NATURE 
| NOVEMBER I, 1906 
conditions on the so-called chloride of bromine, and comes 
to the conclusion that no such compound really exists. 
The crystals which can be obtained by cooling sufficiently 
a solution, of bromine in liquefied chlorine have a com- 
position depending on the temperature at which they are 
formed, and are mixed crystals of the two halogens.— 
Protoxide of cawsium: E. Rengade. It is possible to 
prepare the oxide of casium Cs,O in a pure and _ well- 
crystallised condition by admitting a limited quantity of 
oxygen to a weighed amount of the metal. When about 
two-thirds the amount of oxygen necessary to form the 
Cs,O has been admitted, the excess of the metal is slowly 
distilled off in a vacuum at 200° C. The oxide remains in 
the form of orange-red crystals, reacting violently with 
water, and decomposing at about 500° C. in contact with 
silver, and in the cold in the presence of liquefied ammonia, 
the latter giving a mixture of the amide and hydrate of 
casium.—The pure alloys of tungsten and manganese, and 
the preparation of tungsten: G. Arrivaut. In the reduc- 
tion by aluminium a suitably high temperature of reaction 
is obtained by using Mn,O,, WO,, MnO,, and WO, in 
varying proportions. Manganese-tungsten alloys can be 
prepared containing from 12 per cent. to 60 per cent. of 
tungsten. By preparing an ingot containing 45 per cent. 
of tungsten and submitting this to the action of hydro- 
chloric acid, the residue was nearly pure tungsten, 99-5 per 
cent.—The products of condensation of acetylenic esters 
with amines: Ch. Moureu and I. Lazennec. The pro- 
ducts of the condensation of the acetylenic esters 
R—C=C—CO,R’ with amines are non-basic bodies, easily 
hydrolysed by acids. Hydrolysis regenerates the amine, with 
formation of the ketonic ester R—CO—CH,—CO,R’. 
The reaction furnishes a new method of passing from the 
acetylenic esters to the B-ketonic esters.—The atomic 
weight of dysprosium: G. Urbain and M. Demenitroux. 
A set of determinations, carried out on the products of 
different fractions, gave 162-54 (O=16) as a mean of twelve 
very concordant results.—The presence of formol in certain 
foods: G. Perrier. By applying the very sensitive re- 
action proposed by Voisenet for the detection of minimal 
proportions of formol, the author has proved the presence 
of this substance in various articles of food, the form- 
aldehyde arising from the mode of preparation, and not 
having been specially added. In view of these results the 
author discusses the advisability of altering the existing 
law, which absolutely prohibits the presence of form- 
aldehyde in food, substituting a maximum limit.—The azo 
colouring matters: heat of combustion and constitutional 
formule: P. Lemoult.—The liquid crystals of cholesteryl 
propionate: Fred. Wallerant.—The action of copper salts 
on the germination of Penicillium: M. Le Renard.—The 
variations of assimilation with light and temperature: W. 
Lubimenko.—The swimming mechanism of P. maximus : 
Fred Vies.—Mesoglicola Delaget, a parasite of Corynactis 
viridis: A. Quidor.—The unity of the hamatozoa of 
paludism: M. Thiroux.—The Dolichopodida of amber 
from the Baltic: Fernand Meunier. 
DIARY OF SOCIETIES. 
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1. 
Rovat Soctgety, at 4.30.—On Intravascular Coagulation in Albinoes and 
Pigmented Animals, and on the Behaviour of the Nucleo-proteids of 
Testes in Solution in the Production of Intravascular Coagulation: G. P. 
Mudge. —Nitrification of Sewage: Dr. G. Reid.—A General Considera- 
tion of the Subaérial and Freshwater Algal Flora of Ceylon: Dr. F. E. 
Fritsch.—The Anesthetic and Lethal Quantity of Chloroform in the Blood 
of Animals: Dr. G. A. Buckmaster and J. A. Gardner. 
CHEMICAL SOCIETY, at 8.30.—A Development of the Atomic Theory which 
correlates Chemical and Crystalline Structure and leads to a Demon- 
stration of the Nature of Valency: W. Barlow and W. J. Pope.—The 
Explosive Combustion of Hydrocarbons, ii.: W. A. Bone, J. Drugman 
and G. W. Andrew.—Contributions to the Theory of Solutions : (1) The 
Nature of the Molecular Arrangement in Aqueous Mixtures of the Lower 
Alcohols aad Acids of the Paraffin Series; (2) Molecular Complexity in 
the Liquid State; (3) Theory of the Intermiscibility of Liquids: J. 
Holmes.—The Hydrolysis of Nitro-cellulose and Nitro-glycerol: O. 
Silberrad and R. C. Farmer.—The Determination of the Rate of Chemical 
Change by Measurement of Gases Evolved: F. E. E. Lamplough.— 
Experiments on the Synthesis of the Terpenes Part IX., The Preparation 
of §-Ketohexahydrobenzoic Acid (8-Ketocyc/ohexanecarboxylic Acid) 
and of y-Ketocyc/opentanecarboxylic Acid: F. W. Kay and W. H. 
Perkin, jun.—Experiments on the Synthesis of the Terpenes, Part X., 
Synthesis of A’-7-Menthenol (8) and of Carvestrene: W. H. Perkin, jun., 
and G. Tattersall.—Some Derivatives of Catechol, Pyrogallol, Benzo- 
phenone and of Other Substances allied to the Natural Colouring 
Matters: W. H. Perkin, jun., and C. Weizmann. 
NO. 1931, VOL. 75] 
' Linnean SociEry, at 8.—The Structure uf Bamboo Leaves: Sir Dietrich 
Brandis, K.C.I.E., F.R.S.—On a Collection of Crustacea Decapoda and 
Stomatopoda, chiefly from the Inland Sea of Japan, with Descriptions of 
New Species: Dr. J. G. de Man.—On Hectoredlla caespitosa, Hook. f.. 
with Remarks on its Systematic Position: Prof. A. J. Ewart. —Axhiéy- 
tions: Young Plaice Hatched and Reared in Captivity : the President. — 
Abnormal Specimens of Lguisetum Tedmateca, thrh.: George Talbot. 
Civit AND MgcHANIcCAL ENGINEERS’ SociETy, at 8.—Bridge Work 
Design: P. J. Waldram. 
FRIDAY, NovEMBER 2. 
Geotocists’ AssoctaTion, at 8.—Conversazione. 
MONDAY, NovemMBeER 5. 
SocroLocicaL Society, at 8.—Psychological Factors in Social Transmis- 
sion: Dr. J. W. Slaugbter. 
Lonpon INSTITUTION, at 5. Sir Robert 
Ball, F.R.S. 
SocteTy or CHEMICAL INDUSTRY, at 8.—The Advantages of Investigating 
the Unlikely: Sir William Ramsay, KCB; Kok: Ss 
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6. 
INSTITUTION oF CiviIL ENGINEERS, at 8.—Address by the President, Sir 
Alexander B. W. Kennedy, and Presentation of Medals and Prizes 
Awarded by the Council. 
WEDNESDAY, NovEMBER 7 
ENTOMOLOGICAL Soctety, at 8.—A Permanent Record of British Moths in 
their Attitude of Rest: A. H. Hamm. 
GEOLOGICAL SocigEty, at 8.—On the Upper Carboniferous Rocks of West 
Devon and North Cornwall: E. A. Newell Arber.—The Titaniferous 
Basalts of the Western Mediterranean: H. S. Washington. 
SocieTy oF PusLic ANALysTs, at 8.—The Analyst and the Medical Man: 
Dr. F. Gowland Hopkins, F.R.S. 
THURSDAY, Novemeer 8. 
Roya Society, at 4.30.—Probable Papers: Note on the Continuous Rays 
observed in the Spark Spectra of Metalloids and some Metals: Prof. 
W. N. Hartley, F.R.S.—The Composition of Thorianite, and the Relative 
Radio-activity of its Constituents: Dr. &. H. Biichaer-—On a Compen- 
sated Micro-manometer: B. J. P. Roberts.—Experimental Investigation 
as to the Dependence of Gravity on Temperature: L. Southerns.—A 
Numerical Examination of the Optical Properties of Thin Metallic 
Plates: Prof. R. C. Maclaurin. 
MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY, at 5. 30-—Annual General Meeting.—Presidential 
Address: Partial Differential Equations; some Criticisms and some 
Suggestions: Prof. A. R. Forsyth —Harmonic Expansions of Functions 
of Two Variables: Prof. A. C. Dixon.—The General Solution of 
Laplace’s Equation in x Dimensions: G. N. Watson.—On Sub-groups of 
a Finite Abelian Group: H. Hilton.—On Backlund’s Transformation and 
the Partial Differential Equation s=F(x, y, 2). 
InsTITUTION OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS, at 8.—Presentation of Pre- 
miums awarded for Papers Read or Published during 190;-06.—In- 
augural Address by the President, Dr. R. T. Glazebrook, F.R.S. 
FRIDAY, NovemeBeR 9. 
Roya ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, at 5. 
PuysicaL Society, at 8.—Exhibition and Description of Experiments 
Suitable for Students in a Physics Laboratory: G. F. C. Searle. 
MALACOLOGICAL Society, at 8.—Description of a New Species of Callio- 
stoma from S. Formosa: E. A. Smith, I.S.0.—Description of a New 
Sub-genus and Species of Alyczeus from Ke-lan-tan: H. B. Preston.— 
Description of Six New Species of Shells and of Leftomya lintea, 
Hutton, from New Zealand: H. Suter.—Descriptions of some Tertiary 
Shells from New Zealand : H. Suter. 
CONTENTS. 
—Earthquakes and Volcanoes: 
PAGE 
Some Recent Works on Logic... . I 
A Manual of Pharmacology .... . 2 
A Pioneer in Biology . eee. 3 
AnalysisjofpPaints: 9). 2050 -cs 4 
Our Book Shelf :— 
Mill: ‘‘ British Rainfall, 1905. %_W. J. S.L. 5 
“Technical Thermometry” . . : 6 
Berberich : ‘*¢ Astronomischer Jahresbericht ” 6 
“« Zoologischer Jahresbericht fiir 1905”. . . 6 
Letters to the Editor :— 
Absorption of the Radio-active Emanations iss Char- 
coal.—Sir James Dewar, ?.R.S. 
Radium and Geology.—Prof. J. Joly, F.R. ‘gh eae 
The Evolution of the Colorado Spiderwort.—Prof. 
Te DA. Cockerell i nacue se. 3.30) aT, 
The Dynamics of Bowling. (///ustrated.) ByC.G.K. 8 
The Position of Agathocles during the Eclipse of 
“NO 
B.C. 310 August 15. By P. H. Cowell, F.R.S. 10 
Scientific Investigation in India. . . Ry) UL 
IICLOS oy koe Oe ee 
Our Astronomical Column :— 
Astronomical Occurrences in November. é 16 
Greenwich Observatory and the Power Station 16 
[nari @ hangesig geen)... eee 16 
Eclipse Observations . 16 
The Zodiacal Light . : je ae 16 
The Mira Maximum of 1906 BP one os 17 
Meteorology of the Nile Valley 17 
New Physical and Engineering Departments of the 
University of Edinburgh. (Z//ustrated.). .... . 20 
University and Educational Intelligence ..... 21 
Societies)and» Academies) fo... \-ih cine ene 
Diary of;Socteties: -yo4. ..- cmc) <0 neem 
