6 4 



NATURE 



[May 17, 1888 



non-metals and true metals, is capable of existing in three 

 distinct allotropic forms. Besides the well-known crystalline 

 form, exhibiting so strongly the metallic lustre, the form in which 

 one always obtains it by volatilization in an atmosphere of hydro- 

 gen, it may be obtained by precipitation in two very different 

 amorphous varieties. One of these is the product of the reduc- 

 tion of tellurous or telluric acids by sulphurous acid, and the 

 other is formed when solutions of the alkaline tellurides are 

 exposed to the oxidizing action of the air. Both these amor- 

 phous varieties are dark-coloured powders very liable to oxidation 

 in the air, and only to be obtained pure by working in an atmo- 

 sphere of nitrogen. The physical difference between the two is 

 most ' strikingly shown, however, by their thermo-chemical 

 behaviour. All three varieties are rapidly dissolved by a mixture 

 of bromine and bromine water, and during the reaction in case 

 of both the crystalline variety and the amorphous form obtained 

 by oxidation of tellurides 33*4 heat units are evolved, while in 

 case of amorphous tellurium derived by reduction with sulphurous 

 acid only 21 "3 units are disengaged. There was no mistake as 

 to the purity of this latter kind, for it was completely converted 

 to crystals on sublimation in a current of hydrogen. Hence it 

 follows that one of the precipitated forms of tellurium cor- 

 responds to the crystalline state, and the other possesses an 

 entirely different physical nature. It is curious, moreover, that 

 all three modifications have the same specific heat. These 

 interesting facts render the analogy between sulphur, selenium, 

 and tellurium still more complete. MM. Berthelot and Fabre 

 have also discovered a new and far superior method of preparing 

 telluretted hydrogen. They first pass vapour of tellurium over 

 metallic magnesium heated in a current of hydrogen, and after- 

 wards treat the magnesium telluride thus formed with dilute 

 hydrochloric acid in an apparatus previously filled with an 

 atmosphere of nitrogen. The telluretted hydrogen, which is 

 obtained in a very pure state by this new method, is very un- 

 stable, decomposing on standing in a tube over mercury even in 

 the dark, coating the interior with tellurium and leaving its own 

 volume of hydrogen. Decomposition is immediate in contact 

 with moist air. In conclusion, the French chemists show that 

 the combination of the elements of the sulphur group with 

 hydrogen is attended with a beautifully graduated series of 

 thermal changes, from water with heat of formation + 59 units 

 down to telluretted hydrogen with - 35 units. 



Science gives an interesting account of a magnificent ethno- 

 graphical collection from Alaska, brought together by Lieut. 

 Emmon. It has been presented to the American Museum of 

 Natural History in New York, and forms a valuable supplement 

 to the Powell collection from British Columbia, in the same 

 Museum. While the latter includes principally specimens of 

 Haida and Tsimpshian origin, the objects in the new collection 

 come from the territory of the Tlingit, in whose country Lieut. 

 Emmon spent more than five years. The collection includes a 

 large number of masks. They are especially valuable, as Lieut. 

 Emmon took great pains to ascertain the meaning of the masks, 

 which thus became a rich source of information for the student 

 of ethnology. A comparison of these masks with others col- 

 lected on Vancouver Island and in Dean Inlet shows that the 

 style of North-West American art, although uniform in general 

 outlines, has its specific character in various localities. The 

 imitation of animal forms is much closer here than in the 

 southern regions, where the forms are more conventional, certain 

 attributes of the animal alone being added to human figures. 

 Another and a very interesting peculiarity of these masks is to 

 be found in the figures of animals attached to the faces. The 

 Eskimo tribes of Southern Alaska carve their masks in the same 

 fashi in, numerous attachments belonging to each. This is 

 another proof of the influence of Indian art upon that of the 

 Eskimo. The figures attached to the faces refer, as a rule, to 



certain myths ; and the like is true of the Eskimo masks and their 

 characteristic wings and figures. A considerable number of 

 masks show deep hollow eyes and sunken cheeks. They repre- 

 sent the heads of dead men. Masks with thick lips and beards, 

 and eyebrows made of otter skin, represent the fabulous Kush- 

 tcka, the otter people, of which many tales and traditions are 

 told. Another remarkable mask is that of the mosquito. This 

 is of special interest, as the mosquito is among the southern 

 tribes the genius of the cannibal ; and as cannibalistic ceremonies 

 are not known to be practised by the Tlingit, it may be assumed 

 that the myth referring to the mosquito is found in a somewhat 

 altered form among the Tlingit. 



We learn from Science that a Bill providing for the establish- 

 ment of a zoological park in Washington has been introduced 

 into the United States Senate. The Bill creates a Commission, 

 which is directed to secure one hundred acres of land bordering 

 on Rock Creek, about one mile from the city, to prepare the 

 grounds and erect suitable buildings upon it. The park is then 

 to be transferred to the regents of the Smithsonian Institution 

 for their future custody and care. The site indicated is one of 

 the most beautiful in the District of Columbia. It is composed 

 of rolling ground, with the beautiful Rock Creek flowing through 

 it, and it is adjacent to Woodley Park, one of the most charming 

 of the recent additions to Washington. A street-railway to it 

 is already projected. 



The United States Bureau of Education has issued an 

 elaborate report of the proceedings of the Department of Super- 

 i tendence of the National Educational Association at its meet- 

 ing at Washington from March 15 to 17, 1887. The volume 

 includes addresses and papers by some of the most eminent 

 American authorities on questions relating to education. 



The people of Cleveland, where the American Association 

 for the Advancement of Science will meet in August, have 

 already begun to prepare for the meeting, which is expected to 

 mark an epoch in the history of the city. At a recent meeting 

 of citizens, summoned for the purpose of appointing various local 

 committees, an interesting address on the history of the Associa- 

 tion and its objects was delivered by Prof. F. W. Putnam, the 

 Peabody Professor of American Archaeology and Ethnology in 

 the University of Harvard, and Permanent Secretary of the 

 Association since 1873. 



According to the Colonies and India, the Government of South 

 Australia have issued Part 8 of a work on " The Forest Flora 

 of South Australia," which is said to be the best illustrated 

 publication ever issued in the colony. Mr. Brown, Conservator 

 of Forests, under whose direction the book is brought out, 

 supplies the letterpress descriptions of the plants pictorially 

 represented. 



The American publishers, Messrs. D. C. Heath and Co., 

 have in the press a book of "Chemical Problems," by 

 Drs. Grabfield and Burns, of the Massachusetts Institute of 

 Technology. 



A FOURTH edition of Prof. G. Henslow's "Botany for Be- 

 ginners" (Stanford) has just been issued. In this little book 

 Prof. Henslow p.ovides a short course of elementary instruction 

 in practical botany, for junior classes and children. 



At the anniversary meeting of the Hertfordshire Natural 

 History Society, held on February 21 last, Mr. F. Maule Camp- 

 bell, the President, delivered an interesting address on the 

 means of protection possessed by plants. This address is 

 printed in the Transactions of the Society, and has now been 

 issued separately. 



The London Geological Field Class, under the direction of 

 Prof. H. G. Seeley, begins the summer excursions on Whit 

 Monday, May 21, and will continue them on Saturday after- 

 noons thereafter up to July 14. The following are among some 



