596 



NATURE 



[April 19, 1888 



the low temperature in a cyclone at a mountain station is due to 

 the lagging behind of the minimum pressure, and similarly with 

 respect to the high temperature in an anticyclone. 



An interesting paper is contributed to the April number of 

 the Journal of the Chemical Society by Mr. Ward Couldridge 

 on chlorophosphide of nitrogen. This peculiar compound was 

 shown some years ago by Dr. Gladstone to be represented by 

 the empirical formula PNClj, but vapour-density determinations 

 revealed the curious fact that in the gaseous state its molecule 

 really possesses the constitution PjNgClg. Mr. Couldridge pre- 

 pares it by a method somewhat different from that employed by 

 Dr. Gladstone, and one which gives a better yield, Penta- 

 chloride of phosphorus is heated with chloride of ammonium in 

 a flask connected with an upright condenser, so that the penta- 

 chloride volatilized returns to the seat of action until it becomes 

 completely decomposed, and the chlorophosphide, which would 

 otherwise be carried away by the escaping hydrochloric acid, 

 crystallizes in the condenser. The whole of the chlorophosphide 

 is subsequently purified by distillation in steam. The reaction 

 is found to be as follows : 3PCI5 -f 3NH3 = PaNgClfi + 9HCI. 

 Chlorophosphide of nitrogen thus prepared dissolves readily in 

 ether, chloroform, or carbon bisulphide, and separates on eva- 

 poration in fine rhombic crystals, which have a most remarkable 

 aversion to water, refusing under any circumstances to be wetted 

 by it. When fused and heated above its boiling-point, it emits 

 a singular odour. It has the proud distinction of being unattacked 

 by all the strong acids, hot fuming nitric alone being capable of 

 making any impression upon it. Mr. Couldridge finds that 

 when dry ammonia gas is led through a hot tube containing the 

 melted chlorophosphide, a somewhat violent reaction occurs 

 resulting in the formation of another remarkable compound 

 known as phospham, PgHjNg or P3N3(NH)3. Not only does 

 ammonia behave in this way, but all substituted ammonias, sucli 

 as the amines, form similar compounds ; aniline, for instance, 

 gives a white solid, readily crystallizable from glacial acetic acid, 

 of the composition P3N3(NH . C6Hg)6. Phospham itself is both 

 insoluble in water and infusible at a red heat, but fumes in con- 

 tact with air, owing to slow decomposition and oxidation. One 

 cannot help remarking how singular it is that the introduction of 

 phosphorus, itself a notable combustible, into the terribly ex- 

 plosive compound of chlorine and nitrogen, should result in the 

 formation of a substance so extremely inert as the chlorophos- 

 phide ; yet such are the vagaries met with by the chemist. 



A SECOND edition of Prof. C. M. Tidy's "Hand-book of 

 Modern Chemistry, Inorganic and Organic," for the ustf of 

 students, has been issued by Messrs. Smith and Elder. As 

 regards general arrangement, the author has adhered to the plan 

 he first adopted. He especially notes that in writing of chemical 

 compounds he has at times not hesitated to use common lan- 

 guage. "If," he says, "I have used the word 'potash,' and 

 the body I mean to imply thereby is understood, I am satisfied. 

 I confess that the growing necessity for having a translation at 

 one's side in attempting to understand the modern scientific 

 paper, is in my opinion a circumstance to be deplored. Danger, 

 moreover, is always to be apprehended when a language has to 

 be invented to support a theory or a formula. A party shibboleth 

 has, no doubt, a charm for its special clique. It serves as a bond 

 of union for the initiated, whilst it prevents the interference 

 of outsiders. But, all the same, it is distracting to the inde- 

 pendent worker, and can but prove a hindrance to the general 

 cultivation of science." 



Messrs. G. Bell and Sons will shortly publish "The 

 Building of the British Islands," a study in geographical evolu- 

 tion, by Mr. A. J. Jukes-Browne. The author tries to restore 

 the geography of the British region at successive epochs of geo- 

 logical time, and to describe the gradual formation or evolution 

 of the British Isles. The book will be illustrated by maps. 



Messrs. Roper and Drowley will publish immediately 

 " Geology for All," by Mr. J. Logan Lobley, Professor of 

 Physiography at the City of London College, and author of 

 several volumes on geological subjects. 



The valedictory address delivered by Mr. J. W. Taylor as 

 President of the Conchological Society has been reprinted from 

 the Jou7-nal of Conchology, and issued separately. Mr. Taylor 

 brings together some interesting observations bearing on the 

 variation of British land and fresh-water Mollusca. 



Mr. Thomas Wilson, of the Smithsonian Institution, calls 

 attention in \ht Arne7-ican Nahiralist to ihe fact that the import- 

 ance of the subject of criminal anthropology has not hitherto 

 been so thoroughly appreciated in the United States as in Europe. 

 A step in the right direction, however, has been taken by the 

 New York Academy of Anthropology, which lately held a 

 meeting for the consideration of questions connected with 

 criminal anthropology. These questions were classed under two 

 heads, criminal biology and criminal sociology. In the circular 

 summoning the meeting it was contended that the true way of 

 studying crime is to begin with the study of the criminal him- 

 self. "It is impossible," said the writer, "to evolve the 

 criminal out of one's inner consciousness. Knowledge of his 

 peculiarities is essential to any rational treatment of bim, and 

 this knowledge can only be gained by systematic, intelligent ob- 

 servation of his physical and mental habits, supplemented by an 

 exhaustive analytical comparison of the facts observed, with a 

 view to their right classification and interpretation." 



The Mitchell Library, Glasgow, has now been ten years in 

 existence, and the Committee, in the Annual Report just issued, 

 express the belief that no consulting or reference library has ever 

 made so much progress in so short a time. Speaking of the 

 character of the reading, they say that it continues satisfactory, 

 and bears evidence of a desire on the part of readers to seek 

 solid information from the abundant resources at their disposal. 

 Unfortunately, the Committee have to report that during 1887 

 twenty-one books were stolen. 



The Royal Microscopical Society will hold a conversazione 

 on Wednesday evening, the 25th inst. 



An Aeronautical Exhibition was opened at the Rotunde in the 

 Prater at Vienna on April i. 



The additions to the Zoological Socie.y's Gardens during the 

 past week include an Arabian Baboon ( Cynocephalus hamadryad 

 9 ) from Massowah, presented by Mr. D. Wilson-Barker, 

 R.N.R., F.Z.S. ; two 'Whke-necked Crows (Corvus sca/>u/a/us), 

 two Spotted Eagle-Owls {Budo capensis) from South Africa, 

 presented by Captain Henry F. Hoste, s.s. Trojan ; a Muscovy 

 Duck [Cairitia moschata) from South Africa, presented by Mr. 

 W. Shuter ; four Half-collared Doves {Turtur semitorqiiatus) 

 from Africa, presented by Mrs. Wisely ; a Slowworm {Anguis 

 fragiUs), British, presented by Mr. F. W. Pilkington ; two 

 Indian Swine {Sus (ristatns i, 6 ) from India, a Greater Vasa 

 Parrot {Coracopsis vasa) from Madagascar, a Blue-eyed Cockatoo 

 [Cacahia ophthalmica) from South Australia, aGofifin's Cockatoo 

 {Cacaiiia goffini) from Queensland, an Asp Viper {Vipera a^pis) 

 from Italy, deposited ; four European Pond Tortoises {Emys 

 eiiroptza), European, purchased ; two Collared Fruit Bat 

 Cynonycieris collaris), born in the Gardens. 



OUR ASTRONOMICAL COLUMN. 



Harvard College Observatory. — The most interesting 

 item in the forty-second Annual Report of the Director of the 

 Harvard College Observatory is the account of the threefod 

 accession to its resources which it has received during the past 



