492 
theory of dissociation, by M. G. Chaperon, It is argued that 
the theory of dissociation may be expressed with simplicity by 
means of certain cycles, which are easily formed, if the pos- 
sibility be admitted of separating at a constant temperature 
several mixed gases or vapours without the expenditure of con- 
vertible labour or of heat.—On the conjugation of the Para- 
mecize, by M. E. Maupas. Fresh observations on Paramecium 
caudatum have led the author to the determination of a fact of 
great physiological importance, which had hitherto escaped his 
notice, and which seems to foreshadow in these organisms the 
fecundating processes of the higher animals.—On the family of 
the Polyclinians, by M. Lahille. The Polyclinians of Roscoff— 
studied, for the first time, in 1872 and 1873, by M. Giard—are here 
divided into two distinct families—Polyclinidee and Aplididze.— 
On the affinities of the Eocene ferns of West France and Saxony, 
by M. Louis Crié. The already-determined affinities of the 
Tertiary flora of these two regions are here considerably 
enlarged by a comparative study of their respective ferns.—Note 
on the telluric currents, by M. J. J. Landerer. The author’s 
further observations on meteorological pheno nena c innected 
with electricity lead to the general inference that the great 
telluric current of the globe has its origin in the difference of the 
negative potentials. ‘he constancy and amplitude of the xég¢es 
of the winds whence it results insure both its normal direction 
and permanence.—On the discovery made in Belgium of a grave 
contemporary with the mammoth and rhinoceros, by M. Nadail- 
lac. Ina cave recently explored by MM. Marcel de Puydt and 
Sohest near Spy, in the province of Namur, were discovered 
two skulls of the Neanderthal type associated with the remains 
of Xhinoceros tichorhinus and Elephas antiguas (2). It thus 
appears that the Neanderthal race had already penetrated to 
the Meuse valley in the remotest times. From the relics found 
in the undisturbed soil of this cave it appears that they could 
make flint implements, utilise the tusks of the mammoth, 
manufacture earthenware baked in the fire, that they buried 
their dead, and in a word possessed the first rudiments of 
civilisation. 
BERLIN 
Chemical Society, July 12.—C. Scheibler, Vice-President, 
in the chair.—Ferd. Tiemann gave an account of some reac- 
tions of substituted amidoximes.—C. Scheibler discussed the 
important question for the sugar industry, whether a definitely 
characterised strontium dihydrate (SrO,2H,O) exists as such, 
or whether the substance having the percentage composition of 
a dihydrate is not rather a monohydrate (SrO, H,O) containing 
a higher hydrate mixed with it. He described his experiments 
on the action of carbon dioxide on the hydrates of the alkaline 
earths at different temperatures and containing varying amounts 
of water. He finds that the facts agree with the latter view. 
—H. Noerdlinger has studied the oxidation products obtained 
by the action of nitric acid on myristic acid : the chief products 
are succinic and adipic acids, besides smaller quantities of 
glutaric, pimelic, suberic, oxalic, and carbonic acids.—R. J. 
Friswell and A. G. Green described their researches on the 
constitution of diazoamidobenzene, from which it is concluded 
that the constitutional formula C;H;. N: N. NH. C,H; usually 
assigned to it is the correct one.—M. Rosenfeld described 
lecture experiments for the demonstration of the volumetric 
decomposition of hydrochloric acid and of the sublimation of 
sulphur.—J. Bongartz gave an account of compounds which 
aldehydes, ketones, and ketonic acids give with thioglycolic 
and thioacetic acids.—R. Otto discussed the conditions under 
which the whole of the arstnic can be removed from hydro- 
chloric acid by hydrogen sulphide, and he showed that the last 
traces of arsenic can be precipitated when the addition is made 
of a certain quantity of a substance which gives an insoluble 
precipitate with the hydrogen sulphide. Since crude hydro- 
chloric acid always contains such substances (e.y. ferric chloride, 
chlorine, &c.), it can readily be freed from arsenic by means of 
hydrogen sulphide.—P. Klason gave an account of a new 
method for the estimation of sulphur and of the halogens in 
organic compounds by burning them in a current of oxygen.— 
H. Kiliani has isolated the lactone of levulosecarboxylic acid, 
and has more closely examined the pentoxypimelic acid resulting 
from the oxidation of dextrosecarboxylic acid, and also its 
lactone. —E, Fischer has obtained a base named isoglucosamine, 
C,W4,N0,, by the reduction of phenylglucosazone with zinc dust 
and acetic acid, aniline and ammonia being simultaneously pro- 
duced; isoglucosamine is isomeric with glucosamine, and 
closely resembles the latter in its properties, and probably bears 
NATURE 
[Sepz. 16, 1886 
the same relation to levulose as glucosamine does to dextrose. — 
J. Tafel described a new method of preparing primary amines, 
which consists in the action of sodium amalgam and glacial 
acetic acid on the alcoholic solution of the substances produced 
from ketones or aldehydes and phenylhydrazine ; the reaction 
takes place according to the equation— 
R:N,H. C,H, + 4H = RH. NH, + NH,. C,H, 
—E. Erlenmeyer offered an explanation of the remarkable 
isomerism occurring in the cinnamic acid and acrylic acid series. 
—K. Heumann and Th. Heidlberg are experimenting with a 
view to ascertain the influence exerted on the shade of certain 
dyes by the introduction of substitution groups and elements : in 
the present communication they describe the effect produced by 
the infroduction of chlorine. —W. Staedel and H. Bauer 
gave an account of their experiments on the methylation 
of metanitraniline; on the demethylation of tertiary aromatic 
amines, and also on a convenient method of preparing azo- 
compounds.—G. Ciamician and P. Silber had a paper on the 
constitution of certain di-substitution derivatives of pyrroline.— 
K. Elbs and G. Steinike have studied a-naphthylphenylketone. 
—W. Kelbe has found ordinary cymene and an arowatic hydro- 
carbon of the formula C,H, in rosin-spirit.—R, Anschiitz and 
P. N. Evans have found that antimony pentachloride boils 
under diminished pressure without appreciable decomposition. 
—A. G. Ekstrand gave the results of his research on the 
naphthoic acids; he has prepared and described the various 
nitro-derivatives. 
BOOKS AND PAMPHLETS RECEIVED 
“‘American Journal of Mathematics,” vol. vii. No. 3.—‘‘18th and zoth 
Annual Reports of the Trustees of the Peabody Museum,” vol. ili. Nos. 5 and 
6 (Cambridge, Mass.).—‘‘ Field and Other Experiments Conducted on the 
Farm and in the Laboratory of Sir J. B. Lawes, June 1886.”—‘* A History 
of the Theory of Electricity,” vol. i., by Isaac Todhunter and Karl Pearson 
(University Press, Cambridge).—‘ Industrial and High Art Education in the — 
United States,” by J. E. Clarke (Washington). 
Earthquake, Distribution’. 6-5.) «fon. ene 
Our Book Shelf :— 
~ Department of Agriculture, Washington : Third 
Report on the Chemical Composition and Physical 
Properties of American Cereals”... ... . 
Chisholm’s ‘* School Geography” . . 
Letters to the Editor :— 
Physiological Selection and the Origin of Species.— 
Dr. Alfred R. Wallace; Prof. Francis Darwin, 
F.R.S. ; J. H. A. Jenner; Frank Evershed . 
Solution Discussion at the British Association. —Wm., 
Durham js. 5 3. eG ue oe 
Actinotrocha of the British Coasts.—Prof. W. C. 
MicIntosh\ kiitos cae 
The Manatee.—W. Hammond Tooke ..... 
Time Reform in Japan.—D. Kikuchi . . 
Tremblement de Terre du 5 Septembre.—Dr. F.-A. 
Pore] Seni ir. Unite ee tone ae 
Lunar Rainbow.—D: Pidgeon’ < 4. 2 =)... 
Aurora,:—Dr. M.A; Veeder. = «© sien 
The Solar Eclipse of Aupust 20) “2 2. © «eee 
Photography of the Solar Corona, By Dr. William 
Huggins, F.R.S.; A. A. Common, F.R.S. ... 
The Recent American Earthquake. By W. Topley 
Dr. Klein’s Report on Milk Scarlatina ...... 
The British Association :— 
Section E—Geography—Opening Address by Major- 
General Sir F. J. Goldsmid, K.C.S.1., C.B., 
F.R.G.S., President of the Section ..... . 
ING Lo id aaa bo OG Gua Hono a 6 oo - 
NiGKCE png oso is OnSE Cl OO oho a Gasp a o 5 
Our Astronomical Column :— 
The: Inmer Satellites ofSaturm << 2% 1%. vemenee 
The Invention of the Sextant ...... . 
Week 
Astronomical Phenomena for the 
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