72 NATURE 
[May 15, 1902 
spheeridia of the sea-urchin, by M. Yves Delage. Various views 
have been put forward at different times as to the functions of 
the spheeridia in sea-urchins. An experimental study has been 
made with Echinocyamus, and it was found that the spheeridia 
are not the exclusive organs of the sensation of orientation, since 
sea-urchins deprived of these organs can turn over as certainly, 
although less rapidly, than before. —On a class of transformations 
of Buckland, by M. E. Goursat.—On the deformation of 
conoids, by M. A. Demoulin.—The problem of surfaces loaded 
on end. Solution in the case of the cylinder of revolution, by 
M. Alban Gros.—On the function of self-induction in electric 
discharges through gases, by M. B. Eginitis.—The action of an 
intense magnetic field upon the anodic flux, by M. H. Pellat.— 
The action of self-induction on the spectrum of dissociation of 
compounds, by M. A. de Gramont. It was found that by 
altering the self-induction of the spark circuit the spectrum of 
air could be very easily eliminated without altering that of other 
bodies. By still further increasing the self-induction of the 
circuit, the lines due to various metalloids, such as sulphur, 
selenium, tellurium and phosphorus, could be made to disappear, 
a result which has obvious applications in the spectroscopic 
analysis of minerals. —On the law of Maxwell” = K for somecom- 
pounds containing nitrogen, by M. Edm. van Aubel (see p. 68).— 
Glucose and the carbonates of cerium. On a new mechanism 
of oxidation, by M. Andre Job. Cerous carbonate in the 
presence of air is capable of oxidising arsenites and also 
glucose. In the latter case the cerous salt behaves like an 
oxydase.—On the alloys of cadmium. with barium and 
calcium, by M. Henri Gautier.—On an oxycarbide of cerium, by 
M. Jean Sterba. By the action of carbon upon cerium oxide in 
the electric furnace, a well-defined crystallised oxycarbide can be 
-obtained of the formula CeC,.2CeO,. This oxycarbide is 
relatively stable in water and air, and when decomposed with 
dilute acids furnishes unsaturated hydrocarbons. No other 
carbides except this and cerium carbide, CeC,, can be obtained 
in the electric furnace.—On arsenic anhydride and its hydrates, | 
by M. V. Auger. The only hydrates which could be obtained 
were (H.AsO,),, H,O and H,As,O,;. The three hydrates 
HAsO,, H,As,O, and H,AsO, described by Kopp could not be 
prepared.—The preparation and properties of the chloro-, 
bromo- and iodo-sulphobismuthites of lead, by M. Fernand 
Ducatte.—On some derivatives of pyruvylpyruvic ester, by 
M. L. J. Simon. An unsuccessful attempt was made to prepare 
this ester, Cl1,—CO—CO—CH,—CO—CO,C,H;. The pro- 
duct of the action of aniline upon ethyl pyruvate appears to be 
this triketone condensed with two molecules of aniline. Only 
one of the aniline groups could be split off by hydrolysis with 
sulphuric acid.—On the mutual action of acid chlorides and 
methanal, by M. Marcel Descudé.—On the combinations of 
sodium tetrazoditolylsul phite with aromatic amines and phenols, 
and their transformation into azo colouring matters, by MM. A. 
Seyewetz and Biot.—On the adaition of hypochlorous acid to 
propylene, by M. Louis Henry. A reply toa note of M. Tiffenau 
on the constitution of the chlorhydrins. The constitution of 
the addition product of hypochlorous acid to propylene has usually 
been determined by oxidation. The author points out that the 
apparently contradictory results obtained are due to the fact that 
the same compound gives different oxidation products according 
to the oxidising agent used. It is possible that two addition 
products are simultaneously formed, but the principal one is 
undoubtedly that in which the -OH group attaches itself 
to the group =CII,.—The development of black rot, by 
M. A. Prunet.—The Carboniferous eruptive rocks of Creuse, 
by M. L. de Launay. The results of this investigation 
are in accord with the theory of M. Michel Lévy on the 
differentiation of magmas.—Study of specimens of water and 
sea floor from the North Atlantic, by M. J. Thoulet. 
DIARY OF SOCIETIES. 
THURSDAY, May 1s. 
Royat Society, at 4.30.—On some Phenomena affecting the Transmission 
of Electric Waves over the Surface of the Sea and Earth: Capt. H. B. 
Jackson, R.N., F.R.S.—Microscopic Effects of Stress on Platinum: T: 
Andrews, F.R. So and C. R. Andrews.—A Note on the Recrystallisation 
of Platinum: W. Rosenhain.—Cyanogenesis in Plants. Part II. The 
Great Millet, Sorghum vulgare: Prof. W. R. Dunstan, F.R.S., and Dr. 
D. As Henry. —On Electro-motive Wave See en Mechanical 
Disturbance in Metal immersed in Electrolyte : Prof. J. C. Bose. 
InsTituTION OF ELecrricAL ENGINEERS (Society of Arts), at 8 
NO. 1698, VOL. 66] co 
eae Traction on Steam Railways in Italy: Prof. C. A. Carus- 
Vilson. 
Cuemicat Society, at 8.—The Radioactivity of Thorium Compounds, II. 
The Cause and Nature of Radioactivity: KE. Rutherford and F. Soddy. 
—The Radioactivity of Uranium: F.. Soddy.—The Variation with 
Temperature of the Surface Tensions and Densities of Liquid Oxygen, 
Nitrogen, Argon and Carbon Monoxide: E. C Baly and akeG 
Donnan.—Comparison of  Bromonitrocamphane with Briard 
camphor : M. O. Forster.—aa-Benzoylnitrocamphor and aa-Benzoyliodo- 
camphor: M. O. Forster and E. A. Jenkinson. 
FRIDAY, May 16. 
Oe en ATT ION, at 9.—The Nebular Theory: Sir Robert Ball, 
TUESDAY, May 20. 
Royat Institution, at 3-—The Laws of Heredity with Spetial 
Reference to Man: Prof. Karl Pearson, F.R.S. 
WEDNESDAY, May 21. 
Royat MicroscoricaL Society, at 7.30.—Exhibition of Freshwater 
Entomostraca: D. J. Scourfield. 
Rovat METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY, at 4.30.—Report on the Wind Force 
Experiments on H.M.S. Worcester and at Stoneness Lighthouse : W. 
Dines and Capt. D. Wilson-Barker.—The Cornish Dust Fall of January, 
1902: Dr. H. R. Mill. 
THURSDAY, May 22. 
INsTITUTION OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS (Society of Arts), at 8.— 
Annual General Meeting. 
FRIDAY, May 23. 
Royat InsTITUTION, at 9.—The Ethical Element in Shakespeare: Rev. 
Canon Ainger. 
CONTENTS. PAGE 
The Reprint of Stokes’ Papers. Pe Prof. Horace 
WADIDRREN SS. - -: Gl a0) Cee 
Anthracite Mining in Pennsylvania ag 50 
Organography and its Relations to Biological Pro- 
blems) By Prof. J. B. Farmer, FRIS3. 0.) 
Our Book Shelf :— 
Bergholz: ‘The Hurricanes of the Far East”... 51 
Witherby : ‘‘ Bird Hunting on the White Nile.”— 
IR, Teas) : 52 
Perkin and ‘Lean : “An “Introduction ‘to Chemistry 
and Physics.” —S. S. me 
Hopkins: ‘* The Oil Chemists’ Handbook” .. . . 52 
Browne: ‘‘Elements of Botany” ....... . 5s 52 
Letters to the Editor :— rey 
Mont Pelée Eruption and Dust Falls. —Dr. William 
enSeLeockyer>. chsccetismeh its) insult eee 
Symbol for Partial Differentiation. — Prof. John 
Perry, F.R:S= = - 53 
The Pines of Western " Asia.—Sir ve 1D: ‘Hooker, 
G.C.S.I1., F.R.S.; The Writer of the Note. 53 
The Kinetic Theory of Planetary Atmospheres. —Prof, 
Gabe Bryan, Fy.RaS sete 54 
On Prof. Arrhenius’ Theory of Cometary Tails and 
Aurorz.—Prof. John Cox; Dr. J. Halm.. . 54 
Stopping down the Lens of the Human Eye. oe: 
Bliss; Gerald Molloy . . 56 
The Evolution of Snails in the Bahama Islands. — 
Prof. T. D. A. Cockerell. . . 56 
Retention of Leaves by Deciduous Trees. Ge w. 
Bulman; P. T. . 56 
The Recent Volcanic Eruptions in the West Indies. 
By Prof. J. Milne, F.R.S...... 56 
Does Chemical Transformation Influence Weight ? 
By Lord Rayleigh, F.R.S. . . . 58 
University College and the University of London . 59 
The Culture of Greenhouse Orchids. (///ustrated.) . 59 
The Royal Visit to the Calgeenty of Wales. By 
Prof. G. H. Bryan, F.R.S.. . C a : ane 
The Iron and Steel Institute vo; «25 cet) eee 
George Grifith. By B. P22.) 2) = sae eee 
Notes s.- Meo koomrer: 
Our Astronomical Column :— 
New Variable Stars . . oe eo ot OS 
Elements of Comet 1902 a (Brooks) eee oe 
Colaba Observatory . . c Sheets ios 
Atoms and Valencies. By J. i. S54) ale mae 
University and Educational Intelligence gules 
Scientific Serial... PANTS 5) Se MICmomemeTE seks.) 
Societies and Academics/-4ienaeeeekie. 6 eae 
Diary of Societies . - 2.) ae i se 
~~ ems *. 
i 
a 
