96 NATURE 
[May 25, 1899 
AMSTERDAM. 
Royal Academy of Sciences, March 25.—Prof. van de 
Sande Bakhuyzen in the chair, —Prof. Zaayer reported, both on 
behalf of Prof. Fockema Andreae and himself, upon a letter from 
the Minister of the Interior, concerning the question addressed 
by the Belgian Ambassador to the Dutch Government with 
respect to prize essays.—Prof. Pekelharing reported, both on 
behalf of Prof. Winkler and himself, on the paper of Dr. G. C. 
van Walsem, entitled ‘‘ An attempt at a systematical method of 
the normal and pathological microscopo-anatomical and anthro- 
pological inquiry into the central nervous system.” This paper 
will be published in the Academy’s 7ransactions.—Prof. J. C. 
Kluyver, on reducible hyperelliptic integrals. The paper deals 
with the algebraic conditions to be satisfied by hyperelliptic 
equations, when it is possible by a theta transformation of the 
7-order to arrive at a period matrix of which the constituents, 
all but the first, are equal to zero. Particularly the cases 
é=2, 3, 7 = 2, 3 are considered. An expression of the in- 
variant relation between the branch places is given for the case 
?~ = 2, 7 = 3, also a proof for the special form of the reducible 
integral, mentioned by Prof. Burnside (Proc. Lond. Math. Soc., 
vol. xxiii.).—Prof. Winkler, on inquiries, made by Mr. Wiardi 
Beckman and himself, into the influence that expiration under- 
goes through faradic irritation of certain sensible and sensory 
nerves.—Mr. Hamburger, on the influence of salt solutions on 
the volume of animal cells (second communication).—Prof. Van 
der Waals, on an anomaly in the course of the plait-point curve 
in the case of a mixture of anomalous substances. All these com- 
munications will be inserted in the Proceedings. —The following 
papers were also presented for publication in the Proceedings : 
Prof. Van der Waals, on volume and pressure contraction (iii. ) ; 
and on behalf of Prof. L. Boltzmann, foreign member of the 
Academy, on the characteristic equation of Van der Waals.— 
Prof. Kamerlingh Onnes, on behalf of Dr. E. van Everdingen, 
jun., on the galvanomagnetic and thermomagnetic phenomena 
in bismuth (second communication). —Prof. Bakhuis Roozeboom, 
on behalf of Dr. Ernst Cohen, on electrical reaction velocity. 
April 22.—Prof. Van de Sande Bakhuyzen in the chair.— 
Prof. Bakhuis Roozeboom communicated the first experiments, 
made for the confirmation of his theoretical views, concerning 
the melting points of optical isomers. These views were con- 
firmed in the case of mixtures, both of racemic and dextro- 
dimethylethereal salts of tartaric acid and of the same deriva- 
tives of diacetyltartaric acid. Inthe first system, the inactive 
ester had a higher melting point than the active one; in the 
second system, it was just the opposite.—Prof. Kamerlingh 
Onnes presented, on behalf of Dr. E. van Everdingen, jun., 
a communication concerning the galvanomagnetic and thermo- 
magnetic phenomena in bismuth (a continuation of the second 
communication).—Prof. Van der Waals presented a paper on 
the deduction of the phase equation, being a controversy with 
Prof. Boltzmann. 
DIARY OF SOCIETIES. 
THURSDAY, May 25. 
ova INSTITUTION, at 3.—Water Weeds: Prof. L. C. Miall, F.R.S. 
FRIDAY, May 26. 
Rovat InstiruTion, at 9.—Climbs and Explorations in the Andes: 
Sir W. Martin Conway. 
PuysIcaL SociErTy, at 5.—On the Thermal Properties of Normal Pentane, 
Part 2: Prof. S. Young and Mr. Rose-Innes.—On the Distribution of 
Magnetic Induction in a Long Iron Bar: C. G. Lamb. 
AERONAUTICAL SociETy, at 8.—Exhibition of Models: Lawrence Har- 
grave and Dr. Barton. 
MONDAY, May 209. 
RoyaL GEOGRAPHICAL Society, at 8.30—Explorations in Patagonia 
and the Eastern Andes; Dr. Francisco Moreno. 
TUESDAY, May 30. 
Roya INsTIruTION, at 3.—Recent Advances in Geology: Prof. W. J. 
Sollas, F.R.S. 
Society oF ArTs, at 8.—The Revival of Tradesmen’s Signs: J. Starkie 
Gardner. 
ANTHROPOLOGICAL INSTITUTE, at 8.30.—On the Beginnings of Currency: 
Lieut.-Colonel R. C. Temple. 
THURSDAY, June 1 
Royat Society, at 4.—Election of Fellows. — At 4.30 —Probable Papers: 
The Parent-Rock of the Diamond in South Africa: Prof. T. G. Bonney, 
F.R.S.—Results of Experiments in Telegony : Prof. Ewart, F.R.S. 
Rovat INsTITUTION, at 3.—Water Weeds: Prof. L. C. Miall, F.R.S. 
LINNEAN Society, at 8.—On the High Level Plants of the Andes as 
illustrated by the Collections of Sir W. Martin Conway, Mr. Edward 
Whymper, and others: W. Botting Hemsley, F.R.S.—On some Austral- 
asian Collembola ; Sir John Lubbock, Bart., F.R.S. 
NO. 1543, VOL. 60] 
Society oF Arts, at 4.30.—The Port cf Calcutta: Sir Charles Cecil 
Stevens, K.C.S.I. E 
Cuemicat Society, at 8.—The Hydrosulphides, Sulphides, and Poly- 
sulphides of Potassium and Sodium: W. Popplewell Bloxam.—On the 
Relative Efficiency of various Forms of Still-head for Fractional Distil- 
lation: Dr. Sydney Young, F.R.S.—The Salts of Dimethylpyrone, and 
the Tetravalence of Oxygen: Dr. J. N. Collie, F.R.S., and Thomas 
Tickle. 
SATURDAY, June 3. 
Roya Institution, at 3.—The Music of India and the East, and its 
Influence on the Music of Europe (with Musical Illustrations): Edgar F. 
Jacques. 
BOOKS, PAMPHLETS, and SERIALS RECEIVED. 
Booxs.—Sewage-Analysis : J. A. Wanklyn and W. J. Cooper (Paul).— 
Anleitung zur Darstellung Chemischer Praparate: Prof. H. Erdmann, 
Zweite Avflage (Frankfurt a.M., Bechhold).—Kinleitung in die Vergleich- 
ende Gehirnphysiologie und Vergleichende Psychologie: Dr. J. Loeb 
(Leipzig, Barth).—Accounts of the Trade carried by Rail and River in 
India, 1897-98, &c. (Calcutta).—Flora of Kent: F. J. Hanbury and E. 
S. Marshall (Hanbury).—A Treatise on Practical Chemistry, &c. : Dr. F. 
Clowes, 7th edition (Churchill).—Die Entstehung des Lebens : Dr. 1e; 
Zehnder, 1 Teil (Freiburg i.B., Mohr).—Cries and Call Notes of Wild Birds a 
C. A. Witchell (Gill).—Man, Past and Present: A. H. Keane (Cambridge 
University Press).—A Select Bibliography of Chemistry: H. C. Bolton, 
ist Supplement (Washington).—Wetterpiognosen und Wetterberichte des 
xv. und xvi. Jahrhunderts (Berlin, Asher) 
PampPuLets.—Hey for the Holidays ! (R. E. Taylor).—Sull’ Impiego del 
Microsismografo, &c. (Venezia, Ferrari).—History and Present Status of 
Instruction in Cooking in the Public Schools of New York City (Washing- 
ton).—The Slide-Valve Simply Explained : W. J. Tennant (Dawbarn). 
SERIALS.—Zeitschrift fiir Wissenschaftliche Zoologie, Ixy. Bd., 4 Heft 
(Leipzig).—Die Meteorologie der Sonne und das Wetter im Jahre 1889, 
&c.: Prof. K. W. Zenger (Prag, Rivnac).—Knowledge, May (Witherby). 
—Journal of the Chemical Society, Supplementary Number (Gurney).— 
Memoirs and Proceedings of the Manchester Literary and Philosophical 
Society, Vol. 43, Part 1 (Manchester).—Atlantic Monthly, May (Gay). 
—Atti della Fondazione Scientifica Cagnola della sua Istituzione in 
Poi, 1896-97, 1897-98 (Milano).—Zoologist, May (West).—Physical 
Society of London Proceedings, May (Taylor).—Morphologisches Jahr- 
buch, 27 Bd. 2 Heft (Leipzig).—Journal of the Franklin Institute, May 
(Philadelphia)—Popular Astronomy, May (Northfield, Minn.),—Psycho- 
logical Review, Monograph Supplement, Vol. 2, No. 5 (Macmillan).— 
American Anthropologist, April (Putnam).—Astrophysical Journal, April 
(Chicago).—Proceedings and ‘Iransactions of the Nova Scotian Institute of 
Science, Vol. ix. Part 4 (Halifax, N.S.).—Proceedings of the Academy of 
Natural Sciences, 1898, September-December (Philadelphia).—Annals of 
the Astronomical Observatory of Harvard College, Vol. xxxix. Part 1 
(Cambridge, Mass.).—Royal Magazine, June (Pearson). 
CONTENTS. PAGE 
Recent Works on Medical Science. By F. W. T. . 73 
Routh’s Dynamics ofa Particle. ByC.G.K. ... 74 
Laboratory Manuals of Inorganic Chemistry. By 
VASES el eras Rv. Oe 
The Modern Bicycle) BysAsisae . 0. )-oi- cnn 
Our Book Shelf :— 
Lachman: ‘The Spirit of Organic Chemistry.”— 
a3: \C.aeae 3 he. ol ee 6 cos 78 
Gregory and Simmons: ‘ Elementary Physics and 
Chemistry, | HirstiStaceyeeaetr sc: . |.) - Semen 
Letters to the Editor :— 
Mangroves Growing in Japan. (Z//ustrated.)—Prof. 
Tiokutaro lito! See ‘ Seriet : yee 79 
The Development of the Tuatara.—Prof. Wm. 
Blaxland!Benhamipeenenee.). -. «cen O 
The Gipsy Moth and its Introduction into America 
(Wilustrated.. By, NV. Warbys. . . . - este 80 
The Australasian Association. ........ 2 
Sir Frederick McCoy, K.C.M.G., F.R.S., &ce. By 
The Edinburgh Chair of Physiology. ....... 84 
Notes: (Z//ustratedal.. - = see: - . ee oe 
Our Astronomical Column :— 
New Star in Sagittarlusieweent =|. . © (cea 88 
Comet, 1890'a (Swiit) eae; Ce eEEEnCS 
The Registration of Opticians . . oo, a TS 
University and EducationallIntelligence .... . 90 
Scientific Serials: 3) 4) eee Me) 90 
Societies and Academiesueue i). 4). . -me )eniement) 192 
@Diary,of Societies... -uemenemine) cic- 5 «+ meme OO: 
Books, Pamphlets, and Serials Received .... . 96 
pee 
| 
