54 
NATURE 
[May 18, 1899 
Argonian, 
. , Predominant.—Uydrogen and proto-hydrogen. ! 
Fainter.—Helium, unknown gas (A 4451, 4457), 
proto-magnesium, proto-calcium, asterium. 
Alnitamian. 
Predominant.—Hydrogen, helium, unknown gases 
(A 4089'2, 4116°0, 4649°2). i \ 
Fainter.—Asterium, proto-hydrogen, proto-mag- 
nesium, proto-calcium, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon. 
Achernian. 
Same as Crucian. 
Cructan. 
- Predominant. — Hydrogen, 
helium, asterium, oxygen, nitro- 
gen, carbon. 
Fainter.— Proto-magnesium, | 
proto-calcium, unknown’ gas 
(A 40892), silicium. 
Taurian. ) 
Algolian. 
Predominant.—Hy drogen, 
Predominant —Vydrogen, 
helium, proto-magnesium, proto-magnesium, proto-cal- 
asterium. cium, helium, silicium. 
Fainter. —Proto-calecium,,| azzzer. — Proto-iron, as- 
silicium, nitrogen, 
oxygen, proto-iron, 
titanium. 
carbon. terium, carbon, proto - tita- 
proto- nium, proto - copper, proto-) 
manganese, proto-nickel. | 
Rigelian. Markabian. | 
Predominant.—Hydrogen,, Predominant.—Hydrogen, 
proto-calcium, proto-magne- proto-calcium, proto - magne- 
sium, helium, silicium. sium, silicium. 
Fainter.—Asterium, proto-| /azzder.— Proto-iron, he-| 
iron, nitrogen, carbon, proto- lium, asterium, proto -tita- 
titanium. ‘nium, proto - copper, proto-| 
‘manganese, proto - nickel, 
/proto-chromium. 
y thin, hydrogen relatively thick. 
Cygnian. | 
Predominant.—Hyarogen, 
proto-calcium, proto-magne- 
sium, proto-iron,  silicium, 
proto-titanium, proto-copper, 
proto-chromium. 
Fainter. — Proto - nickel, 
proto-vanadium, proto-man- 
ganese, proto-strontium, iron 
(arc). 
| Strtan. 
Predominant,—Hy drogen, | 
|proto-calcium, proto-magne: 
sium, proto-iron, silicium. 
Fainter.—The lines of the 
other proto-metals and the 
arc lines of iron, calcium, and) 
manganese. 
Proto-metallic lines relatively thick, hydrogen relatively thin. 
Proto-metallic lines relativel 
Procyontan. 
Samé as Polarian, 
_Polarian. 
Predominant — Proto: cal- 
cium, proto-titanium, hydro-| 
“gen, proto-magnesium, proto-| 
iron, and arc lines of calcium, | 
iron, and manganese. 
Fainter.—The other proto- 
metals and metals occurring 
in the Sirian genus. 
Aldebarian. 
Predominant. — Proto - cal- 
cium, arc lines of iron, calcium, 
and manganese, proto - stron- 
tium, hydrogen. 
Fainter. — Proto -iron 
proto-titanium. 
Antarian. 
Predominant. — Flutings of| 
manganese. 
Fainter.—Axc lines of metal- 
lic elements. 
Arcturian. 
Same as Aldebarian. 
and) 
Piscian. 1 
Predominant.—F lutings of 
carbon. 
Fainter. — Arc lines of 
metallic elements. 
NO. 1542, VOL. 60] 
We may take for granted that as time goes on new 
intermediate genera will require to be established ; the’ 
proposed classification lends itself conveniently to this,. 
as there are no numerical relations to be disturbed. 
A still more general chemical classification is the 
following, it being understood that in it only the most. 
predominant chemical features are considered, and that 
there is no sharp line of separation between these larger 
groups. The peculiar position of calcium and magnesium, 
render this caveat the more necessary. 
i } 
Highest temperature, 
f Proto-hydrogen stars f Argonian. 
CERSETS SESS foeain + ACE 
| Cleveite gasjstars \ Taurian. Algolian. ; 
Rigelian. | Markabian. 
Proto-metallic stars .. Cygnian. 
Sirian, 
| 4 f Polarian. | Procyonian. 
Metallic /Staxst--lsle=s) esp imen “+ | Aldebarian.| Arcturian, , 
Stars with fluted spectra... ..,. Antarian. | Piscian. 
Lowest ‘temperature. 
The detailed chemical facts to be gathered from the 
definitions of the several genera indicate many important 
differences between the order of appearance of chemical’ 
substances in the atmospheres of the stars and that 
suggested by the hypothetical “periodic law.” Special 
investigations are in progress by which it is hoped some: 
light may be thrown on this and other points of a like 
nature. 
THE, USE (OF PHOSPHORUS TIN ET Ee 
MANUFACTURE OF LUCIFER MATCHES. 
@vE readers will be aware that about a year ago the: 
attention of the public was specially directed ta. 
the danger which attends the use of yellow phosphorus in 
the manufacture of matches. Numerous cases of necrosis. 
of the jaw were reported, and some of these occurred in 
factories which were supposed to be conducted on 
hygienic principles’ There were also some cases in 
these factorjes which had been intentionally concealed 
from the proper authorities. The Home Office accord; 
ingly requested Profs. Thorpe and Oliver to inquire an 
'yeport upon the subject, and shortly afterwards these 
authorities were joined by Dr. Cunningham, senior 
dental surgeon to the London Hespital, in view of the 
importance of the practical dental question at issue. } 
These three gentlemen have now presented their 
report, and it has been issued (January 1899) as a Blue 
Book of 236 pages. It is to be hoped that the Govern- 
ment will see their way to act promptly on the recom- 
mendations here set forth, and that by a proper system 
of inspection they will provide for the carrying out of 
the new regulations; many excellent rules for the 
management of match factories already exist, but in some 
cases these have become practically a dead letter, as 
they have not been enforced sufficiently stringently. 
We have nothing but praise for the way in which the 
three investigators have carried out their work. Prof. 
Thorpe deals with the question from the chemical 
standpoint, and enters into such matters as the differ- 
ences between the allotropic forms of phosphorus, the 
composition of phosphorus fumes, their solvent action on 
teeth, and the composition of the various pastes, &e., 
used in the manufacture of matches. Full and illus- 
trated accounts of the process of manufacture are given, 
both in this and in other countries, and the precautions. 
taken to minimise the danger to the workpeople. Dr, 
Oliver, whose work in connection with other dangerous 
trades is so well known, approaches the question from: 
