204 
which M. Bussey made some remarks.—On the electrical effects 
produced by the contact of inoxidisable metals with acids and 
neutral and saturated saline solutions, and on capillary affinities, | 
by M. Becquerel. The author describes the results obtained 
with wires of pure platinum and gold, treated as described in a 
former communication, but immersed in acid or saline fluids. — 
Determination of the terrestrial magnetic intensity in absolute 
value, by MM. A. Cornu and J. Baille, presented by M. E. 
Becquerel, in which the authors describe a series of experiments 
made in accordance with the methods of Gauss and Weber.— 
Experimental researches upon the duration of the electric spark, 
by MM. Lucas and Cazin, also presented by M. E. Becquerel.— 
On the law of the points of congelation of saline solutions, by M. 
Giildberg.—A note by M. G. Rayet on the reversal of the two 
sodium lines in the spectrum of the light of a solar protuberance 
was presented by M. Delaunay.—M. Periseux communicated a 
note on the transit of Venus in 1874, containing a numerical 
correction of his former paper on this subject.—M. Delaunay 
presented a note by M. H. Tarry on the so-called showers of dust 
and blood, The author noticesthe storm phenomena preceding the 
showers of sand which fell in the south of Europe on the 
roth and 24th March, 1869, and the 14th February, 1870, indi- 
cating that in each case a great barometric depression, accom- 
panied by a violent wind sterm, travelled from the north to the 
south of Europe, crossing into Africa, and returning thence laden 
with sand from the Sahara. He identifies the material deposited 
in these storms in all cases with the Sahara sand.—M. C. Du- 
four read a note relating to magnetic perturbations observed by 
Saussure at the Col du Géant before the great storm of 1788. 
M. H. Sainte Claire Deville communicated a note by M. C. 
Schleesing on the precipitation of mud by very dilute alkaline 
solutions. The author stated that a very small quantity of a 
saline solution facilitates the deposition by water of earthy 
matter held in suspension by it, and that a deficiency of saline 
constituents is often the cause of water remaining muddy when 
standing in clearing tanks.—A note by M. Scheurer Kestner on 
the composition of crude soda and the loss of sodium caused by 
the adoption of Le Blane’s process was presented by M. Balard. 
The author noticed the chief compounds with which crude soda 
is contaminated, and stated as the result of his researches upon 
Le Blanc’s method that in the fusion of crude soda there is no 
reduction of soda-salts into metallic sodium, and that the greater 
part of the loss experienced is due to the formation of in- 
soluble compounds, and averages about 5 per cent.—M. Ber- 
trand communicated a note by M. Rabuteau, on a new, 
simple, and rapid mode of quantitative determination of the 
ammoniacal salts, andon the reason why these salts can exist 
normally in the organism only in infinitesimal quantities. 
The author stated that chloride of soda prepared by pouring 
a solution of two parts of carbonate of soda into one part 
of chloride of lime contains an excess of carbonate and 
free soda, and that, by the aid of heat, this solution decomposes 
ammoniacal salts with evolution of nitrogen, From the amount 
of nitrogen evolved, the quantity of ammonia may be calculated. 
He considered that the alkalinity of the blood would enable it 
in like manner to decompose any ammoniacal salts contained in 
it.—A note on the tribromhydrines, by M. Berthelot, was pre- 
sented by M. Bertrand, in which the author maintained the 
isomerism of those compounds in opposition to the opinion of M. 
Henry.—M. H. Sainte-Claire Deville communicated a note by 
M. Fontaine on the preparation of bibrominated ethylene, in 
which the author described a new method of obtaining that com- 
pound,—M. Wurtz presented a note on an aromatic glycol, by 
M. E. Grimaux.—An extract from a letter from M. Pasteur to 
Marshal Vaillant, describing the results obtained in breeding 
French races of silkworms, at Villa-Vicentina, was read.—M. 
C. Robin presented a note by M. Picot containing the results of 
some experimental researches upon suppurative inflammation 
and the passage of leucocytes through the walls of vessels. 
June 27.—M. Serret presented a note by M. R. Hoppe 
on a corollary to a theorem of Mr. Crofton’s; and a note 
by?M. F. Lucas on some new properties of the po- 
tential function was communicated by M. Delaunay.—M. 
d@’Abbadie presented a note by M. J. Hoiiel on the selection of 
the angular unit, containing a further discussion of the question 
of the decimal division of the quadrant or the circle, and sup- 
porting the former as the unit. M. Yvon Villarceau remarked 
upon this paper, and maintained that the decimal division of the 
circle is preferable to that of the quadrant.—M. H. Sainte-Claire 
NATURE 
[Fuly 7, 1870 
Deville read a paper entitled ‘‘Observations with regard to a Note 
by M. Jamin on the Variations of Temperature produced by the 
mixture of two Liquids.” —A note by M. J. Chautard on the direc- 
tion of the currents induced by means of electrical dis- 
charges was read.—A letter from Mr. C. K. Akin, claiming 
priority in the method of calorimetry employed by M. Jamin and 
ascribed to M. Pfaundler, was read ; and M. Neyreneuf presented 
a note on the phenomena of electrical condensation.—A paper 
by M. Martin de Brettes on the determination of the thickness of 
iron casing that can be traversed by a projectile of which the 
weight, the calibre, and the striking velocity are known, was 
read, indicating the formulas to be employed, and giving a table 
of experimental results contrasted with those obtained by calcu- 
lation. —A paper by Mr. J. N. Lockyer on the last eclipse of the 
sun observed in the United States was read.—The following 
papers on subjects connected with chemistry was communicated : 
—Investigations on some new derivations of trizethylphosphine, 
by MM. A. Cahours and H. Gal; letters by M. H. Bouilhet and 
Klein on the deposition of nickel by galvanism, presented by M. 
Dumas ; on a new method of preparation of the chlorobrominated 
organic compounds by M. Henry; on silicopropionic acid by 
MM. Friedel and Ladenburg, upon which MM. Dumas and 
Thenard made some remarks ; and a note on phospho-platinic 
compounds by M. Schiitzenberger.—A note by M. Montagna 
was read noticing the occurrence of organic remains in rocks re- 
garded as of igneous origin; and M. de Vemeuil made some 
remarks on a memoir by M. Dieulafait on the zone of Avicula 
contorta, and the Infralias in the south and south-east of France. 
—M. de Clos communicated a note on the germination (or twin 
growth) of the whorls of floral axes in the Alismacez.—The re- 
maining papers read need no notice, except one, of which un- 
fortunately the title only is given us, in which M. Tremblay sug- 
gested a means of terminating the present drought. 
BOOKS RECEIVED 
EncuisH.—The Revival of Philosophy at Cambridge : C. M. Ingleby (Hall 
and Son). 
ForeiGn.—Annales de Chimie et de Physique, No. XX.—Annalen der 
Physique und Chemie, No. 5, Repertorium, Heft iv—{Through Williams 
and Norgate)—Traité d’ Histoire naturelle: M. A. T. Nogués.—Jahres- 
bericht iiber die Leistungen der chemischen Technologie fiir 1869: J. A. 
Wagner.—Prodromus Flore Hispanice, Vol. I1.—Etudes sur les Diatomacées; 
Ch. Manourry. 
CONTENTS 
Pace 
PasTeur's RESEARCHES ON THE DISEASES OF SILKWORMS. By Prof. 
ADYNDALL, FARIS. ahs. jp Je st ens" at se fa 
Wuar is Enercy? III, THe Conservation or Enercy. By Dr. 
BALFOUR STEWART, Figo. 5 © © © mvs) =) mane cae 
By Rev. M. J. BERKELEY, F.R.S. . . « 
AMERICAN NATURAL HISTORY 5 %.< cls. eas) st 
181 
183 
185 
186 
186 
RouMEGUERE ON FUNGI. 
Our’ Boox SHELF: weer% «! lee oe vi <n ee 
LETTERS TO THE EpIToR :— 
Life in the Deep Sea.—Prof. T. H. Huxtey, F.R.S. . . . 
The “ English Cyclopedia.”—Editor of “‘ E, C.” : 
Cuckows’ Egps:—E. L, LAYARD Ys cs 6 = © So se pees 
The Chromatic'Octave.—J. J. MuRPHY.S © 5. . ss spe 
On the reported Current in the Suez Canal.—F. Gatton, F.R.S. « 
Bird’s Nests. (With Jilustration.) 2 . s . 4s 3 5 ie 
“Other Worlds than Ours."—R. A. Proctor. . . . . 2s « 
Pinkish Colour of the Sun.—J. P, EARWAKER « . 1. we 
Monographs of M. Michel Chasles.—Dr. C. M. INGLeBy. . . . 
Geographical Prizes.—J. M. WItsoN  . . . & 6 « 6 ss 
187 
187 
188 
188 
189 
189 
190 
WOTES 's {Ss Jejeseie kl = ve co 6 co Mba iap tel citer cee ee 
Facts AND REASONING CONCERNINGS THE HETEROGENOUS EvoLu- 
TION OF Livinc Tuincs. II. By H. Cuartton Bastian, M.D. 
PVRS. (Witt Tlustrations.): = obs. + 58) wal eee 
New OBSERVATORY IN MAURITIUS): ® 5, ¢ 6 <8» 6 6 OM 
SCIENTIFIC SERIALS... GS ee op ke) 
SOCIETIES AND ACADEMIES ./% 6 6 = » » « «. sis) uae We 
Booxs RecEIveD 5 4 .4.ci Jer Gel ae cele cloths Een at ~ © ROS, 
