340 



NATURE 



[January 31, 1901 



Urbain. The crude earths from gadolinite are converted into 

 ethyl sulphates. After ten crystallisations the mother liquors 

 contain only the three elements yttrium, erbium and ytterbium, 

 with perhaps a trace of thorium. These were further separated 

 by the fractional decomposition of the nitrates by heat, which, 

 in the absence of earths of the gadolinium group, gives a very 

 satisfactory separation. — On an arsenide and chloro-arsenide of 

 tungsten, by M. Ed. Defacqz. The interaction between hydro- 

 gen arsenide and tungsten hexachloride is analogous to that with 

 the corresponding phosphorus compound, two compounds of the 

 composition WAso and WgAsClfi being isolated. — On nitrofur- 

 furane, by M. R. Marquis. By allowing anhydrous nitric acid 

 and furfurane in acetic anhydride solution to react at 

 -5° C, a nitrofurfurane can be obtained. The exact 

 position of the nitro-group is not yet determined.^ — The absorp- 

 tion spectra of the indophenols, by M Paul Lemoult. — On some 

 new organometallic compounds of mercury, by MM. Auguste 

 Lumiere, Louis Lumiere, and Chevrotier. When alkali phenol 

 disulphonates react with mercuric oxide, compounds are formed 

 of great solubility, and presenting some peculiar reactions, not 

 being precipitated by soda, hydrochloric acid, or ammonium 

 sulphide. Their taste is purely saline, and not metallic as is 

 usual with mercury salts. The solutions, however, possess 

 great antiseptic power. — On the mechanism of diastatic re- 

 actions, by M. M. Hanriot. By studies on the ferment lipase 

 it is shown that the ferment, when attenuated by a chemical 

 action, may regain its original activity, and also that the action 

 of lipase upon acids and ethers appears to be a chemical 

 combination governed by the ordinary laws of dissociation. — 

 On the plurality ot the chlorophyllines and on the metachloro- 

 phy nines, by M. M. Tsvett. — On a pseudo-agaric acid, by 

 MM. Adrian and Trillat. The body extracted from agaric by 

 alcohol does not appear to be a true acid, and when pure is 

 without special physiological properties. — Transformation of 

 creatine into creatinine by a soluble dehydrating ferment in the 

 organism, by M. E. Gerard. — Modes of iormation and prepara- 

 tion of propylbenzene, by M. F. Bodroux. Normal propyl- 

 benzene is formed along with other products by the interaction 

 of benzene, trimethylene bromide and aluminium chloride.— 

 Filtrati m of air by the soil, by M. Auguste Gerardin. — On the 

 role of the chlorophyllian function in the evolution of terpenic 

 compounds, by M. Eug. Charabot. Any influences which increase 

 the vigour of the chlorophyll function in plants also appears to 

 favour the production of the ethers of terpene alcohols, — On 

 the chemical composition of the coffee from Grande Comore, 

 by M. Gabriel Bertrand. — Action of mucus upon the organ- 

 ism, by M. M. Charrin and Moussu. Fresh mucus possesses 

 poisonous properties when injected into the blood. — Radio- 

 pelvigraphy and radiopelvimetry at long range, by M. Henri 

 Varnier. — The sponges of the Belgian Antarctic expedition, 

 and the bipolarity of the fauna, by ■^I. E. Topsent. — Origin 

 of the piginent in Tunicates. The transmission of the maternal 

 pigment to the embryo, by M. Antoine Pizon. — A new theory 

 of chromatic adaptation, by M. Georges Bohn. — Researches 

 on the structure of some of the lower fungi, by M. Guillier- 

 mond. — Apparent symmetry in crystals, by M. Fred. Wallerant. — 

 On the origin of the gold in Madagascar, by M. A. Lacroix. — 

 On the age of the eruptive rocks of Cape Aggio, by M. Leon 

 Bertrand. — The domes of Saint Cyprien (Dordogne), Sauveterre 

 and Fumel (Lot-et-Garonne), by M. Ph. Glangeaud. 



DIARY OF SOCIETIES. 



MONDAY, February 4. 



Victoria Institute, at 4.^0. — Ancient Script in Australia: E. J. 

 Statham. 



TUESDA y, February 5. 



Royal Institution, at 3. — Practical Mechanics : Prof. J. A. Ewing. 



Zoological Society, at 8.30. — On the Mammals of ihe Balearic 

 Islands : Oldfield Thomas. — On the Structure of the Horny Excrescence 

 known as the " Bonnet " of the Southern Right Whale (Ba/aena aus- 

 tralis) : Dr. W. G. Ridewood. — A List of the Batrachians and Reptiles 

 obtained by Dr. Donaldson Smith in Somaliland in 1899 : G. A. Bou- 

 lenger, F.R.S. 



Institution of Civil Engineers, at 8. — The Present Condition and 

 Prospects of the Panama Canal Works : J. T. Ford. 



WEDNESDA Y, February 6. 

 Royal Institution, at 3.— Government and People of China: Prof. 



R. N. Douglas. 

 Geological bociETV, at 8. — On the Origin of the Dunmail Raise (Lake 



District) : D. Oldham.— On the Structure and Affinities of the Rhsetic 



Plant Nazadita : Miss Igerna B. J. Sollas. 



NO. 1631, VOL. 63] 



THURSDAY, February 7. 



Royal Society, at 4.30. — Probable papers : The Boiling Point of Liquid 

 Hydrogen, determined by Hydrogen and Helium Gas Thermometers : 

 Prof. Dewar, F.R.S. — On the Brightness of the Corona of January 22, 

 1898. Preliminary Note: Prof. H. H. Turner, F.R.S.— Preliminary 

 Determination of the Wave Lengths of the Hydrogen Lines, derived from 

 Photographs taken at Ovar at the Eclipse of the Sun, 1900, May 28 : F 

 W. Dyson. — Investigations on the Abnormal Outgrowths or Intumescences 

 on Hibiscus ziitifolius, Linn. : a Study in Experimental Plant Pathology : 

 Miss E. Dale. — On the Proteid Reaction of Adamkiewicz, with Contri- 

 butions to the Chemistry of Glyoxylic Acid : F. G. Hopkins and S. W. 

 Cole. 



Chemical Society, at 8. — Ballot for the Election of Fellows -^The Action 

 of Hydrogen Bromide on Carbohydrates : H. J. H. Fenton and 

 Mildred Gostling. — Note on a Method of comparing the Affinity-Values 

 of Acids: H. J. H. Fenton and H. O. Jones. — Organic Derivatives of 

 Phosphoryl Chloride, and the Space Configuration of the Valencies of 

 Phosphorus : R. M. Caven. — (i) Synthetical Work with Sodamide 

 Derivatives : (2) Note on Two Molecular Compounds of Acetamide ; 

 (3) Diacetamide, a New Method of Preparation : Dr. A. W. Titherley. 



RoNTGEN Society, at 8. — Experiences of X-Ray Work during the Siege 

 of Ladysmith ; Lieut. F. Bruce. 



FRIDAY, February 8. 



Royal Institution, at 9.— History and Progress of Aerial Locomotion: 

 Prof. G. H. Bryan, F.R.S. 



Royal Astronomical Society, at 3. — Annual General Meeting. 



Geologists' Association, at 8. — Annual General Meeting. — Twelve 

 Years of London Geology : The President, W. Whitaker, F.R.S. 



Institution of Civil Engineers, at 8. — Mr. Wimperis' paper on 

 Cycle Resistance will be submitted for discussion. 



Institution of Mechanical Engineers, at 8. — Power-Gas and Large 

 Gas-Engines for Central Stations : H. A. Humphrey. 



Anatomical Society, at 4.30. — The Origin of the Vertebrate Ear and 

 Eighth Pair of Cr.inial Nerves: W. H. Gaskell, F.R.S.— A Critical 

 Review of Recent Literature on Fossil Anthropoids : W. L. H. Duck- 

 worth. 



CONTENTS. PAGE 



The Science of Spectrum Analysis. By Prof. Arthur 



Schuster, F.R.S 317 



Life and \A^orkof C. Gerhardt. By W. R 318 



Monism for the Multitude ... . .... 320 



Schmeil's Text-Book of Zoology. By R. L. ... 321 



Our Book Shelf:— 



Fry and Fry : ' ' The Mycetozoa and some Questions 



which they Siiggest " 3^3 



Waddell : " A School Chemistry " ....... 323 



Kostersitz : "Die Photographic im Dienste der 



Himmelskunde " 324 



Van Bemmelen : " Die Sakular-Verlegung der Mag- 



netischen Axe der Erde " 324 



Hawkins: " The Theory of Commutation " .... 324 

 Meyer and Parkinson : " Album of Papua. Types II. 

 North New Guinea, Bismarck Archipelago, German 



Salomon Islands" 324 



Ryland : "The Story of Thought and Feeling." — 



H. W. B 325 



Ball : " A Primer of Astronomy " . 325 



Burgess : "Hand in Hand with Dame Nature" . . . 325 

 Letters to the Editor :- 



Eclipse Photography. — Prof. Francis E. Nipher . 325 

 The Jamaican Species of Peripatus. — Prof. T. D. A. 



Cockerell 325 



Dasypeltis and the Egested Egg-shell. {Illustrated.) 



By Prof. G. B. Howes, F.R.S 326 



The Liverpool Museum and Progress 327 



Z. T. Gramme 327 



Notes 328 



Our Astronomical Column : — 



Astronomical Occurrences in February . 333 



Brooks' Minor Planets 333 • 



Brorsen's Comet 333 



Ephemeris for Observations of Eros • 333 



Elliptic Elements of Comet 1900 c ....... 333 



Refraction within Telescope Tube. ( With Dia- 

 grams.) By James Renton 334 



Sugar-cane Experiments . 335 



Technical Education in Manchester. {IVith Dia- 

 gram.) By A. T. Simmons . 336 



Methods of Formation of Hail. By Prof. Cleveland 



Abbe 337 



University and Educational Intelligence 338 



Scientific Serials 338 



Societies and Academies . 339 



Diary of Societies 340 



