48 
NATURE 
- < . ae | 
_ [NMov. 9, 1882 
droxybenzoic acids and iodosalicylic acids, by Dr. A. K. Miller. 
The author has succeeded in preparing the sixth dihydroxyben- 
zoic acid ; five being already known. It was obtained by heat- 
ing salicylic acid and iodine in alcoholic solution, two iodo- 
salicylic acids were formed, which yielded two distinct dihy- 
droxybenzoic acids when heated with potash.—On crystalline 
molecular compounds of naphthalene and benzene with antimony 
trichloride, by Watson Smith and G. W. Davis. By melting 
three parts by weight of antimony trichloride with two of 
naphthalene, minute crystals were obtained, 3SbCl,, 2C,,H, ; 
similarly with benzene, a body, 3SbCl;, 2CgH., was prepared.— 
Additional evidence, by an analysis of the quinoline molecule, 
that this base belongs to the aromatic series of organic substances, 
by Watson Smith and G. W. Davis. The authors have studied 
the effect of exhaustive percblorination (by heating with antimony 
pentachloride) on quinolin ; perchlorethane, peichlorbenzene, and 
nitrogen were obtained.—On orcin and some of the other dioxy- 
toluols, by R. H. C. Nevile and Dr, A. Winther. The authors 
have prepared the dioxytoluol 1. 3. 5, starting from the dinitro- 
toluol 1. 3. 5, and have found it to be identical in all its reac- 
tions and physical properties with orcin. They have also 
prepared the dioxytoluols 1. 2. 4 and 1. 2. 5, and have inves- 
tigated the preparation of the body 1. 3. 4.—On the varying 
quantities of malt albumenoids extracted by waters of different 
types, by E. R. Moritz and A. Hartley.—On the derivatives of 
ethylene-chlor-bromide, by J. W. James. The author gives 
details as to the preparation of this body, and has studied the 
action of sodium sulphite upon ethylene chlorobromide, ethylene 
dibromide, and ethylene chlorothiocyanate ; also the action of 
ammonia upon an ethereal solution of chlorethylsulphonic 
chloride. 
PARIS 
Academy of Sciences, October 30.—M. Blanchard in the 
chair.—The following papers were read :—Remarks on the 
theory of shocks, by M. Resal.—Results of experiments made 
at the Exhibition of Electricity on machines and regulators with 
continuous current, by MM. Allard, Joubert, Le Blanc, Potier, 
and Tresca. Thirteen different combinations are dealt with, and 
data regarding mechanical work, electric resistance, intensity, 
luminous power, economical efficiency, &c., tabulated. Another 
paper, to appear soon, will treat of other systems. In nearly all 
the experiments the total motor work is very well represented 
by the corre-ponding electric work.—Rational conception of the 
nature and propagation of electricity (continued), by M. Ledieu, 
Electricity is, no more than heat or light, to be regarded as a 
special agent under particular mechanical laws. As to the 
phenomenal cause, it is simply the potential energy of the ether 
associated with the ponderable matter, especially in the form of 
atmospheres round the molecules. It has for counterpart the 
portion of potential energy of the ponderable matter, which 
constitutes chiefly Zatent heat.—On the efficacy of lightning con- 
ductors, by M. Hirn. A very faulty conductor may sometimes 
protect a house. One such near Colmar, on a house 15m. high, 
consisted (in descending order) of a conical brass point, an iron 
rod about 8m. long, on which this was screwed, and a wire, 
hardly o-co7m. diameter, in pieces with terminal rings, passing 
down to a piece of iron o’5m. long in a hole in the moist ground. 
In a violent storm (the thunder of which brought down plaster 
from ceilings), the rod was struck, and the brass cone fused, but 
no part of the current left the conductor. During over forty 
years’ observations, M. Hirn has never seen lightning strike any 
of the forty or fifty lightning rods on the works of Logelbach. 
Yet, during a thunderstorm, these rods work actively ; as he 
has proved by means of derived circuits from the uninterrupted 
conductors, yielding currents with magnetising power. He has 
even drawn currents from a conductor separated by a thin leaf 
of caoutchouc ; the thin copper wire was never fused.—Appli- 
cation of the law of complementary colours to temporary de- 
coloration of diamonds tinted yellow, by MM. Chatrian and 
Jacobs. The yellow diamond is merely put in a solu- 
tion of the complementary colour (violet), and it comes out 
white ; but mere washing brings back the yellow.—Chemical 
studies on the sugar beet called the white beet of Silesia, by M. 
Leplay.—On certain quadratic forms, and on some discontinuous 
groups, by M. Picard.—On trigonometric series, by M. Poincaré. 
—Reply to M. Faye’s objections to Dr. Siemens’ theory of the 
sun, by Dr. Siemens.—On an extension of the principles of areas 
and of movement of the centre of gravity, by M. Levy.—On 
the longitudinal vibrations of elastic rods, and the motion of a 
rod carrying at its end an additional mass, by MM. Sébert and 
Hugoniot.—New expressions of the work and economic efficiency 
of electric motors, by M. Deprez.—On a modification required 
in enunciation of the law of isomorphism, by M. Klein. In the 
second part of the law, stating that isomorphous bodies have a 
similar chemical composition, it is necessary to say, instead, that 
they have either a similar chemical composition, or present 
a centesimal composition slightly different, while containing 
a group of elements that are common or of identical chemical 
functions, and whch form much the largest part of them by 
weight.—Researches on the thorite of Arendal, by M. Nilson.— 
Rapid process of determination of salicylic acid in beverages, by 
M. Rémont.—Distribution of ammonia in the air and aqueous 
meteors at great altitudes, by MM. Muntz and Aubin. On the 
Pic du Midi (2877 m.), the quantity of ammonia in the air was 
much the same as on low ground (or 1°35 mgr. per 100 cub. m.) ; 
that in rain water considerably less ; also that in snow and in 
mist.—New chemical and physiological researches on some 
organic liquids (water of sea-urchins, water of hydatic cysts and 
cysticerci, amniotic liquid), by MM. Mourson and Schlagden- 
hauffen.—On the evolution of Peridinians and the peculiarities 
of organisation connecting them with Noctiluce, by M. Pouchet. 
—Hypsometric map of Turkey in Asia, published at Tiflis, 
under direction of General Stebnitzky. Previous maps are 
shown to need correction in orography.—Action of oil on sea- 
waves, by M. Virlet d’Aoust. An experience of his in Greece 
in 1830 shows that the method was practised by seamen there. 
He also notes the calming effect of petroleum rising ‘in the bed 
of a Mexican river, and carried into the sea.—On the cultivation 
of opium in Zambesia, by M. Guyot. This was begun in 1879 
at Chaima, near Niopea, about 6 km, from the Zambesi. In 
1881 it engaged 300 workers, 250 of whom were blacks and 
50 natives of India. In India the opium sells for 50 to 60 
francs the kilogramme. 
GOTTINGEN 
Royal Society of Sciences, June 10.—On the occurrence 
of cleistogamous flowers in the family of the Pontederacee, H. 
Grafen zu Solms-Laubach.—On Arabian navigation, by S. 
Gildemeister.— On gradually developing contact-electricity with 
co-operation of air, by W. Holtz.—Optical studies on garnet, 
by C. Klein. 
August 1.—On the measurement of the winding surface of a 
wire-coil by the galvanic method, and on the absolute resistance 
of the mercury-unit, by F. Kohlrausch.—On triazo compounds, 
by H. Hubner.—On the method proposed by M. Guebhard for 
representation of equipotential lines, by H. Meyer.—On the 
neurology of the Petromyzonts, by F. Ahlborn. 
CONTENTS Pace 
A SearcH FoR “‘ATLANTIS’” WITH THE Microscope. By Dr. 
PN oe eV) UGE GS LOM o Olialomo ws coc on 2 2D 
THE LIFE OF Crere (MAXWELE <) 2) je) fe) 8 = ceiiie) (> Sey fo oie 
Our Book SHELF :— 
Burmeister’s ‘Description Physique de la République Argentine 
d’aprés des Observations Personelles et Etrangéres’”’ . . . . 28 
Scudder’s ‘‘ Nomenclator Zoologicus” . ........ .- 28 
LRTTERS TO THE EpITroR:— 
‘© Weather Forecasts.’’—Rev. W. ClemenT Ley. . . . . » « 29 
The Comet.—C. J. B. Wittiams; W. J. MILLER; WALTER 
HiftGGInson‘and|B) MANNING ©) 0 =~ je) pil = te el eee 
Two Kinds of Stamens with Different Functions in the same 
Flower.—Dr. HERMANN MULLER (W2th Illustrations). . . » 30° 
A Curious Halo.—Father Marc DECHEVRENS . . = pene. 
Habits of Scypho-Meduse.—Surgeon-Major H. B.Gupry . . . 31 
Prof. Owen on Primitive Man.—GranT ALLEN . . . . + + « 3% 
Magnetic Arrangement of Clouds.—C. H. RomMaAnES . . . + ~ 3% 
The Umdhlebi Tree of Zululand.—H. M.C. . .. . . « « « 32 
The Weather: —J- Mi ROUNTAING =) (=: >| «oi elel (aleiile) Games mnae 
ON THE GRADUATION OF GALVANOMBTERS FOR THE MEASUREMENT 
oF CURRENTS AND PoTENTIALS IN ABSOLUTE Measure. By 
Anprew Gray (With Diagrams) 32 
Tue ITALIAN EXPLORATION OF THE MEDITERRANEAN. | By Dr. Te 
Gwyn JEFFREYS, F-R'S.- 20. 2 es ew ee ee 8 ee GF 
Wire Guns, II. By James A. Loncripce. C.E. (With Diagrams) . 35 
Ben Nevis OpseRvATORY. By Crement R. WRAGGE. 539 
Tue Oyster INDUSTRY OF THE UNITED STATES. . . « « «© + + 39 
NOTES: )) sec, etoile ee it ce feo Serle. a) ‘s! (0) fie] pao ORG 
Our AstTrRonomicaL CoLtumMN:— 
Comet x88aiO0 octet eh ot ier col st we) ie i ger Sof SS 
‘The November Meteors . . + « © = 3 © © © 5 «© © « ©) 49) 
GEOGRAPHICAI;NOTES ~ 2 = 2 2 s+ «= «5 0 ore = ss hee 48 
Tue Aims AND METHop oF Grotocicat Inquiry. By Prof. JAMES 
Gerkir, LL.D., F.R.S. L.andE.. Pate en, Oia ony ore 
THE SENSES OF BEES «i, a1) syselae) ss =) lap ae UE nies el Sn oa 
INVERTEBRATE CASTS VERSUS ALG# IN PaL#ozorc STRATA. . . . 46 
BioLOGY INTIAL Y. co Woh: TEND OLS cee y Renmin, Wiel may ccna th eee rag 
UNIVERSITY AND EpDUCATIONALINTELLIGENCE «© ». + + + + + + 47 
SCTENTIFIC SRRIAES =. 95 0 Ye 4 dais) el gs s 5 ye 47 
SocigstTIEs AND ACADEMIES. . . « + - © © «© + *© © © © « 47 
