432 
NATURE 
|AucusT 31, 1899 
Miers one on ‘‘ The growth of acrystal.” Mr. H. N. Dickson 
lectured on the ‘‘ Influence ‘of climate,” and Prof. W. J. Sollas 
on the ‘* Geology of Oxford.” In Part II., considerably more 
attention was devoted to scientific subjects. Prof. W. J. Sollas 
conducted a series of geological classes and excursions, and Mr, 
A. W. Brown gave a course of practical instruction in illus- 
tration of Mr, G,. C. Bourne’s lectures in Part I. Dr. Farrar 
gave two lectures on ‘‘ Prehistoric man.” Two of the evening 
lectures were devoted to science, Dr. A. Ransome, F.R.S., 
discussing microbes and disease, and Mr. G. J. Burch “Wireless 
telegraphy.” Both lectures were admirably illustrated, 
Tue following important announcement is inserted in the 
new Directory (1899) of the Department of Science and Art :— 
“The Lords of the Committee of Council on Education have 
under consideration the assessment of the efficiency of instruc- 
tion in the elementary stage of science and art subjects by 
inspection only, It is proposed to discontinue examinations, 
as a test for the purposes of assessing the grant in that stage, 
after the year 1900. It is proposed that papers shall continue 
to be set in that stage for students who may desire to be ex- 
amined and to possess a certificate of having passed the 
examination ; but that in those cases a fee should be charged 
to cover the cost of examination.” The Directory contains a 
number of new regulations affecting schools and classes con- 
nected with the Department of Science and Art. The object of 
most of the changes is evidently to encourage prectical 
instruction in science. Visits of students to galleries, museums, 
and other public institutions, or attendance at field classes, may 
now be registered as attendances for grants. Theoretical 
mechanics and Section I. of the elementary stage of physio- 
graphy have been added to the list of subjects in which grants 
for practical work may be given. The syllabuses of inorganlc 
chemistry (theoretical) elementary stage and of theoretical and 
practical metallurgy» have been revised, and slight modifications 
have been made in connection with the syllabuses of mathematics 
(Stage I.) and botany. With regard to schools of science, 
students under twelve years of age are to be excluded from them 
unless specially allowed by the inspector, and students at such 
schools are not as a rule to be admitted to the science and art 
examinations. Suggested laboratory arrangements for practical 
work in physics and biological subjects are described in the 
Directory, and should be of service in connection with the 
construction of small laboratories. 
SCIENTIFIC SERIAL. 
THE second part of the Zedéschrift fiir Wissenschaftliche Zoologie 
for 1899 contains two important contributions to the morphology 
of Invertebrates. The first, by Dr. P. Obst, discusses the fate 
of the nucleolus in the development of the ovum of certain 
Molluscs and Arachnids ; while the second, by Dr. E. Zander, 
deals with the abdominal bristle-like apparatus of the 
Hymenoptera. Especial interest attaches to the latter com- 
munication from the author’s discovery that the first formation 
of the abdominal appendages and of the accessory sexual 
organs (gonapophyses) belongs to two distinct periods of 
development. The first of these are truly embryological, 
making their appearance during ovular development, whereas 
the second do not commence till an early larval stage is 
attained. 
SOCIETIES AND ACADEMIES. 
PARIS. 
Academy of Sciences, August 21.—M. Maurice Lévy in 
the chair.—The Perpetual Secretary announced to the Academy 
the loss it had sustained by the deaths of MM. Frankland 
and Bunsen, Foreign Associates of the Academy.—On the 
cause of the persistent luminous trains which accompany cer- 
tain shooting stars, by M. Ch. André. Remarks on an observ- 
ation by MM. Lagrula and Luizet of one of the Perseids seen 
on August 12; the luminous streak of the meteor could be 
seen for twenty minutes, during which time marked changes 
of form were obvious in the trail of the meteor. — On an 
infinite continuous group of transformation of contact between 
right lines and spheres, by M. E. O. Lovett.—A method for 
NO. 1557, VOL. 60] 
determining the Newtonian constant, by M. G. K. Burgess. 
The Cavendish method is modified by supporting the weight 
carried by the torsion thread in a bath of mercury. In this way 
it was possible to suspend a mass of lead of two kilograms 
each on a torsion wire of bronze or platinum of 0705 mm. 
diameter. The sensibility of this apparatus is very great, a 
shifting of the large masses (10 kgr. each) through 40° turning 
the torsion system through about 12°. The chief difficulties 
would appear to be the necessity of keeping the temperature of 
the mercury absolutely constant, and the variations introduced 
by fluctuations in the surface-tension of the mercury.—On the 
magnetic properties of iron at low temperatures, by M. Georges 
Claude. The hysteresis and permeability of iron are both 
practically constant over the temperatuie- range, +25° C. to 
~185° C., the permeability at - 185° C. being only 2°5 per 
cent. less than at 25°C. These results are in agreement with 
the experiments of Thiessen, carried out at temperatures of ~ 80°, 
but are in opposition to the results of Dewar and Fleming. — 
Decomposition of phosphate of manganese by water at o° and 
100° C., by M. Georges Viard.—On the persistence of the 
cardiac contractions in the phenomena of regression in the 
Tunicates, by M. Antoine Pizon.—On temperature and its 
variations in free air, from observations in ninety captive 
balloons, by M. L. Teisserenc de Bort. The temperature at 
different heights presents in the course of the year variations 
much more considerable than had been supposed from the 
observations made in an ordinary balloon. Even as high as 
10,000 metres there is a marked tendency to an annual variation 
of temperature. 
CONTENTS. 
Plants and their Environment, By a rata 6) CS2) 
The Newtonian Potential, By G.H Bcc: sho. Zito) 
Our Book Shelf :— 
Aclogue: ‘* Faune de France—Mammiferes.”—R, L. 410 
Dunlop: “ Anatomical Diagrams for the use of Art 
Students 759s se T4EO 
Taylor : “ Chemistry for Continuation Schools”. . 411 
Letters to the Editor:— 
Blue Ray of Sunrise over Mont Blanc.—Lord Kelvin, 
G:C.V. OF; RE Res ee 4iL 
A Fold- Making Apparatus ‘for Lecture ‘Purposes. 
(Lilustrated.\—Prof.G. A. Lebour. . . 411 
Scoring at Rifle Matches.—S. H. Burbury, F. R. S.; 
A. Mallock. . . 412 
Spectrum Series. —Lieut.-Colonel w. Sedgwick . 412 
Magnetic ‘‘ Lines of Force.”—E. R. P. 412 
Critical Pressure. —A Suggested New Definition. —Dr. 
Ro Ee ederim ‘ 412 
Maternal Devotion of ‘Spiders. —Francis ie Row- 
botham .. 413 
The Cambridge Anthropological Expedition ‘to 
Torres Straits and Sarawak. By Prof. Alfred C. 
Haddon, F.R.S. . . : Meer ceo a 5 
Why People go to Spas. (Lilustrated.) By Dr. 
Wilfrid Edgecombe . 416 
The Dover Meeting of the British Association. 
By W.H. Pendlebury .. 420 
The New Philharmonic Musical Pitch. By A. J. 
Hipkins : : 421 
Ribbon and Dark ‘Lightning. " (Idlustrateds) BRO Hom ees} 
The Recent Eruption of Etna : 424 
Professor Bunsen. By Sir Henry ‘E. ‘Roscoe, 
F.R.S2 4.) eee . ees 42 
Notes): : PM oe es oy IS 
Our Astronomical Column: — 
Astronomical Occurrences in September ..... . 42 
Holmes’ Comet 1899d@(1892 III.) . ....... 42 
Spectra of Red Stars (Secchi’s lype IV.) ..... 42 
Photometrysofithepbleidestmenn: <- \. <<) i emmememinrt 20 
The System of Sirius . . . Mare 3 lo ee 
Catalogue of Astronomical Instruments oe sR - 430 
The Cape Observatory . . Piece fo Ugo) 
Prof. F. Omori on Earthquake Motion Satu 431 
University and Educational Intelligence . ee AR 
Scientific Serial) Sag. | oS PP PEC Rares Tce Gy renbt ick 
Societies and Academies . 432 
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