4o8 



NATURE 



[February 22, 1900 



theorem that a system, which approaches a new condition of 

 equilibrium by a non-convertible process and might do so in 

 various ways, compatible with the given combinations, changes 

 its conditions in such a way that the entropy constantly increases, 

 it has become necessary to attribute entropy to conditions of 

 non-equilibrium as well. If this theorem is to hold good 

 generally, entropy has also to be attributed to radiation. In 

 his H theorem Boltzmann has given a formula for the entropy 

 in the case of material molecules that are not in a condition of 

 maximum entropy and consequently not in equilibrium. The 

 author is endeavouring to find a similar formula for radiation. 

 He considers the action of an electrical force upon electrical 

 vibrators as an analogue of the collisions of material molecules. 

 — Prof. W. Kapteyn presented a supplement to the communi- 

 cation made at the meeting of November 25, 1899, entitled 

 " On certain special cases of Monge's differential equation." 

 — Prof. Winkler presented a paper, by Mr. P. H. Eykman, 

 entitled " A new graphical system of craniology." Instead of 

 the absolute measurements of the skull, Schmidt employs the 

 relative ones, which he obtains by multiplying the absolute ones 



by - — ^ , by which their sum becomes constant = 300. 



L -f B -|- H 

 Geometrically, the triple system of ordinates is thereby 

 changed into a double one, in the shape of an equilateral triangle. 

 All three measures are equal in it, and this method is adapted 

 for a rough survey of a large group of skulls. Alsatian skulls, 

 published by Dr. Blind (537 in number), drawn in the system, 

 serves as an example. — Prof. Bakhuis Roozeboom presented a 

 paper, by Dr. Ernst Cohen, entitled "On the theory of the 

 transition elements of the third kind (I. ). " — Prof. Moll presented 

 a paper, by Miss Tine Tammes, entitled " Pomum in pomo." 

 Within a large apple, presented by Prof. C. A. J. A. Oudemans, 

 there is another smaller apple, which is entirely disconnected 

 from the surrounding one. The entire texture of the inner 

 apple is filled up with a mycelium, while the fungus in the outer 

 one is altogether lacking. The presence of the fungus in the 

 interior of the original, normal apple is the cause of the 

 monstrosity. — Prof. Franchimont presented two papers, by Dr. 

 P. van Romburgh , of Buitenzorg, entitled (a) ' ' On the nitration of 

 dimethyl aniline in a solution of strong sulphuric acid " ; (3) " On 

 the formation of indigo from Indigoferas and from Marsdenia 

 tinctoria." — Prof. Kamerlingh Onnes presented a paper, by 

 Mr. E. van Everdingen, jun., on Hall's effect and the increase 

 of magnetical resistance in bismuth at very low temperatures (I.) 

 (continuation). — Prof. Van der Waals presented a paper, by 

 Dr. P. Zeeman, entitled " Observations concerning an asym- 

 metrical change in the spectral lines of iron radiating in a mag- 

 netic field." The observations were made at the request of Prof. 

 Voigt, of Gottingen, who deduced from theory that in weak 

 magnetic fields a triplet tends to become asymmetrical, having 

 the more intense component on the less refrangible side, the 

 component on the violet side being at the same time at a greater 

 distance from the original line than the second outer component. 

 Measurements made on negatives proved the existence of 

 asymmetries, which in many cases were in accordance with 

 theory. A few exceptions to theory were, however, noticed. 

 All the above papers will be inserted in the Academy's 

 Proceedings. 



DIARY OF SOCIETIES. 



THURSDAY, February 22. 



Royal Society, at 4.30.— Total Eclipse of the Sun, January 22, 1898. 

 Observations at Viziadrug : Sir N. Lockyer, K.C.B., F.R.S., Captain 

 Chisholm-Batten, R.N., and Prof. Pedler, F.R.S.— Preliminary 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. 

 RovAL [nstitution, at 3. — Modern Astronomy : Prof. H. H.Turner, 

 F.R.S. 



Institution of Electrical ENGiNEFf • , at 8 — The Siandaidi>aticn 

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

 cussion.) 



Institution of Mechanical Engineers, at 8.— Improvements in the 

 Longworth Power-Hammer: Ernest Samuelson. — Portable Pneumatic 

 Tools : Ewart C. Amos. 



^J?/Z>/4K, February 23. 



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

 Poynting, F.R.S. 



Physical Society, at 5.— Prof. R. W. Weed 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 of Civil Engineers, at 8. — Bearing Springs : B. Humphrey 

 and H. E. O'Brien. 



.fl/OA^Z>^K, February 26. 



Institute of Actuaries, at 5.30. — Surrender Values and the Principles 

 which underlie their Calculation : F. W. Fulford. 



Society for the Protection of Birds (Westminster Palace Hotel), at 

 3. — Annual Meeting. 



TUESDAY, February 27. 



RovalInstitution, at ■^. — Structure and Classification of Fishes : Prof. 

 Ir. Ray Lankester, F.R.S. 



Societyof Arts (Foreign and Colonial Section), at 4.30. — Agricultural 

 Education in Greater Britain : R. H. Wallace. 



Institution of Civil Engineers, at 8.— Corrosion of Marine Boilers: 

 John Dewrance. 



Royal Photographic 'Society, at 8. — Electricity in connection with 

 Photographic Action : W. Friese- Greene. 



WEDNESDAY, February 28 



Society of Arts, at 8. — Pneumatic Dispatch : Prof. Charles A. Carus- 

 Wilson. 



THURSDAY, March i. 



Royal Society, at 4.30. — Probable Papers: An Experimental Inquiry 

 into Scurvy : F. G. Jackson and Prof. Vaughan Harley. — The Velocity 

 of the Ions produced in ^Gases by Rontgen Rays; Prof. J. Zeleny. — 

 Mathematical Contributions to the Theory of Evolution. VIII. On the 

 Correlation of Characters not Quantitatively Measurable : Prof. K. 

 Pearson, F.R.S. . 



LiNNEAN Society, at 8. — On Botanic Nomenclature: C. B. Clarke, 

 F.R.S.— On some Foraminifera of Tithonian Age from the Limestone of 

 Nesseldorf: F. Chapman. 



Chemical Society, at 8. — Pilocarpine and the Alkaloids of Jaborandi 

 Leaves: Dr. H. A. D. Jowett.— Isomeric Partially Racemic Salts con- 

 taining Pentavalent Nitrogen, Parts I. -VII.: Prof. F. S. Kipping, 

 F.R.S.— New Synthesis of Indene : Prof. F. S. Kipping, F.R.S., and 

 Harold Hall. — (i) Potassium Nitrito-hydroximidosulphates and the Non- 

 existence of Dihydroxylamine Derivatives : (2) Identification and Con- 

 stitution of Fremy's " Sulphazotised Salts of Potassium " : Dr. E. Divers, 

 F.R.S., and Dr. T. Haga. — Some Acids obtained from o-Dibromo- 

 camphor : A. Lapworth and E. M. Chapman. 

 FRIDAY, March 2. 



Royal Institution, at 9. — Malaria and Mosquitoes : Major Ronald 

 Ross. 



Physical Society (University College), at 4.30. — The Relative Rates of 

 Effusion of Argon, Helium, and some other Gases : Dr. F. G. Donnan. — 

 On the Di-stillation of Liquid Air and the Composition of the Gaseous 

 and Liquid Phases : E. C. C. Baly.— The Reversibility of Galvanic 

 Cells: T. S. Moore. —On the Damping of Galvanometer Needles: M. 

 Solomon. 



SATURDAY, March 3. 



Royal Institution, at 3. — Polarised Light : Lord Rayleigh. 



CONTENTS. PAGE 



A New Departure in Cytology. By Prof. J. B. 



Farmer 385 



Research in Preventive Medicine 387 



Physical Principles and Moral Precepts. By 



H. W. B 389 



Our Book Shelf:— 



Gregory and Simmons: "Exercises in Practical 



Physics."— C. P. B .-.•39° 



D'Alembert : " Abhandlung der Dynamik " ; Felici : 

 " Ueber die mathematische Theorie der electro- 



dynamischen Induction " ... 390 



Gibbs : " Equilibre des Systemes Ctiimiques " . . 390 



Pressland and Tweedie : " Elementary Trigonometry " 390 



Fiske ; "A Century of Science and other Essays " . 390 

 Letters to the Editor:— 



Lord Kelvin on the Origin of Granite. — A. R. Hunt 391 

 Effects of Lightning upon Electric Lamps. — Prof. 



R. W. Wood 391 



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



Crompton ; Wm. H. Massey 391 



Indian Corn. — Kumagusu Minakata 392 



The Production of Electrolytic Copper.— Charles H. 



Lees . 392 



The West Indian Agricultural Conference. By 



Prof. J. P. d'Albuquerque • . . . 392 



Modern Lighthouse Apparatus. ^Illustrated.) By 



Dr. J. A. Purves 393 



Mr. Balfour on Scientific Research 395 



General A. A. Tillo 396 



Notes {Illustrated.) 397 



Our Astronomical Column: — 



Comet Giacobini (1900 a) . 402 



New Minor Planet (1899 E.Y.) 402 



Harvard College Observatory 402 



Interference Method of Measuring Small Diameters . 402^ 

 On Desert Sand-Dunes bordering the Nile Delta. 



{Illustrated.) By Vaughan Cornish 403 



University and Educational Intelligence 404 



Scientific Serials 404 



Societies and Academies 405 



Diary of Societies 408 



NO. 15^52, VOL. 61' 



