The Sun.
London, England, 1863-08-26 00:00:00

FRENCH ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.

A t the last sitting, M. Coulvier-Gravier communicated a
table of the shooting stars observed from the 17th ult, to
the 14th inst., the period of the year during which that
phenomenon occurs with peculiar frequency. The maximum
number observed per hour was 121, on the 10th inst.; the
minimum was 6, on the 17th ult. From the Bth to the
14th (except the maximum above stated), the numbers
ranged between 33 and 48. M. Coulvier-Gravier is of
opinion that the phenomenon, after decreasing in intensity
since 1848, is now again on the increase.—M. Jobart de
Lamballe communicated a paper on the regeneration of
animal tissues, being a continuation of his former commu-
nice, ions on the same subject. In the present porter he •
establishes the fict that the periosteum (the membrane
which covers the bones) is insensible.—M. Coinde an-
nounced that certain insects which invest the Nerium
Oleander and other plants in Algeria possess, in a high
degree, the tinctorial qualities for which cochineal is so
highly prizod.—M. Evrard announced that nitrate of
potash is contained in the dregs of wine in a sufficient
quantity to be remunerative, and may be obtained by col-
lecting the crystals which are deposited in the vats
by the dregs, and subjecting these crystals to
repeated re-crystallisations. The mother liquor which re-
mains contains a guar, tap of carbonate of potash, which may
be extracted by evaporation and calcination.—A pamphlet
was received from M. de Simone, in which he describes a
disease which is called " attossatura" in Sicily, and causes
the death of many young mules. A few days after their
birth, and after having sucked their dams, they fall sick
and die without any apparent cause. M. de Simone states
that this disease is attributable to a previous morbose state
of the dam, which suddenly becomes fat after the first
months of gestation, and has her udders filled with a serous
kind of milk.

ABSORPTION BY TIIE SKIN.—Dr. Parisot has addressed
two papers to the Academy of Sciences on the absortive
power of the skin, for the purpose of testing the efficacy of
baths. The following substances, viz., iodide of potas-
sium, the yellow cyanide and chlorate of the same, sulphate
of iron, belladona, fox-glove, and rhubarb, he has tried
upon himself, and some of them upon patients whose state
required it, The baths were taken early in the morn-,
ing. fasting, the temperature of the water ranging
between 28 and 30 degrees Centigrade, that of the
air between 18 and 27. The duration of the immer-
sion was from one-to twu hours for Dr. Parisot himself, and
from 30 minutes to one hour for his patients. The results
obtained were, thit salts and colouring matter of rhubarb
dissolved in water are not absorbed by the skin ; and that
vegetable poisons, such as fox-glove and atropine, dissolved
in water, are not absorbed by the skin, because after a
lengthened stay in the bath nu symptoms of poisoning are
experienced. Dr. Parlsot's experiments on water, chloro-
form, and ether are peculiarly striking The body of an
infant which had died 12 days alter birth, was laid in
bathing-tub, the water of which was incessantly renewed
by a permanent influx and efflux of the liquid ; the head was
kept above water. At the end of 24 hours, the body, which
weighed 2,0',0 grammes before the immersion, weighed 2,055
grammes. Beicg afterwards left for 21 hours in the labo-
ratory, and then weighed, it was found that it had lost the
five grammes it had gained in the bath. Now the epider-
mis has a sebaceous coating everywhere except on the
palms of the hands and soles of the feet ; it remained
therefore to be seen whether the imbibition had been
effected throughout, or only at the hands and feet. In
another series of experiments, the palms and soles of
certain subjects were coated with turpentine, while
tho,e of others were not; and the result was, that the for-
mer did not increase in weight by immersion, while the
latter did. Hence the palms of the hands and soles of the
feet must be considered the only points of the human body
through which imbibition can take place, they being de-
prived of that sebaceous coating which acts as a protecting
varnish all over the rest of the body. Chloroform, alcohol,
and ether dissolve the sebaceous matter more or less com-
pletely, and hence the substances dissolved in them may
penetrate to the derma. Dr. Parisot dissolved five centi
. grammes of atropine in 20 grammes of chloroform, he then
steeped cotton into the solution, and applied it to the fore-
, head of a person; the extension of the pupil became visible
after the lapse of three minutes ; two minutes later it was
complete, and equal on both sides; after a quarter of an
hour, the skin was found to be red and burning. All these
symptoms disappeared in the coarse of an hour. Substitut-
ing alcohol for chloroform, the action was greatly retarded,
the dilatation not taking place until after half an hour's ap-
plication, and the redness and heat of the skin were hardly
perceptible. Atropine disolved in water acidulated with
acetic acid produced no effect whatever.

COUNTRY MARKETS.

V

LEEDS-TUESDAY.

New wheat was in moderate demand to-day, and the cur-
rencies of last Friday were not materially altered. A little
more inquiry for old.

LIVERPOOL-TUESDAY.

At our market to-day there was a good attendance of
millers, and fresh American wheat experienced a fair
business at a reduction of 2d per cental upon the week.
Barley and peas fully as dear. Oats and oatmeal were
negl•.cted. Indian corn rather lower in price. Beans dull.
Flour (American) a moderate sale, and prices in favour of
buyers.