96 
the illuminating power was increased about sixty-fold. The 
angles of the leukoscope became likewise greater with the rising 
intensity of the light in such a manner that a curve traced with 
the light intensities as abscissee and the angles as ordinates is 
concave to the abscissze and approaches assymptotically a 
maximum near 78°, an angle approximately equal to the angle 
(79°) of the glowing carbons of the electric are light. The 
measurements with a Siemens’ incandescent lamp gave also 
numbers which could be represented by a similar curve. 
Paris = 
Academy of Sciences, November 13.—M. Jamin in the 
chair.—The following papers were read :—Results of experi- 
ments made with electric candles at the Exhibition of Electri- 
city, by M. Allard and others. The systems examined, those of 
Jablochkoff, Jamin, and Debrun, now produce nearly the same 
economical results.—On the reproduction of osmides of iridium, 
by M. Debray. Osmium and iridium may crystallise together 
in all proportions, without the form of their combination being 
altered. They are then isomorphous. And natural osmides 
may be true isomorphous mixtures, belonging to the cubic sys- 
tem, notwithstanding the hexagonal appearance of certain varie- 
ties (but this view is given with reserve, natural osmides being 
of complex composition).—Report to the Bureau des Longitudes 
on the approaching eclipse of May 6, 1883, by M. Janssen. 
—Note on the telluric lines and the spectrum of aqueous 
vapour, by M. Janssen, He recalls his own method, based on 
study of the spectrum cf water vapour in a tube; he is now 
working at it. The ¢e//uric lines (so called by him) are histori- 
cally quite different from the dads of Brewster ; (an expres- 
sion of M. Cornu’s seemed to affirm their equivalence.) 
—On the currents produced by nitrates in igneous fusion, 
in contact with red hot carbon, by M. Brard. Owing 
to the tendency of fused nitrates to spread in heated 
bodies, a current may be had if a short carbon rod with 
one end put in the nitrate has only the other end incan- 
descent ; also if fused nitrate in a metal capsule is placed on 
burning carbon (the nitrate soaks through, so that the outer 
surface of the capsule becomes quite moist) ; indeed, such a 
capsule merely hung over a centre of combustion gives a current 
(from the nitrate bath to the outer surface of the capsule). The 
effect is improved by putting plumbago, or lampblack, on the 
outside, and covering all with metallic foil. Nitrates kept in 
fusion have great fixity—Chemical studies on the white beet of 
Silesia (continued), by M. Leplay.—Observations made during 
the total eclipse of the sun of May 17, 1882, by M. Tacchini. 
He gives a vésemé of his memoir, which will shortly appear.— 
On Abelian differential equations in the case of reduction of the 
number of periods, by M. Picard. —On a theorem of M. Tisserand, 
by M. Stieltjes. —Extension of the problem of Riemann to hyper- 
geometric functions of two variables, by M. Goursat.—On the 
development of functions in series of other functions, by M. 
Hugoniot.—On the exactness of measurements made with the 
mercury thermometer, by M. Crafts. The pressure (of the air) 
has little influence. Permanent elevation of the fixed points, 
produced at a high temperature, preserves the thermometer against 
the influence of heat, in this respect, at lower temperatures.—Con- 
clusions of hydrodynamic experiments in imitation of phenomena 
of electricity and magnetism ; reply to a note of M. Ledieu, by 
M. Decharme. ‘The theory of waves seems to him to be ‘‘ the 
secret cf nature,” and he places the results of his experiments 
against the unverified ideas of M. Ledieu.—Electric deforma- 
tions of quartz, by MM. Jacques and Curie. With delicate 
apparatus, they observed and measured such deformation when 
a charge was given to two pieces of tin at the opposite ends of 
the electric axis. The dilatations measured agreed satisfactorily 
with those calculated from the electricity liberated.—On the 
electrification of air, by M. Mascart. In the Amphitheatre of 
the College of France he electrified the air by discharging a 
Leyden jar with a flame, during ten seconds; another flame, 
8m. off, communicated with an electrometer in an adjoining 
hall. The maximum deflection in the latter was reached in 
about a quarter of an hour ; then there was slow diminution, but 
after two hours 1-20th of the maximum still remained. The 
electrified gas probably rises and is diffused like smoke. To 
study the lower atmospheric layers, the potential should be de- 
termined ina large inclosure formed of metallic netting, con- 
nected with the ground.—On atmospheric nitrification, by MM. 
Muntz and Aubin. A constant absence of nitrates in meteoric 
waters was observed at the top of the Pic du Midi (nearly 
WA TURE 
| Mov. 23, 1882 
3000m.). A comparison of thunderstorms shows the summit 
to be generally above them. Atmospheric nitrification is 
probably produced in the lower regions of the air.—On the de- 
composition of phosphates at a high temperature by sulphate of 
potash, by M. Grandeau.—Point of solidification of various 
mixtures of naphthaline and stearic acid, by M. Courtonne.— 
On cenocyanine, by M. Maumené.—On the cause of liberation 
of oxygen from oxygenated water by fibrine; influence of hydro- 
cyanic acid exhausting the activity of fibrine, by M. Béchamp. 
He shows that the fibrine loses somewhat ; and that it no longer 
decomposes oxygenated water nor fluidifies starch, nor gives 
bacteria.—On the signification of the polar cells of insects, by 
M. Balbiani.—On the vaso-dilator reflex of the ear, by MM. 
Dastre and Morat.—Phenomena of death from cold in Mam- 
malia, by MM, Richet and Rondeau. The respiratory and 
cardiac functions may be suspended for half an hour, without 
death certainly ensuing. (Rabbits, shaved (vas¢s), were inclosed 
in flexible tin tubes, through which flowed salt water cooled to 
—7° C.).—Analogies and differences between curare and strych- 
nine, as regards their physiological action, by M. Couty.x—On 
the causes of migration of sardines, by M. Launette. Each 
migration is normally under the two conditions of food and 
temperature combined.—Contribution to the geological history 
of the iron of Pallas, by M. Meunier. 
VIENNA 
Imperial Academy of Sciences, October 12.—V. Oppol- 
zer, finding the reduction to infinitesimal arcs of vibration at 
pendulum-observations. —H. Kreuter, computation of the trajec- 
tory of the comet 1771.—V. Barth and T. Schreder, on the 
behaviour of benzoic acid if dissolved in caustic potash.—N. 
Tierz, the theory of computations of the trajectory of a comet. 
Ociober 19.—R. v. Lendenfeld, on a new self-registrating 
thermometer.—V. Oppolzer, on an eclipse of the sun men- 
tioned by Archilochos.—W. Demel, on the Dopyrlerite of 
Ausser (Styria).—W. Gintl and F. Reinitzer, on the constituents 
of the leaves of Fraxinus excelsior, L. 
CONTENTS Pacg 
THE. CHALLENGER REPORTS 0\ fay (el) che) Kopin sere anesthe) NomCMT EE 
TIGHT wees en ROP OT rca os err on an AS 
Our Book SHELF:— 
Brown’s “ Practical Chemistry ”’ Cera ce ci 
Lupton’s ‘* Elementary Chemical Arithmetic’ . . ... .. 76 
Britten’s “‘ Watch and Clockmaker’s Handbook,”—H. Denr 
(ON PL ee lo att ideo! Bases! Go 4 0 40 
Duncanss sy eraesiof oclence, gic ie eaten one te meee! tena ennny 
LxTTERS To THE Eprror:— 
Physics of the Earth’s Crust.—Rev. O. FisHzeR . . . . . «. . 76 
Shadows after Sunset.—E. DouGLas ARCHIBALD _. . +. . . 77 
An Abnormal Fruit of Opuntia Ficus-Indica.—Dr, A. Ernst (With 
Illustration) eo Noe. is av Feney qaaerete oe 
pre ated 
The Comet.—B. J. Hopkins . ho oo BOO 
Soda Flames in Coal Fires.—Major J. HeRscHEL . . - . . - 78 
Complementary Colours—A Mock Sunset.—I. H. . ... . . 78 
A Lunar Halo.—J. Ranp Capron . PAN en fab OH (Chenin - 78 
A Correction.—E. L. LAyARD . . . . » - « 
Thomson’s Mouse-Mill Dynamo,—J. T. BorromLey 
“Weather Forecasts.”",-—CHARLES W. HARDING. . . 
Age of Dogs.—R. CORDINER. . « » + « « + « « 
Waterspouts on Land.—James Hosack. . »« - « + « «= = += 79 
METEOROLOGY OF THE MALay ARCHIPELAGO . . - +s. - + s . 
Tue Comer. By J. K. Rees; Prof. S. C. CHANDLER, Jun. (With 
VO} Tod 5) eR Pe OMe on Os te Cte Deri ace ch Omge co 
INFLUENCE OF ‘f ENVIRONMENT” UPON Pants. By W. T. THISELTON 
Dyer, C.M.G., F.R.S. a Wal tig | 0 te eles ee are BE eee 
Tue MacGnetic Storm anp Aurora. By W. H. M. Curistie; 
F.R.S. ; Prof.C. Prazzt Smyru, Astronomer Royal for Scotland; 
G. M. Wuirete; J. Ranp Capron; R. H. Tippeman; J. EpMuND 
CrarK; H. Crirrorp Girt; Henry Roginson; A. M. WorTHING- 
ton; THos. Gwyn Excer; Miss C. Rose Inciesy; C. H. 
Romanes; E. Brown; FRANK STAPLETON; Rev. STEPHEN H. 
Saxsy; Dr. Hupert Airy: Major J. HerscHet; A. S. P.; H. D. 
Taytor; T. P. BarKas: W. Maxgic Jones ; GEORGE RAYLEIGH 
Vicars ; Prof. J. P. O’Remtty; JonnL. Donson . . ... » 
Tue CHLOROPHYLL CorpuscLtes oF Hypra. By Prof. E. Ray 
PO ais SLC ChO Le Gibae ed Io Une Gk OMG lol aed Soo fy 
NOTES: sy cstle Rome yada Te cin oc Se) cole c tek co clare) MORE Eom 
BiotocicaLt NorTes:— 
Apparent Bird-tracks by the Sea-Shore . . . - « + «© + + «= OF 
nite ate) s 
) 
ve) 
82 
Australian Freshwater Sponges . ». © «© © + + © © «© + «© + OF 
Earth-worms in New Zealand . . - + 2 + + © + + + «© « OF 
The Genesis of the Hypophysis in Petromyzon Planeri. - - . - Qt 
Formic and Acetic Acid in Plants . . . «+ «+ «© + + + + + «© QF 
'GEOGRAPHICAESNOTES | © SLs ich te Foe luiet te ete at fe) = int Ca 
Tue Peracic FAUNA OF FRESHWATER LAKES . + «~~ + + - + Q2 
UNIVERSITY AND EDUCATIONALINTELLIGENCE + + + - + + + = 93 
ScrenTiFic SERIALS . 2. - © © + © © © e @ 2 age ee 
| Sears eit ck cm Lcd 04 
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