72 NATURE 
| NOVEMBER 15, 1906 
with the products of hydrolysis of egg-albumin, but the 
ratios in which the various substances are produced 
differ in the two cases.—The liquid crystals of ammonium 
oleate: Fred. Wallerant.—The indirect actions of elec- 
tricity on germination: Pierre Lesage.—The histological 
structure and development of the osseous tissue. in ectro- 
melian monsters: J. Salmon.—Cytology and pathogeny of 
spermatic cysts: J. Sabrazes.—The development of poly- 
genesis and the theory of concrescence: Jan Tur.—The 
dislocations of the edge of the Central Plateau between 
Voulte and Vans (Ardéche): Emile Haug.—The Jurassic 
strata in Greece: Carl Renz.—The archzan substratum of 
the globe and the mechanism of geodynamical actions: E. 
Jourdy.—The circumzenithal rainbow : Louis Besson. 
New SoutH WaALgs. 
Linnean Society, Seprember 26.—Mr. T. S eel, president, 
in the chair.—The sound (and lake) basins of New 
Zealand and the cafions of Eastern Australia in their 
bearing on the theory of the peneplain: E. C. Andrews. 
An attempt, from an examination of Eastern Australian 
and New Zealand geographical types, to prove Prof. 
Davis’s contention that the greater number of plateaus 
of erosion are elevated peneplains formed at or near sea- 
level. Streams speedily cut profound canons, the bases 
‘of which, even prior to the passing away of the individu- 
‘ality of the central plateau, approximate closely to the 
level of the main water body into which they are dis- 
charging. Large floods determine these channel grades, 
the normal stream being functional in aggrading the 
holes formed below main or temporary base-level by 
the storm waters. The lake and sound basins of New 
Zealand represent holes ploughed out below base-level 
by swiftly converging glaciers, and are analogous to 
the deep flood holes found in river beds.—A correlation 
of contour, climate, and coal: a contribution to the 
physiography of New South Wales: T. Griffith Taylor. 
it is submitted that the rivers of the Murray-Darling 
system show evidence of the influence of Ferrel’s law on 
their courses. The gap in the Great Divide situated near 
Cassilis is due to the shifting of the Divide by the Goul- 
burn River. The cutting action of this river has been 
determined by the lower ‘“‘ coefficient of resistance ’’ of the 
Permo-Carboniferous Coal-measures. The relation of the 
temperature lines and of the lines of rainfall is shown to 
be influenced by this Geocol.—The stinging property of 
the giant nettle-tree (Laportea gigas, Wedd.) : Jie MEE 
Petrie. The physiological action is shown to be due to 
the free acid existing in a concentrated form in the hairs, 
which are hollow siliceous tubes, and it differs from the 
sting of the common nettle only in degree. Laportea 
rontains ninety times more free acid than the common 
mettle.—A striking example of river-capture in the coastal 
districts of New South Wales: Dr. W. G. Woolnough 
and T. Griffith Taylor. The authors have examined the 
topographical relations of the bend in the Shoalhaven 
River near Marulan. Field evidence shows the existence 
of a fairly well-defined ancient river-channel connecting 
the Shoalhaven and Wollondilly watersheds. Along this 
line are well-defined coarse river-gravels derived from the 
southward. The structure of this former river-channel is 
described. It is pointed out that other instances of capture 
of Wollondilly water by branches of the Shoalhaven are 
imminent, for instance, in the neighbourhood of Bunda- 
noon.—Supplement to the ‘‘ Revision of the Cicindelidz 
of Australia ’’: Dr. T. G. Sloane.—Descriptions of new 
species of Lomaptera (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae, subfamily 
Cetonides): A. M. Lea. Two species are described, from 
specimens obtained by Mr. H. Hacker at Coen, N.Q., 
district which appears to be rich in showy beetles, 
especially in Cetonids and Longicorns. 
DIARY OF SOCIETIES. 
THURSDAY, NoveMeeEr 15. 
Royat Society, at 4.30.—Calcium as an Absorbent of Gases, and its 
Applications in the Production of High Vacua and for Spectroscopic 
Research: F. Soddy.—A Method of Gauging by Evaporation the Degree 
of High Vacua (Addendum to Mr. F. Soddy’s Paper): A. J. Berry.—The 
Effect of Temperature 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: 
NO. 1933, VOL. 75 | 
G: See 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.+ 
LinngEAN Sociery, at 8.—Recent Researches in Norway: 
Monckton. 
FRIDAY, NoveMBER 16. 
INSTITUTION OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS, at 8.—Steam as a Motive 
Power for Public Service Vehicles: T. Clarkson. 
MONDAY, NovemBeER 10. 
Lonpon INSTITUTION, at 5.—Musical Sands: Cecil Carus-Wilson. 
RoyaL GEOGRAPHICAL SociETy, at 8.39.—The Seychelle Islands: J. 
Stanley Gardiner. 
SocioLoGIcaL SociEry, at 8. —Japanese Character : 
Sociery oF Arts, at 8.—The Nutrition of the Plant: 
TUESDAY, NovEMBER 20. 
InstTiTuTION oF CiviL ENGINEERS, at 8.—Single-phase Electric Traction 
(Discussion): C. F. Jenkin 
Royat SraTisTicAL Society, at 5 —Presidential Address: Sir Richard 
B. Martin, Bart. 
ANTHROPOLOGICAL INSTITUTE, at 8.15.—A Visit to the Hopi Indians of 
Oraibi : W. Crewdson.—On the Relative Statures of Men with Long 
Heads, Short Heads, and those with Intermediate Heads, in the 
Museum, Driffield: J. R. Mortimer. 
WEDNESDAY, November 21. 
ENTCMOLOGICAL SociETy, at 8.—Studies of the Blattide (ii.): R. 
Shelford.—Notes on the Life-history of Yvochilium andrenaeforme, 
Lasp. : Hon, N. Charles Rothschild. 
Rovat MicroscopicaL Socigry, at 8.—The Use of a Top Stop for Devel- 
oving Latent Powers of the Microscope: J. W. Gordon, 
Society or Arts, at 8.—Opening Address by Sir 
Bayley, K.C.S.1. 
Royat METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY, at 7.30.—The International Congress 
on Polar Exploration at Brussels, Seprember. 1906: Dr. H. R. Mill.— 
The Abnormal Weather of the - Past Summer, and some of its Effects : 
W. Marriott. 
GEo.ocicaL Society, at 8.—On the Skull and Greater Portion of the 
Skeleton of Goniopholis crassidens, from the Wealden Shales of Atterfield 
(Isle of Wight): Reginald W. Hooley.—The Kimeridge Clay and 
Corallian Rocks of the Neighbourhood of Brill (Buckinghamshire); A. 
Morley Davies. 
Horace W. 
Prof, Motora. 
A. D. Hall. 
Steuart Colvin 
THURSDAY, NoveMBER 22. 
Rova Society. at 4.30.—Probable Papers : Studies on the Development 
of Larval Nephridia ; Part ii., Polygordius : Dr. Cresswell Shearer.—The 
Structure of Nerve Fibres: Prof. J. S. Macdonald.—On Opsonins in 
Relation to Red Blood Cells: Dr. J. O. Wakelin-Barratt.—On the 
Inheritance of Certain Invisible Characters in Peas: R. H. Lock.—The 
Influence of Increased Barometric Pressure on Man, No. 2: Leonard 
Hill, F.R.S., and M. G. Greenwood. 
INSTITUTION OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS, at 8.—Selection and Testing of 
Materials for Construction of Electric Machinery: Prof. J. Epstein. 
FRIDAY, NoveEMBER 23. 
PuysIcav Society, at 5.—On the Electrical Radiation from Bent Antenne : 
Prof. J. A. Fleming-—Auroral and Sun-spot Frequencies contrasted : Dr. 
C. Chree.—The Electrical Resistance of Alloys: Dr. R. S. Willows. 
CONTENTS. PAGE 
A Corpus of Australian Myths. By N. W.T... . 49 
The Wifevand, Worksof Plants; \.)\.) ecu) 
Steam and Hydraulic Turbines. 
Our Book Shelf: - 
Leisewilz: ‘* Ueber chilindse Fortbewegungs-Apparate 
einiger (insbesondere -fussloser) Insektenlarven.”’— 
By T.H.B. ... 50 
W. F. Kirby . 5 ; Scand tank steed! 
‘Map of the British Isles”. “2. epee eae 54 
Letter to the Editor: 
The Production of Radium from Actinium, —Bertram 
B. Boltwood . é a. fey. yg cape: 
A Modern Physical Laboratory. (Zilustrated.) By 
Dr. J. A. Harker 2) fein eh aS 
The Etiology of Sleeping Sickness. (Zdlustrated. ) 
By Frof. E. A. Minchin . cokes ete eno 
The Wireless Taper ls Goaerencenm By Maurice 
Solomon ... Pierce, tf 3) 
Niotesia. 4); : 2 6 60 
Our Astronomical Column :— 
Discovery of a New Comet . . . =m03 
The Telluric Lines in the Solar Spectrum . Bae oyoR DEO Cr 
The Number of the Visible Stars. . . . .. . Eh fos Met 
Stars with ‘Peculiaris pectra’ #15). ee nae 
AnInteresting® Variable’Star’ 5) ))n ssn cnise elena 
Catalogue of Double Stars ‘ Bi ey le) 
The Tenth International Geological Congress suse (et 
Meteorological Notes .. . 67 
Further Results of the Jesup ‘North Pacific Expedi- 
tion. By Dr./A: C: Haddon; F-R’S:. . 3 4). 68 
University and Educational Intelligence th EO) 
Societies and Academies . . OE Beier oir ~ 69 
IADiaryiof/Societies, 7. a) tee, Oa enna 
