316 



NA TURE 



[Feb. 14, 1878 



pseudaconitin is converted into dimethylprotocatechnic acid, and 

 a new base, pseudaconin ; mineral acids saponify pseudaconitin ; 

 tartaric acid forms the anhydro-derivative apopseudaconitin. 

 With glacial acetic, and benzoic acids an acetyl and a benzoyl 

 derivative are respectively formed. The properties, constitution, 

 &c., of the above substances have been investigated by the 

 authors. The nitrate and the gold salt of pseudaconitin were 

 obtained in the crystalline form. — Notes on the tannins, by Dr. 

 Paul and Mr. Kingzett. The authors conclude that (a) the sup- 

 position that natural tannin from gall-nuts is a glucoside is 

 doubtful, {b) the astringent principle common to cutch and extract 

 of mimosa bark is shown to be a glucoside and to yield on 

 decomposition, unfermentable sugar and a peculiar acid distinct 

 from gallic acid. — On the estimation of phosphorus in iron and 

 steel, by E. Riley. The author has instituted a series of experi- 

 ments as to the relative value of the molybdate and magnesia 

 processes for determining phosphorus ; as a general result, he 

 concludes that the molybdate process always gives results which 

 are too low, and that the magnesia method is the only one to 

 be trusted. — An inquiry into the action of the copper- zinc couple 

 on alkaline oxy-salts, by Dr. Gladstone and Mr. Tribe. The 

 action of the couple on these oxy-salts is of an electrolytic nature ; 

 nitrites and ammonia are at first formed, but ammonia is the 

 final product, when nitrates are taken : chlorides are formed, 

 when chlorates are decomposed, but no chlorites or hypochlorites 

 could be detected. When ammonium nitrate is acted on at the 

 boiling-point nitric oxide is evolved. — On a new method for the 

 determination of boiling-points, by H. C. Jones. A glass tube 

 4 mm. internal diameter and 200 mm. long is bent into [a U, so 

 that the one end, which is open, projects 15 mm. beyond the 

 other which is closed. The closed leg is filled completely, and 

 the open leg partly, with mercury, and a bubble of liquid mani- 

 pulated into the closed end of the U. On immersing the U in a 

 paraffin path and heating the latter, the liquid boils and the 

 temperature at which the levels of the mercury in the two limbs 

 are equal is the uncorrected boiling-point of the liquid. 



Paris 

 Academy of Sciences, February 4. — M. Fizeau in the chair. 

 —Telegraphic determination of the difference of longitude 

 between Paris and the Observatory of the war depot at Algiers, 

 by MM. Loe\yy and Perrier.— Portable instrument for deter- 

 mining itineraries and geographical positions in journeys of ex- 

 ploration on land, by M. Mouchez. — On some applications of 

 elliptic functions (continued), by M. Hermite. — New observa- 

 tions on chemical reactions of the effluve, and on persulphuric 

 acid, by M. Berthelot. When binary compounds are acted on 

 by the effluve one part is decomposed while the other forms more 

 complex combinations. Persulphuric acid, as well as ozone and 

 oxygenated water, is gradually destroyed when the external 

 influence, under which it has appeared, has ceased to act. — On 

 definite hydrates, formed by hydracids, by M. Berthelot. — Ex- 

 perimental researches on the fractures which traverse the earth's 

 crust, particularly those known as joints and faults (continued), 

 by M. Daubree. — The vibrations of matter and the waves of the 

 ether in phosphorescence and fluorescence, by M. Fave. — Trans- 

 versal vibrations of liquids, by M. Dubois. He puts a little 

 liquid, with vermilion in it, on the branches of a tuning-fork, or 

 on a paper strip, over the open end of a sounding pipe, and 

 studies the striae formed in it. — On some results obtained in 

 treatment of phylloxerised vines, by M. Boiteau. — Discovery of 

 a small planet at the Observatory of Toulouse, by M. Perrotin. 

 — Ditto at the Observatory of Marseilles, by M. Cottenot. — Note 

 on some consequences of the theorem of M. Villarceau, by M, 

 Lemoine. — On the employment of the graphic method for pre- 

 diction of occultations and eclipses, by M. Hatt. — On a new 

 note by M. Boussinesq relating to the theory of elastic plates, by 

 M. Levy. — On the formula 2"' — i, by M. Pepin. — On the de- 

 terminant whose elements are all the possible minors of given 

 order of a given determinant, by M. Picquet. — On the similarity 

 of the photographic reseau of the sun and the craters of the 

 moon, by M. Lamey. A similar cause is inferred. — On the 

 equation of Lame, by M, Bricschi. — On the dark lines of the 

 solar spectrum and the constitution of the sun, by M. Cornu. 

 By arranging in order of quantity the elements volatilised 

 at the sun's surface (from the position and relative brightness 

 of the dark lines), he considers the composition of the absorbent 

 layer to be similar to that of volatilised aerolites. — The ele- 

 ments present in the layer of the sun which produces reversal of 

 the spectral rays, by Mr. N. Lockyer.— On the refraction of 

 gases and vapours, by M. Mascart. The results are given for 

 some substances of mineral chemistry. It is shown, inter alia, 



that refraction furnishes a method for determining divergences 

 from Mariotte's law where direct experiments on changes of 

 volume or measurement of densities are difficult. — On the repul- 

 sion resulting from luminous radiation, by Mr. Crookes. — Re- 

 searches on accidental double refraction, by M. Mace. — New 

 direct vision spectroscope, by M. ThoUon. This has a central 

 fixed part and two symmetrical movable systems (consisting of 

 metallic plates connected by joints and having prisms fixed on 

 them) capable of turning about fixed axes parallel to the slit. — 

 On the densities of vapour, by M. Troost. The density of 

 vapour of acetic acid takes its theoretical value, correspond- 

 ding to four volumes, even at] temperatures bordering on 

 120°, if a weak pressure be operated with. — Dissociation 

 of carbonate of baryta, by] M. Isambert.— Memoir on the 

 solubility of lime in water, by M. Lamy. This solubility 

 varies with the nature or origin of the lime, its state 

 of molecular aggregation, the temperature of its preparation, its 

 dehydration or recalcination, its duration of contact with water, 

 and previous heating of the milk of lime. — On anhydrous tri- 

 chloracetic acid, by M. Clermont. — On the combinations of 

 quercite, by M. Prunier. — On the nature of the very volatile 

 products contained in raw benzines, by MM. Vincent and Dela- 

 chanal. Besides carburets of hydrogen and coal oils, the authors 

 find ordinary alcohol, cyanide of methyl, and sulphide of carbon. 

 — On the employment of rotatory discs for study of colour sen- 

 sations (continued) ; harmony of colours, by M. Rosenstiehl. — 

 On use of the polarising microscope with parallel light for deter- 

 mination of the mineral species contained in thin plates of erup- 

 tive rocks, by M. Levy. — On the leadhillite of Matlock, 

 by M. Bertrand. — On a new density apparatus, by M. Pisani. 

 — Experiments demonstrating the role of air introduced into 

 the arterial and venous systems, by M. Feltz. Air introduced, 

 even in a very small quantity, into the aortic system, 

 works great mischief ; introduced into the venous system 

 it is almost without danger. — New researches on the func- 

 tion of mucedinese and their property of inverting cane-sugar 

 (a propos of a note by M. Gayon), by M. Bechamp. — Treatment 

 of cancers of the breast by ischaemia of the mammary gland by 

 means of vulcanised caoutchouc, by M. Bouchut. — Barometric 

 differences between neighbouring stations, by M. Renou. — Re- 

 marks on M. Faye's note regarding relations between phenomena 

 of terrestrial magnetism and the rotation of the sun, by M. Broun. 

 — On the telephone, by M. Champvallier. It is possible to 

 correspond telephonically on wires carried on posts which also* 

 support wires for ordinary telegraphy to an extent of at least ten 

 kilometres, and probably much further. — On the telephone, by 

 M. Breguet. The effect is improved by placing one or more 

 vibrating plates (perforated at the centre) at about one millimetre 

 in front of the ordinary plate of the telephone. — On the earth- 

 quake at Paris on January 28, by M. de Gannes. — On the same, 

 by M. Lefebvre. 



CONTENTS pagb 



Mr. Stanlkv . . 297 



Was Galileo Tortured ? . . . , 299 



The Agricultural Society 301 



Our Book Shklf :— 



Moseley's "Oregon : its Resources, Climate, People, and Produc- 

 tions "...... 303 



Ration's " Handbook of Common Salt " 30a 



Letters to the Editor : — 



The "Phantom" Force. — Prof. A. S. Herschel 303 



Aid of the Sun in Relation to Evolution.— John I. Plummer . . 303 

 Faraday's "Experimental Researches." — Silvanus P. Thomp- 

 son ., 302 



Claude Bernard 304 



A Physician's Experiment 305 



Social Electrical Nerves 305 



Our Astronomical Column : — 



The Star Lalande 19,034 306 



Variable Nebute 306 



IV1 inor Planets ............. ..... 306 



Meteorological Notes: — 



Atmospheric Movements • . . . . 307 



Climate of India 307 



Low Barometric Reading in the Hebrides, November 11, 1877 . . 307 



Cumulative Temperatures 308 



Geographical Notes : — 



Brazil 308 



Africa 308 



An Azimuth Instrument 308 



Arctic Exploration 308 



The Angara 308 



Notes 3o!i 



D'Arrbst's Spectroscopical Researches 311 



The Progress of Meteorology. By Dr. G. Neomayer, .... 313 



University AND Educational Intelligencb 314 



SciBNTiFic Serials 314 



Societies and Academies 314 



