504 



NA TURE 



[March 26, 1903 



solubility of sodium chloride in the solution at varying 

 temperatures. The solubility curve was continuous, hence 

 the authors conclude that there is no reason to suppose ih.it 

 the hydrated salt exists as such in solution. — On a new 

 method of preparation of ammonium chloroplumbate, by 

 MM. A. Seyewetz and P. Trawitz. Lead chloride is 

 treated with hydrochloric acid and the calculated quantity 

 of ammonium persulphate. The transformation is very 

 rapid, 125 grams of lead chloride being converted into the 

 chloroplumbate in two hours. — Diaminoethylenic compounds 

 of cadmium, by M. Ph. Barbier. — On some new derivatives 

 of acylcyanacelic esters, by M. Ch. Schmitt. — The methyl- 

 ation and condensation of ethyl glutaconate, by M. E. E. 

 Blaise. — On tetraphenylbutanediol and its products of de- 

 hydration, by M. Amand Valeur. This substance is obtained 

 by the action of phenyl-magnesium bromide upon ethyl 

 ■succinate. — On the distribution in the organism and the 

 elimination of arsenic given medicinally in the form of 

 sodium methylarsenate, by M. A. Mounyrat. The arsenic 

 given as sodium methylarsenate has no tendency to accumu- 

 late in the organs, and whatever may be the dose absorbed, 

 only a very minute quantity is retained, this being com- 

 pletely eliminated about the thirtieth day after the ingestion. 

 — On the transformations and the epithelial growths which 

 provoke mechanical lesions of the subcutaneous tissues, by 

 M. Ed. Retterer. — The Pteraspis in the Ardennes, by M. 

 Louis Dollo. — The reflex augmentation of the biliary secre- 

 tion by the introduction of acid into the duodeno-jejunum, 

 by M. C. Fleig. — On the signification of the Cenomanian 

 layer and the fauna of the Maine du Saint-Laurent near 

 Vaches (Basses-Alpes), by M. Charles Jacob. — On the 

 anomalies of gravity in certain unstable regions, by M. F. 

 de Montessus de Ballore. — The action of zinc on the 

 microbes of water, by M. F. Dienert. — Lesions of the 

 nervous system of the newly-born whose mothers are dis- 

 eased : the mechanism and its consequences, by MM. A. 

 Chari-in and A. Leri. — Regulating apparatus for the circu- 

 lation of the blood of the newly-born animal, by M. Edouard 

 Meyer. — On the diminution of the intensity of the solar 

 radiation, by M. Henri Dufour. A comparison of the solar 

 observations made with the Crova actinometer during the 

 first three months of the present year with the results of 

 preceding years shows a distinct falling off in the radiation. 

 Thus it "would appear that there is present in the atmo- 

 sphere a special absorbent for solar radiation which did not 

 exist in the six preceding years, and it is suggested that 

 this may be fine dust from the recent volcanic eruptions. 



DIARY OF SOCIETIES. 



THURSDAY, March 26. 



Royal Society, at 4.30.— Some Physical Properties of Nickel Carbonyl : 

 Prof. J. Dewar, F.R.S., and H. O. Jones.— The Electrical Conductivity 

 imparted to a Vacuum by Hot Conductors: O. W. Richardson. — An 

 Attempt to Estimate the Relative Amounts of Krypton and of Xenon in 

 Atmospheric Air : Sir William Ramsay, F.R.S.— On a New Series of 

 Lines in the Spectrum of Magnesium : A. Fowler. — An Inquiry into 

 the Variation of Angles Observed in Crystals, especially of Potassium- 

 Alum and Ammonium-Alum : Prof. H. A. Miers, F. R.S. - On the Depend- 

 ence of the Refractive Index of Gases on Temperature : G. W. Walker. — 

 Solar Prominence and Spot Circulation, 1872-1901 : Sir Norman Lockyer 

 F.R.S., and Dr. W. J. S. Lockyer.— On the Evolution of the Proboscidea : 

 Dr. C. W. Andrews. 



Institution of Electrical Engineers, at 8.— Distiibution Losses in 

 Electric Supply Systems : A. D. Constable and E. Fawssett. — A Study 

 of the Phenomenon of Resonance in Electric Circuits by the Aid of 

 Oscillograms: M. B. Field.— Time permitting :— Divided Multiple 

 Swiichboards : an Efficient Telephone System for the World's Capitals : 

 W. Aitken. 



FRITiAV. March 27. 



Rovai Institution, at 0.— The Pearl Fisheries of Ceylon: Prof W. A. 

 Herdman, F.R.S. 



Institution of Civil Engineers, at 8.— The Advantages of Motor- 

 Driven Printing Machines : J. G. Y. D. Morgan. 



Physical Society, at 5.— Evaluation of the Absolute Zero: Dr. R. A. 

 Lehfeldt— On Refraction at a Cylindrical Surface : A. Whitwell. 

 SATURDAY, March 28. 



Royal Institution, at 3.— Light : Its Oiigin and Nature: Lord 

 Rayleigh. 



MONDAY, March 30 



Institute of Actuaries, at 5.— The Mortality Experience of the 

 Imperial Forces during the War in South Africa, October n, 1899, to 

 May 31, 1902: F. Schooling and E. A. Rusher. 

 TUhsl'A V. March 31. 



Royal Institution^! 5. — Great Problems in Astronomy: Sir Robert 

 Ball, F.R.S. 



Society OF Arts, at 4. 30.— British North Borneo: Henry Walker. 



Institution of Civil Engineers, at 8.— American Locomotive Practice: 

 P. J. Cowan. 



NO. I 743, VOL. 67] 



WEDNESDA Y, April i. 



Society of Arts, at 8. — Application of Polyphase Motors to the Electrical 

 Driving of Workshops and Factories : A. C. Eborall. 



Society of Public Analysts, at 8. — Recent Advances in the Bacterio- 

 logical Examination of Water: W. H. Jollyman. — The Ash of British 

 Pharmacopoeia Drugs : W. Chattaway and C. G. Moor. 



Entomological Society. — Contributions towards the Life History of 

 Orina (Chrysochloa) tristis var. Smaragdina : Dr T. A. Chapman. 

 rHURsDA > , April 2. 



Linnean Society, at 8. — List of Marine Alga; collected at the Maldive 

 and Laccadive Islands by J. Stanley Gardiner : Mrs. Gepp (Ethel S. 

 Barton). — The Comparative Anatomy of Cyatheaceie and other Ferns: 

 D. T- Gwynne-Vaughan. 



Chemical Society, at 8.— On the Absorption Spectra of Nitric Acid in 

 Various States of Concentration : W. N. Hartley. — The Dioximes of 

 Camphorquinone and Other Derivatives of /stmilrosocamphor : M. O. 

 Forster. Salts of a Mercaptoid Isomeric Form of Thioallophanic Acid, 

 and a New Synthesis of lminocarbaminethioalkyls : A. E. Dixon. — Dis- 

 coloured Rain: E G. Clayton. — Derivatives of o-Aminobenzophenone 

 and/.Aniinobenzophenone : F. D. Chattaway. 



Royal Geographical Society, at 4. — Geographical Education ; with 

 Special Reference to Globular Contoured Maps, Globes and Reliefs: 

 Prof. E. Reclus. 



Rontgen Society, at 8.30. — Some Effects produced by Radiations: 

 J. H. Gardiner. 



FRIDAY, April 3 



Malacological Society, at 8.— Additions to the genus Streptaxis : 

 G. K. Gude. — On a New Species of the genus Xylophaga from the 

 English Coast: E. A. Smith. — Not;s on some New or Little Known 

 Members of the Family Doridiidse : Sir Charles Eliot. — On a New Species 

 of Ceraslus from near Aden, with a Note on Otnpomn clausnm, Sby. : 

 E.R.Sykes. — Descriptions of Two Supposed New Species of Cyathopoma : 

 H. B. Preston. — On Shells Floating on the Surface of the Sea : August 

 Krogh. 



Royal Institution, at 9. — Drops and Surface Tension : Lord Rayleigh. 



CONTENTS. page 



Ancient Astronomy 481 



A French Work on Sylviculture. By Prof. W. R. 



Fisher 482 



The Art of Illumination 483 



Physiological Histology 484 



Our Book Shelf:— 



Ward : " The Figures, Facts, and Formulae of Photo- 

 graphy " 484 



" U. S. Department of Agriculture. Field Operations 



of the Bureau of Soils, 1901." — A. D. H 485 



Cohen: " Theoretical Organic Chemistry. " — F. M. P. 485 



Elliot : "Nature Studies (Plant life) " 486 



Holm : " Das Ohjectiv im Dienste der Photographie" 486 

 Letters to the Editor: — 



Permanent Electric Vibrations. — Dr. H. C. Pock- 



lington 486 



The Bearing of Recent Discoveries on the Physics of 



Taste and Smell. — F. Southerden 486 



Electricity and Matter. — E. H 487 



Papaw-Trees and Mosquitoes — E. Ernest Green . 487 



A Remarkable Meteor. — J. E. C. Liddle 487 



The Movement of Air Studied by Chronophoto- 



graphy. {Illustrated.) By F. J. J.-S 487 



The Ventilation of the Tubes 48S 



Through Persia and Baluchistan. (Illustrated.) By 



C. W. W 489 



Abandonment of the School of Medical Research 



at Netley 490 



Earthquake in the Midlands 491 



Notes 491 



Our Astronomical Column : — 



Astronomical Occurrences in April 496 



Stellar Parallax 496 



Measures of Saturn's Rings 496 



Observations of Jupiter's Fifth Satellite 496 



Observations of the Light of Nova Persei 496 



New Catalogue of Double Stars 496 



Magnetic Observations During Eclipses . . . . ■ 496 

 The Solidification of Fluorine and the Combination 

 of Solid Fluorine with Liquid Hydrogen. By 



Profs. H. MoissanandJ. Dewar, F.R.S 497 



The Accumulation of Meteorological Observations 497 



Lead in Peaty Water. By F. C . 498 



Progress of the New Vegetation of Krakatao. By 



W. Botting Hemsley, F.R.S 498 



Anthropological Notes 498 



University and Educational Intelligence 499 



Scientific Serial 500 



Societies and Academies 500 



Diary of Societies 504 



