56o 



NAIURE 



\_Sept. 19, 1S78 



by the University, and may be held in conjunction with them. 

 Further particulars may be obtained by application to the 

 Registrar of the University, London, W. 



SCIENTIFIC SERIALS 



Annalen der Physik und Chemie, No. 7, 1878. — Theory 

 and experiment having given different results for the heat- 

 conduction of certain (polyatomic) gases, Prof. Wiillner sup- 

 posed the reason to be that the values were not comparable, 

 because they related to different temperatures. He shows from 

 experiment that the ratio of the two specific heats varies with 

 the temperature. For those gases whose specific heat at constant 

 pressure does not vary with the temperature, the variation is of 

 about the same order as the divergence of gases from Mariotte's 

 law. For gases, whose specific heat varies with the temperature, 

 the ratio of the specific heats varies in a greater degree, and 

 approximately so that the difference of the specific heats at 0° 

 and 100° is constant. Herr Wiillner finds here an explanation 

 of the discrepancy. — In a lengthy paper Herr Hittorf vindicates 

 the affirmation that "electrolytes are salts," in reply to Dr. 

 Bleekrode's criticism. We note, also, papers on the energy of 

 reciprocal action, by Herr W. Weber, and on the law of storms, 

 by Herr Schroder. 



No. 8.— This number opens with a paper by Herr 

 Herwig, on the amount of electricity required for full charge 

 of a condenser platina water-cell, and on the distance of the 

 molecules in liquid water. The upper limit he deduces for the 

 latter is o'i86 millionth mm. ; which agrees well with other 

 determinations, Lorenz o*l millionth mm., Thomson (for lower 

 limit) 0*05. He finds in the result a confirmation of the hypo- 

 thesis of rotatable electrolytic molecules. — In a paper on the 

 wandering of ions, M. Kirmis shows that the amount of trans- 

 ference of copper from the solution of its sulphate salt increases 

 with decreasing concentration. — Investigating the history of the 

 invention of the pendulum clock Herr Gerland considers that 

 Biiigi and TrefHer have not the least claim to this merit. It 

 belongs to Galileo and Huyghens, who made the discovery inde- 

 pendently. As the former, however, came on it fifteen years 

 earlier, the pendulum clock is properly his work. — Herr Auerbach 

 endeavours to show that Grossmann's vowel theory applies not 

 to actual vowels, but to typical ideal clangs, and when the 

 changes thus rendered necessary are introduced into it, it affords, 

 if not incorrect results, nothing new as against Helmholtz's 

 theory. — Herr Bauer has a paper on summation tones as differ- 

 ence and beat-tones from the over-tones of the primary tones ; 

 and Herren Nilson and Pettersson write on the production and 

 valence of beryllium. 



Journal de Physique, August, 1878.— In this number M. Bouty 

 explains the construction and use of electric diagrams, for repre- 

 senting as completely as possible all the peculiarities of an 

 electric field. — Some curious experiments with the electric tour- 

 niquet are described by M. Bichat. 



SOCIETIES AND ACADEMIES 

 Paris 

 Academy of Sciences, September 9. — M. Fizeau, president, 

 in the chair. — The following papers were read : — On some 

 phenomena of a vaso-motor action observed in the course of 

 researches on the physiology of the excito-secretive nerves, by 

 M. A. Vulpian.— On some new effects produced by the tele- 

 phone, by M. du Moncel. — On the new palaeozoic group of 

 Dolerophyllese, by M. G. de Saporta.— On a new gyroscopic 

 apparatus, by M. Gruey. — On the accumulation of magnetism 

 on the summit of hemispheric poles, by M. L. Romain. — On 

 the waves of the high sea, by M. Ch. Antoine. — Some notes, by 

 MM. Vasseur, Lassalle, and Cameron, regarding aerial naviga- 

 tion. — An additional paper by M. Giraud respecting the treat- 

 ment of cholera. — A note by M. F. Bettelhauser respecting the 

 various means employed for the destruction of phylloxera.— 

 Prof. Asa Gray, who has been nominated a correspondent of 

 the Botanical Section, presented the first part of his "Synoptic 

 Flora of North America."— Rectification of the position 

 previously assigned to the new planet discovered during 

 the eclipse of the sun on July 29, by Prof. J. Watson, 

 and note on the observation of a second star seen 

 undCT the_same circumstances.-^On a new method to decompose 

 numbers mto square binary sums and its application to inde- 



termined analysis, by M. E. de Jonquieres. — On the depression 

 which, at the surface of a horizontal elastic and isotropous 

 ground, is produced by a weight deposited thereon, and on the 

 distribution of this weight between its various points of support, 

 by M. J. Boussinesq. — On the variations of intensity which take 

 place in a current if the pressure between the two contact?, 

 which complete the circuit is modified, by M. Ti-eve. — On the 

 application of the telephone to the determination of the magnetic 

 meridian, by M. H. de Parville.— On the constitution of the 

 inactive glucose of crude cane sugar and molasses, by M. U. 

 Gayon. — Comparison between the Balaena {Macleayius) austra- 

 liensis, of the Paris. Museum, and the Balaena biscayensis, of 

 Naples University, by M. Fr. Gasco.— On the reproduction of 

 the Hydra, by M. Korotneff.— On the comparative structure of 

 Lepidodtndron and Sigillaria, by M. B. Renault. 



Vienna 



Imperiar' Academy of Sciences, July 18.— Critical re- 

 searches on the species of the natural family of the stags 

 (Cervi), (third part), by Dr. Fitzinger. — Influence of tem- 

 perature on the galvanic conductivity of liquids, by Drs. Exner 

 and Goldschmiedt. — On some new or imperfectly-known fish- 

 species, by Dr. Steindachner. — On the Orthoptera of Istria, 

 by Dr. Kraus. — On new Cymothoide?, by Herr Kolbel. — On 

 the form of spark-waves, by Prof. Mach and Herr Wcl- 

 trubsky. — The origin of tubes in the Nostcc-colonies in Blasia, 

 by Herr Waldner. — Influence of the density and the tempera- 

 ture on the spectra of vapoiu-s and gases, by Herr Ciamician. — 

 Action of chloroform and ether on respiration and circulation of 

 the blood, by Dr. Knoll. — On Roussin's binitro-sulphuret of 

 iron, by Herr Demel. — On a new method of quantitative inves- 

 tigation of gold and silver alloys, by Herr von Jiiptner, — On the 

 spinal ganglia and cord of Petromyzon, by Herr Freud. — Rocks 

 from Greece, by Herr Becke. — On nitrocuminol and its deriva- 

 tives, by Prof. Lippmann and Herr Strecker. — On compounds 

 of nickel and cobalt chloride with tar bases, by Prof. Lippmann 

 and Herr Vortmann. — On the Malabrian kinogumi, and a new 

 substance got from it, kinoin, by Herr Etti. — On Borneo 

 camphor, by Herr Kachler. — On cinchonidin, by Herren Skraup 

 and Vortmann. — Action of water on the haloid compounds of 

 alcohol radicals, by Herr Niederist. — On the geological forma- 

 tion of the western part of Central Greece, by Prof. Neumayr. — 

 On the geological formation of the island Euboea, by Dr. Teller. 



CONTENTS Pagb 



The Links of the Animal World. By Prof. W. Boyd Dawkins, 



r.R. S. ......•*..... ••5^7 



American Geological Surveys. By Prof. J. W. Judd, F.R.S. . 538 

 Our Book Shelf :— 



Conder's "Tent Work in Palestine. A Record of Discovery and 



Adventure" 5^8 



Lbttess to the Editor :— 



Discovery of Vulcan. — Lewis Swift . - . . , 539 



The Respiration of Plants. — James Ja.mieson 539 



The Electro-Magnet a Receiving Telephone. — W. H. Preece . . 540 

 Rayons de Crepuscule. — Julius Kruttschnitt ; H. S. Car- 

 hart 540 



The Microphone. — S. T. Barrett 540 



A White Swallow. — Albinism in Birds. — Herbert W. Page . . 540 



The Hearing of Insects. — Alfred Simson 541 



Circulating Decimals.— Edmund P. Toy 541 



Autophyllogeny.— Dr. R. F. Hutchinson 541 



The Sea-Serpent Explained. — Dr. C. M. Ingleby 541 



Recent Progress of Selenography 541 



Hydro-Incubation 542 



Notes on Some Natal Plants. By M. S. Evans s43 



Physics in Photography, III. By Capt. W. de Wiv^leslie Abnev, 



'S..TS..,Y.^.S. (WithlUustraiion) S43 



Gelatin as a Food-Preserver. By Prof. A. H. Church .... 546 

 Electric Discharge in Gases, II. By Drs. Warren De La Rue, 

 F.R.S.,andHuGoW.MuLLER, F.R.S. (/f^zV/i/Z/zw^mZ/OTj) . . 547 



Ernest Quetelkt 551 



Geographical Notes 551 



Our Astronomical Column : — 



. The Intra-Mercurial Planet 552 



The Variable Nebula in Taurus (Hind, 1852) 552 



The Late Dr. E. von Asten 552 



Notes 552 



A Fossil Plant {With Illustration) 555 



ThS Figure and Size OF THE Earth (Jf^zVA/Z/wj/r/i/ww) .... 556 

 The Various Methods of Determining the VEiiOciTy of Soujnd . .558 



University and Educational Intblligenck 559 



Scientific Serials j6o 



Societies and Academies 560 



