556 



NA TURE 



[April 5, 1900 



of a system are equal, by M. A. Demoulin. — Remark on a note 

 of M. A. Korn, entitled " On the method of Neumann and the 

 problem of Dirichlet," by M. W. SteklofiF. -On the lique- 

 faction of mixtures of carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide, 

 by M. F. Caubet. Eight gas mixtures of varying composition 

 were studied. The results are exhibited in the form of curves. 

 — Limited chemical reactions in homogeneous systems. The 

 law of moduli, by M. A. Ponsot. — On the selenide of zinc and 

 its dimorphism, by M. Fronzes-Diacon. Since blende occurs 

 both in hexagonal and cubical forms, and the selenide of zinc 

 obtained by M. Margottet belonged to the cubic system, the 

 author attempted to prepare an hexagonal form. The crystals 

 obtained by the intera.ction of zinc chloride vapours and 

 hydrogen selenide diluted with nitrogen belonged to the 

 hexagonal system. — On the hyd rated peroxides of barium, 

 by M. de Forcrand. A thermochemical paper. — A new 

 compound of antipyrin with mercuric chloride, by MM. 

 J. Ville and Ch. Astre. The compounds obtained are of the 

 type 2(C]]Hi2N20).HgR2.HR, where R represents the halogen. 

 — On the constitution of isolauronic acid, by M. G. Blanc. — 

 On the combination of basic with acid colouring matters, by 

 M. A. Seyewetz. — On the law of separation of hybrids, by M. 

 Hugo de Vries. The experimental results given are wholly 

 ■covered by the following law : if D be the grains of pollen or 

 ovules having a dominant character, and R those which have a 

 -retrograde character, the number and nature of the hybrids is 

 -represented by the formula 



(D + R)(D + R) = D- -f 2DR + R^, 



in which D and R are equal ; that is to say> there will be 25 per 

 cent, of D, 50 per cent of DR, and 25 per cent, of R. — Con- 

 cerning the contradictory results of M. Raphael Dubois and M. 

 Vines on the supposed digestion in Nepenthes, by M. E. 

 Couvreur. The assumption of a proteolytic ferment in such 

 carnivorous plants as the Nepenthes is unnecessary, and the 

 author upholds the correctness of the views of Dubois as against 

 those of Vines. — On the foldings of the Paris basin, by M. 

 Munier-Chalmas. — Characteristics of a specimen of petroleum 

 shale from the Megalong Valley, by M. Eg. Bertrand. A com- 

 parison of the microscopical appearances of the Blackheath and 

 Megalong Valley shales. — Comparative estimation of alcohol in 

 the blood of mother and foetus and in the milk after the ingestion 

 of alcohol. Remarks on the estimation of alcohol in blood and in 

 imilk, by M. Maurice Nicloux. The ingested alcohol passes from 

 the mother to the foetus and is also present in the milk. The pro- 

 iportions of alcohol in the blood of mother and foetus are practi- 

 cally identical. — The absorption of iodides by the human skin, 

 by M. F. Gallard. The arms and hands were immersed in the 

 solution, and the iodine estimated in the urine. — On the com- 

 parison of the barometric movements (at latitude 50° of Green- 



- wich meridian) caused by the movements in declination of the 



. gun and moon, by M. A. Poincare. 



DIARY OF SOCIETIES. 



THURSDA y, April 5. 

 • Rov\L Society, at 4.30.-00 the Weight of Hydrogen desiccated by 

 Liquid Air: Lord Rayleigh, F.R.S. — Combinatorical Analysis: The 

 Foundations of a New Theory: Major MacMahon, F.R.S.— Uber Reihen 

 .auf der Convergenzgrenze : Dr. E. Laslcer. — E.\tinct Mammalia from 

 Madagascar. I. Megaladapis insignis, sp. n. : Dr. C. I. Forsyth Major. 

 — The Kinetic Theory of Planetary Atmospheres, Part I. : Prof. Bryan, 

 F R.S. — Observations on the Effect of Desiccation of Albumin upon its 

 Coagulability : Prof. J. B. Farmer. 

 ^RoyAL Institution, at 3. — Equatorial East Africa and Mount Kenya: 

 H. J. Mackinder. 

 Mathematical Society, at 5.30.— The Orthoptic Loci of Curves of a 

 Given Class: A. B. Basset, F.K.S.— On Weierstrass's Canonical Reduc- 

 tion of a "Scharr" of Bilinear Forms: T. J. Brorawich.— Communica- 

 tions by Prof. Burnside, F.R.S., and Prof. Love, F.R S. 

 tiNNEAN Society, at 'i.—Sphenophyllum and its Allies, an Extinct 



Division of the Vascular Cryptogams : Dr. D. H. Scott, P\R.S. 

 Chemical Society, at 8.— (i) The Liquefaction of a Gas by " Self-Cool- 

 ing " : A Lecture Experiment ; (2) Note on Partially Miscible Aqueous 

 Inorganic Solutions : G. S. Newth.— The Decomposition of Chlorates. 

 IL Lead Chlorate: W. H. Sodeau. -The Interaction of Mesityl Oxide 

 and Ethyl Sodlomethylmalonate : A. W. Crossley.— The Bromination 

 of Benzeneazophenol : J. T. Hewitt and W G. Aston. 

 lM;riTUTiov OP' Klectrical Engineers, at 8. 



RjTiTGEN Society, at 8.— The Influence of the X Rays upon the Growth 

 and Development of Micro organisms ; Dr. Norris Wolfenden and Dr. 

 Forbes Ross. 

 Institution OF Naval Architects (Society of Arts), at 12.— On Large 

 Cargo Steamers : Prof. J. H. Biles.— The Practical Results of some 

 Innovations in Modern Shipbuilding: A. B. Wortley.— The Strength of 

 Elliptical Sections under Fluid Pressure : Captain G. W. Hovgaard.— 



On Yacht Measurements, together with some Remarks on the Action of 



Sails : H. C. Vogt. At 7. — On the Balancing of Steam-Engines : 



Herr Otto Schlick.— The Engines o( the Corven^ Jeiieral Baquedani: 

 M. Sandison. — On the Uniformity of Turning Moments of Marine 

 Engines : Prof. Lorenz. 



FRfDAY, April 6. 



Royal Institution, at 9.— Solid Hydr^gen : Prof. J. Dewar, F.R.S. 



Geologists' Association, at 8. — Zonal Features of the Kentish Chalk- 

 Pits between London and the Medway Valley : G. E. Dibley. 



Institution of Civil Engineers, at 8.— Experiments on Struts with and 

 without Lateral Loading : H. E. Wimperis. 



Malacological Society, at 8.— On the Genus Acavus : (a) from an 

 Anatomical Standpoint : W. B. Randies ; {b) from a Conchological 

 Standpoint: E. R. Sykes. — Description of a New Bnlimulus from 

 Parana, Brazil : J. Cosmo Melvill.— Anatomical Notes on Neptnneopsis 

 gilchrtsti, Sowerby, and Volutiliihes \abyssicola, Adams and Reeve : 

 M. F. Woodward. 



IhrsTiTUTioN OF Naval ARCHITECTS, at 12. — The Pressure on an Inclined 

 Plane, with Special Reference to Balanced Rudders : Prof. H. S. Hele- 

 Shaw, F.R.S.— On the Action of Bilge Keels: Prof. G. H. Bryan, 

 F.R.S.— On the Influence of Depth of Water on the Resistance of Ships : 



Major Giuseppe Rota. At 7. — On Mysterious Fractures of Steel 



Shafts : Signor Roberto Schanzer.— Corrosion and Failure of Propeller 

 Shafts : A. Scott Younger. 



SATURDAY, April 7. 



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

 MONDAY, April 9. 



Victoria Institute, at 4.30.— Egyptian Chronology: Rev. Dr. F. A. 

 Walker. 



TUESDAY, April 10. 



Institution OF Civil Engineers, at 8.— The Development of the Manu- 

 facture and Use of Rails in Great Britain: Sir Lowthian Bell, Bart., 

 F.R.S.— The Wear of Steel Rails in Tunnels : Thomas Andrews, F.R.S. 



Royal Photographic Society, at 8. — The Municipal Encouragement of 

 Photography : Thomas Bedding. 



WEDNESDAY, April ii 



Royal Astronomical Society, at 8. 



NO. 1588, VOL. 61] 



CONTENTS. PAGE 



Celestial Photographs. By Dr. William J. S. 



Lockyer 533 



Two Monstrous Reptiles. By G. B. H 534 



A Naturalist in Chile. By Dr. Hugh Robert Mill 536 

 Recent Publications from Kew, By Dr. Maxwell 



T. Masters, F.R.S 537 



Our Book Shelf:— 



Lecomte : " Les arbres a Gutta-Percha, leur culture. 

 Mission relativ a I'acclimatation de ces arbres aux 



Antilles et la Guyane."— J. B. F 538 



Meyer : " Determination of Radicles in Carbon Com- 

 pounds." — F. S. K 538 



Lippmann : "Unites electriques absolues." — E. 



H. B 539 



Thornton: "Elementary Practical Physiography 



(SectionlL)."— A. F .- • ■ 539 



Braemer et Suis : " Atlas de Photomicrographie des 



Plantes medicinales " 539 



Letters to the Editor:— 



Effects of Lightning upon Electric Lamps. — Sir G. G. 



Stokes, Bart., F.R.S 539 



The Absorption of the Becquerel Rays by Solid and 



Gaseous Bodies.— Hon. R. J. Strutt .... 539 

 Planets at their Greatest Brilliancy.— C. T. Whitmell 540 

 The Use of Silica in Thermometry.— W. A. Shen- 



stone, F.R.S. • . 540 



The Natural History Museum — A Correction. — G. S. 



Brady • • 54° 



New Mode of Using the Concave Diffraction Grating. 



—The Writer of the Note 541 



Internal Stresses in Iron and Steel. — Thos. An- 

 drews, F.R.S.; B. H. B 541 



Electricity m War. {Illmirated.) By Prof. John 



Perry, F.R.S 54i 



Notes 544 



Our Astronomical Column: — 



New Variable in Andromeda 547 



Solar Eclipses of the 20th Century 548 



A Brilliant Fireball 548 



Modern Explosives. By J. S. S. Brame 548 



Anti-Plague Inoculations. By C. B. S 550 



Experimental Study of Fertilisation. By J. A. T. . 551 



Changes of Colour of Prawns 552 



Nature Study in Rural Schools 553 



University and Educational Intelligence 554 



Scientific Serials 554 



Societies and Academies 555 



Diary of Societies ^ 55^ 



