Multiplices Solariorum species, genus testaceorum constituentes, ad Turbinacea Lamarck, ad Gasteropoda Cuvier, pertinens, quæ in geologicis Italiæ stratis reperiuntur, monographico modo investigare fortasse præstat. Ratio nec ambigua; variæ enim dubitandi rationes vigebant, tum circa numerum et nomina specierum, tum circa earundem citationes, et auctorum dissensiones, nec non potissimum circa relationes specierum quæ in Italicis divisionibus supracretaceæ formationis adsunt, sive in se spectatis, sive prout cum viventibus conveniunt aut discrepant.

Having been requested to act on a Committee of the British Association, appointed to devise and apply methods for measuring the comparative intensity of earthquake shocks, and having been shewn several ingenious contrivances by Mr David Milne (who suggested the inquiry) Lord Greenock, and other persons, an apparatus occurred to me which should unite the requisites of Simplicity, Compactness, Comparability, and an easy adjustment of Sensibility according to circumstances.

Mr Milne had not failed to distinguish the ends for which instruments (which for obvious reasons were to be self-registering) ought to be devised, such as the measurement of horizontal concussions, of vertical elevation, and of heaving or angular motion of the surface. It is no part of my present object to consider the probable movements of the soil in earthquakes. I limit myself to the description of a single instrument intended to measure lateral shocks, such as are experienced by objects placed upon a table which is abruptly shoved forwards.

In a Memoir on the Preparation of Paracyanogen submitted to the Royal Society some weeks ago, I laid down the proposition, that two equal and similar molecules may enter into the state of chemical union, the combination produced being indissoluble by every known agent of analysis; and I endeavoured to establish this proposition partly on certain abstract physical considerations, and partly by a series of experiments on the production of paracyanogen by the decomposition of the bicyanide of mercury under pressure and at high temperatures.

The genus Amphioxus was instituted by Mr Yarrell for the reception of a singular little animal which he received from Mr Couch. The characters of this genus, as given in the History of British Fishes, are, “Body compressed, the surface without scales, both ends pointed; a single dorsal fin extending the whole length of the back; no pectoral, ventral, anal, or caudal fins; mouth on the under part of the head, narrow, elongated, each lateral margin furnished with a row of slender filaments.”