1 84 



NATURE 



\yune 2 2, 1876 



Laubenlieimer has found nitro-meta-chloro-nitrobenzol to exist 

 in four modifications, chemically identical but differing in physical 

 and crystallographical respects. The same chemist has trans- 

 formed the above-named substance by boiling it with an alcoholic 

 solution of potash into nitro-chloro-phenol and mono-chloro- 

 chinone, CgHsClOg ; and by treating it with aniline into chloro- 

 nitro - diphenylamine, CgH3Cl(N02) . NH . CgHj. Nascent 

 hydrogen transforms dinitrochlorobenzol into chlorinated phe- 

 nylen-diamine. — L. Mears has studied the action of nitric acid 

 on benzanilide, which yields three isomeric nitro-benzanilides. — 

 W. Grethen has transformed acetanilide into ortho- and para- 

 nitro-acetanilides, formed simultaneously. — C. Sennewald de- 

 scribed meta-amido-benzanilide. The same chemist has trans- 

 formed anhydro-benzoyl-diamidobenzol — 



CgH^.N.C.CeHs.NH, 



into the amylic substitution-compound — 



CjH, . N . C . CJI, . N . CbH„, 



and into the corresponding ethyl-compound. — H. Hiibner and 

 F. Frerichs have studied the action of iodide of cyanogen on 

 diamidobenzoles. The result is expressed by the equation — 



2C6H,(NH,)2 + CNI = Ci:,Hi,N, = 

 C,H4(NH2)N - C - N(NH2)C6H4. 



— O. Hesse reported on the properties of a new alkaloid called 

 cusconin. — Th. CoUen described the action of sulphuric anhy- 

 dride on para-chlorobenzoic acid, resulting in the formation of a 

 mono-sulphonic acid, CgH4Cl(COOH)(S03H). — C. Liebermann 

 has observed the formation of rosolic acid when phenol is 

 treated with chloroform and sulphuric acid. This explains the 

 ordinary formation of rosolic acid by heating phenol with oxalic 

 acid. 



Stockholm 



Academy of Sciences, April 12. — Dr. G. Lindstiom of 

 Wisby was chosen Intendent of the Palaeontological department 

 of the Riks Museum. The following papers were communi- 

 cated : — On the amplitude of the daily variation of temperature 

 in Sweden, by Herr Rubenson. — On the varieties of Diabase 

 and Gabbro in Sweden, by Herr A. E. Tornebohm. — Recherches 

 sur un nouveau genre des Holothuries, by Decent Hj. Theel. — 

 Contributions to a monograph of the Amphipoda, I. — The 

 family Oxycephalidse Spence Bate, by Docent C. Bovallius (this 

 paper is written in English). — Tneland and fresh-water moUusca 

 of Siberia, I., by Dr. Westerlund. — On the Dannemora iron-ore 

 field, by Engineer A. E. Fahkrantz. — Notes on the vertebrate 

 fauna of North Bohus Ian, by Herr C. Cederstrom. — Primse 

 linos muscorum cognoscendorum, qui ad Caldas Brasilise sunt 

 collecti, by J. Angstrom, M.D. — Herr Santesson was chosen 

 president lor the year now commenced. The retiring president, 

 Herr Woern, gave an address on the manufacture of iron and 

 steel in North America. 



Paris 



Academy of Sciences, June 5. — Vice-Admiral Paris in the 

 chair. — The following papers were read : — Astronomical re- 

 searches (continued) by Si. Le Verrier. He presented vol. xii. 

 of the Annates de V Observatoire, containing the tables of Jupiter 

 and Saturn. — On the thermal formation of ozone, by M. Ber- 

 thelot. He passed a current of oxygen through a tube, where it 

 was acted on by the silent electric discharge, into a phial con- 

 taining dilute arsenious acid. The transformation of the acid 

 into arsenic acid was noted, and the heat liberated compared 

 with that liberated in oxidation of arsenious acid by free oxygen. 

 The heat liberated by change of ozone into ordinary oxygen is 

 thus found to be + I4"8 cal., that is, — I4"8 in formation of ozone 

 (or — 29*6 per atom). Ozone is thus a body formed with ab- 

 sorption of heat. — On the absorption of free nitrogen by organic 

 matters at the ordinary temperature, by M. Berthelot This 

 occurs under influence of the silent discharge, ani is well marked in 

 the case of benzine ; marsh-gas, acetylene, &c., also show 

 it. Such phenomena must occur in thunder-storms, and 

 have important physiological effects. — -On the origin of or- 

 ganised ferments, by M. Pasteur. He controverts M. Fremy's 

 results. — Influence of age of a tree on the average time 

 of opening of its buds, by M. De CandoUe. In certain 

 species (horse-chestnut, e.g.) age has no influence ; whereas, 

 in others (such as the vine), it acts sometimes by retarding, 

 sometimes by accelerating, the |epoch in question. — On the 

 displacement of lines in the spectra of stars, produced by their 



motion in space, by Mr. Huggins.— Examination of the possible 

 mechanical action of light ; study of Mr. Crookes's radioscope, 

 by M. Ledieu (continued). He describes the experiments made 

 by M. Fizeau, at his suggestion, with polarised light (the results 

 were negative), proposes new experiments, and applies his theory 

 in explanation of some celestial phenomena. — On the formation 

 of an international committee for scientific exploration of the 

 American isthmus with a view to making a canal, by M. de 

 Lesseps. — M. Cosson presented a small apparatus called a cen- 

 tral inflammatory obturator (for cartridges. ) — Report on several 

 memoirs of M. Allard 01 transparence of flames and of the 

 atmosphere, and the visibility of lighthouses with flashing 

 lights. — On the relations between the theory of numbers 

 and the integral calculus, by M. Lucas. — On the photo- 

 graphic images obtained at the focus of astronomical tele- 

 scopes, by M. Angot. — On the law of Dulong and Petit, by 

 M. Terrell. He interprets it purely with reference to ths laws 

 of chemistry. The specific heat of bodies doubles when they 

 cease to be gaseous. — On the irrigations in the south of France, 

 and particularly in the department of the Bouches-du-Rhone, 

 by M. Barral, — On the duration of tactile sensation, by M. 

 Lalanne. Suppose a flexible body which will not hurt the skin 

 by motion in contact with it, to be rapidly moved round the arm 

 or leg. Analogously to the impression of a luminous circle bafore 

 the eye when an incandescent stick is whirled rapidly, a con- 

 tinuous sensation should at a certain spaei be produced, like that 

 from pressure of a bracelet or ring. This is never experienced 

 with less than ten turns per second. The least duration of 

 tactile sensation observed was ^V to ^f of a second. It varies 

 with individuals, and in different parts of the body. — On the 

 galls of leaves of French vines, &c., by M. Boiteau. — Notes on 

 history of Phylloxera, especially the species Phylloxera Acantho- 

 kermes, KoUar, by M. Lichtenstein. — Memoir on the perturbing 

 influence of neighbouring massjs, on the form and disposition of 

 crystals, by M. Brame. — On linear equations of the second order, 

 by M. Pepin. — On the development in series of the functions Al(x), 

 by M. Foubert. — On the number of points of contact of algebraicor 

 transcendent curves of a system with an algebraic curve, by M. 

 Fouret. — Improvement in Watts's indicator, by M. Mallet. — On 

 the inconveniences arising from use of a cable of copper wire as 

 conductor of a lightning-rod, by M. Francisque Michel. Such 

 wires under electric action sliow, ere long, a series of fractures, 

 which lessen considerably the conducting section. — On the in- 

 fluence of certain salts and of lime on saccharimetric observa- 

 tions, by M. Mlintz. — On a derivative of acetylacetic ether, 

 oxypyrotartaric acid, by M. Demarcjay. — Combustion of organic 

 matters under the double influence of heat and of a current of 

 oxygen," by M. Loiseau. — Metallisation of organic substances, 

 fitting them to receive galvanic deposits, by M. Cazeneuve. — 

 Action of digitalis compared with that of biliary salts on the 

 pulse, arterial tension, respiration, and temperature, by MM. 

 Feliz and Ritler. — On the vascular apparatus of Trematoda, by 

 M. Villot. 



CONTENTS Page 



Wallace's Geographical Distribution of Animals {With Ilhis- 



trations) .... • . 165 



Our Book Shelf : — 



Taylor's "Notes on Collecting and Prese.ving Natural History 



Objects —A. R. W 168 



Letters to the Editor :— 



The Harris Cubit of Karnak. — W. M. Flindeks Petrie . . . 168 



The Chemical Society. — Walter Noel Hartley i6g 



Lectures on Meteorology. — Spes 169 



The British Association — Glasgow Meeting 170 



Abstract Report to "Nature" on Experimentation on Ani- 

 mals FOR the Advance of Practical Medicine, II. By Dr. 



Benjamin W. Richardson, F.R.S 170 



The Cruelty TO Animals Bill 172 



A Museum FOR India AND THE Colonies ...... ... 173 



Fertilisation of Flowers by Insects, XIV. By Dr. Hermann 



Mueller {With lUustraiiotis) 173 



Loan Collection of Scientific Apparatus— 



Section — Mechanics. — Prime Movers 17s 



OcEAJC Circulation. By Capt. DiGBif Murray 177 



Ancient Glaciers in AuvERGNE. By Rev. W. S Symonbs . . . 179 



Notes 180 



Scientific Serials 182 



Societies and Acadsmibs {With Illustration) . , 182 



