November 4, 19 15] 



NATURE 



277 



The calendar for the present session of the Univer- 

 sity of Sheffield provides an excellent example of the 

 numerous directions in which a modern university 

 succeeds in meeting the needs of the area in which 

 it is situated. The industries of the Sheffield district 

 are reflected in the degrees in applied science which 

 the University is prepared to confer. Students may 

 take courses in preparation for the degrees of bachelor, 

 master, or doctor in engineering science, or in 

 metallurgy. In both these subjects, too, considerable 

 specialisation is encouraged. The examinations of the 

 University admit to associate membership of various 

 professional institutions, and are also recognised by 

 certain Departments of State. The University grants 

 a diploma in domestic science. A two years' course 

 of work in the University and the Sheffield Training 

 College of Domestic Science has been arranged. The 

 scientific portion of the course will be taken at the 

 University, and the technical work in cookery, laundry, 

 and housewifery at the training college. The calendar 

 also provides full information of a well-planned Uni- 

 versity extension scheme which has been developed, 

 and of numerous flourishing university societies. At 

 the same time the more usual University work is car- 

 ried on in the faculties of arts, pure science, medicine, 

 and law, concerning which detailed particulars are 

 given. 



The abridged calendar for the current session of 

 University College, University of London, has been 

 received. Detailed guidance is given as to the courses 

 which should be taken by students proposing to 

 graduate in one of the faculties of the University. 

 The calendar points out that facilities for post-graduate 

 work and research are provided in all departments 

 of the college. There is a large science library in 

 which the books concerned with the various scientific 

 departments are grouped. The library contains all the 

 most important scientific periodicals (British and 

 foreign). The particulars of the studentships, scholar- 

 ships, fellowships, and prizes for research awarded 

 by the college run to forty-eight pages. The list of 

 original papers and other publications from the 

 various departments of the college since the provost's 

 report in last year's calendar fills fourteen pages, and 

 is good evidence that the reputation of the college as a 

 centre for research is being worthily maintained. In 

 his report, printed in the calendar, on the work of 

 the last session at the college, the provost said the 

 benefactions of the year had inevitably been fewer than 

 usual, but he was able to announce that upwards 

 of 1 100/. had been added to the fund for the new 

 chemical laboratories. He said a further sum of be- 

 tween Sool. and 900Z. was needed for the partial nini- 

 mum equipment for this session. The equipment 

 necessary for the new physico-chemical laboratory is of 

 a special and expensive character, and will cost about 

 io,oooZ. 



The calendar for the present session of the Univer- 

 sity College of North Wales has been received. 

 Students of the college prepare for degrees of the 

 University of Wales, which have been so framed as 

 to allow great freedom in the choice of subjects of 

 study. Each degree in arts or science may be re- 

 garded as a certificate of the preliminary knowledge 

 required at matriculation, and of subsequent study 

 pursued at one of the constituent university colleges 

 for a period of three years, and tested at each stage 

 by university examinations. Advanced study is en- 

 couraged not only by the existence of advanced and 

 honours courses, but also by the regulations for the 

 higher degrees, and by the award of university fellow- 

 ships and studentships for research. As an instance 

 of the encouragement given to research we notice the 

 calendar states the professor of mathematics is glad 

 NO. 2401, VOL. 96] 



to furnish subjects for research in applied mathe- 

 matics to candidates who have acquired a 

 substantial knowledge of the subject-matter of 

 the honours course and to direct their work. 

 A number of aeroplane problems are generally 

 available. In the agricultural department of 

 the college, students may prepare for degrees in agri- 

 culture and rural economy or for the college diploma 

 in agriculture, and their practical work is assisted by 

 the facilities provided at the college farm of 675 acres. 

 With the aid of a grant from the Development Fund, 

 well-equipped laboratories have been provided, and 

 full facilities are now available for the investigation 

 of problems submitted to the department. 



SOCIETIES AND ACADEMIES. 

 Paris. 

 Academy of Sciences, October 26.— M. Ed. Perrier in 

 the chair. — G. Bigourdan : Astronomical observations 

 made in France before the foundation of the Academy 

 of Sciences. An outline of the life of Fabri de Peiresc 

 (1580-1637).— H. Le Chatelier and B. Bogitch : The 

 preparation of alkaline nitrates starting with calcium 

 nitrate. The preparation of ammonium nitrate 

 by the interaction of calcium nitrate and ammo- 

 nium sulphate presents difficulties on the large 

 scale owing to the pasty mass being nearly impossible 

 to filter. After heating under pressure in a closed 

 vessel to 150° C, the calcium sulphate forms larger 

 crystals, and the ammonium nitrate can be readily 

 removed by washing. — Fr^d. WaUerant : Some crystallo- 

 graphic peculiarities of aniline nitrate. This salt is 

 dimorphous, with a well-marked transition point at 

 976° C. — Henryk Arctowski : Variations in the ratios 

 between faculae and sun-spots. — Luc Picart : A criterion 

 for the identification of the minor planets. — Ernest 

 Esclangon : The quasi-periodic integrals of a linear 

 differential equation. — A. Angelesco : Associated poly- 

 nomials with several variables. — St. Procoplu : Electro- 

 motive force due to motion. A study of the electro- 

 motive forces set up in a symmetrical cell (metal- 

 electrolyte-metal) by motion of one electrode or of the 

 electrolyte. — A. Guilllermond : Some cytological observa- 

 tions on the mode of formation of anthocyanic pig- 

 ments in flowers.— G. Riviere and G. Bailhache : 

 Amy gdalopersica formonti. An account of some pecu- 

 liarities in the growth of an almond grafted on to a 

 peach tree.— Th. Guilloz and E. Stocli : A compass for 

 the location of metallic fragments in the body. — E. 

 Yasticar : The structure of the auditory cell. — F. 

 d'H^relle : The biological method for the destruction 

 of locusts. Details of an improved method for 

 utilising the Coccobacillus acridiorum for the destruc- 

 of locusts.— E. Aubel and H. Colin : The reaction of 

 the medium and filtration of toxins. 



BOOKS RECEIVED. 



The R.P.A. Annual for 1916. Pp. 80. (London : 

 Watts and Co.) 6d. net. 



Illustrations of Positivism. By Dr. J. H. Bridges. 

 New edition, enlarged and classified by H. G. Jones. 

 Pp. xiii-f 480. (London : Watts and Co.) 3s. 6d. 

 net. 



The Dramas and Dramatic Dances of Non-Euro- 

 pean Races in special reference to the Origin of 

 Greek Tragedy. By Prof. W. Ridgeway. Pp. xv-f- 

 448. (Cambridge : At the University Press.) 155. 

 net. 



Field Analysis of Minerals. By G. D. McGrigor. 

 Pp. 86. (London : The Mining Magazine.) 35. 6d. 

 net. 



