48 
NATURE 
[ NovEMBER 8, 1906 
J. Clairin.—The system of integrals of total differentials 
belonging to a hyperelliptic surface: E, Traynard.— 
The complementary geodesic triangulations of the higher 
regions of the French Alps: P. Helbronner.—The veloci- 
ties of detonation of explosives: M. Dautriche. The 
author describes a new method of measuring these veloci- 
ties by the use of an explosive string. The two ends of 
this are fired simultaneously by a detonator, and the point 
at which the two detonations meet determined by a 
special device. After the accuracy of the method had been 
determined by blank experiments, in which both arms of 
the circuit consisted of the same material, a tube contain- 
ing another explosive was inserted in one of the arms. 
It was found possible to measure the retardation to one 
hundred-thousandth of a second.—Stereoscopic relief by 
projection: E. Estanave.—The dissociation of matter 
under the influence of light and heat: Gustave Le Bon. 
Remarks on a recent paper by Sir W. Ramsay and J. 
Spencer.—The migration of the phenyl group: mode of 
fixation of hypoiodous acid and of the elimination of 
hydriodic acid: M. Tiffeneau. In the fixation of HIO 
the hydroxyl group attaches itself by preference to the 
carbon atom to which the greatest number of groups are 
fixed, and to that nearest the phenyl group. In_ the 
elimination of HI the hydroxyl group nearest the phenyl 
group remains unattacked, and there is a migration of 
the phenyl. If, on the contrary, the hydroxyl group is 
removed from the phenyl group, the elimination of HI 
tends to form ethylene oxides.—Some new observations 
made at the summit of Mt. Blanc on the effect of high 
altitudes on the blood corpuscles: H. Guillemard and 
R. Moog.—The coagulability of the subhepatic blood : 
MM. Doyon, Cl. Gautier, and N. Kareff. Contrary to 
the usually accepted views, the authors, from experiments 
on more than fifty dogs, conclude that the subhepatic 
blood does coagulate, and also contains fibrin.—The lakes 
of the ring of Rabuons, Maritime Alps: André 
Delebecque. An account of hydrographic researches 
done on these lakes during the summer of 1906. 
DIARY OF SOCIETIES. 
THURSDAY, November 8. 
Royat SociEty, at 4.30.—The Occurrence of Encystation in T7ypanosomea 
grayi (Novy); with Remarks on Methods of Infection in Trypanosomes 
generally: Prof. E. A. Minchin.—Note on the Continuous Rays ob- 
served 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. E. H. Biichoer.—A Numerical 
Examination of the Optical Properties of Thin Metallic Plates: Prof. 
R. C Maclaurin.—On a Compensated Micro-manometer: B. J. P. 
Roberts.—Experimental Investigation as to the Dependence of Gravity 
on Temperature: L. Southerns 
MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY, at 5.30.—Annual General Meeting.—Presidential 
Address: Partial Differential Equations; some Criticisms and some 
Sugeestions: 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(+, y, z).—On the Inversion of a 
Definite Integral: H. Bateman. 
INSTITUTION OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS, at 8.—Presentation of Pre- 
miums awarded for Papers Read or Published during 1g0=-06.—In- 
augural Address by the President, Dr. R. T. Glazebrook, F.R-S. 
FRIDAY, NoveEMBER 9. 
Roya. ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, at 5.—On the Effects of Radiation on the 
Motion of Comets (Second Note): H. C. Plummer.—(r) On the Early 
Eclipses; (2) The Early Eclipses of the Sun and Moon: E. Nevill.— 
Note on a Mechanical Solution of Kepler's Equation: H. C. Plummer.— 
On the Pessibility of Improving the Places of the Reference Stars for 
the Astrographic Catalogue from the Photographic Measures: H. H. 
Vurner.—The Systematic Motions of the Stars: A. S. Eddington.— 
Stellar Parallax Papers, No. 3, The Parallax of Eight Stars, from 
Photographs taken at the Cambridge Observatory: H. N. Russell.— 
Aurore observed at Delting, Shetland, 1905-6: Rev. A. C. Henderson.— 
Probable Papers: Solar Parallax Papers, No. 5, Exaniination of the 
Photographic Places of Stars published in the Paris Zyos Circular: 
A. R. Hinks.—Notes on Theoretical Spectroscopy : E. T. Whittaker. 
Puysicat 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. 
MONDAY, NovemBeER 12. 
Roya GEOGRAPHICAL SociETY, at 8.30.—North-Eastern Rhodesia: 
L. A. Wallace. 
NO. 1932, VOL. 75] 
| 
TUESDAY, NoveMBER 13. 
InsTiTUTION oF CiviL ENGINEERS, at 8.—Single-phase Electric Traction : 
C. F. Jenkin 
ZOOLOGICAL SocIETY, at 8.30.—On the Embryo of the Okapi: Prof. R. 
Burckhardt.—Zoological Results of the Third Tanganyika Expedition, 
conducted by Dr. W. A. Cunnington, 1904-05. Report on the Turbel- 
laria: F. F. Laidlaw.—List of Further Collections of Mammals from 
We:-tern Australia, including a Series from Bernier Island, obtained for 
Mr. W. E. Balston: with Field-notes by the Collector, Mr. G. C. 
Shortridge: Oldfield Thomas, F,R.S.—The Mollusca of the Persian 
Gulf, Gulf of Oman, and Arabian Sea, as evidenced mainly through the 
Collections of Mr. F. W. Townsend, 1893-1905; with Descriptions of 
New Species, Part ii., Pelecypoda: J. Cosmo Melvill and Robert 
Standen. 
MINERALOGICAL So crETy, at 8.—Growth of Crystals of Soluble Salts on 
Each Other: T. V. Barker.—Notes on Some Bolivian Minerals: 
L. J. Spencer.—Note on Ilmenite from Brazil: G. F. Herbert Smith.— 
Description of the Lengenbach Quarry and of the Minerals found there 
in 1906: R. H. Solly.—Note on the Lhirty-two Classes of Symmetry ; 
H. Hilton.—Note on a Canadian Mineral: Prof. Harrington. 
Farapay Sociery, at 8.—Some Investigations Relative to the Deprecia- 
tion of Electrolytically-produced Solutions of Sodium Hypochlorite : W. 
Pollard Digby.—The Hermite Hlectrolytic Process at Poplar: C. V. 
Biggs.—On the Electrochemistry of Lead: Dr. A. C. C. Cumming. 
THURSDAY, NovEMBER 15. 
Roya Society, at 4.30.—Probable Papers: Calcium as an Absorbent of 
Gases, and its Applications in the Production of High Vacua and for 
Spectroscopic Research: fF. Soddy.—A Method of Gauging by Evapora- 
tion the Degree of High Vacua: A. J. Berry.—The Effect of Tempera- 
ture on the Activity of Radium and its Transformation Products: Dr. 
H. L. Bronson.—On the Refractive Indices of Gaseous Potassium, Zinc, 
Cadmium, Mercury, Arsenic, Selenium and Tellurium; C. Cuthbertson 
and E. P. Metcalfe.—The Photo-electric Fatigue of Zinc: H. S. Allen. 
CHEMICAL Society, at 8.30.—On the Determination of the Rate of Che- 
mical Change by Measurement of Gases Evolved: F. E. E. Lamplough. 
—Xanthoxalanil and its Analogues ; S$. Ruhemann. 
LINNEAN Society, at 8.—Recent Researches n Norway: Horace W 
Monckton. 
FRIDAY, November 16. 
INSTITUTION OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS, at 8.—Steam as a Motive 
Power for Public Service Vehicles: T. Clarkson. 
CONTENTS. PAGE 
Science and Folly. ByJ.P...... 25 
Practical Chemistry. ByJ.B.C. .. 20 
CottoniinvAimentcar (irc) -n eter 27 
Botanical Dictionaries . 28 
Our Book Shelf :— 
van der Heyden: *‘ First Steps in the Calculus” . 29 
Busquet: ‘‘A Manual of Hydraulics” .. . 29 
Adams : ‘‘ Guide to the Principal Families of Flowering 
RIMS" . ole gen 6 o POE 5 clic ee + 29 
Martindale and Westcott: ‘‘ The Extra Pharmacopceia 
of Martindale and Westcott” ... . 29 
Letters to the Editor :— 
The Extirpation of the Tsetse-fly : a Correction and a 
Suggestion.—Prof. E, A. Minchin. . ... 30 
The Efficiency of the Present Process of Natural Indigo 
Manufacture.—C. Bergtheil ........ 30 
The Leonid Meteors.—John R. Henry .. . 30 
The Rusting of Iron.—Rev. Joseph Meehan 3I 
Protozoa and Statozoa. (///ustrated.). . ; eset 
The International Geodetic Conference at Buda 
Pest. By Sir G. H. Darwin, K C.B., F.R.S. 33 
The First ‘‘ Manned” Flying Machine . Pe eh 
The University Movement in Western Australia. 
1) 2) In Ree ARDC. oS ich Goway ea 20H 35 
Niel ey ile een i ca eS. Gy af otlovgages: « 36 
Our Astronomical Column :— 
The Calorific Radiation of the Sun... .. . 40 
The System of 61 Cygni a 5 40 
MheiCape!Obsexnvatornyy nc.) l=) 2h 40 
Minor/Planets: Suiits. <a) <0 <i) Surette 40 
Designations of Newly-discovered Variable Stars . 4 
The Bologna Observatory . ee oc. 41 
Research in India, By A. Ernest Crawley . 41 
Natural History in Natal. ByR.L....... 42 
Weights aud Measures Regulations 3) ie gotta 
The Internal Architecture of Metals.  (///ustratéd:) 
ByvProf. J.\O; Arnold) 9 > een) su eee 
University and Educational Intelligence 45 
Societiestand "Academies! oaeu oes see 47 
Diary of Societies aes sos, ee 48 
oe 
