72 
NATURE 
[NovEMBER 19, 1903 
Paris. 
Academy of Sciences, November 9.—M. Albert Gaudry 
in the chair.—On the storage of the n-rays by certain 
bodies, by M. R. Blondlot. The rays from various sources 
of light, after being filtered through an aluminium screen, 
possess the property of increasing the luminosity of a feebly 
phosphorescent screen. It was noticed when a quartz lens 
was used that this effect continued after the source of light, 
an incandescent mantle, was extinguished, and it was then 
found that quartz, Iceland spar, fluorspar, and various 
other substances possessed the same property. The rays 
are stored throughout the whole mass, and take some time 
to penetrate—On the determination of invariant figures 
of cyclic transformations, by M. Rabut.—On the approxi- 
mation of functions by quadratic surds, by M. S. 
Pincherle.—Generalisation of the fundamental property 
of potential, by M. A. de Saint-Germain.—On the laws 
of displacement of chemical equilibrium, by M. E. Aries. 
—The dielectric cohesion of gases at low temperatures, by 
M. E. Bouty. The dielectric cohesion of a gas at constant 
volume is constant to within one per cent. for temperatures 
between —100° C. and +200° C.—On a practical solution 
of the problem of photometry of lights of different colours, 
by M. Charles Fabry. The method involves the use of a 
secondary standard of the same colour as the light to be 
measured. For this standard, the use of a flame is recom- 
mended with two coloured solutions of definite composition. 
—On the scintillation of phosphorescent zinc sulphide, in 
presence of radium, revivified by electric discharges, by M. 
Th. Tommasina.—Remark on the latest group of solar 
spots and the magnetic disturbances, by M. F. Quénisset. 
Photographs of the spots taken on October 31, the date 
of the magnetic storm, show that the area of the sun-spots 
was only one-third of the area of the spots on October 11, 
but that on October 31 the spots were accompanied by 
enormous faculz, and hence the magnetic disturbance is 
probably to be attributed to the latter.—On the transparency 
of the sea, by M. Thoulet. A simple relation is given 
between the distance, y, at which a white circle on a black 
background just disappears, and the amount of solid matter 
in suspension, x, xy being constant. The relation has 
been applied to the determination of the weight of the 
sediment in suspension in sea water.—The use of balloons 
containing a subsidiary air balloon according to the theory 
of General Meusnier, by M. Henry de la Vaulxs An ac- 
count of two voyages in a balloon fitted with small air 
balloons, the latter possessing independent valves, and with 
a rain shield. The device of a subsidiary air balloon, sug- 
gested by General Meusnier in 1783, was found to be of 
great practical value. The balloon is easily kept below the 
clouds, and a great saving of ballast is effected, rendering 
longer voyages practicable-—The conditions of separation 
of iodine in the form of cuprous iodide, in a mixture con- 
taining alkaline chlorides, bromides, and iodides, by MM. 
H. Baubigny and P. Rivals. The separation is effected 
by an excess of copper sulphate, in the presence of an 
alkaline arsenite and a little ferrous sulphate.—The action 
of organo-magnesium compounds upon acetol and its esters, 
by M. André Kling. In no case was any haloid organic 
compound formed, hence, comparing with the corresponding 
reaction with ethylene oxide and epichlorhydrin it follows 
that acetol and its esters behave as ketonic compounds, and 
as internal ether oxides of the ethylene oxide type.—The 
evolution of the compound Ascidians, by M. Antoine Pizon. 
—On the regeneration in Amphibia of the posterior mem- 
bers and the tail, in the absence of the nervous system, by 
M. P. Wintrebert. The regeneration of the limbs is not 
dependent on the nervous system.—Study of the digestive 
ferments in some invertebrates, by M. Victor Henri. A 
comparison of the activity of the amylolytic and proteolytic 
ferments of Octopus vulgaris, Sepia officinalis, Spatangus 
purpureus, and Salpa africana with the activity of the 
corresponding ferments from the dog.—A new hybrid ob- 
tained by grafting, by M. Lucien Daniel.—On the extra 
floral nectars of Hevea, by MM. Aug. Daguilion and H. 
Coupin.—Cytological researches on Galactinia succosa, by 
M. R. Maire.—On the oxidation of glucose in the blood, 
by M. L. Jolly. Alcohol exists naturally in ox blood, in 
very minute proportion, a portion of which is further 
oxidised in the blood to acetic acid. 
NO. 1777, VOL. 69 | 
DIARY OF SOCIETIES. 
THURSDAY, NovemMBER 19. 
Roya. Society, at 4.30.—The Physiological Action and Antidotes of 
Colubrine and Viperine Snake Venoms: Dr. L. Rogers.—On the Rapidity 
of the Nervous Impulse in Tall and Short Individuals: Dr. N. H. Alcock. 
—Electrometer Records of Secreto-motor See Dr. A. D. Waller, 
F.R.S.—On the Nematocysts of Aeolids: G., H. Grosvenor.—The Cell 
Structure of the Cyanophycez : H. Wager. 
Linnean Society, at 8.—A General View of the Genus Pinus: Dr. 
Maxwell T. Masters, F.R.S.—Contributions to the Embryology of the 
Amentifere. Part I1.—Cavfinus Betulus, Linn.: Miss Dr. M. Benson 
and Miss Elizabeth Sanday. 
FRIDAY, NovEMBER 20. 
INSTITUTION OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS, at 8.—Roofing Existing Shops 
while Work is Proceeding: R. H. Fowler.—Experiments on the 
Efficiency of Centrifugal Pumps : Dr. Thomas E. Stanton. 
MONDAY, NoveMBER 23. 
RoyaL GEOGRAFHICAL SOCIETY, at 8. 30.—Recent Exploration and Ico- 
nomical Development in Central and Western China: Lieut.-Colone} 
C. C. Manifold. 
Society oF ARTs, at 8. 
H. Brough. 
The Mining of Non-Metallic Minerals: Bennett 
TUESDAY, NovEMBER 24. 
ANTHROPOLOGICAL INSTITUTE, at 8.15.—An Engraved Tablet from Easter 
Island: O. M. Dalton.—The Early Pot Fabrics of Asia Minor: J. L. 
Myres. 
INSTITUTION OF CiviL ENGINEERS, at 8.—On the Distribution of Mean 
and Extreme Annual Rainfall over the British Isles: Dr. H. R. Mill. 
WEDNESDAY, NovEMBER 25. 
Society oF ARTS, at 8.—The Universal Exposition at St. Louis, U.S.A., 
1904: George F. Parker. 
CONTENTS. PAGE 
Vegetation in Hercynia. By E.G. B. . Bey 0 G8) 
Measurement by Light Waves. By R. T. ig. 5° 
All About Cats. ByR.L. . + ae 
American Railways. 
Our Book Shelf :— 
By Ni Jo Ee ne ee 
Strong : ‘* Why the Mind has a Body.”—G. S. B. 53 
Thomson : ‘‘ The Position of the Old Red Sandstone 
in the Geological Succession” . ther OS 
Hiorns : “ Steel and Iron for Advanced Students” . 54 
Burkett, Stevens, and Hill: ‘‘ Agriculture for Begin- 
NOC OCOD CO MINN hb co cSt 
Lassar-Cohn: ‘‘ The Praxis of Urinary Analysis. A 
Guide to the Chemical Analysis of Urine.”—Prof. 
Re Dektewlett, — = 6 54 
Peabody: ‘‘ Studies in Physiology, Anatomy and 
Hygiene” . + Paetos Oz! 
Willis : ‘‘ Nathmetios Part i Teer Bee oR 
Borchardt : ‘‘ Arithmetical Tee and Examples ” 4 sie 
Letters to the Editor :— 
Heating Effect of the Radium Emanation.—Prof. 
Arthur Schuster, F.R.S. . . 3,0, Joyo 
Radium and Animals. —E. C. Willcock | . 55 
Note on the Arctic Fox (Cavzs Pete: _w. F. 
Lanchester. . . 55 
The Magnetic Storm of “October 31. (Jilustrated.) 
Superintendent Observatory Department, 
National Physical Laboratory . 56 
Expansion Curves.—B. A. Behrend; Prof. I 
Perry, F.R.S. . . 56 
The Leonid Shower of 1903. _w. F. ‘Denning . Bie ny 
Autophyllogeny in the Vine Qn —Herbert 
Campion, . 5 3 BP Gy 
The “ Dew-bow.”—Edward Hewitt. |. : 57 
Weather Changes and the Appearance of Scum on 
Ponds.—H. J. Glover .. . + ie geo 
Earthquake at Kashmir.—O. Eckenstein. . . . . 58 
A New Theory of the Soil. By A.D.H. ..... 59 
The Survey of India. ByC. F.C... ee cro |S) 
Isaac Cooke Thompson. me A. H. a vs Race OO) 
Notes .. Sie) & 6 ie. ¢ ey GOL 
Our Astronomical ‘Column :— 
Bright Meteors . . . Peach ee. OOS 
Search-Ephemeris for Faye’s 5 Comet... eye cet 65 
The Secular Variation of Starlight .. . . 65 
Solar Observations at Lyons Observatory During 1902 65 
Meteorological Observations with Kites at Sea . . 65 
The County Technical Laboratories, Chelmsford . 66 
The Newcomen Engine, (With Diagrams.) By 
Henry Davey . ee, = h/ 
University and Educational ‘Intelligence Bono 
Societiessand Academies’ :'-) 2 7¥s.e « «1 = Zo 
DiaryiofgSOCietiess. 0 le. ee atten olonte ao ree ey 
