432 



NATURE 



\_Sept. 13, 1877 



SCIENTIFIC SERIALS 



American Journal of Sciince and Arts, August. — Discoveiy of 

 cxyijen in the sun by photography, and a new theory of the 

 solar spectrum (with plate), by 11. Draper. — Action of certain 

 organic substances in increasing the sensitiveness of silver haloids, 

 by M. C. Lea. — Critical periods in the history of the earth and 

 their relation to evolution, by J. Le Conte. — Notes on the 

 internal and external structure of pal.TOzoic crinoids, by C. 

 Wachsmuth. — Chemical composition of Hatchettolite and 

 Samarskite, by O. D. Allen. — Relations of the geology of 

 Vermont to that of Berkshire, by J. D. Dana. — A proposed nev7 

 method in solar spectrum analysis, by S. P. Langley. — Note on 

 the exactitude of the French normal fork, by R. Kbnig. 



Annalcn dtr Phvsik und Chcniic, No. 7, 1S77. — The pola- 

 risation of refracteil light, by M. Frohlich. — Note on the 

 dispersion-curve of certain media with more than one absorption- 

 band, by M. Ketteler. — On a new photometer, by M. Glan. — 

 On electric induction on non-conducting solid bodies, by M. 

 Wiillner. — On the electric behaviour of metals immersed in water 

 or salt solutions in radiation from sun or lamplight, by M. 

 Ilankel. — Note on a change in the direction of the polarisation- 

 current after passage of alternately opposite galvanic cur- 

 rents, by M. Hankel. — On vapour tensions of homologous 

 series and Kopp's Law of constant differences of boiling-point, 

 by M. Winkelmann. — On the absorption of gases by salt solu- 

 tions, by Mr. Mackenzie. — On the theory of the action of 

 cylinder spirals with variable number of windings, by M. 

 Wallentin. — On diamonds, by M. von Baumhauer. — On the 

 history of the invention of the telescope, by M. Wolf. — Note 

 relating to natural science among the Arabs, by M. Wiedemann. 



No. 8. — Experimental investigation of weakly magnetic 

 bodies, by M. Silow. — On a general proposition with reference 

 to electric induction, by M. Clausius. — On the electric con- 

 ductivity of electrolytes, by M. Berggren. — Determination of 

 the electric conductivity of liquids with constant current, by M. 

 Tollinger. — On the so-called unipolarity of flame conduction, and 

 on truly unipolar electric phenomena, by M. Ilerwrg. — Further 

 remarks on the action of cylinder-spirals with variable number of 

 windings, by M. Wallentin. — Contributions to an adequate 

 determination of the plane of vibration of polarised light, by M. 

 Ketteler. — On the specific heat of water according to experiments 

 of M. von Miinchhausen, by M. Wiillner. — On the physical 

 nature of articulate sounds, by Mr. Grassmann. — On a con- 

 venient form of the mercury-pump on Sprengel's principle, by 

 M. Hiifner. — Bunsen in a tellurium mineral, by M. Krenner. 



Joitr>ial dc Fhysiqite, August. — Researches on photography, 

 by M. Angot. — On attractive and repulsive forces, and the 

 action of the medium, by M. Jannery. — New electric lamp with 

 oblique circular rheophores, by M. Reynier. — Polarising micro- 

 scope, by M. Nodot. 



SOCIETIES AND ACADEMIES 

 Paris 



Academy of Sciences, September 3. — M. Peligot in the 

 chair. — M. Villarceau gave an outline of his and M. De Magnac's 

 new work, entitled " Nouvelle navigation astronomique." — The 

 following papers were also read : — On the combinations of chlor- 

 hydrate of ammonia with the chlorides of potassium and of 

 sodium (extract from memoir), by M. Chevreul. He was led to 

 study these from having found in guano cubical crystals formed 

 of chloride of sodium and chloihydrate of ammonia ; also a 

 similar compound in a piece of sealskin taken from this guano. 

 Some peculiarities in crystallisation are mentioned. — Considera- 

 tions on the interpretation which should be given to the condi- 

 tions of maxima relative to calculations of electro-magnetic forces, 

 by M. Du Moncel (a reply to M. Raynaud). — On the discovery 

 of a terrestrial plant in the middle part of the Silurian system, by 

 M. De .Saporta. He was shown at Caen a plate from the 

 slatey schists of Angers, presenting evident traces of a large fern. 

 The vegetable substance had been replaced by sulphide of iron, and 

 much of the contour was interrupted and lacerated as if the plant 

 had been long under water. The fern appears to rank among the 

 Neuropteridea.' ; it recalls Cyclopleris and Talaoptcris, observed 

 in the Upper Devonian. The Silurian system in Europe having 

 only furnished, hitherto (of plants) alga", and of somewhat proble- 

 matic nature, this fern may be regarded as the oldest terrestrial 

 plant yet found on our continent ; and it indicates a floral 



already comparatively rich and complex, therefore distant 

 probably from the first origin of plants. M. Lesquereux has 

 also, quite lately, found terrestrial plants in the Silurian system 

 in America (at the base), and M. De Saporta assigns priority in 

 this discovery to him. — Researches on the phosphoric acid of 

 arable lands(cxtract from memoir), by MM. Corenwinder and Con- 

 tamtne. In forty-eight hours a saturated solution of carbonic acid 

 sufficed to render assimilable a quantity of phosphoric acid greater 

 than that furnished to the soil by introducing 1,000 kilogrammes 

 of super-phosphate. The phosphates disseminated in arable 

 land are not in the same dfgree soluble in water charged with car- 

 bonic acid. Their capacitydepends on their molecular state and the 

 source whence they come. The phosphates pre-existing in liquid 

 manures are probably more attackable than others. — On the 

 invariability of the great axes of planetary orbits, by M. Haretu. 

 This invariability, which several geometers, and Poisson himself, 

 believed to be (juite general, exists only for the first and second 

 powers of the masses. — On an insect destructive to phylloxera, 

 by M. Laliman. This larva, or worm, which (the author says) 

 might be calLd the cantiibal of phylloxera, devours the latter 

 most voraciously ; in ten minutes he saw ninety-five disappear. 

 He found it in the interstices or tissue of galls on the leaves of 

 the vine. — Remarks on M. Laliman's communication, by M. 

 Balbiani. The observation is not wholly new ; the larva is that 

 of a dipterous insect belonging to the genus Syrphus, or an allied 

 one. All the larvn; of Syrphi are aphidiphagous ; their habits 

 have been fully studied by M. Reaumur, who remarked their 

 voracity and the indifference of taste they showed for all kinds of 

 pucerons. M. Balbiani recommends a continuation of these 

 researches, and cultivation of the insect. — Invasion by phylloxera 

 of the vineyards in the environs of Vendome, by M. Prillieux. 

 — Satellite of Mars observed at the observatory of Paris, by 

 MM. Paul and Prosper Henry. — New stellar system in rapid 

 proper motion, by M. Flammarion. This is perhaps still more 

 important than the former ; for it consists of two couples of stars 

 carried along in space by the same movement of translation, and 

 with a velocity much above the average of ordinaiy proper 

 motions. The two couples are those^of 17 x Cygnus and 2576 2. 

 The motion is almost perpendicular to the direction of that of 

 the sun in space. — On the wind system in the region of the 

 Algerian chotts, by M. Angot. — Study of some derivatives of 

 ethylvinyle, by M. Nevole. — On a mode of transmission of the 

 disease ergot, by M. Duplessis. The ergot appeared in a part 

 only of a field of winter wheat. The previous crop having been 

 a weeded crop and the field having borne, before that, trefoil 

 and vetch (plants in which ergot has not hitherto been observed), 

 M. Duplessis infers that the ergot must have been imported by a 

 natural vehicle ; probably tlie waters of the Loire, which over- 

 flowed this spring, brought it from some fields further up, which 

 were affected by the disease last year. 



CONTENTS Page 



Star OR Nebula? By J. Norman Lockver. F.R.S 413 



The Glacial Geology of Orkney and Shetland. By Prof. 



Arch. Gejkie. F.R.S 414 



Pennington's " Barrows of Derby.«;hire'' 416 



Our Book Shelf : — 



Miller's " Mattiem atical Questions, with their Solutions, from the 



Educatiojial Times'* 417 



Huelin's *' Cronicon CientiftcT Popular" 413 



Mayr's " Naturlirafte."— A. G. B 418 



Letters to the Editor : — 



Glacial Geology of Orkney and Shetland. — S. Lainc, M P. . . 41S 



Meteorological Effects of Eclipses — Dr. J. J Wild 419 



The Development of Batrachians — P. L. S 420 



Notes on the North-East Australian Monotremata.— W. E. A. . 420 



On Time —Prof. V. A. Julius 430 



A New Registf-rino Thermometer. By M. Gaston Tissandier 



( IVHh Illustration) 42 1 



New Electric Lights, ^y J. MuitRO {IVitk I llustratiofts) . . . 422 

 Reduction of the Height of Waves by Lateral Deflection 

 UNDER Lee of Breakwaters. By Thomas Stevenson, F.R.S. E. 



(IVitk Illustratioti) 423 



A Russian Account OF Scientific Progress IN India 425 



Meteorology AND THE Indian Famine. By Alexander Buchan 425 



The Ikon and Steel Institute 426 



Our Astronomical Column ; — 



The Outer SateUite of Mars 427 



Variable Stars 42H 



Minor Planets 42S 



Notes 428 



Thermouktrk' Observations made at Ra.ma on the Coast of 



Labrador 43, 



University and Educational Intelligence 431 



Scientific Sekials 432 



Societies and Academies 432 



