24 
of different forms of electrical Trevelyan rockers. The most 
interesting one consisted of two rods of carbon fixed to a wooden | 
sounding-board, with a third carbon rod lying across the other 
two, so as to form a microphone. A fairly strong current is 
passed throught his microphone and through two electromagnets, 
which act on the prongs of a tuning-fork fixedto the sounding- 
board. The tuning-fork acts on the microphone, which, by 
making and breaking the current, keeps the fork in vibration. 
A cylinder of carbon forming the ‘‘ knife edge” of a small 
pendulum, supported on two horizontal carbon rods, kept the 
pendulum in violent oscillation as long as a current passed from 
one of the horizontal rods,, through the movable cylinder and 
out through the other horizontal rod. 
Paris. 
Academy of Sciences, October 26.—M. A. Cornu in the 
chair.—The President announced to the Academy the loss it 
had sustained by the death of M. Félix Tisserand, Member of 
the Astronomical Section, and gave a short account of his ser- 
vices to science.—Researches on arabinose, by MM. Berthelot 
and G. André. The study of the action upon arabinose of 
water, hydrochloric acid, and phosphoric acid under varying 
pressures. A continuation of the work already published on 
glucose, estimations of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, 
formic acid, humic acid, and furfurol being carried out.— 
Explanation of a note entitled ‘*Cryoscopy of precision,” by 
M. F. M. Raoult. A verbal correction of a previous note.— 
Observations of the Brooks comet (1889 V.) made at the 
Observatory of Rio de Janeiro, by M. L. Cruls.—On some linear 
partial differential equations arising from the theory of surfaces, 
by M. P. Craig.—On the singularities of the equations of 
dynamics, by M. Paul Painlevé.—On the distributions of strains 
in metals subjected to stresses, by M. L. Hartmann. From the 
hypothesis here developed it is concluded that any solid pos- 
sessing an elastic limit is necessarily non-isotropic.—On the 
property of discharging electrified bodies produced in gases by 
incandescent bodies and by electric sparks, by M. E. Branly. 
Some remarks on a communication by M. Villarii—On the 
protection afforded, by the lightning conductor at the tower of 
St. Jacques, by MM. C. Milde and E. Grenet.—On the periodic 
maxima of spectra, by M. Aymonnet.—Vapour pressure of a 
substance compressed by a gas which it dissolves; vapour 
pressure of a solution in general, by M. A. Ponsot. By con- 
sidering such a mixture in osmotic equilibrium, a general ex- 
pression is obtained, which includes the case where the gas 
is insoluble in the liquid, and the case of aqueous saline solu- 
tions —Hexamethylene-amine and its nitroso-derivatives, by 
M. Marcel Delépine. Experiments on the heats of combustion 
and formation of hexamethyleneamine, its nitrate, and two 
nitroso derivatives. —On the luciferase of animals and vegetables, 
by M. R. Dubois. The word ‘‘ luciferase” is applied to the active 
agent in the production of light in animals and yegetables. The 
light does not appear to be the result of a combustion or slow 
oxidation, although the absorption of oxygen is necessary.— 
Remarks on the digestive organs and mode of nutrition of 
Dermochelys coriacea, by M. L. Vaillant. The digestive organs 
of this turtle are much more complex than those in allied 
species, and lead to the conclusion that digestion is carried out 
somewhat slowly, probably on vegetable substances. —On the 
discovery of a bed containing vegetable impressions in the old 
voleanic débris in the island of Phira (Santorin), by M. A. 
Lacroix. This fossiliferous layer is small, being but a few deci- 
metres thick, and having an area of some square metres, but 
the imprints are remarkably well preserved. Amongst the 
plants identified are Phanix dactylifiora, Chamerops humilis, 
Pistacta lentiscus, and Olea europea. 
DIARY OF SOCIETIES. 
THURSDAY, November 5s. 
CuHeEmicat Society, at 8.—The Constitution of Nitrogen Iodide: Dr. F. 
D. Chattaway.—Note on the Solution and Diffusion of certain Metals in 
Mercury : Prof Roberts-Austen, C.B., F.R.S.—Compounds of Metallic 
Hydroxides with Iodine: J. Rettie—The Kconomical Preparation of 
Hydroxylamine Sulphate ; ‘The Reduction of Nitrosulphates ; and Amido- 
sulphonic Ac'd: Dr. E. Divers, F.R S., and Dr. T. Haga.—The Molecular 
Conductivity of Amidosulphonic Acid: Joji Sakurai —Physiological 
Action of Amidosulphonic Acid: Dr. Oscar Loew.—1|midosulphonates 
Part II. : Dr. E. Divers, F.R.S., and Dr. T. Haga.—How Mercurous and 
Mercuric Salts «hange into each other: Sethachi Hada.—The Effect of 
Heat on Aqueous Solutions of Chrome Alum: Margaret D. Dougal.— 
NO. 1410, VOL. 55] 
NATURE 
[ NoveMBER 5, 1896 
The Saponification of Ethylic Dicarboxyl Glutaconate: Dr. H. W. 
Bolam.—The Periodic Law: R. M, Deeley.—The Colouring Matters 
occurring in British Plants: A. G. Perkin.—Carbohydrates of Cereal 
Straws: C. F. Cross, E. J. Bevan, and Claude Smith. 
LINNEAN Society, at 8.—Mediterranean Bryozoa: A. W. Waters.—On 
some New Species of Crassula from South Africa: Dr. Schénland.— 
Holothurians of New Zealand: A. H. Dendy. 
InstiruTION OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS, at 7.30.—Breakdowns of Sta- 
tionary Steam-Engines : Michael Longridge. 
FRIDAY, Novemser 6. 
GeoLocists’ AssociaTION, at 8.—Conversazione and 
Specimens. 
Exhibition of 
TUESDAY, NoveEMLER tro. 
RovaLt GEOGRAPHICAL SocieTy, at 8.30—Opening Address: The 
President.—The Jackson-Harmsworth Expedition and the Story of the 
Last Year's Work : Arthur Montefiore Brice 
InstiTUTION oF Civit ENGINEERS, at 8.—Tne Tower Bridge: Super- 
structure : G. Cruttwell.—The Machinery of the Tower Bridge: Sam. 
G. Homfray. 
Roya. PuoroGrapuic Society. at 8.—A New Form of Apparatus for 
Measuring the Light reflected from Prints : Chapman Jones.—A Theory 
of the Réntgen Phenomena: Charles E. Benham. 
ANTHROPOLOGICAL INSTITUTE, at 8.30. 
THURSDAY, NoveEMBER 12. 
MATHEMATICAL Society, at 8.—The Combinatory Analysis: President's 
Address.—An Essay on the Geometrical Calculus, Part I.: Herr Lasker. 
—Symbolic Logic: H. MacColl—On a General Integral with some 
Physical Applications: G. J. Hurst—On Ratio: Prof. Hill, F.R.S.— 
On the Geometrical Construction of Models of Cubic Surfaces: W. H. 
Blythe —Theory of Vortex Rings: H. S. Carslaw.—Differentiation of 
Spherical Harmonics: E. G. Gallop.—On the Application of Jacobi’s 
Dynamical Method to thet General Problem of Three Bodies: On 
certain Properties of the Mean Motions and the Secular Accelerations of 
the Principal Arguments used in the Lunar Theory: Prof. E. W Brown. 
INSTITUTION OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS, at 8.—Telephone Trunk Lines: 
John Gavey. : 
SoutH Lonpon EnromoLocicaL anD Naturat History Society, at 
8.—Notes and Observations on Acidalia marginipunctata and the Early 
Stages of the Second Brood of Polyommatus argiolus: R. Adkin. 
FRIDAY, NoveMBER 13. 
Puysicat Society, at 5.—On Réntgen Rays: Prof. Threlfall and Mr. 
Pollock.—The Absorption of Electric Waves along Wires by a Terminal 
Bridge: Dr. Barton and Mr. Bryan. 
RoyaL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, at 8. 
CONTENTS. PAGE 
The Philosophy of Natural Science. By Prof. Karl 
Pearson,. F.RS5, 3. : J appeewio ee; cr. cee) 
Our Book Shelf :— 
Lang: ‘‘ Text-Book of Comparative Anatomy” ... 4 
Riehmond : ‘‘ Experience: a Chapter of Prolegomena” 4 
Letters to the Editor :— 
Islandic Earthquake Recorded at Paris. — Th. 
Moureaux . .. > oS Re: a 
Earth Tremors at Edinburgh between August 25 and 
September 6.—Thomas Heath .. . | eee, 
Whirlwind on ‘Rydal Water.” (L/ustrated.)— 
Henry J. (CigAnderson ies) teen 5 
The ‘‘G” Section of the British Association. —Prof. 
H. S. Hele-Shaw . ft ee oS 
Suggested Reef Boring at the Bermuda Islands—W, 
K. Morrison : : 3 (koe cs OS 
Siemens’ Domestic Gas Fire.—Sir H. T. Wood .. 6 
Diselectrification by Phosphorus.—Shelford Bidwell, 
F.R.S. wie ah, Jee | ee 
The Departure of Swallows.—J. Brown ; C, Leeson 
Prince d Je: a % 6 
A Mechanical Problem.—E. E. Green : (ayn 
Hertz’s MisceNaneous Papers. ByG.F.F.G. .. 6 
The Bureau of Ethnology at Washington, U.S.A. 9 
Notes RPS CCR VG. 0... GeCMEEES conDmORS.. 2S) 
Our Astronomical Column:— 
Strassburg Observatory), <ageeieems | <tinmn ss | - el meuee 
Marsiin-Augustilastage:, i, Mrmmemmeiieihstetlc) ce0h- >. 5 anmmier 
Himmel und Erde. . So 0\ ep eee emmy er 5) 
The Report of the Royal Commission on Vaccina- 
tion 3a jp eR eee SRE he 
Some Engineering Advances in Sixty Years. Ly J. 
Wolfe Barry. (CiB Rui. ame ets) « - Soin) 
Botany at the British Association ........ 19 
Report on Technological Examinations ey 950 ef 22 
University and Educational Intelligence. . . . . . 23 
Societies and Academies 6 0) oo oe 2s 
Diaryiof SOCicticS ohareci-) SeeCMRGE is + (-: - unerimemmeoel 
