3oS 



NA rURE 



[January 25, 1894 



Paris. 



Academy of Sciences, January 15. — M. Loewy in the 

 chair. — The death of M. P. J. van Beneden was announced, 

 and a short account of his scientific career given by M. Emile 

 Blanchard. — On the theory of the photography of simple and 

 compound colours by the interference method, by M. G. Lipp- 

 mann. The mathematical theory of the action of light on the 

 phr.tographic film is developed at length. — On a problem in 

 mechanics, by M. A. Potier. The author gives a simple solu- 

 tion of the problem proposed by M. J. Bertrand concerning the 

 law of the forces for a point describing a conic section. — 

 Studies on the formation of carbonic acid and the absorption of 

 oxygen by the detached leaves of plants. Experiments made 

 at the ordinary temperature with the concurrence of biological 

 activity, by MM. Berthelot and G. Andre. The results for 

 wheat, Coryliis avellana and Sedum maxinuini, are compared 

 with the results, previously obtained and described, of strictly 

 chemical character, and hence the results of the biological 

 activity of the living matter of the leaves are deduced. — On a 

 method for the study of gaseous exchanges between living 

 things and the atmosphere which surrounds them, by M. Ber- 

 thelot. A method is indicated whereby, by means of periodical 

 analyses of an atmosphere, which is large compared to the 

 respiratory needs of the living specimen, the changes caused by 

 the organism can be examined while it is living in the normal 

 manner. — On the chronostylographic method, and its appli- 

 cations to the study of the transmission of waves in tubes, by 

 M. A. Chauveau. A description of the use of some improved 

 instruments such as might be used for the study of the 

 movements of all kinds occurring in the animal economy. — 

 Observations on the Aipyornis of Madagascar, by MM. A. 

 Milne-Edwards and Allred Grandidier. A quantity of new 

 material from Madagascar has been examined with the result 

 that the remains have been classed in two main divisions, 

 .(Epyornis and Mullerornis, each with several described 

 species. — Generalisation of some theorems in mechanics, by 

 M. A. Kotelnikoff. — On the pendulum of varying length, by M. 

 L. Lecornu. A mathematical study of the conditions during 

 the oscillation of a pendulum of which the length varies in a 

 definite manner. — Emission of sounds, by M. Henri Gilbault. 

 It is shown that, in the ordinary case of vibrating bodies of 

 three dimensions, the time occupied in communicating its 

 energy to the air varies with the nature of the surface of each 

 particular body. — Is there oxygen in the atmosphere of the 

 sun ? A note by M. Arthur Schuster. Attention is directed to 

 a letter by the author published in Nature (December 20, 1877) 

 in connection with M. Duners recent communication on this 

 subject. — On the magnetisation of soft iron, by M. P. 

 Joubin. The characteristic equation deduced from Rowland's 

 experimental results is x = \ + o'33 (i -j) ± i*3 sl^-y 



I K — K 



where x = — andj = — ; I is the intensity of magnetisa- 



\c Kc— K" 



tion, and K the susceptibility of the material. — The relation of 

 storms at Pare de Saint-Maur to the position of the moon, by M. 

 E. Renou. The author believes that he has shown that, in this 

 district, storms are more frequent with a northern than with a 

 southern declinatinn of the moon — On the combination of 

 hydrogen and selenium in an unequally heated space, by M. H. 

 Pelahon. A thermodynamical study of the reaction, showing 

 that the experimemal results agree with the predictions. — Ceric 

 bichromate and the separation of cerium from lanthanum and 

 didymium, by M. G. Bricout. A crystalline bichromate is 

 deposited electrolytically from a solution of cerous carbonate in 

 chromic acid, lanthanum and didymium give no deposit on the 

 positive pole from chromic solution, hence a method for the 

 separation of cerium as a pure soluble sal'.- Researches on the 

 desiccation of starchy matters, by MM. Bloch. — On the liquid 

 fr >m albuminous perio-titis, by M. L. Hutjounenq. Analyses 

 show that the periostiiial exudation resemtJes that of " hydar- 

 thio-e" most nearly — Influence of atmospheric agencies, par- 

 ticularly light and cold, on the pyocyan^genous bacillus, by 

 MM. (.rAr.sonval and Charrin. — On th.- amihocytes, the 

 oogt-riesis and the ovi-deposition of Mioonereis variegata, by 

 M. Emile G. Racovitz^. — On the syochr )nism of the coal 

 basins of Commentry and St. Etienne and its consequences, by 

 M. A. Julien. — On the epidermis of the egg-bearing peduncles 

 and seeds of Benncttites Morierei, by M. O. Lignier. 



BOOKS, PAMPHLETS, and SERIALS RECEIVED. 



Books —The Fauna of the Deep Sea : Dr. S. J. Hickson (Kegan Paul).— 

 The Technique of Post-Mortem Examination: Dr. L. Hektoen (Chicago, 

 Keener and Co.).— Climates of the United States, in Colors : Dr. C. Deni- 

 son (Chicago, Keener and Co.). — Physiology Practicums : Dr. B. G. Wilder 

 (the Author, Ithaca) —Biologischer Atlas der Botanilc, Serie " Iris," Erlau- 

 tetnderText: Dr A. Dodel.— Ditto, Tafel i to 7 (Ziirich, Schmidt).— The 

 Royal Natural History, Vol. i. Part 3 (Warne).— Ninth Annual Report of the 

 BureauofEthnology(Washington).— Annals of the Astronomical Observatory 

 of Harvard College, Vol xxix., Miscellaneous Researches made during the 

 Years 188:1-93 (Camb.. Mass.).— Ditto, Vol. .xxv., Comparison of Positions of 

 Stars &c., &.C. : W. A. Rogers (Waterville, Me ).— Ditto, Vol. xl. Part 2, 

 Observations made at the Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory, Mass., 

 U S.A,, in the year 1892 : A. L. Rotch (Camb., Mass.).— Ditto, Vol. xx.\i. 

 Part 2, Investigaiions of the New England Meteorological Society for the 

 year 1891 (Camb., Mass.).— Heat, an Elementary Text-book, Theoretical 

 and Practical: R T. Glazebrook 1 Cambridge University Press).— The 

 Yoruba-Speaking Peoples of the Slave Coast of West Africa; A. B. Ellis 

 (Chapman and Hall).— Congres International de Zoologie. Deux. Session a 

 Moscou, Deux. Partie (Moscou). 



Pamphlets.— Sugar Maples, and Maples in Winter: W. Trelease (St. 

 Louis, Mo). — Royal Gardens, Kew, Official Guide to the Museums of 

 Economic Botany, No. 3, limbers, 2nd ediiion (Eyre and Spottiswoode). — 

 Notes of Research on the New York Obelisk : A. A. Julien. — Some Ancient 

 Relics in Japan : R Hitchcock (Wa5hingion).^The Ancient Burial Mounds 

 of Japan : R. Hitchcock (Washington) — Sninto, or the Mythology of the 

 Japanese: R. Hitchcock (Washingt .n).— The Ainos of Zezo, Japan: R. 

 Hitchcock (Washington).— The Ancient Pit Dwellers of Zezo, Japan : R. 

 Hitchcock, Washington). — Bibliography of the Salishan Languages: J. C. 

 Pilling (Washington). — The New Naii nality of the N le : Drs. Sarruf and 

 Nimr (Cairo). — Report of the Superintt-ndent of the U.S. Naval Observatory 

 for the Year ending June 30. 1893 (Washington). — The Cincinnati Southern 

 Railway : J. J. Hollander (Biltimore). 



Serials. — Zeitschrift fiir Wissenschaftliche Zoologie, Ivii. Band, 2 Heft 

 (Williams and Norgate). — The Psychological Review, No. i (Macmillan). — 

 The Botanical Gazette, December (Blooming ton). — Ga'zetiaChimtca Italiana, 

 Vol. 2, fasc. 12 (Palermo).- Palestine Exploration Fund, Quarterly State- 

 ment, January (Watt). — The Quarterly Journal of Microscopical Science, 

 January (Churchill). — Quarterly Review, January (Murray). — Zeitschrift 

 fiir Physikalische Chemie, xiii. Band, i Heft (Leipzig).— Journal of the 

 Franklin Institute, January (Philadelphia). — Journal oe Phy.-.ique, January 

 (Paris) — Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sc ences of Philadelphia, 

 1893, Part 2 (Philadelphia). — Bulletin of the US. National Museum, No. 

 46 — The Mariapoda ot North America : C. H. Bollman (Washington). — 

 Rendiconto dell' Accademia delle Scienze Fisiche e Matemaiiche, Serie 2, 

 Vol. 7, fasc. 8 and 12 (Napoli). — Astronomy and Astro-Physics, January 

 (Wesley). — Nucvo Giornale Botanico Italiano. N uova Serie (Vol. i. No. r 

 (Firenze). 



CONTENTS. 



Recent Public Health Works 



TheLatestText-Bookof Geology. By Prof. A, H. 



Green, F.R.S 



The Chemistry of the Blood 



Agricultural Botany for Extensionists 



The Principles of Hospital Construction 



Our Book Shelf:— 



Gregory: " The Vault of Heaven " 



Harris : " A Journey through the Yemen, and .some 

 ■ General Remarks upon that Country" . ... 

 Letters to the Editor :— 



The Directorshipof the British Institute of Preventive 

 Medicine.— Sir J. Fayrer, K C.S.I., F.R.S.; 



Prof. Victor Horslcy, F.R.S 



The Origin of Rock Basins. — R. D. Oldham ... 

 On the Change of Superficial Tension ol Solid-Liquid 

 Surfaces with Temperature. — Prof. G. F. Fitz- 

 gerald, F.R.S. . ... 



A Lecture Experiment. — G. S. Newth 



Pierre Joseph van Beneden . ....... 



The Great Gale of November 16-20. {With Dia- 

 gram.) By Chas. Harding 



Paul Henri Fi&cher. By Dr. Edmond Bordage . . 



Notes 



Our Astronomical Column . — 



Report of the Wolsingham Observatory ...... 



Anomalous Appearance of Jupiter's First Satellite 



Astionomv and Astro-Physics 



Geographical Notes ... 



Earth Movements. By Prof. John Milne, F.R.S. . 

 The Climatic and National-tconomic Influence 



of Forests. By Dr. J. Nisbet 



Scientific Serials ... 



S lCletle^ and Academies . ... 



Books, Pamphlets, and Serials Received 



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NO. I 2 56, VOL. 49I 



