456 
NATURE 
[Marcu 11, 1897 
DIARY OF SOCIETIES. 
THURSDAY, Marcu 11. 
Rovat Sociery, at 4.30.—The Comparative Physiology of the Suprarenal 
Capsules: Swale Vincent.—The Origin and Destination of certain 
Afferent and Efferent Tracts in the Medulla Oblongata: Dr. J. S. Risien 
Russell —On the Orientation of certain Greek Temples and the Dates of 
their Foundation derived from Astronomical Considerations ; F. C. Pen- 
rose, F,.R.S.—Some Experiments with Cathode Rays : A. A. C. Swinton. 
—A Study of the Phenomena and Causation of Heat-contraction of 
Skeletal Muscle : Dr. T. G. Brodie and S. W. F. Richardson. 
Roya INsTrruTion, at 3.—Greek History and Extant Monuments : 
Percy Gardner. 
Society of Arts, at 4.30.—Prevention of Famine in India: 
Alfred Elliott, K.C.S.1. 
MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY, at 8.—On a Law of Combination of Operators 
bearing on the Theory of Continuous Transformation Groups: J. E 
embes System of Circles associated with a Triangle: Prof. 
tegga 
InstiruTion OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS, at 8.—On some Repairs to the 
pouh American Company's Cable off Cape Verde, 1893 and 1895: H. 
enest. 
ae Ciup, at 8.15.—Forty Years of Mountaineering: Hon. Justice 
ills 
Prof. 
Sir Charles 
FRIDAY, Marcu 12. 
Roya INnsTiTuTION, at 9.—The Source of Light in Flames: 
Smithells. 
Puysicat Society, at 5.—A Mechanical Cause of Homogeneity of Struc- 
ture and Symmetry Geometrically investigated, with special application 
to Crystals and to Chemical Combination (illustrated by Models) : 
William Barlow. 
Rovat ASTRONOMICAL Sociery, at 8.—On the Mean Motions of the Lunar 
Perigee and Node: Prof. E. W. Brown.—On the Theoretical Values of 
the Secular Accelerations in the Lunar Theory: Prof. E. W. Brown.— 
New Double Stars found in 1896: Royal Observatory, Cape of Good 
Hope.—Observations of Comets and Planets. : Royal Observatory, Edin- 
burgh.— Micrometrical Measures of Double Stars: W. Coleman.—The 
Nuclei of a Sun-spot: T. R. Mellor.—On a New Binary of Short Pericd 
in Dorado: T. J. J. See. —Observations taken at Vadsié during the Total 
Solar Eclipse, 1896, August 9, by Passengers of the ss. Vepiun: com- 
municated by Rey. T. C. Porter.—The Orbit of 6 Cygni: S 
Prof. A. 
>. W. Burn- 
3 
{= eee, and its connection with an 
(2+ sin2y 
Astronomical Problem: Mrs. W. H. Young (Miss G. Chisholm).—Dis- 
cordances of Index Errors of the Madras Mural Circle, 1834-42: A. M. 
W. Downing.—On a Photographic Transit Circle: H. H. Turner.— 
Further Proof of the Rotation Period of Venus: 
Spectrum of B Lyrz as observed at Stonyhurst College Observatory in 
1895: Rev. W. Sidgreaves. 
MALACOLOGICAL SOCIETY, at 8. 
ANATOMICAL 1ETY (University College), at 4. 
INSTITUTION oF CiviIL ENGINEERS, at 8.—The Inverness Section of the 
Inverness and Aviemore Railway : H. F. Brand. 
SATURDAY, Marcu 13. 
tham.—On the curve y= 
Rovac INsTiITUTION, at 3,—Electricity and Electrical Vibrations: Lord 
Rayleigh. 
Roya Boranic Society, at 4. 
MONDAY, Makcu 15. 
Impertat INsTiruTE, at 8.30.—Some Indian Dye-Stuffs: Prof. J. J. 
Hummel. 
Society oF Arts, at 4.30.—Alloys : 
C.B,, F.R.S. 
Sanirary InsTiruTE, at 8.—Diseases of Animals in relation to Food 
Supply: Dr. Alfred Hill. 
VicTorta INSTITUTE, at 4.30.—Creation or Evolution 
TUESDAY, Marcu 16. 
Roya. INnsTiruTION, at 3.—Animal Electricity : 
F.R.S, 
Society oF Arts, at 8.—The Progress of the British Colonies of Aus- 
tralasia during the Sixty Years of her Majesty's Reign: James Bonwick. 
.~ZOOLOGICAL Society, at 8.30.—On the Malagasy Rodent-genus Brachy- 
aromys and its Affinities; Dr. C. I. Forsyth Major.—On a Collection of 
‘Mammals from North and North-west Australia (received February 10): 
Dr. R. Collett, F.M.Z.S.—Vertebrate Paleontology in South America : 
Notes of a Recent Tour: A Smith Woodward.—On the Distribution of 
Marine Mammals: P. L. Sclater, F.R.S. 
“UnsTITUTION OF CivIL ENGINEERS, at 8.—Discussion upon ‘‘ The Main 
Drainage of London” and ‘‘ The Purification of the Thames”’ to be con- 
tinued and concluded. —Also Paper to be read with a view to Dis- 
Prof. W. Chandler Roberts-Austen, 
: Dr. W. Kidd. 
Prof. A. D. Waller, 
cussion; The Mond Gas-Producer Plant and its Application: H. A. 
Humphrey. 
Roya STATISTICAL SOCIETY, at 5.30. 
Royav Vicroria Hatt, at 8.30.—The Valley of Kashmir: Walter R. 
Lawrence. 
WEDNESDAY, Marcu 17 
Royat METEOROLOGICAL:SocIETY, at 7.30.—Meteorological Observations 
in 1837 and 1897: G. J. Symons, ERS. 
SociETy OF ARTS, at 8. 
Royat Microscopicar Society, 
ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY, at 8. 
THURSDAY. Marcu 18. 
Royat Society, at 4.30.—Probable Papers: On the Conditions which 
render Absolute the Readings of the Mercurial Thermometer: S. A. 
Sworn.—Experiments on the Flame Spectrum of Carbon Monoxide : 
Prof. Hartley, F.R.S. 
INsTiruTION, at 3.—Greek History and Extant Monuments: 
Percy Gardner. 
EAN Society, at 8.—Further Observations on Stipules: Right Hon. 
S John Lubbock, Bart., M.P., F.R.S.—On the Origin of Transfusion- 
tissue in the Leaves of Gy: mnospermous Plants : W. C. Worsdell. 
HEMICAL SOCIETY, at 8.—On the Atomic Weight of Carbon: Dr. Alex- 
ander Scott.—On a New Series of Miacosulphates of the Vitriol Group: 
Dr. Alexander Scott.—The Action Jof Alkylhaloids on Aldoximes and 
Ketoximes : Wyndham R. Dunstan, F.R.S., and Ernest Goulding. 
NO. 1428, VOL. 55 | 
at 8. 
Percival Lowell.—The | 
| A, Williams (Washington).—Virginia Cartography : 
InsTiruTIoN oF CiviL ENGINEERS. at 8.—The Fifth ‘‘ James Forrest” 
Lecture—Bacteriology : Dr G. Sims Woodhead. 
SANITARY INSTITUTE, at 8.—Infectious Diseases and-Methods of Disinfec- 
tion: Dr. H. R Kenwood. 
Camera Cvuvsp, at 8.15.—Geographical Pictures : Dr. H. R. Mill» 
BOOKS, , PAMPHLETS, and SERIALS - RECEIVED. 
Books.—The Larva of the British Butterflies and Moths: W. Buckler, 
edited by G. T. Porritt, Vol. vii. (Ray Society).—A Contribution to the 
History of the Respiration of Man: Dr. W. Marcet (Churchill).—Further 
Contributions to the Geology of the Sierra Nevada: H. W. Turner (Wash- 
ington).—Vita Medica: Chapters of Medical Life and Work: Sir B. W. 
Richardson (Longmans).—Experimental Morphology: Dr. C. B. Daven- 
port, Part 1 (Macmillan).—A Recalculation of the Atomic Weights: F. W. 
Clarke, new edition (Washington).—Appearance and Reality: Dr. F. H. 
Bradley, 2nd Edition (Sonnenschein).—L’Eclairage a l’Acétyléne: G. 
Pelissier (Paris, Carré),—La Plague Photographique: R. Colson (Paris, 
Carré).—Seventeenth Report of the U.S, Geological Survey, Part 3, 2 Vols. 
(Washington).—Chapters on the Aims and Practice of Teaching: edited by 
Prof. F. Spencer (Cambridge University Press). 
PamPHLeTS.—Moods, their Mental and Physical Character : F. Phillips 
(Churchill).—Insects affecting Domestic Animals: Prof. H. Osborn (Wash- 
ington).—Ziir Zoogeographie der Landbewohnenden Wirbellosen : Dr. O. 
Stoll (Berlin, F riediainder)) —Grasses and Forage Plants of the Dakotas: T. 
P._L. Phillips (Wash- 
ington).—Atmospheric Actinometry and the Actinic Constitution of the 
Atmosphere: Prof. E. Duclaux (Washington). 
Seriacs. — Humanitarian, March (Hutchinson). — National Review, 
March (Arnold).—Fortnightly Review, March (Chapman).—Journal of the 
Chemical Society. January (Gurney).—Bulletin of the New York Mathe- 
matical Society, February (New York, Macmillan).—Das Tierreich, 1 Liefg.: 
Aves (Berlin, Friedlander).—Geographical Journal, March (Stanford).— 
Atlantic Monthly, March (Gay).—American Journal of Science, March 
New Haven). 
CONTENTS. PAGE 
The Need of Organising Scientific Opinion, II, 
By Dr. Henry E. Armstrong, F.R.S. ... 433 
The Gases of the Atmosphere. By A.S.... 435 
The Fens of South Lincolnshire eee 430 
Our Book Shelf :— 
Vincentini : ‘‘ Bacteria of the Sputa and Cryptogamic 
Flora of the Mouth.”—Dr. E. Klein, F.R.S. . . 437 
*“Neudrucke von Schriften und Karten tiber Meteor- 
ologie und Brdmaenetismis” . . | 2. ey uemnaiy 
O’Donahue: ‘‘ Colliery Surveying” . : 438 
Blackmore: ‘* The British Mercantile Marine’ eel 438 
“Bulletin of the epeerical ae of Wash- 
™ 1neton ee a . 438 
Letters to the Editor :— 
Dynamical Units.—Prof. Geo. Tras. wie 
BRS ee - 439 
Definite Variations,—Prof, T. D. A. Cockerell 439 
The Coral Reef at Funafuti.—Prof. Sia ay 
Hickson, F.R.S. . . - 439 
Two Unfelt Earthquakes. —Thomas Heath . ae 439 
The Origin of Manna.—B. Timothy . 440 
Heterocephalus glaber in North Somaliland. Prof. 
Henry H. Giglioli : ae 440 
The Caucasus. (//lustrated.) By J. w. cul oe 440 
The Extraction of an Alcohol- opie ee Ferment 
from Yeast. ByyeSenie. . : es. OUD 
Carl Weierstrass! #Byeanus.) i. . 2. . See 
Notes .. SORE eS eS) 
Our Astronomical Column: — 
Drawings of Merctnyigeae) ; : . « - 5 eiielnnCn ay) 
Prominence Photazraphya. . - . ¢ . . ain eneMEnely 
Oxygen inthe Sun . . Bons ey? 
The Total Solar Eclipse of August 8, ‘1898m A ees et / 
The Chemistry of the Stars 447 
On Electric Equilibrium between Uranium and an 
Insulated Metal in its Neighbourhood, By Lord 
Kelvin, G.C.V.O., F.R.S., Dr. J. Carruthers 
Beattie, and Dr. M. Smoluchowskide Smolan . 447 
The Extraction of Gold by Chemical Methods. By ; 
Dr. T. K. Rosewarne eas Rte SAAS 
Agricultural Teaching at Oxford ; 449 
Dr. Koch’s Reports on Rinderpest 450 
Nocturnal and Diurnal Changes in the Colours of 
certain Fishes jand of the squid (Loligo), with 
Notes on their Sleeping Habits. By A. E., 
Vierrill) {sae Oh oe oun ax, 
University and Educational Intelligence tine. ce ASL 
Societies and Academies. (MW2th Diagram.) ... - 452 
Diary of Societies . . Gates v. 450 
Books, Pamphlets, and Serials Received |... 456 
