‘io : 
Dec. 14, 1882] 
NATURE 
167 
1880). The lowest limit of this map was fixed by conditions 
of the diffraction-apparatus, and not by a falling-off of the sen- 
sitiveness of the plates at this low point; for, when a prismatic 
apparatus was used, photographs were obtained which show a 
continuous spectrum down as far as A 12,000. 
In a subsequent paper (PAz/. Zrans., 1881, p. 887), Capt. 
Abney, working with Lieut.-Col, Festing, R.E., applied this 
new extension of photography to a research on the influence of 
the atomic grouping in the molecules of the organic bodies on 
their absorption in the infra-red region of the spectrum. The 
authors believe that their results indicate, without much doubt, 
that the complex substances they examined can be grouped 
according to their absorption spectra, and that such grouping, 
as far as their experiments go, agrees on the whole with that 
adopted by chemists. They have more confidence in their 
results, as they were careful to select such bodies as might be 
regarded as typical; but, of course, much patient labour of 
many, for a long period, will be necéssary before this new branch 
of physico-chemical research can be regarded as fully established 
in any complete form. 
Capt. Abney has since carried on his work in this new region 
of the spectrum at different elevations during a recent visit to 
Switzerland. 
The Davy Medal has been awarded to D. Mendeleeff and 
Lothar Meyer. 
The attention of chemists had for many yeats past been 
directed to the relations between the atomic weights of the 
elements and their respective physical and chemical properties ; 
and a considerable number of remarkable facts had been esta- 
- blished by previous workers in this field of inquiry. 
The labours of Mendeleeff and Lothar Meyer have generalised 
and extended our knowledge of those relations, and have laid 
the foundation of a general system of classification of the ele- 
ments. They arrange the elements in the empirical order of 
their atomic weights, beginning with the lightest and proceeding 
step by step to the heaviest known elementary atom. After 
hydrogen the first fifteen terms of the series are the following, 
viz. :— 
Lyla ay egw oY/ jeersodiume fea ec.) 23 
Berylium 9°4 Magnesium ... 24 
Boron... coe merit Aluminium See ee! 
Carbone ss) , 02 Suconieey essen) 
INVECOSEM sce se D4! Phosphorus... 31 
@Oxyeen i c-. 16 Sulphur <7) 2. 32 
Mlworine) i. -.-. + 19 ‘Chionine™ =. |...) 35 
| Potas:ium ... 2 
No one who is acquainted with the most fundamental pro- 
perties of these elements can fail to recognise the marvellous 
regularity with which the differences of property, distinguishing 
each of the first seven terms of this series from the next term, 
are reproduced in the next seven terms. 
Such periodic reappearance of analogous properties in the 
series of elements has been graphically illustrated in a very 
striking manner with respect to their physical properties, such as 
melting-points and atomic volumes. In the curve which repre- 
sents the relations of atomic volumes and atomic weights analo- 
gous elements occupy very similar positions, and the same thing 
holds good in a striking manner with respect to the curve repre- 
senting the relations of melting-points and atomic weights. 
Like every great step in our knowledge of the order ofnature, 
this periodic series not only enables us to see clearly much that 
we could not see before, it also raises new difficulties, and points 
to many problems which need investigation. It is certainly a 
most important extension of the science of chemistry. 
UNIVERSITY AND EDUCATIONAL 
INTELLIGENCE 
CAMBRIDGE.—The examiners for the Natural Science Tripos 
in 1883 are Lord Rayleigh, Mr. Vernon Harcourt (Oxford), Dr. 
A, M. Marshall (Owens College), Dr. R. D. Roberts, Mr. J. N. 
Langley, Mr. L. Fletcher (Oxford) of the British Museum, Mr. 
A, Hill, and Dr. Vines. 
The time for the presentation of the report of the Syndicate 
appointed to frame regulations for the Doctorates of Science and 
of Letters is extended to the end of next term. 
The increased work of the museums and the larger number of 
departments has caused an excess of expenditure over the ordi- 
nary income 30co/. allowed by the University, during the 
past year. The expenditure -has included a provision of micro- 
scopes for the morphological and physiological laboratories at a 
cost of nearly 150/., and a Bianchi air-pump for the chemical 
laboratory, costing 83/. The balance which has accrued is 804/, 
which is asked for as a special grant from the chest. 
Mr. A. S. Shipley, of Christ’s College, has been nominated 
to study at the Zoological Station at Naples for the first six 
months of 1883. 
A Clothworkers’ Exhibition of 52/. 10s., tenable for three 
years, will be awarded by means of the examination of the 
Oxford and Cambridge Schools Examination Board in July 
next, The successful candidate must be or become a non-colle- 
giate student at Oxford or Cambridge. 
There will be an examination at Gonville and Caius College, 
beginning on March 9, 1883, for one Shuttleworth Scholarship, 
value 60/. per annum, tenable for three years, open to:medical 
students of the University, who are of at least eight terms’ 
standing. The subjects are Botany and Comparative Anatomy ; 
practical work will be given as part of the examination. The 
scholarship may be held with any other scholarship at the Col- 
lege, and a candidate may be recommended at the same time for 
a foundation scholarship. Particulars may be obtained from the 
Rey. A. W. W. Steel, Tutor of the College. 
The following numinations have been made to the Electoral 
Board of the under-mentioned professorships, with varying 
tenure of office to secure due rotation :—Plumian of Astronomy : 
Prof. Stephen Smith (Oxford), the Astronomer Royal, Prof, 
Adams, Mr. Spottiswoode, P.R.S., Prof. Stokes, the Master of 
Caius (Dr. Ferrers), Prof. Cayley, and Mr. Todhunter. Me- 
chanism and Applied Mechanics: Sir John Hawkshaw, Lord 
Rayleigh, Messrs. R. F. Martin, W. Airy, and Coutts Trotter 
(Trinity), the Master of Emmanuel (Dr. Phear), Mr. W. H. 
Besant, and Prof, Cayley. Physiology: Prof. Humphry, Prof. 
Huxley, Mr. |. N. Langley, Prof. Burdon-Sanderson, Dr, 
Vines, Dr. Pye-Smith, Prof. Paget, Prof. Stokes. Knight- 
bridge of Moral Philosophy, Prof. Caird (Glasgow), Mr. Leslie 
Stephen, Mr. J. Venn, Prof. Fowler (Oxford), Prof. Hort, Prof. 
Seeley, Mr. Todhunter, and Dr. Campion. The Boards of 
Physics and Chemistry and of Biology and Geology hape con- 
curred in recommending that students who have passed in the 
Mathematical Tripos may be permitted to enter the second part 
of the Natural Science Tripos without passing in the first part. 
Itis thought desirable to encourage mathematical students thus 
to take up the practical and experimental work in physics re- 
quired of the Natural Science students ; at present they have 
not time for studying the elementary parts subjects required of 
the latter. 
SOCIETIES AND ACADEMIES 
LONDON 
Linnean Society, December 7.—Sir J. Lubbock, Bart., 
president, in the chair.—The following gentlemen were elected 
Fellows of the Society:—The Rev. R. Baron, F. O. Bower, 
T. H. Corry, O. L. Fraser, D. Houston, A. W. Howitt, H. 
McCallum, E. A. Petherick, S. Rous, and H. C. Stone.—The 
Rev. Rk. T. Murray showed specimens of A/thwa_ hirsuta, Vicia 
Orobus, and Phlomis fruticosa, obtained by him last summer in 
Somerset.—Mr. W. T. Thiselton Dyer exhibited and explained 
mapsillustrative of the rapid spread of Phylloxera in Spain and 
Portugal, observing that within the last year quite a wide area 
of the wine-growing districts therein were affected. He also exhi- 
bited phot: graphs and made remarks on the Cinchona cultivation 
in Ceylon.—Mr. W. B. Espeut drew attention to some Kola nuts, 
and mentioned their remarkable sobering effects after intoxica- 
tion by spirituous liquors.x—Mr. G. Brook read notes on some 
little known Collembola and the British species of the genus 
Towocerus. Tullberg refers to their occurrence in Sweden, but 
the four species in question have not hitherto been accorded a 
British habitat.—A paper by J. G. Otto Tepper was read on the 
discovery of above ninety species of Tasmanian plants near 
Adelaide, South Australia.—A contribution by Dr. W. Ny- 
lander and the Rey. J. M. Crombie was read, viz. ona collection 
of exotic lichens made in Eastern Asia by the late Dr. A. C. 
Maingay. ‘Those enumerated were from British Burmah, China, 
and Japan ; some are interesting as illustrative of lichen distri- 
bution, and others as new species and varieties.—Remarks on 
the genera of sub-family Chalcidinze with synonymic notes and 
descriptions of new species of Leucospidinee and Chalcidinze was 
a paper by Mr. F. Kirby.—The Rev. R. P. Murray afterwards 
