576 
MATURE 
[APRIL 15, 1897 
polarisation of the rays from lithium, sodium, and potassium 
flames, and also the rays from sparks between magnesium 
electrodes, was proved. Sparks between electrodes of carbon, 
aluminium, mercury, zinc, bismuth, and iron showed no trace of 
polarisation with the same Savart analyser.—New cadmium 
lamp for the production of interference fringes, by M. Maurice 
Hamy. An improvement on the cadmium tubes used by 
Michelson in his determinations of the relations between the 
wave-lengths of light and the metre. No electrodes are carried 
through the glass, the ends being enclosed by brass caps with 
graphite packing, and the tube in use being kept at about 350°. 
The tubes will stand over twenty hours’ use without losing any 
of their brilliancy.—Researches on nickel steels : metrological 
properties, by M. C. E. Guillaume. The remarkable property 
of some nickel steels of having a coefficient of expansion nearly 
equal to zero, naturally suggested the use of these alloys 
in the construction of measuring instruments. With a 
view of seeing how far their mechanical properties are 
suitable, a series of alloys containing from 5 to 45 per cent. 
of nickel was studied as regards densities and elastic proper- 
ties.—On the nature of the several species of radiations pro- 
duced by bodies under the influence of light, by M. Gustave 
Le Bon.—An induction oscillograph, by M. H. Abraham,— 
On the variation of the electric state of high regions of the atmo- 
sphere in fine weather, by M. G. Le Cadet. The electric field 
is weaker at altitudes above 1500 metres than on the surface of 
the earth.—On a new oxide of phosphorus, by M. A. Besson. 
Although PH, does not react upon pure POCI, at any temper- 
ature Below. the boiling- point of the latter, a reaction takes 
place if a little HBr is also present with the formation of a 
lower oxide of phosphorus, apparently P,O. The same sub- 
stance is obtained by heating POCI, and “PH, Br together in a 
sealed tube at 50°. The new oxide forms a yellowish- red powder, 
not changed by heating to 100°. The formula was deduced 
from the analysis of the powder, no evidence being produced, 
however, to show that this consists of one oxide only.—On 
metastannyl chloride, by M. R. Engel.—The action of a high 
temperature upon the sulphides of copper, bismuth, silver, tin, 
nickel, and cobalt, by M. A. Mourlot. At the temperature of 
the electric furnace, cupric sulphide is reduced to cuprous 
sulphide and metallic copper, bismuth and silver sulphides to 
the metals, tin sulphide to the stannous salt, nickel sulphide 
to a sub-sulphide Ni,S. Cobalt sulphide does not give a cor- 
responding salt.—Combinations of ammonia gas and methyl- 
amine with the haloid salts of lithium, by M. J. Bonnefoi.— 
Action of gallic and tannic acids upon some alkaloids, by M. 
(Echsner de Coninck.—Preparation of sodium carbide and 
sodium acetylide in the pure state, by M. Camille Matignon.— 
Observations concerning the temperature of freezing of milk, 
by M. J. Winter. A reply to MM. Bordas and Génin.—On 
the non-identity of lipases of different origins, by M. Hanriot. 
—Two preparations of lipase, the one from blood serum, the 
other from the pancreas of the dog, showed marked differences 
in their saponifying action upon butyrin under similar conditions. 
—Some properties of the ferment causing the decolorisation of 
wines, by M. P. Cazeneuve. It has been previously shown that 
the cause of decolorisation of wine (/a casse) is an oxidising 
ferment, the action of which is completely prevented by the 
addition of a small quantity of sulphurous acid to the wine. In 
the present communication the action of this sulphurous acid is 
shown to be due to a specific action upon the oxydase, and not 
merely to its reducing action, since a much larger amount of 
formaldehyde did not prevent decolorisation.—On a new method 
of obtaining the essential perfume of flowers, by M. Jacques 
Passy.—Researches on the development of the archegonium in 
the Muscinee, by M. L. A. Gayot.—The law of formation of 
the transversal valleys in the Eastern Alps, by M. Maurice 
Lugeon.—The influence of franklinisation upon the singing 
voice, by MM. A. Moutier and Granier.—The action of currents 
of high frequency upon the virulence of the streptococcus, by 
M. Louis Dubois. Cultures of streptococcus showed a marked 
diminution in virulence after being repeatedly exposed to the 
effects of a high frequency current. =-Action of the X- -raysS upon 
the heart, by MM. Gaston Seguy and F, Quenisset. Prolonged 
exposure to the X-rays has in several cases caused violent and 
irregular palpitation of the heart. —On the actinomycosic form of 
the tuberculosis bacillus, by M.M. V. Babes and C. Levaditi.— 
Note on the grouping of the stars, by M. Delauney.—On an 
improvement for the production of acetylene from calcium car- 
bide, by M. Lechappe. 
NO. 1433, VOL. 55] 
DIARY OF SOCIETIES. 
THURSDAY, Apri. 15- 
LINNEAN SocIeETY, at 8.—On some New Irish Crustacea: A. O, Walker. 
—On Desmids from Singapore: W. and G. S. West. Exhibition : 
Plants collected during Two Years’ Residence in Franz Josef Land: H. 
Fisher. 
Geovocists’ AssoctaTIon (Charing Cross, S.E.R.), at 4.30.—Long Excur- 
sion to Walmer, St. Margaret's, Dover, Folkestone, and Romney Marsh. 
Directors : George Dowker, W. F. Gwinnell, Dr. A. W. Rowe, and C. 
Davies Sherborn. 
TUESDAY, Aprit 20. 
RoyaL PHoToGRAPHIC SOCIETY, at 8. 
Roya Vicroria HALL, at 8.30.—Africa up to Date: 
WEDNESDAY, Apri 21- 
Royat METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY, at 7.30.—The Relation between Cold 
Periods and Anticyclonic Conditions of Weather in England during 
Winter: W. H. Dines.—Sunspot Influence on the Weather of Western 
Europe ; A. B. MacDowall.—The Use of Kites to obtain Meteorological 
Records in the Upper Air at Blue Hill Observatory, Mass., U.S.A.; A. 
Lawrence Rotch. 
Royat Microscopicar Society, at 8.—Exhibition of Microscopical Ento- 
mological Specimens by F. Enoch. 
THURSDAY, Aprriv 22. 
INSTITUTION OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS, at 8.—Recent Developments in 
Electric Traction Appliances: A. K. Baylor. (Continuation of Dis- 
cussion.) 
Camera CLuvB, at 8.15.—Peeps into Nature's Secrets : 
SATURDAY, Aprit 24. 
Roya Botanic SOcIEry, at 4. 
Prof. B. J. Malden. 
R. Kearton. 
CONTENTS. PAGE 
Submarine Cable Laying and Ra By 
Charles Bright... . E 3) 5) A cee 5G 
The History of Geopraphiy oo. ee 
The Glaciers of North America. By Prof. T. G. 
Bonney, E;RiS:) Seen? : -  - ce 
Our Book Shelf:— 
Blaine: ‘‘ Hydraulic Machinery”. . 
Muir: ‘The we of the Chemical Elements.” 
AGS ee 
Knott: ‘‘ Physics : an Elementary Text-Book for 
University Classes”... ° 
Dantec : ‘* Le Déterminisme biologique et la Person- 
nalité Consciente” . 
Ormerod : ‘* Report of Observations of Injurious In- 
sects and Common Farm Pests during the Year 
1896, with Methods of Prevention and Remedy ” 
Beal: ‘‘ Grasses of North America”. 
Toogood: ‘*The Culture of Vegetables for "Prizes, 
Pleasure, and Profit”... . «= age 
Letters to the Editor :— 
Organic Selection.—Prof. J. Mark Baldwin .. . 
Unfelt Earthquakes.—Prof. G. Gerland 
Relationship between the Masses and Distances of the 
Four Outer Planets.—G. E. Sutcliffe .. 
X-Ray Photography. —William Webster. . 
A New Scientific Club.—Prof. W. Ramsay, 
RIS See 5 
Deep-Sea Fishes [of the Sierthern Atviantie! 
AS GS ae Cites «3 
The Menara Statue of Sir Richard One a Mehnis 
Plan to Generate Electricity at the Nile Cataracts . 
Notes: 2°). & 4) AEs + (ss: Can mam 
Our Astronomical Column:— 
Observations of Jupiter’s Fifth Satellite ...... 
Harvard College Observatory Report ....... 
The International Unification of Time. . . 
Koch’s Recent Researches on Tuberculin. 
G. Sims Woodhead .. . 5 saci 
Some Experiments with Kathode Ree (Zllus- 
trated.) By A. A.C. Swinton .......... 
The Institution of Naval Architects. ...... 
A Meteorite from New Mexico. Sea By 
Warren Mi oote) = eee. ss see enneint 
University and Educational Intelligence 
Scientific Serials semen \~ oleae 
Societies and’ Academiesimarm-icn. - - «u) cman 
Diary of Societies 
By 
By Dr. 
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