216 
NAGORE 
[JuNE 29, 1899 
Observatory on the partial eclipse of the sun, June 7, by 
MM. Féraud, Doublet, Esclangon and Courty.—On some 
anomalous surfaces applicable to a plane, by M. H. Lebesgue. 
The author shows that developable surfaces are not the only 
surfaces which are applicable to a plane.—On the calculation of 
the integrals of differential equations by the method of Cauchy- 
Lipchitz, by M. Paul Painlevé.—Comparison of the velocities 
of propagation of electromagnetic waves in air and along wires, 
by M. C. Gutton. The two velocities in question have been 
compared bya more exact method than those hitherto employed, 
and their equality verified to within 1 in 200,—Electrolytic 
action observed in the neighbourhood of a Crookes’ tube, by 
MM. H. Bordier and Salvador. When an electrolytic cell 
consisting of two plates of copper or zinc immersed in a solution 
of copper or zinc sulphate is connected with a delicate galvano- 
meter and placed in proximity to a Crookes’ tube in action, a 
notable polarisation of the electrodes of the cell is observed. 
The effect is not due to the action of the X-rays, but is caused 
by a secondary, dark discharge from the anode and kathode of 
the tube, which is equivalent to a current of high electro- 
motive force but of feeble intensity.—On magnet steels, by 
M. F. Osmond. Experiments on the magnetic properties of 
steels containing varying amcunts of manganese and of nickel.— 
Researches on the vapours emitted by the two varieties of 
mercuric iodide, by M. D. Gernez. Experiments are described 
which show that the vapour of mercuric iodide, whatever 
its origin, is capable of condensing to form, at the same tempera- 
ture, either the red or the yellow crystals of the compound, ac- 
cording as either variety is employed as a starting point for 
crystallisation. The condition of the vapour is, in fact, analogous 
to that of melted sulphur, from which three forms of crystals 
may be obtained at will according to the form of the crystal 
introduced as a nucleus.—Remarks on the oxides of sodium 
and on the chemical function of water as compared with that of 
hydrogen sulphide, by M. De Forcrand. The author discusses 
the heats of formation of the oxides of sodium, as determined 
by himself and by other observers, and endeavours to show 
that the two hydrogen atoms in the molecule of water are dis- 
‘tinctly different in function, whereas in hydrogen sulphide they 
are of equal value. Water is therefore to be considered as an 
unsymmetrical, hydrogen sulphide as a symmetrical, compound, 
as may be indicated by the formule H—OH and H—S—H 
respectively. —On the decomposition of carbonic oxide in the 
presence of metallic oxides, by M. O. Boudouard. The ex- 
periments described in previous communications have been ex- 
tended to a temperature of 800°C.; the metallic oxides em- 
ployed were those of cobalt, nickel, and iron. The decom- 
position is a function of the time, the amount of carbonic 
anhydride formed increasing in a regular manner until the 
limit, at 800°, of 7 per cent. is reached. The velocity of the 
reaction is much greater at 800° than at 650°.—On the de- 
composition of carbonic anhydride in the presence of carbon, 
by M. O. Boudouard. An extension of previous researches on 
this reaction. The limiting composition of the gaseous mixture 
at 800° is 93 per cent. of carbonic oxide and 7 per cent. of 
carbonic anhydride. At 925° there still remained 4 per cent. 
of carbonic anhydride.—On a lower homologue of citric acid, 
‘by M. Augustin Durand. By treating the sodium derivative of 
ethylic oxaloacetate with nydrocyanic acid and hydrolysing the 
cyanhydrin thus produced, the authors have obtained a new acid 
of the composition 
COOH.CH,.C(OH).(COOH),. 
Experiments are in progress for the preparation of other 
homologues cf citric acid.—On Morren’s glands in European 
Lumbricoides, by M. Edouard de Ribaucourt. On the fall of 
leaves and the cicatrisation of the wound, by M. A. Tison.— 
The upper layers of the Jurassic soil in Bas-Boulonnais, by M. 
Munier-Chalmas.—Crystallisation of blood-albumin, by Mlle. S. 
‘Gruzewska. Abundant crystalline deposits of albumin were 
obtained from the blood of the guinea-pig by employing a low 
temperature and working with solutions almost saturated with 
ammonium sulphate. 
New Soutu WALEs. 
Royal Society, May 3.—The President, G. H. Knibbs, in 
the chair.—The following gentlemen were elected officers for 
the current year :—President, W. M. Hamlet ; Vice-Presidents, 
Prof. Anderson Stuart, Charles Moore, Prof. T. W. E. David, 
NO. 1548, VOL. 60] 
Henry Deane; Hon. Treasurer, H. G. A. Wright; Hon. 
Secretaries, J. H. Maiden, G. H. Knibbs.—The theme of the 
anniversary addres delivered by the President, Mr. G. H. 
Knibbs, was the influence of science upon civilisation. 
AMSTERDAM. 
Royal Academy of Sciences, May 27.—Prof. H. G. van 
de Sande Bakhuyzen in the chair.—Prof. Kamerlingh Onnes 
presented, for publication in the Proceedings, a paper by Dr. 
L. H. Siertsema, entitled ‘*‘ Measurements of the magnetic ro- 
tation of the plane of polarisation in oxygen at various pres- 
sures.” The magnetic rotation in oxygen was measured in the 
same way as was formerly done in the case of pressures of 97, 
73, 49 and 38 atmospheres, and at these pressures it was found 
to be proportional to the density of the gas.—Prof. van Bem- 
melen presented, on behalf of Dr. F. A. H. Schreinemakers, 
for publication in the Proceedings, a paper entitled ‘On the 
system water, phenol, acetone.’’—Prof. Lobry de Bruyncommuni- 
cated the results of the inquiries of Prof. Holleman, who has 
determined how, on the nitration of benzoic acid and its methyl 
and ethyl esters, the proportion of the quantities of the three iso- 
meric mononitro-derivatives, which are formed at the same time, 
varies with the temperature (—30°, o° and +30°).—Prof. van 
de Sande Bakhuyzen presented, on behalf of Mr. H. F. Zwiers, 
a paper on the system of Sirius according to the most recent 
observations. / 
CONTENTS. PAGE 
Pettigrew on the Locomotive. By Norman J. 
Wockyer ~ ae + 193 
The Hereford Earthquake of 1896. By Prof. J. 
Milne, i RS eee nennen 
A Biological Record. ByJ.A.T. . 
Our Book Shelf :— 
Berry : ‘‘ A Short History of Astronomy” . . . . . 196 
Reychler : ‘‘ Outlines of Physical Chemistry ” 
Walker: ‘‘ Views on Some of the Phenomena of 
Nature’ cy | seater fey fs, +e. 'e) (ss LOY 
Letters to the Editor :— 
Physical Measurement of Public Schoolboys. (Wzth 
Diagrams.) — CVU Gare minl . «1 oli rOS 
The Giant Tortoises of the Galapagos.—W. Herbert 
Purvis. << (eee Le «<0 OD 
School Laboratory Plans. —Hugh Richardson 199 
Pair of Brazilian Marmosets Breeding in England.— 
Dora Whitmore 28 CaP Cb .o a aS) 
The Diffraction Process of Colour-Photography. 
(Zilustrated.) By Prof. R. W. Wood . 199 
Local University Colleges for London ..... 201 
The Plans for Antarctic Exploration ....... 202 
Charles William\Baillienuaieees. = ....- . Caeeemzod 
Notes -. 2 EI 2. celle. eo 
Our Astronomical Column :— 
Astronomical Occurrences inJuly. ........ 207 
Tempel’s Comet 1899 c (1873 II.) . 207 
Hifth Satellite cfsjupiterewemrn-)-|- - - .MinceEnZOy 
Oxford University Observatory ........ . . 207 
Cambridge Observatory 205 
Pictures Produced on Photographic Plates in the 
Dark. By Dr. William J. Russell, V.P.R.S. . . 208 
The Royal Society’s Conversazione ....... 2 
The Red Spot on Jupiter. (Wzth Diagram.) By 
W. F. Denning . Sib naretae ie B - | ee 2 TO) 
University and Educational Intelligence 
211 
Scientific Serials . 212 
Societies and Academies . 212 
