600 
NATURE 
[AprIL 18, 1907 
publication by M. Vigouroux on this subject, the author 
gives a résumé of work already published concerning the 
nickel-tin alloys by Guettier, Gautier, and himself—Some 
properties of the alkaline protoxides: E. Rengade. At 
400° C. these oxides are decomposed into the dioxide and 
the metal, the latter volatilising. Liquid ammonia con- 
verts them into mixtures of hydrate and amide. Hydrogen 
at 180° C. to 200° C. reduces the oxides of rubidium, 
potassium, and sodium, forming a mixture in equimolecular 
proportions of hydrate and hydride.—Contribution to the 
study of the oxybenzoates: Qichsner de Coninck.— 
Iodine derivatives of the methyl ethers of pyrocatechol : 
E. Tassilly and J]. Leroide.—Sands and shingles of the 
Pas-de-Calais: Réné Bréon. A determination of the 
mineralogical composition of these sands. and shingles 
shows that these minerals bear no relation to the rocks 
in the surrounding strata. They arise from: old igneous 
rocks, the nearest deposits of which are 250 to 300 kilo- 
metres distant. For the rocks and shingle, the theory of 
ice transportation is a possible one, but this explanation 
can hardly apply to the transportation of many millions 
of cubic metres of sand, and the cause of the appearance 
of the latter remains unknown.—The artificial coloration 
of minerals: Paul Gaubert. In opposition to the views 
of Suida, the author is of opinion that the artificial color- 
ation of fibres of chrysotile and other crystallised minerals 
is a purely physical phenomenon.—Tchernichewite, a new 
amphibole: L. Dupare and F. Pearce.—The presence of 
Ustilago Maidis on the adventitious roots of Zea Mats 
and of its quadricolor variety and on the biomorphoses 
which it presents: M. Chifflot.—Observations on supra- 
renal fat: V. Babés.—The purification of sewage by turf 
filters: Henri Pottevin. An account of experiments 
carried out for several months on a single filter. The rate 
of filtration was 400 litres per square metre per day, and 
the purification effected, details of which are appended, was 
very satisfactory.—Contribution to the study of the food 
of the sardine: Casimir Cépéde.—Characters of the inter- 
tropical atmospheric circulation: L. Teisserenc de Bort 
and L. Retch. 
DIARY OF SOCIETIES. 
THURSDAY, Arriv 18. 
Roya Society, at 4.30.—On Reciprocal Innervation of Antagonistic 
Muscles : Tenth Note: Prof. C. S. Sherrington, F.R.S.—Fatty Degener- 
ation of the Blood: S. G. Shattock and L. S. Dudgeon.—(r1) The 
Rate of the Assumption of Chloroform by the Blood during 
Anesthesia ; (2) Function of the Red Corpuscles in Chloroform Anzsthesia : 
Dr. G. A. Buckmaster and J. A. Gardner.—The Fermentation of Gluco- 
sides by Bacteria of the Typhoid-coli Group, and the Acquisition of New 
Fermenting Powers by Bacillus Dysenteriae and other Micro-organisms : 
F. W. Twort. 
Royat [NnstiTuTION, at 3.—The Birth and Affinities of Crystals: Prof. 
Henry A. Miers, F.R. Ss 
LINNEAN Society, at 8.—On the (Ecologic Functions of Stolons and 
Cleistogamous Flowers: J. C. Shenstone.—On the CEcologic Aspect of 
Constitutional Variation in Fruit-culture: A. O. Walker.—On an 
Aberrant Form of Coccide: Hugh Scott.—Some Results of Inoculation 
of Leguminous Plants: Prof. W. B. Bottomley —EZxri7dzts: Nepal 
Barley and other Cereals cultivated at High Altitudes in Tibet: Dr. 
George Henderson.—Photographs of Sections of Woods: J. A. Weale.— 
Lantern Slides of Witches’ Brooms: J. Saunders. 
INSTITUTION OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS, at 8.—Flexibles : 
on the Testing of Rubber: A. Schwartz. 
CuemIcaL Society, at 8.30.—The Magnetic Rotation of Hexatriene, 
CHy:CH.CH:CH.CH:CHkg, and its Relationship to Benzene and 
other Aromatic Compounds, also its Refractive Power: Sir W. H. 
Perkin.—Aromatic Azoimides, Part i., #-Hydroxyphenylazoimide: M. 
O. Forster and H. E. Fierz.—The Action of Hydrogen Peroxide on 
Potassium Cyanide: O. Masson.—The Action of Ethyl Oxalate on 
Thioacetanilide and its Homologues: S. Ruhemann.—Measurements of 
the Velocities of Saponification of the /-Menthyl and ¢-Borny] Esters of the 
Stereoisomeric Mandelic acids: A. McKenzie and H. B. Thompson.— 
Indican: Preliminary Notice: A. G. Perkinand W. P. Bloxam.—Cupric 
Nitrite: P. C. Ray.—The Constituents of the Essential Oil of American 
Pennyroyal: Occurrence of a Dextro-Menthone: M. Barrowcliff.—The 
Action of Tribromopropane on the Sodium Derivative of Ethyl 
Acetoacetate : T. E. Gardner and W. H. Perkin. 
Opricat Sociery, at 8.—Presidential Address. Physical and Engineering 
Uses of the Microscope: Walter Rosenhain. 
FRIDAY, Apri 19. 
Royav InsTiruTion, at 9.—Nerve as a Master of Muscle: 
Sherrington, F.R. S. 
with Notes 
Prof.C: S: 
SATURDAY, Apri 20. 
Rovav InstTiTuTION, at 3.—Studies in Magnetism: Prof. Silvanus P. 
Thompson, F.R.S. 
Tue Essex Fietp Crus (at Essex Museum of Natural History, Stratford), 
at 6,30.—Annual Meeting.—On the Breeding of the Kite and Buzzard 
near Maldon in the Fifties and ‘Sixties of Last Century : Miller Christy.— 
Memoranda on the Purple Sandpiper (77inga maritima): Dr. J. Murie. 
—The Trees and Woodlands of Essex: J. C. Shenstone. 
0. 1955, VOL. 75] 
MONDAY, Apriv 22. 
Society or Arts, at 8.—Detergents and Bleaching Agents used in Laun- 
dry Work: Prof. Herbert Jackson. 
Victoria INsTITUTE, at 4.30-—Exploration in Asia Minor, as bearing on 
the Historical Trustworthiness of the New Testament: Sir William M. 
Ramsay. 
SocroLoGicaL Society, at 8.—The Future of Voluntary Charity: C. J. 
Hamilton. 
TUESDAY, APRIL 23. 
Roya INSTITUTION, at 3. —Stimulation, Luminous and Chemical : Prof. 
William Stirling. 
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY, at 8.30. 
SOCIETY OF ARTS, at 4.39.—Social 
Australia: Dr. John W. Hackett. 
INSTITUTION OF CiVIL ENGINEERS, at 8.—Continued discussion :—The 
Pyrmont Bridge, Sydney, N.S.W.: P. Allan.—Swing Bridge over the 
River Avon, at Bristol: W. H. B. Savile. 
WEDNESDAY, Aprit 24. 
Brivis ASTRONOMICAL ASSOCIATION, at 5. 
Sociery or Arts, at 8.—Rubber Cultivation in the British Empire: 
Herbert Wright. 
and Economic Conditions in 
THURSDAY, Apri 25. 
Royat Society, at 4.39.—Croontan Lecture On the EssentialConstituents 
of the Nucleus and their Relation to the Organisation of the Individual : 
Prof. J. B. Farmer, F.R.S. 
INSTITUTION OF MECHANICAL 
President : T. Hurry Riches. 
INSTITUTION OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS, at 8. 
FRIDAY, Aprit 26. 
Roya INsTITUTION, at 9.—New IIluminants: James Swinburne, F.R S 
Puysicat Society, at 5.—Electrical Conduction produced by Heating 
Salts: A. E. Garrett.—The Influence of Pressure upon Convection 
Currents, and a Criticism of J. Stark's Relation between Cathode Fall of 
Potential and Temperatur=: W. S. Tucker.—Solenoids which are turned 
by the Earth’s Magnetic Field: W. B. Croft.—Simple Apparatus for 
ENGINEERS, at 8.—Address by the 
mechanically illustrating the Tangent and Sine Laws: J. A. Tomkins. 
CONTENTS. PAGE 
Meteorological Optics .... 2 Ma) Sughat cM eee TA 
The New Evolutions By F. A. Did. 50 . 4%. 22 578 
Notesion Water Plants: By/J. Boose 1 -eceo 
A NewAtlas . . Nels) it ieee) 
Some Books on Chemical Analysis. By J. B. C. 581 
Our Book Shelf :— 
Guyer: ‘* Animal Micrology. Practical Exercises in 
Microscopical Methods”. . . 582 
Holzmiiller : ‘‘ Elementare ‘kosmische ‘Betrachtungen 
iiber das Sonnensystem und Widerlegung der von 
Kant und Laplace aufgestellten Meee oe tiber 
dessen Entwickelungsgeschichte ” 3 {aS 
Metchnikoff : ‘‘ The New Iygiene.”—R. Bary: aan . 583 
Richards: ‘‘ Synopsis of Mineral Characters. Alpha- 
betically arranged for Laboratory and Field Use” . 583 
Letters to the Editor: — 
Anomalous Dispersion and Ionisation.—Prof. R. W. 
Wood. eerie: 2 peamer 5 sis 
Positive Streams in ‘* Crookes” Tubes.—A. A. 
Campbell Swinton. . . Bie estes} 
Two Contrasted Western Canadian Tribes. “las 
trated.) : 584 
The Leicester Meeting of the British Association . 585 
An Aéronautical Exhibition. i Prof. G. H. Oe 
ERORY 6 MEAG! oO. SERONIC © 585 
The Study of Earthquakes. i NSAI he oot. See 
Indian Orchids . . Beaae eS {-¥/ 
A Recent Adyance in the Knowledge of Cancer . 587 
INGtES see atthe ap hawi? tents.” ee Le saa OM 
Our Astronomical Column :— 
A New Comet (19073) . SERRE © oc 593 
A New Nebula... Sea ah. 22). 593 
Gomet:1905 TV. Lane ss. 2 en 
The Temperature OfiMars' 5.1)... ¢.-<) 2 AR 
Galileo in the Val D’Arno . . . Mpaermere sacs Git 
Another New Astronomical Journal . Parererces, Suhc, -5(253 
The Stonyhurst College Observatory . . Setar Sek 
The Twentieth Year at Blue Hill Observatory. By 
W.M. .. 593 
Scientific Work in the Straits. Settlements and 
Cevlonens-arme o.) Bhisytetice, ioe tipccn es aie een 
Agricultural Experiments - ee Abetmeetientec. ic. 5 548) 
Antipodean Bird-Life. By R. Pope 2+. 595) 
Notes on Recent Petrography. By At J. (on : 596 
Archeology anil talys 9... . +1) cece te ost a 596 
Progressive Waves in Rivers 597 
University and Educational ee (lus ; 
trated.) aes Fi calpial hp eit me eh taste nat 
Societies and Academies. Sn ors ooo cha SC) 
Diary of Societies nen. 1. acy -me aiei-iieeect comer 
