576 



NA TURE 



[April 14, 1898 



water, and has studied in detail the alterations in structure and 

 movement brought about by the new conditions of life. — On 

 the deformation of compressed parts and the stability of large 

 frame works, by M. A. Berard. — On congruences which are in 

 several ways K congruences, by M. C. Guichard.— New ex- 

 pression of the elements of an orthogonal system by theta func- 

 tions of two arguments and their application in dynamics, by 

 M. E. Jahnke. — On a transformation of Hamilton's equation, 

 by MM. W. Ebert and J. Perchot.— On the deformations ex- 

 perienced by a solid dielectric on becoming the seat of an electric 

 field, by M. Paul Sacerdote. The phenomena in question are 

 shown to be deducible from the principles of the conservation 

 of energy and of electricity. — On a problem in the analytical 

 theory of heat, by M. W. Stekloff. — On the electric conduc- 

 tivity of solutions of permanganate of potassium, by M. 

 Emmanuel Legrand. The molecular conductivity increases 

 with the dilution, and approaches the limiting value 124 ob- 

 tained by former experimenters for neutral salts at 25° C. — On 

 multiple resonance, by M. Louis Decombe. — On the thermic 

 mercurial ampere-meter and its industrial applications : new 

 standard of electromotive force, by M. Charles Camichel. — 

 Comparison of the atomic weights of hydrogen, nitrogen, and 

 carbon deduced from physical data with their values as deduced 

 from chemical analysis, by M. Daniel Berthelot. The author 

 claims that the calculation of atomic volumes and atomic weights 

 from accurate determinations of the density and compressi- 

 bility allows of the confirmation and, in certain cases, of the 

 statement with precision of the results given by chemical 

 analysis. The results obtained by various observers in the case 

 of the three elements mentioned are criticised in detail. — Iso- 

 quinoline and tetrahydroisoquinoline, by M. Marcel Delepine. 

 A thermo-chemical study. — On the estimation of small quantities 

 of carbon monoxide in air and in normal blood, by M. L. de 

 Saint-Martin. The author, in reply to the criticisms of M. 

 Gautier, further explains the analytical modifications introduced 

 by him. A series of experiments are described to demonstrate 

 the presence of carbon monoxide in the blood of animals living 

 in large towns. — On the spectrum and the nature of neodymium, 

 by M. Eug. Demar9ay. — Action of oxidising agents on some 

 nitrogenous bodies, by M. CT^chsner de Coninck. An account 

 of the action of hypochlorites, in presence of excess of alkali, 

 upon amines, diamines, hydrazines, cyanic and cyanuric acids, 

 and various alkaloids. — Combination of mercuric nitrate and 

 trimethyl carbinol, by M. G. Deniges. The author describes 

 the preparation and properties of a new compound, which he 

 terms mercuroso-mercuric dimethylethylenic nitrate. — On the 

 physiology of gentianose ; its hydrolysis by soluble ferments. — 

 Detection of wood saw-dust in flour, by M. G. A. Le Roy. 

 The suspected sample is gently warmed with an alcoholic solu- 

 tion of phloroglucinol, strongly acidified with phosphoric acid. 

 The particles of saw-dust are stained an intense carmine-red 

 colour, while the starch and cellulose of the grain itself are 

 little, or but slightly, affected. — On the crystalline forms of the 

 oligist of Puy de la Tache (Mount Dore), by M. F. Gonnard. — 

 On the micro-organisms of " turned " wines, by MM. F. Bordas, 

 Joulin, and de Raczkowski. The authors have isolated and 

 studied an organism, which they propose to term Bacillus roseus 

 vini from the colour assumed by its cultivations in certain 

 media. — Effects of the solar and lunar attractions upon the 

 atmosphere of the northern hemisphere at each of the four 

 phases, by M. A. Poincare. 



DIARY OF SOCIETIES. 



FRIDAY, April 15. 

 Malacological Society, at 8. — On some New Species of Land Shells 

 from South America : S. 1. Da Costa. — Note on the Anatomy of Resania, 

 Gray, and Zenatia, Gray : W. H. Dall. — Note on the Anatomy of 

 Miilleria : M. F. Woodward. 



MONDAY, April 18. 

 Society of Arts, at 8. — Sources of Commercial India-rubber : Dr. D. 



Morris, C.M.G. 

 Victoria Institute, at 4.30. — The Design of the Human Foot: Gerard 



Smith. 



TUESDA Y, April 19. 

 Zoological Society, at 8.30.— On the Breeding of the Dragonet (Callio- 



nymus -lyra) : Ernest W. L. Holt. — On the Serricorn Coleoptera of St. 



Vincent, Grenada, and the Grenadines, with Descriptions of New 



Species : Rev. H. S. Gorham. — Note on the Affinities of Palteospondylus 



gunni, Traq. : Dr. Bashford Dean. 

 Institution of Civil Engineers, at 8. — Paper to be discussed : The 



Electricity Supply of London : A. H. Preece. 

 Royal Victoria Hall, at 8.30. — X-Rays ; Bruce H. Wade. 



WEDNESDA K. April 20. 



Society of Arts, at 8. — Stage Mech.anism : Edwin O. S.ichs. 



Geological Society, at 8. — Note on an Ebbing and Flowing Well at 

 Newton Nottage, in Glamorganshire : H. G. Madan. — Pctalocrinus :'*Y . 

 A. Bather. — On the Origin of the Auriferous Conglomerates of the Gold 

 Coast Colony (West Africa) : T. B. F. Sam. 



Royal Meteorological SociETY,at 7.30. — Anticyclonic Systems and their 

 Movements : Major H. E. Rawson. — Results of Observations on Haze 

 and Transparency in 1897 : Hon. F. A. RoUo Russell. 



Royal Microscopical Society, at 7.30. — .\n Exhibition of Diatoms : 



H. Morland. At 8. — On some Organic Substances of High Refractivity 



available for Mounting Specimens for Examination under the Microscope : 

 H. G. Madan. — Instantaneous Photomicrography : E. B. Stringer. 

 THURSDAY. April 21. 



Society of Arts (Indian Section), at 8.— Recent Railway Policy in India : 

 Horace Bell. 



LiNNEAN Society, at 8. 



Institution of Electrical Engineers, at 8. — Cost of Generation and 

 Distribution of Electrical Energy : R. Hammond. (Continuation of Dis- 

 cussion.) 



Chemical Society, at 8. — The Carbohydrates of Barley Straw : C. F. 

 Cross, E. J. Bevan, and Claud Smith. — Isomeric Bornylamines : Dr. M. 

 O. Forster. — Some Derivatives of Benzophenone : Dr. F. E. Matthews. — 

 Researches on Camphoric Acid : Dr. S. B. Schryver. — Ballot for Election 

 of Fellows. 



BOOKS, PAMPHLETS, and SERIALS RECEIVED, 



Books.— The Barometrical Determination of Heights : F. J. B. Cordeiro 

 (Spon) — A Manual of General Pathology for Students and Practitioners : 

 Dr. W. S. Lazarus- Barlow (Churchill).— Practical Radiography : A. W. 

 Isenthal and H. S. Ward, 2nd edition (Dawbarn).— Elementary Chemistry : 

 T. A. Cheetham (Blackie). — Synopsis Characearum Europaearum : Dr. W. 

 Migula (Leipzig, Kummer).— Accounts of the Trade carried by Rail and 

 River in India in the Official Year 1896-97 and the Four preceding Years 

 (Calcutta). — Notes on Observations : S. Lupton (Macmillan). — An Ele- 

 mentary Course of Physics : edited by Rev. J. C. P. Aldous (Macmillan).— 

 Essays on Museums, &c.: Sir W. H. Flower (Macmillan), 



Pamphlets.— Some New Indo-Malayan Orchids : G. King and R. 

 Pantling (Calcutta).— A Simple Guide to the Choice of a Photographic 

 Lens : T. R. Dallmeyer (J. H. Dallmeyer). 



Serials.— Knowledge, April (High Holborn).— Bulletin of the American 

 Mathematical Society, March (N.Y., Macmillan).— Transactions of the 

 Astronomical and Physical Society of Toronto, 1897 (Toronto).— Observ- 

 atory, April (Taylor).— Atlantic Monthly, April (Gay) —Journal of the 

 Sanitary Institute, April (Stanford).— Zeitschrift fur Wissenschaftliche 

 Zoologie, Ixiii. Band, 3 Heft (Leipzig, Engelmann).— Materials for a Flora 

 of the Malayan Peninsula : Sir G. King, No. 10 (Calcutta).— History of 

 Mankind: F. Ratzel, translated, Part 25 (Macmillan). -Psychological 

 Review, Monograph Supplements, Vol. 2, No. 2 (Macmillan),— Reliquary 

 and Illustrated Archaeologist, April (Bemrose).— Mind, April (Williams). 



CONTENTS. PAGE 



Habit and Instinct. By E. B. P. 553 



Travels in Indo-China 557 



Injurious Insects during 1897. By W. F. H. B. . . 558 

 Our Book Shelf:— 



Kingsley : " Elements of Comparative Zoology " . . 559 



Bailey: *' The Tutorial Chemistry " 559 



Young : " The Kingdom of the Yellow Robe " . . . 559 

 *' The West Australian Settler's Guide and Farmer's 



Handbook."— R. W .560 



Hildebrand : ' ' Die Gattung Cyclamen L. eine syste- 



matische und biologische Monographic." — I. H. B. 560 



Loney: " An Aiithmetic for Schools."— G. B. M. . 560 



Da Pra : '* Navigazione Aerea." — G. H. B 560 



Bailey: " Lessons with Plants " . 561 



Roth : " Ethnological Studies among the North-West 



Central Queensland Aborigines" 5^1 



Minet : " L'Electro-chimie " 5^1 



Letter to the Editor :— 



Malformed Crabs.— Alexander Gray 561 



Scientific Experts and Patent Cases 562 



Photographic Surveying 5^3 



Balnibarbian Glumtrap Rhyme. By Prof. G. M. 



Minchin, F.R.S S64 



Notes. {Illustrated.) 5^5 



Our Astronomical Column : — 



The Doubling of the Canals on Mars 5^8 



Comet Perrine 5^* 



The April Lyrids • S^S 



The Meudon Observatory 5^8 



Prehistoric Ruins of Honduras and Yucatan. (/ .is- 



trated.) By Alfred P. Maudslay 568 



Recent Papers on Glaciation. By G. W. L, . . . 571 

 Miersite, a Cubic Modification of Native Silver 



Iodide. By L. J. Spencer 574 



University and Educational Intelligence i 574 



Societies and Academies 57S 



Diary of Societies 57^ 



Books, Pamphlets, and Serials Received 57o 



NO. 1485, VOL. 57] 



