624 
subject, the conclusion is drawn that in electrolysis chemical 
energy is always necessary to commence the action, but not to 
maintain it. The preparation and properties of a new silicide 
of vanadium, by MM. H. Moissan and Ifolt. On heating 
silicon with an excess of vanadium trioxide in the electric furnace 
for some time, the silicide VSi,, previously described, is obtained, 
which is stable in the presence of an excess of silicon. Another 
silicide, of the composition V,Si, has been obtained in three ways— 
by the interaction of vanadium trioxide (120-grams) and silicon 
(14 grams), of silicon and vanadium carbide, or of the trioxide, 
silicon and copper, in all cases in the electric furnace. The new 
silicide is more infusible than the silicide VSi,, from which it 
can also be distinguished by its colour, density, action with 
hydrochloric acid and easy decomposition on fusion with silicon. 
—On double fertilisation in the Cruciferee, by M. L. Guignard. 
The phenomenon of double fertilisation can be followed 
completely in Lepidium sativum and Capsella Bursa pastoris, a 
detailed description of the stages being given. —Observations of 
the Perrine-Borrelly comet (1902 6), made with the Briinner 
equatorial at the Observatory of Lyons, by M. J. Guillaume.— 
The organisation of automatic spectrographs at the Observatory 
of Meudon, registering the radial movements and the thickness 
of the solar chromosphere, by M. H. Deslandres. The apparatus 
briefly described produces on the same plate ninety small spectra 
giving the radial velocity and thickness at 180 points on the 
sun’s edge. These points are united on a circle of 95 mm. 
diameter. So far, it has not been possible to make continuous 
records on account of the expense; similar equipments at 
different parts of the world are also necessary for complete 
results. —On the continuous deformation of surfaces, by M. G. 
‘Tzitzéica.—On nitro-pyromucic acid and its ethyl ester, and on 
dinitrofurfurane, by M. R. Marquis. A mixture of nitric acid 
and acetic anhydride has been found especially serviceable in 
nitrating in the furfurane series. With ethyl pyromucate a mono- 
nitro derivative is readily obtained.—On the saponification of 
nitric esters, by MM. Leo Vignon and I. Bay. The results of 
experiments on the hydrolysis of various nitrates by sulphuric 
acid and by soda. The reaction is complex, nitrous acid and 
occasionally ammonia being produced.—On the utilisation of 
mineral substances by grafted plants, by MM. Lucien Daniel and 
V. Thomas. Transpiration is greater in the host than in the 
grafted plants, the total quantity of mineral material absorbed 
being considerably modified as a result of the grafting. It was 
also found that one effect of grafting was to profoundly modify 
the phenomenon of chlorosis.—On the caoutchouc-producing 
Landolphia of the French Congo, by M. Auguste Chevalier.— 
The earthquake at Salonica, by M. Christomanos. The earth- 
quake of July 5, the epicentre of which was between Salonica 
and Gouvesno, was not of volcanic origin. Its effects were 
felt at great distances and for several days, hence it is probable 
that the seismic focus was at a great depth. 
October 6.—M. Bouquet de la Grye in the chair.—Remarks 
by M. Appell on the third volume of his ‘‘ Traité de Mécanique 
rationelle.’”"—Observations on the sun made at the Observatory 
of Lyons with the 16 cm. equatorial during the first quarter of 
1902, by M. J. Guillaume. The number of observations is 
smaller than usual owing to the unfavourable atmospheric con- 
ditions. Tables are given showing the number of spots, their 
distribution in latitude and the distribution of the faculz in 
latitude. —Comparison of the tables of Vesta with the meridional 
observations made between 1890 and 1900, by M. Gustave 
Leveau.—Remarks on a problem of Clebsch on the movement 
of a solid body inan indefinite liquid, and on the problem of M. 
de Brun.—-On a theorem of M. Frobenius, by M. de Séguier. 
—On a derivative of hydrogen peroxide, by M. R. Fosse. 
The reactions of dinaphthopyranol towards zine dust, 
alcohol, pyrogallol and potassium iodide show that it behaves 
rather as a derivative of hydrogen peroxide than as an alcohol. 
—The synthesis of some tertiary alcohols ; diphenylcarbinols, 
by M. H. Masson. The results of the action of magnesium 
pheny!-bromide upon a series of esters is given in summary, with 
a list of the alcohols and hydrocarbons obtained and their boil- 
ing points.—Anhydrous copper-ammonium sulphates, by M. 
Bouzat. A thermochemical paper.—On the examination and 
estimation of extract of chestnut wood mixed with oak extract, 
by M. Ferdinand Jean. The method is based on the fact that 
extract of chestnut sets free iodine from iodic acid, whilst extract 
of oak bark has not this property.—On the pectic fermentation, 
by M. Goyaud. — Pectise forms pectic acid at the expense of the 
pectin. The phenomenon is not qualitatively influenced by the 
NO. 1720, VOL. 66] 
NATURE 
[OcToBER 16, 1902 
presence or absence of calcium salts.—The elaboration of 
venogen and of venom in the parotoid gland of Vipera Aspis, by 
by M. L. Launoy. The snake poison is formed in the cells of 
the parotoid gland of Vzpera Asfzs in two phases—the nuclear 
phase, with formation of grains of venogen, and the cytoplasmic 
phase, in which the venogen is transformed into the venom. 
—Palontological researches in Patagonia, by M. André 
Tournouér.—On an enormous carnivorous mammal found in 
the plastic clay of Vaugirard, near Paris, by M. Marcellin 
Boule. 
DIARY OF SOCIETIES. 
FRIDAY, Ocroser 17. 
INsTITUTION OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS, at 8.—Oil Motor Cars of 
1902: Captain C. C. Longridge. 
TUESDAY, Ocroser 21. 
ANnTHROpPOLOGICAT. INSTITUTE (Lecture Theatre, Burlington House), at 
5-30.—Huxley Memorial Lecture. Right-handedness and Left-brained- 
ness: Prof. D. J. Cunningham, F.R.S. 
CONTENTS. PAGE 
The End of the World ee not a 601 
Artificial Mineral Waters. By A.C.C.. . 602 
Development of the Human Embryo 603 
An Educational Comparison 604 
Our Book Shelf :— 
Jordan and Heath: ‘* Animal Forms: a Second Book 
of Zoology: Joy Aavea enn ieee ee ro 
Strasburger: ‘ Das botanische Practicum”... . . 
Sedgwick: ‘‘ Principles of Sanitary Science and the 
Public Health ” os: Nas, aot ie ef 
Morrell: ‘‘ Nature Study: Realistic Geography. 
Model based on the 6-inch Ordnance Survey ” 
Tyler: ‘A Junior Chemistry” . wWete 
Letters to the Editor :— 
605 
605 
605 
606 
606 
Finger Print Evidence. (J//ustrated.) Dr. Francis 
Galton, F.URIS tc o ae Ee 2 
Remarkable Fossil Oysters from Syria.—Alfred Ely 
Day ;) E. TaaNe eae eee S a nice shore RS, 
Refractivities of the Inert Gases.—Clive Cuthbert- 
son . 3 Sgt eon 9 607 
Trade Statistics. -F. Evershed “eo As COT] 
Material for Natural Selection.—Prof. T. D, A. 
Cockerell . Perea CRO. thks oo. eY/ 
The International Meteorological Committee. By 
John Hall Gladstone. By W. C. R.-A. 609 
Notes i) so. Pata oS 610 
Our Astronomical Column :— 
A New Transiting Device Bo art 613 
The Search for a Planet beyond Neptune . 614 
A New Minor Planet A 614 
Comet 19026 ... 614 
The British Association at Belfast :— 
Section A.—Subsection of Astronomy and Cosmical 
Physics. — Opening Address by Prof. Arthur 
Schuster, F.R.S., Chairman of Subsection - 614 
Mathematics and Physics at the British Associa- 
fon. By Dr. C. H. ees) mya, 618 
Geology at the British Association 619 
Carbon and Plants SR Le Re Rr O20 
Magneto-Optical Rotation in the Interior of Ab- 
sorption Bands. (J//ustrated.) . : : 622 
University and Educational Intelligence 623 
Sucieties'and Academies Ai)— = «taille lle yin O2a 
Dyanypomsocieties . <) seuyee. . amis enen incamenmOza 
