337 
NATURE 
[ dugust 5, 1886 
lysis from anhydrous hydrofluoric acid or from the hydrofluorate 
of fluoride is fluor, as already anticipated. —On the separation of 
antimony from tin, by M. Ad. Carnot. This difficult process 
has been successfully accomplished by a method analogous to 
that already employed by the author for the separation of zinc 
and cadmium. It is based on the simultaneous employment of 
oxalic acid and of the hyposulphide of soda.—On the man- 
ganites of soda, by M. G. Rousseau. —On the determination of 
the absolute acidity of the fluids present in the organism, and 
on some phenomena connected with the saturation of ortho- 
phosphoric acid, by M. Ch. Blarez. From the experiments here 
described it is inferred that the exact determination of the abso- 
lute basic property of phosphoric acid is impossible, there being 
nothing absolute in this property itself; also that it is impossible 
to determine the absolute acidity of the animal fluids, of whose 
constituent principles phosphoric acid and the phosphates form 
part.—On some thermic data relating to the chromates, by M. 
Paul Sabatier.—Thermic researches on the seleniures, by M. 
Charles Fabre. The author here deals with the heat of forma- 
tion of the seleniure of dissolved ammonium, and with some 
problems connected with the seleniures of lithium.—Researches 
on some crystallised basic sulphates, by M. Athanasesco. By 
employing the process used by Friedel for the artificial reproduc- 
tion of brochantite, the author has succeeded in obtaining fine 
crystallised subsulphates of cadmium, zinc, alumina, iron, and 
uranium. By a slightly modified process he afterwards obtained 
some subsulphates of nickel, cobalt, mercury, and bismuth.— 
Researches on some crystallised arseniates, by M. Coloriano 
All these arseniates, except the bibasic, are insoluble in water, 
and resist the acids. They were obtained by the various pro- 
cesses of Debray, Friedel and Sarasin, Verneuil and Bourgeois. 
—On a nitrated camphor and its saline and alcoholic combina- 
tions, by M. P. Cazeneuve.—Discussion on the reactions of 
pilocarpine, by MM. E. Hardy and G, Calmels.—Physiological 
function of the pulmonary tissue in the exhalation of carbonic 
acid, by M. L. Garnier.—On a universal chromatometer, by M. 
L. Andrieu (de l’Etang). The apparatus here described and 
illustrated is intended to define and measure the colours of 
liquids by giving them numerical expression.—On the Anguillules 
of smut, by M. G. Pennetier. From his recent experiments the 
author concludes that these parasites preserve the vital spark for 
a period of fourteen years, but no longer.—On the milky secre- 
tion of pigeons during incubation, by MM. Charbonnel-Salle 
and Phisalix.—Researches on the structure of the brain of the 
Myriapods, by M. G. Saint-Remy.—Researches on the Miocene 
vegetation of Brittany, by M. Louis Crié.—On the picturesque 
group of rocks collectively known by the name of Montpellier- 
le-Vieux (Aveyron), by M. E. A. Martel. 
BERLIN 
Physiological Society, July 2.—Dr. Joseph reported on 
the results of experiments instituted with a view to ascertaining 
the influence of the nerves on the skin. Following up the ex- 
periments of Waller, he had excised a somewhat large piece of 
the second cervical nerve peripherically from the ganglion, and 
a few days thereafter had observed behind the ear of the side 
operated upon a perfectly circumscribed place on which the hairs 
had fallen out, but which, beyond the baldness, showed no 
symptom of change. The cutting through of the posterior root 
of the cervical nerve had not the same effect, but the extirpation 
of the second cervical ganglion had that result. The micro- 
scopical examination of the hairless spots showed absence of hair 
papille and of the hair root, while the other constituents of the 
skin remained unchanged. No abnormal vascularisation of the 
spots in question nor of the ears generally was observed. Seeing 
that the protected situation of the depillated spot and the pre- 
sence of sensibility went to disprove the idea of a mechanical 
removal of the hairs, while the result of the anatomical examina- 
tion attested that the hairs were exclusively affected without the 
vascular system having undergone any essential alteration ; the 
speaker was therefore of opinion that the results of his investiga- 
tions might be taken as demonstration of the existence of 
trophical nerves. After the separation of the peripherical nerve 
no change in the ganglion was ever observed, whereas the 
dissection of the posterior root gave rise to atrophy.— 
Dr. H. Virchow next demonstrated four drawings represent- 
ing the incurvations of the vertebrate columns of different 
human types and manifesting the surprisingly great differ- 
ences obtaining- among the normal vertebrate columns of a 
Russian, an Italian, a male German existing in model, 
and a pregnant German wife. From these fagures it was to be 
concluded that the breadth of the normal fluctuations of these 
incurvations was great. On the study of the vertebral column it 
was to be observed that it was indeed comparable to an elastic 
rod which became expanded by lateral pressure, and compressed 
by pressure from the top, but that it was composed of several 
parts independent of one another (the lumbar, pectoral, and 
cervical parts) which were adapted to the special functions of the 
respective sections of the rump. By a simple model he made 
these differences among the different sections apparent. Ona 
second model he showed that very marked displacements in the 
centre of gravity at the uppermost part of the body were equal- 
ised, not by compensatory incurvations, but by bendings in the 
undermost joints. The speaker then demonstrated by curves 
rendered in paste the incurvations shown by the vertebral column 
of dead bodies when the ligaments of the vertebrate bodies in 
front or behind, in the dorsal or lumbar vertebrae, were cut 
through. The curves became more marked after the elastic 
ligaments of the upper vertebrae were cut through, but they 
hardly changed at all when the lowest tendinous ligaments 
were cut through. The intesticular ligaments consisted of a soft 
elastic kernel and of distended ligamentous fibres compressing 
the kernel. The action of the expending kernels, which made 
the vertebral column firmer, was illustrated by a third model. 
The speaker had taken exact measure of the situation of the 
kernel in each disk on vertebrate columns sawn through, and 
when he combined together these points on a drawing, he ob- 
tained a more marked incurvation than that possessed by the 
vertebral column. Thus altogether apart from the muscular 
activity, the different forces acted on the incurvation of the 
vertebrate column, which for the rest appeared to be different in 
the different races. 
BOOKS AND PAMPHLETS RECEIVED 
‘Indigenous Fodder Grasses of North-West India*’ (Roorkee).— 
“Die Ergebnisse der Untersuchungsfahrten, S. M. Knbt.’’ “ Drache” 
(Mittler und Sohn, Berlin). —‘‘ Russland,” by Von Waldeck (Freytag).— 
“* Der Ozean,” by Dr. O. Kriimmell (Freytag).—‘‘ Die Schweiz,” by Dr. Z. Z. 
Egli (Freytag).—“ Vital Statistics of the City of Glasgow,” by Dr. J. B. 
Russell (Macdougall).—‘‘ Beitrage zur Biologie der Pflanzen,’’ Vierter 
Band, Zweiter Heft (Kern, Breslau).—‘‘ Transactions of Vasser Brothers” 
Institute and its Scientific Section,’’ vol. ili. part 1.—*‘ Partiality in Unity” 
(Wyman).—‘‘ Bulletin of the U.S. Geological Survey,” Nos. 24, 25, 26 
ear dig eee ee from Political Economy,” by C. B. Clarke 
Macmillan).—‘‘ Annalen der k. k. Universitats Sternwarte in Wien,” ii. iil. 
Band, 1883, by E. Weiss (Wien).—‘‘ Report on the Migration of Birds,” 
7th Report, 1885 (Macfarlane and Erskine). 
CONTENTS PAGE 
The 'Bookiof: Duck Decoys = = 3 2) <=) se) ieee nee 
Cometary and Planetary Orbits ......... 310 
Letters to the Editor :-— 
The Silver-Blue Cloudlets again,—Prof. C. Piazzi 
Smyth. fs. 50 bein clal nao pete ee 
The Bright Clouds.—T. W, Backhouse. ...., 312 
Aurora.—G. H. Kinahan ; Donald Cameron. . 312 
Halos and Mock Suns.—E. Douglas Archibald ; 
Robert H. F. Rippon. (lustrated) .... . . 313 
A Singular Case.—Prof. Henry H. Giglioli. . . 313 
The Weather at Caracas.—Dr. A. Ermst. . . . . 313 
The Indivisibility of Certain Whole Numbers.—M.. 314 — 
A Quadruped Duck.—Rev. Edward Geoghegan. 314 
Physiological Selection: an Additional Sugeestion | 
on the Origin of Species. By Dr. George J. 
Romanes,,FUR.S) coe eee «sie tien oe ae ee 
Tropical Fruits. By D. Morris. ... .. ... .7. =) 3G 
Microscopic Organisms in Air and Water. (///us-— 
trated ) 318 
The Recent Volcanic Eruption in New Zealand, By 
Arch. Geikie, Director-General of the Geological 
Survey of the United Kingdom. (Witha Map) ... 320 
fo): hi oe OROe ec orors rss is oo LE 
Astronomical Phenomena for the Week 1886 
AUPUSE 8214 ie ce sere’ 5 ses gel coafslae! ol yleh' > taf -nege ene 
The Scientific Development of the Coal-Tar Colour 
Industry. By Prof. R. Meldola, F.R.S. .... 324 
Drying up of Siberian Lakes = . |. - . 2 4) soegeg 
University and Educational Intelligence ..... 330 
Scientific Serials oMemorco mhcmeeca plo pS 
Societies and Academies .......:.. » « «gsm 
Books and Pamphlets Received ......... 332 
23 A pa 
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