Scientific Serials

Abstract

American Journal of Science, March.—Examination of Dr. Croll's hypothesis of geological climates, by Dr. A. Woeikof. The author subjects Dr. Croll's theories to a searching criticism, traversing all his fundamental principles. The statement that the ocean must stand at a higher mean temperature than the land is shown to be quite erroneous, the oceans which receive cold currents from Polar seas, and even seas like the Mediterranean and Red Sea, which receive no such currents, having a mean temperature considerably lower than the continents. His whole system of estimating temperature breaks down when seriously tested, the errors being enormous, in some cases upwards of 100° F., or greater than the difference of annual temperature between the equator and the North Pole. His hypo-potheses, although brilliant and fascinating, cannot be accepted, the main points on which they rest being opposed to the most certain teachings of meteorology, and the whole fabric in its explanation of glaciation and geological climates generally being entirely fallacious.—Teniril movements in Cucurbita maxima and C. Pepo (concluded), by D. P. Penhallow. The author concludes generally that growth is promoted by an increase of temperature and humidity, but may be retarded by an increase of temperature when other conditions are unfavourable. It is also retarded by excessive transpiration, while the conditions favourable to growth, arising from temperature and humidity, may cause greater growth during the day in opposition to the retarding influence of light/ Movements of tendrils and terminal buds, being phenomena of growth, are modified by whatever variations of condition affect growth.—Note on a method of measuring the surface-tension of liquids, by W. F. Magie. It is shown that Poisson's formula determining approximately the height of a large liquid drop standing on a level plate holds good, without any change, for a bubble of air formed in a liquid under a level plate.—Remarks on W. B. Rogers's “Geology of the Virginias” (continued), by J. L. and H. D. Campbell. In this concluding paper the authors deal with the most salient points in the higher formations of the geological system of Virginia and West Virginia. Their remarks, based mainly on personal observation, are intended to be supplementary to Mr. Rogers's comprehensive treatise on the geology of this region.—Observations on the Tertiary of Mississippi and Alabama, with descriptions of new species, by D. W. Langdon. An important result of these observations is the establishment of the relation of the Jackson beds to the Orbitoides limestone and marl beds of Byram Station. The new species, which will be figured in the forthcoming Report of the Geological Survey of Alabama are: Verticordia eocensis apparently the first Verti-cordia described from this epoch; and Bulla (Haminea) aldrichiy an elongate oval shell resembling Bulla glaphyra, Desh.—On the area of Upper Silurian rocks near Cornwall Station, Eastern Central Orange County, New York, by Nelson H. Darton. The paper contains a careful study of the Towsend Iron Mine district and vicinity, where a small mass of Lower Helderberg limestone has been protected from the general denudation by a firm backing of coarse strongly cemented sandstones. The whole forms a ridge running just west of Cornwall Station, its more prominent geological features being shown on the accompanying map.