- 7 ~ee = ol * > ai *. 
} x P ia’ 7 er eee hag 
é 7 whe P “a7 
. ‘ an 
continuously up to 2000°, but the rate of increase diminishes 
with removal from o®. The formula gives a maximum of 13°7 at 
2160°. The specific heats of hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, and 
carbonic oxide, which are equal at o°, are still so at temperatures 
exceeding 2000°, The mean specific heat of aqueous vapour, 
referred to the equivalent 18, is about 11°5 at 1600°.—On the 
solubility of sulphate of baryta and strontium in concentrated 
sulphuric acid, by MM. Narenne and Pauleau.—Processes of 
direct coppering of cast-iron, iron, and steel, by M. Weil. 
Three are described. The injurious and dear cyanides 
are replaced by organic acids, or by_glycerine,—Pocket- 
battery with articulated elements, by M. Pulvermacher.— 
On the decomposition of water by electric effluves in presence of 
nitrogen, by MM. Deherain and Maquenne. ‘The effluve of 
high tension causes direct combination of the nitrogen with the 
elements of the water, producing nitrite of ammonia, This 
efiluve was also proved capable (like that of weak tension) of 
- causing fixation of nitrogen in organic matters.—On the decom- 
position of metallic formiates in presence of water; production 
of some crystalline mineral species, by M. Riban.—On the in- 
fluence of the choroid on acuteness of vision, by M. Fano. He 
describes observations of the vision of persons having choroidian 
atrophy.—On tetronerythrine in the animal kingdom, and its 
physiological 7é/e, by M. de Merejkowski.—On the origin of 
spermatozoids in hydrozoa, by M. de Varenne.—Note on some 
points still obscure in the organisation and development of 
Echinorhynchi, by M. Mégnin. The presence of a bifurcating 
intestine brings these Helminths towards Trematodes, and 
removes them from Nematoids.—On the characters presented by 
speech in deaf-mutes who have learned to articulate sounds, by 
Prof. Bell.—Observations on the last eruption of Mauna-Loa, 
from November, 1880, to August, 1881, by Mr. Green. He 
sends and discusses a series of photographs of the lava current, 
which is the most remarkable that has occurred within fifty 
ears. 
: December 26, 1881.—M. Wurtz in the chair.—M. Favre pre- 
sented a fourth and last batch of M. Chasles’ scientific MSS. 
(the total numbering 113).—On some applications of the theory 
of elliptic functions, by M. Hermite.—Note on the mode of 
action of soluble ferments, by M. Wurtz. Pepsine and papaine 
being fixed, in the insoluble state, on certain albuminoid matters, 
so modify these that they can be hydrated at 40° by action of pure 
water, forming true peptones.—Classification of fractures of 
different orders (lithoclases), presented by the earth’s crust, by 
M. Daubrée. Lithoclases are divisible into—I. Leptoclases : 
small fractures in two directions or one, and either synclases 
(interior mechanical action) or piesoclases (exterior) ; II. Dia- 
clases : fractures often extending, with nearly plane form, more 
than 100 m. in horizontal or vertical direction. III, Paraclases’: 
like diaclases, but often exceeding rtooo m, in horizontal direc- 
tion,and presenting great outthrow of indefinite depth. Ex- 
amples are given in a synoptical table.—Is the ramification in 
plants everywhere and always acropetal? by M, Trécul. He is 
led to a negative.—Reply to M. Daubrée’s observations in the 
stance of December 19, by M. Blanchard. M. Blanchard had 
not questioned the existence of an interior sea in the tertiary 
epoch, about the end of which he had supposed it to disappear, 
through elevation. Mere isthmuses would have been insufficient 
for the dissemination which occurred.—Observations on the 
state of the Mediterranean at the close of the tertiary epoch, by 
M. Hebert. He gives evidence of an emersion, more or less, 
at the end of the miocene, and at the end of the pliocene 
In pliocene time (he thinks) the bottom had not the great 
inequalities observed now, these being due to dislocations in the 
quaternary epoch, On the successive differences of observations, 
by M. Bréger.—M. Malligand indicated the service rendered by 
his ebullioscope (for determination of alcohol in wines), which 
the French Syndical Chambers adopted in 1878,—Elements and 
ephemerides of the comet g 1881 (Swift), by M. Bigourdan,— 
On the successive differentials of functions of several independent 
variables, by M. Darboux.—On some examples of reduction of 
Abelian integrals to elliptic integrals, by M. Picard.—Note on 
naval tactics calculated by Lieutenants Des Portes and Aubert, 
under direction of Capt. Tréve, by M. Tréve.—On the works of 
the Swiss Seismological Commission, and on earthquakes 
recently experienced in Savoie, by M. Soret. A peculiar 
feature of some earthquakes, originating south-east of the Lake 
of Geneva, is that they had a strong effect on the north side of 
the lake, but were hardly felt on the south side, thongh this was 
nearer the place of origin, —On the function which expresses the 
NATURE 
eee is “YW 
[ Fan. 5, 1882 
. 
gaseous state, and on the function A, such that Ze is an exact 
differential, by M. Gouilly—Contractions and dilatations pro- 
duced by electric tensions in hemihedral crystals with inclined 
faces, by MM, Jacques and Pierre Curie, Between two bronze 
plates were secured two systems, the lower (to measure varia- 
tions of pressure) formed of three large thin quartz plates 
separated by metallic plates, which were connected with an 
electrometer ; the higher, of three large hemihedral crystals, 
separated by two copper rundles, on one of which were applied 
two bases positive by pressure, on the other two negative bases 
The two exterior bases communicated with earth ; the two cop- 
per rundles with a Holtz machine. The dilatation of the upper 
system compressed the lower, and the electrometer was affected. 
The phenomenon was of the same order of magnitude as theory 
indicated.—On the decomposition of some metallic acetates in 
presence of water ; production of crystalline mineral species, by 
M. Riban.—Influence of heat and proportions of glycerine on 
the decomposition of oxalic acid, by Mr. Lorin. The etherifi- 
cation of formic and oxalic acids is, in this class of experiments, 
a secondary accident.—On essence of angelica, by M. Naudin. 
—Method of purifying arsenious coppers, by M. Garnier, —Ex- 
perimental researches proving that various causes, but especially 
lesions of the brain, may produce, after death, a general or local 
contraction, by M. Brown-Séquard.—On the mechanism of 
motor-troubles produced by excitations or lesions of the circum- 
volutions of the brain, by M. Conty. The circumvolutions do 
not seem to have any direct relation to the muscles; it is the 
spinal cord that plays the predominant 7é/e of centre of reaction 
and transformation.—On the excretion of uric acid in birds, by 
M. Cazeneuve. Experimenting with sparrow-hawks, he proved 
that the stimulation or diminution of combustion does not alter 
the ratio of the principles excreted. The totality of elements 
increases or diminishes with the quantity of food ingested ; 
which depends on the stimulant or depressive conditions of the 
medium.—On the Gastornis Edwardsti and the Remtornis Heberti 
of the Lower Eocene of the environs of Rheims, by M. Lemoine. 
—Do the inferior Crustaceans distinguish colours? by M. de 
Merejowsky. They distinguish quantity, but not quality, of light. 
—Prolongation of the vegetative activity of chlorophyllian cells 
under the influence of a parasite, by M. Cornu, He mentions 
several cases of analogy to the state of lichens (which have 
vigorous life, though now understood to consist of an alga and 
a parasitic champignon).—On Sphenozamites, by M. Renault.— 
On the supposed organisms of meteorites, by M. Vogt. He 
controverts this theory of M. Hahn, and argues that the struc- 
tures are inorganic. 
ee SSeSeeeSeSeSSeSeSSeSeSeSeeeSeSeSeSeeeSeeSeeSeSeSeSeSeseSeseses 
CONTENTS Pace 
Ox THE GEOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE OF THE Tipges. By Dr. G. H. 
Darwin, B.R:S. fo) 6 52 vs et pe” «Se i pl, 
EXNER ON CEREBRAL LOCALISATION. By Dr, Davip Ferrier . . 214 
Tre RopAN INDIA, <6. 2 2) ae oe Shs > Aeupelioh emnmneane 
Our Book SHELF :— 
Henshall’s ‘“‘ Book of the Black Bass’®. . . . . « © « « « 236 
Thomson’s “Introduction to Determinants’””. . . .. .. + 216 
LETTERS TO THE Eprror :— 
A Glimpse through the Corridors of Time.—Dr. A. Dupré . . . 217 
Dante and the Southern Cross.—J. J. WALKER - . .- ov ae a 
A Pet Baboon.—Jut1a WEDGWoop . .....- +. © «+s + 297 
‘Tanganyika Shells."—EpGar A. SMITH. . . » . . . « « 218 
The Growth of Treesx—W. SYMONS . . - » «© - «© © «© 6 © 238 
Our AsrRonomicat CoLuMN :— 
Comet 1881 4 we, jet foe og eee ek rk ee 218 
The Minor Planetsin 1882. . «+ « «+ » + = re ee 218 
Mr. W. Re Birt = oa cates Melmte Mel ceptieiee hie ners aaa 
M. AtFrep GAUTIER . « + «+ © + © & =) « + 219 
Tue SMOKE-ABATEMENT EXHIBITION - Shis \ng «). a) (0h, aie treints are 
Tue CHEMISTRY OF THE PLANTS AND Faure AccumuLAToRs. By 
Dr. J. H. Grapstong, F.R.S.,and ALFreD TRIpE «. « . + + 221 
STEUDEL’s NOMBNCLATOR. . + «© « «© © «© © + © @ 8 223 
Fire Risks oF Erectric LIGHTING . . + « + «© + « « © «© © 223 
Tue MarKINGs ON JupireR. By W. F. Denninc (With Diagrams) 223 
LirTLe Erecrromortors (With Diagrams) . . «© + « « © + + 226 
A CHaprer IN THE History oF Conirer&. By J. STARKIE 
GARDNER sels sc sy 6. ce 0) (ence, wy yu podeeuen nl a Re 
NOTES = sc 8) ee 8) ee cw 0 6 loin ce Sink eee) ee 
PRYSICAINGTES 5) sc un <0 che 4) cul Ne eee <i is. MA 
GEHOGRAYHICAL NOTHS”. « «cts % “eel eee Gee en ss) see 
Action oF Free Movecures on RapIaAnt Heat, AND ITS CONVER- 
SION THEREBY INTO Sounpv. By J. Tynpatt, F.R.S.. . . - 232 
Socimtigs ANB ACADEMIES . . «© «© 2 «© © © © #© © © © «© + 234 
