96 
spectrum. The intensity of 
varies in different places, and also varies with the self- 
induction of the circuit. It is very intense in the case of 
certain metals such as magnesium, iron, cobalt, nickel and 
manganese. For all the metals examined, the continuous 
spectrum can be completely eliminated by choosing particular 
values for the self-induction.—On a magnetic perturbation 
observed on May 8, by M. Th. Moureaux. A magnetic dis- 
turbance, affecting chiefly the horizontal component, was 
recorded at the Observatory of Val-Joyeux, near Saint-Cyr, at 
a time corresponding to the catastrophe of Martinique.— 
On a rain of ink on May 7, 1902, by M. Th. Moureaux.— 
this continuous spectrum 
On the conditions of formation and_ stability of the 
hydrides and nitrides of the alkaline earths, by M. 
Henri Gautier. In the case of the hydrides of barium and 
strontium, certain phenomena were observed which appeared 
to point to the possible existence of a higher hydride than BaH, 
or SrH,, but on further examination these results were found to 
be due to the simple absorption of hydrogen by the hydrides 
without the formation of any definite compounds. Calcium 
hydride does not possess this property. The nitrides were found 
to be much more stable than the hydrides, commencing to form 
only at temperatures above 600° C., and remaining undecom- 
posed at 1000° C., a temperature at which the hydrides are 
strongly dissociated.—On some derivatives of anthraquinone 
obtained by the action of sodium peroxide upon the aloins and 
their halogen derivatives, by M. E. Léger.—On a new di- 
methylglutaric acid, by M. E. E. Blaise.—The synthesis of 
menthone, by M. Georges Leser. The synthesis was effected 
by the action of potassium dissolved in absolute alcohol upon a 
mixture of isopropyl iodide and acetylmethylcyclohexanone.— 
~On the composition and age of the metamorphic rocks of Crete, 
by M. L. Cayeux. The metamorphic series of western Crete 
belongs to the Trias of the Mediterranean type, probably to the 
Upper Trias.—On certain chromatic reactions of the red 
..corpuscles in the blood of diabetics, by M. J. Le Goff. 
New SourH WALES. 
Linnean Society, March 26.—Mr. J. H. Maiden, presi- 
dent, in the chair.—The president delivered the annual address. 
Ordinary meeting.—Note on two species of Astralium from 
Port Jackson, by Mr. H. Leighton Kesteven. The author finds 
that Astralium fimbriatum, Lamarck, and A. ¢entoriforme, 
Jonas, have, in Port Jackson, been united under the latter name. 
He finds that in the nepionic stage the former is very depressed, 
almost discoidal, and perspectively umbilicate ; whilst the latter 
is trochiform and not umbilicate, at the same stage. They pre- 
sent the anomaly of two species easily separable in the nepionic 
stage, becoming so alike in the adult condition that only by 
their opercula can some specimens be identified.—Studies on 
Australian Mollusca, part vi., by Mr. C. Hedley. Material 
from tropical Queensland furnishes two genera, Congeria and 
Mecoliotia, new to Australia, as well as sundry small forms of 
’ Pyrgulina, Crossea and Liotia, new to science. 
DIARY OF SOCIETIES. 
THURSDAY, May 22. 
NSTITUTION OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS (Society of Arts), at 8.— 
Annual General Meeting. 
FRIDAY, May 23. 
‘Roya. INsTITUTION, at 9.—The Ethical Element in Shakespeare: Rev. 
Canon Ainger. 
Puysicat Society, at 5.—On the Ebullition of Rotating Water; a 
Lecture Experiment: T. C. Porter.—The Conservation of Entropy : 
J. A. Erskine.—Rational Units of Electromagnetism: Sig. G. Giorgi. 
MONDAY, May 26. 
Royat GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY, at 8.30.—Anniversary Meeting. 
Vicroria INSTITUTE, at 4.30,—Annual Meeting. Address by Sir 
Chas. W. Wilson, K.C.M.G., K.C.B. 
TUESDAY, May 27. 
Rovat InstiTuTION, at 3.—The Laws of: Heredity, with Special 
Reference to Man: Prof. K. Pearson, F.R.S. 
Society oF Arts, at 8.—Pageantry and the Masque: May Morris. 
Roya STaTIsTICAL SOCIETY, at 5. 
WEDNESDAY, May 28. 
CHEMICAL SOCcIETY, at 5.30.—Taxim: T. E. Thorpe, C.B., F.R.S. and 
E. Stubbs. 
GEOLOGICAL Sociery, at 8 —(r) On the Red Sandstone Rocks of Peel (Isle 
of Man); (2) The Carboniferous, Permian and ‘Triassic Rocks under the 
NO. 1699, VOL. 66| 
NATURE 
[May 22, 1902 
Glacial Drift in the North of the Isle of Man: Prof. W. Boyd Dawkins, 
F.R.S.—The Plutonic Complex of Central Anglesey: Dr. Charles 
Callaway. 
THURSDAY, May 20. 
| Roya Society, at 4.30.—Probable papers: The Effect of Daylight on 
the Propagation of Electro-magnetic Impulses over Long Distances : G. 
Marconi.—The Minute Structure of Metals and other Plastic Solids : 
G, Beilby.—The Influence of Varying Amounts of Carbon Dioxide in the 
Air on the Photosynthetic Process of Leaves and on the Mode of Growth 
of Plants: H. ‘IT. Brown, F.R.S., and F. Escombe.—On the Influence of 
an Excess of Carbon Dioxide in the Air on the Form and Internal 
Structure of Plants: Prof. J. B. Farmer, F.R.S., and S. E. Chandler.— 
On the Structure of the Gills of the Lamellibranchia : Dr. W. G. Ride- 
wood. 
Society oF Arts, at 4.30.—Western Australia: its 
Resources ; Hon. H. W. Venn. 
INSTITUTION OF MINING ENGINEERS (Geological Society). at 11.— 
Working Coal under the River Hunter, the Pacific Ocean and its Tidal 
Waters, near Newcastle, New South Wales: A. A. Atkinson.—Lead and 
Zinc Deposits of the Mississippi Valley, U.S.A. : Prof.C. R. Van Hise 
and H. Foster Bain.—l'he Campbell Coal-washing Table: Clarence R. 
Claghorn.—The Mining, Concentration and Analysis of Corundum in 
Ontario; Dr. W. L. Goodwin.—Re-opening of Hartley Colliery: R. E. 
Ornsby.—Deposits of Hydroborate of Lime: its Exploration and Refina- 
tion: Carlos A. Lynes Hoskold.—Remarks on Mr. M. Walton Brown's 
“Report on Mechanical Ventilators”: Prof. A. Rateau. 
FRIDAY, May 3. 
Rovat InsTiruTIoNn, at 9.—The Progress of Electric Space Telegraphy : 
G. Marconi. 
INsTITUTION OF MINING ENGINEERS (Geological Society), at 10.30.—The 
Training of Industrial Leaders: Prof. J. Wertbeimer.—Smelting in 
British Columbia: W, Denham Verschoyle.—Treatment of Low-grade 
Copper-ores in Australia: J. J. Muir.—The Tarkwa Gold field, West 
Africa; A. R. Sawyer.—Gold-dredging : T. Ross Burt.—Gold-dredging 
in Otago, New Zealand: F. W. Payne.—Electric Traction on Roads and 
Mineral Railways: W. R. Cooper.—The Analytical Valuation of Gas- 
coals: G. P. Lishman. 
EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SOCIETY, at 8.30. 
Progress and 
CONTENTS. PAGE 
Space Perception. By Prof. Alex, Crum Brown, 
F.R.S. EPEC hs > tld) Sheldee-s Be. 72 
The Morphological Value of the Centrosome. By 
FROSEVCUIEUTe eco). (neg Se ee a ta ee 
Our Book Shelf :— 
Ridgway : ‘‘ The Birds of North and Middle America.” 
—R. L 
Bolas and Brown: ‘‘ The Lens. A Practical Guide to 
the Choice, Use and Testing of Photographic Ob- 
[ect een D ead oc orp Ge 0 FS 
Brigham: ‘‘ A Text-book of Geology” ....... 75 
Macdougal : ‘‘ Elementary Plant Physiology”... . 706 
Wiillenweber : *‘ Diagramme der electrischen und mag- 
netischen Zustande und Bewegungen” ...... 76 
Letters to the Editor :— 
A Remarkable Solar Halo. 
CCTM ps pla s)6.6 oly Soo 
Sun Pillar (?).—Sir W. J. Herschel, Bart... . . . 77 
Paleolithic Implements in Ipswich.—Nina Frances 
hey Et es hag Ge OTAIRS yes 5 5 
Briickner’s Cycle and the Variation of Temperature in 
(Zllustrated.)—Rev. T. C. 
Europe. (With Diagram). — Alex. B. Mac- 
Dowall .: .. «us! s/s cle snu sree Cam a 
Resultant Tones and the Harmonic Series. Margaret 
IDICKINS= 2. so. «. GunenRCMRSINS ene) ke sea aaa 
Magic Squares.—J. Willis. . 2 beer 
Mont -Pelée and After-Glow.—F. C. Constable . Be /2) 
The. Volcanic Eruptions inthe West Indies . . .. 79 
Mountain Masses and Latitude Determinations . . 80 
Schools and Scholarships ..... Br AAP 82 
The Royal Society Conversazione ......... 83 
NCGS 6 SCRE! Solana ohG og 6 apo Es 
Our Astronomical Column :— 
Saturn Visible through the Cassini Division . . . . . 87 
Gatalogue of North Polar Stars). ) ues) ©) eee 
Thermal Expansions at Low Temperatures. By 
Prof. James Dewar, F.R.S. .. . 88 
The Rise of the Experimental Sciences in Oxford. 
By Prof. T. Clifford Allbutt, F.R.S. .. Bi sets 
Anthropological Researches inIndia. By A.C. H.. g1 
University and Educational Intelligence . ee 
Scientific Serials PS iced Scere hae AOaAe Don 8S 
Societies and Academies. (J///ustrated).....4. 
Diary of Societies . eed ©) Aare eS 
