205 
NATURE 
{APRIL 4, 1907 
prepared by the bromination of the 
corresponding anilines ; the series contains the bromophenyl 
and methyl groups with the ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, 
butyl, and isoamyl groups. The isopropyl compound is a 
solid; the others are oils. The bases were characterised 
by means of their picrates, and the quaternary compounds 
formed by addition of methyl iodide.-—Some new platino- 
bromanilines were 
iso- 
cyanides: L. A. Levy. In continuation of previous re- 
searches upon the fluorescence of platinocyanides (Trans. 
Chem. Soc., January, 1906), the author prepared uranyl, 
guanidine, and nitron platinocyanides, which were briefly 
described.—The resolution of salts of asymmetric nitrogen 
compounds and weak organic acids: Miss A. Homer. 
With a view to find out whether optically active nitrogen 
compounds could be used for the resolution of weak 
organic acids, that is, for those cases where a strong base 
is required, tartaric acid was treated with a solution of 
phenyl benzyl methyl isopropyl! ammonium hydroxide pre- 
pared from the iodide, equimolecular quantities of acid 
and base being used. ‘A. well-formed crystalline substance 
was obtained which on analysis proved to be the acid 
tartrate of the base used.—A new coloured fluorescent 
hydrocarbon: Miss A. Homer. A new hydrocarbon has 
been isclated from the products obtained by the action of 
aluminium chloride on naphthalene at 100° C., to which 
the formula C,,H,, and the name tetramethyl erythrene 
have been assigned.—Notes on the proportion of the sexes 
in dogs: W. Heape. The results show a remarkable 
similarity in the proportion of the sexes born by grey- 
hounds, collies, and large dogs as a whole, while in 
terriers there is sufficient difference from the above to 
show that distinct racial variation occurs. It is assumed 
from a variety of known facts that ova and spermatozoa 
are themselves sexual, and that the latest moment when 
the sex of the offspring can be determined is at the time 
of fertilisation.—Preliminary note upon the presence of 
phosphorus in crystalline egg albumin: Miss E. G. 
Willcock and W. B. Hardy.—The natural units of mass, 
length, and time: H. C. Pocklington. The variation 
of the absorption bands of a crystal in a magnetic field : 
W. M. Page. An attempt is made to give a theoretical 
explanation of some _ observations made by M. Jean 
Becquerel in the behaviour of the absorption bands of 
certain uniaxial crystals in a magnetic field. 
Dustin. 
Royal Irish Academy, February 25.—Dr. F. A. Tarleton, 
president, in the chair.—The lower Palzozoic rocks of 
Pomeroy: W. G. Fearnsides, Dr. Gertrude L. Elles, and 
B. Smith. The paper gives an account of the application 
of the modern zonal methods to a district made classic by 
Portlock so long ago as 1845. The beds developed are 
divided into the Desertereat group, the Little River group, 
and the Corrycroar group, and are the equivalents of the 
Ashgillian, the Llandovery, and the Tarannon groups of 
Great Britain. Of these the two lower groups are considered 
in detail, and are considerably Erndividedt The Desert- 
creat group rests unconformably upon the ancient horn- 
blendic and granitic rocks to the north, and is of a shelly 
or trilobite bearing type corresponding to the contempo- 
raneous rocks of Girvan; its upper beds contain also a few 
graptolites and the interesting Aeglina rediviva. The Little 
River group follows conformably, and, like the rocks of 
Moffat, is wholly graptolitic. ‘The rocks are much folded 
on the isoclinal plan, and the total thickness of the two 
groups mentioned can hardly exceed 600 feet. Notes on 
the correlation with other areas and descriptions of certain 
interesting trilobites are appended. The paper is illustrated 
by a map and sections. 
DIARY OF SOCIETIES. 
THURSDAY. Apri 4. 
Civit anp MecuHanicat ENGINEERS’ Society, at 8.—Steam Traps : 
Gordon Stewart. 
FRIDAY. Aprit 5. 
GEOLOGISTS’ AssociaTIon, at 8.—On the Existence of the Alpine Vole, 
Microtus nivalis, in Britain during Pleistocene Times: M. A. C. Hinton 
MONDAY, Apri 8. 
SocroLoGicat Sociery, at 4.39. —Research Meeting: The Problems of 
Cities: Prof. Geddes. 
Vicrorta INSTITUTE, at 4.30.—Plant Distribution’ from an Old Stand- 
point: Dr. H. B. Guppy. 
NO. 1953, VOL. 75] 
CuHemicaL InpustTry, at 8.—Observations on Cotton and 
H. de Mosenthal. 
TUESDAY, Aprrit 9. 
Rovav InsTITUTION, at 3.—Wings and Aéroplanes: 
F.RS 
INSTITUTION OF CiviL ENGINEERS, at 8.—Adyourned discussion :—The 
Application of Hydro-Electric Power to Slate Mining: M. Kellow.— 
Electrically Driven Winding Gear and the Supply af Power to Mines : 
A. H. Preece. 
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY, at 8.30. 
WEDNESDAY, Aprit ro. 
Society oF Pupiic ANALyYsTS, at &.—The Bacterial Estimation of 
Phenol and Cresol : M. Wynter Blyth and L. Goodban.—A New Method 
for the Estimation of Tartaric Acid; Alfred C. Chapman and Percy 
Whitteridge.—The Detection of Cocoanut Oil in Butter: EB. Hinks. 
EntTOMOLOGICAL Society, at 8.—Odonata collected by Lieut.-Colonel 
Nurse, chiefly in North-Western India : Kerneth J. Morton. 
Society o Arts at 8.—Arts and Industries in Hungary in 2 Ancient and 
Modern days: L. Felberman. 
THURSDAY, ApRit 11. 
Rovac INstTiTUTION, at 3.—The Birth and Affinities of Crystals: Prof. 
Henry A. Mier, F.R.S. 
INSTITUTION OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS, at 8. 
FRIDAY, APRIL 12. 
RoyaL InsviruTIoN, at 9.—Conservation of Historic Buildings and 
Frescoes : Prof. A. H. Church, F.R.S. 
INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS, at 8.—An Engineer's Visit to Japan 
and Canada: R. W. Allen. 
Roya ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, at 5. 
MALACOLOGICAL SOCIETY, at 8. —Notes on New Zealand Polyplacophora, 
with Descriptions of Five New Species: H. Suter.—Descriptions of New 
Mollusca from New Caledonia: G. B. Sowerby.—Some New Species of 
Drymzus from Peru, Mexico, &c.: S. I. Da Costa.—A New Species of 
Vallonia from India : G. K. Gude. 
INSTITUTION OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS, at 8.—Continued discussion :— 
Petrol Motor-Omnibuses : W. Werby Beaumont. 
SATURDAY, Apri 13. 
Roya INSTITUTION, at 3.—Studies in Magnetism 
Thompson, F.R.S. 
Sociery OF 
Nitrated Cotton : 
Prof. G, H. Bryan, 
Prof. Silvanus P.. 
CONTENTS. PAGE 
Chemical Crystallography. Ly Dr. A. E. H. Tutton, 
ERS Sieecerc Mea ss. + SE) 
A New Work on Organic Evolution, By A.D. D. 530 
ElectriciRatlwatysii (ic) <2) )ese einen) een 
Our Book Shelf :— 
Da Cunha: ‘‘ L’Année technique,” 1906... . 532 
‘Diseases of Fruit and Fruit-bearing Plants” . . 532 
Petrovitch : ‘* La Mécanique des Phénoménes fondée 
sur les Analogies”. 533 
Reeve : The Steam-Table. A Table of the Thermal 
and Physical Properties of Saturated Steam Vapour 
and of the Specific Heatof Water” ...... . 533 
Letters to the Editor: — 
Ionisation by Spraying.—A. S. Eve ... 533 
On the Extinct Emeu of the Small Islands ‘off the 
South Coast of Australia and probably Tasmania. — 
Prof Henry H. Giglioli. . . 534 
Mean or Median. ee Diagram. i= Gs Udny 
Yulee 534 
Golden Carp attacked by a Toad, —Prof, Adrian Te 
Brown. . oo Byeish 
The Atomic Weight of Nickel.—F. E. Hackett - 535 
Light Sense- zoeaes in Xerophilous Stems, (Z¢Zzs5- 
trated.)—R, J.D. Graham... 535 
The Living Welwitschia. (MMustr ated.) ‘By Prof. 
H. H. W. Pearson . . 536 
The Art of Embalming in Ancient Egypt . 537 
Astronomical Refraction... . . Beco a) abit) 
Notes .. oh et eee 
Our Astronomical Column :— ; 
Comet 1907a(Giacobini) . . . 544 
Ephemeris for the Minor Planet (588) [1906 Tt re q . 544 
Search-ephemeris for Comet 1900 III. (Giacobini) . 544 
The Solar Eclipse of January13. -.....- 544 
Man’s Place in the Universe : Hes nen 544 
The Astronomical Society of Antwerp . ; 5 544. 
Wireless Telegraphy in Longitude Determinations 544 
Ancient Chinese Astronomy . 228 coh te coe 
Public Health. By Prof. R. T. Hewlett | cia - 544 
Pulsation in Animals, (J///ustrated.) By J. A. aT . 545 
The Weather and the Crops. 545 
Flame the Working Fluid in Gas and Petrol Engines. 
By Dugald Clerk . . <  eee SaO 
University and Educational Intelligence . oh le Cea 
SocietiessandyAcademiesii%) 2k ee) ee ee) 
Diary‘ofiSocietiesims 50 ki fsiis. aie sel Eisall ay tcl ESS 
