76 



NATURE 



[April 13, 1905 



absolute alcohol, the metal dissolves, possibly as an acid 

 hyposulphite. This solution, left in a vacuum, deposits 

 niagnesium hyposulphite. — On acetyl-lactic acid : V. 

 Auger. Previous accounts of this substance being con- 

 tradictory, the author has attempted to procure it in a 

 pure state. It can be obtained either by the action of 

 acetyl chloride on calcium lactate or on lactic acid, or by 

 using acetic anhydride in the place of the acetyl chloride. 

 The substance was obtained in a crystalline form in all 

 three preparations, and its physical and chemical proper- 

 ties are given. — On the compounds of aluminium chloride 

 with hydrocarbons and hydrogen chloride : G. Gustavson. 

 By the interaction of benzene, isopropyl chloride, and 

 aluminium chloride, the author has isolated a definite 

 compound, the action of which, in the Friedel and Crafts 

 reaction, may be compared to that of a ferment. This 

 substance can unite both with hydrocarbons and hydrogen 

 chloride. — On the hydrides of phenanthrene : Pierre 

 Breteau. Previous work on the hydrogen addition com- 

 pounds of phenanthrene has been carried out with the aid 

 of hvdriodic acid. The author has applied the Sabatier 

 and Senderens reaction with reduced nickel, and in the 

 present communication gives the results obtained with the 

 hexahvdride and octahydride of phenanthrene. — On the re- 

 trogradation of artificial starch : E. Roux. — The influence 

 of the ethylene function in an active molecule: J. 

 Minguin. With the view of throwing further light on the 

 effect of the ethylene linkage on the rotation, the author 

 has prepared aniyl succinate, maleate, and fumarate, as 

 well as the corresponding esters of bornyl alcohol, and has 

 measured the rotatory power. — The constitution of the_ liga- 

 mentary ridge and the evolution of the ligament in existing 

 Acephai.-e analogous to the Rudist;e : R. Anthony. — Dia- 

 grams showing the ligament in section are given for Vnio 

 Pictoriim and Actheria Caillaudi at two ages. — Hetero- 

 typical mitosis in the Ascomycetes : Ren^ Maire. — 

 On the possible rSle of slipping in metallogeny : L. 

 De Launay. An application of the idea of charriage to 

 a study of the continuity of metallic lodes. — On the exist- 

 ence of schists with graptoliths at Haci-El-Khenig, Central 

 Sahara : G. B. M. Flamand. Specimens of schists bear- 

 ing fossils, collected by Captain Cottenest, prove to be 

 characteristically Silurian, and form the first definite proof 

 of this system in the Central Sahara. — On the presence of 

 the Middle and Upper Carboniferous in the Sahara : Enile 

 Haugr. — On an extraordinary halo observed at Paris : 

 Louis Besson. This halo, which was observed at the 

 Montsouris Observatory on March 26, besides the ordinary 

 circle and parhelia of 22°, presented two abnormal coloured 

 arcs, the angular measurements of which are given. 



DIARY OF SOCIETIES. 



THURSDAY, April 13. 

 Royal Societv, at 4.30. — On a New Type of Electric Furnace; with a 

 Redetermination of the Melting Point of Platinum : Dr. J. A. Harker.— 

 On Colour Vision by Very Weak Light: Dr. G. J. Burch, F.R.S.— 

 (0 The Improved Electric Micrometer; (2) The Amplitude of the 

 Minimum Audible Impulsive Sound : Dr. P. E. Shaw.— The Refractive 

 Indices of Sulphuric Acid : Dr. V. H. Veley. F.R.S., and J. 1. Manley. 

 —On the Intensity and Direction of the Force of Gravity in India : 

 l.ieut.-Colonel S. G. Burrard. F.R.S.— .4 Quantitative Study of Carbon 

 Dioxide Assimilation and Leaf-Temperature in Natural Illumination : 

 F. F. Blackman and Miss G. Matthaei. 

 Royal Institution, at 5. — Synthetic Chemistry : Prof. R. Meldola, 



F.R.S. 

 Institution of Electrical Engineers, at 8. — The Alternating Cur- 

 rent Series Motor: F. Greedy.— Discussion of Mr. Bion J. Arnold's 

 address to the joint meeting at St. Louis. 

 Institution of Mining and Metallurgy, at 8. — The Kedabeg Copper 

 Mines : Guslav Koller— Refining Gold Bullion and Cyanide Precipitates 

 with O-xygen Gas : T. Kirke Rose.— Wood Gas for Power Purposes and 

 Gas Generator ; G. M. Douglas.- Notes on the Prestea District, Gold 

 Coast Colony : P. Poore.— Notes on the New Dharwar Gold Field of 

 India : R. O. Ahlers.— The Cause of Border Segregation in some 

 Igneous Magmas: J.Park. 

 Mathe.matical Society, at 5.30.-00 Irreducible Jacobians of Degree 

 Six : P, W. Wood —On Fermat's Numbers and the Converse of Fer- 

 mat's Theorem ; A E. Western.— On the Strains that accompany Bend- 

 ing : Prof. A. E. H Love.— Ordinary Inner Limiting Sets in the Plane 

 or Higher Space : Dr. W. H. Young. 



FRIDAY, kTRi\. 14. 



Royal Institution, atg. — The Law of Pressure of Gases below Atmo- 

 sphere : Lord Rayleigh. 



Physical Society, at 8. — On Ellipsoidal Lenses : R. J. Sowter. — (i) The 

 Determination of the Moment of Inertia of the Magnets used in the 



Measurement of the Horizontal Component of the Earth's Field : (2) 

 Exhibition of a Series nf Lecture Experiments illustrating the Proper- 

 ties of the Gaseous Ions produced bv Radium artd other Sources : 

 Dr. W. Watson, F.R.S. 



RoYAi- Astronomical Society, at 5. — Value of Meteoric Radiants 

 Based on Three Paths: W. F. Denning.— Determination of Longitude on 

 the Planet Jupiter: G. W. Houjh.-(i) Revised Elements of UV Cyeni ; 

 (2) Revised Elements of V Lyra; : A. Stanley William*.— Further Note 

 on Instrumental Errors affecting Observations of the Moon : in reply to 

 Mr. Cowell's paper of June, .0.4: H. H. Turner. -Reply to Prof. 

 Turner's paper: P. H. Cowell. — Note on the Point Distributions on a 

 Sphere: with Remarks on the Determination of the Apex of the Sun's 

 Motion: H. C. Plummer. 



M.^lacological Society, at 8. — .\naIomical aqd Systematic Notes on 

 Dorcasia, Trigonephriis, Gorilla, Thersites, and Chlorltls : Henry A. 

 Pilsbry. — Some Account of the Anatomy of Cassidaria riigosa, L. : 

 Alexander Reynell.— Votes on a small Collection of Shells from the 

 Victoria Falls. Zambesi River: H. B. Preston — Descriptions of Six 

 New Specie* of Land Shells from South Africa : H. Burnup. 



Institution of Mechanical Engineers, at 8. — President's Address. 

 Conclusion of discussion on Steam-engine Research Report and Prof. 

 Capper's reply. 



SATURDAY, AiRiL 15. 



R«yal Institution, at 3. — Some Controverted Questions of Optics: 

 Lord Rayleigh. 



MONDAY, April 17. 



Institute of Actuaries, at 5.— On the Impoitance and Practicability 

 of a Standard Classification of Impaired Lives: Dr. S. W. C:irrulhers.— 

 Social Conditions as afl^ecting Widows' and Orphans' Pension Funds : 

 S. J. H. W. Allin. 



TUESDA Y, April 18. 



Royal Statistical Society, at 5. 



Zoological Society, at 3.30. 



Institution of Civil Engineers, at 8. — Annual General Meeting. 



WEDNESDA V, April iq. 



Geological Society, at 8. — The Biea Wyke Rocks and the Dogger ia 

 North-East Yorkshire: R. H. Rastalt.— Notes on the Geological Aspect 

 of Some of the North-Eastern Territories of the Congo Independent 

 State : G. F. J. Preumont ; with Petrographical Notes : I. .\ Howe. 



Royal Microscopical Society, at S. — On the App! cation j{ the 

 Undulalory Theorj^ to Optical Problems : A E. Coniady. 



Royal Meteorological Society, at 7.30. — An Account of the Observa- 

 tions at Crinan in 1004, and Description of a new Meteorograph for use 

 with Kites: W. H. Dines.— Rate of Fall of Rain at Seathwaite : 

 Dr H. R. Mill. 



Chemical Society, at 5.30. — Complex' Nitrites of Bismuth : W. C. Ball. 



NO. 1850. VOL. 71] 



CONTENTS, PAGE 



A Doctor's 'View of the East. By T. H. H 553 



A Book on Museums. By R. L. 554 



Elementary Physiology. By Prof. B. Moore . . . 556 



Terrestrial Magnetism 557 



Our Book Shelf :— 



Hiscox : " Mechanical Appliances, Mechanical Move- 

 ments and Novelties of Construction " 557 



Righi : " Modern Theory of Physical Phenomena, 



Radio-activity, Ions, Electrons " 55S 



"The Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society" . . 558 

 Steele: "Mediaeval Lore from Bartholomew 



Anglicus" 559 



Hertwig : " Ergebnisse und Probleme der Zeugungs- 



und Vererbungs-lehre " 559 



Letters to the Editor: — 



The Dynamical Theory of ( lase'. — Lord Rayleigh, 



O. M., F.R.S. . 559 



The Physical Cause of The Earth's Rigidity.— Prof. 



T. J. J.gSee 559 



The Lyrid Meteors. — ^John R. Henry 560 



Antarctica. (lUuslrated.) By L. C. B 560 



A New British Marine Expedition 562 



The Indian Earthquake of April 4 563 



Prof. Pietro Tacchini 564 



Notes 565 



Our Astronomical Column ; — 



Comet 1905 a (Giacobini) 569 



\'ariability of a Minor Planet 569 



Visual Observation of Jupiter's Sixth Satellite . . . . 569 



Real Path of a Bright Meteor 569 



A New 24-inch Reflector at Harvard 569 



Siars with Variable Radial \eIocities 569 



North African Petroglyphs. (Illustrated.) By 



A. C. H 570 



The Mineral Resources of Canada 571 



The Royal Horticultural Society 571 



University and Educational Intelligence . . . 572 



Societies and Academies 573 



Diary of Societies 576 



