24 



NA TURE 



[November 3, 1898 



M. E. Goursat.— On singular points situated on the circle of con- 

 vergence, and on the summation of divergent series, by M. 

 Leau. — Measurement of the velocity of sound, by M. Frot. The 

 experiments were made near Bourges, at a temperature near 

 0°C., the time being measured automatically by electric chrono- 

 graphs. Two sets of experiments gave for the velocity in air at 

 0° mean results of 3306 and 3309 metres per second. — On the 

 tones of vibrating strings, by M. A. Cuillemin. By suitably fix- 

 ing any portion of a vibrating string any desired overtone can 

 be produced ; but this does not in any way prove that 

 this note really existed as a partial lone in the original 

 note given by the string. — On the atomic weight of 

 tellurium, in relation to the multiple proportions of the 

 atomic weights of other simple bodies, by M. H. Wilde. — 

 <_^n the positions of tellurium and iodine in periodic systems of 

 the elements, by M. II. Wilde. Remarks on the recent 

 determination by Metzner of the atomic weight of tellurium 

 (128) as invalidating the periodic arrangements of Mendelejetf, 

 Crookes and others. — On calcium amalgam, by M. J. Feree. — 

 Action of metallic sulphates on potassium paratungstate, by 

 M. L. A. Hallopeau. — On the amines and amido-derivatives of 

 the aldehydes, by M. Marcel Delcpine. A thermochemical 

 paper. — On the changes in composition which take place in 

 fatty seeds in the course of germination, by M. L. Maquenne. 

 The oily materials in the seeds of the earth-nut and castor-oil 

 plant undergo a rapid diminution during germination, the 

 latter being especially marked in this respect, the change being 

 accompanied by an increase in carbohydrates. — Contribution to 

 the biology of wine yeasts, by M. J. A. Cordier. The appearance 

 of Saecharomyies upon fruit, especially the grape, at the period 

 of ripening, has hitherto been described as due to the action of in- 

 sects, but it would appear from the experiments quoted that the 

 air is really the principal factor in the transport of these yeasts. 

 — The specific characters of Eiidomyccs albicans, by M. Paul 

 Viullemin. — On the place of the Phoronidiae in the classifica- 

 tion of animals, and on their relations with the vertebrates, by 

 M. Louis Roule. — On the respiratory apparatus of the larvae of 

 entomophagous Hymenoptera, by M. L. G. Seurat. It is shown 

 that the respiratory apparatus ot the different larvae of ento- 

 mophagous Hymenoptera, although all built on the same funda- 

 mental plan, present differences in the number and arrangement 

 of some of their parts, sufficient to establish distinctive characters 

 of the several families. There is not yet sufficient knowledge, 

 however, to draw any general conclusions. — On an organ, not 

 previously described, which closes the poison reservoir in ants, 

 and on the method of slinging in the same, by M. Charles Janet, 

 — New observations on the cave and subterranean river of Han- 

 sur-Lesse (Belgium), by M. Martet. The paper is accompanied 

 by a plan and section of the cave and stream. The unknown 

 part of its course is now only two kilometres. 



DIARY OF SOCIETIES. 



THURSDAY, Novii.MiiER 3. 



'Chemical Society, at 8.— A Determin.ition of the Equivalent of 

 Cyanogen : George Dean.— Note on tlie Action of Ligfit on Platinum, 

 Gold, and Silver Chlorides: E. Sonstaut. — Methanetrisulphonic Acid; 

 E. H. Bagnall — A Composite Sodium Chlorate Crystal in which the 

 Twin Law is not followed: W. J. Pope. — On 'he Composition of 

 American Petroleum : Dr. Sydney Young, F.R.S.— (i) On the Separation 

 of Normal and Iso-heptane from American Petroleum ; (2) On the 

 Action of Fuming Nitric Acid on the Par.iffins and other Hydrocarbons : 

 Dr. F. E. Francis and Dr. Sydney Young, F.R.S.— On the Boiling 

 Points and Specific Gravities of Mixtures of Benzene and Normal 

 Hexane : D. H. Jackson and Dr. Sydney Young, F.R.S. 



LiNNEAN SociETV. at 8.30. — On Cratcrostigma puMtitmii, Hochst. : Prof. 

 H. Marshall Ward, F.R.S., and Mis.s Dale — Amphipoda from the 

 Copenhagen Museum and other Sources, Part II . : Rev. T. R. StebbinR, 

 F.R.S.— Exhibitions: Embryos of Hallcrin : Prof. Howes, F.R.S.— 

 Photog raphs of Chicken witii Foster- Parent a Common Buzzard: Alan 

 ¥.CTOiwaa.n.—MitcUaliyaliHa, Ag., a New Briti.sh Plant: H. and J. 

 Groves. 



FRIDA y, November 4. 



Gbologists' Association, at 8. — Conversazione and Exhibition of Speci- 



Qubkett MiCROScopiCAi. Ci.uii. at 8. 



TUESDAY, November 8. 

 Institution of Civil Engineers, at 8. — The Extraction of Nickel from 



its Ores by the Mond Proce.ss : Prof. W. C. Roberts-Austen, C.B., 



F.R.S. 

 Anthropological Institute, at 8.10.— The Tribes inhabiting the 



.Mouth of the Wanigela River, New Guinea : R. E. Guise. 

 WEDfTESDAY, NovBMnKR 9. 

 Geological Societv, at 8.— On the Palaeozoic Radiolarian Rocks of 



New South Wales : Prof. T. W. Edseworth David and E. F. Piitman.— 



On the Radiolaria in the Devonian Rocks of New South Wales : Dr. G. 



J. Hinde, F.R.S. 



NO, I 5 14, VOL, 59] 



THURSDA K_ November 10. 

 Mathematical Society, at 8. — Some Secondary Needs and Oppor- 

 tunities of English Mathematicians: Presidential Address.— The Struc- 

 ture of certain Linear Groups with Quadratic Invariants. Dr. L. E. 

 Dickson —Multiform Solutions of certain Differential Equations of 

 Physical Mathematics and their Applications: H. S. Carslaro. — A Dis- \ 

 covery in the Theory of Compound Partitions : Major Macmahon, R.A., 

 F.R.S. 

 Instirution op Electrical Engineers, at 8. — Rotatory Converters; 

 Prof Silvanus P. Thompson, F.R.S. 



FRIDAY, November ii. 

 Royal Astronomical Society, at 8. 



Physical Socikty, at 5. — Discussion on Mr. \. Campbell's Paper on 

 the Magnetic Fluxes in Meters and other Electrical Instruments, to be 

 opened by Prof. W. E. .Ayrton, F R.S.— On the Propagation of Damped 

 Electrical Oscillations along Parallel Wires : Prof. W. B. Morton.— On 

 the Properties of Liquid Mixtures: R A. Lchfeldt. 



BOOKS, PAMPHLETS, and SERIALS RECEIVED. 



Books,— Domestic Hygiene: Dr. A. W. Williams (Bell).— A Manual of 

 the Grasses of New Sauth Wales : J. H. Maiden (Sydney, Guliickl.— 

 Manual of Bacteri0l0gic.1I Technique and Special Bacteriology : T. Bowbill 

 (Edinburgh, Oliver;.— The Teacher's Manual of Object Lessons in 

 Domestic Economy : V. T. Murche, Vol. 2 (Macmillan).— Electricity made 

 Easy : Drs Houston and Kennelly (Sonnenschein).— Algebra made Easy : 

 Drs. Houston and Kennelly (Sonnenschein).— The interpretation of Mathe- 

 matical Formul.ie: Drs. Houston and Kennelly (Sonnenschein).— A Pocket 

 Dictionary of Electrical Words, Terms, and Phrases : Dr. E. J. Houston 

 (Sonnenschein) —Organic Evolution Cross-Examined : Duke of Argyll 

 (Murray).— The Groundwork of Science : Dr. St. Geo. Mivart (Murray).— 

 The Natural History of Digestion : Dr. A. L. Gillespie (W. Scott).— 

 Graham-Otto's Ausfuhrliches Lehrbuch der Chemie, Erster Band, Dritte 

 Abthg. (Braunschweig, Viewcg).— University College, Nottingham. Calen- 

 dar 1898-90 (Nottingham, Sands). — An Introduction to Practical Physics: 

 D. Rintoul (Macmillan).— The Egyptian Soudan : its Loss and Recover)- : 

 Lieuts. Alford and Sword (Macmillan).— L'Art de Dtcouvrir les Sources et 

 de les C.ipter (Paris, BaiUiere).— Marvels of Ant Life: W. F. Kirby 

 (Partridge). 



Pamphlets.— Lessons in Domestic Science : E. R. Lush, Part 2 

 (Macmillan).— Ein AusHug auf den .Aetna : .\. Belar (Laibach, Kleinma>T). 



Seri.\ls. — Longman's Magazine, November (Longmans).— Good Words, 

 November (Isbisler)— Sunday Magazine, November (Isbister).— Journal of 

 the Royal Statistical Society, September (Stanford). — Transactions of the 

 Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders in Scotland, October (Glasgow). 

 —Record of Technical and Secondary Education, October (M.acmillan).- 

 Chambers's Journal, November (Chambers).— Century Magazine. Novem- 

 ber (Macmillan).— Humanitarian, November (Duckworth).— National Geo- 

 graphic Magazine, October (Washington).— Physical Review, August 

 (Macmillan).— Contemporary' Review, November (Isbister).— Journal of the 

 Royal Microscopical Society, October (zo Hanover Square). 



CONTENTS, PAGE 



Analytical Chemistry. By Prof. Arthur Smithells . i 



Researches on Medusee. By W. A. H 4 



Our Book Shelf: — 



" Special Report on the Beet-Sugar Industry in the 



United States" 4 



Weber: "Traitt: d'Algebre Superieure." — G. B. M. , 4 

 Maiden : " A Manual of the Grasses of New South 



Wales" S 



Blim and De I'Isle : " Manuel de I'Explorateur " , . 5 

 Letters to the Editor : — 



Heredity and Fertility.— F, Howard Collins . ... 5 

 ".\ Short History of Scientific Education."— Father 



A. L. Cortie 6 



Organic Variations and their Interpretation.— J, T. 



Cunningham 7 



Scientific Education in Rural Districts. Ky The 

 Countess of Warwick and Prof. Raphael Meldola, 



In the Forbidden Land.' {Illustiated.) By T. H. H, 9 

 Bodes Law and Witt's Planet DQ. i^Illuilralcd.) 



By Dr. William J. S. Lockyer II 



Notes '4 



Our Astronomical Column : — 



New Algol Variable '7 



Comet Brooks '7 



The Orbit of Castor '7 



The International Conference on Terrestrial Mag- 

 netism ... '° 



Applications of Electricity. By W. H. Preece, C.B., 



F.R.S '9 



Recent Coral Boring Operations at Funafuti .... 22 



University and Educational Intelligence 23 



Societies and Academies 23 



Diary of Societies 24 



Books, Pamphlets, and Serials Received 24 



