360 
and ‘* Illustrative Lectures in Nature-Study,” Miss Von Wyss. 
There will be practical courses in nature-study (chemistry and 
botany) and in geography in its physical aspects. A conference 
upon the subject ‘‘In what sense can and ought Schools 
(Primary and Secondary) to prepare Boys and Girls for Life ?” 
was opened by Dr. M. E. Sadler on Saturday last, and one on 
“* Hygiene in Schools” will be opened by Miss Ravenhill on 
August 14. 
SOCIETIES AND ACADEMIES. 
PARIS. 
Academy of Sciences, July 28.—M. Bouquet de la Grye 
in the chair.—On a curious property of a class of algebraic 
surfaces, by M. Emile Picard. — Reflection and refraction by a body 
transparent undergoing a rapid translation ; equations of motion 
and some general consequences, by M. J. Boussinesq.—The 
reduction of nitrc-derivatives by the method of direct hydro- 
genation in contact with finely divided metals, by MM. Paul 
Sabatier and J. B. Senderens. Nitronaphthalene is readily re- 
duced to naphthylamine by hydrogen in presence of reduced 
copper at 350°C. With nickel the reduction goes further, 
ammonia and naphthalene tetrahydride being formed. Nitro- 
methane and nitroethane are reduced completely to the cor- 
responding amines.— A method of spectrum analysis capable of 
furnishing the still unknown law of rotation of planets of feeble 
brightness. Verification of the method, with preliminary results, 
by M. H. Deslandres. This method, which was applied with 
success in 1895 to the measurement of the rotation of 
the bright planets, has now been extended to those 
of lesser magnitude, including Uranus and Neptune.— 
The entire image of the planet submitted to spectrum analysis 
undergoes deformations from which the sense of the rotation 
can be determined, and to a certain extent its velocity. The 
rotation of Uranus has been found to be retrograde.—On the 
problem of Dirichlet for domains limited by several contours or 
surfaces, by M. A. Korn.—On one of the causes of the explo- 
sion of steam boilers and on a means of preventing it, by M. J. 
Fournier. It is shown that with the ordinary form of safety 
valve the release. may take place in the normal way, and yet an 
insufficient amount of steam may escape to prevent the pressure 
rising toa dangerous extent. A modification of the ordinary 
safety valve is described in which this difficulty is overcome.— 
On magnetic dichroism, by M. Quirino Majorana. Active 
liquids behave in a magnetic field like uniaxial crystals possess- 
ing dichroism.—On the electrochemical equivalent of silver, by 
M. A. Leduc. A short account of researches the complete 
description of which will be published shortly in the /oznal 
de Physique, in which the effect of temperature changes, 
current density, and acidity of the bath upon the value of the 
electrochemical equivalent of silver has been determined.—The 
silvering of glass and daguerreotype, by M.Izarn. A minute 
description of the method of silvering glass by means of am- 
moniacal silver nitrate and solutions of formaldehyde.—On the 
precipitation of the chlorides and bromides of cadmium, mercury 
and tin by sulphuric acid, by M. Georges Viard.—On mannite, 
the nitrates and the alkaloids of normal urine, by M. S. Dom- 
browski. _ By applying the method of separation described in a 
previous note the author has succeeded in isolating from urine 
sodium nitrate, cadaverine, mannite and a new alkaloid.—An 
attempt at an immediate analy-is of nerve-tissue, by M. N. 
Alberto Barbierii—On the ligature of the appendicular ex- 
tremity of the caecum in Cercopithecus cephus, by M. Jean 
Maumus. —The internal secretion of the testicle in the embryo 
and in. the adult, by M. Gustave Loisel.—The microbial 
kinases ; their action on the digestive power of the pancreatic 
juice together with albumin, by M. C. Delezenne.—The para- 
sitic nature of certain calcareous degenerations, of some in- 
flammatory tumours and of special lesions of the skeleton, by 
MM. A. Charrin and G. Delamare.—A comparative study of 
hzematolysis by poisons in the dog and rabbit, by M. C. 
Phisalix.—On a new form of tactile sensibility, trichesthesia, 
by MM. N. Vaschide and P. Rousseau.—On the possibility of 
combating mildew and oidium of the vine by a liquid treatment, 
by M. J. Guillon.—Ona method of concentrating wine, by MM. 
Baudoin and Schribaux. The method which was found to give 
the best practical results consisted in first partially distilling the 
wine at a low temperature and then removing some water from 
the distillate by freezing.—The prehistoric drawings in the 
grotto of La Mouthe, Dordogne, by M. Emile Riviere. Fac- 
similes of drawings of a reindeer and of a horse are given. 
NO. I710, VOL. 66} 
NATURE 
[AucGusT 7, 1902 
New Souru WALtEs. 
Royal Society, June 4.—Prof. Warren, president, in the 
chair.—The parks of Sydney ; some of the problems of control 
and management, by Mr. J. H. Maiden.—A possible connection 
between volcanic eruption and sunspot phenomena, by Mr. H. I. 
Jensen. The author of this paper mentions that the idea of the 
existence of such a connection was suggested to him by the fact 
that Vesuvius was in violent eruption in the years 1813, 1822, 
1855, 1867, 1891 and 1900, all of which were minimum years. 
By means of a chart he shows that earthquakes and eruptions 
are most violent, numerous and extensive when there is least 
sunspot activity. Though seismic disturbances do occur at all 
times, they seem for the last hundred and twenty years to 
have been most severe around the minimum years—1S811, 1822, 
1833-4, 1844, 1855-6, 1867-8, 1878-9, 1888-9 and 1900-2— 
large groups of great earthquakes and eruptions having taken place 
in and about these years. On the other hand, the chart also shows 
that in years of maximum, like 1893-8, 1884-5, 1869-71, 1858-65, 
and so on, these phenomena have been comparatively few and 
unimportant. The author thinks that the cause of this connec- 
tion between solar and seismic disturbances is that in years of 
sunspot minimum there is less heat, and other energy, received 
from the sun, and consequently there is more rapid radiation 
from the earth, causing quicker cooling, hence more cracking of 
the earth’s crust. He also suggests that the earth’s atmosphere 
exerts a greater squeeze on the crust in years of minimum, thus 
forcing lava out of fissures. 
CONTENTS. PAGE 
Hann’s Meteorologie. By Dr. W. N. Shaw, F.R.S. 337 
The Fibre Industries . NOC Aa. tree el aye RO 
The Fishes of the Congo Basin. ByR.H.T. . 339 
Appiued Mechanics) (ein nine atch eee 340 
Our Book Shelf :— 
“ Ordnance Survey of England and Wales” Seo sels 
Hortvet: ‘‘A Manual of Elementary Practical 
Physics.” —A. W. P. ope ees) Tes AL 
“©The Journal of the Iron and Steel Institute General 
li SEC clo 5 oS oo Beeb oo 5 BEE 
Ziegler: ‘‘Zur Metaphysik des Tragischer.”— 
/ Ae OF WEES Seid coeo Sc MOMEMORS kc eo BN 
Willoughby: ‘‘ Hygiene for Students."-—R. T. H. . 342 
Letters to the Editor :— 
A Simple Telephonic Receiver for Wireless Tele- 
graphy.—Dr. L. Bleekrode ." eed 
The Future of the Victoria University. — Prof. 
Arthur Smithells; oh RaS see es) eee 
M. Faye and the Paris Observatory.—Wilfred de 
Fonvieile Pama atch ttc VOR MCCERS clon. oh! 
Electrical Resistance of Iron at very Low Tempera- 
tures.—E. Philip Harrison .  ..... . 343 
Retention of Leaves by Deciduous Trees.—A. F. G. 344 
Campanulate Foxgloves.—Dr. Maxwell T. Masters, 
Forestry.—Prof. W. R. Fisher. . 344 
The Forthcoming Meeting of the British Associa- 
Hipnat Belfast |) nea meenne : ee eee ae 
The First Meeting of the International Council 
for the Exploration of the Sea. By H.R. M.. 346 
Polynesian Politics and Anthropology. (J//us- 
irajed.) By E. Sidney Hartland 7) 2". ened 
Kew Micrometer. (/élustrated.)......... .- 348 
Notes MEPS 6 Clu) S Sl loMoNe et 348 
Our Astronomical Column :— 
The Spectroscopic Binary 8 Cephei . . Hes Ase Sis: 
Wouble Stars.” cietes) ne kee 
Light of the Galaxy and Bright Stars... . .. . 353 
Periodicity of Volcanic Eruptions and Earthquakes . 353 
Minor Planets: ,.< ” uevanene) icici [onto itt ates Merman ge 
Pharmacology at the British Medical Association . 353 
Photography of Diffraction and Polarisation 
Effects. (J/i/ustrated.) By W. B. Croft 354 
Theory ofthe Motionofthe Moon ....... . 356 
How the Sabre-Toothed Tigers Killed their Prey. 
AL) MISO? (OSS 6 fo OP GOmtN EG 6) 6) S857 
Universities in Relation to Research . 358 
University and Educational Intelligence 359 
Societies and Academies. Ses oe 360 
