96 



NATURE 



[May 28, 1903 



line,, and takes fire at once in the air. Its analysis gave 

 figures corresponding to the formula CsNH,, and the 

 rubidium compound has an analogous composition. The 

 solutions of these substances in liquefied ammonia have 

 been utilised for the production of the carbides of caesium 

 and rubidium. — Secular perturbations of the first degree 

 with respect to the eccentricity, by M. Jean Mascart. — 

 On the visibility of the eclipsed lunar disc during the second 

 half of the eclipse of April 11-12, by M. Amann. The 

 peculiar and exceptional visibility of the eclipsed portion 

 of the moon's disc was confined to the second part of the 

 eclipse. — On the decomposition of a linear substitution, real 

 and orthogonal, and on a product of inversions, by M. L6on 

 Aiitonne. — On the value of averages in meteorology, and 

 on the variability of temperatures in France, by M. Alfred 

 JVngrot. It is pointed out that the arithmetical mean of 

 a series of experimentally observed numbers is only the 

 most probable result if the causes of error are purely 

 accidental, and that this latter condition does not neces- 

 sarily hold in meteorological observations. Observations 

 taken in France over a period of fifty years are discussed 

 with the view of determining between what limits this 

 condition is satisfied. — On the electrical conductivity of 

 selenium in the presence of bodies treated with ozone, by 

 M. Edmond van Aubel. Substances after treatment with 

 ozone, and which are capable of being attacked by it, in- 

 crease the electrical conductivity of selenium, the rate of 

 return to the original resistance being extremely slow.— 

 On the transmission of photographs by means of a tele- 

 graph wire, by M. Korn. The image is produced photo- 

 graphically upon a rotating plate by means of the light 

 from a vacuum tube, and the latter is worked by high 

 frequency Tesla currents, governed by a selenium cell at 

 the transmitting end of the wire. The rate of transmission 

 is slow, owing to the inertia of the selenium. — On the 

 theory of coloured indicators, by M. P. Vaillant. From 

 a quantitative study of the colour of solutions of paranitro- 

 phenol and its salts, the conclusion is drawn that the 

 definition of an indicator given by Ostwald and Nernst is 

 incomplete. — Electrolysis of the sulphides of the alkaline 

 earths, by MM. Andr^ Brochet and Georges Ranson. In 

 concentrated solutions, electrolysed at 60°, sulphur, baryta 

 and hydrogen are produced, indicating that the primary 

 products are sulphur and barium. There is no evidence of 

 the production of any oxidation products. — On a new 

 method for the estimation of the halogens in organic com- 

 pounds, by MM. H. Baubisny and G. Chavanne. The 

 substances are oxidised by chromic acid mixture in presence 

 of a silver salt ; chlorine and bromine are set free, whilst 

 iodine is completely converted into iodic acid. Test analyses 

 of several iodine compounds prove the accuracy and con- 

 venience of the method. — The action of ethyloxalyl chloride 

 on mixed organo-magnesium compounds, by M. V. 

 Grigrnard. — The action of the bases of the alkaline earths 

 upon the salts of pyrogallol-sulphonic acids, by M. Marcel 

 Delagre. — A new method for the estimation of glycerol, by 

 M. A. Buisine. The process is based upon the production 

 of a mixture of hydrogen and methane by the interaction 

 of glycerol and a mixture of potash-lime and caustic potash 

 at 350°. It has the advantage of requiring a very small 

 quantity of material, and is very rapid. — A new test for 

 lead and manganese, by M. R. Trillat. — On the com- 

 parative physiology of the two kidneys, by M. J. Albarran. 

 In unit time, the two kidneys secrete different quantities 

 of urine of different composition. There is a partial com- 

 pensation in that the kidney producing the larger quantity 

 of urine secretes a less concentrated liquid. — On a point in 

 the anatomy of some Oculininae and Paeciloporinge, by M. 

 Arm. Krempf.^-On a cause of variation in fossil fauna 

 by M. H. DouvillS. 



DIARY OF SOCIETIES. 



THURSDAY, May 2S. 

 Royal Society, at 4.30— On the Bending of Waves round a Spherical 

 Obstacle: Lord Rayleigh, O.M., F.R.S.— Sur la Diffraction des Ondes 

 Electriques a propos d'un Article de M. Macdonald : Prof. H. Poincare' 

 For.Mem.R.S.— On the Theory of Refraction in Gases: G.W.Walker! 

 —An Analysis of the Results from the Kew Magnetographs on Quiet 

 Days during the Eleven Years 1890 to 1900, with a Discussion of Certain 

 Phenomena in the Absolute Observations: Dr. C. Chree, F.R.S.— On a 

 Remarkable Effect produced by the Momentary Relief of Great Pressure • 

 J. Y. Buchanan, F.R.S.— Evolution of the Colour-Pattern and Ortho- 



NO. 1752, VOL. 68] 



genetic Variation in Certain Mexican Species of Lizards with Adaptation 



to their .Surroundings: Dr. H. Gadow, F.R.S. Researches on 



Tetanus : Prof. Hans Meyer and Dr. F. Ransom.— The Hydrolysis of 

 Fats in vitro by Means of Steapsin : Dr. J. Lewkowitsch and Dr. 

 J. J. R. Macleod. — On the Optical Activity of the Nucleic Acid of the 

 Thymus Gland : Prof. A. Gamgee, F.R.S., and Dr. W. Jones. 



Royal Institution, at 5. — Electric Resonance and Wireless Telegraphy : 

 Prof. J. A. Fleming, F.R.S. 



Institution of Electrical Engineers, at 5.— Annual General 

 Meeting. 



FRIDAY, May 29 



Royal Institijtion, at 9.— Some Physical Problems of the Ocean : J. Y. 

 Buchanan, F.R.S. 



SA TURD A Y, May 30. 



Royal Institution, at 3. — The " De Magnete"and its Author : Prof. 

 S. P. Thompson, F.R.S. 



TUESDA V. June 2. 



Royal Institution, at 5.— The Work of Ice as a Geological Agent : 

 Prof. E: J. Garwood. 



Victoria Institute, at 4.30. — The Living God of Living Nature: Lionel 

 S. Beale, F.R.S. 



WEDNESDA Y, June 3. 



Entomological Society, at 8. 



Society of Public Analysts, at 8. 



THURSDAY, June 4. 



ChemicalSociety, at 8.— Imino-ethers corresponding to Ortho-substituted 

 Benzenoid Amines : G. D. Lander and F. T. Jewson — (i) Formation of 

 an Anhydride of Camphoryloxime ; (2) The Mutarotation of Glucose as 

 influenced by Acids. Bases and Salts ; (3J The Solubility of Dynamic 

 Isomerides : T. M. Lowry. — (i) Isomeric Partially Racemic Salts con- 

 taining Quinquevalant Nitrogen. Part X. The Four Isomeric Hydrind- 

 amine <?-Chlorocamphor3ulphonates NRJN2H3 ; (2) Isom»ric Com- 

 pounds of the Type NRiRoHa: F. S. Kipping.— The Hydrolysis of 

 Ethyl Mandelate by the Fat Splitting Enzyme, Lipase : H D. Dakin. 



Royal In'^titution. at 5.— Electric Resonance and Wireless Tele- 

 graphy: Prof. J. A. Fleming, F.R.S. 



Rontgen Society, at 8.^o.— On the Electric Field surrounding the 

 X-Ray Tube : Rev. P. Mulholland. 



LiNNEAN Society, at 8. — On the Anatomy and Development of Comys 

 infclix ; Miss Alice L. Embleton.— Scottish Freshwater Plankton : 

 Messrs. W. and G. S. West. 



/-■R/nAY. JvtiE.5. 



Royal Institution, at 9.— The New Star in Gemini: Prof. H. H. 

 Turner, F.R.S. 



Physical Society, at 5.— Special Meeting at University College.— 

 Radio-active Processes : Prof. Rutherford. 



SATURDAY, June 6. 



Royal Institution, at 3.— The " De Magnate" and its Author : Prof. 

 S. P. Thompson, F.R.S. 



CONTENTS. PAGE 



The Eruptions of Mont Pelee. By Dr. John S. 



Flelt 73 



Experiments on Animals. By H. M. V 74 



Chemical Tests and their Discoverers. By C, 



Simmonds 75 



Our Book Shelf:— 



Baldwin : "Dictionary of Philosophy and Psychology," 



Vol. ii 76 



Blanchan :" How to Attract the Birds." — R.L. ... 76 



Owen: " Telephone Lines." — M. S 76 



Murche : "The Globe Geography Readers. Inter- 

 mediate. Our Island Home " 76 



Letters to the Editor :— 



Psychophysical Interaction — Dr. E. W. Hobson, 

 F.R.S. ; J. W. Sharpe ; Dr. W. Peddle ; C. T. 



Preece 77 



Extension of Kelvin's Thermoelectric Theory. — Oliver 



Heaviside, F.R.S 78 



The Farthest North. [Illustrated.) 79 



The Restoration of the Land of Chaldea 81 



The Dalton Celebrations at Manchester. [Illustrated.) 



By E. C. E 81 



The Atomic Theory and the Development of 



Modern Chemistry. By P. J. Hartog ..... 82 



Notes 84 



Our Astronomical Column : — 



Astronomical Occurrences in June 89 



Variability of Nova Geminorum 89 



Origin of the H and K Lines of the Solar Spectrum . . 89 



The Leeds Astronomical Society 89 



The Advancement of Photography 89 



Radio-active Gas from Tap-water. By Prof. J, J. 



Thomson, F.R.S -90 



Geographical Research 91 



Natural History Notes 92 



A New Synthesis of Indigo 93 



University and Educational Intelligence 93 



Scientific Serials 94 



Societies and Academies 94 



Diary of Societies 96 



