NATURE 
[January 28, 1897 
rheumatism.—M. H. Lechappe gave further details of his 
apparatus for producing acetylene. —On an instrument for indi- 
cating ascending or descending movements in aerostats, by M. 
Aug. Coret.—New nebule discovered at the Observatory of 
Paris, by M. G. Bigourdan.—Observations of the Perrine comet 
(1896, December 8) made at the Toulouse Observatory with the 
Brunner equatorial, by M. F. Rossard.—On the first integrals 
of differential systems, by M. P. Painleve.—On the poles of 
uniform functions of several independent variables, by M. 
Antonne.—On Taylor’s series, by M. Eugene Fabry.—On the 
integration of the equation Pulde = Pula? — 2, by M. Le 
Roux. The law of transparency of gases for the X-rays, by M. 
L. Benoist. Experiments on sulphurous acid, methyl chloride, 
and air show that the absorption is proportional to the density 
of the gas employed.—On the velocity of reduction of chromic 
acid by phosphorous acid, by M. G. Viard. The velocity of the 
reaction is given by dx/d¢ = K (4 — x), where x is the quantity 
of chromic acid reduced at the time ¢ and 4 the initial quantity. 
—Action of hydrogen sulphide and hydrogen selenide upon 
phosphoryl trichloride, by M. A. Besson. With hydrogen 
sulphide in the cold the oxysulphide P,O,S; is formed in small 
quantity ; at 100° the oxychlorosulphide P,O,SC\, is also found. 
The latter forms a colourless liquid distilling at 104° under a 
pressure of 10 mm. of mercury. Dry hydrogen selenide with 
excess of phosphoryl chloride gives HCl, P,Ses5, and an oily 
liquid which gives with water metaphosphoric and hydrochloric 
acids. —On some salts and some derivatives of dinitro-orthocresol, 
by M. P. Cazeneuve. The potassium, ammonium, barium and 
calcium salts are described, also the acetyl and amido-derivatives. 
—Action of ethoxalyl chloride upon pseudocumene and 
mesitylene, by M. E. Bouveault. The reactions were carried 
out in presence of aluminium chloride, and follow the normal 
course. —On the diminution of the nitrogenous material in wheat 
from the department of the Nord, by M. Ballard.—On the 
influence of the section of the spinal medulla, in the cervical 
region, upon the repletion of the heart paralysed by electrifica- 
tion, by MM. J. L. Prevost and C. Radzikowski.—Influence of 
temperature and food upon the respiratory quotient of the 
moulds, by M. C. Gerber, The spores of Sterigmatocystes 
nigra were cultivated in Raulin’s fluid, in which the only organic 
substance present was tartaric, malic, or citric acids, either alone 
or with saccharose in the proportions met with in fruit. The 
ratios of CO, : Oy found were, 1°68 for citric acid, 1°76 for malic 
acid, and 2°47 for tartaric acid. The results are parallel to 
those obtained from fruits. 
DIARY OF SOCIETIES. 
THURSDAY, January 28. 
Roya. Society, at 4.30.—On the Capacity and Residual Charge of Di- 
electrics as affected by Temperature and Time: Dr. J. Hopkinson, F.R.S 
and E. Wilson.—On the Electrical Resistivity of Electrolytic Bismuth at 
Low Temperatures and in Magnetic Fields: Prof. Dewar, F.R.S., and 
Prof. Fleming, F.R.S.—On the Selective Conductivity exhibited by certain 
Polarising Substances : Prof. J. C. Bose. 
Roya InsTITUTION, at 3.—Some Secrets of Crystals: 
BRS. 
Society oF Arts, at 8.—The Mechanical Production of Cold: Prof. James 
A. Ewing, F.R.S. 
InsTiITUTION OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS, at 8.—Electrical Interlocking, 
the Block, and Mechanical Signals on Railw. ays: F. T. Hollins. 
FRIDAY, January 29. 
Royac INstTiTuTIoN, at 9.—The Polarisation of the Electric Ray: Prof. J. 
C. Bose. 
InstituTION OF Civit ENGINEERS, at 8.—An Experimental Investigation 
of the Efficiency of a Pelton Waterwheel : S. Henry Barraclough. 
SUNDAY, January 31. 
Sunvavy Lecture SociEry, at 4.—Ancient and Modern Views of Fire : Dr. 
C. W. Kimmins. 
MONDAY, Fesruary 1. 
Society or Arts, at 8.—Material and Design in Pottery ;: Wm. Burton. 
Society or CHEMICAL INDUusTRY, at 8. 
VicroriA INSTITUTE, at 4.30.—Paper by Dr. J. D. Macdonald, F.R.S. 
TUESDAY, FExBRvuaRY 2. 
nore INSTITUTION, at 3.—Animal Electricity: 
RS 
Prof. H. A. Miers, 
Prof. A. D. Waller, 
ZooLocicaL Society, at 8.30.—General Account of his Expedition to the 
North Pacific: G. E. H. Barrett-Hamilton.—A Catalogue of the Rep- 
tiles and Batrachians of Celebes, with special reference to the Collections 
made by Drs. P. and F. Sarasin in 1893-96: G. A. Boulenger, F.R.S.— 
Further Contributions to the Knowledge of the Phytophagous Coleoptera 
of Africa, including Madagascar: Martin Jacoby. 
InstrruTioN oF CiviL ENGINEERS, at 8.—The Diversion of the Periyar: 
Colonel J. Pennycuick, R.E.—Cold Storage at the London and Indian 
Docks : H. F. Donaldson. 
MINERALOGICAL Sociery, at 8.—On Altaite from Burma: Prof. Henry 
Louis.—On_ Nemalite from Afghanistan: F. R. Mallet.—Chemical 
Analysis of Derbylite: G. T. Prior.—Homogeneous Structures and 
Circular Polarisation : William Barlow. 
. 1422, VOL. 55] 
WEDNESDAY, Fesrvary 3. 
Geotoeicat Sociery, at 8.—The Sub-genera Petalograptus and Cephalo- 
graptus: Miss G. L. Elles.—On some Superficial Deposits in Cutch : 
Rey. J. F. Blake.—Coal—A New Explanation of its Formation or the 
Phenomena of a New Fossil Plant considered with reference to the Origin, 
Composition, and Formation of Coal Beds : W. S. Gresley. 
ENTOMOLOGICAL Society, at 8.—On Obscure and Little-known Micro- 
lepidoptera from the Collection of Mr. J. B. Hodgkinson: Mr. Tutt.— 
Seasonal Dimorphism in African Butterflies: Dr. A. G. Butler. 
Society oF Pusiic ANALysTs, at 8.—The Composition of Meat Extracts 
and similar Products: Otto Hehner.—The Distillation of Formaldehyde 
from Aqueous Solution: Norman Leonard, Harry M. Smith, and H. 
Droop Richmond.—Some Analyses of Water from an Oyster Fishery ; 
Remarks on Formaldehyde : Charles E. Cassal. 
THURSDAY, FEsruary 4. 
Rovat Society, at 4 30.—The following ‘Papers will probably be read :— 
On the Condition in which Fats are absorbed from the Intestine: B. 
Moore and D. P. Rockwood.—The Gaseous Constituents of certain 
Mineral Substances and Natural Waters: Prof. W. Ramsay, F.R.S., 
and Morris W. Travers.—Some Experiments on Helium: Morris wW. 
Trayers.—On the Gases inclosed in Crystalline Rocks and Minerals: 
Prof. W. A. Tilden, F.R.S.—On Lunar Periodicities in Earthquake 
Frequency : Prof. C. G. Knott. 
Roya I[NsTiTUTION, at 3.—Some Secrets of Crystals: Prof. H. A. Miers, 
F-R.S. 
Society or Arts, at 8.—The Mechanical Production of Cold : Prof. James 
A. Ewing, F.R.S. 
LINNEAN SOCIETY, at 8.—A Revision of the Tribe Nauclew (Nat. Ord. 
Rubiaciez) : Dr. G. D. Haviland.—A Contribution to the History of 
New Zealand Echinoderms: H. Farquhar. ™ 
CuHemicat Society, at 8.—The Oxidation of Nitrogen: Lord Rayleigh.— 
Researches in the Stilbene Series, I.: Dr. J. J. Sudborough.—Diortho- 
substituted Benzoic Acids, III. ; Hydrolysis of Substituted Benzamides : 
Dr. J. J. Sudborough, Perey G. Jackson, L. L. Lloyd.—Apparatus for 
Steam Distillation: Dr. F. E. Matthews.—Oxidation of Sulphurous Acid 
by Potassium Permanganate : T. S. Dymond, F. Hughes. 
INSTITUTION OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS, at 7.30.—Fourth Report to 
the Alloy Research Committee: ,Prof. W. C. Robert-Austen, C.B., 
F.R.S. 
Camera Cius, at 8.15.—Flying Machines and Automatic Guns: Hiram 
Maxim. 
CONTENTS. PAGE 
Darwin and Darwinism. By Dr. Alfred R. Wallace, 
HERS. ES Sc ASI 
Life of Brian Houghton Hodgson Ammer Sc 3 EO) 
Our Book Shelf: — : 
Brush: ‘‘ Manual of Determinative Mineralogy, with 
an Introduction on Blowpipe Analysis” . . 292 
Schultze: ‘‘ Grundriss der Entwicklungsgeschichte 
des Menschen und der Saugethiere” ..... . 292 
Letters to the Editor:— 
The Oyster Question.—Prof. W. A. Herdman, 
HORS) fom 293 
The Symbols of Applied ‘Algebra. —Prof. Alfred 
Lodge; C.S. Jackson .. 293 
Conductorless X-Ray Bulbs and Tubes, (With ‘Dia- 
grams, )—Rev. Frederick J. Smith, F.R.S. . . 294 
Patterns produced by Charged | Conductors on Sensitive 
Plates.—J. Brown .. . 294 
The Problem of the Sense Qualities. — Prof. iy de) 
Titchener; W.E.Johnson......... 204 
Durham Degrees in Science.—X. . . . .. ~~. . 205 
Note on Method suggested for Measuring 
Vapour Pressures, (///ustrated.) By Lord Kelvin, 
G:C.V.0), F-RoSaeane 5 295 
The Gravitation Constant and the Mean ‘Density 
of the Earth . . 296 
Tubes for the Production ‘of Rontgen Rays. (MMus- 
trated.) .. . 5 296 
Russian Observations ‘of the Corona of “August 9, 
1896. (J//ustrated.) By Baron Nicolas Kaulbars, 
Tieutenant-Generalaememens |. +. ; ek 2 eS 
Notes ... REI oS Geo ets 
Our Astronomical “Column :— 
Oxygen in thejSumueetems os. |) Cen 
The Polar Cap of Mars a 303 
The Question of Carbon in Bright ‘Line “Stars. 
(Zilustrated.) By J. Norman Lockyer, C.B., F.R.S. 304 
The Saving of Vanishing Knowledge. By Prof. 
A. C. Haddon ==. = . Ag @esOs 
Sir Martin Conway’s Crossing of Spitzbergen pic Is maiden 
University and Educational Intelligence .... . 307 
Scientific Serials 4 ac Ec 8 ok he eis 
Societies and ‘Academies of OMe aM. cogs boebetee) 
Diary of SocieticSieeeee es <n ee. 20S eee ae 
