384 



NA TURE 



[February 15, 1900 



ments are given of the temperature coefficient of sur- 

 face energy for a large number of liquids, by Ramsay 

 and Shields' method. The average value of the co- 

 efficient found was 2'I2, rising to 2*3, for hydrocarbons 

 containing two benzene rings, and to 2*35 to 2*50 for the anilines. 

 The general results confirm the earlier work of Ramsay and 

 Shields on the same subject. — On the volumetric estimation of 

 hydrogen and chemical tensions, by M. Alb. Colson. Precipi- 

 tated silver oxide, dried in vacuo without heating, is readily 

 acted upon by hydrogen, slowly at ordinary temperatures, and 

 more rapidly at 100° C. , the absorption being so complete in 

 the latter case that it suffices for the volumetric determination 

 of hydrogen in a gaseous mixture, since methane and ethane are 

 unattacked under the same conditions. The silver oxide behaves 

 as though it had a definite vapour pressure, the hydrogen ap- 

 parently acting upon this vapour. — Action of strong ammonia 

 solution upon the iodide of mercurdiammonium, by M. Maurice 

 F"ran9ois. By the action of strong solutions of ammonia upon 

 Hgl2.2MH3, the iodide HggNI is formed, the reaction being 

 reversible. — On the borates of the magnesium series, by M. L. 

 Ouvrard. Definite tribasic borates of manganese, cobalt and 

 nickel can be prepared in the dry way, in a state'of purity suffi- 

 cient for analysis. — On the acidimetric value of the substituted 

 malonic acids, compared with those of the corresponding normal 

 ■diacids, by M. G. Massol. A thermochemical paper. — On the 

 individuality of seminase, a soluble ferment secreted by legu- 

 «ninous seeds during germination, by MM. Emile Bourquelot 

 and H. Herissey. The presence of the new ferment, together 

 with a little diastase, was shown in germinating seeds of fenugrec 

 and lucerne. — Influence of a parasite upon its host, by M. C. 

 : Sauvageau. — On the first fossil plant sent from Madagascar, by 

 M. Ed. Bureau. The fossil is a new species of Equisetum, 

 which, as it was discovered by Dr. Joly, is named Equisetum 

 [olyt.—On the phenomena of metamorphism and the production 

 of an iron mineral coinciding with the denudation of the plateau 

 of Ha)'e (Meurthe-et-Moselle), by M. Bleicher. — On a new 

 group of homogeneous enclosures in volcanic rocks, microtinites, 

 andesites and tephrites, by M. A. Lacroix. — Atmospheric op- 

 tical phenomena observed at the Pic du Midi and at Bagneres, 

 'by M. Em. Marchand. — New observations on the relative wind 

 in a balloon, by M. G. Hermite. — On the production of secondary 

 X-rays by the human body, and on an important point of technique 

 in radiography, by M. Th. Guilloz. — The movements of expired 

 air during the formation of speech sounds, by M. E. Gelle. It 

 is concluded, from the experiments given, that the intra-buccal 

 cavity is not inert, and that the buccal cavity does not act 

 as a resonator as is usually supposed. — On the mechanism of 

 audition of sound and on some connected phenomena, by 

 M. Firmin Larroque. — On a granite from the Pyrenees, by 

 M, F. Larroque. 



DIARY OF SOCIETIES. 



THURSDA K, February 15. 



i Royal Society, at 4.30.— The Genesis and Development of the Wall 

 and Connecting Threads in the Plant Cell. Preliminary Communication : 

 W. Gardiner, F.R S — Photography of Sound Waves and the Kinemato- 

 graphic Demonstration of the Evolutions of Reflected Wave-fronis, with 

 Especial Reference to the Relation of the Wave-front to the Caustic : 

 Prof R. W. Wood. 



NRoYAL Institution, at 3. — Modern Astronomy : Prof. H. H. Turner, 

 F.R.S. 



•l,iNNE\N Society. at 8. — Photography of British Plants: J. C. Shenston. 

 — A New Land Planarian from the Pyrenees : Dr R. F. ScharflF. 



•Chemical Society, at 8.— (i) Ammonium Amidosulphite ; ( 2) Products 

 of Heating Ammonium Sulphites, Thiosulphates and Trithionate : 

 Edward Divers and Masataka Ogawa. — Note on the Refraction and 

 Magnetic Rotation of Hexamethylene : Dr S. Young, F.R S., and 

 Emily C. Fortey. — The Combination of Sulphur Dioxide and Oxygen : 

 Edward J. Russell and Norman Smith.— Note on the Estimation of 

 'Gases containing Sulphur: E. J. Russell.- (i) Apiin and Apigenin. 

 'II. Note on Vitexin ; (2) The Yellow Colourine Principles of various 

 Tannin Matters, VII. : A. G. Perkin. 



FRIDA y, February 16. 

 "Royal Institution, at q. — Life in Indo-China: H. Warington Smyth. 

 EpiDEMfOLOGlCAL SOCIETY, at 8. 30 —Insanitary Property and Work- 

 men's Dwellings in Liverpool : Dr. E. W. Hope. 



MONDAY, February 19. 

 Roym, Geographical Society, at 8 30 —Journeys in the Chinese Shan 



States : F. W. Carey. 

 Victoria Institute, at4. 30. — African and Mediterranean River Valleys : 

 Prof. Hull. 



TUBS DA y, February 20. 

 Rov >j-;ri niTioN. at 1. —Structure and Classification of Fishes : Prof. 



E. Ray Lankester, F.R.S. 



NO. I S^I, VOL. 61] 



Zoological Society, at 8.30.— On the Marine Fauna of Christmas 

 Island (Indian Ocean): C. W. Andrews and others. — On the Soft Ana- 

 tomy of the Musk- Ox (Ovilws vwschatus) : Dr. E. Lonnberg. — On a 

 Species of Earthworm from Western Tropical Africa belonging to the 

 Genus Benhamia: F. E. Beddard, F.R.S. 



Institution of Civil Engineers, at 8. — Papers to be further dis- 

 cussed: Moving Loads on Railway Underbridges : W. B. Farr. — Note 



on the Floor System of Girder Bridges : C. F. Findlay. Paper to be 



read, time permitting : Corrosion of Marine Boilers : John Dewrance. 



Royal Statistical Society, at 5. 



Royal Photographic Society, at 8.— The Diffraction Process of 

 Colour Photography : Prof. R. W. Wood. 



IVEDNESDA Y, February 21. 



Geological Society, at 8.— The Hunter Pebble- Beds of the Midlands 

 and the Source of their Materials: Prof. T. G. Bonney, F.R.S.— On 

 Further Evidence of the Skeleton of Eurycarpus Oweni : Prof. H. G. 

 Seeley. F.R.S. 



RoyalMeteorological Society, at 7 30.— Report on the Phenological 

 Observations for 1899: Edward Mawley. — Results of Percolation Ex- 

 periments at Rothanisted, 1870-99: Dr. Robert H. Scott, F.R.S. 



Royal Microscopical Society, at 8. — Exhibition of Photomicrographic 



and Projection Apparatus (with Lantern Illustrations) : J. W. Measures. 



THURSDAY, February 22. 



Royal Society, at 4.30. — Probable Papers : Total Eclipse of the Sun, 

 January 22, 1898. Observations at Viziadrug : Sir N. Lockyer, K.C.B., 

 F.R.S., Ciptain Chisholm-Batten, and Prof. Pedler, F.R.S.— Pre- 

 liminary Note on the Spectrum of the Corona, Part II.: Sir N. Lockyer, 

 K.C.B., F.R.S.— On the Structure of Coccospheres and the Origin of 

 Coccoliths : Dr. H. H. Dixon. — The lonisation of Dilute Solutions at 

 the Freezing Point : W. C. D. Whetham. 



Royal Institu'TION, at 3.— Modern Astronomy : Prof. H. H.Turner 

 F.R.S. 



OK Electrical Engineers ,at 8. — The Standardisation of 

 Engineering Plant : R. Percy Sellon. (Adjourned Dis- 



Institution 

 Electrical 

 cuss ion.) 



Institutio 



Mechanical Engineers, at 8.— Improvements in the 

 Longworth Power-Hammer: Ernest Samuelson. — Portable Pneumatic 

 Tools : Ewart C. Amos. 



FRIDA Y, February 23. 

 Royal Institution, at q. — Recent Studies in Gravitation : Prof. J. H 



Poynting. 

 Physical Society, at 5.— Prof. R.W. Wood will exhibit and describe 

 his Photographs of Sound Waves and the Kinematographical Demon- 

 stration of the Evolutions of Reflected Wave-fronts : a New Seudo- 

 scope : Diffraction Colour-Photographs ; Artificial Parhelia. 

 Institution ofCivil Engineers, at 8. — Bearing Springs : B. Humphrey 

 and H. E. O'Brien. 



CONTENTS. PACK 



Oriental History from B.C. 850 to B.C. 33° . . . 361 



American Ichthyology. By A. G 362 



Astronomical Photography ... 363 



Our Book Shelf:— 



Smith and Bryant : " Euclid's Elements of Geo- 

 metry" 365 



Robinson : " A First Book in Statics and Dynamics " 365 



Marrot : " Life and Happiness " 365 



Letters to the Editor:— 



On the Carriers in the Kathode Rays.— W. B. 



Morton ... 365 



Drunkenness and the Weather. ( IVit/t Diagrams. ) — 

 Prof. Edwin G. Dexter; The Writer of the 



Notice . 365 



Deceptive Bibliographic Indications.— F. A. Bather 367 

 Specific Heat of Marble.— Prof. B. O. Peirce and 



Robert W. Willson 367 



The Coccidffi of New Zealand.— Prof. T. D. A. 



Cockerell. 367 



The Fitting of the Cycle to its Rider.— D. E. 



Hutchins ... 368 



Telephones and Lightning Discharges. — A. R. Hunt 368 

 The Geography of Europe. {Illustrated.) By Dr. 



Hugh Robert Mill . . . . 368 



The University of London Election 369 



Notes {Illustrated.) 370 



Our Astronomical Column:-^ 



Definitive Orbit of Comet 1897 HI 374 



New Variable Star in Draco 374 



Time used in Ephemerides 374 



Leonid Meteors 374 



The Functions of the Engineer. By Sir William 



Henry Preece, K.C.B., F.R.S 374 



Wireless Telegraphy. By G. Marconi 377 



The Air Movement at Simla and in the Western 



Himalayas 380 



University and Educational Intelligence 381 



Societies and Academies 382 



Diary of Societies - • • i 3^4 



