, 1875-09-25
SPARNS or SCIENCE.


1t ls announced in Nature that tho VsloroNa,
which accompanied tho shipa Alert and Dis-
covcrv Al far NJ Disco, Greenland on tleir
Arctic expodition returned to Plymouth, Eli
gland. Aug. ~. Tho ycBsots encountered soypro
storms In croaslnE tho Atlantic, but bote sicn
wall and all OH board were III honth when tho
FaloEous partol from Lor comrades. July 1I.
Wl,le At Dsca tho naturRlists OF tho three R!Iips
woso employed in making botanical and geologi-
cal collections. aud in dredging iu tho Lasbor.
4 largo nl1,nber Of plnnta wero obtained, soma
OF which 1t IL believed are now to science. III.
kraup Smith, the inspector Of North Greenland.
extended eyory courtesy to tho expedition, and,
prior to Its leaving, provided it With al Ex-
9uin.aux and a,xty-tous dogs.
1t is inferred. from the report OF tho naulbl,
oi!lcala regarding lie favorable state Of tho
weather, Tint tho navigation Ct Melville Day will
10 comparatively easy. The Discovery hopoY to
find Ruttablo wintor-lunrtora on tia north shore
Of Lady Franhl'n's straits, but the Alert will
press IN a'ono, lartllng dopota anil building
ca!rna with rocorts every 20 mi!os Tho Alert
Will probably winter in "a deg, and spend tito
SEASON in PREPARATION for bold passnge norl-
ward in tho summon Of 1870. Tho grand advance
will tc ACCOMPLISHED by mea1s Ut a svBtom OF
derots and auxiliary sedses, enabling tho foro-
mott party to 10 ahsont from tho sAii, about liz
days, and trArcrso distance of 800 miles.
Meanwhile the Discovery will coutilue tho work
OF exploration Alow]y, making progress nosth-
ward.
Alr. Carpenter and Mr.. Markham, who wore
passengers tn tho Valorons read = report OF lilo
expedition up to July IL, before tho british Az
hucl2tion.
BRITISH ASSOCIATION.
Tic mceting ut bristol Of tho british Agsocta-
tIon for tho Advancement ct fcIeuco l,au bcou a
great succuss The number OF mc1itvrs aud aa-
soeatea In attendance VIVA ,J:)s; anli the Troaa-
urcr's report 1t tho close OF tho meeting showed
q balance Gu hand al *8.5J5. An ablo inaugural
add1eus was delivered by tho Presideu.-sleet,
Biz Josln Ha"lahav, On thu subje Of Eugneor-
tug, and papers and discussions OF high intor ,at
occupied tho sessions OF the various SECTIONS.
The transit Of Venus, tho proposed uoodlrg Of
tho sahars, tho docp-sea fauna, oceanic
civilizations tho ctlluography Of rscea At
tue commencement af civilization, tho cbau-
hol aud sesaa tunnolb, the coal question, and
railway Rafety, Were aulonx tho uluro Important
topcH tyeatod. Or. CarEenter delivered, Lrill.
iant lecsnzo on "A Piece Of Limestone to =
large aud.ence OF worAangmon. at mlcroBcop-
ical so1oo hold on ono Of tho evenings, living
obecta wero dtspiayal tn liU mictoscopvs az
ranged In classified divisions. 6ir John I.ub-
bock's Fertilization OF Flowcrs by Insects" "
was very successfully Illustrated Oh tho OCCASION,
vivid idea OF tie various processes bciux given
by = serioa VI microscopes. Among forelQn
visitors at tho meeting ws note Prof. Youulany.
Of New York: mud Col. Darlington, Of Wabaai.
College. large nutuber Of entertainments aud
e1curslons ~ers rrosided for tho Assooiatiup,
all OF Witch passed oil with compteto patis!ac.
ton Ihe next meeting will bo leld at Glasgow.
sTARcH.paooucIAo PLANT,
Al interesting account OF : valuable starch.
producing plans is given ty Dir. E. Palmer in
tho Naturalist. It IL dwarf oycol, the zamia
III!