284 
NATURE 
[Fuly 22, 1886 
crystals, which circulate along the line of demarcation between 
the cell-sap and the protoplasm.” 
PARIS 
Academy of Sciences, July 12,—M. Jurien de la Graviere, 
President, in the chair.—On the relations that exist between the 
geodetic and geological sciences, by M. Faye. The author's 
remarks are intended to show that the distinction formerly 
drawn between these two sciences can no longer be maintained. 
Thus in geodesy, for example, the sum of the forces acting on 
the terrestrial globe cannot be considered apart from those in- 
cessantly modifying its relief. The recent objection regarding 
the Quaternary glaciers is specially dealt with, not from the 
geological standpoint, but from that of the attraction exercised by 
them on the seas.—Note on the navigation of the Suez Canal at 
night, by M. de Lesseps. The question of nocturnal navigation, 
which would practically double the capacity of the canal, has 
now been studied exhaustively, and successfully solved by the 
adoption of signal lights along the route and electric lights on 
board the vessels in transit.—Experiments on waves, and espe- 
cially on the diminution of the mean lateral pressures of undu- 
lations in canals, by M. A. de Caligny. A series of experiments 
are reported made on a miniature artificial canal, with the view 
of testing the various actions of translation and side pressure of 
the waves on floating bodies.—Reflections on the critical re- 
marks of M. Hugoniot, which appeared in the Comptes rendus 
of June 28, by M. Hirn. The reference is to the author's last 
experiments on the flow of gases, some of whose conclusions 
are here sustained against M. Hirn’s objections.—Identity of 
origin of the fluorescence ZB by reversion, and of the bands 
obtained by Mr. Crookes in vacuum, by M. Lecoq de Boisbau- 
dran. It is shown that the red band 619 of Mr. Crookes’s 
former spectrum of yttria is due to the same earth as the author's 
band ZB obtained by reversion, and that this band does not 
consequently characterise a new element.—Observations made 
during the cholera epidemic of 1885, by M. A. Gueérard.— 
This work, by the engineer-in-chief of the Marseilles harbour 
works, traces the progress of the epidemic during the 
years 1884-85, and attributes its virulence primarily to the 
contaminated waters of the little River Huveaune used 
for domestic purposes in the districts which suffered 
most. — Observations of the new planet 259 and of the 
comet Brooks III., made at the Observato-y of Nice (Gautier 
equatorial), by M. Charlois.—Solar observations during the 
first six months of the year 1886, by M. Tacchini. These 
observations show a progressive diminution of the phenomenon 
of solar spots, as well as of the solar protuberances.—On the 
Peruvian metrical standard, by M. Foerster. Admitting the 
authenticity of this standard, the author asks that accurate deter- 
minations be made of the value in metres of its two lengths, in 
order that all geodetic measurements, old and recent, be re- 
duced to the same unity, that is, the international metre. In 
some subsequent remarks the same course was urged by M. 
Wolf.—Note on M. G. A. Hirn’s experiments on the discharge 
of gases through orifices, by M. Parenty.—A new method of 
constructing the screw, by M. Trouvé. During the course of 
protracted experiments on the application of electricity to the 
propulsion of ships, the author has been led to study the various 
forms of screw now in use, and to devise another, here de- 
scribed, of far more simple structure. —On a physiological condi- 
tion influencing photometric measurements, by M. Aug. Char- 
pentier.—On the heat of formation of selenhydric acid, by M. 
Ch. Fabre. The three methods here described for measuring 
this heat of formation yield a mean of —9744 cal. for gaseous 
selenhydric acid.—On a new species of asparagine, by M. A. 
Piutti. This new substance, recently discovered by the author 
while assisting at the preparation of asparagine in M. G. 
Parenti’s laboratory, at Sienna, has a rotatory power, as deter- 
mined by Laurent’s great polarimeter, equal to, and with con- 
trary sign to that of ordinary asparagine. The paper elicited 
some remarks by M. Pasteur on the great difference in taste of the 
two varieties of asparagine.—Distribution of a base between 
two acids; special case of the alkaline chromates, by 
M. P. Sabatier. — On the titanates of crystallised baryta 
and strontian, by M. L. Bourgeois. This paper is de- 
voted to a study of the crystallised earthy alkaline titanates, 
which are obtained by the application of the known method— 
fusion of the elements of the salt in the corresponding chloride. 
—Action of chlorine on the seleniocyanate of potassium, by M. 
A, Verneuil. 
From the experiments here described, it appears 
that the action of chlorine on the alkaline seleniocyanates differs 
greatly from that which it exercises on the corresponding sulpho- 
cyanates. Bromine and iodine give rise to analogous pheno- 
mena.— Transformation of glucose to dextrine, by MM. E. 
Grimaux and L. Lefevre. The transformation here effected for the 
first time is shown to throw some light on the somewhat obscure 
history of the dextrines.—On the transformation of the amides to 
amines, by M. H. Baubigny.—Isomery of the camphols and cam- 
phors ; camphol of valerian, by M. Alb. Haller, A comparison of 
the properties of this camphol and its derivatives with those of the 
camphol of N’gai and its corresponding derivatives shows com- 
plete identity between these two products. In a further com- 
munication the author hopes to show that these two camphols 
themselves are also identical with that derived from the spirit of 
madder.—Electrolysis of an ammoniacal solution with the elec- 
trodes of carbon, by M. A. Millot.—On an alcoholate of erys- 
tallised potassa, by M. Engel. The body here determined, and 
named ‘‘alcoholate of potassa,” has the formula— 
KOH + 2(C.H,0). 
—On propionic acid, by M. Ad. Renard.—Researches on the 
development of beetroot (continued) ; general conclusion ; by 
M. Aimé Girard.—The law of connections applied to the mor- 
phology of the organs of the Mollusks, and especially of Ampul- 
laria, by M. E. L. Bouvier. —On the presence of Ricins (Mallo-_ 
phages) in the quills of birds’ feathers, by M. Trouessart.— 
On the absorption of carbonic acid by leaves, by MM. Deherain 
and Maquenne. From the experiments here described it is 
shown (1) that the proportion of pure carbonic acid absorbed 
under atmospheric pressure varies with the quantity of water 
contained in the leaves ; (2) that the coefficient of absorption of 
this acid by the water contained in the leaves is in the normal 
temperature superior to the coefficient of solubility of the same 
gas in water ; (3) that the absorption is extremely rapid, which 
explains how the foliage is able to extract the extremely minute 
quantities of carbonic acid (some ten-thousandths) contained in 
the normal atmosphere.—On the crystallographic association of 
the triclinic felspars, by M. R. Bréon.—On the ‘‘ophite”” erup- 
tive rocks of Corbiéres, by M. Viguier.—Note on the primitive 
and Cambrian micaceous schists of Southern Andalusia, by MM. 
Ch. Barrois and Alb. Offret.—On injections of toxic gaseous 
medicines through the rectum; successful treatment of pul- 
monary affections by this means, by M. L. Bergeon. 
fe 
CONTENTS PAGE 
Hand-book of Plant Dissection ......... 26% 
Mr. Merrifield’s ‘‘ Treatise on Nautical Astronomy” 262 
Letters to the Editor :-— 
Laws of Solution.—Wm. Durham ....... 263 
Ice on the Moon’s Surface.—Prof. G. H. Darwin, 
FR See ees ene ee Sk, 
Luminous Clouds.—Robt. C. Leslie; D.J. Rowan 264 
Animal Intelligence.—Frederick Lewis . ZO 
Deafness and Signs. —Dr. Hyde Clarke ... . . 265 
The Duration of Germ-Life in Water.—Arthur 
Downes 20. 6 ss 6 sede es Oe 
The Bagshot Beds.—Horace W. Monckton. . . 265 
A Lubricant for Brass Work.x—H. G. Madan .. 265 
Butterflies’ Wings._J.M.B........... 266 
Note on the Absorption Spectrum of Didymium. By 
William'Crookes, FORSS) «= = = «0 =) eum 
Heating and Cooking by Gas. .......... 266 
The Topographic Features of Lake Shores. . . . 269 
Capillary Attraction. By Sir William Thomson, 
FIRS sole eet Se vo. oe 7 ee Ce 
The Total Solar Eclipse, 1886 August 28-29 ... 272. 
NoOtés: 22) 5 sects: eine) lo We Ge. es |e Gio Bs 
Our Astronomical Column :— : 
Schulhof’s Researches on the Orbit of Comet 1873 
VII. (Coggia—Winnecke) .......... 278 
Solar Activity during the First Half of 1886... . 278 
Astronomical Phenomena for the Week 188 
July25237 foie elev) Secu g sane, “ieee foe ee 
On Laying the Dust in Mines. By William Gallo- 
WAY. he 5) een Za IAS clean Sk oe ty. GOH RN! 
The Sun and Stars, IX. By J. Norman Lockyer, - 
FURiS: ((Wiustrated) Ne SS. Es Ce 
Societies and Academies ........-.-+.. 283 
ee 
