488 
NATURE 

The photolysis of tartaric acid and the acid alcohols. 
Solutions of tartaric acid exposed to ultraviolet light 
give off gas containing carbon dioxide (66 per cent.), 
carbon monoxide (10 per cent.), hydrogen (21 per 
cent.), and hydrocarbons. The solution contains an 
aldehyde and small quantities of a substance re- 
sembling the hexoses.—Pierre Steiner: The ultra- 
violet absorption spectrum of veratrol and vanillin. 
The absorption curve of veratrol resembles that of 
pyrocatechol: the introduction of two methyl 
groups into the pyrocatechol molecule has only a 
slight influence on the spectrum.—Victor Henri and 
E. Walter: The law of the distribution of the bands 
in the ultraviolet absorption spectrum of the vapour 
of toluene.—Armand Castille and F. W. Klingstedt : 
The ultraviolet absorption spectra of benzoic acid 
and of the three oxybenzoic acids. The ortho- and 
meta-oxybenzoic acids give nearly the same spectrum, 
but the para acid shows marked differences in the 
number and appearance of the absorption bands.— 
M. Bourguel: The preparation of true acetylenic 
hydrocarbons. Sodium amide removes hydrobromic 
acid from many brominated hydrocarbons. The 
reaction can be followed by titrating the ammonia 
evolved ; the yields are good, and there is no tendency 
to polymerisation of the acetylene derivative.— 
M. Lespieau: The dinitrile of S-oxyglutaric acid, 
CN .CH, .CH(OH) .CH,.CN.—P. Diénert: Sub- 
terranean circulation of water in fissured ground.— 
M. Solignac: The tectonic of the country of the 
Mogods, the plateau of Hédil and of northern Bejaoua 
(Northern Tunis).—E. Bauer and A. Danjon: Atmo- 
spheric absorption on Mont Blanc.—Jean Dybowski : 
A new industrial force: the utilisation of the heat 
furnished by thermal springs. A suggestion that the 
hot water from thermal springs might be utilised for 
forcing fruit and plants under glass——P. Bugnon: 
The number of cotyledons of Ficaria. Ficaria 
vanunculoides has been regarded by different authors 
as containing two, one, or no cotyledons, and the 
true number has an important bearing on the theory 
of the origin of the monocotyledons. Ficaria pos- 
sesses two leaf organs having the same anatomical 
connexions with the root as the two cotyledons of 
the dicotyledonous species of the same family: the 
most plausible hypothesis is that Ficaria is hetero- 
cotyledonous.—Marcel Mirande: The nature of the 
secretion of the sterinoplasts of the white lily. The 
central body of the sterinoplasts is a lipoid solution 
of phytosterol—M. Trabut: Carpoxeny and bud 
mutation in cultivated Citrus.—J. Feytaud: A plan 
of campaign against the Doryphore of the potato.— 
A. Demolon and P. Boischot: Researches on the 
assimilability of phosphatic manures. A saturated 
solution of carbon dioxide was used to dissolve the 
soluble phosphate, and special attention was given 
to the effect of the presence of calcium carbonate on 
the amounts of phosphorus extracted from various 
types of phosphatic manure.—H. Hérissey: The 
reversibility of the ferment action of a-d-mannosidase. 
—Marcel Baudouin: Radiography applied to the 
study of the lesions of prehistoric human bones. 
Human remains of the polished stone age have been 
submitted to radiographic examination with interest- 
ing results. Fractures in bones have been detected, 
certain congenital lesions identified, also a case of 
chronic osteoarthritis, and two traumatisms due to 
foreign bodies, one of which is undoubtedly a 
sharpened flint.—André Broca and Jean Comandon: 
The representation of movement in pictures.— Jacques 
Pellegrin: New contribution to the ichthyological 
fauna of the fresh waters of Morocco.—H. Bordier : 
The influence of diathermic d’Arsonvalisation on the 
endocrinic glands. Application to the treatment of 
NO. 2788, VOL. 111] 

Basedow’s disease. This method of treatment, of 
which the technique is described, has been applied 
with success to several cases of exophthalmic goitre. 
[APRIL 7, 1923 : 

Diary of Societies. 
SATURDAY, Aprit 7. 4 
GitserT Waite FeLttowsHie (Annual General Meeting) (at 6 Queen 
Square, W.C.1), at 2.—Sir David Prain: Presidential Address. 
MONDAY, Arrit 9. ; 
Victoria LystiroTe (at Central Buildings, Westminster), at 4.30.—A, ~ 
Hiorth: Irrigation of Palestine. 
Royau InstituTION OF GREAT Briain, at 5.—General Meeting. 
Soctety oF Enoineers, Ino. (at Geological Society), at 5.30,—T. Exley- 
Fisher: The Work of the Labour Corps in France during the War, with 
Particular Reference to the 178 Labour Company. 
Roya. Instirorve oF Brirish ArcHitects, at 8.—H. M. Fletcher: The 
Architecture of Provincial France. 
ARISTOTELIAN Society (at University of London Club), at 8.—Prof. C. D. 
Broad: The Natural Meaning of the Unconscious. 
Royat Society or Arts, at 8.—E. Kilburn Scott: The Fixation of 
Nitrogen (1) (Cantor Lectures). 
Soctery or CurmicaL InpusTry (London Section) (at Engineers’ Club, 39 
Coventry Street), at 8.—S. S. Zilva and J. C. Drummond: The 
Liver Oil Industry of Newfoundland. —E. W. Blair, T. 8. Wheeler, 
and J. Reilly: A Study of the Separation of the Gases formed in the 
N-butyl-alcohol-acetone Fermentation Process. 
Royat GeEooRapuicaL Society (at olian Hall), at 8.30.—P. Bigelow : 
Geographical Influences bearing upon Japan and her Neighbours. 
INSTITUTION OF RupBER INDUSTRY (at Engineers’ Club, Coventry Street). 
—Dr. D. F. Twiss: Rubber Pigments. 



TUESDAY, ApRit 10. 
Royay Institurion oF Great Britain, at 3.—Sir Arthur Keith: The 
Machinery of Human Evolution (1), Nature of the Machinery. 
Society FoR THE Stupy or INEBRIETY (at Medical Society of London), 
at 4.—Dr, W. M. Feldman and others: Discussion on Racial Aspects 
of Alcoholism, ; 
INSTITUTION OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGISTS (at Royal Society Rae 
at 5.80.—A. E. Chambers: Potrero No. 4. A History of One of Mexi 
Earliest and Largest Wells. 
Zoo.oarca. Society oF Lonpon, at 5.30.—Dr. G. M. Vevers: Notes on a 
Recent Visit to Zoological Gardens in Holland and Belgium.—Prof, K. 
Kostanecki: A Remnant of the Omphalo-mesenterie Arteries in the 
Manatee.—Dr. C. F. Sonntag: The Anatomy, Physiology, and Patho- - 
logy of the Chimpanzee. Media. aa 
InsTiTUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS, at 6.—A. Binns: The King George V. 
Dock, London. ie 
Roya Puoroarapaic Society or Great Britain (Scientific and 
Technical Group), at 7.—H. M. Cartwright: Study of Bichromated 
Gelatine with reference to Photogravure.—W, Clark: The Reduction 
Centres of a Silver Bromide Emulsion. x ’ 
RéntoEN Society (at Institution of Electrical Engineers), at 8.15.— 
M. A, Codd: A New Method of Operating Induction Coils, 
WEDNESDAY, Apriu 11. s<cflih 
Ca 
Rovau Soctery or Arrs, at 4,30.—E. Parnell: The Resources and Trade — 
of Sarawak. i H — 
LysTiITUTION OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS (Wireless Section), at 6.—Dr, 
N. W. MeLachlan: The Application of a Revolving Magnetic Drum to 
Electric Relays, Siphon kecorders, and Radio Transmitting Keys. 
INSTITUTION OF AUTOMOBILE ENGINEERS, at 7.30,—C. W. J. Taffs: Rail- 
less Trolley Traction, 
THURSDAY, Apriv 12. 
Royat InstrruTIon oF Great Brrrain, at 3.—Prof. A, O, Rankine: The 
Transmission of Speech by Light (1). 4 
INSTITUTION OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS, al 6.—A, G. Warren: The X-ray 
Examination of Materials. 
Opticat Society (at Imperial College of Science and Technology), at 7.30.— 
I. Twyman: The Hilger Microscope Interferometer.—A. Whitwell: — 
The Form of the Wave Surface of Refraction.—J. H. Barton: ANew 
Research Microscope of Original Design. 
Ins1ituTe or METALS (London Local Section) (Annual General Meeting) 
(at Institute of Marine Engineers, Inc.), at 8.—Dr. 8. W. Smith ; The 
Surface Tension of Metals. ‘ 
CAMERA CuvB, at 8,15.—E. A. Robins; The Edible Crab. 
FRIDAY, Apri 13, 
Roya. AsTRoNOMICAL Socrery, at 5. R ; 
Roya CoLLeGe or SURGEONS OF Enatanp, at 5.—Sir Arthur Keith: 
Madder-stained Specimens illustrating the Process of Bone-growth, 
MALaAcoLoaIcaL Society or Lonpon (at Linnean Society), at 6. 
Junror [nstiruTION oF ENGINEERS, at 7.30.—C. B. Clapham; Instrument! 
Equipment of Aeroplanes. 
Rows eacneaee ts Society or GREAT Brita, at 8.—J. R. H. Weaver: 
Cathedrals of Northern Spain. : 
Roya LysTiTUTION oF GREAT BRITAIN, at 9.—Prof. W. H. Eccles : 
Studies from a Wireless Laboratory. 
PUBLIC LECTURE. 
TUESDAY, Aprit 10. 
GresHam CoLLEcE (Basinghall Street), at 6.—W. H. Wagstaff: Geometry. 
(Succeeding lectures on April 11, 12, and 13.) 
