96 
NATURE 
[| NOVEMBER 22, 1906 
the development more than the green rays; (4) the violet 
and ultra-violet rays were still more effective, and they 
appeared to break down and disintegrate the vitality of 
the cells when the latter were kept for some time under 
their influence. 
Paris. 
Academy of Sciences, November 12:—M. H. Poincaré 
im the chair.—Observations relating to equilibrium and 
reciprocal displacements between glycerol and _ other 
alcohols: M. Berthelot. The author refers to his experi- 
ments made between 1853 and 1862, and doubts the utility 
of the introduction of the words hydrolysis and alcoholysis. 
—A new and rapid method for the determination of the 
errors of division of a meridian circle: M. Loewy. A 
mathematical development of the method described in 
previous papers.—Some products of the fumerolles of the 
recent eruption of Vesuvius, with particular reference to 
the minerals containing arsenic and lead: A. Lacroix. 
The most abundant solid products of the fumerolles are 
those commonly found in all eruptions of Vesuvius, 
chlorides of iron, sodium, potassium, magnesium, and 
calcium, none of them well characterised from a minera- 
logical point of view with the exception of erythrosiderite. 
These chlorides are covered locally with realgar. The 
presence of galena has also been noted, the first time this 
mineral has been associated with the products of eruption 
of Vesuvius. Accompanying the galena were found magne- 
tite, magnesioferrite, haematite, pyrrhotite, and pyrites.— 
Contribution to the study of the calorific emission of the 
sun: C, Féry and G. Millochau. A discussion of the 
results obtained by methods described in earlier papers. 
The measurements showed that there exists a distinct 
radiation outside the sun’s disc, partly due to the dimensions 
of the thermocouple, but partly also to a calorific emission 
external to the solar image. On the assumption that the 
sun’s nucleus acts as a black body, an attempt is made to 
correct the observed values for the absorption due to the 
solar atmosphere; the temperature obtained in this way 
lies between 5963° and 5888° absolute. The absolute 
error in the determination of a temperature in the neigh- 
bourhood of 6000° abs. is estimated to be of the order of 
15°.—The photographic study of the telluric lines in the 
infra-red spectrum: Milan Stefanik. A description of 
observations carried out at the summit of Mt. Blane. A 
comparison of two spectra obtained with a grating, one 
about noon and the other at 6 p.m.—Observations of the 
sun made at the Observatory of Lyons during the third 
quarter of 1906: J. Guillaume. The results are exhibited 
“in three tables, showing the number of spots, their dis- 
tribution in latitude, and the distribution of the facule in 
latitude.—Groups of functions: Frédéric Riesz.—Differ- 
ential equations of the second order and of the first degree 
the general integral of which is at fixed critical points: M. 
Gambier.—The relative value of standards of light : Carcel, 
Hefner, and Vernon Harcourt: A. Perot and M. Laporte. 
Taking the Harcourt lamp as unity, the Carcel is. 0-996 
and the Hefner 0-0931. The experiments brought out the 
difficulties inherent to the use of flame standards, and show 
the necessity of having an absolute standard as indepen- 
dent as possible of external conditions, such as the Violle 
standard.—The reduction of molybdie acid in solution by 
molybdenum, and the titration of reducing solutions by 
permanganate: M. Guichard. The brown. solution 
obtained by the reduction of an acid solution of molybdic 
acid by molybdenum contains, not a salt of the dioxide, 
but a salt of the oxide Mo,O,. The conclusion is drawn 
that the dioxide of molybdenum does not form salts. The 
use of iron reduced from the pure oxide is recommended 
for standardising permanganate solutions.—The heat of 
combustion and of formation of some amines: P. Lemoult. 
—Xanthone and xanthydrol: R. Fosse. It is known that 
xanthone, although containing a ketonic oxygen, does not 
form directly a phenylhydrazone or an oxime. The reduc- 
tion product of xanthone, xanthydrol, on the other hand, 
reacts directly with hydroxylamine and with semicarbazide. 
The condensation of o- and p-nitro-benzyl chloride with 
acetylacetone: H. Mech.—The existence in Corsica of 
alkaline quartz porphyry, and a remarkable layer of 
orthose: M. Deprat.—The reproduction of the fig: 
Leclerc du Sablon.—The motor equivalent of resistant 
work in animal energetics: Jules Lefévre. 
NO. 1934, VOL. 75 | 
DIARY OF SOCIETIES. 
THURSDAY, NoveMBER 22. 
RovAL Society, at 4.30.—Studies on the Development of Larval Neph- 
ridia, Part ii., Polygordius: Dr. Cresswell Shearer.—The Structure of 
Nerve Fibres: Prof. J. S. Macdonald.—On Opsonins in Relation to 
Red Blond 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.—The Influence of the Kidneys on Metabolism : 
Dr. F. A. Bainbridge and Dr. A. P. Beddard. 
INSTITUTION OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS, at 8.—Selection and Testing of 
Materials for Construction of Electric Machinery: Prof. J. Epstein. 
FRIDAY, NoveMBER 23. 
Puysicar 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. 
SATURDAY, NovEMBER 24. 
Essex Fietp Ciup (at Essex Museum of Natural History, Stratford), 
at 6.30.—Report of Club's Delegate at York Meeting of British Associa- 
tion: F. W. Rudler.—Various Exhibits from Essex. 
MONDAY, NovemBer 26. 
Society oF Arts, at 8.—Artificial Fertilisers; the Fixation of Nitrogen: 
A. D. Hall. 
Lonpon INSTITUTION, at Raymond Blath- 
wayt. 
INSTITUTE OF ACTUARIES, at 5.—Inaugural Address by the President, 
F. B. Wyatt. 
5.-—Egypt, Past and Present : 
TUESDAY, NovEMBER 27 
InsTITUTION oF Civit ENGINEERS, at 8.—The Talla Water-supply of the 
Edinburgh,and District Waterworks: W. A. P. Tait —Repairing a Lime- 
stone-concrete Aqueduct : M. Ratcliffe Barnett.—The Yield of Catchment- 
areas: EB. P. Hill. 
ZOOLOGICAL SCCIETY, at 8.30. 
WEDNESDAY, NoveMBER 238. 
Society or ARTS, at 8.—Patent Law Reform: J. W. Gordon. 
FRIDAY, NovemBeEr 30. 
Rovat Socigry, at 4.—Anniversary Meeting. 
INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS, at 8.—Applications of Electricity in 
Printing-works : P. A. Spalding. 
INsTITUTION OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS, at 8.—Steam as a Motive 
Power for Public Service Vehicles (Discussion): T. Clarkson. 
CONTENTS. PAGE 
A Bibliography of Philosophy . Gano lc a 7/3 
The Romance of the Earth and Man. Pee tno, Fe! 
Mathematics for Schools) issn). (c) nln 
Photographic Tjopics;) ~- 7.) een.) Vee 
Popular Naturaliilistory’” cies.) ree ot 
Our Book Shelf :— 
‘*Hints to Travellers, Scientific and General” . 77 
van Laar: “Sechs Vortrage iiber das thermodynamische 
Potential, &e.” . BMS oh 2) 0/4 
Bosanquet : jaine Family.’ SLE AG ne. 78 
Haeckel: ‘‘The Evolution of Man: a Popular 
Scientific Study” . . gist or! a. a 
Hissey : ‘* Untravelled England” Erma Aa le FS) 
Letters to the Editor :— 
A Japanese Singing Kettle. —Prof. H. Nagaoka . . 78 
Bursaries at the Royal College of Science, London.— 
Prof; Jobneberry, KRIS, 005... so cnet mma 
Lake Balaton. (Z//ustrated.) . . MME acc ds 6. 99) 
A 100-Inch Reflecting Telescope . a Bette “El) 
An Experiment in Insect Extermination. “By R. L. 82 
Tee eh eee oct vat 
INGLES nee MEI om oo sy 
Our Astronomical Column: — 
Another New Coat MEE eS sec, is 
Comet 1906g .. . POR Oo cto 0 Ws 
HalleysiGomery. 02). ere cs ee ct 
A Bright Meteor . . Peery 21) 
The United States Naval Observatory Publications op wy 
The Action.of Tram-car Brakes? | 2). 0.) -) s eeoO 
An Educational Gap. By R.M.W......... 88 
Electric Tramways .. . 89 
Some Astronomical Consequences of the Pressure ‘of 
Light. (With Diagrams.) By Prof. J. H. oy 
RSs laced ; a 90 
University and Educational Intelligence Ai oo ACB} 
Societies ’and)Academies . .5 <)01 =. . = osnemeenOd: 
DiarysofiSocieties) . 2 eet en 
