384 
are placed in air above a saturated solution of carbon dioxide. 
The volume of oxygen liberated was invariably found to be 
exactly equal to that of the carbon dioxide decomposed, and no 
appreciable quantities of carbon monoxide, hydrogen, or gaseous 
hydrocarbons were formed.—The fruits of Rose//inza necatrix, 
by M. Ed. Prillieux. One of the common parasites which 
destroy the roots of fruit trees and vines was named Dematophora 
necatvix by Hartig, although he pointed out that it seemed to 
be closely allied to the group Rosellinia. The author has 
for the first time been able to study thoroughly the fruits, 
and as the parasite without doubt belongs to that group 
suggests a change of name.—Direct reduction of oxides of 
nitrogen by the contact method, by MM. Paul Sabatier and 
J. B. Senderens. A study has been made of the action of 
reduced nickel and reduced copper on the oxides of nitrogen. 
The results obtained are shown to be similar to those produced 
by spongy platinum, and it is pointed out that nickel or copper 
might with advantage replace platinum for such reactions — 
Measurement of the limit of elasticity of metals, by M. Ch. 
Fremont.—On a new method of optically measuring the thick- 
ness of plates, by MM. J. Macé de Lepinay and H. Buisson 
(cf C. R., April 21). Results are given for a plate of 
quartz showing the great accuracy of the method.—Reflection 
of light from an iron mirror magnetised perpendicularly to the 
plane of incidence, by M. P. Camman. The author confirms 
experimentally the theory of M. C. H. Wind (Archives néer- 
Jandaises, 2° serie, t. i. 1897) regarding the reflection of light 
from magnetised mirrors, viz., if the incident light is polarised 
in the plane of incidence, the magnetisation has no effect upon 
the reflection, but if the incident ray is polarised per- 
pendicularly to the plane of incidence, the time, the 
phase and the amplitude of reflected rays are changed.— 
Method of regulating resonators for high-frequency discharges 
with a view to their use in medicine, by M. H. Guilleminot.— 
On gentiobiose : preparation and properties of crystallised gentio- 
biose, by MM. Em. Bourquelot and H. Heérissey (cf. C. &., 
exxxii., March 4, 1901, p. 571).—Ammoniacal anhydrous 
copper chlorides: cupro-ammoniacal radicles, by M. Bouzat. 
The author finds that besides the compounds (a2) CuCl».6NH3 
and (c) CuCl,.2NH, described by Rose and Graham respec- 
tively, there isa third intermediate compound (4) CuCl,.4NH3. 
He assigns to,them the constitutional formulze 
/NT(NA,) | 
-2 
H,)J 
ee 
N(NH,), J 
NH, 
@iCr s ; 2HCl; (8) Cu HCI; 
\nH, 
N(NH,), 
‘ A 4/2 
(c) Cu 
—Action of nitrous acid in alkaline solution on a-substituted 
B-ketonic esters, by MM. Bouveault and René Locquin. The 
‘conclusion arrived at is that if the reaction is carried out under 
such conditions that the ester group is not saponified, or if it 
be saponified in acid solution, there results an acid and 
an oxime of a substituted glyoxylic ester; but if, during 
the reaction, the ester group is saponified in such a 
/COOMe 
manner as to give the salt R—CO—CH< , one 
obtains a monoxime of an a-diketone and carbonic 
anhydride.—Antiparamcecious serum, by M. Ledoux-Lebard. 
“The author finds that the serum of rabbits and guinea-pigs 
which have been several times injected with cultures of Para- 
maecium caudatum is much more toxic towards this species of 
Paramcecium than normal serum. The toxic «ffect is less 
towards other species of Paramoecium (e.g. P. aurelia).—Action 
cof alcoholic fermentation on the Baczd/us typhosus and the 
Bacillus Coli, by MM. E. Bodin and F. Pailheret. Alcoholic 
fermentation does not seem of itself to destroy these bacilli.— 
V; riation of the phosphoric acid in cow’s milk with time afier | 
calving, by MM. F. Bordas and Sig. de Raczkowski. | The 
phosphoric acid diminishes steadily from the time of calving. — 
Researches on the assimilation of leaves, influenced by chloro- 
phyll, of which the upper or lower surfaces may be exposed to 
light, by M. Ed. Griffon. —On the cavern of Holl-Loch (Hell’s 
Cavern) and the Schleichende Brunnen (Creeping Springs), 
>witzerland, by M. E. A. Martel. This cavern,:discovered in 
1880, is one of the most remarkable in Europe. It lies near 
Stalden. A description is given. 
NO. 1711, VOL. 66] 
NATURE 
[AuGusT 14, 1902 
New SoutH WALEs. 
Linnean Society, June 25.—Mr. J. H. Maiden, president, 
in the chair.— By the wish of the council, the president ex- 
plained to the meeting that, in consequence of the retrenchment 
policy which untoward circumstances had forced upon the 
neighbouring State of Queensland, it was to be feared that Mr. 
F. M. Bailey’s ‘‘ Queensland Flora,” now in course of publi- 
cation, would be brought to an abrupt termination in the middle 
of the sixth or concluding part. An expression of the views of 
scientific men in other States would perhaps help to justify the 
Queensland Government in making some special effort to utilise 
to the full Mr. Bailey’s experience and unrivalled knowledge of 
the flora of Queensland in completing the important publication 
in question. On the motion of the president it was unanimously 
resolved, ‘‘That this meeting desires respectfully to give ex- 
pression to the hope that, in the interests of science, the Queens- 
land Government may see its way to allow Mr. F. M. Bailey to 
take the steps necessary to complete the ‘Queensland Flora.’” 
—Notes on Juncus holoschaenus, R.Br.,and J. prismatocarpus, 
R.Br., and on certain other New South Wales plants, by Mr. E. 
Cheel.—(1) On Zucalpius Bauertana, Schau ; (2) on Eucalyptus 
calycogona, Turcz, by Mr. J. H. Maiden. —A new gum (Levan) 
bacterium from asaccharose exudate of Lucalyptus Stuartiana, 
by Mr. R. Greig Smith.—Zucalyptus melanophioia, ¥.v.M., 
and its cognate species, by Mr. R. T. Baker. The object 
of the paper is to show that previous descriptions of this 
species must now be modified, as the foliage has not that 
constancy of form that has up to the present time been 
attributed to it. 
CONTENTS. PAGE 
The Encyclopedia Britannica se Geaweae 361 
Aspects of Medical Science. By F. W.T. . 363 
Chemical Essays. By W.R.. . SNQIGwO 365 
An Assistant Master, andhis Work ..... 366 
Our Book Shelf :— 
Wall: ‘‘The Dictionary of Photography”... . . 368 
Rabl : ‘‘ Die Entwicklung des Gesichtes : Tafeln zur 
Entwicklungsgeschichte der aeusseren Koerperform 
der Wirbelthiere” ..... 
Granger: ‘‘ Les Fleurs du Midi”. . . . 
Hill: ‘‘ Physiology for Beginners.” —Dr. 
Lévy-Briihl : 
A.E. T. Mei ira oS, 0 
Kerr; ‘‘ Elementary Coal Mining” . 
Letters to the Editor :— 
Earthquake of May 28 at the Cape, and Coincident 
Meteorological Effects. Charles Stewart : 
A Tripartite Stroke of Lightning. —W. H. Hall. . 
Colours between Clouds at Sunset.—John Baddeley 
Retention of Leaves by Deciduous Trees.—Prof. 
WaiR.:Fisher ; sss vee emteeil ><) ou ode 
The West Indian Eruptions. (J//ustrated.) By 
Brofeyia Milne, KRISS oe hisses 
A Text-Book of Mammals. (///ustrated.) By R. L. 
Hydrographical Observations on the ‘« Princesse 
Alice.” By J. Y. Buchanan, F-R:S: . = - - = . 376 
INGLES f .  --. eea 
Our Astronomical Column :— 
Rotation Periods of the Superior Planets. . . . . - 380 
The Dutch Eclipse Expedition of igor. . . . . . 380 
B. Moore 
ey) ) 
“Die Philosophie August Comte’s.”— 
The Satellites of Saturn and Uranus. . . . . ~~ + 380 
Australian Chi'dren’s Games. (///ustrated.) By 
iN; C55 Gees ol dc) o cocoa mbm co. che —SE3 
University and Educational Intelligence .... . 381 
Scientific Serials . 382 
Societies and Academies. 382 
