408 
NATURE 
chloride behaves in an exceptional manner, giving hydro- 
chloric acid, hydrogen, and carbon. The behaviour of bro- 
mine and iodine derivatives is generally similar to that of the 
chlorine compounds, methyl iodide being exceptional, giving 
methane and a little ethylene.—On quasi-rational numbers, 
and ordinary or continued quasi-periodic arithmetical frac- 
tions: Edmond Maillet.—On the actinium radiation: A. 
Debierne. A detailed study of the law of disappearance 
of the emanation of actinium, and also of the decrease of | 
radio-activity induced by this emanation.—The phenomenon 
of the transmission of the n-rays and its applications: 
Augustin Charpentier.—A description of a series of ex- 
periments on the conduction of the n-rays along copper and 
silver wires. A piece of string, moistened with collodion 
containing calcium sulphide in suspension, also conducts 
like a metallic wire.—On the conditions of the indifferent 
state: E. Aviés.—On the influence of complex ions in 
electrolysis by alternating currents: André Brochet and 
Joseph Petit. With alternating currents there may be the 
formation of complex ions, disengagement of detonating 
gas, solution of the electrodes, or oxidation or reduction in 
cases where the electrolyte is capable of oxidation or re- 
duction.—On_ y-chloroacetoacetic ester: M. Lespieau. 
This substance has been previously only obtained mixed with 
an isomer ; by the oxidation of 
CH,Cl.CH(OH).CH,.CO,C,H, 
by a mixture of potassium bichromate and dilute sulphuric 
acid which furnishes the ketonic ester in a pure state. It is 
characterised by its copper salt, which is insoluble in water, 
but can be crystallised from benzene.—On dichloromethylene- 
dioxypropylbenzene and the carbonate of propylpyro- 
ceatechin: R. Delange. The halogen compound is 
obtained by the interaction of phosphorus pentachloride and 
dihydrosafrol, and is separated by distillation in a vacuum. 
It enters very readily into reactions, details of those with | 
water, alcohol, phenol, acetic anhydride, and acetic acid | 
being given.—On the glyoxylic ureides: allantoin and 
allantoic acid: L. J. Simon.—Some observations in the 
composition of potato starch: A. Fernbach. Phosphoric 
acid is an integral constituent of starch grains. Potato 
starch was separated by levigation into several fractions, 
corresponding to grains of varying size, and the amount of 
phosphate in each fraction determined. From the analytical 
figures thus obtained the conclusion is drawn that the 
nucleus of each grain is relatively rich in phosphorus, and 
upon this are gradually superposed layers of starch free from 
phosphorus.—On a new copal resin and kino, the first 
furnished by the fruit, the second by the bark of Dipteryx 
odorata: Edouard Heckel and Fr. Schlagdenhauffen. 
—Varieties of origin, nature and properties of the soluble 
active products developed in the course of a bacterial in- 
fection: A. Charrin. 
DIARY OF SOCIETIES. 
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25. 
Roya. Society, at 4.30.—Electromotive Phenomena in Mammalian Non- 
medullated Nerve: Dr. N. H. Alcock.—Further Observations on the 
Réle of the Blood-Fluids in connection with Phagocytosis: Dr. A. E. 
Wright and Capt. S. R. Douglas.—On Mechanical and Electrical 
Response in Plants: Prof. J. C. Bose-—On the Compressibility of 
Solids: J. Y. Buchanan, F.R.S.—A Contribution to the Pharmacology 
of Indian Cobra-venom: Major R. H. Elliot. 
Roya. INSTITUTION, at 5.—Klectrical Methods of Measuring Tempera- 
ture: Prof. H. L. Callendar, F.R.S. 
InsTITUTION OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS, at 8.—Transatlantic Engineer- 
ing Schools and Engineering: Dr. R. M. Walmsley. (Adjourned Dis- 
cussion ) 
FRIDAY, Fesrvuary 26. 
Roya InstiruTion, at 9.—New Developments in Electric Railways: 
Alex. Siemens. 
PuysIcaL Society, at 5.—A New Dilatometer : B. Bonniksen.—A Quartz- 
thread Vertical Force Magnetograph: Dr. W. Watson, F.R.S.—On 
Stresses in a Magneto-static Field: G. W. Walker.—Some Hints on the 
Preparation of Diagrams: Dr. W. Watson. F.R.S. 
INSTITUTION OF CiviL ENGINEERS, at 8.—Boiler-house Design: L. G. 
Crawford. : 
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27. 
Royat Institution, at 3.—The Life and Work of Stokes: Lord 
Rayleigh. 
Essex Fietp Cus, at 6.30 (at the Essex Museum of Natural History, 
Stratford).—A Disappearing Industry; Charcoal Burning in Essex : 
YT. S. Dymond.—Recent Observations and Discoveries concerning 
London City Walls, the Walbrook and Moorfields: F. W. Reader 
MONDAY, FEsRvuARY 29. 
Society oF ARTs, at 8.—Modern Book Printing: Charles T. Jacobi. 
(Cantor Lecture, II). i 
NO. 1791, VOL. 69] 
[FEBRUARY 25, 1904 
INSTITUTE OF ACTUARIES, at 5.—An Investigation into the Rates of Re- 
Marriage and Mortality amongst Widows in Receipt of Relief from the 
Patriotic (Russian War) Fund, 1854-1900: J. Burn and J. McDonald. 
TUESDAY, Marcu 1. 
Rovat InstTiTuTION, at 5.—Japanese Life and Character : E. Foxwell. 
SociETy oF ARTS, at 4.30 —Nigeria: Lady Lugard (Miss Flora L. Shaw). 
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY, at 8.30. 
INSTITUTION OF CIvIL ENGINEERS, at 8.—Pafers to be further discussed : 
The Construction of Railway-Wagons in Steel: J. D. Twinberrow.— 
The Construction of Iron and Steel Railway-Wagons: A. L. Shackle- 
ford.—Iron and Steel Railway-Wagons of High Capacity: J. T. Jepson. 
WEDNESDAY, Marcu 2. 
Society or ARTS, at 8.—Physical Degeneration: Dr. Robert Jones. 
ENTOMOLOGICAL Society, at 8.—Notes on Australian and Tas- 
manian Cryptocephalides, with descriptions of New Species: A. M. 
Lea.—A Revision of the Sub-family Pelidnotine of the Coleopterous 
family Rutelida, with descriptions of New Genera and Species : the late 
Frederick Bates, communicated by G. J. Arrow.—On some New Species 
of Eastern Australian and African Moths in the British Museum: 
Colonel C. Swinhoe.—An Entomological Excursion to Mcncayo, Spain: 
G. C. Champion ; with some Remarks on the Habits of Vy/eborus dispar, 
Fabr.: Dr. T. A. Chapman: Further Notes on Hydroptilida belonging to 
the European Fauna, with descriptions of New Species: K. J. Morton. 
—Discussion : What is a Species? Prof. E. B. Poulton, F.R.S., Mr. 
H. J. Elwes, F.R.S., Dr. F. A. Dixey and others. 
THURSDAY, Marcu 3. 
Royat Society, at 4.30.—Probable Papers: An Inquiry into the Nature 
of the Relationship between Sunspot Frequency and Terrestrial Mag- 
netism: Dr. C. Chree, F.R.S.—The Optical Properties of Vitreous 
Silica: J. W. Gifford and W. A. Shenstone, F.R.S.—A Radial Area 
Scale: R. W. K. Edwards.—The Origin of the Flutings in the Spectra 
of Antarian Stars: A. Fowler. 
Roya InsTITUTION, at 5.—Electrical Methods of Measuring Tempera- 
ture: Prof. H. L. Callendar, F.R.S. 
RONTGEN SociETY, at 8.30.—Presidential Address: Some Laboratory 
Notes of the last Six Months. 
LINNEAN SOCIETY, at 8.—List of the Species of Carex known to occur in 
Malaya: C. B. Clarke, F.R.S.—Onsome Species of the Genus Palemon, 
Fabr., from Tahiti, Shanghai, New Guinea, and West Africa: Dr. J. G. 
de Man. 
Cuemicat. Society, at 8 —Chemical Dynamics of the Alkyl Iodides: 
Miss K. A. Burke and F. G. Donnan: The Constitution of Phenol- 
phthalein: A. G. Green and A. G. Perkin.—d-Ketohexahydrobenzoic 
Acid: W. H. Perkin, junr.—Photochemically active Chlorine: C. H. 
Burgess and D. L. Chapman. 
FRIDAY, Marcu 4. 
Roya INnsTiTUTION, at 9.—Breathing in Living Things: Prof. W. 
Stirling. 
SATURDAY, Marcu 5. 
Rovat InstITUTION, at 3.—The Life and Work of Stokes : Lord Rayleigh. 
CONTENTS. 
PAGE 
Heterogenesis. By J. A. T. 385 
Prof:)Ostwaldis jubilee) sim s0 es ninr nee: 387 
Japanese Botany. By Dr. F. Victor Dickins . 389 
QunUiniquesarth!) eee : 389 
Our Book Shelf :— 
Blanford and Distant: ‘‘ The Fauna of British India, 
including Ceylonand Burma” ........ . 390 
Barnard and Child: ‘‘ A New Geometry for Junior 
Xo) (ie i Ee inno oo SualeGoc 6 Si 
Sennett: ‘Fragments from Continental Journey- 
inps: —Go A. J.C. Sees 2 BUS Ol eon 
Abraham: ‘‘ Recueil d’Expériences élémentaires de 
Physique.) .. 5. ts) + eateatenten ts) Oe 
Galt : ‘‘Cassell’s Popular Science”... .... . 391 
Letters to the Editor :— 
Cancer and Parthenogenesis.—Dr. F. Bushnell ; 
Prof.) J.-B: Farmer) PRS. 0s 2). ci.) eee 
On a Dynamical System illustrating the Spectrum 
Lines and the Phenomena of Radio-activity.—Dr. 
H. Nagaoka .. elke evs Peron uo Se 
Science in the Navy. —N.G.T. ........ . 393 
Organisms and Meteorites. —Prof. James Ward 393 
The Gordiidz in Folk-lore.—Nelson Annandale . 393 
The Antarctic Expeditions. (///ustvated.) . . . . . 393 
The ‘‘ Fish Hypothesis” and the Transmission of 
eprosy, BylProf Rol. Hewlett 920-5. ies 
Notes acne. foc cle we a 2 oN te ee OO 
Our Astronomical Column :— 
Observed Changes on the Surface of Mars . . . . . 399 
The Geographical Distribution of Meteorites . . . . 399 
An Atlas of Solar Photographs . . . 2... . 2. 399 
Concerning Giraffes. (///ustrated.) By R.L. .. . 400 
A Directed Synthesis of an Asymmetric Compound 401 
BarometriciSeesaws «2%. _.ntacky aiid ph cian stay ena 
The American Association. ...... 402 
University and Educational Intelligence - + 405 
Societies and Academies . . BL yanie 406 
Diary of Societies «#3 p4O8) 
