NATURE 
[APRIL 21, 1904 
600 
quake in the Balkans, April 4: Th. Moureaux.—Electrical 
osmosis in methyl alcohol: A. Baudouin. The method 
adopted by M. Perrin in studying electrical osmosis in 
aqueous solutions has been applied by the author to solu- 
tions in methyl alcohol. The effects observed are similar 
to the case of water, but smaller in magnitude, so that 
higher differences of potential had to be employed. Osmosis 
is very sensitive to traces of dissolved materials provided 
that these are electrolytes. Non-electrolytes, even in com- 
paratively large proportions, are without effect——On the 
calculation of the heats of combustion of organic compounds 
containing nitrogen: P. Lemoult. A general formula for 
calculating the heat of combustion of any compound con- 
taining carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen is worked 
out, and numerous examples are given of the degree of 
approximation obtained.—On the application of the Blondlot 
rays to chemistry : Albert Colson. By means of the effects 
on a phosphorescent screen the author has been able to 
detect differences in the interaction of solutions of potash 
and zinc sulphate according to the order in which they are 
mixed, and these differences have been subsequently borne 
out by their chemical behaviour.—On a new mode of form- 
ation of calcium carbide: L. M. Bullier. Calcium carbide 
can be obtained by the electrolysis of a mixture of calcium 
chloride and lime, but the method has no commercial value. 
—The estimation of nitrogen: Léon Débourdeaux. 
Methods of estimating nitrogen based on the production of 
ammonia are all liable to be vitiated by the production of 
amines, notably methylamine. The method now described, 
which is based on the dry distillation of the nitrogen com- 
pound with a mixture of potassium monosulphide and 
potassium thiosulphate, gives ammonia free from amines. 
A list is given of the classes of compounds to which this 
method is applicable.-—The influence of hydriodic acid on the 
oxidation of sulphurous acid: A. Berg. Hydriodic acid 
may either retard or accelerate the oxidation of sulphurous 
acid according to its concentration. For a given strength 
of sulphurous acid, there appears to exist a strength of 
hydriodic acid which is without influence on the rate of 
oxidation. Other substances besides hydriodic acid can 
affect the rate of oxidation.—The chlorination of phenyl 
carbonate in the presence of iodine: Et. Barral.—The 
action of oxidising agents on the purity of industrial 
fermentations: Henri Alliot and Gilbert Gimel. Various 
oxidising agents were tried with a view to see which exerted 
the greatest effect in reducing the production of butyric acid | 
during an alcoholic fermentation. Manganese dioxide and 
bleaching powder gave the best results —On Randia Lujae, 
a new myrmecophyte and acarophyte of the family 
Rubiaceez : E. de Wildeman.—On the sense of rotation 
of water eddies in central Europe: Jean Brunhes. In 
more than go per cent. of the vortices observed in the small 
rapids of central Europe, the sense of rotation was always 
opposite to that of the hands of a watch.—New researches on 
the statical work of a muscle : Charles Henry.—The specific 
reinforcement of phosphorescence by extracts of organs in 
physiological exploration: Augustin Charpentier.—Bio- 
logical observations made at Chamonix and on Mt. Blanc 
during August and September, 1903: Raoul Bayeux. The 
quantity of oxyhzmoglobin increases in normal blood with 
the altitude, but, on the contrary, the speed of reduction 
of the oxyhamoglobin diminishes with increasing altitude. 
—The amounts of catalase in different animal tissues: 
F. Battelli and Mile. L. Sterm.—On the origin of lactose : 
Ch. Porcher.—The agglutination and hemolysis of the 
blood corpuscles by chemical precipitates: M. Gengou.— 
On the yellow spot disease of the cork oak: F. Bordas. 
DIARY OF SOCIETIES. 
THURSDAY, Aprit 2t. 
Roya. InstiTuTION, at 5.—Dissociation: Prof. Dewar, F.R.S. 
LINNEAN Society, at 8.—On British Freshwater Rhizopoda : J. Cash.— 
Exhibitions + Drawings by Mrs. C. Reid of Fruits and Seeds of British 
pre-Glacial and inter-Glacial Plants. 11. Calyciflore: Clement Reid, 
F.R.S.—Holograph Letter of Linnzus to Haller, dated from Upsala, 
May 12, 1747: R. Morton Middleton. 
INSTITUTION oF Civit ENGINEERS, at 8.— 
Internal Combustion Engines : Dugald Clerk. 
INsTITUTION OF MINING AND METALLURGY, at 8.—Adjourned dis- 
cussion on the Equipment of Laboratories for Advanced Teaching and 
Research in the Mineral Industries. 
NO. 1799, VOL. 69] 
““James Forrest” Lecture ; 
FRIDAY, Aprit 22. 
Roya INstiruTIoN, at g.—Sleeping Sickness in Uganda: 
David Bruce, F.R.S, 
PrysicaL Society, at 5.—Calculation of Colours for Colour Senseto- 
meters and the Illumination of ‘Three Colour” Photographic Trans- 
parencies by Spectrum Colours: Sir W. de W. Abney, F.R.S.—On 
Normal Pileing as connected with Osborne Reynolds's Theory of the 
Universe : Prof. J. D. Everett, F.R.S.—Note on the Diffraction Theory 
of the Microscope as applied to the Case when the Object is in Motion : 
Dr. R. T. Glazebrook, F.R.S. 
INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS, at 8.—No. 2 River-pier of the Beckton 
Gasworks: A. Trewby. 
MONDAY, Aprriv 25. 
RoyaL GEOGRAPHICAL SOcIETY, at 8.30.—The German Antarctic Ex- 
pedition : Dr. Eric von Drygalski. 
Victoria INSTITUTE, at 4.30.—Old Testament Chronology: F. G. Fleay. 
INsTITUTE OF ACTUARIES, at 5.—On Life Premium Book-keeping: J. 
Chatham. 
TUESDAY, Apri 26. 
Rovat InsTITUTION, at 5.—The Transformation of Animals : 
Miall, F.R.S. 
ANTHROPOLOGICAL InsTITUTE, at 8.15.—The Origin of Jewellery: Prof. 
W. Ridgeway. 
INSTITUTION OF CivIL ENGINEERS, at 8.—Annual General Meeting. 
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27. 
Society or Arts, at 8.—The Need of Duty-Free Spirit: Thomas Tyrer. 
GEOLOGICAL Sociery, at 8.—On a New Species of Eoscorpius from the 
Upper Carboniferous Rocks of Lancashire: W. Baldin and W. H. Sut- 
clifle.—The Genesis of the Gold-Deposits of Barkerville (British 
Columbia) and the Vicinity: A. J. R. Atkin. 
THURSDAY, Apriv 28. 
Rovat Society, at 4.30.—Probable Papers: Further Experiments on the 
Production of Helium from Radium; Sir William Kamsay, K.C.B., 
F.R.S., and Frederick Soddy.—The Effects of Changes of Temperature 
on the Modulus of Torsional Rigidity of Metal Wires: Dr. F. Horton. 
—The Sparking Distance between Electrically Charged Surfaces. Pre- 
liminary Note: Dr. P. E. Shaw.—Studies on Enzyme Action. Part II. 
The Rate of Change Conditioned by Sucroclastic Enzymes, andits Bear- 
ing on the Law of Mass Action. Part III. ‘he Influence of the Products 
of Change on the Rate of Change Conditioned by Sucroclastic Enzymes: 
Dr. E. F. Armstrong.—Part 1V. The Sucroclastic Action of Acids as 
Contrasted with that of Enzymes: Dr. E. F. Armstrong and R. J. Cald- 
well.—Enzyme Action as bearing on the Validity of the Lonic-dissocia- 
tion Hypothesis, and on the Phenomena of Vital Change: Prof. H. E. 
Armstrong, F.R.S.—On the Changes of Thermoelectric Power produced 
by Magnetisation, and their Relation to Magnetic Strains: Dr. Shelford 
Bidwell, F.R.S. —The Behaviour of the Short- -period Atmospheric Pres- 
sure Variation over the Earth's Surface : Sir Norman Lockyer, K.C.B., 
E.R.s., and Dr W. J. 19: Lely 
- CONTENTS. 
Colonel 
Prof. L. C. 
PAGE 
Thames\Estuarine| Fisheries, <= -.. 5 'a) sen eeemensyiT 
A Study of Genius . , baron v/s) 
Text-books of Physical Chemistry. By J. Cpae a5 79 
Our Book Shelf :— 
Gotshall : ‘* Notes on Electric Railway Economics and 
Preliminary Engineering” ; Gonzenbach: “ En- 
gineering Preliminaries for an Interurban Electric 
Railway.”"—M. S. . 579 
Watt and Mann: “ The Pests and Biights of the Tea 
Planter os shat SO 
Lucas : “ Highways and Byways i in 1 Sussex ” 260 Ge 580) 
Letters to the Editor :— 
Learned Societies. —A. B. Basset, F.R.S. . . . . 580 
Department of International Research in Terrestrial 
Magnetism of the Carnegie Institution.—Dr, L. A. 
Batterie. 580 
The Formation of Coral Reefs.—Ernest H. hk 
Schwarz; J. Stanley Gardiner. . . 581 
Demonstration of Magnetostriction. Prof. 'w. he: 
Franklin . . 581 
Wawo and Palolo Worms.—Dr. R. Horst ; ; Editor 582 
The Base of Napier’s Loser —Adolfo Bossetti; ; 
G.B.M. . : PR geES2 
Borings into a Coral Reef, (ZMustr ated.) . 582 
The Forthcoming Seed merece of the British 
Association. .... fe a sof te ESS: 
Notes. (dlustrated.) . TCE Doe te, Ge) 
Our Astronomical Column :— 
Return of Brooks’sComet . . Bees, oe Gt) 
Absorption of Star-light by a Comet’s Tai + 2) SOO 
The Spectra of Nove . . Bec dy dha Si) 
Nebulosity Around Nova Persei #6. a 589 
Stellar Distribution . . . aie dota ge OO 
The Multiple Origin of ‘Horses. and Ponies. 
(Llustrated.) By Dr. J. Cossar Ewart, F.R.S. . . 590 
| Atmospheric Tides . . Burp nic: S87 
| On Lead Poisoning and Water Supplies. By F, C. 597 
University and Educational Intelligence ...:.. 597 
Societies;and!Academies) — Sys. seme nen Ss 
Diary!of'Societiesi@e.,. 5 ..o:qccee ene COO) 
