DECEMBER 3, 1903] 
NATURE 
105 
The presence of such an occipital operculum implies the 
existence, in the cerebral hemisphere possessing it, of a 
sulcus, called by Prof. Elliott Smith the sulcus lunatus, 
which is strictly comparable to, if not absolutely identical 
with, the ‘Affenspalte ’? so typical of the brains of 
Simiidze and Cercopithecide. 
The examination of cerebral hemispheres of representatives 
of the lower human races is naturally suggested, and the 
aborigines of Australia, from several points of view, seem 
particularly appropriate in this connection. Following up 
Prof. Elliott Smith’s suggestion, I have examined the brains 
of the aboriginal natives of Australia in the Cambridge 
Anatomical Museum. As a result, four out of eight hemi- 
spheres show plainly the sulcus lunatus and occipital 
operculum. In one case only is the condition symmetrical 
in the two hemispheres. The smallest brain of the four 
bears a sulcus lunatus and operculum on one hemisphere 
only. Where the sulcus lunatus is interrupted, compensa- 
tion seems to be provided by deepening of the inferior 
occipital sulcus. 
A Chinese brain in my possession has in each hemisphere 
a sulcus lunatus. 
I shall be much obliged if you can kindly place these 
observations on record. W. L. H. Duckwortn. 
November 27. 
The Rate of Nerve Impulses. 
Dr. Atcock, in his recent paper at the Royal Society, 
finds the rate of transmission of nerve impulses in man to be 
65 metres per second. Sir Michael Foster, in his 
Physiology ’’ (1888, part i. p. 76), gives it as 33 metres 
per second. The difference is considerable, and places us in 
a dilemma :—{1) either Sir Michael Foster or Dr. Alcock is 
widely wrong; or (2) the rate of transmission has become 
greatly accelerated during the last fifteen years. Of the 
two, the latter seems to me the simpler explanation. 
W. R. Gowers. 
The Leonids of 1903. 
OBSERVATIONS were begun on November 15 at 17h. 57m. 
and continued until daylight rendered further watching use- 
less. In the first five-and a half minutes twenty meteors 
appeared, all but two of which were Leonids, so that the 
hourly rate of the latter was 200. This period seems to 
have been about the time of maximum, judging from the 
results of other observers. Shooting stars now began to 
diminish in frequency, as the sky was brightening as 
day approached, but in the half hour comprised between 
17h. 57m. and 18h. 35m. (deducting time spent in record- 
ing) thirty-six were seen, thirty-four being Leonids. 
Beyond 18h. 35m. the twilight was too strong to expect 
to detect meteors, and though the look-out was continued 
until 18h. 57m. no more appeared. 
The display was certainly very fine, Leonids shooting one 
after the other in various parts of the heavens, the effect 
being heightened by the crescent moon and Venus, shining 
resplendently side by side in the south-east. Most of them 
were bright, the average magnitude being 1 or a little 
greater. As is usual with the meteors of this shower, they 
moved swiftly and left streaks. The prevailing colours were 
pine and yellow. 
e radiant poin indi i 
Wine cee t, as indicated by ten registered paths, 
The chief observed Leonids were :— 
: November 15. 
Time 
he ane From To Mag. 
18 73 1394- 6 138 = 9 si 
18 104 174 +20} 1794 +192 = 7 
ee 110 + 9 1065+ 7 > Sirius 
18 344 1394 +335 132h+38k ... =9 
On the following night the sky was watched from 
12h. 10m. to 14h., but though it was clear most of the 
time, only two Leonids were observed, and meteors generally 
were scarce. On November 18, from 18h. 5m. to 18h. 20m. 
no shooting stars appeared. 
These two latter watches bring out an important fact, 
namely, that the shower very rapidly declined in strength | 
after the maximum had been passed. 
Sheffield, November 27. 
NO. 1779. VOL. 69] 
ALPHONSO KING. 
ACCOMMODATION OF SCOTTISH SCIEN- 
TIFIC SOCIETIES. 
(NS response to a requisition signed by seven fellows, 
a special meeting of the Royal Society of Edin- 
burgh was held on the afternoon of Thursday, 
November 26. There was a large attendance. The 
president, Lord Kelvin, occupied the chair; and Sir 
John Murray, seconded by Dr. John Horne, moved the 
following resolution, that 
“This meeting of the Fellows of the Royal Society 
resolves to instruct the council to enter into formal 
communication with the other scientific societies hav- 
ing their headquarters in Edinburgh with the view 
| of concerting measures for obtaining the use of the 
| Royal Institution building wholly and exclusively for 
Scottish scientific societies.” 
The resolution was also supported by Prof. Cossar 
Ewart, Prof. Chiene, Dr. Munro, Dr. Buchan, Prof. 
Hudson Beare, Sir James Russell, and Prof. Chrystal. 
The last named, in his official capacity as secretary, 
referred to the history of the relation between the 
society and the Board of Manufactures for Scotland ;. 
while most of the other speakers spoke from the point 
of view of the various other societies of which they 
were members, such as the Royal Scottish Geo- 
graphical Society, the Royal Society of Arts, the 
Meteorological Society, the Royal Physical Society, 
the Geological Society, the Mathematical Society, &e. 
All who spoke were unanimous in their opinion as 
to the importance of the scientific societies having their 
rooms and libraries in one building. The advantages 
of such a combination are evident to all interested in 
the progress of science, and need not be enlarged on 
in these pages. But there are features peculiar to the 
present movement which deserve to be widely known. 
These were touched upon and in many cases empha- 
sised by Sir John Murray and those who supported 
him. 
One of the most striking architectural ornaments in 
Princes Street is the Royal Institution, erected in 1828. 
The Royal Society has always occupied the west wing 
of the building, and the rest is at present mainly de- 
voted to art in the form of a statue gallery and schools 
of art. Several rooms are used by the officials of the 
Board of Manufactures, the reorganisation of which 
forms the subject of an important report recently made 
by a departmental committee specially appointed. So 
far as this report has to do with the Royal Society, it 
is in practical agreement with the claims advanced 
by that body, as given in the evidence of the secretary, 
Prof. Chrystal. These were that the society should 
have increased accommodation for its growing library, 
and should sit rent free and in perpetuity. It was 
pointed out by witness after witness before the com- 
mittee that the building is unsuitable for art, and 
the committee accordingly recommends the construc- 
tion of a new building for national galleries and art 
schools. Should the people of Scotland carry this 
recommendation into effect, the representatives of art 
will evacuate the Royal Institution, and the question 
will arise as to the best use to be made of the rooms. 
The Royal Society cannot effectively occupy the whole 
building, and it is under these conditions that Sir John 
| Murray brings forward his plan for the concentration 
| of scientific effort in the capital of Scotland. Very 
little internal change in the building would make it 
suitable for the purpose, and there is a large central 
hall which would serve admirably for scientific meet- 
ings of wider scope or of a popular character. 
An “equivalent grant ”’ to Scotland of 2000!. dates 
and the Board of 
after that time to 
| from the Union of the Parliaments, 
Manufactures was appointed shortly 
