24 
NATURE 
[NOVEMBER 5, 1903 
screen by the prolonged action of the a rays.—Observation 
of the eclipse of the sun of September 20, made at the 
Réunion, by MM. Edmond Bordage and 
Observations of Mars made with the large 
telescope of the Observatory of Meudon, by M. .G. 
Millochau. The appearance of the markings on the planet 
when viewed through the large instrument differs in some 
respects from the previous observations made with smaller 
telescopes. Four drawings accompany the paper, showing 
the appearance on different dates.—On the groups of trans- 
formations of linear equations of finite differences, by M. 
Alf. Guidberg.—On the practical solution of equations, by 
M. Rabut.—The experimental determination of the momen- 
tary pressure resulting from shock, by M. Ringelmann. 
The results obtained can be expressed by the formula 
C=kPv, in which C is the momentary pressure, Je the 
weight of the falling body, wv its velocity, and k an experi- 
mental coefficient, 13-55.—On a capillarimeter, by MM. E. 
Tassilly and A. Chamberland. The instrument consists 
of a biconcave cylindrical lens, on the plane edges of which 
two plane parallel plates are clamped, the difference in the 
heights of the meniscus on either side being measured.— 
The change of electrical resistance of selenium under the 
influence of certain substances, by M. A.-B. Griffiths.— 
On the fusibility of mixtures of sulphur and bismuth, by 
M. H. Pélabon. The fusibility curve is represented by 
three straight lines, with two points of inflection, one at 
435° C. and the other at 685° C., the latter corresponding 
to the sulphide BiS.—The action of boric acid upon iodides ; 
its use in the separation of iodine from iodides in the 
presence of bromides and chlorides, by MM. H. Baubigny 
and P. Rivals. Jodine can be separated from a mixture 
of haloid salts by distilling with boric acid and manganese 
peroxide in a current of air.—On the composition of the 
prehistoric bronzes of Charente, by M. Chesneau.—The 
calculation of the heat of combustion of organic acids, their 
anhydrides and esters, by M. P. Lemoult. By assuming 
certain thermal values for the (CO.OH), (C=C), 
(CO.O.CO), and (CO.O.C) groups, a general formula is 
given for the heat of combustion of the above named sub- 
stances. On 450 cases examined, in 12 per cent. the 
approximation is within 1 per cent., in-20 per cent. between 
1 and 0-5 per cent., and in 68 per cent. within 0-5 per cent. 
of the experimental values.—Researches on isoglucosamine, 
by M. L. Maquenne. Isoglucosamine is reduced by 
sodium amalgam to two stereoisomeric bases, one being 
d-glucamine, the other d-mannamine. Isoglucosamine 
thus furnishes a new means of passing from the mannite 
to the sorbite series.—The action of chlorine on barium 
acetate, by M. Albert Colson. A chloroacetate is formed 
of the composition [BaCl.(C,H,O,)+H.(C,H,O,)].—Solid 
azo-colouring matters derived from a-amino-anthraquinone, 
by M. Charles Lauth.—Study of some ancient samples of 
bread. An examination of bread from Pompeii, Aosta, 
Egyptian tombs, and the lake dwellings of Neuchatel, by 
M. L. Lindet.—The tectonic structure of the island of 
Eubea, by M. Deprat.—Study of the muscular contractions 
and of the reflexes in Stichopus regalis, by M. Victor Henri. 
—On the stimulation of nerves and muscles by discharges 
from condensers, by M. J. Cluzet.—The seat of epileptiform 
convulsions, by M. Nino Samaja.—A new dental and 
surgical drill, by MM. J. Bereut and A. Donat.—On the 
curve of output of a subterranean spring, by M. Edmond 
Maillet. 
island of 
A. Garsault. 
DIARY OF SOCIETIES, 
S THURSDAY, Novemser 5, 
HEMICAL Society, at 8.—Conductivity of Substances Dis i 
Certain Liquefied Gases. prelinniiaee Notice: B. D Bee 
D. McIntosh.—The Reduction of Hydrazoic Acid : W. T. Cooke.—The 
Behaviour of Metallic Oxides towards Fused Boric Anhydride: C. H. 
Burgess and A. Holt, Jun.—Some Reactions of Vanadium Tetrachloride : 
B. D. Steele, —Stadies on Comparative Cryoscopy. Part I. : The Fatty 
Acids and their Derivatives in Phenol Solution: P. W. Robertson,— 
The Vapour Pressures of Sulphuric Acid Solutions. Preliminary Note: 
B. C. Burt.—The Viscosity of Liquid Mixtures. Preliminary Note: 
A. E. Dunstan and W. H. C. Jemmett.—Additive Compounds of 
s-Trinitrobenzene and Alkylated Arylamines : H. Hibbert and J.J. Sud- 
borough.—A Contribution to the Study of the Reactions of Hydrogen 
Peroxide: J. McLachlan.—The Constitution of Certain  Silicates : 
C. Simmonds.—Constitution of Ethyl Cyanacetate. Condensation of 
NO. 1775, VOL. 69] 
Ethyl Cyanacetate with its Enolic Form: P. Remfry and J. F. Thorpe 
—Interaction between Chloric and Hydriodic Acids: J. McCrae.— 
3.:5:-Dichloro-1 :1: 2-Trimethyldihydrobenzene. A Correction: A. W, 
Crossley.—The Estimation of Hydroxylamine: H. O. Jones and F. W. 
Carpenter.—A Study of the Isomerism and Optical Activity of Quin- 
quevalent Nitrogen Compounds: H. O. Jones.—The Action of Water 
and Dilute Caustic Soda Solutions on Crystalline and Amorphous 
Arsenic: W. T. Cooke.—The Union of Carbon Monoxide and Oxygen, 
and the Drying of Gases by Cooling : A. F. Girvan. 
RonTGEN SocIETY, at 8.30.— President's Address. 
LINNEAN SOCIETY, at 8.—On the Structure of the Leaves of the Bracken, 
Pteris aquilina, in relation to environment: L. A. Boodle —On the Life- 
history of a New Monophlebus from India, with a Note on that of a 
Vedalia predaceous upon it; with Remarks on the Monophlebine of the 
Indian Region: E. P. Stebbing. 
FRIDAY, NovemseEr 6. 
Geotoaists’ AssociaTION. at 8.—Conversazione at University College. 
TUESDAY, NovemMBER to. 
Roya GEOGRAPHICAL SociETY, at 8.30.—North Polar Exploration, 1898- 
1go2: Commander R. E. Peary, U.S.N. 
INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS, at 8.—Tensile Tests of Mild Steel, 
and the Relation of Elongation to the Size of the Test-bar: Prof. W. C. 
Unwin, F.R.S. 
ANTHROPOLOGICAL INSTITUTE, at 8.15.—Exhibition of Pictures Painted by 
Colour-blind Persons: »Dr. F. W. Edridge-Green.—The Survival of 
Primitive Implements in the Farées and Iceland: N. Annandale.— 
Anthropological Notes on Kikuyu and Kamba: H. R, Tate. 
THURSDAY, NOvEMBER 12. 
MATHEMATICAL Society, at 5.30.—Annual General Meeting.—On 
Sequences of Sets of Intervals containing a Given Set of Points: W. H. 
Young.—On Spherical Curves: H. Hilton.—On the Weddle Quartic 
Surface: Dr. H. F. Baker.—A Formal Generalisation of Maclaurin's 
Theorem: Rey. F. H. Jackson.—Diffraction: W. H. Jackson.—A 
General Theorem concerning Absolutely Convergent Series: G. H. 
Hardy.—Ncte on Borgnet’s Method of Dividing an Angle in an Arbitrary 
Ratio: Prof. J. D. Everett.—On an Expression of the Electromagnetic 
Field by Means of Two Scalar Potential Functions: E. T, Whittaker.— 
The Propagation of Wave-motion in an Isotropic Elastic Solid Medium: 
Prof. A. E. H. Love. 
INSTITUTION OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS, at 8.—Inaugural Address by 
the President, Mr. Robert Kaye Gray. 
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13- 
Roya ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, at 5- 
Puysicat Society, at 8.—(1) Means for Electrifying the Atmosphere on a 
aoe : (2) an Arrangement for driving Mercury Pumps: Sir Oliver 
. Lodge. 
CONTENTS. 
BloodvandiEron is. <<) 3). «ee ol ee I 
Mines and Minerals of the United States aren ena 2 
Climatology. By Dr, W, N. Shaw, F.R.S..... 3 
Our Book Shelf :— 
Neilson; ‘‘The Steam Turbine” . . . ats 4 
4 
4 
4 
PAGE 
Edgcumbe: ‘‘Whittaker’s Electrical Engineer’s 
PocketsBook,?/—M.'S. 0) sere eee ee 
Wislicenus: _ ‘‘Astronomischer Jahresbericht.”— 
Jorgensen : ‘* Practical Management of Pure Yeast.” — 
Letters to the Editor :— 
Variation of Atmospheric Absorption.—Prof. S. P, 
Langley SROCMrCEn Ouch G oroRA-t oc 
Heating Effect of the Radium Emanation,—Prof. 
Arthur Schuster, F.R.S. ... Re is”. 
Radium and Plants.—Dr. Henry H. Dixon .., . 
Solar and Magnetic Disturbances.—Prof, A. Fowler ; 
DrvCharles(Chree, PURIS snus agen es a 
Dr. Shaw’s Address at the British Association.—Dr, 
R. T. Omond; Dr, W. N. Shaw, F.R.S... . 
Weather Changes and the Appearance of Scum on 
Ponds,—Platanus orientalis ; Dr. Hugh Robert 
Miller. =e teens, is: “eee as Oe | 
Cranial Casts.—Prof. G, Elliot Smith; Prof. J. 4) 
Symingtongk eR. S2 is. Se. eee 
Magnetic Storms, Aurore and Solar Phenomena. 
(With Diagram.) By Dr. W.J. S. Lockyer. ... 9 
A New Natural History. (///ustrated.) ByR.L.. . 11 
Notes: 7 tise ee lane's les tye) ene 
Our Astronomical Column ;— 
The Formation of the Polar Capson Mars ..... 16 
Wolf’s Variable Star 59, 1903, Cygni ....... 16) 
Periodical Changes in the Colours of Jupiter’s Belts . 16 
The Multiple Tail of Comet 1903¢ «.. . . . . «1 
The Swiss Association of Natural Sciences. By Dr. 
Rx Natolipiemeus ts) sc tecbcumepteesics) (ik) (te 
The Nature-Study Exhibition, > ........ Smt 
Botany at the British Association. ......., { 
Education at the British Association. By R. A.G, 20 
University and Educational Intelligence .... 22 
Societiesjand Academies) 77.) 9.1. = «© «stele 
DiaryiofeSocieties’. 5°. sy. icilsity ty ic) nenieienn aimee 
