192 
into oceanic deposits that he discovered Christmas Island to 
be a storehouse of phosphate of lime. 
May 16.—Prof. McKendrick in the chair.—Dr. C. G. Knott 
gave a short note on magnetic strains in bismuth. A slight 
indication had been obtained that there was a change of form in 
bismuth when strongly magnetised, but the indication was so 
slight that it was more prudent meanwhile to reserve judgment. 
—A communication by Mr. Omond on fog-bows, &c., seen at 
Ben Nevis since 1887, and a note on fog-bows by Prof. Tait 
were presented in continuation of former papers.—Mr. R. 
Forgan exhibited his practical method of enlarging and deep- 
ening the field of a compound microscope. The essence of the 
method consisted in shortening the distance between the object- 
glass and eye-piece, thereby obtaining a diminution of magni- 
fication with a corresponding increase of field. In short, the 
microscope was made to act somewhat after the fashion of a tele- 
scope. One interesting feature was the remarkable depth of focus 
obtained, so that the florets of a dandelion head could be seen 
throughout with great distinctness. The Chairman remarked that 
the form of microscope exhibited should prove very serviceable 
im the study of circulatory systems when high magnification was 
not desired.—The Rev. Prof. Duns, in a paper on some remains 
of Scottish early Post-Pliocene mammals, drew attention to the 
very important problems—zoological, climatological, and ethno- 
graphical—which were associated with the disappearance of 
animals in recent times. For example, what causes led to the 
disappearance of certain species, among whose remains no con- 
temporaneous human remains were found? Did the absence of 
human remains necessarily imply that man had not appeared on 
the scene? The problems should be looked at both from the 
‘biotic and stratigraphical points of view ; and it was most 
desirable that, in their characterisation of extinct species, 
experts should include a description of the physical and vital 
yconditions of the localities in which these species occurred, 
The paper included a history and description of the fine mam- 
moth tusk discovered near Ratho, Midlothian, in 1820, of the 
magnificent Greater Red Deer antlers discovered near Kings- 
kettle, Fife, and other important relics now in the museum of 
the Free Church College, Edinburgh. 
Paris. 
Academy of Sciences, June 12.—M. van Tieghem in the 
chair.—The jubilee of Sir G. G. Stokes and the centenary of 
the Royal Institution, by M. A. Cornu.—The angle of inclin- 
ation of the sides studied with the aid of radioscopy and radio- 
graphy both in morbid and healthy states, by MM. Ch. Gou- 
chard and H. Guilleminot. The authors have studied more 
especially the appearances in cases of pleurisy. In recent uni- 
lateral pleurisy the diseased side has a smaller amplitude of 
oscillation than the healthy one, and the side is inclined at a 
greater angle.—Observations of shooting-stars, made at Athens, 
‘by M. D. Eginitis. The- observations refer especially to the 
-swarms observed on the nights of October 17, 18, November 
3, 8, and 25, and December 6, 7, 11, 12, and 13.— On an ex- 
tension of a theorem of Mittag-Leffler, by M. E. Phragmén. 
—Deformation of waves in the course of propagation, by 
M. P. Vieille.-—On the equation of motion of automobiles, 
by M. A. Blondel.—Trials of instruments destined for experi- 
ments on the decimalisation of angles, by M. Caspari.— 
On the expansion of metallic alloys, by M. H. Le Chatelier. 
Alloys of copper and antimony, and copper with aluminium 
were studied, and the results expressed graphically in two 
curves.—The direct measurement of the osmotic pressure of 
very dilute solutions of sodium chloride, by M. A. Ponsot. The 
values found for the coefficient 7 varied between 1°76 and 1°81, 
agreeing closely with the results obtained by Pickering by the 
freezing point method.—Rays emitted by an electrified point, 
by M. S. Leduc. The rays given off from a point connected 
with an electrostatic machine resemble the violet rays of the 
spectrum in their effects upon a sensitised plate.— Heat of oxid- 
ation of sodium, by M. de Forcrand. From the data given it 
would appear that the number currently admitted for the heat 
of oxidisation of sodium is too high by about 10 per 
cent.—On the estimation of hydrogen phosphide in gaseous 
mixtures, by M. J. Riban. A criticism of a recent paper by 
M. Joannis. The author contends that an acid solution of 
cuprous chloride acts perfectly satisfactorily as an absorbent for 
phosphoretted hydrogen, provided that care be taken to use an 
unoxidised product.—Action of iodine on alkalies, by M. E. 
Péchard.—Action of water upon the double iodides of mercury 
NO. 1547, VOL. 60] 
NATURE 
(JUNE 22, 1899 
with potassium and ammonium, by M. Maurice Francois. —On 
copper reduced at low temperature, by M. Alb. Colson. Copper 
oxide reduced at 200° by hydrogen or by carbon monoxide, 
gives many reactions that do not occur with copper foil. Thus 
the metal catches fire in dry bromine, even at — 21°C. If the 
copper is raised to above 280° C., or if exposed to moist air, it 
loses this property.k—On mixed anhydrides of formic acid, by 
M. A. Béhal. By mixing formic acid and acetic anhydride, 
heat is evolved, and the cause of this is attributed by the author 
to the formation of a mixed anhydride, CH ;.CO.0.CHO, 
which can be isolated by treatment with petroleum ether 
and fractional distillation.—Contribution to the study of 
ivy; preparation of hederine, by M. Houdas. The gluco- 
side hederine, Cg,H 40,5, obtained from ivy, gives on hydro- 
lysis by dilute acids, rhamnose, a new sugar hederose, and 
a new substance C,,H 04, to which the name of hed- 
eridine is given.—On the form Oospora (Streptothrix) of 
the Microsporum of the horse, by M. E. Bodin.—On a 
layer of magnetite with granite at Quérigut (Ariege), by M. A. 
Lacroix.—On the presence of iodine in the mineral waters of 
Royat, by M. A. Duboin. Iodine was not present in solution, 
but only in traces in organic compounds in suspension, ‘04 
mgr. iodine in 1 litre of water.—Bathymetric map of the 
Azores, by M. J. Thoulet.—Nervous oscillations following uni- 
polar excitation ; method for measuring their speed of propa- 
gation, by M. Aug. Charpentier.—Ivy and hederine ; physio- 
logical and toxicological study, by M. A. Joanin.—New re- 
searches on the diastatic functions of indigo-bearing plants, by 
M. L. Bréaudat.—On a parasitic fungus in cancer, by M. J. 
Chevalier. A comparison of the organism isolated by the 
author, with that isolated previously from cancer growths by 
Dr. Bra, showed that the two parasites were absolutely 
identical. 
CONTENTS. PAGE 
The Experiences of a Zoologist in Australasia 169 
American Natural History. By R.L....... . 170 
Whe Songs of Birds-qyBypbiesob., |...) -metie ements 
Our Book Shelf :— 
Erdmann and Dodge: ‘‘ Psychologische Untersuch- 
ungen iiber das Lesen.”—Baldwin : ‘‘ The Story of 
the Mind.”—A, E. Taylor . : 172 
Wanklyn and Cooper : ‘‘ Sewage Analysis.” —Ogden : 
Sewer: Desioni7puueemenen sete). ie: oc, sl) bolton 
Pedley: ‘‘ The Hygiene of the Mouth, a Guide to 
the Prevention and Control of Dental Diseases” 172 
Letters to the Editor: — 
The Magnetic Compass and Nickel Cases.—Rev. F. 
J. Jervis-Smith i bakeSien. . . =. - 5 Ape 25/53 
Historical Note on Recalescence.—Prof. W. F. 
Barrett, F.R.S.; Prof. Sir W. C. Roberts- 
Austen, K.C.B., F.R.S. . at. 7 173 
Harvesting Ants.—Prof. G. H. Bryan, F.R.S.. . 174 
Bessel’s Functions.—A. B. Basset, F.R.S.. . . . 174 
Limnology.—Dr. Hugh Robert Mill; The Re- 
viewer 7 eee 3 PP ey CY: 
“*index Animalium.”—C, Davies Sherborn 174 
Habits of the Cuckoo.—Wm. H. Wilson . 175 
Economic Entomology.—Z. . . . .....-. ++ I75 
Magnetic Perturbations of the Spectral Lines. 
(Zilustrated.) By Prof. Thomas Preston, F.R.S.. 175 
The Dover Meeting of the British Association. By 
W.0H. Pendleburyipgae tls. . 2 Sen NSO 
The Volta Centenary Exhibition at Como. By 
Prof. G. H. Bryan, F.R.S. PM cy pe acl 
United States Geological Survey ......... 182 
The Report of the International Aeronautical 
Society . 183 
Notes... 3 | Sain 183 
Our Astronomical Column :— 
Tempel’s Comet 1899 ¢ (1873 II.) . 186 
Comet! 1899) ai(Swalt) eee Se 186 
Spectra of Red Stars (Class III.) ....-.... 186 
Reminiscences of Darwin—Sir Joseph D. Hooker, 
GiC!S.1., FRIIS i. Sy 
‘““Amerind’ — A Suggested Designation for 
American Aborigines . ; 3 6 le: ee 188 
Magnetic Observations at Mauritius ...... 189 
University and Educational Intelligence 189 
Societiesand Academies... «+ + = siemmeme s- 190 
