120 
NATURE 
[ DECEMBER 3, 1896 
given experiment, by a luminous source emitting ordinary light, 
and of a shape and lustre as nearly similar as possible to the 
Crookes’ tube.—Action of some hydrogen compounds upon 
thionyl chlorides, by M. A. Besson. With hydrogen iodide 
complete decomposition occurs, with formation of hydrogen 
chloride, iodine, sulphur dioxide, and sulphur. With hydrogen 
sulphide in a freezing mixture of ice and salt the main re- 
action is 
2SOCI, + 2H.S=4HCl+SO0, + 3S, 
but a little S,Cl, is formed in a secondary reaction, especially if 
the temperature is allowed to rise. Hydrogen phosphide gives 
hydrogen chloride, and a mixture of P,S3, phosphorus, POCl, 
and PSCl;.—On the neutral crystallised chromite of magnesium, 
by Em. Dufau.—The salts of hexamethylene, by M. Marcel 
Delepine. Measurements of the heat of neutralisation by hydro- 
chloric, sulphuric, nitric, and oxalic acids, and the heat of 
solution of the hydrochloride, the three sulphates, and two 
nitrates. —The function of boric acid in glasses and enamels, by 
M. L. Grenet. An experimental study of the relation between 
the quantity of boric acid in a glass and its coefficient of expan- 
sion.—On the non-retractile blood clot; suppression of the 
formation of blood serum in some pathological states, by M. G. 
Ilayem,—Research on caramel in wines. Possible confusion with 
coal-tar colours, by M. A. J. da Cruz Magalhaés.—On the 
osmotic pressure in germinating grains, by M. L. Maquenne. 
The osmotic pressure was determined indirectly by taking the 
freezing points of the expressed juices. The values found in 
some cases approached ten atmospheres.—On the Elasipoda 
collected by the Zvavazl/lewr and Talisman, by M. Rémy Perrier. 
—On compound nucleoles, especially in the egg of the Annelida, 
by M. Auguste Michel.—On the development of the ‘‘ Black 
Rot” in the vine, by M. P. Viala.—On the development of a 
fungus in a liquid in motion, by M. Julien Ray.—Geological 
researches in the Central Caucasus, by M. Vénukoff. 
DIARY OF SOCIETIES. 
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3. 
LINNEAN Society, at 8.—Does Natural Selection play any part in the 
Origin of Species among Plants: Rev. Geo. Henslow. 
Cuemicat Society, at 8.—Election of Fellows.—Constitution and Colour: 
Arthur G. Green.—Some Experiments on Sea-water: E. Sonstadt.— 
Derivatives of a-Hydrindone: C. Revis and Dr. F. S. Kipping.—Notes 
on Nitration: Dr. H. E. Armstrong.—2 : 3’ Bromobetanaphthol: Dr. H. 
E. Armstrong and W. A. Davis.—Derivatives of Nitrobetanaphthols : 
W. A. Davis.—Morphotropic Relations of Betanaphthol Derivatives : W. 
A. Davis.—Researches on Tertiary Benzenoid Amines: Miss C. Evans. 
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4. 
GEOLOGISTS’ ASSOCIATION, at 8.—The Foraminifera of the Thanet Beds of 
Pegwell Bay : H. W. Burrows and Richard Holland. 
Institution: or Civit ENGINEERS, at 8.—Address by J. Wolfe Barry, 
C.B., F.R.S. (President).—Railway Signalling : David W. Kinmont. 
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6. 
Sunvay Lecture Society (St. George’s Hall), at 4.—New Zealand—the 
World’s Wonderland : W. Herbert-Jones. 
MONDAY, DECEMBER 7. 
Society or Arts, at 8.—The Use of Gas for Domestic Lighting : Prof. 
Vivian B. Lewes. 
Roya. GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY, at 8.30.—A Journey to the Sources of the 
Niger: Colonel J. K. Trotter. 
Society oF CHEMICAL INDusTRy, at 8.—The Alkali Manufacture: An 
Historical Sketch: Alfred E. Fletcher.—Notes on the Spontaneous 
Oxidation of Aluminium in contact with Mercury : H. F. Hunt and L. J. 
Steele. 
Vicrorra INSTITUTE, at 4.30. 
TUESDAY, DECEMEER 8. 
ANTHROPOLOGICAL INSTITUTE, at 8.30. 
INSTITUTION OF Civit ENGINEERS, at 8.—Tipping and Screening Coal: 
James Rigg.—The Surface Plant at Kirkby Colliery : Thos. Gillott. 
Royat PuoroGrapHic Society, at 8.—Dr. Selle’s Process for Natural- 
Colour Photography: Dr. Neuhaus. 
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9. 
Society oF Arts, at 8.—Mining at Great Depths: Bennett H. Brough. 
Sanitary Instrrure, at 8.—Soils and their,Suitability for Sewage Farms, 
with the 7#Ze of Bacteria in Sewage Disposal : Dr. Samuel Rideal. 
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10. 
Roya Society, at 4.30.—On Prof. Hermann’s Theory of the Capillary 
Electrometer: G. J. Burch.—An Attempt to determine the Adiabatic 
Relations of Ethyl Oxide: E. P. Perman, Prof. Ramsay, F.R.S., and 
J. Rose-Innes.—Experiments in Examination of the Peripheral Distribu- 
tion of the Fibres of the Posterior Roots of some Spinal Nerves, Part LI. : 
Prof. Sherrington, F.R.S. 
MATHEMATICAL SocieETy, at 8.—A Discovery in the Theory of Compound 
Denumeration: Prof. Sylvester, F.R.S.—On the Stationary Motion of a 
System of Molecules having Finite Dimensions: S. H. Burbury, F.R.S. 
NO. 1414, VOL. 55] 
Concerning the Abstract Groups of Order K! and 3 K! Holoedrically 
Isomorphic with the Symmetric and the Alternating Substitution Groups 
on K Letters: Prof. E. H. Moore.—On the Influences of Viscosity on 
Waves and Currents: S. S. Hough.—On a Series of Co-trinodal Quarties : 
H. M. Taylor and W. H. Blythe. 
INSTITUTION OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS, at 8.—Annual General Meeting. 
Sour Lonpon EnTomoLocicaL anp Natura History Society, at 
8.—Notes on the North American Agrotis subgothica : W. Mansbridge. 
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11. 
Puysicat SocierTy, at 5.—The Application of Physics and Mathematics to 
Seismology : Dr. C. Chree.—On Musical Tubes: R. J. Rudd. 
Royar ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, at 8. 
BOOKS AND SERIALS RECEIVED. 
Booxs.—Autobiographical Sketch of James Croll, with Memoir of his 
Life and Work : J. Campbell Irons (Stanford):—The Aurora Borealis: A. 
Angot, translated (K. Paul).—Navigation, Practical and Theoretical : D. 
Wilson-Barker and W. Allingham (Griffin).—Practical Electricity : Prof. 
Ayrton, Vol. 1, new edition (Cassell).—The Exploration of the Caucasus : 
D. W. Freshfield, 2 Vols (Arnold).—Twenty-fourth Annual Report of the 
Local Government Board. Supplement in continuation of the Report of 
the Medical Officer for 1894-5, on Oyster Culture in relation to Disease 
(Eyre and Spottiswoode).—The Russian Fur-Seal Islands: L. Stejneger 
(Washington).—Bicycles and Tricycles : A. Sharp (Longmans).—A History 
of Elementary Mathematics : Prof. F. Cajori (Macmillan).—Motive Power 
and Gearing for Electrical Machinery : E. T. Carter (Alectrician Company). 
—Crags and Craters: W. D. Oliver (Longmans).—F'ur and Feather Series. 
Red Deer : Macpherson; Cameron of Lochiel ; Viscount Ebrington and 
Shand (Longmans).—Pocket Atlas of the World: J. G. Bartholomew, 
roth edition (Walker).—Manual of Determinative Mineralogy, &c. : G. J. 
Brush, revised and enlarged by Prof. Penfield (Chapman).—Guttersnipes : 
Phil May (Leadenhall Press).—The Struggle of the Nations—Egypt, Syria, 
and Assyria ; G. Maspero, translated by M. L. McClure (S.P.C.K.). 
Ser1ats.—English Illustrated Magazine, Christmas (198 Strand).—Long- 
man’s Magazine, December (Longmans).—Chambers's Journal, December 
(Chambers).— Lloyd's Natural History. Mammals: R. Lydekker, Part 3; 
Monkeys: Dr. H. O. Forbes, Part 3 (Lloyd).—Memoirs and Proceedings 
of the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society, 1896-97, Vol. 41, 
Part 1 (Manchester).—Journal of the Anthropological Institute, November 
(K. Paul).—Good Words, December and Christmas (Isbister).—Sunday 
Magazine, December and Christmas (Isbister) —Natural Science, Decem- 
ber (Page).—History of Mankind: F. Ratzel, translated, Part 14 (Mac- 
millan).—National Review, December (Arnold).— Humanitarian, December 
(Hutchinson).—Contemporary Review, December (Isbister).—Physical Re- 
view, (November—December (Macmillan).—Century Magazine, December 
(Maemillan).—Scribner’s Magazine, December (Low). 
CONTENTS. PAGE 
ThesYakouti. (By Weiewklcpsges « . « vielen 
Chemical’ Dynamicsys ByaawVe «= .« oesiien enn 
Oriental Wit and Wisdom = 5 . . ... 2). aaeeeeGS 
Our Book Shelf :— 
**Biedermann’s Electro-physiology” .... .. 99 
‘*Cat and Bird Stories” . . 100 
Maddison : ‘‘ Handbook of Courses open to Women 
in British, Continental, and Canadian Universities” 100 
“* Ostwald’s Klassiker der Exakten Wissenschaften” . 100 
Letters to the Editor :— 
Production of X-Rays.—Prof. Oliver J. Lodge, 
Responsibility in  Science.—Prof. Edward B. 
Poulton, F-Riss 7 205. + as %) ae a 5) OO 
Measurements of Crabs.—J. T. Cunningham. . . 101 
Suggested Reef Boring at the Bermudas—and else- 
100 
where. —W. Saville-Kent .......... IOI 
The Structure of Nerve Cells.—Alfred Sanders . . 101 
Snow Buntings.—J. R. Dakyns_ 101 
Books on Mountains. (///ustraded.) By Prof. T. G. 
Bonney, F.R.S. . F 5 OPS Mec so. ED 
Oyster Culture in Relation to Disease. ‘By Dr. T. E. 
Thhoxpe, Etc ie : 105 
INGEST Ss, «ceo Rate G0 Gs, «7 a a. en 
Our Astronomical Column:— 
Bphemenis for, Comemeemine=. . ... sun v-aewin IIO 
The Astrophysical Journal. (Llustrated.) .. . . 110 
Planetary (NOtCS = eeemcmenron cis Mictotn edd III 
A Companion to @-Scorpii III 
The Anniversary Meeting of the Royal Society. 
UAT HALAL Wed 25 CO. Gee OREM OO BE cable So ie 
University and Educational Intelligence ..... 118 
Societies and Acadenties 3 =. . «0. «con eee 220 
Diary of Societies . . 5 QYOMOMOMEE WC Co O's ce EAS) 
Books and Serials Receive Sm GeUMOmG clo ooo re cog 
