38 
NALURE 
[May 11, 1899 
the habits and food of young fishes, plankton work and 
experiments with weighted drift and bottles. Mr. James 
Johnstone writes on the spawning of the mussel (AZyte/us 
edulis); Prof. Herdman on sea-fish hatching, and on oysters 
and disease: Mr. Charles A. Kohn on occurrence of iron and 
copper in oysters; Mr. R. S. Ascroft on mussels and mud- 
banks ; and Messrs. F. W. Keeble and F, W. Gamble present a 
brief report on the physiology of colour-change in Azppolyte 
and other marine crustacea. This is the first complete year of 
Mr. Scott’s work at the Piel hatchery, and of Mr. Johnstone’s 
work at the laboratory. The laboratory attached to the 
hatchery is open, under certain conditions, to the use of dona- 
fide students and others desirous of prosecuting research. A 
glance at the above list of papers will show the variety and 
extent of the investigations that were undertaken last year. 
THE scientific activity of the Société de 
d'Histoire naturelle de Genéve during 1898 is evidenced by the 
survey of papers published in the A7chives of the Society, given 
by Prof. Albert Rilliet in his presidential report just issued. 
In mathematics and astronomy M. René de Saussure con- 
tributed the results of a geometrical study of the movement of 
fluids, Prof. Gautier computations referring to the return of 
Tempel’s periodic comet, and M. Pidoux observations of an 
occultation of Antares by the moon, In physics and chemistry 
M. Dumont gave an account of researches on the magnetic 
properties of iron and nickel, MM. Dutoit and Friderich de- 
scribed a method of indirectly calculating critical pressure, 
Prof. Amé Pictet gave an account of further researches on the 
synthesis of nicotine, and Prof. Soret described his investigations 
of the causes which produce left- and right-handed crystals in 
salts active in the crystalline state and inactive in solution. 
Although no positive results were obtained, the work is important 
from a statistical point of view. Among the subjects of papers 
in zoology, physiology, and medicine, were the development of 
butterflies, by M. Arnold Pictet ; and the place of origin of 
vaso-motor nerves, and effects of currents of high frequency 
upon the frog, by Dr. Batelli. In botany, a paper by Mlle. 
Goldfluss on the functions of certain cells was communicated 
by Prof. Chodat. In physical geology, M. Ed. Sarasin de- 
scribed the records obtained by a limnimeter established at 
Lucerne during five months in 1897. The records show three 
distinct periods of oscillation. The results of a detailed inquiry 
into the constitution of Mont Blanc are given by Prof. Dupare 
in an important memoir just published by the Society. Finally, 
mention may be made of a paper by MM. Etienne Ritter and 
Delebecque on the lakes of the Pyrenees. A number of other 
papers were read before the Society during 1898, but those here 
mentioned will be sufficient to show the valuable character of 
the work accomplished. 
THE additions to the Zoological Society’s Gardens during the 
past week include two Mozambique Monkeys (Cercopzthecus 
pyeerythrus), a Sykes’s Monkey (Cercopethecus albtgularis) from 
_East Africa, presented by Mr. Boyd Alexander; a Macaque 
Monkey (M@acacus cynomolgus) from India, presented by Mrs. 
Herbert Peel; a Slow Loris (Wyctecebus tardigradus) from 
Malacca, presented by Mr. W. H. St. Quintin ; two Sguirrel- 
like Phalangers (Petaurus sciureus, 6 9) from Australia, pre- 
sented by Mr. A. V. Willcox; four Dormouse Phalangers 
(Dromicia nana) from Tasmania, presented by Dr. McDougall; 
a Greater Black-backed Gull (Zavus marinus), a Lesser Black- 
backed Gull (Larus fuscus), European, presented by the Rev. 
W. B. Tracy; a Drill (Cynocephalus leucocphoeus), a Kusimanse 
(Crossarchus obscurus), a Pardine Genet (Genetta pardina), 
a Home’s Cinixys (Cyntxys homeana), a Derbian Sternothere 
(Sternothoerus derbianus) from West Africa, a Bell’s Cinixys 
(Cinixys belliana) from Tropical Africa, a Common Zebra, 
NO. 1541, VOL. 60] 
Physique et’ 
(Zquus zebra, &) from South Africa, a Grecian Ibex (Capre 
cegagrus, 6), South-east European, a Two-wattled Cassowary 
(Casuarius bicarunculatus) from the Aroo Islands, deposited ; 
two Larger Tree Ducks (Dendrocygna major) from India, pur- 
chased ; a Mouflon (Ozzs »zestnon, 2? ) born in the Gardens. 
OUR ASTRONOMICAL COLUMN. 
ComET 1899 a (SwirT).—This comet is now well situated 
for observation in the early morning, and has been frequently 
seen during the past week. Passing rapidly to the north-west, 
it will rise earlier every morning, and opportunities will be 
afforded of obtaining both photographic and visual records of its 
form and spectrum. The positions predicted by the ephemeris 
are so nearly correct that there is no possibility of mistaking the 
comet. As seen on several mornings at the Solar Physics 
Observatory, South Kensington, it appears to the unaided eye 
as bright as a star of the fourth magnitude, and, though 
possessing no tail, is sufficiently unlike a star in appearance to 
attract notice. With a telescope it is seen to consist of an 
irregular nucleus about 1’ in diameter, surrounded by a much 
fainter nebulous mass some 10’ in diameter. Photographs of 
the spectrum have been obtained showing six bands between 
D and H, the origins of which have not yet been deduced. 
During the week the comet will pass from Pegasus into 
Lacerta, through a region devoid of conspicuous stars; but on 
the 17th it will be about 3° west of the second magnitude star 
o Andromede. 
The following ephemeris is by Herr H. Kreutz in Astr. Mach. 
(Bd. 149, No. 3556). 
Ephemerts for 12h. Berlin Mean Time. 
1899. R.A. Decl. Br. 
hy mn) ss ao 
May II 23 26 28 +33 12°7 1°66 
12 20 48 34 3371 
13 14 41 35 30°8 168 
14 See 37 23°9 
15 23. «0 46 38 54°2 1'73 
10 22 52 48 40 27°8 
17 44 2 42 42 174 
18 22 34 21 +43 42°9 
TeMPEL’s Comer (1873 II.). — The following ephemeris 
for this comet is by M. L. Schulhof in Asx, Mach. (Bd. 149, 
No. 3554) :— 
Ephemerts for 12h. Paris Mean Time. 
1899. * R.A. Decl. Br. 
- m. s- ° ‘ “uw 
May 11 7 KO) 0) 4620 eae S) (3, 
12 2 PSR) oc 4 II 42 0592 
= ihe Ay brain 4 8 30 
14 5 44°2 ... 4 52 
15 7 22a 4 2 38 
16 9 99... 3 59 59 ... 0°673 
17 10 38°7... 3) yn She 
TS) 2.0 LQuN2) LO ree So) Ly, 
The comet is moving slowly to the north-east, passing from 
Scutum Sobieski into the southern part of Aquila, being about 
10° S.W. of a Aquilze on the 18th. 
A telegram just received from Kiel announces the first 
observation of this comet during this apparition, by Prof. 
Perrine at the Lick Observatory. Its position as measured was 
ey # a pea" oe } 1899 May 6, 13h. 40°5m. Lick Mean 
Time, and it is described as being faint. 
The close agreement of these numbers with the computed data 
given in the ephemeris renders any revision of the latter 
unnecessary. 
PROGRESS IN THE IRON AND STEEL 
INDUSTRIES. 
HE announcement that Her Majesty the Queen will be 
graciously pleased to accept the Bessemer Medal for 1899, 
in commemoration of the progress made in the iron and steel 
industries during her reign, will be received with enthusiasm 
throughout the Empire. What the progress has been it will be 
1 Abstract of the presidential address to the Iron and Steel Institute, by 
Prof. Sir W. Roberts-Austen, K.C.B., D.C.L., F.R.S., delivered before the 
members of the Institute on May 4- 
