4S 



NA TURE 



[May 9, 1901 



of the period of electric oscillations by the rotating mirror, by 

 M. L. Decombe. A discussion of the precision to be obtained 

 by means of the rotating mirror method and a criticism of 

 results previously published on the same subject by M. Tissot. 

 — On the band spectrum of nitrogen in the oscillating spark, by 

 M. G. A. Hemsalech. It is shown that the band spectrum 

 obtained with the oscillating spark with certain metals is identi- 

 cal with the band spectrum of nitrogen at the negative pole. — 

 The rapid measurement of surface tensions, by MM. Ph. A. Guye 

 and L. Perrot. A study of the conditions under which the method 

 of falling drops gives accurate results for the surface tension of 

 liquids. — On the variation of composition of mineral waters and 

 of spring waters as brought out with the aid of the electric con- 

 ductivity, by M. P. Th. MuUer. The composition of a water 

 having been once determined chemically any variation of its 

 composition from time to time can be most easily detected by 

 determining its electrical conductivity. — On myrcenol and its 

 composition, by M. Ph. Barbier. By studying the oxidation 

 products of this substance it would appear to have the same 

 constitution as that attributed to licareol by Tiemann, but as the 

 physical and chemical properties of myrcenol are altogether 

 distinct from those of licareol it is necessary to reconsider the 

 formula attributed to the latter substance. — On ethyl nitro- 

 acetate, by M. A. Wahl. Since the substance obtained by the 

 action of ammonia upon ethyl nitro-dimethylacrylate gave an 

 ethyl nitroacetate which was not identical with the specimen 

 obtained by M. de Forcrand, an attempt was made to prepare 

 this compound by an independent method. The decomposition 

 of ethyl nitromalonate by boiling with potash was finally found 

 to give the compound sought for, which agreed in its properties 

 with the ester previously prepared by the author, but differs 

 from the nitroacetate of de Forcrand. — The preparation of the 

 isomeric ortho-, meta- and para-nitrobenzoylcyanacetic esters 

 and of orthonitrobenzoyl chloride, by M. Mavrojannis. — A new 

 reaction of saccharin, by M. Alex. Leys. — On the migration of 

 nitrogenous and ternary matters in annual plants, by M. G. 

 Andre. — On the Voaiidzoii, by M. Balland. An analysis of the 

 seeds of this plant showeil that the proportions of fat, nitro- 

 genous material, starch and ash are exactly those required for 

 human food. It is the first example of a natural product pre- 

 senting the chemical characteristics of a perfect food. — Contribu- 

 tion to the microchemical examination of alkaloids, by M. M. 

 E. Pozzi-Escot. — On the phenomena of histolysis and histo- 

 genesis accompanying the development of the endoparasitic 

 Trematods of terrestrial mollusca, by MM. Vaney and A. Conte. 

 — On the evolution of the blastodermic leaflets in the Nematods, 

 by M. A. Conte. — On a new subfamily of marine Hemiptera, 

 the Heriaatobaliitai, by MM. H. Coutiere and J. Martin. — 

 Researches on the physical constants which influence the 

 electrical stimulation of the nerve, by M. Georges Weiss. — The 

 direct measurement of the wave-length in a nerve following 

 short electrical stimulations, by M. Aug. Charpentier. — Some 

 remarks on the otoliths of the frog, by M. Marage. — The influ- 

 ence of the sterilisation of the medium, the air respired and the 

 food absorbed upon the animal organism, by MM. Charrin and 

 Guillemonat. The comparative experiments upon guinea-pigs 

 would tend to show that the absence of bacteria in the air and 

 food is distinctly prejudicial to the animal, which loses its 

 vitality and resisting power to disease. 



DIARY OF SOCIETIES. 



THURSDAY. Mav q. 



Royal Society, at 4.30. — Discussion of Special Report. 



Mathematical Society, at 5.30.— (i) A Case of Algebraic Parlitionment ; 

 (3) On the Series wliose Terms are the Cubes and Higher Powers of the 

 Binomial Coefficients : Major MacMahon, R.A., F.R.S.— A Property of 

 Recurring Series: G. B. Mathews, F.R.S.— The Product of Two 

 Spherical Surface Harmonic Functions : J. B. Dale 



Institution of Electrical Engineers, at 8. — Storage Batteries in 

 Electric Power Stations, controlled by Reversible Boosters: J. S. High- 

 field. 



Ikon and Steel Institute, at 10.30. — Annual Meeting. 

 FRIDA r. May jo. 



Royal Institution, at g. — The Response of Inorganic Matter to 

 Mechanical and Electrical Stimulus : Prof. J. C. Bose- 



Physical Society, at 5.— Applications of Elastic Solids to Metrology ; 

 Dr. C. Chree, F.R.S.— The Thermal Properties of I sopentane compared 

 with those of Normal Pentane : Prof. S. Young, F.R.S., and J. Rose- 



Societv of Arts, at 8.— Polyphase Electric Working : Alfreti C. Ebnrall. 



Mal-'VCOLogical Society, at 8. — Description of a New Species of Voluta 



from Natal, with a List of the Known Forms of Volutida; from South 



Africa : E. A. Smith.— Description of a New ISpecies of Voluta, 

 Cymbiola viangerl : H. B. Preston.— On Three New Operculates (Cy- 

 clotus) from Columbia : S. I. Da Costa. 



Royal Astronomical Society, at 5. — Results of Double Star Measures 

 made at Windsor, New South Wales, in the Years iSgg and 1900 : John 

 Tebbutt.— The Visual Spectrum of Nova Persei : Rev. A. L. Cortie.— 



The Spectrum of Nova Persei, Note 4 : Rev. W. Sidgreaves. Probable 



Papers: Additional Note on the Position of Nova Persei, and a Com- 

 parison of Photographic Magnitudes of Neighbouring Stars with those 

 of Father Hagen's Chart .-ind Catalogue : F. A. Bell.imy.— The Cam- 

 bridge Machine for Measuring Celestial Photographs ; A. R. Hinks.^ 

 Further Observations of the New Star in Perseus: Radcliffe Observa- 

 tory, 0-vford. 



SATURDAY, May ii. 



RovAL Institution, at 3.— The Rise of Civilisation in Egypt : Prof. W. M. 

 Flinders Petrie. 



MONDAY, May 13. 



Royal Geographical Society, at 8.30. — A Survey in Baffinland : Dr. 

 Robert Bell, F.R.S.— E.\plorations in the Great Bear Lake Region: J. 

 M.ickintosh Bell. 



Society of Arts, at 8.— Alloys: Sir W. C. Roberts-Austen, K.C.B., 



TUESDA Y. May h- 

 Royal Institution, at 3. — Cellular Physiology: Dr. A. Macfadyen. 



WEDNESDA Y, May 15. 

 Royal Meteorological Society, at 4.30.— The Periodicity of Cyclonic 

 Winds : Rupert T. Smith. — An Account of ihe Bequest by the late G. J. 

 Symons, F.R.S., to the Royal Meteorological Society : William 

 Marriott. 

 Royal Microscopical Society, at 8. — Exhibition of Aquatic Life. 

 Society of Arts, at 8. — Syntonic Wireless Telegraphy: Guglielmo 

 Marconi. 



THURSDA Y. May 16. 

 Chemical Society, at 8.— The Nutrition of Veast, Part III.: Dr. A. L. 

 Stern, — Derivatives of Methylfurfural : H. J. H. Fenton and Miss 

 Mildred Gostling.— The Preparation and Optical Inversion of Optically 

 Active Nitrogen Compounds, dextro- and Ljevo-a.benzylphenyl-allyl- 

 methylammonium Salts ; W. J. Pope and A. W. Harvey. 

 FRIDAY, May 17. 

 Royal Institution, at g.— Turkish Kurdistan : Earl Percy. 

 Society of Arts, at 8. — Polyphase Electric Working : A. C. Eborall. 



SATURDAY, May 18. 

 Royal Institution, at 3. — Rise of Civilisation in Egypt : Prof. W. M. 

 Flinders Petrie. 



NO. 1645, VOL. 64 J 



CONTENTS. PAGE 



Early History of the Thermometer 25 



The Oxford Text-Book of Zoology 26 



The Graphical Mensuration of Vaults 27 



Our Book Shelf:— 



Newell : " Experimental Chemistry " .... 27 

 Ogilvy : "The Elements of Darwinism, a Primer." — 



R. M 28 



Malpeaux : " La Betterave a Sucre."— J. E. M. . . 28 

 Griftbn : " Assimiliation chlorophylienne et la Structure 



des Plantes" ; Bohn : " L'Evolution du Pigment" . 28 

 Letters to the Editor : — 



Scope of the Royal Society.— Sir W. T. Thiselton- 



Dyer, K.C.M.G., F.R.S. . 29 

 The Spectra of Carbon Monoxide and Silicon Com- 

 pounds. — Dr. Karl v. Wesendonk 29 



The Dust of " Blood-Rain.' — Prof. Arthur W. 



Rucker, F.R.S. . -3° 



A Convenient Primary Cell.— A. E. Munby ; The 



Writer of the Note . . ■ . 3° 

 Agricultural Seeds. By Dr. Maxwell T. Masters, 



F.R.S .30 



The Marine Resources of the British West Indies . 31 

 The Late Mr. Seebohms Travels in Arctic Europe 



and Asia. {Illiistraled.) By R. L 32 



Scotch Scenery and Geology. {Illustrated.) By 



T. G. B 33 



Dinner to Sir Archibald Geikie ... . . 34 



The Royal Society Selected Candidates ... 36 

 Rev. James Chalmers (" Tamate "). By Prof. A. C. 



Haddon, F.R.S .... 38 



Notes. {Illustrated.) ■ • 39 



Our Astronomical Column : — 



Comet 2(1901) 42 



Stellar Photography with a Siderostat 42 



FormuU-e for Variation of Latitude 42 



Position of Nova Persei . 4^ 



Photographs of the Zodiacal Light 42 



Fog Formaiions. {Illustrated.) 43 



University and Educational Intelligence . . 43 



Scientific Serial ... . .... 45 



Societies and Academies {With Diagram.) . . 45 



Diary of Societies -48 



