NATURE 
[Sepz. 30, reas | 
parison of maps of the ultra-viclet spectrum, by Edward C. 
Pickering. Prof. Rowland’s recently published photograph of 
the solar spectrum is compared with Draper's map of the wltra- 
violet portion of the spectrum prepared in 1873, with which it 
is shown to agree very closely. The mean difference for the 
seventy-six lines compared was 0’012, corresponding to about 
1/800 inch upon the Draper map. It may therefore be assumed 
that the probable error of a wave-length derived from this map 
will not exceed 1/100 unit if the correction here given be fist 
applied.—On two hitherto undescribed meteoric stones, by 
Edward S. Dana and Samuel L. Penfield. One of these 
meteorites was found, in 1869, between Salt Lake City and Echo, 
Utah ; the other, in 1846, near Cape Girardeau, South-West 
Missouri. Olivine is the most prominent constituent of the 
former, while the latter is a light gray chondrite. 
SOCIETIES AND ACADEMIES 
PARIS 
Academy of Sciences, September 20.—M. Fizeau in the 
chair.—Kinematic analysis of human motion, by M. Marey, In 
the figure accompanying this paper are represented the successive 
attitudes of the lower right limb while describing a complete 
step. This action is shown to be divided into two periods, a 
rest and arise, which are again subdivided into four unequal 
phases, of which the last three belong to the period of rise. 
The simultaneous movements of ankle, knee, and hip are ex- 
plained, and it is pointed out that, whatever be the velocity of 
the pace, the form of the various trajectories here described is 
maintained in their salient features. But, the more rapid the 
motion, the more is the tendency of the centre of gravity to 
approach a straight line parallel with the surface of the ground. 
—‘* Modern Kinetics and the Dynamism of the Future,” by M. 
G. A. Him. This is the title of a new work, which the author 
presents to the Academy with some remarks explaining its gene- 
ral purpose. After replying to the various objections raised 
against his general principles, he deals with the arguments 
which, as he maintains, render henceforth indefensible the 
kinetic theory of the gases, referring to molecular movements 
most of the properties of these bodies. Three arguments are 
advanced of such a nature that he believes future physicists will 
wonder how this kinetic theory could ever have been accepted 
for a single moment. Even were it correct, it would not follow 
that light, radiant heat, electricity, magnetic attraction and re- 
pulsion, and gravitation were due to movements of ponderable 
matter, far less that thought itself was nothing more than 
a molecular movement. But the reverse is not true, so 
that with the collapse of the kinetic theory of the gases 
fall the kinetic theories in general, which claim to ex- 
plain all possible phenomena of the universe by invisible 
movements of matter. The doctrine here substituted for kinetic 
force, he thinks, explains quite as easily, and much more 
rationally, the universal phenomena of the physical world. He 
does not, however, hope at once to convince all minds of what 
they should have long ago been themselves convinced. Inter- 
pretations formulated @ fv%or7, and apart from experience and 
observation, have unfortunately more vitality than truths gained 
to science by the patient study of Nature.—Observations of 
Winnecke’s comet made at the Observatory of Nice (Gautier 
equatorial), by MM. Perrotin and Charlois. The results of 
these observations, which extend over the four days from August 
27 to September 1, are embodied in tables showing the positions 
of the stars 25339 Lalande, 25588 Lalande, 4989 Schjellerup, 
5004 Schjellerup, and the apparent positions of the comet.— 
On the transformation of algebraic surfaces in themselves, by M. 
Emile Picard. A proposition analogous to that of Schwarz is thus 
formulated: Algebraic surfaces capable of being transformed in 
themselves by a bi-rational substitution, including two arbitrary 
parameters, are of the genus zero, or one.—On a class of differ- 
ential non-linear equations, by M. Roger Liouville.—Historical 
note on a series whose general term is of the form A, (« — a) 
(x — ay)... (x — a), by M. G. Enestrom.—Researches on 
the structure of the nerve-centres in the Arachnide, by M. G. 
Saint-Remy. Having ina previous communication dealt with 
the structure of the brain of the scorpion, the author here extends 
his observations to the spider family, and more particularly to 
Tegenaria domestica, Epeiva diadema, and Phalangium opiiio. 
In these groups he shows that the brain offers the same 
plan of organisation as that of the Scorpionida.—Fresh 
researches on the configuration and extent of the Carmaux 
Coal-measures, by MM. Alfred Caraven-Cachin and Grand. In 
this basin, which extends for nearly six miles from Roziéres to 
Saint-Quentin, there are in some districts three successive coal- 
deposits with a joint thickness of over 31 metres underlying 
Tertiary formations 156 metres thick. They appear to have 
been deposited horizontally, always in shallow water, the land 
subsiding sometimes slowly, sometimes intermittently, during 
the whole period of their formation.—Note on the affinities of 
the Oolitic floras in the West of France and in England, by M. L. 
Crié. In this paper the author communicates the first result~ of 
his studies of the Oolitic floras of these regions. The conifers 
are represented at Mamers (Sarthe) and at Scarborough (York- 
shire) by traces of Brachyphyllum, which present a remarkable 
identity. Certain imprints at Scarborough also show a strong 
resemblance, in the disposition of the foliage, and especially in 
the veinous system, to Ol2zamites marginatus, Sap., which is so 
characteristic of the Mamers flora. About the middle of the 
Oolitic period this group must haye covered certain upheaved 
tracts in the Venetian Alps, in the neighbourhood of Mamers, 
and at Scarborough.—The waterspout of September 14 at 
Marseilles, by M. Barthelet. 
BOOKS AND PAMPHLETS RECEIVED 
“How Readest Thou? or the First Two Chapters of Genesis.” by E. 
Dingle (Partridge and Co.).—‘‘ The Chalk and Flint Formation,” by W. B. 
Galloway (Low and Co.).—‘‘ Life-History of Plants,” by Prof. D. M’Alpine 
(Sonnenschein).—‘‘ Tobacco; a Farmer's Plant,” by P. M. Taylor (Stan- 
ford).—‘* Therapeutics founded upon Organopathy and Antipraxy,” by W. 
Sharp, M.D. (Bell and Sons).—‘t Report of the Iowa Weather Service, 
January to April 1283,” by Dr. G. Hinrichs.—‘‘ Scientific Romances + No. v. 
Casting out the Self,” by C. H. Hinton (Sonnenschein).—‘* Lessons in Ele- 
mentary Dynamics,” by H. G. Madan (Chambers).—*‘ Studies in Ancient 
History,’’ N.E., by J. F. McLellan (Macmil!an).—‘* Manual of the New 
Zealand Coleoptera,” parts 3 and 4, by Capt. ‘T. Brown (Didsbury, Wel 
lington).—‘“‘ School of Forest Engineers in Spain,” 
(oliver and Boyd).—‘‘ Hand-book of Mineralogy,” by J.C. Foyr (Van 
Nostrand, N.Y.).—‘t Monographs U.S. Survey,” vol. 1x. (Washington).— 
“Hommage aA M. Chevreul, A I'Occasion de son Centenaire” (Alcan, 
Paris).—‘' The Ha dy Natural History,” by J. G. Weod (Religious Tract 
Society) —‘‘General Report on the Operations of the Survey of India De- 
partment,” 1884-85, by Col. G. De Prée (Calcutta).—“ No es on the Bones 
of a Species of Sphenodon,” by W. Colenso.—‘* The Economical Aspects of 
Agricultural Chemistry,” by H. W. Wiley (Wilson, Camb., Mass.)— 
*- Report on the Decapod Crustacea of the A/batross Dredgings off the 
Coast of the United States,’ by S. I. Smith (Washington).—“ Metodo per 
Misurare la Dilatazione Termica dei Corpi Solidi: Memoria di F. Artimini 
(Firenze).—“ The Cause of Electricity, with Remarks on Chemical Equiva— 
lents,”’ by G. T. Carruthers (Benares). ' 
i 
CONTENTS PAGE 
Our Guns)... d>.npitivnl 2 6) Shae ee 
The Mathematical and Physical Sciences .... 518 | 
Chemistry of Wheat, Flour, and Bread. By Prof. 3 
John Wrightson . 2 2 0 2). ). 0. 55) 2) ee eee 
Our Book Shelf :— ‘ % 
“‘ American Journal of Mathematics”... ..- - 521 
‘©The Non-Euclidian Geometry Vindicated: a Reply 
to Mr: iSkey? m,).(2'29 205.0. ci ol) +) hol ee 
Letters to the Editor :— 
The Sense of Smell.—Dr. Arthur Mitchell. . . . 521 
Paleolithic Implements in Cambridgeshire.—Arthur 
Gi Wrighti;. <0). %.. oie 4 2 2. eal er 
Sign-Numbers in Use among the Masai.—Joseph : 
Thomson) 4) 6. 06) eta) es ise 
A Glacial Period in Australia. By Dr. R. von 3 
endenfeld’: 25. «6: 4 beeen eee te er 
Roots. By Prof. H. Marshall Ward ...... - 524 
On the Proposal to establish a Permanent Colonial : 
Museum in London. By Dr, Henry Trimen . . 528, 
Notes). 5. Sacer sis © se) 2%) ol (oho 6) oo ulonCa B 
Our Astronomical Column :— : 
Stellar Photometry. . . 9. . 2 s+ o © se 53 
A New Observatory in La Plata. ..... - | 
Heliometric Observations of the Pleiades . ... - 
Astronomical Phenomena for the Week 188 
Octoberi3=0) . Ye 6 free Fees eae } 
Meteorites, Meteors, and Shooting-Stars. By Prof. f 
H:A..Newton «2.0 +s docu cous aye Bae 
The British Association :— 7 
Section’ D==Biology*} 97423) 3 3h ee 
Scientific'Seriale\;.8 2.) ee =e: /-esi ten 
Societies and Academies. ......++.++ ++ 540 
Books and Pamphlets Received .......-.-- “ 
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by Dr. J. C. Brown 
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