196 



NATURE 



\yan. 3, 1878 



insect (which are specified). — On the intermediary integrals of the 

 general equation with partial derivatives expressing that the 

 problem of geodesic lines, considered as a problem of mechanics, 

 supposes a rational integral with reference to components of the 

 velocity of the moving body, by M. Levy. — Calculation of the 

 longitude or the hour of Paris at sea, by occultations of stars, by 

 M. Baills. — On the conditions with limits in the problem of the 

 elastic plates, by M, Boussinesq. — On the equation of Lame, 

 by M. Brioschi. — On apparatus for projection wich polarised 

 light, by M. Laurent. For polarisers the author uses Nicols 

 made of two, three, or four pieces of spar, each piece with two 

 faces cut parallel to each other and the cleavage ; then he cements 

 them together with a hard mastic, and operates the whole like a 

 single piece of spar. The analyser used is a Nicol of 22 mm. 

 diameter ; it is placed at the principal focus of the projection 

 lens. — Action of oxychloride of carbon on toluene in presence of 

 chloride of ammonium, by MM. Ador and Crafts. — Action of 

 stable anhydrous acids on stable anhydrous bases ; explosion of 

 the compound, by MM. Solvay and Lucion. — Anhydrous phos- 

 phoric acid and oxide of sodium may exist intimately mixed in 

 fine powder without reacting at the ordinary temperature, but a 

 rise of less than 100° causes instantaneous combination with 

 remarkable violence. M. Lucion sees here no confirmation of 

 thejdualistic theory or argument against the unitarian. — On the 

 sensibility of the pericardium in the normal and pathological 

 states, by MM. Bochefontaine and Bourcerat. The sound peri- 

 cardium is sensible ; the external face apparently more than the 

 internal. The sensiiiiiity can be shown by mechanical excitations. 

 The pericardium inflamed experimentally shows a lively sensi- 

 bility, at least on the external face and inwards. — Maturation and 

 diseases of the cheese of Cantal, by M. Duclaux. Enough water 

 remains for development of ferments, and there are present lactic 

 acid and albumen, — Observations on the zoological affinities of 

 the genus Phodilus, by M. Milne-Edwards. — On the measure- 

 ment of the dihedric angles of microscopical crystals, by M. 

 Bertrand. — On the signification of various parts of the vegetable 

 ovule, and on the origin of those of the seed (concluded), by M. 

 Baillon. — Preparation of alcoholic chlorides and their application 

 to the production of colouring matters, by MM. Monnet and 

 Reverdin. 



December 24, 1877. — M. Peligot in the chair. — The following 

 papers were read : — On some applications of elliptic functions 

 (continued), by M. Hermite. — On the rotatory power of meta- 

 styrolene, by M. Berthelot. j Metastyrolene, derived in the cold 

 state from active styrolene, has rotatory power (just as metatere- 

 benthine shares the rotatory power of terebenthine). On the 

 other hand, inactive styrolene, as prepared by the pyrogenic 

 method, gives an inactive metastyrolene. — On Saturn's ring 

 (continued), by M. Tisserand. — Observations on the Bahmie 

 cotton plant, by M. Naudin. This plant, which is found in 

 Egypt, and is very productive, is not, as supposed, a cross 

 between cotton (Gossypium) and Gombo (or Hibiscus esculentus). 

 It differs from the old race merely in aspect. It is still in process 

 of improvement. The botanical species is the Gossypiut/i barba- 

 dense of Linnseus and Parlatore, or Sea Island cotton. It 

 requires much heat, and is recommended for Algeria, where the 

 cotton industry has been declining. — Notions concerning intra- 

 molecular work (continued), by M. Boileau. — On M. Boiteau's 

 recent communication regarding comparison of the phylloxera of 

 the oak with that of the vme, by M, Balbiani, — On anthogenesic 

 Homoptera, by M. Lichtenstein. — Progress of the phylloxera 

 in the south-west of France, by M. Duclaux. — On the results 

 obtained by use of sulphide of carbon for destruction of phyl- 

 loxera, by M. Marion. Reiterated treatment with small quan- 

 tities is recommended. — On the ventilation of the transport-ship 

 Annamiie, by M. Bertin. After three hours the volume of air 

 evacuated under the sole action of heat from the chimneys was 

 over 29,000 cubic metres, and might rise to 40,000. This move- 

 ment of air would secure a renewal of air in the hospital about 

 eight times in the hour. — The death of Ruhmkorff was referred 

 to. — M. Dumas, apropos of MM. Cailletet and Pictet's almost 

 simultaneous success in liquefaction of oxygen, read a passage 

 from Lavoisier, showing he had anticipated such results. — On 

 the condensation of oxygen and carbonic oxide, by M. Cailletet. 

 His method was to expand the gases suddenly ; when cooled 

 to — 29°, and compressed to the extent of 300 atmo- 

 spheres ; a thick mist appears. This is had from oxygen, 

 even at ordinary temperature, if it have had time to lose the 

 heat acquired simply through compression. Hydrogen, under 

 similar treatment, gave no such mist. Nitrogen was not experi: 

 mented with. — Experiments by M. Pictet on liquefaction of 



oxygen, by M. de Lognes. The apparatus is described. — M. 

 Dumas opened a sealed letter deposited by M. Cailletet on 

 December 3, announcing his discovery. M. Pictet's results were 

 announced on December 22. Several members expressed 

 opinions on the subject. — New observations on the rdle of pres- 

 sure on chemical phenomena, by M. Berthelot. He calls 

 attention to the fact that the decomposition of chlorate of potash 

 into oxygen and chloride of potassium an exothermic reaction, 

 and not limited by its inverse, is not stopped by a pressure of 

 320 atmospheres. — On the employment of graphic methods in 

 the prediction of occultations, by M, Tissot. — On the transfor- 

 mations of contact of systems of surfaces, by M. Fouret. — Ex- 

 perimental researches on magnetic rotatory polarisation ; mag- 

 netic rotations of luminous rays of various wave-lengths, 

 by M. Becquerel. He experimented specially with bichloride 

 of titanium, interposing a spectroscope between the eye 

 and the analyser in his former apparatus ; and he notes some 

 differences between the positive and negative magnetic rotations. 

 — Ordinary and extraordinary indices of refraction of quartz for 

 rays of different wave-lengths as far as the extreme violet, by M. 

 Sarasin. The numerical results for lines of cadmium, sodium, 

 zinc, and aluminium are tabulated. — Engraving on glass by^elec- 

 tricity, by M. Plante. The surface of a plate of glass or crystal 

 is covered with a concentrated solution of nitrate of potash 

 (poured on it). A horizontal platinum wire, connected with one 

 of the poles of a secondary battery of fifty to sixty elements, is 

 placed in the liquid along the edges, then holding in the 

 hand the other platinum electrode, covered, except at the end, 

 with insulating matter, one touches the glass with it, and draws 

 characters, &c., which remain distinctly engraven. — On acid 

 acetates (continued), by M. Villiers. — On experiments showing 

 that meningo- encephalitis of the convexity of the brain produces 

 different symptoms, according to the points of this region that 

 are affectc-^, by^MM. Bochefontaine and Viel. — On the conditions 

 of development of Ligulae, by' M. Dachamp. He made two 

 pigeons (which are pretty far removed from aquatic birds), swallow 

 some ligulre from a tench. After four and five days respec- 

 tively they were killed, and each had in its intestine a living 

 ligula with genital organs developed, and the matrices fall ot 

 eggs (just as with the duck), — On a miocene alios in the neigh- 

 bourhood of Rambouillet, by M. Meunier, This points to 

 sudden cataclysm, — On thermal coloured rings by M. Decharme. 

 He remarks on the difference in these on tinned and on zinked 

 iron plates. 



Vienna 



Imperial Academy of Sciences, November 8, 1877. — 

 On the least absolute number of sound-impulses that are necessary 

 to production of a tone, by M. Pfaundler, — On generalisation 

 of known triangle propositions to any perfect n angles inscribed 

 in a conic section, by M. Cantor. — On the perfect square in 

 general, by the same. — On citramalic acid, by M. Morawski. — 

 On accessory projections in the skull of leporides, by M, 

 Mojsisovics. — On arbitrary and spasmodic movements, by M. 

 Briicke. — On cork and corked tissues generally, by M. Hohncl. 



CONTENTS Page 



The Last of the Gases 177 



Huxley's Phvsiografhy 178 



Our Book Shklf : — 



Proctor's " Myths and Marvels of Astronomy '' 180 



Letters to the Editor : — 



Electrical Experiment. —Prof. J. Clerk Maxwell, F.R.S. ; 



F. J. PiRANI 180 



The Telephone —Prof. John G. McKkndrick 181 



The Radiometer and its Lessons — G Johnstone Stonev, F.R.S. i8g 



Glaciation of Orkney.— Prof. M. Forster Heddle 182 



Northern Affinities of Chilian Insects. — Alfred R. Wallace . . J82 



Mr. Crookes and Eva Fay. — Robert Cooper 183 



Philadelphia Diploma. — Dr. C. M. Ingleby 183 



Royal Dublin Society. — Prof. Alex. Macalister 183 



The Meteor of November 23. — T. S. Petty 183 



The Sun's Magnetic Action at the Present Time. By John 



PLLLf.uBv.ova, P. K.S. {With Illustration) 183 



The "Challenger" in the Atlantic, II. {With Illustrations) . 185 

 The Modern Telescope, III. By J. Norman LockYer, F.R.S. 



{With Illustration) i88 



Our Astronomical Column :— 



The Comet of 1106 189 



The Satellites of Mars igo 



Coloured Double Stars 190 



The Talking Phonograph (With Illustrations) 190 



Notes ig* 



University and Educational Intblligbncs 194 



Societies AND AcAOBMiss 195 



