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[Dec. 15, 1881 
the electromotive force is greater, the energy is less; so that the 
apparatus may be made to find the distance at which the greatest 
energy, and so the greatest heat and light, may be produced.— 
At the conclusion of the paper Prof. W. G. Adams and Prof, 
G. C. Foster could not refrain from expressing their high admira- 
tion of the ingenious and able manner in which Mr, Boys had 
developed the subject, 
December 10,—Prof. W. G. Adams in the chair.—New 
members: Lieut. C. E. Gladstone, R.N., Lieut. C. Gauntlett 
Dicken, R.N., Mr. Walter George Woolcombe, B.A., F.L.S., 
Rey. Prof. Sireomb, Mr. Arthur Clayden, M.A.—Prof, Adams 
said that it had been thought advisable to invite the members to 
view the Smoke Abatement Exhibition now opened, and the 
meeting was adjourned for that purpose ; Prof. Chandler Roberts 
acting as guide.—The next meeting of the Society will be held 
on January 28. 
PARIS 
Academy of Sciences, December 5.—M. Wurtz in the 
chair.—The first volume of the works of Cauchy, the first of a 
new edition of the works of Niels-Henrik Abel, and the scien- 
tific MSS. of Chasles, were presented and commented upon,.— 
General survey map of France, by M. Perrier. This is a work 
of the geographical service of the War Department, and indi- 
cates, by curves, the orography of the country.—Meridian ob- 
servations of small planets and of comet 4 of 1881 at Paris 
Observatory, during the third quarter of 1881, by M. Mouchez. 
—0On the theory of chain-shot, by M. Resal.—On some applica- 
tions of the theory of elliptic functions, by M. Hermite.—Che- 
mical studies on the skeleton of plants, by MM. Fremy and 
Urbain. The substances forming the skeleton are chiefly pec- 
tose and its derivatives, cellulosic substances in their different 
isomeric states, cutose, and vasculose. The results of analyses 
of stems, roots, leaves, petals, fruits, and seeds, also of the 
tissues of champignons, are given, It is thought they may be 
useful to botanists for classification, for physiological studies, for 
study of manures, and fossil fuel, &c., and that they have also 
indnstrial uses.—Summary account of a zoological exploration 
in the Atlantic, inthe Zyavai//eur, by M. Alph, Milne-Edwards, 
This exploration was chiefly off the coasts of Spain and Portu- 
gal, in August. In one case dredging was done at the great 
depth of 5100m,, where numerous animals were met with, 
small indeed, but of high groups (annelids, crustaceans, &c.) ; 
the temperature was + 3°°5. Near the Spanish coast, and 
beyond 1000 m. depth, numerous polypiers, mostly unknown, 
showed marvellous development at some points. Among other 
“finds” were three very rare sharks (at 1200m.), which seem 
never to leave the depths, a Norwegian Pontophile, which had 
been thought peculiar to northern seas, a_ new Pontophile, a 
gigantic Pycnogonidian, ten new genera of Bryozoa, magnificent 
corals of the genera Lophohelia and Amphihelia, a remarkable 
Asteria representing a new genus, an organism got at I145m., 
which may belong to the group of Infusoria, and (there also) a 
fine Eugliphus like Diflugies of fresh water.—On certain 
meteorological stations it is proposed to establish in the neigh- 
bourhood of the North Pole, by M. Faye. He thinks little of 
the project, Its authors consider that the ice of polar regions is 
perhaps the regulator of our climates ; but modern science shows 
the regulator to be rather in the vast equatorial zone, whence 
storms travel over the two hemispheres. After expounding his 
conception of these phenomena, Mr. Faye points out that France 
would do better to organise a meteorological station in the 
Azores rather than at Cape Horn.—On the theory of linear dif- 
ferential equations of the recond order, by M. Brioschi.—Deposit 
of metallic layers of different colours by electricity, by M. Weil. 
Using a single copper bath, he can cover steel or brass e.g. with 
bright layers of such and such a colour at will, by means of dif- 
ferent suboxides of copper, whose chemical nature is not yet 
determined. The same bath will produce the whole series of 
colours according to the manner of exposing the pieces. The 
effect is not one of thin plates.—Observations in 1881 on phyl- 
loxera and onthe means of defence adopted, by M. Boiteau.— 
Observations of solar spots and faculz at the Observatory of the 
Roman College during the third quarter of 1881, by M. Tacchini. 
An exceptional maximum of spots occurred in July (as predicted). 
The solar activity has gone on increasing, with special periods 
of greater frequency of spots, nearly corresponding, as before, 
to a half-solar rotation. The facule show a marked maximum 
in September.—On the spectrum of Encke’s comet, by M. Tac- 
chini. This, observed on November 8, had the three carbon 
bands (the central brightest) shaded off on the violet side ; the 
weak continuous spectrum of the nucleus formirig a uniform 
straight line across the bands.—On Wendell’s comet (¢ (881), 
by M. Tacchini.—Rectification and addition to a previous 
note on the curve of the solar spots, by M. Duponchel. He 
predicts that the next sun-spot maximum will not be before 1890 
(others say 1882), perhaps 1888, but more probably 1892,—On 
the curves defined by differential equations, by M. Poincaré,— 
Distribution of energy by electricity, by M. Deprez.—On the 
determination of the ohm ; reply to M. Brillouin, by M. Lipp- 
mann.—Variations of the resistance of electric machines with 
their velocity, by M. Lacoine, He shows reason for thinking 
these variations are explained by those of contact between the 
movable commutator and the springs in friction,—Determination 
of the illuminating power of simple radiations, by MM. Crova 
and Lagarde. Sunlight and a Carcel lamp were compared. 
Part of the spectrum is isolated with a slit, and a Nicol turned 
till striae cease to be perceptible. With the lamp the maximum 
corresponds to the radiation 592; with the sun, to 564.--On 
the velocity of cooling of gases at high temperatures, by MM. 
Maillard and Le Chatelier.—Combination of hydrogen with 
oxygen under the influence of electric effuves, by MM. 
Deherain and Maquenne. The state of humidity of the 
surfaces between which the effuve is produced affects pro- 
foundly the nature of the discharge, both as to external 
aspect, and to its action on the gases.—On the titrage of 
cenoline and cenotannin in wines, by M. Jean.—Meteorological 
observations during a balloon ascent on October 20, 1881, by 
MM. Dute, Poitevin, and Du Havel. These relate chiefly to 
formation of clouds.—Observation of palpebral reflex in chloro- 
formic anzesthesia, by M. Berger.—On the convulsing action of 
morphine in mammalia, by MM. Grasset and Amblard. All 
researches on the antagonism of various medicaments to morphine 
should be revised, the substances opposing the soporific effects, 
and those opposing the excito-motor effects of the alkaloid, 
being studied separately.—Researches on the history of genera- 
tion in insects, by M. Jobert.—On the post-embryonal develop- 
ment of diptera, by M. Viallanes.—Researches on the action of 
digestive juices of cephalopoda on amylaceous matters, by M. 
Bourquelot. The liver and pancreas produce or contain a ferment 
which has no action on raw fecula, but which changes hydrated 
starch into sugar.—On the diamantiferous beds of Minas Geraés, 
Brazil, by M. Gorecix.—M. De Lesseps gave some information 
with regard to the scheme for piercing the Isthmus of Corinth, 
VIENNA 
Imperial Academy of Sciences, December 1.—V. Burg 
in the chair.—The following papers were read :—R. Andreasch, 
on some further examples of syntheses of the sulphydantoins by 
means of thioglycollic acid.—Anton Tomaschek, on the power 
of movement of pollen-bags and pollen-tubes.—W. F. Loebisch 
and Dr. A. Looss, on the action of carbonic oxide gas on mono- 
potassium glycerate.—On the preparation of dipotassium gly- 
cerate, by the same,—T. Hann, on the monthly and yearly 
oscillations of temperature in Austro-Hungary. " 
CONTENTS 
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