o 
524 
law of distribution of energy among the particles of a gas from 
the principle of least action.—The following papers were pre- 
sented by Prof. H. B. Hill, of Harvard University : Dibrom- 
acrylic acid ; relations of dibromacrylic acid to two different 
tribrompropionic acids ; certain tetra-substituted propionic acids ; 
on the constitution of the substituted acrylic acids. —Dr. Asa Gray, 
of Harvard Univer-ity, contributed the following : Studies of 
Solidago and Aster ; Novitie arizonice, &c., characters of new 
plants chiefly from recent collections in Arizona and adjacent 
districts. 
VIENNA 
Imperial Institute of Geology, February 21.—The fol- 
lowing papers were read:—F’. v. Hauer, on the meteorites of 
Moes (Transylvania).—Th. Fuchs, Bathymetrical distribution of 
the deep-sea fauna.—A, Bitter, on the Tertiary formation of the 
Vicentinian Alps.—Prof. Szabo, on the principles which enable 
us to determine the trachytes in their chronological relation. 
March 7.—F. y. Hauer, communications on the Rheetie fossils 
of the Ligurian Alps.—O. Lenz, on a ge logical map of 
Western Avrica.—V. Ublig, on the Cephalopod fauna of the 
strata of Kossfeld. 
Imperial Academy of Sciences, March 9.—L. T. Fitzinger 
iathe chair.— {he following papers were read :—E. Hering, con- 
tributions to geveral nerve and mu-cle physiology. Part ix. 
nerve excitation and nerve current.—R. Schram, auxiliary tables 
to chronology.—L. Heitinger, preliminary note on glutamic acid 
and pyrrol. 
March 16.—L. T. Fitzinger in the chair.—Ph. Knoll, contribu- 
tions to the theory of re-piratory innervation. Part i. respiration 
during excitation of the cervical part of vagus by its own current.— 
T. V. Janoysky, on sulphonic acids of azobenzol.—V. Zepharo- 
vich, supplement to the already published crystal forms of some 
camphor-derivates, especially on the forms of camphor-bibro- 
mide.—M., Tiillicb, a sealed packet dealing with a mechanical 
problem.—E. y. Dunikowski, on the Spongia, Radiolaria, and 
Foraminifera of the Lower Liassic strata of the ‘‘ Schafberg,” 
near Salzburg.—T. Kachler and T, Spitzer, on two isomeric 
camphor bibromides from camphor monobromide.—L. v. Pebal, 
on the use of electromagnets for mechanical separation of 
minerals.—E. Briicke, on testing urea by oxalic acid.—E, 
Stefan, on the magnetic screen-action of iron.—K. Ginzel, 
astronomical researches on eclipses. —A. vy. Obermayer, on the 
diffusion of gases, Part ii. 
PARIS 
Academy of Sciences, March 20.—M. Jamin in the chair. 
—The following papers were read :—On some applications of 
the theory of elliptic functions, by M. Hermite.—Double decom- 
positions of haloid salts of mercury; conclusions, by M. Ber- 
thelot.—Note on the use of superphosphates on calcareous soils of 
the south coast of France, by M. de Gasparin. The practice has 
sprung up there within the last two or three years ; it proves bene- 
ficial to natural or artificial meadows. In a commercial super- 
phosphate analysed, the author found two parts, out of twelve, 
of phosphoric acid, engaged in the state of phosphates insoluble 
jn water ; and ten in that of trihydrated phosphate, to which the 
agricultural effects are due. The lime and part of the iron were 
in the state of sulphates.—Letter of N. Fuss on large objectives, 
found by M. Truchot among the papers of Romme, Member of 
the Convention, by M. Faye. Fu-s, an eminent member of the 
St. Petersburg Academy, consulted by Romme, indicated the 
limits then attainable, and gave precise calculations, by Euler’s 
method, of a triple objective, 16 inches diameter, of short focus, 
with six well-conceived oculars. Romme probably meant to 
excite, by Fuss’s letter, the emulation of French opticians, but 
events made him lose sight of this. —Theory explicative of the 
climatological régime observed in France on the Oceanic coast 
since 1880, and the disappearance of the sardine on this coast 
since the same time, by M. Blavier. See our Notes last week. 
The supposed displacement of the Gulf Stream is attributed to an 
exceptional quantity of ice in the region of Davis Straits, obstruct- 
ing the polar current.—On theaction of deformation through shock, 
compared with that through continuous pressure, by M. Marchal.— 
Observations of the planets 221 and 223, at Paris Observatory, 
by M. Bigourdan.—On hypercycle-, by M. Laguerre.—On 
the theory of uniform functions of a variable, by M. Mittag- 
Leffler. —On. mechanical integration, by M. Abakanowicz. He 
describes an apparatus demonstrating the principle of his integ- 
rators (a principle lately applied by Mr. Boys).—Relation 
between the law of Bouguer-Masson and the phenomenon of 
NATURE 
Purkinje, by MM. Macé de Lépinay and Nicati. 
 @ rT tw pT ae ee 
[March 30 1882 
This aw 
applies to each of the simple spectral radiations (at least within 
the limits of experiment). The con-tant ratio indicated in it is 
the sawe for all radiations of wave-length greater than A = 512 
x 10-° approximately ; beyond that, the ratio increases towards 
the violet.—Observations @ fropos of a recent note, by M. Violle, 
on the boiling temperature of zinc, by M. Troost. M. Violle 
seems t» have overlooked later experiments by MM. Deville and 
Troost, which gave a figure (942°) little diflerent from that ob- 
tained by M. Becquerel.— On new combinations of nitric acid 
and acetic acid with ammonia, by M. Troost. He indicates two 
of each kind, and their properties. —Action of acid solutions on 
protoxide of tin, by M. Ditte.—Action of ozone on salts of 
manganese, by M. Maquenne. Ozone easily produces trans- 
formation of protoxide of manganese in'o permanganic acid, 
conformably to thermal theory; and the transformation is com- 
plete.—Heat of formation of sulphocyanic acid and some sul- 
phocyanates, by M. Joannis.--On the clarification of must for 
manufacture of champagne, by M. Jean. For this it is 
necessary to determine the amount of tannin which will 
be made insoluble by albuminoid matters, and the amount 
necessary to precipitate the whole of the gelatine added 
in fining, M. Jean uses a titrated solution of iodine 
for the purpose.—On the Kola nut, or Gourou, or Om- 
béne (seeds of Stercudia acuminata, Pal. de Bauvois), by 
MM. Heckel and Schlagdenhauffen. This nut, playing in 
Africa a 7é/e like that of AZazéand Coca in America, contains 
more cafeine than the best coffees, and wholly in the free state ; 
a good deal of theobromine, and a notable quantity of glucose ; 
it has three times the starch of seeds of Zy%cobroma, litle fatty 
matter, a special tannin, and a red colouring matter.—On the 
richness in hemoglobin of the blood of animals living in high 
regions, by M. Bert. While the maximum quantity of oxygen 
absorbable by blood of herbivorous mammalia in France is 
I0c.c. to 12¢.c. per 100 c.c. of blood, he finds the blood of 
several animals (lama, alpaca, stag, sheep, &c.) above Paz, 
Bolivia, which is 3700m. high, capable of absorbing amounts 
from 16'2 c.c. to 21°‘6c.c, These latter have thus a more 
abundant store for the requirements of their life.-—On pancreatic 
digestion, by M. Duclaux.—On the existence of segmentary 
organs in certain isopod crustaceans, by M. Huet.—On the 
Macroscincus coctei, D. B., recently arrived at the menagerie of 
the Museum of Natural History, by M. Vaillant.—On the crys- 
talline forms of zirconia, and deductions to be drawn from them 
for the qualitative determination of zircon, by MM. Lévy and 
Bourgeois.—On the barometric heights of January 17, 1882, and 
of the year 1821, in the South of France, by M. Vignier. 
CONTENTS Pace 
Oricins oF ENGLisH History. By Epwarp B, Tytor, F.R.S. . . 50 
WORKS ON THE Micro CopH. « 2» 2 © es © © o + o 2 ee SOS 
Our Book SHELF :— 
Wiesner’s ‘* Elemente der Anatomie und Physiologie der Pflanzen” 503 
Bell’s Sounds and their Relations” . . . . . . .. . « » 503 
Lerrers TO THE EDITOR *— 
Conservation of Solar Energy.—E. DouGias ArcuiBaLp; Dr. C, 
Wit. SIEMENS; SERS. ooo lle: an ieaieie= Deka ncn farce 
Review of ‘ Aristotle on the Parts of Animals ’””—A Correction — 
Dr. Benjamin Warp RicHarpson, F.R.S. . 505 
Deep-Sea Exploration in the Mediterranean,—Prof. Henry 
EXaiuver-GiGLioLy 25) 6. oe) is eos) ny 8), le) 
The Basque Whale in the Mediterranean.—Prof, Henry Hittyer 
SSIGYIOLI se el, es, t. e el el le, wt ein ye) cen eae 
Wind Measurements,—C. H. Romanes; RicHarp B. Prosser «. 505 
Vivisection.—Tu& WRITER OF THE ARTICLE ON * VIVISECTION”’ ; 
H. H. Jounston; W.S.; ArnrHuRNicors ....... 
Phznology—An Appeal.—Drs. H. Horrmann and Econ Inne . 506 
Rime Cloud observed in a Balloon —Dr. HEkMANN Kopp . . . 507 
Water in Australia.—F. T Motr. .... s+ « oo) ne oy 
The Solar Spectrum in a Hail-Storm.—C. H. RoMmanges . . « . 507 
Temporary Retinal Effects.—J. RanpD Carron . . . « « + + 507 
Specific Heat and Thermal Conducuvity.—H.G. Mapan . . . 507 
Rookeries.—THx MuG PDO OME et ae a 
A means of Saving some Lives in Colliery Explos D. Ruys 
Jones . rec es 2 oe) de ies) Mates felt te ee 
Economic GeotoGv oF INDIA... ... +. » - « 508 
Precious Corat. By Prof. H. N. Mosrrey, F.R.S.. . . . : 
Maxim's SELF-ACTING Fire-BXTINGUISHERS (Wath Lilustrations) . 511 
Ant Merat WoRK'OF JAPAN . 42 » «+ «6 « » «© «© = nis @ 
Evecrriciry at THE CrystTat Parace, III. (With Zilustration) . 515 
Norks(. segue pate NW elte s eee Ne ek ac 
Our AsTRONOMICAL COLUMN :— 
The Great Comet of 1881 . . . «©. 2 « « « <a SI9 
A NewiComet i. ss ci eee Sel tw ee ke ee ee 
Mepicar ELecTRICITY . aa Mata Bee ghee matt 4 . . Sz 
UNIVERSITY AND EpucATIONAL INTELLIGENCR . . . .  - +’ S22 
SCAN TIFICSERIALSLs Loan, 2) io Saleen ae eee ee 522 
Socrerigs AND ACADEMIES . . s 2 6 6 soe 5 es ts wes SMe 
