328 
error of the measurements, but that this can be done by a 
formula which he proposes. (2.) ‘‘On the Sounds produced by 
Heated Tubes, and on the Vibrations of Air in Pipes of various 
Forms,” by C. Sondhaus (pp. 53 to 76). Many experimenters 
must have observed the frequent production of a musical tone 
when a bulb has been blown at the end of a rather short and 
narrow glass tube, the sound beginning just as the tube with the 
still hot bulb is removed from the lips. This phenomenon 
formed the subject of an investigation by the author twenty 
years ago, and he now returns to it in a paper which is to be 
concluded in the next number of the Avwalen. The principal 
result which he now publishes is that when the dimensions of 
bulb and tubes are properly proportioned, similar tones can be 
obtained with heated glass bulbs from which two open tubes 
proceed in opposite directions. He also gives an empirical 
formula which expresses approximately the pitch of the tones 
obtained in terms of the dimensions of the bulbs and tubes ; but 
as this formula does not seem to be based on any physical expla- 
nation of the way in which the sounds are produced, and as it 
takes no account of temperature, the agreement between its 
results and those of observation must be considered as at least to 
some extent accidental. Perhaps the remainder of the paper 
may give further explanations on these points. (3.) “On 
Chromates,” by C. Freese (pp. 76 to 88), to be concluded in 
the next part. (4.) ‘‘Thermo-chemical Investigations” (con- 
tinued), by Julius Thomsen (pp. 88 to 114). This section of 
Professor Thomsen’s researches relates to the acids of nitrogen, 
phosphorus, and arsenic. The thermo-chemical behaviour of 
these acids, when neutralised with caustic soda, appears to agree 
in the main with the commonly-received views of their basicity 
founded upon their chemical properties. (5.) ‘‘ Further Re- 
searches into the Development of Electromotive Force between 
Liquids,” by Jacob Worm-Miiller (pp. 114 to 144). Among 
other results the author arrives at the following remarkable con- 
clusion: ‘‘Solutions of acids and alkalis in equivalent propor- 
tions (that is such that equal volumes of the solutions neutralise 
each other) and of the salts formed by mixing equal volumes of 
these solutions, do not give rise to electric currents when con- 
nected so as to form a circuit.” This paper also is to be con- 
cluded in the next number of the Avmalen. (6.) *‘ Researches 
in Electrical Dust-figures,” by Wilhelm von Bezold (pp. 145 
to 159). (7.) ‘‘On the Law of Formation of Kundt’s Dust- 
figure,’ by Theodore Karrass (pp. 160 to 168). (8.) ‘fOn an 
Electrophorus-machine for Charging Batteries,” by Peter 
Riess (pp. 168 to 172). The author describes a modification 
of Holiz’s electrical machine, which renders it applicable for 
charging Leyden batteries to a high tension. (g9.) ‘‘On the 
Measurement of the Absorption of Light by transparent media 
by means of the Spectroscope,” by C. Vierordt (pp. 172 to 175). 
The author's method of measurement consists essentially in 
diminishing the intensity of each part of a normal spectrum, by 
means of smoked glasses of known absorptive power and the 
partial closing of the slit of the spectroscope, until it is identical 
with that of the light transmitted by the medium to be examined. 
(10.) ‘*An Observation on the Induction-spark,” by Dr. A. 
Weinhold (p. 176). 
In the Fournal of Botany for August, the original articles re- 
late almost entirely to extra-English botany, with the exception 
of the conclusion of Mr. Worthington Smith’s Clavis Agarict- 
norum, which forms an important contribution to the literature 
of cryptogamic botany. 
In the Proceedings of the Asiatic Society of Bengal for June are 
three articles on the Andamanese, the most important of which 
is by Surgeon Francis Day. He estimates the number now living 
on the island as probably not much over 1,000, divided into 
several tribes, which have distinct dialects, so that members of 
the Little Andamans are scarcely able to understand those of the 
South Andamans. Their language is very deficient in words ; 
many English and Hindustani words are now beginning to be 
incorporated in it; numerals are entirely absent. They are 
anything but prolific, and appear to be gradually dying out from 
excess of deaths over births. Mr. Day only saw one woman 
who had as many as three living children; during one year 
thirty-eight deaths were reported, and only fourteen births 
among the families living near the European settlements ; few 
appear to live toa greater age than forty, and they are subject to 
a variety of diseases. _ We hope to return to this article 
again. Dr. G. von Martens contributes ‘*‘ Notes on some 
Javanese Algz.” The remaining articles in the number are 
philological, 
NATURE 
[Aug. 18, 1870 
SOCIETIES AND ACADEMIES 
PARIS 
Academy of Sciences, August 8.—Papers were read on the 
relation between the specific heats and the coéfficients of dilatation 
of any body, by M. Phillips, and on the decimal division of the 
quadrant, by M. A. d’Abbadie, in which he comu:unicated two 
letters on the subject from M. Nadau and Prof. Airy; and 
MM. Jamin and Richard contributed some observations on the 
determination of the relation between the two specific heats of 
gases.—M. Jamin replied to the two notes by M. Sainte-Claire 
Deville on July 18th, and entered again at length into the subject 
of the variations of temperature produced by the mixing of two 
liquids. —M. Laborde contributed a note on some new experi- 
ments on Holtz’s electrical machine.— M. Elie de Beaumont pre- 
sented, on behalf of M. Delesse, a lithological map of the em- 
bouchure of the Seine.—A note by MM. Rabuteau and Peyré 
was presented by M. Ch. Robin, on the poisonous effects of the 
m’boundou or icaja, a poison used at the Gaboon. The poison 
used was extracted chiefly from the bark, a small quantity also 
from the root. The experiments showed that the poison is ex- 
tremely rapid ; but that its fatal effects can be prevented by 
artificial respiration ; the symptoms are in some respects similar 
to those produced by strychnine.—A letter was read from M. 
Lichtenstein to M. Dumas, on a means of preventing the irrup- 
tion of the PAyl/oxera vastatrix in vines not yet attacked. The 
proposed plan is simply by destroying carefully, from May to 
August, all the branches on which the winged form of the insect 
has made its appearance—A short note was also presented by 
M. L. Laliman, on a variety of vine (of the American species 
V. estivalis) not subject to the attacks of the Piylloxera. 
BOOKS RECEIVED 
EnGuisu.—Lectures on Art: J. Ruskin (New York: Wiley and Son).— 
The Laws of Verse : J. J. Sylvester (Longmans).—The Wind in his Circuits : 
R. H. Armit (J. D. Portet).—Matter for Materialists : T, Doubleday (Long- 
mans).—The Book of the Roach ; G. Fennell (Longmans). 
ForEeIGN.—(Through Williams and Norgate)—Etudes sur la maladie des 
vers 4 soie: L. Pasteur.—Streifziige (landwirthschaftliche) in Frankreich u. 
Algerien im Jahre 1862-68 : A Petzhold.—Lecons de Chimie, années 1868-69, 
Deherain, &c.—Mineralogie der Vulcane: Dr. C. Landgrebe.— De |’enseigne- 
ment supérieur en Angleterre et en Ecosse: J. Demoycot.—Zonula ciliaris : 
Dr. F. Merkel.—Deutsche Vierteljahrsschrift fiir dffentliche Gesundheits- 
pflege : C. Reclam.—Prodromus Flore Hispanice, Vols. 1 and 2: M. Will- 
kom.—Algz japonice Muszi botanici Lugduni-Batavi: W. F. R. Siringer. 
—Die Osteologie und Myologie von Sciurus vulgaris: C. K. Hoffman. 
CONTENTS Pace 
Mr. DARWIN AND THE FRENCH INSTITUTE . . . « - + 2 «© © 309 
Tue Ice-AGE IN SWITZERLAND. By Arcu. GEIKIE, F.R.S. 310 
PRIMITIVE MAN? 9% DVS eeee ra See ee Mone tenn 
OUR [BOOKWSHELE Se) Ye Se ie eh be fe er ee Peal ee ee 
LETTERS TO THE EpITorR :— 
School Natural History Societies.—T. B. Preston. . . . 313 
Our Dublin Correspondent and the Parturition of the Kangaroo 3 
The Horse-Chestnut.—M. W. MoccripGE ..... . .« + 313 
‘The Rotundity of the Earth . Ce icra a letra 
Cuckow’s Eggs.—Ep. LaAvARD <i. 5. 6) 3. cu) <peeeee eee 
Special Modification of Colour in the Cushat.—W. C. McInTosH . 314 
Colour Blindness.--R. B. HaywaRD . . . . . 1 ee # « + 314 
The Source of Solar Energy.—R. A. Procror . . ... . « 315 
Milller’s Physics and Meteorology. . ... .... +. « « 325 
Colour of Water.—J. J. Murpuy, F.G.S. . . . s « « « © ») 35 
Water Analysis.—J. ALFRED WANKLYN. . . . . . Meg eto cian 
Suckers from the Apple-Tree.—Rev. C. J. RoBinson . 315 
A Natural Fernery.—H. REexs . . clus om opto. i 316 
The Science and Art Department «9. = = 2 . 2 = 6 «= se giO 
The intended Engineering College.—Prof. G. C. Foster, F.R.S,. 316 
Our SALAD Herss. By the Rev. C. J. Robinson Geter oh 207 
TrsTIMONIAL TO Pror. Morris, F.G.S.... . . - . . » «=» « 319 
Wueat Rust AND Berserry Rust. By Atrrep W. BENNETT, 
F.L.S., and the Rev. M. J. BerKELEy, F.L.S. (With Illustra- 
CHS.) = se wba wees se = |e Iie op gh ene 
NOTES vo eres "bebe se ene. 2 leo) ce 0. eat aD 
Papers ON IRON AND STEEL. I. A very Costly anp VEXATIOUS 
Fatiacy. By W. Martiev Witiiams, F.C.S. . . . . .. 322 
On THE Naturat Laws oF MuscuLtar Exertion. By Prof. the 
Rev. SAMUEL HavGuTon, M.D., F.R.S. . 2) 0 ene Se) Leora 
Pror. ABEL’s CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE History OF EXPLOSIVE 
(AGENTS Bilhe je ie ie. se [ie 0 Me gio heme g to Bret eaten - 326 
SCIENDIRIC SERIALS (cy. 6 see ie Slaw Yo ae oe eka eaueeae 327 
SOCIETIES AND ACADEMIES . + « « «© © + » + © « « © « « 320 
Booxs RECEIVED . . «+ « « + « = . ole a) Son egaO 
ErrATA.—Page 296, first column, lines 10 and 11 from bottom, for “‘ blosz 
Erscheinung” read ‘‘blose Erscheinung.”—Page 308, first column, line r4, 
tur “* Phylluscerze’ read ‘* Phylloxerz:.” 
