672 
NATURE 
Tact 
[OcTOBER 30, 1902 
“Observations on some Fossil Plants of the Lower Gondwanas.” 
—Remarks by M. Dubail on a volcanic eruption at the island 
of Torishima, Japan.—On the formation of liquid drops and 
Tate’s Jaws, by MM. Ph. A. Guye and F, Louis Perrot. The 
formation of drops of water, benzene and aniline issuing from 
a capillary tube has been studied photographically by means of 
the kinematograph. The photographs were taken under two 
conditions, one in which the drops were formed slowly (statical 
drops) and the other in which the rate of growth was increased 
(dynamical drops), and a plate is given showing a typical set of 
the forms observed in each case. The separation of ‘the drop 
offers a great analogy with the rupture of metallic wires under 
traction ; the rigidity of the liquid is consequently one of the 
elements of the problem. The authors conclude that the 
laws ,of Tate do not correspond to the facts observed, and 
hence should be abandoned.—On the elastic parameters 
of silk fibres, by M. F. Beaulard. In spite of the frequent 
use of silk fibres in bifilar suspensions, the elastic properties of 
this substance do not appear to have been determined. In 
the course of the experiments it -was found that silk fibre is 
affected by hysteresis and undergoes permanent deformations. 
—Thin metallic films obtained by kathode projection, by M. L. 
Houllevigue. Mirrors of platinum, palladium, iron, nickel, 
cobalt, copper and bismuth have been prepared by this method, 
but no trace of deposit could be obtained from carbon. A bis- 
muth film prepared in this way and placed normally in a strong 
magnetic field showed no variation in its electrical resistance ; 
from this it would appear that bismuth obtained by kathode 
projection is absolutely amorphous. Transparent films of iron 
placed normally in an electromagnetic field showed the exist- 
ence of a magneticrotatory power without difficulty.—The 
action of mixed organomagnesium compounds on the esters of 
‘ketonic acids, by M. V. Grignard. The interaction of CH,MglI 
with isoamyl pyruvate, ethyl phenylglyoxylate, ethyl levu- 
late and ethyl acetosuccinate has been studied, and 
brief descriptions of the resulting products are given.— 
On the derivatives of ethyl pyruvylpyruvate, by M. L. J. Simon. 
A substance to which the constitution of ethyl pyruvylpyruvate 
has been assigned is produced by the consecutive action of 
aniline and strong sulphuric acid upon ethyl pyruvate. In order 
to demonstrate clearly the ketonic nature of this substance, its 
interaction with phenylhydrazine has been studied. Two 
isomeric hydrazones are produced, the preparation and properties 
of which are fully described. —The germination of the spores of 
Sterzgmatocystis nigra in the trachea of some birds, by M. Pierre 
Lesage.—Experiments on the germination of pollen grains in the 
presence of stigmata, by M. Pierre Paul Richer. The pollen 
of a certain number of species, which do not germinate in pure 
water, germinate if stigmata of the same, or closely allied, 
species be added. 
DIARY OF SOCIETIES. 
FRIDAY, OcroseEr 31. 
PuysicaL SociETy, at 5 p.m.—On the existence of a Relationship between 
the Spectra of some Elements and the Squares of their Atomic Weights : 
Dr. W. Marshall Watts.—The Size of Atoms: H. V. Ridout.—Exhibi- 
tion of ‘‘ Vacuum Calorimeters.” Prof. H. L. Callendar, F.R.S. 
INSTITUTION OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS, at 8 (Extra Meeting).—Dis- 
cussion of the Paper on Oil Motor Cars of 1902: Captain C. C. Longridge. 
MONDAY, NovEmBeER 3. 
Society or Cuemicat InNpusTRY, at 8.—Preliminary Investigation of the 
Chemical Charges preduced by various Reagents on Guttapercha: Sir 
William Ramsay, K.C.B., F.R.S.—Also, time permitting, Vhe Reduction | 
of Ammoniacal Silver Solutions by Organic Substances: Dr. G. ‘I. 
Morgan —A simple Qualitative Test for Bromides and Iodides: Dr. 
F. Mollw6é Perkin.—The Influence of Impurities on the Specific Gravity 
of Sulphuric Acid : Arthur Marshall. 
Socirty oF ENGINEERS (Royal United Service Institution), at 7.30.— 
Effect of Segregation on the Strength of Steel Rails : Thomas Andrews, 
F.R.S. 
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4. 
INSTITUTION OF CIviL ENGINEERS, at 8.—Address by the President, 
and presentation of Medals and Prizes awarded by the Council. 
ZOOLOGICAL SocIETY, at 8.30.—An Account of Recent Palzontological 
Discoveries in Egypt: Dr. C. W. Andrews.—On the Classification of the 
Fishes of the Suborder Plectognathi, with Notes and Descriptions of New 
Species from Specimens in the ‘British Museum: C. ‘Tate Regan.—On 
eva and 
the Transformations of Papilio dardanus and Philampelus me, 
on two new Species of South-African Heterocera: Lieut.-Colonel 
J. Malcolm Fawcett 
No. 1722, VOL. 66] 
WEDNESDAY, November 5. 
Corp Srorace anp Ice AssoctaTion (Institution of Mechanical 
Engineers), at 8.—The Technical Application of Liquid Air: Dr. Carl 
Linde. 
Society or Puptic ANALysTS, at 8.—(1) The Reactions of the Alkaloids 
of Ipecacuanha; (2) The Analysis of Preparations containing Opium : 
Alfred H. Allen.—The Estimation of Salicylic Acid: Sidney Harvey.— 
Volatility of Aqueous Solutions of Acetic Acid : William Chattaway. 
GEOLoGIcAL SociETy, at 8.—The Fossil Flora of the Cumberland Coal- 
field, and the Palzobotanical Evidence with regard to the Age of the 
Beds: BE. A. Newell Arber.—Notes on Mr. E. A. Newell Arber’s paper 
on the Clarke Collection of Fossil Plauts from New South Wales ; Dr. F. 
Kurtz.—On a New Boring at Gaythorpe (Lincolnshire): Henry 
Preston. 
Enromotocicat Society, at 8.—New Indian Hymenoptera: Major 
C. G. Nurse.—Notes on Drilus flavescens, Rossi: L. R. Crawshay.— 
New Species of Indian Chrysidida: Major C. G. Nurse. 
THURSDAY, Novemeer 6. 
LInNEAN Society, at 8.—Notes ona Natural History Journey to Chile : 
H. J. Elwes, F.R.S. 
| RONTGEN Society, at 8.30.—Address by the President, Mr. Herbert 
Jackson. 
CHEMICAL Society, at 8.—Di-Indigotine : J. Moir.—Note on the Localisa- 
tion of Vhosphates in the Sugar Cane: C. H. G. Sprankling.—The 
Specific Heats of Gases: H. Crompton.—On the Non-existence of the 
Gaseous Sulphide of Carbon described by Deninger: E. J. Russell and 
N. Smith.—Ihe Action of Nitric Acid on Bromophenolic Compounds : 
W. Robertson.—Hydroxyoxamides. Part I].: R. H. Pickard, C. Allen, 
W. A. Rowdler and W. Carter.—3 : 5-Dichlor-o-xylene and 3: 5-Dichlor- 
o-phthalic Acid: A.. W. Crossley and H. R. Le Sueur.—Isometric 
Anhydrous Sulphates of the Form M’SO4,R’9SO4: F. R. Mallet.— 
The Catalytic Racemisation of Amygdaline: J. W. Walker.—The 
Combination of Carbon Monoxide with Chlorine under the Influence of 
Light: G. Dyson and A. Harden.—The Constituents of Commercial 
Chrysarobin: H. A. D. Jowett and C. E. Potter. 
CONTENTS. PAGE 
Modern Scientific Geography. ByH.H. ..... 649 
Chemuistry;and Cife <<, Ws -ik-decie nen oe 
Two Aspects of the Theory of Probability etic. Sie 
Our Book Shelf :— 
Sandys and Van Dyke: ‘‘ Upland Game-Birds.”— 
OS Gop ole Slo cig as 5 ORE 
Hulme: ‘‘ Wild Fruits of the Country Side”. . . . 653 
Greinacher : ‘‘ Einfiihrung in die Theorie der Doppel- 
Ibrechung.”—A. Witmer oa) cere 
Reidi: “* Physical Geography). =.) | > See 
Letters to the Editor :— 
The Hydrography of the Faeroe-Shetland Channel. — 
Prof. D’Arcy W. Thompson; B. Helland- 
Hansen RPP nemnue for cot 6 (OSE 
Matriculation Requirements in Scottish Universities. 
Prof, John’ Pertiy,; Eke ee ce eat 
The Neglect of Anthropology in British Universities. 
——Anthropotamist) < We. 672 yc). ul eueeeeyre 
Phosphorus vevs¢s Lime in Plant Ash.—Dr. P. Q. 
Keegan . 2 Sc 8 Sep isd ct ole) sci ee 
Aluminium and its Alloys. (J//ustrated.) By M.S. 655 
Recent Works on Systematic Botany in Germany 657 
Notes. (J/lustrated.) . ... aeons oo, Ws 
Our Astronomical Column :— 
Astronomical Occurrences in November = 662 
Mbesiseonid, Showers... ts ae ake ee 662 
Observations of (Geminorum ..... a 662 
The Fifth Satellite of Jupiter. ........ . , (662 
Search for an Intra-Mercurial Planet during the Total 
Solar Eclipse of 1901 Hae REED! clit. cng OS 
Chemistry at the British Association. ..... . 662 
| Anthropology at the British Association . 663 
| Physiology at the British Association Peeks yore (ert 
Magnetic Work of the United States Coast and 
Geodetic Survey, Outlined for July 1, 1902—June 
BOWLER), A tela Elrhkot sich yee so (AED 
The ‘*Sudd” of the White Nile. (Z//ustrated.) . 666 
| The Treatment of Smoke: a Sanitary Parallel, By 
| . MDs, WEEN. (Shaw, FP. Ri Si enn oetenl. clei nt ree 
| University and Educational Intelligence .... . 670 
| Scientific Serial ch Se eee Aare 671 
Societiesjand Academies.) ja) secu peae) ie) easy 
| Diary of-Secieties 2. 1 1. ee es 672 
vg 1 0 4\ 
