Scientific Serials

Abstract

American Journal of Science and Arts, December, 1878.—In the opening paper Gen. Warren considers that the Minnesota Valley and the Mississippi Valley above the Ohio have been, as a rule, formed since the deposition of the glacial drift, which exists in the banks of the river, and that the Winnipeg basin drained out southward along it; also, that the loess deposits extending up to the neighbourhood of Savannah are later than the last glacial drift, &c. The hypothesis of southern elevation and northern depression (probably reversed sometimes and repeated) is relied on to explain the effects.—Prof. Dana, continuing his valuable paper on some points in lithology, contends for basing distinction in kinds of rocks on difference in chemical and mineral constitution as regards chief constituents, and offers a classification in eight divisions.—The principle that when the entropy of any isolated material system has reached a maximum the system is in a state of equilibrium, is developed by Mr. Gibbs as a foundation for the general theory of thermodynarnic equilibrium.—Mr. McGee distinguishes crania of the mound-builders of the Mississippi Valley from those of modern Indians by a greater development of the posterior molars.—An interesting paper by the Rev. C. Hovey, on discoveries in western caves, describes, inter alia, the remarkable acoustic properties of Echo River passage-way (in the Mammoth Cave), where a strong vocal impulse is prolonged with sustained vigour for fifteen seconds or more; also a locality discovered last April in the Wyandot Cave, in which “pits, miry banks, huge rocks, are overhung by galleries of creamy stalactites, vermicular tubes intertwined, frozen cataracts, and all, in short, that nature could do in her wildest and most fantastic mood.” There is a row or musical stalactites, very broad and thin, on which a chord can be struck, or a melody played by a skilful hand.—Prof Harrington analyses the Chinese official almanac, issued annually in December, and consisting of two parts, an astronomical and an astrological.