Scientific Serials

Abstract

American Journal of Science, July.—Contributions to meteorology, twentieth paper: reduction of barometric observations to sea-level, by Prof. Elias Loomis. The results embodied in this paper have been determined by an extensive comparison of observations at five mountain stations, three in the United States and two in Europe. The reductions thus obtained were compared with those computed from the theories of Laplace and Plantamour, and exhibited very great discrepancies for all the stations, especially at the lowest pressures. The cause of these discrepancies is referred to the pressure coefficient in the Laplace formula, which appears to be too small.—Light of comparison stars for Vesta, by Edward C. Pickering. The light of the planet is here determined from comparison with the two stars DM1 + 22° 2163 and 2164, observed with the large meridian photometer of the Harvard College Observatory. The mean result thus obtained for the magnitude of Vesta is 6.64, as compared with 6.49 and 6.45 of previous observations at the same Observatory—Mineral notes from the laboratory of the United States' Geological Survey, by F. W. Clarke and T. M. Chatard. The paper embodies a complete analysis of the jade or nephrite and pectolite implements in use amongst the Eskimo of Point Barrow, Alaska, and obtained from a region to the east, not yet visited by civilised man. A nalyses are also given of Saussurite from Shasta County, California; of Allanite from Topsham, Maine; of Damourite from Stoneham, Maine; of Margarite from Gainesville, Georgia; of Halloysite from near Lake Mono, California; and several other rare minerals.—On the occurrence of alkalies in beryl, by Samuel L. Penfield. The results of numerous investigations show that alkalies are always present, undoubtedly replacing the beryllium, that water is also present, and cannot be disintegrated in the formula, and that the formula