336 
NATORE 
[ FEBRUARY 4, 1904 
of the alkaline earths: Ed. Defaeqz. Details are given 
of the preparation and PEOpEEEeS of the barium fluohalogen 
compounds of the type BaF,: BaCl,.—Some colour re- 
actions of molybdic acid: M. “Ethm. Pozzi-Escot. ‘The 
author has rediscovered the colour reaction between tannin 
and molybdates which forms the basis of Alexander’s 
method for the determination of lead volumetrically as 
molybdate.—The electrolysis of chloric acid and chlorates : 
André Brochet. A discussion of the causes of the 
anomalous results obtained by the electrolysis of chlorates 
with a copper anode.—On the presence of formaldehyde in 
atmospheric air: H. Henriet. The author has shown in 
previous papers that there exists in the atmosphere a 
gaseous substance, which is not formic acid, possessed of 
energetic reducing properties, capable of reducing Fehling’s 
solution and decolorising iodide of starch solution. By an 
examination of rain water, proof is now afforded that this 
reducing substance is formaldehyde, and it appears to be 
present in proportions between one and five parts per 
100,000 of air by weight.—On trichlorisopropyl alcohol : 
Louis Henry. This substance is readily obtained by 
Grignard’s reaction from chloral and methyl magnesium 
iodide.—On the condensation of acetylenic esters with 
alcohols : Charles Moureu.—On the a-substituted B-methyl- 
adipic acids: Marcel Desfontaines.—On some derivatives 
of tetramethyldiaminophenyloxanthranol: MM. Guyot and 
Stoehling.—On the formation and saccharification of retro- 
graded starch: L, Maquenne.—On the distribution of 
potash in arable earth: J. Dumont.—On a new organism 
(Pelmatosphaera polycirri), the parasite of an annelid 
(Polycirrus haematodes): Maurice Caultlery and Félix 
Mesnil.—On the necessity of instituting an order of 
Siphomycetes and an order of Microsiphonez parallel to the 
order of Hyphomycetes: Paul Vuillemin.—On the vegeta- 
tion of some submarine soft water springs of the Lower 
Seine : Maurice Gomont.—On the development of the peri- 
thecium of Ascobolus: A. Dangeard.—On the geological 
association of iron and phosphorus and the dephosphorisa- 
tion of iron minerals by natural metallurgy:  L. 
De Launay.—On the magnitude of the nummulitic form- 
ation of St. Louis, Senegal: Stanislas Meunier.—On the 
ferment of the disease of wine known as vin pousse: 
J. Laborde.—The relation between the interstitial gland 
and the development of sexual characters: P. Bouin and 
P. Ancel.—On the correlation of characters susceptible of 
natural selection: G. Coutagne.—The analytical study of 
the phenomenon of oscillating life: Joseph Deschamps. 
DIARY OF SOCIETIES. 
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4. 
Roya Society, at 4.30.—The Reduction Division in Ferns: R. Gregory. 
—Cultural Experiments with “ Biologic Forms” of the Erysiphacez : 
E. S. Salmon.—On the Origin of Parasitism in Fungi: George Massee.— 
On Mechanical and Electrical Response in Plants: Prof. J. C. Bose,— 
On the Effects of Joining the Cervical Sympathetic Nerve with the 
Chorda Tympani: Prof. J. N. Langley, F.R.S., and Dr. H. K. Ander- 
son.—Conjugation of resting Nuclei in an Epithelioma of the Mouse : 
Dr. E. F. Bashford and J. A. Murray. 
Roya INstTiTuTION, at 5.—Recent Research in Agriculture : 
CuemicaL Society, at 8.—The Tautomeric Character of the Acidic 
Thioc yanates—Preliminary Note: R. E. Doran.—The Resolution of 
aB-Dihydroxybutyric Acid into its Optically Active Constituents: R. S. 
A. D. Hall. 
Morrell and E. K. Hanson. 
Linnean Society, at 8.—Account of Researches in the Physiology of 
Yeast: Prof. Sydney H. Vines, F.R.S.—Further Researches on the 
Specialisation of Parasitism in the Erysiphacee : E. S. Salmon. 
RONTGEN Society, at 8.30.—Discussion on the Production of Photo- 
graphic Reversal through | the Action of Various Radiations. 
FRIDAY, FesrRuary 5. 
GEOLOGISTS’ AssocIaTION. at 7.30.—Annual General Meeting. Address 
by the President, Mr. H. W. Monckton: on some Examples of the 
Different Types of Geological Formations, with Special Reference to 
Recent Excursions of the Association (Estuarine, Lagoon, and Marine 
Deposits). 
SATURDAY, Fepruary 6. 
Roya Institution, at 3.—Study of Style in Greek Sculpture: 
Waldstein. 
Dr. C. 
MONDAY, Fesruary 8. 
Royat GEOGRAPHICAL Society, at 8.30.—Turkestan and a Corner of 
Tibet : Oscar T, Crosby. 
INSTITUTION OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS, at 8.—The Work of the Alloys 
Research Committee: W. H. Merrett. (Graduates’ Lecture.) 
Society of Arrs, at 8.—Oils and Fats—their Uses and Applications. 
(Cantor Lectures, III.), 
VICTORIA INSTITUTE, at 4.30.—Notes on the Volcanic Phenomena of New 
Zealand; Miss Hilda Boord. 
NO. 1788, VOL. 69 | 
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9. 
Roya InsriTuTION, at 5.—The Development of Animals: Prof, L, C. 
Miall, F.R.S. 
Society OF ARTs, at 4.30.—The Biology of Federation: Sir John 
Cockburn, K.C.M.G. 
INSTITUTION OF CiIvIL ENGINEERS, at 8.—Tonnage Laws, and the 
Assessment of Harbour Dues and Charges: H. H. West. 
WEDNESDAY, FEsRuARY 10. 
Society oF Arts, at 8.—Thermit: its Application to Electrical Engineer- 
ing : C. Vernon Boys, F.R.S. 
THURSDAY, FeprRvuary 11. 
Rovat Society, at 4.30.—Probable Papers: A New Meteg ee Detecting 
Electrical Oscillations: Dr. J. A. Ewing, F.R.S., and L. H. Walter.— 
Constant Standard Silver Trial: Plates: Edward Matthey.—On Certain 
Properties of the Alloys of Silver and Cadmium: Dr. T. Kirke Rose.— 
Sun-spot Variation in Latitude, 1861-1902: Dr. W. J. S_ Lockyer.—On 
the High-Temperature Standards of the National Physical Laboratory. 
An Account of a Comparison of Platinum Thermometers and Thermo- 
junctions with the Gas-thermometer : Dr. J. A. Harker. 
Roya. INsTITuUTION, at 5.—Recent Research in Agriculture: A. D. Hall. 
Society of Arts, at 4 30.—Our Commercial Relations with Afghanistan: 
Ccl. Sir Thomas H. Holdich, K.C.M.G., K.C.1.E. 
MATHEMATICAL Society, at 5-.30.—On the Roots of the Equation 
mee G. H. Hardy.—On a Certain Double Integral: Prof. 
tr 
A. C. Dixon.—On an Appropriate Form of Conductor for a Moving 
Point-Singularity : Prof. A. W. Conway.—On Group-Velocity : Prof. H. 
Lamb.—On Point-Wise Discontinuous Functions of a Real Variable : 
Dr. E. W. Hobson.—Some Extensions of Abel’s Theorem on Power 
Series on the Circle of Convergence : G. H. Hardy. 
INSTITUTION OF ELECTRICAL FNGINEERS, at 8 —Transatlantic Engin- 
eering Schools and Engineering: Prof. R. M. Walmsley. 
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12. 
Rovat INnsTITUTION, at 9.—Westminster Abbey in the Early Part of the 
17th Century : the Very Rev. J. A. Robinson. 
Puysicat Sociery, at 8.—Annual General Meeting. Address by the 
president, Dr. R. T. Glazebrook, F.R.S. 
Royat ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, at 5.—Anniversary Meeting. 
INSTITUTION OF CiIviIL ENGINEERS, at 8.—The Electricity 
Destructor Station at Plumstead : T. S. Nash. 
MALACOLOGICAL Society, at 8.—Annual Meeting: President’s Address. 
SATURDAY, FrEsruary 13. 
Roya INSTITUTION, at 3.—Culture and Sculpture: Dr. C. Waldstein. 
and 
CONTENTS. PAGE 
African Game, By Sir H. H. as G.C.M. ne 
K.C.B. c . 313 
Engineering Science. * By T. H.B. a 314 
The Growth ofa Federal ey By Prof, Grenville 
Avy) @COlemern ts -:; 4, smete o a 315 
Our Book Shelf :— 
Barclay : ‘‘ A New Theory of pics Evolution.” — 
PAS DH os. Reioto. 6 ie a 316 
Boccardi : ‘* Guide du Calculateur.”—C. 15 (Oa 6 316 
Gamble : ‘* Penrose’s Pictorial Annual” . . . 316 
Study : ‘‘ Geometrie der Dynamen.”—H. H, .. . 317 
“* The Schoolmaster’s Yearbook and Directory,” 1904 317 
Buchanan and Gregory : ‘‘ Junior Country Reader ” 317 
Letters to the Editor :— 
Destructive Action of Radium.—Lord Blythswood 317 
Phosphorescence of Photographic Plates.—Prof. P. 
Lenard .. 317 
The French Academy. —Oliver ‘Heaviside, F.R. s. 317 
Ambidexterity.—Prof, T. D. A, Cockerell . . 317 
Science at Oxford and Cambridge.—A. R. Hunt . 318 
Curious Shadow Effect.—John A. Harvie Brown. 318 
Subjective Images.—Mrs. E. Hubbard . : 318 
Use of the Kinematograph for Scientific Purposes.— 
Rais. 318 
Observations on the Nature of Cancerous Growths. 
(Zilustvated.) By Prof. J. B. Farmer, F.R.S. . . . 319 
Science and Military Education.  . oe) Reg 2 
Mineral Output of India, (/izth Diagrams. ) 5 323 
Accommodation of Scottish Scientific Societies. 
By CaiG. Koa EEE bio oo Se 
Dr. George Salmon, a cre ope ae 324 
Drew: Francia 4AM, |. ss ee 326 
Notes ee ayia) ey, on cece RC aS 326 
Our Astronomical Column :— 
Peculiar Forms of Comets’ Tails . 330 
Actinic Quality of Sky-light . . . 2 is Meleeiees 330 
The United States Naval Observatory . Ae 5 Sor ONS 330° 
Radiant Point of the.1903 Leonid Shower . . . . . 331 
Comparison-Star Photographs for Minor Planets, &e. 2 3G 
Nautical Education in Japan ........ ° 331 
The Sanding-up of Tidal Harbours. ..... ... 332 
University and Educational Intelligence . . . . . 332 
Societies andvAcademies) - =) 2) ecm rt ns 4: 
DiaryjofrSouletics’ >. ¥.)-) sane Ce nee G 
