80 
NATURE 
[May 22, 1873 
I 
mud found in all the boulder clays, and which they thought 
could not have been retained in thedeposit had it been formed 
under a sheet of land ice above sea level, seeing that streams of 
. muddy water continually issue from under all existing ice sheets. 
The laminated brick clays they viewed as having been formed 
by rewashings out of the boulder clay, and from the flow sea- 
wards of the muddy water from under the melting ice-sheets 
that bound the shores; the sea, however, being then com- 
paratively free of ice. In nearly all the brick clays of the mari- 
time districts they had found organisms, chiefly marine; but a 
few indicated brackish and fresh water conditions. Only in one 
or two instances had they found organisms in the boulder clay. 
BERLIN 
German Chemical Society, May 12.—President, A. W. 
Hoffmann. C. Engler spoke on the simultaneous action o 
ammonia and phosphoric anhydride on ketones, especially on 
acetophenone, CsH,O. The results are two bodies, NC,,H,, 
and a hydrocarbon. The former crystalline, and a weak base is 
formed according to the formulz, 
2C,H,O + NH, — 3U,0 = NC,,H,, 
2NC,4H», + 30 = 2NC,,H,» 
The hydrocarbon simultaneously formed is beautifully crystallised 
triphenylated benzol, C,H, (CgsH;); = C,,H,,. The reaction 
corresponds therefore to the formation of mesityline from 
acetone. Phosphoric anhydride and aniline seem to transform 
acetone into a base of the formula CH, (C = NC,H;) — CH, 
a liquid boiling between 210° — 220°.—C. Rammelsberg has 
investigated a so-called ozone-water, an article of trade, much 
advertised and praised for its medical properties. He has found 
no trace of ozone, but a small proportion of chlorine in it. 
Pursuing his researches, he found water of ordinary temperatures 
unable to absorb ozone without the application of pressure. The 
ozone was produced by Siemen’s tube. Referring to a popular 
error : he explains what is generally considered as the production 
of ozone by mixing potassic permanganate with sulphuric acid, by 
the unavoidable presence of potassicperchlorate.—C. Scheibler 
referred to a gum, C,.H,,O,, (isomeric with arabine) which he 
found in beetroot, and which is identical with metapectic acid. 
It occurs in two modifications turning the plane of polarisation 
to the right or to the lett. The latter is transformed by sulphu- 
ric acid into ‘‘arabin sugar” identical with the sugar he ob- 
tained by the same process from arabine. Both crystallise in 
identical rhombic prisms, turn the plane of polarisation to the 
right (2 = + 116), reduce solutions of copper, and do not 
ferment.—N. Michaelis has made the interesting discovery that 
aliquid phenylic phosphide is obtained by passing benzole and ter- 
cloride of phosphorus through red hot tubes. It corresponds 
to the formula, C,H;. P. Cl;, and boils at 222°.—A. Briickner, 
comparing two various mononitrophenoles, has found erroneousthe 
supposition that there are four bodies of this formula, which he 
has reduced to three.—N. Baumgarten refutes the generally 
adopted opinion that bromine replaces chlorine in chloric acid. 
His experiments corroborate the doubt expressed by J. Thom- 
son, and founded on his thermochemical researches.—C. Schor- 
lemmer continued his valuable communications on hephylic acids 
and alcohols, as derived from hepian and from cenenthol.— 
V. Meyer recommends, for analysing commercial chloral, to 
heat it with a certain quantity of potassa of known strength, 
and to determine volumetrically the quantity of potassa that 
remained uncombined with formic acid. 
PaRIS 
Academy of Sciences, May 12,—M. de Quatrefages, presi- 
-dent, in the chair.—The following papers were read :—Cn the 
portative force of magnets, by M. Jamin. The author thus de- 
nominates the carrying power of magnets, He exhibited two : 
an ordinary one weighing 6 and carrying 80 kilos, and one made 
on his principle, weighing 600 grammes and carrying 500 kilos ; 
the paper described their construction.—On the causes which 
produce the tumefaction of obsidian at a high temperature, by 
MM. Boussingauld and Damour.—New researches on aldol, by 
M. Ad. Wurtz. The author thus names a condensed aldehyde 
partaking of the properties of that body and of an alcohol,— 
Hydrologic studies of the Seine, by M. Belgrand.—The Academy 
then proceeded to elect a member of the physical section in 
the place of the late M. Babinet. M. P. Desains obtained 
32; M. Cornu, 13; M. Le Roux, 7; and MM. Bourget, Gau- 
gain, and Lucas I vote each. M. Desains was therefore declared 
duly ¢lected.—A report on MM. Troost and Hautefeuille’s 
paper on isomeric and allotropic !transformations was then read, 
and also one on a memoir on the proximate analysis of rocks, 
&c., by M. Fouqué.—On the water supply of Versailles during 
the first half of 1873, by M. E. Decaisne.—On the algebraic 
representation of bright lines in space, by Mr. W. Spottiswoode. 
—On the regulation of compasses, by M. Casparii—On an 
electro-diapason of continuous,movement, by M. E. Mercadier. 
—An answer to an observation of M. Raynaud on the conditions of 
maximum resistance in galvanometefs, by M. Th. du Moncel.— 
Observations on the notes of MM. du Moncel and Thenard on 
the decomposition of carbonic anhydride by the silent electric 
discharge, by M. G. Jean.—Observations on a paper by M. 
du Moncel on the condensed induction spark, by M. Houzeau, 
—On the action of sulphur on arsenic, by M. Angélis,—On the 
action of gaseous hydochloric acid on the compound ammonias, 
by M. Ch. Lauth.—On a modification of the optical sacchari- 
meter, by M. Prazmowski.—On the action of the dissolved 
oxygen of water on reducing agents, by MM, Schiitzenberger 
and Risler.—A new classification of the fresh-water algz of the 
genus Batrachospermum, by M. Siroclot—On spring and winter 
frosts, by;M. Martha-Beker. 
DIARY 
" THURSDAY, May22 
Society oF ANTIQUARIES, at 8.30.—Miscellaneous Antiquities. 
Royac InstiTuTion, at 3.—Light: Prof. Tyndall. 
FRIDAY, May 23. _ | ee 
Rovat InstiTuTION, at 9 —Spectra of Polarised Light : Mr. Spottiswoode, 
GgoLucists’ AssociaTion.—Excursion to Eastbourne and St, ards. 
SATURDAY, May 24. 
Royat INsTITUTION, at 3.—The Historical Method: John Morley. 
LINnNEAN SOCIETY, at 3.—Anniversary. 
MONDAY, May 26. 
GEOGRAPHICAL Socigty, at r.—Anniversary. 
TUESDAY, May 27. | 
INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS, at 9.—Conversazione. 
Roya InsTiTuTION, at 3.—Archzology of Rome: J. H. Parker, 
WEDNESDAY, May 28. 
Society oF Arts, at 8, e 
Grotocicau Society, at 8.—On the Glaciation of the Northern part of the 
Lake District’: J. Clifton Ward.—Alluvial and Lacustrine Deposits and 
Glacial Records of the Upper Indus Basin: Frederic Drew.—On the 
Nature and probable Origin of the superficial Deposits in the Valle: 
Deserts of Central Persia: W. T Blanford.—On the Cephalopo: 
and the Oolite Sands of Dorset and part of Somerset : James Buc! 
ARCHASOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION, at 8. 
PAMPHLETS RECEIVED, 
EncuisH.—The Method of Quantitative Induction in Physical Science: 
Dr. G. Hinrichs. —Two Essays diawn up for the Official Record of the Ex- 
hibition held in Melbourne, 1872-3. 1. On Preserved Meats. 2. OnColonial — 
Wines: Rev. J. I. Bleasdale, Melbourne.—Solar Radiation ; an Account of 
the Experiments made at Harpenden, Herts, by the Rev. F. W. Stow, M.A. 
—Report of the Entomological Society of Ontario, 1872.—The Geological 
Survey of Canada, Report of Progress for 1871-2.—The Fourth Annual 
Report of the State Board of Health of Massachusetts, January, 879— 
Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, Pt. 1, No. 17, Vol x. 
(Murray).—Local Biology : Rev. L. Blomfield (Bath).—Report of the Com- 
mittee on the Treatment and Utilisation of Sewage, 1871 (Taylor and 
Francis) 
CONTENTS pres 
Tue Future oF THE ENGLISH UNIverRsiTIESs. An Echo from Oxford. 61 
Fricx’s PHYsIKALISCHE TECHNIK » » + + » © © +» ©» » 8 = «© 02 
Our Book SHELF . 2.205 sss « s 6 0 6 s 0 sg meee 
LETTERS TO THE EpIToR :-- 
Forbes and Tyndall.—Prof. T. H. Huxtey, F.R.S.. . . . . . 
Forbes and Agassiz.—Prof.G, FoRBES . . . « « 6. . « 
Perception and Instinct in the Lower Animals.—A. R, WALLACE, 
The Origin of Volcanic Products.—Prof. T. Srgrry Hunt . . 
Kinetic Theory of Gases.—J. GUTHRIE . . . . fara le Me 
Kerguelen Cabbage.—J. R. Jones. « . e+ ss + et @ 
Yorkshire Terrier Story< 4s. . + = 0.0 s 9) cud) ouisiie 
BicHroMaTE PuotoGRAPHs. By H. BADEN PRITCHARD « . + «+ 
On THE METHOD oF COLLECTING AND PRESERVING ENTOMOSTRACA 
B LQISLSR LL 
AND OTHER Microzoa. By G. S. Brapy (With Diagram) ._. . 
On THE ORIGIN AND METAMORPHOSES OF INsECTS, IV. By Sir JoHN 
Lussock, Bart., M.P., F.R.S. (With [dlustrations.) . . + . « . 70 
EXxTIRPATION BY COLLECTORS OF RARE PLANTS AND ANIMALS. By 
Dr. G.Guitiver; F.RiSieete el ee. fe. 5 
A FRENCH Puysicat Society. By M. Cornu. . . . 6 « + « « 93 
Notes <1 )0 a> Oped aaa gee 2600 fe (0) alien! «ine 
CoMPARISON OF THE SPECTRA OF THE LIMB AND THE CENTRE OF THE 
Sun. By C.S. Hastines (With Illustration). . 1... « «+ 77 
THE/INSTINGT. QUESTION Meets bof S~. “ej. 6. Mele Tl ne 
Screntiric SERIALS (With Ldlustration) . . . 1 + «1 © © ss 79 
SocreTIEs AND ACADEMIES «+ + + + + + ©» s @ ae yee | 
PAMPHLETS RECRIVAD “Goss. + 6 + 8 6s re 
Diary , . on <M! 
and 
Bed 
