504 
NA TORE 
[ Marcu 21, 1907 
«ns 
spheric air.—A contribution to the study of the latent 
photographic image: Eug. Demole. Some experiments 
on the reversal of the image caused by the presence of a 
feeble oxidising agent, such as potassium ferricyanide. 
The author puts forward a theory of the process based 
on the formation of a hypothetical silver hypobromite.— 
An exact method of separating ammonia and methyl- 
amine: Maurice Francois. The method is based on the 
fact that ammonia is readily absorbed by yellow oxide of 
mercury, whilst methylamine is not acted upon by this 
reagent.—The constitution of the azo-derivatives of ethyl 
benzoylacetate: A. Waht.—The £-chlorethyl and vinyl 
ketones: E. E. Blaise and M. Maire.—The influence of 
manganese salts on alcoholic fermentation: E. Kayser 
and 11. Marchand. The effect of adding manganese salts 
to a fermentable liquid is to increase the amount of sugar 
fermented, the yields of alcohol, glycerine, and volatile 
acid all being greater.—A new glucoside, hydrolysable by 
emulsin, extracted from the sags ‘olea Strychnos from 
Madagascar: Em. Beourquelot and H. Hérissey. The 
name bakankosine is given to the new glucoside, and its 
method of preparation, properties, and products of hydro- 
lysis are given in detail.—The cytological peculiarities of 
the development of the mother cells of the pollen of 
Nymphaea alba and Nuphar luteum: W, Lubimenko and 
A, Maige.—The ecological characters of the vegetation in 
the eastern region of the Kabyle and Djurjura : G. Lapie. 
The forest vegetation in this region presents  well- 
characterised zones standing clearly in relation with the 
climatological, topographical, and edaphical conditions.— 
A phenomenon of plant pseudomorphosis analogous to the 
pseudomorphosis of minerals: N. Jacobesco.—A spiky 
formation characteristic of the last dorsal vertebra in man : 
R. Robinson.—The tectonic north of Meurthe-et-Moselle : 
René Nickl@és and Henri Joly. 
CaLcuTTA. 
Asiatic Society of Bengal, February 6.—The exact 
determination of the fastness of the more common in- 
digenous dyes of Bengal and comparison with typical 
synthetic dyestuffs, part i., dyeing on cotton: E. R. 
Watson. The author gives a summary of the available 
evidence as to the fastness of the indigenous Bengal dyes, 
and points out that this evidence is wanting in precision 
and is in many cases self-contradictory. The author has 
prepared samples of cotton dyed with the more common 
Bengal dyes, so far as possible aceording to native 
methods, and has tested the fastness of these dyeings 
(1) to light, (2) to washing with soap, (3) to alkalis, 
(4) to dilute acids such as perspiration, testing at the 
same time by the same methods a representative collec- 
tion of dyeings with synthetic materials. Tables are given 
in which the fastness of each dyeing under each condition 
is expressed quantitatively. The dyestuffs turmeric, 
safflower, patas (Butea frondosa), latkan (Bixa Orellana), 
red sandal (Pterocarpus santalinus), and padauk (Ptero- 
carpus dalbergioides) are of very inferior fastness. 
Manjista (Rubia cordifolia), catechu (Acacia catechu), and 
bakam {Caesalpinia Sappan) compare favourably with the 
great majority of synthetic dyes.—Breynia vredenburgi, an 
undescribed echinoid from the Indian Ocean: Major 
A. R. S. Anderson. The genus Breynia was founded in 
1847 by Desor, for Spatangidze, characterised by the simul- 
taneous presence of the three kinds of fasciole, internal, 
peripetalous, and subanal. Only one living species had 
hitherto been described, Breynia australasiae, from the 
Pacific Ocean. Another species was discovered by Major 
Anderson at Port-Blair, in the Andamans, and has been 
named Breynia vredenburgi. The original specimen is 
fow in the Indian Museum.—Note on the common raven 
(Corvus corax): Lieut.-Col. D. C. Phillott. 
DIARY OF SOCIETIES. 
THURSDAY, Marcu 21. 
Rovat INsttruTion, at 3.—Biology and Progress: Dr. C. W. Saleeby. 
CuemicaL Society, at 8.30.—The Synthesis of Polypeptides: Emil 
Fischer.—Organic Derivatives of Silicon, Part iii , @/- Benzylmethylethy!- 
propylsilicane’ and Experiments on the Resolution of its Sulphonic 
Derivative : F. S. Kipping.—On the Reduction of Carbon Dioxide to 
form Aldehyde in Aqueous Solutiors: H. J. H Fenton.—The 
Mechanism of the Rusting of Iron: G. T. Moody.—Some Compounds 
of Guanidine with Sugars, Parti., R. S. Morrell and A. E. Bellars. 
NO. 1951, VOL. 75] 
LINNEAN Society, at 8.—On the Origin of Angiosperms: E A. Newel! 
Arber and John Parkin.—Axhzbitions: Water-colour Sketches of 
Alpine Flowers: Miss Helen Ward.—Photographs of Transvaal Trees 
and Tree Scenery: J. Burtt Davy. 
INSTITUTION OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS, at 8.——Rail Corrvgation: 
J. A. Panton. 
FRIDAY, Marci 22. 
Roya. Institution, at 9.—Rays of Positive Electricity: Prof. J. J- 
Thomson, F R.S. 
PHysicaL Society, at 5.—Experimental Mathematics: Mr. Pochin.— 
Logarithmic Lazytongs and Lattice Works: Mr. Blakesley.—A Micro- 
manometer: Mr. Roberts.—Electrical Conduction produced by heating 
Salts: Mr. Garrett. 
INSTITUTION or Civic ENGINEERS, at 8.—A Point in Turbo-Alternator 
Design: F. J. Kean. 
SATURDAY, Marcu 23. 
Roya INstiTUTION, at 3.—Réntgen, Kathode, and Positive Rays: Prof. 
J. J. Thoinson, F.R.S. 
MONDAY, Marcu 25. 
Royart GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY, at 8.30.—Photograyhic Report of a 
Tourney, through the Highlands of Duab (Zarafshan, &c.): W. Rickmer 
ickmers. 
InsTiTurTE oF AcTUARIES, at 5.—Onthe Relation between the Theories 
of Compound Interest and Life Contingencies: J. M. Allen. 
TUESDAY Marcu 26. 
INsTITUTION OF CiviL ENGINEERS, at 8.—The Application of Hydro- 
Electric Power to Slate Mining: M. Kellow.—Electrically Driven 
Winding Gear and the Supply of Power to Mines: A. H. Preece. 
WEDNESDAY, March 27. 
Gro.ocicaL Society, at 8.—On the Southern Origin attributed to the 
Northern Zone in the Savoy and Swiss Alps: Prof. T. G. Bonney, 
F.R.S.—The Coral-Rocks of Barbados: J. B. Harrison, C.M.G. 
BriT1sH ASTRONOMICAL ASSOCIATION, at 5. 
CONTENTS. PAGE 
Sexiand!(Character: | By UivAle 20.) cee). eed 
Some Recent Logarithmic Tables feo aan 482 
Geography as a Living Science. By Prof. Grenville 
AS Cole ema a) tyes ots st Peirafoae) wey ogee eee OR 
The Strength of RE ieriaisl ti fuug Riel vReaeaUlet, :3iyicn ovate ae mmemmmnA oe 
Sciencejins Poetry. 4. aici 485 
Our Book Shelf :— 
Sommerfeldt: ‘‘Geometrische Kristallographie” . . 485 
Loeb: ‘* Untersuchungen iiber kiinstlichen Partheno- 
genese und das Wesen des _ Befruchtungsvor- 
gangs?) til Gilev am ais) ba etoe Ghia ery eA 
Schnabel: ‘‘ Handbook of Metallurgy” . . . . . . 486 
Letters to the Editor:— 
The Inoculation Accident at Mulkowal.—Prof. 
Ronald Ross, CoB... HOR tS amen) eee 486 
Mean or Median.—R. H. Hooker. ....... 487 
Rothesay Rainfall and the Sun-spot Cycle. (Wzth 
Diagram.)—Alex. B. MacDowall ..... . 488 
The Relationship between Diamonds and Garnets. — 
Jo sutton see : 488 
The Weather Reports of the Meteorological Office. 
(Llbeestrated Wis oii Weer en foe ee) ah ces.) a 
Technical Terminology. By A. H. Downes-Shaw 490 
Sport iniCeylons (/usirated.)\ 2 we ee Oe 
The Death of,M.M- Berthelot |.) 2). -a eon 
Notes =i. Meri cd 6 AI 
Our Astvoncuaicel Galuran: — 
Comet 1907a@ (Giacobini) .. . é culls 497 
Search-ephemeris for Comet 1900 Ill. (Gitestin) 498 
Solar Observations at'Catania —. =). "5 one os 
Intensification of ‘‘ Contrast” 2 means of a Polari- 
SCOPCUpIET IRS oes: icant melo. 498 
The Minor Planet (588) [1906 T.G abatement. Gye 498 
Researches. in Stellar Photometry ......... 498 
Marsupials or Creodonts? By R. L. rio. 8 498 
The Gods of Healing of the Egyptians and Greeke 499 
The Snow-peaks of Ruwenzori, (J///ustrated.) . 500 
Man and Superman, (//lustrvated) . . : 9 501 
University and Educational Intelligence. . . . . 502 
Societiessand,Academiesiny.e- sop ee 503 
(ena aeOCietiCe ecard ed er cat Ono. 2 Gee eH! 
