120 
NATURE 
[ Mov. 30, 1882 
M. Veth.—On the functions of a single variable similar to the 
polynémes of Legendre, by M. Hugoniot.—On the motion of a 
system of two electrified particles of ponderable matter, and on 
the integration of a class of equations with partial derivatives, 
by M. Lévy.—Production by the dry way of some crystallised 
uranates, by M. Ditte.—On the second anhydride of mannite, 
by M. Fouconnier.—Action of tri-ethylamine on symmetrical 
trichlorhydrine, and on the two isomeric dichlorhydric glycides, 
by M. Reboul.—Note on the study of /ongrain, and the 
measures of schistosity in schistous rocks by means of their 
thermic properties, by M. Jannettaz. The large axis of the iso- 
thermal surface is parallel to the /omgrain or second cleavage, 
and the small axis is perpendicular to the first cleavage or plane 
of schistosity.—Lithine, strontian, and boric acid in the mineral 
waters of Contrexeville and of Schinzmark (Switzerland), by M. 
Dieulafait.—Experiments on the calcination of alunite in 
powder, for manufacture of alum and sulphate of alumina, by 
M. Guyot.—On the anastomoses of striated muscular fibres in 
invertebrates, by M. Jousset de Bellesme. They insure simultaneous 
contraction (e.g. in gastric glands).— On the functions of the digiti- 
form or superanal gland of Plagiostomes, by M. Blanchard, It 
appears to be a true pancreas.—Evolution of the epithelium of 
poison glands in the toad, by M. Calmels.—On two tertiary 
Plagiaulax, obtained in the neighbourhood of Rheims, by M. 
Lemoine.—On the 7imgis of the pear-tree, by M. Carlet.—Some 
letters on the recent aurora were communicated, 
BERLIN 
Physiological Society, November 10,—Prof, Du Bois- 
Reymond in the chair.—Dr. J. Geppert gave an account of 
some experiments which he and Dr. A. Fraenkel had made on 
the effect of rarefied air on the organism, in order to test the 
statements which [rof, Paul Bert had made on respiration in 
rarefied air, and the accompanying deficiency of oxygen in the 
blood. ‘The animal experimented on—a dog—was unfettered 
in a box of sheet iron, with a glass window, in which it was 
possible to produce every desirable pressure with an air-pump, 
and the ventilation could easily be accomplished during the 
attained rarefaction. Ifthe gas pressure in the box was sinking, 
by degrees, the animal did not show any change in its behaviour 
or its functions until the pressure was reduced to 38cm. Then 
and at a further lessening of the pressure, the animal became 
restless, the respiration grew deeper and faster; again, at a 
further rarefaction of air, the movements became uncertain and 
giddy; at a pressure of 25 cm., one-third atmosphere, the 
animal fell asleep like a normal sleeping animal, and could 
remain so six or seven hours without any hindrance to his later 
complete restoration; occasionally awakened, the animal had 
severe paroxysms of dyspnoea, which, however, soon passed, 
and it fell again fast asleep. By further rarefaction, nearly to 
15 cm., severe paroxysms of dyspnoea and convulsions very 
soon caused the death. Nearly the same appearance and the 
same succession of phenomena aéronauts have described during 
balloon ascensions: in the first stage a quite normal feeling, 
then accelerated and deeper respiration, faintness of the limbs, 
which increased to paralysis ; during the increasing inability of 
moving the voluntary muscles, drowsiness begins, from which 
there was no awakening if the balloon still rises to more rarefied 
regions, as was the case with the unhappy aéronauts Crave, 
Spinelli, and Sivel. These symptoms differ in no way from the 
phenomena described in these experiments, but the stages begin 
much sooner, and the 25cm, pressure at which the dog only fell 
into a deep sleep is the extreme limit of available rarefaction for 
the aéronaut. The cause of this more early beginning of the 
stages of disease may be first the low temperature of the higher 
regions which Mr. Glaisher showed to sink till — 20°, and other- 
wise the continuous muscular activity causing stronger effects of 
the lower degree of rarefaction. Quite another appearance is 
presented by the mountain disease which is characterised by 
nausea, choking, and vomiting, besides the strong respiratory 
movements and increased heart’s action. Dr. Geppert supposes 
that neither the often but moderate degree of rarefaction 
(60 cm. pressure) nor the trifling want of oxygen is the vera 
causa, but, as Mr. Dufour has already asserted, the extreme weari- 
ness of the body. (In the discussion which followed Dr. 
Geppert’s communication, Prof. Du Bois-Reymond observed 
that some years ago he had advanced and proved the theory that 
the mountain disease, especially the vomiting on ascending high 
mountains, was a reflex phenomenon due to’the very strong 
dazzling of the eyes by the vast intensely white and brightly 
insolated snow-fields.) Again, Dr. Geppert has] made many 
measurements on the absorption of the oxygen by the arterial 
blood at varying gas teusions, The manner of blood-letting, the 
measuring of its volume, and the gas analysis, were much exacter 
and less objectionable than in the corresponding experimentst 
of Mr. Bert, particularly for the measuring of the blood volume, 
an ingenious apparatus was used. The results of these experi- 
ments were that the proportion of oxygen in the arterial bluod 
remained normal with decreasing oxygen tension, till the gas 
pressure was sunk to 4ocm, At further sinking of gas-pressure 
the proportion of oxygen in the blood decreased, and the de- 
ficiency of oxygen grew very considerable. Finally Dr. Gepper 
concluded that in the action of rarefied air on the proportion of 
the oxygen in the blood the physical absorption plays not so 
much a part as rather the chemical affinity for haemoglobin for the 
oxygen.—i’rof. Munk then reported briefly on experiments 
executed by Mr. Orshansky in his laboratory on the influence of 
anemia on the electric excitability of the brain ; the anemia was 
produced by pouring the blood out of the femoral artery, and 
the excitability was tested in that part of the brain-surface which 
is tbe centre of motion of the fore and hinder legs, partly with 
the constant, partly with the inductive stream. In the first 
stages of the ble ding there was no change of excitability, then 
it increased, till avout one-seventh of the total blood volume was 
poured out, then any further loss of blood continuously decreased 
the excitability, ull finally, when about two-thirds of the 
blood was gone it sunk to zero. In every stage of anemia the 
maximum of corresponding change of excitability never ap- 
peared immediately, but some time after bleeding. Through all 
the changiig of stages of excitability, except when the irritability 
was sunk to zero, re-creation and return to the normal state took 
place after an interv:l. No certain relation between the blood- 
pressure after the bleeding, and the rate of irritability corres- 
ponding to that state of anemia could be established. , 
VIENNA 
Imperial Academy of Sciences, November 2.—T. Hor- 
baczewski, on the synthesis of uric acid.—V. Patelt, on the 
development of the ucous membrane of the large intestine. 
—A. Taroliniek, on the relation between tension and tempera- 
ture of saturated vapours and saturated carbonic acid.—E. 
Weiss, computations of the positions of the cometary nebulz 
discovered by T. J]. Schinidt, of Athens, on October 9.—Hr,. 
Weidel and Kk. Hazura, on cinchonine.-—R. Wegacheider, on 
isovanilline.—T’. y. Oppolzer, on the criterion relating to the 
existence of thy utions of the cometic problem.—T. Wies- 
ner, studies on witheriog leaves and leaf-shoot, a contribution to 
the knowledge of the transplantation of plants. 
CONTENTS Pacr 
Tue Inpian SURVEY By Major ALLaN CuNNINGHAM,R.E. . « 07 
GREEN’S “‘ GEOLOGY * 5 Sy OC mt eRe cam cho see 
Our Boox SHEL 
Yarrell’s ** History of British Birds ”” rer oeire Came <0) 
“ Episodes in he Life fan Indian Chaplain” 2) 69 
LETTERS T? THE 
Sir George Airy on the Forth Bridge.—Cuar tes SHaALER SMITH. 99 
The Aurora.—Prof. EBERT McLeop; Rev. CwHartes J. 
Tayitor; | ErHEN H Saxpy.; ALFRED BATSON . . . 09 
Lavoisier. Pr and the Discovery of Oxygen—G. F. 
RODWELL 5 eo cae Oates : - 100 
The Comet. —M HIB RSGHETAg so fe bet ote Se! oe FeO RLOS 
An Urgent Ne nthrop-logy.—W. L. Distant . . . . Ior 
A Modifica old-leaf Mlectroscope and a Mode of Regis- 
tering its Che FREDERICK JOHNSMITH . ... . « «= I02 
Pala lithic Gr VorTHINGTON,G. SMitH. . . % 1 . 5 zoe2 
Ancient Monu s.—WorTHINGTON G. SMITH . . . » « « 02 
Shadows after Sunse!.—J. Ranp Carron a wie’. segue areiigde It aaa MaRKEES 
On the Isomeri \lhuminous Bodies. —SHIGETAKE SAGIURA - 103 
An Extraordin nar Haio.—J. P. BarkKas : 103 
Meteor.—W I ei) one pea oe me setey aete! Lobuts 103 
Flames in Coal —SM. . os * “5 nf oAl pistons By Gk 
Waterspouts on —foun Greppes McInTosu * a 6 13k 
Nores FROM THE Li oF Cart,1s Dawson, R.A., In Com- 
MAND OF THE k IRCUMPOLAR EX®EDITION . . . . «© « 103 
On THE Geabu LVANOMA1l FoR THE MEASUREMENT 
OF Curr rs IALS IN ABSOLUTE Measure, IJ. By 
Anprew Gray ( Yagram) . .. oy ae 6. dats) DOA 
PRoFEssor Lik ) RESVEUOL) eh. Te is eon eaten ee TOD 
THE Comer. B er W. T. Sampson, U.S.N.; Dr. C. J. B. 
WILLIAMS Diagrams) PP 5G. ame Tes 
THE APPRO EF May'6, 2883) ct icuee sues je) #) 0) re KO 
THe TRANS! WepNeSDAY, DECEMBER6 . .. . « ZI2 
Noves : 5.6 : ot mo . 112 
On THE Tr s. By Prof. Wat. HARKNESS 114 
UNIVERSITY f ~NAL INTELLIGENCE . . 2.6 117 
SocieTIEs AND A eel te) <s 5 AG wcrc do. 1 Ly 
