33? 
NATURE 
[ Feb. 1, 1883, 
formation at all equivalent to the other divisions of the Eocene.— 
On Mr. Dunn’s Notes on the Diamond-fields of South Africa, 
1880, by Francis Oates, F.G.S. 
Anthropological Institute, January 23. — Anniversary 
Meeting.—John Evans, V.P., D.C.L., F.R.S., in the chair.— 
The Treasurer’s report and the report of the Council were read 
and adopted.—The Chairman delivered an address, in which he 
briefly reviewed the work of the past year, and enlarged on the 
subject of the antiquity of man, discussing the evidence for and 
against his existence in Tertiary times.—‘lhe following Officers 
and Council for 1883 were elected :—President, Prof. W. H. 
Flower, F.R.S. Vice-presidents : Hyde Clarke, John Evans, 
F.R.S., Francis Galton, F.R.S., Major-Gen. Pitt-Rivers, 
F.R.S., A. Thomson, F.R.S., E. B. Tylor, F.R.S. Director, 
F. W. Rudler, F.G.S. Treasurer, F. G. H. Price, F.S.A. 
Council: J. Beddoe, F.R.S., S. E. B. Bouverie-Pusey, E. W. 
Brabrook, F.S.A., C. H. E. Carmichael, M.A., W. Boyd 
Dawkins, F.R.S., W. L. Distant, A.W. Franks, F.R.S., 
Lieut.-Col. H. H. Godwin-Austen, F.R.S., Prof. Huxley, 
F.R.S., A. H. Keane, B.A., A. L. Lewis, Sir J. Lubbock, 
M.P., R. Biddulph Martin, M.P., Henry Muirhead, M.D., 
J. E. Price, F.S.A., Lord Arthur Ras ell, M.P., Prof. G. D. 
Thane, Alfred Tylor, AGES Me Wis Walhouse, F.R.A.S., 
R. Worsley. 
Paris 
Academy of Sciences, January 22.—M. Blanchard in the 
chair.—The following papers were read :—On metasulphites, 
by M. Berthelot.—On selenide of nitrogen, by MM. Berthelot 
and Vieille.—On the characters of induced currents resulting 
from reciprocal movements of two magnetic bodies parallel to 
their axis, by M. du Moncel. Polarisation of an iron core im- 
mobilises a certain quantity of magnetism, which thus remains 
indifferent to exterior magnetic excitation, and is only affected 
when, being able to act on the inducing body, which over- 
excites its energy, it may polarise it in its turn, so that action 
and reaction are in concordance. —On complex units (continued), 
by M. Kronecke —Theory of the most general electro-dynamic 
actions that can be observed, by M. Le Cordier.—On the con- 
struction of a dynamo-electric propeller on a long balloon, by 
M. Tissandier. The system, with a total weight = three men, 
gives during three hours the work of twelve to fifteen men, 
The two-vaned propeller (of steel wire and varnished silk) is 
driven by a small Siemens’ dynamo (120 turns of the former to 
1200 of the latter) ; the battery being of thirty-four elements 
mounted in tension, and divided into four series. An element 
consists of a vulcanite box (four litres capacity) holding ten zinc 
and eleven carbon plates. Strong bichromate solution is let in 
or drawn off by raising or lowering a separate vessel connected 
by a tube with the battery.—Observations of the transit of 
Venus at Bragado (Argentine Republic), by M. Perrin. He 
observed two direct contacts (the second and the fourth), and a 
certain number of artificial contacts which will supplement the 
others. The phenomenon was of distinct and well character- 
ised geometrical appearance.—On the approaching return of 
the periodic comet of d’Arrest, by M. Leveau. He has 
calculated an ephemerides (which will be communicated to all 
astronomers) for the period most favourable to observation, viz. 
April 23 to November 25 this year. Values for the relative 
brightness are deduced.—Addition to a note on prime numhers, 
by M. de Jonquieres.—On the relations between covariants and 
invariants of like character, of a binary form of the sixth order, 
by M. Stephanos.—On the functions of several imaginary vari- 
ables, by M. Combescure.—On the functions of two variables, 
by M. Poincaré.—On the curyes of the sextant, by M. Gruey.— 
Mode of distribution among various points of its small supporting 
base, of the weight of a hard body, of polished and convex sur- 
face, placed on an elastic horizontal ground, by M. Boussinesq. 
M. r and Vaschy on cen- 
sequences deducible from relations between electric magnitudes, 
by M. Lévy.—Remarks on the expression of electric magnitudes 
&c. (continued), by MM. Mercadier and Vaschy.—Observations 
on Dr, Siemens’ last paper, by M. Violle.—Photographic posi- 
tives on paper obtained directly, by MM. Cros and Vorgerand. 
Paper is covered with a solution of 2 gr, bichromate of ammonia, 
15 gr. glucose, and 1oo gr. water, is dried, and exposed to light 
under a positive (e.g. a drawing). When the (yellow) bare parts 
of the paper have become grey, the paper is immersed in a bath 
of 1 gr. nitrate of silver to 100 gr. of water, with 10 gr. acetic acid. 
The image appears at once, with reddish tint, produced by 
bichromate of silver. Drying in light gives a dark brown tint. 
—On hydraulic silica, by M. Le Chatelier. The only new fac 
given by M. Landrin (he says) is the non-hydraulicity of silica 
obtained from manufacture of hydrofluosilicic acid. —On mutual 
displacements of bases in neutral salts, the systems remaining 
homogeneous, by M. Menschutkin,—On the causes capable of 
affecting the amount of ammonia in rain-water, by M. Houzeau. 
One important consideration is the time that has elapsed 
between obtaining and analysing ; another the monthly quantity 
of water (the less the rain, the more ammonia presen!).—On the 
action of certain metals on oils, by M. Livache. Instead of 
metallic plates (which M, Chevreul experimented with), he used 
metals finely divided, as in precipitation, and got much better 
effects. Of the three, lead, copper, tin—lead acts most strongly. 
If some of it be moistened with oil and exposed to air, an 
increase of weight very soon occurs through oxidation, and it is 
greater the more siccative the oil. A solid and elastic product 
is formed. The increments of weight with different oils are 
sensibly proportional to those in fatty acids of the same oils 
exposed to air several months (cotton-seed oil alone is anoma- 
lous ; it is siccative, but its fatty acids increase very little in 
weight). The transformation of the oil is attributed to direct 
action of tbe metal, not to that of the air. It suggests a rapid 
means of distinguishing siccative and non-siccative oils, and an 
advantageous substitute for the heating of oils.—Calcification of 
kidneys, parallel to the decalcification of the bones, in subacute 
poisoning by corrosive sublimate; increase of the proportion of 
mineral parts of a tibia, following disarticulation of the other 
tib'a, by MM. Prevost and Frutiger.—Physiological action of 
sulphate of quinine on the circulatory apparatus in men and 
animals, by MM. Lée and Bochefontaine. It preserves and 
increases the force of the heart, and is a powerful antipyretic.— 
Medullary origin of paralyses following cerebral lesions, by M. 
Couty.-—On the lymphatic system of tadpoles, by M. Jourdain. 
—On the development of the reproductive apparatus of pul- 
monate molluscs, by M. Rouzaud.—On Suctociliate Infusoria (a 
reply), On the morphological nature 
of the subterranean braaches of the root of adult Psz/otum, by 
M. Bertrand.—Contribution to the stratigraphic history of the 
relief of Sinai, and especially on the age of porphyries of that 
country, by Abbé Raboisson The last dislocations of the 
Sinaitic system were posterior to the eocene. 
CONTENTS Pacr 
PoPpuLaR ASTRONOMY 300 
Tue Zootoaicar Recorp . 310 
Our Boox SHELF:— 
“ The Brewer, Distiller and Wine Manufacturer’”’ . gir 
Serpieri’s “ I] Potentiale Elettrico nell’ see mcr Elementare 
dellayblettrostaticatau- aie) ene =) se een Swe 3 ee 
LETTERS TO THE EpiroR:— 
Hovering of Birds—Tue DuKe oF Arcytt; Henry T. 
WHARTON . . gi2 
Action of Light on India-rubber.—Prof, Hexpert McLeop, 
F.R.S 312 
A Possible Cause of the “Extinction of the Horses of the Post- 
Tertiary.—S GaRMAN. . Song a powder ee ars: 
Suicide of Scorpions.—C. Lioyp Mokcan . Cl Pap 313 
Mimicry in Mcths.—Commander Duncan Stewart. |. 314 
Clerk-Maxwell on Stress\—T. . . . 2 0 « « as) ee 314 
The Comet.—E. Ristori. « - Ae wee 
The Aurora of November 17, 1882 _Tuos. “Wm. BackHousE; 
W.M F. Perriz; Dr. Henry MurkHeaD Se hoe cpio 2h 
The Sea Serpent.—JosEPu SipbBOTHAM . - Sears 
Influence of ‘‘ Environment’”’ upon Plants. _Howarp Fox. . 315 
Tue Peak oF TeNERIFFE ACTIVE AGAIN. By Prof. C. Prazzi SMYTH 315 
Joann BENEDICT LISTING ». . 6 «+ © © «© © © © © © » = © QAO 
CraupF BERNARD . ay ee < ve: se | <0) | Jo ROS ERIS OZ: 
THe Finspury TECHNICAL CoLtEecE : 5 318 
On THE GRADUATION OF GALVANOMETERS FOR THE MEASUREMENT 
oF CURRENTS AND PoTENTIALS IN ABSOLUTE Measure, lJI. By 
ANDKEWGRAY. . See 39. 
NaTurRaAL SCIENCE IN THE OPEN CompEtitive EXAMINATIONS FOR 
Crerxsutes (Crass I.) IN THE Civi SERVICE. . - «© + © + + 32% 
Nores. - . eC th. OL er ce 
Our ASTRONOMICAL ‘Corumn:— 
Variable Stars. . Rr Os cece. 5 * 324 
Reported Discovery of a Comet cern oO Lye 324 
The next Return of D’Arrest’s Comet . - = oho . 324 
Meridian Observations of Nebule. . YC 324 
Puysicat Norss. . 32 
An InQuiry INTO THE “DEGREE oF SonupieiTY ReoquisirE IN 
with SPECIAL REFERENCE TO PrecirITaTeED CaL(ic 
MAnukgs, 
AND MaGNEsic PHOSPHATES. . 325 
Tue Evecrrotytic BALANCE OF CHEMICAL Corrosion. By G 
Gorr, LL.D., F.R.S.  .- 326 
Tue ETHER AND ITS FUNCTIONS, Il. “By Prof, Ouiver Lopcr 328 
University AND EDUCATIONAL INTELLIGENCE . « . * 330 
SCIENTIFIC SERIALS - . - © «+ © © i i « oe wena 330 
. 330 
SocimT1Es AND ACADEMIES « - «+ «+ © © © + © © « 
