites contains most excellent "glass-cavities," similar to those in the olivine of lavas, thus proving that the material was at one time in a state of igneous fusion. The olivine also contains "gas-cavities," like those so common in volcanic minerals, thus indicating the presence of some gas or vapor (Aussun, Parnallee). To see these cavities distinctly, a carefully prepared thin section and a magnifying power of several hundreds are required. The vitreous substance found in the cavities is also met with

1 From the Proceedings of the Roy. Soc., June 16, 1864.

* The names given thus (Stannern) indicate what meteorites I more particularly refer to in proof of the various facts previously stated.

AM. JOUR. SCI.-SECOND SERIES, VOL. XLI, No. 121.—JAN., 1866.

outside and among the crystals, in such a manner as to show that it is the uncrystalline residue of the material in which they were formed (Mezö-Madaras, Parnallee). It is of a claret or brownish color, and possesses the characteristic structure and optical properties of artificial glasses. Some isolated portions of meteorites have also a structure very similar to that of stony lavas, where the shape and mutual relations of the crystals to each other prove that they were formed in situ, on solidification. Possibly some entire meteorites should be considered to possess this peculiarity (Stannern, New Concord), but the evidence is by no means conclusive, and what crystallization has taken place in situ may have been a secondary result; whilst in others the constituent particles have all the characters of broken fragments (L'Aigle). This sometimes gives rise to a structure remarkably like that of consolidated volcanic ashes, so mach, indeed, that I have specimens which, at first sight, might readily be mistaken for sections of ineteorites. It would therefore appear that, after the material of the meteorites was melted, a considerable portion was broken up into sinall fragments, subsequently collected together, and more or less consolidated by mechanical and chemical actions, among which must be classed a segregation of iron, either in the metallic state in combination with other substances. Apparently this breaking up occurred in some cases when the melted matter had become crystalline, but in others the forms of the particles lead me to conclude that it was broken up into detached globules whilst still melted (Mezö-Madaras, Parnallee). This seems to have been the origin of some of the round grains met with in meteorites; for they occasionally still contain a considerable amount of glass, and the crystals which have been formed in it are arranged in groups, radiating from one or more points on the external surface, in such a manner as to indicate that they were developed after the fragments had acquired their present spheroidal shape (Aussun, &c.). In this they differ most characteristically from the general type of concretionary globules found in terrestrial rocks, in which they radiate from the center; the only case that I know at all analogous being that of certain oolitic grains in the Kelloways rock at Scarborough, which have undergone a secondary crystallization. These facts are all quite independent of the fused black crust.

Some of the minerals in meteorites, usually considered to be the same as those in volcanic rocks, have yet very characteristic differences in structure (Stannern), which I shall describe at greater length on a future occasion. I will then also give a full account of the microscopical structure of meteoric iron as compared with that produced by various artificial processes, showing that under certain conditions the latter may be obtained so as to resemble very closely some varieties of meteoric origin (Newstead, &c.).

There are thus certain peculiarities in physical structure which connect meteorites with volcanic rocks, and at the same time others in which they differ most characteristically,-facts which I think must be borne in mind, not only in forming a conclusion as to the origin of meteorites, but also in attempting to explain volcanic action in general. The discussion of such questions, however, should, I think, be deferred until a more complete account can be given of all the data on which these conclusions are founded.

VI. MISCELLANEOUS SCIENTIFIC INTELLIGENCE.

1. On the geological position of oil wells; by J. P. LESLEY.-In the Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society, at page 189, of vol. x, Mr. Lesley observes that the recent facts he has collected from the valleys of the Sandy, in eastern Kentucky, confirm his view that the oil there comes from the base of the Coal Measures; that "the plants of the great Conglomerate have been converted into thick oil and reach the surface by horizontal drainage over the water-bearing Shales of the False or Lower Coal Measures." The next horizon of oil below this is far down in the Devonian. Mr. Lesley also states the fact that Dr, Newberry has announced that the flow of oil which took place years ago in southern Middle Kentucky came from the Lower Silurian limestones, the same horizon that affords oil in limited quantities near Chicago; and that he himself observed "petroleum trickling from Upper Silurian limestones at Cape Gaspé, Canada East, the surfaces of the limestone bed being almost covered with the vestiges of cocktail fucoids, coralloids, bivalves and trilobites."

2. Scientific Exploring party in Russian America, connected with the Western Union Telegraph Company.-[Through the liberality of the Northwest American Telegraph Company, a scientific corps under the direction of Mr. Kennicott accompanies the expedition. We cite the following statements respecting the corps and its operations from a letter received from Mr. W. H. DALL, of the corps, dated At sea, en route for Petropavlovsk, Bark Golden Gate, Oct. 11, 1865.] "Our party, which consists of Mr. Kennicott, Director; J. T. Rothrock, as Botanist; myself, in charge of the Department of marine invertebrates; H. M. Bannister, of the Smithsonian Institution, as Paleontologist; and Henry Elliott and Ferdinand Bischoff as general collectors, are employed by the Telegraph. Company as explorers, &c., and the work which we do for natural history is entirely outside of this.

But by the kindness and liberality of Col. Chas. S. Bulkley, in general command, and Capt. C. M. Scammon, Chief of Marine (of the U.S. Rev. M.), both of whom are much interested in science and natural history, we are able to accomplish a great deal in the scientific way.

This year's actual collections are small, as we started late in the season and have paid flying visits everywhere, and our attention has been given mainly to mapping out next season's work, and placing men and outfits where they would be most useful.

The collections are mostly marine, and have been principally made by myself, as the other members of our party have been otherwise employed. They have been made on the surface of the north Pacific and Behring sea, and also by soundings in both; at Sitka, R. Am.; Ounga Island, south of Aliaska; Ounimak Pass, Aleutian Islands, Norton Sound; Behring Strait; Plover Bay, on the Asiatic side; and they will be continued at Petropavlovsk when we arrive there. We shall then leave for San Francisco. Our collections all pass into the hands of Prof. Baird, at the Smithsonian Institution, under certain restrictions.

One interesting result of this year's work was the examination of the lignite, or brown coal beds, at Ounga Island, and the collection of such a series of fossils as will doubtless determine their age.

Our party has been distributed as follows: Mr. Bischoff, with a good outfit, was left at Sitka in Aug. last, and will remain all winter and next spring. Mr. Bannister remains at St. Michaels, Norton Sound, where he will be joined in the early spring by Messrs. Kennicott and Rothrock, now absent in command of exploring parties, and by Mr. Elliott, and probably by Mr. Bischoff, later in the season. By thus concentrating, the natural history operations on the lower Youkon around Norton Sound are likely to prove successful."

3. On Negro Instruments; by A. INNES.-In your report of the proceedings of the British Association, in a paper read by Mr. J. Crawfurd, 'On the Physical and Mental Characteristics of the African Negro,' it is stated that "The Negro, also, had never shown ingenuity enough to invent letters, symbolic or phonetic." I beg leave to hand you a drawing of the "Elliembic," or African telegraph, an instrument which has been in existence for time immemorial to the oldest inhabitant in the Cameroons country, on the west coast of Africa. By the sounds produced on striking this instrument, the natives carry on conversation with great rapidity, and at several miles distance. I have one of the instruments now in my possession, which I brought home with me on my last visit to Africa in 1860. The sounds are made to produce a perfect and distinct language, as intelligible to the natives as that uttered by the human voice, and which I had the means of testing on several occasions. The instrument is in universal practice about the Cameroons, and up in the interior, in the Abo and Budi countries, a part of central Africa not yet visited by Europeans. In visiting this part of Africa in 1859, my coming was generally announced beforehand to the different villages by the "Elliembic." I questioned some of the oldest inhabitants as to the inventor; but none of them could tell me further than that they supposed "it must have been some of their great-grandfathers." This "Elliembic,” therefore (which is a most ingenious invention), must have been in existence in Africa before telegraphs were dreamt of in England.-Athenæum, Oct. 14th, 1865.

4. Malta cavern.-The Mnaidva bone-cave, which Dr. Adams discovered in 1863, on the southwest coast of Malta, and which he named after the Phoenician mines close by, is to be further explored, the Geological Section having voted 301. for the purpose. In 1864, Dr. Adams worked at it divers times, until the British Association sent a grant enabling him to clear out fifty-four feet of the cave, which was filled with red earth and stalagmite. Here he found sixty to eighty teeth, and numerous fragments of bones, of at least two species of elephant, one a mere pigmy, the other of larger size, but scarcely equal to the smallest Asiatic elephant; besides vast quantities of a gigantic rat, land tortoise, and swan-the last of colossal dimensions. It has been named Cygnus Falconerii, after the distinguished paleontologist, the late Dr. Falconer. Dr. Adams will continue his researches during the winter months.-Reader, Oct. 28th, 1865. 5. Chicago Observatory.—Mr. T. H. Safford, formerly assistant at the observatory of Harvard college, has been appointed Director of the observatory at Chicago.

6. London International Horticultural Exhibition.-Prof. Alphonse de Candolle of Geneva has accepted the Presidency of the Botanical Con