, 1866-12-28

formed out OH great neDula, Wnlcn Dy con-
densation separated into rings, and these
rings finally collapsed into stars. La
places doctrine is illustrated and enforced
by nj. Delaunay in his occurs Elemen-
taire d'Astronomie." The zodiacal light
is supposed to be the remains of the
great nebula out of which the solar sys-
tenn was constructed, and the condensed
matter rained into the sun and there
burnt is supposed to be the origin of the
SUMS light and heat. One question,
however, still remains unsoIved in what
way did the nebule originate? Is each
nebulous atom formed out of the other
by the action of light and the aggrega-
ton Of still minuter particles, in the
same way in which a nebula by it's con-
densation goes to form a planetary sys-
TEN?
Locomotion was at one time supposed
to be o distinctive characteristic of ami
mails, but it is now known that many
plants move, chiefly by the aid of "%cilia,'
and such movement is almost universally
present among the lower %crytogamic We
getations. Professor Max Schultze, of
Bonn, has lately investigated the move
ments of the diatOmdcceR-minute organ
isms consisting of ~silicious shells incIos-
ing organic matter. There are minute
holes in the shells through which a liquid
is probably elected by means of which
motion is produced.
A method Of COMPRISING oxygen and
hydrogen gas into separate cylinders, to
be used in the production Of the lime
light, has been introduced into American
commerce, the cylinders employed being
of iron, 9 in. diameter and 80 in. long;
and the gasses are condensed to q pres
sure of thirty atmospheres. The lime
light was used with excellent effect dur
ing the late war in America, especially
in the attack upon Fort Wagner, where,
after the sap had been approached 10
within $50 yards of the fort, further adj
vance was prevented, from the trench
being enfladed by the guns at one end
or other of the fort. Two lime-lights
were then so placed as to throw a strong
light upon the points from which the fire
proceeded, while the trench was kept
dark and the gunners in the fort were
thus exposed to so deadly a fire from
rihemen properly posted that the can
nonade ceased during the night, and the
SAP was thus carried with impunity so
near TO the fort that it was abandoned.
Mr.. Croll has pointed out in successive
papers, communicated to the Phitosopht-
cal Magazine, that, inasmuch as the tidal
wave generated by the moons attraction
produces heat by friction, which is dissi-
pated in space, there must be a gradual
loss of vts viuo in the moons; and the
moon and earth must, therefore, finally
come to together. Professor w. Thomp-
son and Professor Airy have shown that,
owing to the position of the tidal wave,
the moon is drawn, not exactly in the di-
~rection of the earth's centre of gravity,
but a little to the east ofthat centre, and,
ms a consequence, that her orbit is en-
larged and her angular motion diminished.
The tides, in fact. produce two distinct
effects, the one to a certain extent neu-
t~ralising the other. Nevertheless, as us
sspa is consumed, and as this action will
continue TO go on through countless ages,
the ultimate effect must be 10 bring the
two bodies together.
The Paris correspondent of the Morn
ing Post alleges that nj. Chambray, form
erly of the Mauritius, but now of Paris,
has succeeded in photographing the hu-