120 
NATURE 
[DECEMBER 3, 1903 
Cartaud.—Influence of the gases on the separation of 
metals by electrolysis: the separation of nickel and zinc, 
by MM. Hollard and Bertiaux. The introduction of a 
sulphite, preventing the evolution of oxygen at the anode, 
permits of the easy separation of nickel from zinc by 
electrolysis. Experimental analyses are given.—On oxal- 
acetic acid, by M. L. J. Simon. The ether is treated with 
concentrated hydrochloric acid; the free acid, which is in- 
soluble in this liquid, separates completely in about forty- 
eight hours.—The condensation of the salts of dinaphtho- 
pyryl with phenols, by M. R. Fosse.—The synthesis of 
nicotine, by M. Amé Pictet. Starting with nicotinic acid, 
this is converted into B-aminopyridine, the dry distillation 
of the mucate of this base giving a N-pyridyl-pyrrol. The 
vapours of this substance, passed through a red-hot tube, 
give a-pyridyl-pyrrol, which, is methylated, giving the 
isodipyridine of Cahours and Etard (the nicotyrine of Blau). 
This gives inactive nicotine on suitable reduction, and from 
this an alkaloid identical in all respects with natural nicotine 
was obtained in the usual way with dextrorotatory tartaric 
acid.—The morphogenic action of water in motion on hydra, 
by Mme. S. Motz-Kossowska.—On the function of certain 
figured elements in Sipunculus nudus, by M. F. Ladreyt. 
—On the medusa of Victoria Nyanza, by M. Ch. Gravier. 
—On a double fusion of the membranes in the zygospore 
of Sporodinia, by M. Paul Vuillemin.—On:a bacterial dis- 
ease of the beetroot causing yellowing, by M. G. Delacroix. 
This disease attacks both the forage and sugar beet; prac- 
tical suggestions are given with a view to its prevention.— 
On the formations of the zone of quartzites and con- 
glomerates below the Devonian in the Northern Urals, by 
MM. L. Dupare and F. Pearce.—On the structure of the 
Hohe Tauern, in the Tyrolese Alps, by M. Pierre Termier. 
—Contribution to the study of the sodic rocks of East Africa, 
by M. H. Arsandaux.—The volcanic rocks of the island of | 
Eubea, by M. Deprat.—The morphogenic action of crota- 
phytic muscles on the skull and brain of the Carnivora and 
Primates, by M. R. Anthony.—Comparison between the 
nervous effects of the Becquerel rays and those of light 
rays, by M. Georges Bohn. The action of radium rays 
upon the teguments is very complicated, acting upon the 
peripheral nervous filaments, producing a kind of anzesthesia. 
—On the existence in the animal organism of a diastase 
possessing simultaneously both oxidising and _ reducing 
actions, by MM. J. E. Abelous and J. Aloy.—On the marsh 
gas fermentation and the ferment which produces it, by M. 
Mazeé. From a fermenting mass of dead leaves a specific 
organism has been isolated capable of producing methane 
during the fermentation of suitable solutions——On_ tuber- 
culins, by M. Beraneck.—A Crookes bulb for radiotherapy, 
by M. Audin. A description of an X-ray tube specially 
adapted for the treatment of cancer of the mouth and 
throat. 
DIARY OF SOCIETIES. 
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3. 
Royat Society, at 4.30.—On the Fructification of Neuropteris hetero- 
phylla, Brongniart: R. Kidston, F.R.S.—Histological Studies on Cere- 
bral Localisation: Dr. A. W. Campbell. 
LINNEAN Society, at 8.—On Littoral Polychzta from the Cape of Good 
Hope: Dr. Arthur Willey, F.R.S.—Notes on Myriactis Areschougit and 
Coilodesme californica : Miss May Rathbone. 
RONTGEN SociEry, at 8.30.—The Production of Photographic Reversal 
under the Combined Action of various Radiations: C. E. S. Phillips. 
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. KE. Williams.—The Balloon Ascents made by the late 
Mr. James Glaisher, F.R.S., for Scientific Purposes: W. Marriott. —The 
Mechanical Imitation of Bird Flight: W. Cochrane. 
CHEMICAL Society, at 8.—On the Molecular Formule 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 Hydrates of 
Nickel Sulphate: B. D. Steele and F. M. G. Johnson. 
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4. 
Gerovocists’ 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 Civit ENGINEERS, at 8.—Artificial Draught, as Applied 
by Fans to Steam Boilers: W. H. A. Robertson. 
MONDAY, DECEMBER 7. 
Society or Arts, at 8.—The Mining of Non-Metallic Minerals 
H. Brough. (Cantor Lectures. III.) 
NO. 1779, VOL. 69] 
Bennett 
4 
Farapay Society, at 8.—Total and Free Energy of the Lead Accumu- 
lator: Dr. R A§ Lehfeldt.—Bitumen in Insulating Compositions, Part i. : 
D. A. Sutherland.—Notes on Aluminium Welding: Sherard Cowper 
Coles.—Electrochemical Installation at the Borough Polytechnic Insti- 
tute: Dr. F. M. Perkin. 
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8. 
InsTITUTION OF CrviIL ENGINEERS, at 8.—Discussion of Paper on the 
Distribution of Mean and Extreme Annual Rainfall over the British 
Isles: Dr. H. R. Mill. 
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9. 
Society oF ARTS,at 8.—Furnaces suitable for Jewellers’ Work, Enamelling, 
Art Casting, and other Similar Industries: Henry H. Cunynghame. 
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10. 
MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY, at 5.30.—Proof of a Formula in Elliptic Func- 
tions: Mr. R. J. Dallas.—On Many-valued Newtonian Potentials: Prof. 
A. C. Dixon.—A Generalisation of Neumann's Expansion of an Arbitrary 
Function in a Series of Bessel’s Functions: Rev. F. H. Jackson.—Modes 
of Convergence of Infinite Series of Functions of a Real Variable: Dr. 
E. W. Hobson. 
INSTITUTION OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS, at 8.—Presentation to repre 
sentatives of the Borough of Colchester of a historical picture represent- 
ing Dr. Gilbert in the act of showing his electrical experiments to Queen 
Elizabeth and her Court.—The Slow Registration of Rapid Phenomena by 
Strobographic Methods: the ‘‘Ondographe’”? and. ‘‘ Puissancegraphe” 
(Wave Recorder and Power Recorder): M. E. Hospitalier.—The Magnetic 
Dispersion in Induction Motors, and its Influence on the Design of these 
Machines: Dr. Hans Behn-Eschenburg. 
Society oF Arts, at 4.30.—India’s Place in an Imperial Federation: 
J. M. Maclean. 
CONTENTS. PAGE 
The Reformation of the Teaching of Geometry. 
By Prof. G. M. Minchin, F.R.S. . .. . . 2 = 2 1Q7 
‘*Semi-Darwinian” Speculations. By F. A.D... 98 
Wrater;Supply =; :.. - = 1 Jas «on ieee, ©. s-unennn ae 
The Mathematical Theory of Crystal Structure . 100 
Our Book Shelf :— : 
Pohl: ‘‘Das Haar, die MHaarkrankheiten, ihre 
Behandlung und die Haarpflege” . ..... . . 100 
Kestel: ‘‘ Radiant Energy. A Working Power in 
the Mechanism of the Universe.”—F. S. . .. . I01 
Reychler : ‘* Physikalisch-chemische Theorien ” 101 
Parr: ‘* Electrical Engineering Measuring Instru- 
ments;,—M.S. . 22 2 i) Ol) 
Maudsley : ‘‘ Life in Mind and Conduct : Studies of 
Organic in Human Nature.”—A. E. T. . . . . . 102 
Dhingra : ‘‘Elementary Bacteriology.’ —Prof. 
[ates Cao adeeb oO fo 8 obo 5 oo HS 
Letters to the Editor :— 
A Useful Empirical Formula. (With Diagrant.) 
Prof, John Perry, FORSS) jg 2 eee 
A Simple Lecture Experiment with Radium Rays.— 
Dra Bleekrode \. (3 0-) -) -cpomcncie eS 
Nuclei and Ions.—Dr, Carl Barus; C. T. R. 
Wilson), F:R:S: 3c 2 0- cen hale os.) eee 
Weather Changes and the Appearance of Scum on 
Ponds.—W. Ramsden. .... - = « - » =) = 
The ‘“‘ Affenspalte” in Human Brains.—Dr, W. L. H. 
Duckworth... «1. 22 EUR Ns 3 ce 
The Rate of Nerve Impulses.—Sir W. R. Gowers, 
|) SS: EE, oc lon oedho oa 2 2 HEN, 
The Leonids of 1903.—Alphonso King. . . . . . 105 
Accommodation of Scottish Scientific Societies. By 
(OCR FO og otoen 0 o 020-0) ¢ 4 oo . Ios 
Some Illustrations of the Minute in Nature, 
(Lilustvated.) By Dy J ie eo i os © 
M. Tsybikoff’s Journey to Lhassa. (///ustrated.) . 107 
Anniversary Meeting of the Royal Society ... . 107 
Prof. Robert Henry Thurston. By T.H.B. ... 109 
Sir Frederick Bramwell, FURIS: - : . 5 «, «) 0) «saeco 
NCC SuGeeecGmdnGno soo 5 GO ANGEOEBNO S Qc oo Po 
| Our Astronomical Column :— 
Astronomical Occurrences in December . .... . I13 
Determination of Standard Stellar Velocities . ony 
New Elements for 7 Aquilze 2 ae) tel ere OC 
Absorption of Star Light by Comet 1903 ¢ . . . . . IT4 
Publications of the Pulkowa Observatory. . . . . . IIg 
Guide for Astronomical and Geodetical Calculations . 114 
The Edison Accumulator. (With Diagram.) By M.S. 114 
The United States Geological Survey. By H. B, W. 115 
Winter Whitening of Animals. By Capt. Barrett 
Hamiltoni i401. a's: <. ae: ee to > Node 
University and Educational Intelligence ..... II7 
Societiesiand Academies ... 2.2: 1. . © = - suis 
Diary/ofaSocieties: = ap si-t ied saeeteee ect ten 
