96 
INATO RES 
[NOVEMBER 26, 1903 
a half-second of are with this arrangement.—On the deter- 
mination of maxima and minima of transparency, by M. C. 
Camichel. A modification of the Gouy spectrophoto- 
meter, in which the two Nicols are replaced by a rotating 
disc, partly cut away in sectors.—Some remarks on the 
magnetic storm of October 31, by M. Em, Marchand. 
The author concludes that during magnetic storms the 
currents disturbing the earth’s field are situated at least 
partially in the upper regions of the atmosphere. The 
magnetic storm coincided with the passage of an important 
group of sun-spots across the central meridian.—On a 
rigorous separation of the rare earths, by MM. G. Urbain 
and H. Lacombe. By the addition of the double nitrate 
of magnesium and bismuth to the mixture of double nitrates 
‘of rare earths, each earth has as its only impurity bismuth, 
which is readily removed, instead of another rare earth. 
The method has been applied with success to mixtures of 
samarium and gadolinum.—On kermes mineral, by M. J. 
Bougault.—On the acetylenic ketones, a new synthesis 
of the isoxazols, by MM. Ch. Moureu and M. Brachin. 
Ketones of the type of acetyl-phenyl-acetylene react quanti- 
tatively upon hydroxylamine, giving isoxazols.—On_ the 
retrogradation of starch, by M. L. Maquenne. The 
retrogradation is favoured by lowering the temperature 
and by the presence of minute amounts of mineral acids.— 
The influence of the nature of the external medium on the 
organic composition of the plant, by MM. Alex. Hébert 
and E. Charabot.—On the relation between the luminous 
intensity and energy of assimilation in plants belonging 
to different biological types, by M. Fr. Weis.—On the 
structure of the cotyledons and the disposition of certain 
adventitious roots in young labiate plants, by M. Réne 
Viguer.—On polymorphism in nitrates, by M. Fréd. 
Wallerant.—On some analogies of geological factes 
between the central zone of the eastern Alps and the 
internal zone of the western Alps, by M. Pierre Fermier. 
—QOn artesian wells, by M. D. Pantanelli. A consider- 
ation of the influence of the pressure exerted by the rock 
mass upon the subterranean sheet of water upon the well 
level.—On a new fossil-bearing level in the Keuper beds, 
by MM. M. Piroutet and Arm. Laurent.—A comparison 
of the letters of the alphabet from the point of view of 
the speed of writing. ‘The formation of a rational alphabet, 
by MM. André Broca and D. Sulzer. The present 
alphabet is badly conceived from a physiological point of 
view. A series of signs is suggested by means of which 
the speed of recognition of letters could be increased one- 
third.—The electrical resistance of the human body, by 
M. Stéphane Leduc. The electrical resistance of the 
human body is especially the resistance of the skin, and 
this, like all electrolytes, depends on the nature and con- 
centration of the it contains.—Contribution to the 
treatment of cancer by the X- by M. Biraud. The 
disease was a typical epithelioma, and had recurred after 
one operation. After four months’ treatment with the 
X-rays the pain disappeared, and the size of the tumour 
was reduced three-quarters.—Contribution to the study of 
hydrochloric acid in digestion, by MM. A. Desgrez and 
J. Adler. 
ions 
DIARY OF SOCIETIES. 
THURSDAY, NovEMBER 26. 
Roya Society, at 4.30.—Mathematical Contributions to the Theory of 
Evolution, XII., On a Generalised Theory of Alternative Inheritance, 
with Special Reference to Mendel’s Laws: Prof. K. Pearson, F.R.S.— 
On the Distribution of Stress and Strain in the Cross-Section of a Beam: 
J. Morrow.—Some Experiments in Magnetism: T. C. Porter. 
INSTITUTION OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS, at 8.—The Testing of Electric 
Generators by Air Calorimetry: R. Threlfall, F.R.S.—The Edison 
Accumulator for Automobiles: W. Hibbert. 
FRIDAY, NoveMBER 27. 
Puysicat Society, at 5.—An Electrical Thermostat : Horace Darwin.— 
On the Occurrence of Cavitation in Lubrication: S. Skinner.—A Lecture 
Experiment in Electrical Resonance : Dr. W. Watson. 
Roya ASTRONOMICAL SociETy, at 8.—Lecture by the President, Prof. 
H. H. Turner. 
MONDAY, NovemeeEr 30. 
Society or Arts, at 8.—The Mining of Non-Metallic Minerals: Bennett 
H. Brough. (Cantor Lectures. II.) 
INSTITUTE OF ACTUARIES, at 5.—On the Comparative Mortality among 
Assured Lives of Abstainers and Non-Abstainers from Alcoholic Bever- 
ages : Mackenzie Moore. 
No. 1778, vOL. 69] 
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1. 
INSTITUTION OF CiviL ENGINEERS, at 8.—Discussion of Paper on the 
Distribution of Mean and Extreme Annual Rainfall over the British 
Isles: Dr. H. R. Mill. 
ZooLoGIcat SociETy, at 8.30.—Note upon the Tongue and Windpipe of 
the American Vultures, with Remarks on the Inter-relations of the 
Genera Sarcorhamphus, Gypagus and Cathartes: F. E. Beddard, F.R.S. 
—On the Mammals cf Cyprus: Miss Dorothy M. A. Bate.—On the 
Cause of Death of a Polar Bear recently Living in the Society's Gardens. 
—Dr. R. N. Salaman. 
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2. 
ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY, at 8. 
Society oF Arts, at 8.—The Fiscal Problem: Sir C.M.Kennedy, K.C.M.G. 
GEOLOGICAL SoctETy, at 8.—Note on the Garnet-bearing and Associated 
Rocks of the Borrowdale Volcanic Series: (The late) E. E. Walker —A 
Centibuticn to the Glacial Geology of Tasmania: Prof. J. W. Gregory, 
eRES: 
Society oF Pustic ANALYsTS, at 8.—The Characteristics of some Almond 
and Allied Oils: Dr. J. Lewkowitsch.—Note on the Quantitative Estima- 
tion of Mechanical Wood Pulp in Papers: C. F. Cross and E. J. Bevan. 
—The Estimation of Aldehydes and Ketones in Essential Oils: H. E. 
Burgess.—Note on the Estimation of Sperm Oil: L. M. Nash. 
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3 
Roya Society, at 4.30.—Pvobable Papers :—On the Fructification of 
Neuropteris heterophylla, Brongniart : R. Kidston, F.R.S.—Histological 
Studies on Cerebral Localisation: Dr. A. W. Campbell. 
Linnean SOcIETY, at 8.—On Littoral Polycheta from the Cape of Good 
Hope: Dr. Arthur Willey, F.R.S.—Notes on Myriactis Areschougii and 
Coilodesme californica: Miss May Rathbone. 
RONTGEN SOCIETY, at 8.30.—A New Jcintless Section Wound Induction 
Coil, and a Flat Spiral High Frequency Apparatus: Leslie Miller. 
AERONAUTICAL SOCIETY, at 8.—Report of the International Kite Competi- 
tion—(1) Mathematical Portion: Prof. C. V. Boys, F.R.S.; (2) Descrip- 
tive Portion: Eric Stuart Bruce.—Preliminary Communication on the 
Longitudinal Stability of Aéroplane Machines: Prof. G. H. Bryan, 
F.R.S., and W. E. Williams.—The Balloon Ascents made by the late 
Mr. James Glaisher, F.R.S., for Sclentific Purposes: W. Marriott.--The 
Mechanical Imitation of Bird Flight: W. Cochrane. 
CuEmIcat Society, at 8.—On the Molecular Formula of some Fused Salts 
as Determined by their Molecular Surface Energy: J. F. Bottomley.— 
Acid Salts of Monobasic Acids: R. C. Farmer.—The Atmospheric 
Corrosion of Zinc: G. T. Moody.—The Solubilities of the Hydrares of 
Nickel Sulphate: B. D. Steele and F. M. G. Johnson. 
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4. 
Grotoaists’ AssocraTION, at 8.—On Land, Freshwater and Estuarine 
Deposits, with Special Reference to Recent Excursions ; Lecture by the 
President, Mr. H. W. Monckton. 
INSTITUTION OF CiviL ENGINEERS, at 8.—Artificial Draught, as Applied 
by Fans to Steam Boilers: W. H. A. Robertson. . 
CONTENTS. PAGE 
Recent Books on Natural History. ByO.V.Aplin 73 
The Nature of Electricity and the Constitution of 
Matter.) BysFooS.) 5 2) se yee eee 
An English Edition of ‘‘Astronomy for Everybody.” 75 
History of Elementary Mathematics. 
Our Book Shelf :— d 
Lanessan : ‘* La Lutte pour I’Existence et l’Evolution 
ByG.B.M. 7 
des Sociétés.”—F. W. H. . 77 
*@re Deposits. A’ Discussion’? = 42). «0 - 78 
Lyndon : ‘‘ Storage Battery Engineering.” —M. S. 78 
Galt : ‘‘ Cassell’s Popular Science” oikiy ec 78 
Letters to the Editor ;— 
Engineering Equipment of the Manchester School of 
Technology.—Prof. John T. Nicolson .... 79 
On two Constants A, and A, in the Kinetic Theory o 
Gases.—Prof. H. Nagaoka ........ 79 
Leonid Meteor Shower, 1903.—John R, Henry . . 80 
Volcanic Dust, the ‘*‘ New Bishop’s Ring,” and 
Atmospheric Absorption. —T, W. Backhouse . 81 
Action of Radium on Bacteria.—Dr. Henry H, 
Dixon; J; T..Wigham erg) 2 os. . ee eee 
Medical Science and the Anti-Vivisectionists . 81 
Nyasaland. (J//ustrated.) ..... + oat) lo ea I 
The Canadian Rocky Mountains. (///ustrated.) By 
Prof. T. G. Bonney, F.R.S. we Why ees 
SciencesanditheyArnmiysee ee oes pute en 
Prof. Alexander Rollett. By Dr. R. du Bois- 
Reymond A 5 ORE era GIS 
Notes ee 5's, a pare LOT 
Our Astronomical Column :— 
Solar Phenomena and Magnetic Storms go 
QObservationsjofJupiters 9). 2) c: yaewietemtelts 90 
The Forms of the Ring and Dumb-bell Nebulas gt 
Biological Work in South Africa. By R. L.. gl 
Experiments on Wheat. By R. H. Biffen . 92 
Probable Error in Vital Statistics ........ 93 
University and Educational Intelligence ..... 93 
Societies and Academies ........ Oo. it 
DiaryiofiS octeties nu.) einen BEA on Gs 
