20 
It was first discovered in 1869 ‘by Rayet, and has’ since been 
named “f” by Lorenzoni, who, ignorant of the previous work 
of several other observers, has claimed its discovery. 
272 and 273. These lines were both reversed (by a narrow 
bright stripe running down the centre of the hroad hazy band) 
as constantly, whenever the seeing was good, as % or C itself; 
The observation was difficult, however, and required the most 
scrupulous exclusion of foreign light, and a careful adjustment of 
the slit in the plane of the solar image formed by these particular 
rays. 
They were also found, to be regularly reversed upon the body 
in the Zenumbra and immediate neighbourhood 
of the sun itself, 
of every important spot. 
eee 
SOCIETIES AND ACADEMIES 
CAMBRIDGE 
Philosophical Society, Oct. 18.—The following were elected 
officers of the Society :—President : Prof. Humphry. Vice- 
Presidents: Prof. Cayley, Prof. Adams, Prof. Liveing. Trea- 
Secretaries, Messrs. Bonney, J. W. Clark, 
New Members of Council: Prof. Babington, Prof. 
The following communica - 
tions were made to the Society :—“On the form suggested by 
M. Tresca, and adopted by the Commission Internationale du 
surer: Dr. Campion. 
and Trotter. 
Stokes, Mr. Hort, Dr. M. Foster. 
systéme meétrique, for the Métres Internationaux,” by Prof. 
Miller, F.R.S. 
“A Method for Levelling” (communicated), by Mr. J. C. W. Ellis. 
The nature of these papers does not admit ofa brief abstract. 
Paris 
Academy of Sciences, October 21.—M. Faye, president. 
In opening the meeting the President announced the death on 
that morning of M. Babinet, Member of the Academy, Physical 
Section.—M. Yvon Villarceau then read a note relative to a 
letter from M. Magnac on the use of chronometers at sea which 
he presented to the Academy. The note and letter related to 
the compensation and rating of chronometers, and in conclusion 
drew attention to the great and continuous care which ought to 
be devoted to this subject by the Transit of Venus Expedition of 
1874.—M. Pasteur then read an answer to M. Fremy’s two notes 
read at the meeting of the 7th October. M. Pasteur’s observa- 
tions were in support of his theory of the wine ferment 
coming from the husk of~ the grape. He concluded 
his observation as follows:—‘‘I declare both the theory 
of the transformation of albuminous matters into ferment 
cells by contact with atmospheric oxygen, and that of hemeor- 
ganism, or the generation of ferment cells from fruit cells, to be 
erroneous.”—Next came a vigorous reply from M. Chevreul to 
certain ‘‘allegations contained in a report, by M. A. Gruyer, on 
the International Exhibition of London, 1871.” At the conclu- 
sion of the reply MM. E. Bequerel and Milne-Edwards made 
some remarks on the subject, when the matter dropped. 
—A note from M. R. Clausius, on the mechanical equa- 
tion from which the ‘viriel’ theorem results was then 
read, and was followed by a note from M. A, de 
Caligny on the theory of the several systems of navigation 
locks, a long paper relating to various kinds of locks, sluices, 
floodgates, &c,.—This was followed by the continuation of M. 
P. A. Favre and C, A, Valson’s paper on crystalline dissoci- 
ation. The authors find that potassium and ammonium alum 
are partially dissociated when rendered anhydrous, and that 
chromium-potassium alum, when rendered anhydrous and then 
washed, loses potassic sulphate. They also attribute the change 
from violet to green of solutions of chrome alum, when heated, 
to this cause, and state that there is nothing to prove that this 
is not the case with all alums.—M. C. Sédillot then presented a 
note on the phenomena of fermentation and their connection 
with pathological physiology. The note related to certain re- 
cent studies on zymology by M. F. Monoyer.—M. Tresca then 
asked the Academy to open a sealed packet deposited by him 
with it on September 9, 1870, and which contained the particu- 
lars of the secret place where he and General Morin had de- 
posited the standard metre and kilogramme during the events of 
that time. He wished the Academy to open the depositary, and 
to place the standards in the hands of the Government.—M. Ed. 
Bureau then read a note on the value of characteristics deduced 
from the structure of the stem for the classification of the Bigno- 
niacee.—The concluding portion of M. Max Marie’s paper on 
the extension of the method of Cauchy to the study of double in- 
tegrals, &c., followed. —A note from Ed. Jannettaz on the coloured 
NATURE 
‘* A Method for Drawing in Perspective ;” and 
[Woo. 7, 187 
rings produced in gypsum by pressure, and their connection ¥ 
the ellipsoid of thermal conduction and with cleavage, was refe 
tothe physical section, and M. C. Dareste’s studies on the ost 
logical types of osseous fishes was sent to the section of zoolo 
The commission for the Montyon prize for medicine and su 
received a memoir on the three ‘‘psoric acariens” of the Horse 
M. P. J. Mégnin.—A communication from MM. Chevallier 
the manufacture of amorphous phosphorous matches was sen | 
the commission on the unhealthy arts, —A suggestion for the useo 
the tension of liquid ammonia as a source of motive power in aeri 
navigation by M. Pollard was submitted to the commission of 
aerostation ; and the PAy//oxera commission received a note rel: 
tive toa remedy for that pest from M. Chatelain.—M. Yvon Vil 
larceau then communicated a letter on the elements and co-ordi 
nates of the planet No. 123 from M. Stephan, and also an extra 
from aletter from M. de Magnac onthe determination of lonsituc 
by chronometers.—M. Chasles presented a note from M. Hi. GC. 
Zeuthen on quartic equations, of which one part is reduced to | 
direct double.—A letter from M. P. Volpicelli on the probable ) 
nature of the Saturnian rings, and ona meteor observed at Romeon | 
the 31st of August, was then read.—M. Th. du Moncel read a) 
note on the accidental currents which arise in telegraphic wires | 
one end of which remains isolated in the air, after which M. ) 
| 
| 
| 
! 
ct 
}) 
F | 
Pasteur presented a note, by M. Feltz, on the action of t 
lisable sugar on Barreswil’s cupro-tartaric reagent. The author 
experiments tend to show that cane sugar acts on the t i 
the presence of an excess of alkali ; hence he distrusts deter: 
minations made where both sugars are present. This paper wa 
followed by a note from MM. Béchamp and Estor on the role 
of the microzymes during embryonic development.—M. Tarry 
then read a note on the aurora and magnetic storm of the 14 
and 15th October.—M. E. Fournié demanded the openin| 
of a sealed packet relating to cerebral physiology deposited 
him on the 22nd of July, 1872, and after a note from M. e 
Bandiera on a means of separating essence of citron from turpen- 
tine had been submitted to M. Dumas, the session adjourned. 
f 
. 
BOOKS RECEIVED. 
EncLisu.—The Expressions of the Emotions in Man and Animals: C. 
Darwin (Murray).—The Causation of Sleep : James Capper, M.D. (Thin, 
Edinboro’).—Underground Treasures ; how and where to find them; James 
Orton (Worthington and Co.). 
Foreicn.—(Through Williams and Norgate.)—Ueber die Auflésung der 
Arten durch natiirliche Zuchtwahl.—Ueber die Bedeutung der Entwickelung 
in der Naturgeschichte: Dr. A. Braun.—Sachs-reglster zu dem Reper- 
torium: J. Schotte. 7 
DIARY 
T.7UL SDAY, November 7. 
Linnean Society, at 8.—On the “Piopio” of New Zealand 
crassivostris Gmel): T. H. Potts.—On the buds developed on 
Malaxis:; George Dickie, M.D. 
SUNDAY, November 10. 
Sunpay Lecrurg Society, at 4.—On A Bar of Iron: John Hopkinson 
D.Sc, ‘ 
, + 
(<erae G | 
leaves 
TUESDAY, Novempegr 12. 
Lonpon Institution, at 4—On Nutrition: Prof. Rutherford. (Educ: 
tional course.) 
THURSDAY, Novemser 14, 
Lonpon MatHeEmArTIcAt Socrery, at 8.—Remarks on some Recent Gene 
ralisations of Algebra : the President.—Sur les Fonctions Circulaires: J [. 
Hermite.—Investigation of the Disturbance produced by a Spherical Ob 
staole on the Waves of Sound: Hon. J. W. Strutt —On the Mechanic: 1 
Description of a Cubic Curve: Prof. Cayley.—A Series of Models of. 
Cubic Surfaces to Illustrate their Different Forms: Prof. Henrici. 
CONTENTS Pp. 
Tue Last Eruption oF Vesuvius. . . ...« « - 
Wacner’s Hanppook or CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY . 
Our Book SHzetF...... Be cy. ho 
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR :— 
The National Herbarium.—Prof, Owen, F.R.S. ....,.. 
Physics for Medical Students.—Prof. Lionet BEALE, F.R.S.; F. 
Lynpon Attwoop . 3 yl Se Saree 
Nortu Porar ExpioraTion Rite we 1S ¢ 0 in a a 
RESEARCHES IN GREENLAND. By EpwARrD WHYMPER . . . 
Tue Hetvetic Socrery or NATURAL SCIENCES. . . . . . ° 
On THE Wyanpotte Cave anp iTs Fauna. By Prof. E. D. 
Cope (With Illustrations.) .. .. ae i ay 
Ww, ia oi 
ScottisH COALFIELDS . 
INOTES 5) jo + sé -¢ fp a RR etel ois) Baie aes ty pn 
CATALOGUE oF BricHT Lines IN THE SPECTRUM OF THE SOLAR 
ATMOSPHERE. By Prof.C.A.YounG .... 0... «= 
Societies AND ACADEMIES . ... . 
Safe aie as 
RS en 0! 5.) ree bs 
