May 



1 90 1 



N^ TURE 



89 



necessary for the assimilaiion of carbon — the presence of chloro- 

 phyll, the existence of living protoplasm in contact with the 

 chlorophyll, and light rays. The results of the experiments 

 described in the present paper would appear to show that the 

 second condition is not essential. A glycerine extract of the 

 leaves, filtered first through paper and then through a Chamber- 

 land porcelain filter, and containing no trace of cells or even of 

 protoplasmic debris, shows no assimilation in either light or 

 darkness. The leaves of the same species dried at 100° C. gave 

 a green powder containing no living matter, an extract also 

 showing no assimilating power in the light. But a mixture of 

 these two extracts exposed to the light readily absorbed carbon 

 dioxide and gave off oxygen. From these experiments the 

 author concludes that chlorophyll assimilation is accomplished 

 without the intervention of living matter by a diastase which 

 utilises the energy of the sun's rays, the chlorophyll acting as 

 a sensitiser. 



The additions to the Zoological Society's Gardens during 

 the past week include a Red Howler (Mycetes semcubis) from 

 Colombia, presented by Commander A. Jolliffe ; an Arctic Fox 

 (Car.is lagopus)ixo-m the Arctic Regions, presented by Dr. H. A. 

 Allbutt ; a Black-faced Kangaroo (Macropiis mclanops, 9 ) from 

 Tasmania, presented by Miss Amy Mitchell ; two Barred Doves 

 (Gcopelia striata) from India, presented by Mr. W. A. D. 

 Harding ; an Allen's Porphyrio {Hydrornia alleni), captured at 

 sea, presented by Miss V. I. Nielsen ; a Rook (Corvit^ fru- 

 gikgtis), British, presented by Mr. A. Yates ; a Spider Monkey 

 [Ateks, sp. inc.), a Kinkajou (Cercoleptes caudivolvttltis), a 

 Feline Douroucouli (Nyctipithecus voci/erans), a Corals Snake 

 (Coluber corais) from South America, a Vulpine Phalanger 

 (Trickosiiriis vttlpecula), a Short-tailed Wallaby {Macropiis 

 brachytirns), two Quoy's Lizards (Lygosoiita quoyt) from Aus- 

 tralia, an Ibex (Capra, sp. inc. ) from Persia, two Simony's 



Lizards (Lacerla simony i) from the Canaries, six Tigrine Frogs 

 (A'ana tigrina) from the East Indies, three Schlagintweit's Frogs 



(i^aua lyanop/i/yctis) from Southern Asia, five Skinks 



(Euiiiecci skiltoiieiisis), four Changeable Tree Frogs (Plyla versi- 

 color) from North America, a Californian Toad (Biifo boreas) 

 from California, two Hamilton's Terrapins {Daiiionia haiiiil- 

 toni), four Bungoma River Turtle {Emyda granosa) from India, 

 deposited; two Common Teal {Qucrqiiednla crecca), a Shag 

 Phalacrocorax graculiis), European, purchased ; a Japanese 

 Deer (Cervus si/ca, 9 ), born in the Gardens. 



f 67? ASTRONOMICAL COL UMN. 



New Vari.-vble Star 71 (1901) Aurig.t.. — Mr. Stanley 

 Williams announces in the Astronoiiiisclu Nachrichlcii, Bd. 155, 

 No. 3708, the discovery of variabilityin the star B.D. -f42'-i295, 

 the position of which is 



R..A. = 5h. i8m. 19-55 \,,s.r.ni 

 Decl.= +42'' i8'-S I (1^350). 



The magnitude variations have been measured from photographs 

 taken with a portrait leits of 44 inches aperture, and the 

 following are the elements deduced : — • 



Period, o7925d. = i9h. im. 12s. 



Epoch max. 1901 March 3 (2415447), I3h. om. G.M.T. 



Limits of variation, 875 mag. to 9-65 mag. 



Max. tomin., I4h. 13m. 



Min. to max., 4h. 48m. 



Ratio of increase to decrease = '34. 



Si'ECTliUM OF jT Pums,— In Harvard College Observatory 

 Circular, tio. 55, Prof. E. C. Pickering gives the results of a new 

 investigation by Mr. King of the spectrum of (,' Puppis with re- 

 ation to the new lines of hydrogen found in that star some time 

 ago. The lines occur also in 5 and e Orionis and the spectra of 



NO. 1647, VOL. 64] 



these stars have consequently been used in the reduction. The 

 first line of the series corresponding to the red ordinary line has 

 not yet been recorded, and the observed series consists of seven 

 lines whose measured wave-lengths were 54I3'6, 4542-4, 4200 7, 

 4026-0, 3924-0, 3S60S, 3815-7. 



Definitive Orbit of Comet 1894 11. (Gale). — In the 

 Astronomical Journal [sa\. xxi. Nos. 496-7), Mr. H. A. Peck 

 brings together all the available published observations of this 

 comet from April to July 1894, and from their discussion com- 

 putes the definitive elements referred to the mean equinox and 

 ecliptic of 1S94-0, which are the following : — 



T = 1894 April 13-406912 -I- 0-0003955^ 



u> = 324° 12' 22" -52 + 1-20465^ 



Si = 206 23 53-04 - o-53475f 



i = 86 59 1S-19 -I- 084785;' 



,j = 0-9830931 'r 000000133951' 



e = 0-991 1206 -f 0-0000028375^ 



Sv will most probably have some value between - 20" and 

 - 60'. For Sv = 40" the period of revolution would be 1143 

 years. The orbit of this comet appears to indicate peculiar 

 relations to that of Jupiter. During the entire period of 

 visibility, and for two or three years previous, the planet was 

 near the orbit plane. A computation of the perturbations due 

 to the major planets is now in progress. 



THE UNIVERSITY OF LONDON. 



THE presentation of prizes and degrees at the University of 

 London on Wednesday, May 15, was the occasion ofsonie 

 noteworthy remarks upon the work and promise of the Univer- 

 sity. We give the Vice-Chancellor's address, together with parts 

 of subsequent speeches. 



Sir Henry Roscoe said, — " The past year has been one of loss 

 and sorrow not only to the whole nation but also to this Univeisity. 

 It has, however, I hope, been a year of some achievement. The 

 death of her late Majesty, Queen Victoria, deprived us not only 

 of our visitor but also of our foundress, and it is no small matter to 

 have such a name to look back upon. For, although the earliest 

 charter of the University bears date 1836, and was amongst 

 the last of those issued by King William IV., yet no real start 

 had been made in the work of the University previous to the 

 accession of the Queen, and at the commencement of her reign 

 she showed her interest by formally renewing the first charter of 

 the University. This early interest never declined and, in 1870, 

 when, after long delay, the University was granted by the 

 Government a home of its own in Burlington-gardens, it was the 

 Queen who personally opened the building on the presentation 

 day of that year. 



" The senate and graduates of the University presented a 

 respectful address of condolence and congratulation to His 

 Majesty, King Edward VII , on his accession, and the King in 

 his gracious reply, which I will venture to read to you, was 

 pleased to express his own continued interest in this University. 

 His words were as follows : 



" ' I thank you for your loyal and dutiful address and for your 

 sympathy with the grief of myself and my family for the death 

 of my beloved mother. 



" 'The progress of your University, from its commencement 

 almost at the date of her late Majesty's accession to its recent 

 reorganisation as a teaching as well as an examining body, has 

 been one of the most remarkable developments witnessed 

 in a reign memorable for the spread of higher instruction among 

 both sexes and all classes and races in my Empire. 



" ' You may feel assured of my hearty sympathy and good 

 wishes and cooperation in the furtherance of your good work.' 



" It will be in the recollection of many of you that, exactly a 

 year ago to-day, it was the speaker of these words who, as 

 Prince of Wales, sat on the right hand of this chair and spoke 

 words of hope and good augury for the future upon our recent 

 occupation of this newer and larger abode. 



" But it is not only the death of the < jueen that we have to 

 regret. A most serious illness has. during the last few months 

 —months of critical import for the University — made it impos- 

 sible for our Chancellor to take any part in our work. He has, 

 you will all be glad to hear, made a marvellous recovery, and he 



