48 
NATURE 
[NOVEMBER 12, 1903 
curves of constant torsion, by M. W. de Tannenberg. 
On the determination of singular classes of Taylor’s series, 
by M. Emile Boret.—On some points in the theory of 
ensembles, by M. Ernst Lindelof.—On the relation between 
the pressure and the rate of chronometers, by M. Paul 
Ditisheim. It has been found that the variations in the 
rate are proportional to the differences in the pressure of 
the air. The action increases as the balance wheel is 
diminished, but tends towards a limit when the wheel is 
very small.—Remarks on the preceding paper, by M. Ch.- 
Ed. Guillaume. The effect produced would appear to be 
due to a small mass of air carried round with the balance 
wheel.—On the magnetic storm of October 31, by M. Th. 
Moureaux. The extreme amplitude of the variation is 
0-0068 C.G.S. units for the horizontal component, and 
0-0052 for the vertical component, numbers corresponding 
to 1/29 and 1/81 of the absolute values of these components. 
—On a variety of filiform carbon, by MM. Constant and 
Henri Pélabon. This form of carbon is formed from heavy 
hydrocarbons by the action of a very high temperature. It 
is attacked by fuming nitric acid and potassium chlorate.— 
On the separation and estimation of iron and phosphoric 
acid in water, by M. H, Causse.—On a method of synthesis 
of symmetrical dihalogen derivatives of benzophenone, by 
M. F. Bodroux. p-Dibromo-benzene treated with mag- 
nesium in the presence of dry ether gives BrC,H,.Mg.Br, 
and this with carbon dioxide gives a substituted benzoic 
acid and a ketone. Further examination of the latter has 
shown it to be symmetrical di-p-bromophenyl-ketone. At 
a very low temperature the acid is the chief product, the 
proportion of ketone produced increasing with the tempera- 
ture.—The application of pyridine to the preparation of 
some amides, by M. P. Freundler.—On the use of mag- 
nesium amalgam in organic chemistry, by M. Louis 
Meunier. Details of the preparation of diphenylmethane 
and ethyl derivatives of malonic esters are given.—On ortho- 
toluic aldehyde, by M. H. Fournier. This aldehyde is pre- 
pared in the pure state by the oxidation of the corresponding 
alcohol.—On the coagulation of starch, by MM. J. Wolf 
and A. Fernbach.—The olfactory sense of the snail (Helix 
pomatia), by M. Emile Yumg. ‘The sense of smell is, as a 
rule, limited to a distance of 2 to 3 cm.—The osmotic 
regulation of the internal liquids in Echinoderms, by MM. 
Victor Henri and S. Lalou. The results show that all the 
membranes which separate the internal fluids of the sea- 
urchins from the external liquid are semi-permeable.—On 
the fatty materials and the acidity of flour, by M. Balland. 
DIARY OF SOCIETIES. 
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.—Nete 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.—Notes on Quaternions, including a Simple Con- 
struction for VaBy: Prof. R. W. Genese. 
INSTITUTION OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS, at 8.—Inaugural Address by 
the President, Mr. Robert Kaye Gray. 
FRIDAY, NoveMBER 13- 
PuysicaL Society, at 8.—(1) Means for Electrifying the Atmosphere on a 
Large Scale: (2) an Arrangement for driving Mercury Pumps: Sir Oliver 
J. Lodge and Benjamin Davies. 
Roya ASTRONOMICAL SocigEty, at 5.—Observations of Mars in 1903: 
Rev. T. E. R. Phillips.—Observations of Variable Stars; edited by 
H. H. Turner: Sir C. E. Peek (the late).—Ephemeris for Physical 
Observations of the Moon, 19¢4: A. C. D. Crommelin.—Results of 
Double Star Measures, 1902: J. Tebbutt.—Systematic Proper Motions 
of Bright Stars relatively to Faint Stars in the Oxford Zones (+25° to 
+31): H. H. Turner.—Measures of Southern Double Stars, 1902-3: 
J. L. Scott.—Observations of Borrelly’s Comet (¢ 1903): Natal Observa- 
tory.—Remarks on a Paper by Mr. Cooke on a New Method of Deter- 
mining Time, Latitude and Azimuth: E. B. H. Wade.—Preliminary 
Note on the Effect of the Direction of Gravity on Lunar Observations ; 
E. B. H. Wade.—A Spectrographic Study of B Libre: Rev. W. Sid- 
greaves.—Observations of White Spots on Saturn: A. S. Williams.— 
Promised Papers :—Note on a Method of Photographing the Moon and 
surrounding Stars: H. H. Turner.—Errors in the Moon’s Tabular 
Longitude from 1750: P. H. Cowell.—On the Large Sun-spots of 1903 
October and November, and Associated Magnetic Disturbances. Com- 
municated by the Astronomer Royal: Royal Observatory, Greenwich.— 
Note on Photographs of Comet c 1903 (Borrelly). Communicated by the 
Astronomer Royal: Royal Observatory, Greenwich. 
NO. 1776, VOL. 69] 
TUESDAY, NovEMBER 17, 
INSTITUTION OF CIviIL ENGINEERS, at 8,.—Discussion of Paper on 
Tensile Tests of Mild Steel, and the Relation of Elongation to the 
Size of the Test-bar: Prof. W. C. Unwin, F.R.S. 
ZOOLOGICAL Society, at 8.30.—Note upon the Tongue and Windpipe of 
the American Vultures, with Remarks on the Inter-relations of the 
Genera Sarccrhamphus, Gypagus and Cathartes: F. E. Beddard, F.R.S. 
—On the Mammals cf Cyprus: Miss Dorothy M. A. Bate.—Report on 
the Fishes collected by Mr. Oscar Neumann and Baron Carlo yon 
Erlanger in Gallaland and Southern Ethiopia: G. A. Boulenger, F.R.S. 
Roya. STaTisTICAL SociETY, at 5.30.—Annual Presidential Address: 
Major Patrick G. Craigie, C.B. 
MINERALOGICAL Society, at 8.—On Sartorite, Anatase, Galena and other 
Minerals from the Binnenthal: R. H. Solly.—On the Pleochroism of 
Adamite : L. J. Spencer. 
WEDNESDAY, NovemMBER 18. 
CuemicaL Society, at 5.30.—Constitution of Ethyl Cyanacetate. 
Condensation of Ethyl Cyanacetate with its Enolic Form: P. Remfry 
and J. F. Thorpe.—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,—Note on a Double Chloride of Molybdenum 
and Potassium: G. G. Henderson.—Simplification of Zeisel’s Method 
for the Determination of Methoxy- and Ethoxy-Groups: W. H. Perkin, 
Senr.—The Action of Benzamidine on Olefine B-Diketones: S. Ruhe- 
mann. 
GroLocicaL Soctety, at 8.—On the Occurrence of Edestus in the Coal- 
measures of Britain: E. T. Newton, F,R.S.—Notes on some Upper 
Jurassic Ammonites. with special reference to Specimens in the University 
Museum, Oxford : Miss Maud Healey. 
Society or ARTs, at 8.—Opening Address of the 150th Session: Sir 
William Abney, K.C.B., F.R.S., Vice-President and Chairman of the 
Council. . 
ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY, at 8. 
Royvat METEOROLOGICAL Society, at 7.30.—The Great Dustfall of 
February 21 and 22, 1903, and its Origin: Dr. Hugh Robert Mill and 
R, G. K. Lempfert. 
Roya MicroscopicaL Society, at 8.—Miscroscopic Resolution: Prof. 
J. D. Everett, F.R.S.—The Mouth Parts in the Nemocera and their 
Relation to the other Families in Diptera: Walter Wesché. 
THURSDAY, NovEMBER 19 
Roya. Society, at 4.30.—The Physiological Action and Antidotes of 
Colubrine and Viperine Snake Venoms: Dr. L. Rogers.—The Cell 
Structure of the Cyanophycee: H. Wager.—On the Rapidity of the 
Nervous Impulse in Tall and Short Individuals: Dr. N. H. Alcock.— 
Electrometer Records of Secreto-motor Changes: Dr. A. D. Waller, 
F.R.S.—On the Nematocysts of Aeolids : G, H. Grosvenor. 
CONTENTS. PAGE 
The Scientific Work of the Imperial Institute, By 
CrSimmondsy 3. 3. foetal cine (cen sine 
Babylonian;Demonology  -) <7: ). -)ie) seen eee 
LineiGeometry. By J.\H.'G. ~ . 3 = sue mn eee 
Our Book Shelf :— 
Sheppard: ‘* Geological Rambles in East Yorkshire” 27 
Cordemoy: ‘‘Les Produits coloniaux — d’Origine 
animale (Bibliotheque Coloniale)."—R. L. . . . . 28 
Strasburger, Noll, Schenck, and Schimper: ‘‘ A Text- 
Bookjof Botany” =...) ouiceeeen tee « 2 
Conn : ‘‘ Bacteria in Milk and its Products.”—Prof. 
Rows Hewlett:. 1.51. iciveleiie mi eein-Wte ie neem 
Finn: ‘‘ Junior Algebra Examination Papers” .. . 28 
Letters to the Editor :— 
Hyksos-Hittites.—X. . 3 lacie eOicog oh veo tot (or ee 
Telegraphic Disturbances in Spain on October 31.— 
Profs Augusto Arcimiss Sgn ene S29 
The November Leonids.—W. F, Denning 29 
Leaf Decay and Autumn Tints.—Dr. P.Q. Keegan. 30 
Variation of Atmospheric Absorption.—J. Talbot . . 30 
Rocket Lightning.—Prof. J. D. Everett, F.R.S. . 30 
Explosive Action of Lightning.—R. A, West Tee 
The ‘‘ Sky-coloured” Clouds.—T, W. Backhouse . 31 
The Geology of Vanua Levu. (///ustvated.) By Prof. 
TG. Bonney, Hak:S-nnemee 5 31 
Electric |\Convectionsy jayne is) © oe ostomy 
Notes ic... 15 vom ROM teas ©) 31 os, cc) 0) Wc 
Our Astronomical Column :— 
Revision of Rowland’s Wave-lengths. ....... 37 
Parallax of; B\\Gassiopeicze\. (2. 3) os 6 1s) oe 
Astronomy;in;Schools! js, < : 3). «|< s))sen ee 
Universities: Their Aims, Duties, and Ideals. By 
Prof. A. R. Forsyth, F.R.S. Maisie oS 
Astronomy and Meteorology at the British Associa- 
tion, By Dr. W. N. Shaw, F.R.S... . 42 
Archeology of the Coast of North-west Florida. 
(Lihustrated.) pe BysAsC. Hi. 5 ., =) aie ep ce 
University and Educational Intelligence .... 46 
Societies and“Academies '.-.~ .-. 4-0) )- (2) « «= 2teAy 
Diary.ofsSOcietiesis <1 =)... ue ielicltaliclnein cle) olen ol 
