May 19, 1870] 
NATURE 
55 
and-consists of a tube, A B C, of which the extremity 
B is closely applied to the eye to be examined, thus 
shutting out all extraneous light. D is a paraffin lamp 
which can be easily connected or removed, the rays 
falling on a perforated mirror, and being reflected 
towards B, a convex lens being interposed near C, which 
can be approximated to or made to recede from the eye 
by the movement of the draw-tube B. 
We have tried the instrument in a number of cases, 
and have found that while it enables a very good view of 
the fundus to be obtained with facility, it has the draw- 
backs of smelling disagreeably and also of becoming rather 
unpleasantly hot, from the proximity of the lamp to the 
eye of the observer—an inconvenience that might be 
remedied by placing the lateral tube at a greater distance 
from the end A, 
H. POWER 
SCIENTIFIC SERIALS 
THE PROGRESS OF CHEMISTRY (Frhresbericht tuber die 
Fortschritle der Chentie und verwandter Theile anderer Wissen- 
schaften.) Unter Mitwirkung von Th. Engelbach, Al. Naumann, 
W. Stadel; herausgegeben von Adolph Strecker. Fiir 1868. 
Erstes Heft. Ausgegeben am 15 Februar, 1870. Giessen 
J. Ricker’sche Buchhandlung. 1870, 
Of the 480 pages of this part, 133 are occupied by general 
and physical, and 155 by inorganic chemistry, the remainder 
being devoted to organic chemistry. 
In the first section we find an account of the method devised 
by Hofmann for determining the vapour densities of solids and 
liquids in a Torricellian vacuum, and which promises such 
valuable results in many cases. Tomlinson’s observations on the 
properties of chemically clean surfaces are here noticed ; and 
also Guthrie’s experiments on the conduction of heat by liquids. 
A long abstract of Becquerel’s papers on electro-capillary 
action opens the section on electro-chemical investigations, 
and in the division on optical chemistry Tyndall’s researches 
on the chemical action of light find a place. Two of the 
channels into which much chemical thought has been directed 
during [the last few years are clearly indicated by the notices 
of numerous papers on dissociation and spectrum analysis. 
In the section on inorganic chemistry we have some additional 
experiments in support of Frankland’s theory of the cause of the 
light emitted by luminous flames ; the combustion of hydrogen 
and carbonic oxide in oxygen under a pressure of ten 
atmospheres, and the burning of heated phosphorus vapour in 
hot chlorine being mentioned. Graham’s researches on the 
occlusion of hydrogen by metals, and on the curious combination 
which this element forms with palladium are noticed at con- 
siderable length. The next paper to which we shall direct 
attention is one which at present stands amongst those on 
inorganic chemistry, but the compounds herein described bid 
fair shortly to occupy a section by themselves in a position in- 
termediate between mineral and organic bodies ; we refer to the 
researches of Friedel and Ladenburg on silicic oxychloride, and 
silicium iodoform ; the study of compounds haying the same 
constitution as well-known organic bodies, but in which silicon 
plays the part of carbon, promises to enable us, ultimately, to 
explain the constitution of that very extensive class of complex 
bodies containing silicon, which are found so abundantly in 
nature. We have a long notice of Meyer’s investigations of 
indium and its compounds, and one on Mills’s researches on the 
ammoniacal cobalt compounds. 
Among the papers on organic chemistry, we have that of Troost 
and Hauteufeille, on the decomposition of mercuric cyanide at 
different temperatures and pressures ; and the very important one 
by Berthelot on the synthesis of hydrocyanic acid, which he ob- 
tained by the passage of electric sparks through a mixture of acety- 
lene and free nitrogen. A considerable space is devoted to the 
researches of Jungfleisch on the chlorine derivatives of benzol, and 
to Oppenheim’s investigations of the isomeric compounds of allyl 
and propylene. — Berthelot’s valuable researches on the hydro- 
carbonsare continued, his observations on styrol and its compounds 
being given. The foundation of one of the most interesting and 
valuable discoveries of the last few yearsis contained in this volume, 
viz., the conversion of alizarin into anthracene by its distillation 
from powdered zinc. Since this paper was published, its authors, 
Messrs. Graebe and Liebermann, have succeeded (as our readers 
well know) in effecting the inverse transformation, and thus 
producing the colouring principle of madder from one of the 
products of the destructive distillation of coal. We also find here 
the discovery of the first acetylene of the aromatic series, by 
Glaser in acetenylbenzol or phenylacetylene. Linnemann’s pre- 
paration of normal propylalcohol and the synthesis of butylalco- 
hol by Lieben, are noticed, as are the researches of Stenhouse 
on tetra- and tri-chlorochinon. 
All students of chemistry will heartily welcome the appearance 
of the Jahresbericht, though the usefulness of the first part is 
much impaired for want of the index. It is very much to be 
regretted that this very valuable book does not appear at anearlier 
date ; in this case the first part of the report has been published 
thirteen months and a half after the expiration of the year to 
which it refers. It must be allowed that the labour required for 
such a work is very arduous, but it would be a great convenience 
to chemists if it were possible to expedite its publication. It is 
reported that the Council of the Chemical Society of London 
intends to issue fortnightly, or monthly, short abstracts of all 
papers on chemistry and the allied sciences published in England 
and abroad. These abstracts will be made by competent 
chemists, and will be printed as soon as possible after the ap- 
pearance of the original memoirs. Such a collection of abstracts 
would be invaluable to many who, in consequence of their living 
away from London, or owing to other circumstances, have no 
opportunity of reading the periodicals: it would also be extremely 
useful to many who, though within reach of journals, have not 
the time to devote to the perusal of the very numerous papers 
published at the present time. All chemists, and many others 
taking a general interest in science, must wish every success to 
the efforts of the Council of the Chemical Society, though it is 
to be feared that such a journal would scarcely, at present at 
least, prove a commercial success. 
THE Revue des Cours Scientifigues for May 7 contains M. 
Blanchard’s lecture before the Réunion des Sociétés Savantes, at 
the Sorbonne, on Scientific Work in the Departments; the con- 
tinuation of Bernard’s lecture on Suffocation by Charcoal fumes ; 
and the conclusion of M. Bouley’s on Madness. In the number 
for May 14 we find M. Kuhne’s lecture on the Science of Life, 
delivered on the occasion of the inauguration of the Physiological 
Laboratory at the University of Amsterdam ; a paper by M. E. 
Fournier on the Ergot of Rye, being the first of a series on the 
parasites of cereals ; and a continuation of M. Bernard’s paper. 
THE American Entomologist and Botanist for April contains 
several good articles. A paper entitled “ Wheat-rust and bar- 
berry rust” (placed singularly in the entomological department), 
defends the accuracy of the statement well known to European 
botanists, but which appears to have been attacked in America, 
that the neighbourhood of barberry trees is a prolific cause of 
rust in wheat; the fungus which causes the latter disease, 
Puccinia graminis, and the fungus which produces the bright 
yellow spots on the leaves of the barberry, Qczdium berberidis, 
being, in fact, different conditions of the same plant. An 
article entitled ‘‘ Scientific Language,” justly rebukes the ten- 
dency to use long latinised words where plain English words 
would do just as well, and especially the coining of barbarous 
compound terms, derived from two or three different languages. 
There are also several good descriptive papers, both entomologi- 
cal and botanical, specially interesting to American naturalists 
and collectors. 
SOCIETIES AND ACADEMIES 
LoNDON 
Entomological Society, May 2.—Mr. A. R. Wallace, 
president, in the chair. Mr. Hewitson exhibited a collection of 
new and rare butterflies, from Tropical America.—Mr. Frederick 
Smith exhibited a collection of Hymenoptera, from Japan.— 
Mr. McLachlan exhibited some exotic dragon-flies.—Mr. Bates 
exhibited several new exotic Copride.—Mr. G. R. Crotch sent 
for exhibition British specimens of .Zrachyphleus laticollis, a 
beetle not previously recorded as indigenous to this country.— 
Papers were read, on Equatorial Lepidoptera, by Mr. Hewitson ; 
on some new Veuvoptera, Odonata, by Mr. McLachlan ; on new 
Copride, by Mr. Bates; and on Australian Curculionide, by 
