31 
2 NATURE 
[JANUARY 24, 1907. 
study: Prof. Klaatsch. The aborigines of the northern 
half of the continent are more numerous than is generally 
supposed, and their number may be estimated as between 
100,000 and 150,000. An appeal was made by the lecturer, 
on behalf of the northern blacks, for greater consideration 
in the way of a more adequate provision of reserves, and 
for more effective protection than the southern blacks 
have received in the past. Apart altogether from humani- 
tarian questions, the demand for their more enlightened 
treatment is justifiable on scientific grounds alone.—Con- 
tribution to a knowledge of the flora of Australia, part v. 
R. T. Baker. Two additions to the flora are described— 
Acacia fuliginea, an ally of A. ixiophylla, Benth., A. wisci- 
dula, A. Cunn., and A. dictyophleba, F.v.M. (section 
Plurinerves), from the Rylstone district, New South Wales ; 
and Callitris Morrisoni, an unrecorded pine from West 
Australia, with fruits not unlike those of C. Drummondit; 
and branchlets which would pass muster for those of 
C. robusta, R.Br. An analysis of the oil of Eucalyptus 
Rudderi, Baker and Smith, is given, together with other 
economic notes on this species. New localities or an ex- 
tended range for a number of species are recorded.—New 
Australian species of the family Aischnidae (Neuroptera : 
Odonata): R. J. Tillyard. The species herein added to 
the Australian list form about as miscellaneous and _ re- 
markable a set of insects as it would be possible to find, 
and serve to show the composite character of the Australian 
Odonate fauna. They comprise an East Indian species, 
a Chilian species (Petalia apollo, Selys [Q], of the sub- 
family Cordulegasterine, determined by Dr. Ris, of 
Belgium), and three species described as new, of which 
one is referable to an Indian genus, and two are probably 
the types of new genera.—Notes from the Botanic Gardens, 
Sydney, No. 12: J. H. Maiden and E. Betche. The 
following species are described as new :—Boronia Deanet, 
in swamps between Clarence and the Wolgan, Blue Moun- 
ee) a handsome species nearest to B. parviflora, Sm. 
; vepanda, Josey) recorded as B. ledifolia, J. Gay, var. 
sees F.y.M.; Toechima dasyrrhache, a sapindaceous 
plant from Tinrenbar, published on behalf of Prof. 
Radlkofer, and at his request; Acacia accola, from the 
borders of New South Wales and Queensland, nearest 
allied to A. neriifolia, A. Cunn.; and Rottboellia truncata, 
an aberrant species from Yandama, north-west New South 
Wales. New varieties are also described, and new records 
for New South Wales.—Revision of Australian Lepido- 
ptera, iii.: Dr. A. J. Turmer. This instalment comprises 
supplementary notes on families previously treated of, 
namely, the Syntomide, the Notodontida, and _ the 
Geometride. Three genera and thirtv-one species are de- 
seribed as new. 
DIARY OF SOCIETIES. 
THURSDAY, January 24. 
Rovat Society, at 4.30.—Experiments on the Dark Space. in Vacuum 
Tubes: Sir William Crookes, F.R.S.—On a New Iron Carbonyl, and on 
the Action of Light and of Heat on the Iron Carbonyls: Sir James 
Dewar, F.R.S., and Dr. H. O. Jones.—On Regeneration of Bone, Part 
ii., Sir William Macewen, F.R.S.—Note on the Aoplication of Van 
der Waals's Equation to Solutions: The Earl of Berkeley.—On the 
Presence of Europiumin Stars ; Joseph Lunt. 
Roya INSTITUTION, at 3.—Recent Advances in the Exploration of the 
Atmosphere: Dr. W. N. Shaw, F.R.S. 
Socrety oF ARTS, at 4.30.—The Bhils of Western India: 
Barnes. 
INsTITUTION OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS. at 8.—Invesjigations on Light 
Standards and the Present Condition of the High Voltage Glow Lamp: 
C. C. Paterson. 
Captain E- 
FRIDAY, JANUARY 2 
Puysicat SoctrTy, at 5 —The Strength and Behaviour of Brittle 
Materials under Combined Stress: W. A. Scoble.—A Spectrophotometer: 
F. Twyman.—Photographs of Electric Spari:s : K. J. Tarrant. 
INSTITUTION oF CivIL ENGINEERS, at 8.—Alternating-Current Com- 
mutator Motors: C. A. Ablett. 
SATURDAY, January 26. 
THe Essex Fiecp Cius (at Essex Museum of Natural History, Stratford) 
at 6 30. pacucrence of the Sea Bream (Pagedlus centrodontus) in Essex 
Waters: James Murie.—The Evolutionary History of Carts and 
Waggons: ereeos W. Reader. 
NO: 1943, VOL. 75] 
OVEVAT ON SOCIEEN VG lgegeis cco Gua te Geo a oa 
MONDAY, Jarvary 28. 
Royat Geocraruicat Society at. 8.30.—A Journey through Central 
Asia to Northern China: Major C. D. Bruce. 
Society or Arts, at 8.—Gold Mining and Goid Production: Prof. J. W. 
Gregory, F.R.S. 
Lonpon InstiruTion, at 5.—The Transmutation of Elements: Sir 
William Ramsay, K. Cc: B., F.R.S. 
INSTITUTE OF ACTUARIES, at 5.—Further Notes on some Legal Aspects” 
of Life Assurance Practice: A. R. Barraud. 
TUESDAY, JANUARY 29 
Roya. Institution, at 3.—Survivals from the Past in the Plant World 
Prof. A. C. Seward, F. R.S. 
MINERALOGICAL Society, at 8.—©xperiments bearing on the Order ai 
Crystallisation of Rock-constituents: Prof. H. A. Miers, F.R.S.—Iso-— 
morphism as illustrated by Certain Varieties of Magnetite: Prof. B. J. ° 
Harrington.—Serpentine-rock from the Tarnthaler Képfe, Tyrol: Dr. 
A. P. Young.—A Simple Tabular Arrangement of the Thirty-two Crystal- 
lographic Classes: Dr, J. W. Evans. 
Farapay Society, at 8.—Discussion on Osmotic Pressure.—Apparatus 
for the Direct Measurement of Osmotic Pressure: Earl of Berkeley.— 
Indirect Methods of Measuring Osmotic Pressure: W. C. Dampier 
Whetham, F.R S.—Osmotic Pressure from the Standpoint of the Kinetic 
Theory: Dr. T. Martin Lowry.} 
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30. 
Society oF Arts, at 8.—Apprenticeship: J. Parsons. 
SocroLocicaL Society, at 8.—Swiss Referendum as 
Democracy: J. A. Hobson. 
THURSDAY, JANUARY 3¢. 
Rovac Society, at 4.30.—Probable Papers: On the Two Spectra of the 
Elements as Evidence of the Composite Nature of the Atoms: Prof. 
W. N. Hartley, F.R.S.—On the Explosion of Pure Electrolytic Gas: 
Prof. H. B. Dixon, F.R.S., and L. Rradshaw.—On the Firing of Electro- 
lytic Gas bya Compression Wave: L. Bradshaw.—A Recording Calori- 
meter for Explcsions: Prof. B. Hopkinson.—On the Discharge of 
Negative Electricity from Hot Calcium: Dr. F. Horton. 
Roya InstitTuTIon, at 3.—Standards of Weights and Measures: 
Percy A. Macmahon, F.R.S. 
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1.” 
Royat InstTITUTION, at 9.—The Methods of Combating the Bacteria ot , 
Disease in the [nterior of the Organism: S'r Almroth E. Wright, 
Instrument of 
Major 
F.R.S. 
CONTENTS. PAGE 
Science and Technology of Paper ........ 289 
Weights'and; Measures © \-) Sepemice e)-) -) 1 
Italian Scientific Works. By G. H. B. 2 te 291 
The Atomic Theory of Electricity. By F.S. .. 292 
Our Book Shelf :— 
Cheeseman : ‘‘ Manual of the New Zealand Flora” . 293 
Newcomb : ‘‘ Side-Lights on Astronomy and Kindred 
Fields of Popular Science: Essays and Addresses” 294 
Letters to the Editor :— 
Radium and Geology —Prof. J. Joly, F.R.S. . . 204, 
Green Sunset Colours.—Arthur W. Clayden 295 
Ultra-violet Fluorescence of Benzene.—Dr. J. Stark 295 
The Kingston Earthquake. By Dr. Charles Davison 296 
A Picturesque History of Dacca. (///ustrated.) By ; 
J. Fi Hewitt) SO. ie 
Plant Life.) (Qisyatem)) ... » . =.) ceeeeeeeosm 
Prof:-Ay FW -Pamleeniy\. 0.) . i=) 2) jl rues 299 
Notes 575: MPO bw oc So 2H) 
Our Astronomneeteetonnn’ — 
The Proper Motion of Castor... . ....-..-. - 304 
Line Intensity and Spectral Type ....... . 304 
Silicon in the Chromosphere . . . det) OAM 
Variation of Wave-lengths in the Solar ‘Spectnrs 3 304» 
Meeting of the American Association and its 
Affiliated Societies .... op he OL 
Some Recent Work of Geoloricail Sirveye (nes 
trated) mays Gre A. J.C... oikelenre 8 -) ela 
Oceanographical Research. .... ec 
University and Educational Tatenigence <o7s 3s eo 
SoctetiesrangrA cage mies) -u) ie amare nemo 
