NA TURE 



[December 5, 1901 



acetone respectively. In the present paper the conditions neces- 

 sary for a maximum yield of the halogen derivativu are 

 determined. — On the transformation by a new reaction of two 

 xanthydrols into xanthenes, by M. R. Fosse. — The elherifica- 

 tion of phosphoious acid by glycerol and glycol, by M. P. Carre. 

 •—On the reserve store of carbohydrates in the seed of Aiiaiba 

 japonica, by M. G. Champenois. The seed of this plant 

 contains a large quantity of cane-sugar accompanied by a 

 glucoside. Besides the soluble compounds the seed contains 

 as constituents of its hard albumen a galactane, a mannane 

 and a pentane which give on hydrolysis galactose, mannose and 

 a pentose which appears to be arabinose. — On an experiment of 

 M. Berthelot relating to the transformation of glycerol into 

 sugar by the testicular tissue, by M. Gabriel Bertrand. It is 

 found that the action of the sorbose bacterium upon glycerol, 

 which up to the present has been regarded as specific, 

 is really an action common to different organisms. — Experi- 

 ments on chlorophyll assimilation, by M. M. Harroy. The 

 author has repeated the experiments of M. Friedel, but 

 has not been able to confirm them, and he regards it 

 as premature to state as a fact that the chlorophyllian 

 synthesis may take place out.side the vegetable organism and 

 without the intervention of living matter. — Researches on the 

 law of action of sucrase, by M. Victor Henri. The speed of 

 inversion of saccharose by any acid is at any instant proportional 

 to the quantity of saccharose present in the solution, from which 

 is derived the well-known formula giving the relation between 

 the time and the quantity present /(•= i// log a/a-. r. It is found 

 that the inversion of sugar by sucrase takes place more rapidly 

 than corresponds to this law, and a new formula is derived 

 which expresses the experimental results better : 2/!', = i// log 

 a + x/a ~ X. — The cell of Sertoli and the formation of sperma- 

 tozoids in the sparrow, by M. Gustave Loisel. — Some new 

 geological observations in the Belledonne chain, by M. Pierre 

 Termier. — A graphical method permitting the study of the cir- 

 cumstances of the course ot a steerable aerostat, by the examina- 

 tion of the projection of its trajectory upon the earth, by M. J. 

 Armengaud, jun. — The increase of the number of red corpuscles 

 in the blood during a balloon ascent, by M, J. Gaule. It is 

 shown that there is a true formation of red globules on arriving 

 suddenly at a high altitude, the phenomena taking place with 

 great rapidity. — The scientific treatment of deafness, by M. 

 Alarage. 



DIARY OF SOCIETIES. 



THURSDAY, Decembers- 



ioVAt. Society, at 4.30.— On the Spontaneous lonisalion of Gases: 

 C. T. K. Wilson, K.R.S.— In title only : Notes on Quantitative Spectra 

 of Beryllium: Prof. W. N. Hartley. F.R.S.— Notes on the Development 

 of Paliidina vivi^ara, with Special Reference to the Urinogenital 

 Organs and Theories of Gasteropod Torsion. (Preliminary Note) : Miss 

 1. M. Drummond.— In title only : Preliminary Account of the Prothallium 

 of Phylloslossum I Prof. A. P. W, Thomas. 



LiNNEAN SociETV, at 8. — On the Foraminifcra collected round the Funa- 

 futi Atoll from Shallow and Moderately Deep Water, with Notes on New 

 Species from the Sands of ihe Reef Slope: F. Chapman. — Protoplasmic 

 Connections in the Lichens : Dr. J. H. Salter.— Exhibiiion : Ten Abnormal 

 Sacra of the Frog: Dr. A. G. Ridewood. 



Chemical Societv, at 8.— Influence of Substitution on the Formation of 

 Diazoamines and Amino-azo-compounds : G. T. Morgan. — The De- 

 termination of Available Plant Food in Soils by the Use of Dilute 

 Solvents: A, D. Hall and F. J. Flymen.— Some New Derivatives of 

 Gallic Acid : F. B. Power and F. Shcdden. 



"Rontgen Society, at 8.30.— Bullets and their Billets: Experiences with 

 X-Rays in South Africa : J. Hall Edwards. 



FRIDAY, December 6. 



RS, at 8. — Gas-Engine Construction: 



MONDAY, Decemher g. 



Society of Arts, at 8.— The Chemistry of Confectioners Materials and 

 Processes : William Jago. 



RovAL Geographical Society, at 8.30. 



Imperial Institute, at 8.30.— The Maroons of Jamaica: H. T. Thomas. 



Victoria Institute. at 4-?o.— The Preparation of the Earth for Man's 

 Abode : Prof. J. Logan Lobley. 



TUESDAY, December 10. 



Institution op Civu.KNGiNEERS.at Z.—Pafier to be further discussed : 

 Train-Resistance: John A. F. Aspinall.— /'*7/Vr to be read'. Motive- 

 Power from Blast-Furnace Gases : Bryan Donkin. 



WEDNESDAY, December ii. 

 Arts, at 8.— Aluminium : Prof. Ernest Wilson. 



THURSDAY, December 12. 



Royal Society, at 4.^0. 



Mathkmatical Society, at 5.30.— Flexure of a Circular Plate: J._H. 



Michell. — Non-uniform Convergence, and the Integration of Series : 



Dr. Hobson, F.R.S. 



Institution of Electrical Enginbers, at 8.— The Physical Properties 

 of certain Aluminium Alloys and some Notes on Aluminium Conductors: 

 Prof. E. Wilson (conclusiun of discussion).-Somc Principles underlying 

 the Profitable Sale of Electricity : Arthur Wright. 



Chemica 



Soci: 



t 8. — Extraordinarj' General Meeting. 

 FRIDAY December 13. 



Physical Society, at 5.— On Circular Filaments and Circular Magnetic 

 Shells equivalent to Circular Coils, and on the Equivalent Radius of a 

 Coil: Prof. Thomas R. Lyle.— Air Pressures used in playing Brass 

 Instruments : Dr. Barton and S. C. Laws. — A New Hygrometrtc Method : 

 E. B. H. Wade. 



Royal Astronomical Society, at 5. 



Malacological Society, at 8. 



contents. page 



Pasteur. By Mrs. Percy Frankland 97 



A Manual of Medicine. By F. W. T 99 



Practical Mathematics 100 



Our Book Shelf:— 



"Memorial Lectures delivered before the Chemical 



Society, 1893- 1900." 100 



Bachmetjew : " Experimentelle enlomolopische Studien 



vom physikalisch-chemischen Slandpunktaus. " . . loi 

 Marquand : " Flora of Guernsey and the Lesser 



Channel Islands." — G. N loi 



Thresh: " Water and Water Supplies." 101 



Letters to the Editor : — 



Automatic Actions.— Will. A. Dixon 102 



Does Man use his Arms in Locomotion ? — C. O. 



Bartrum 102 



Folklore about Stonehenge. — R. Ashinglon Bullen 102 



Preservatives and Colouring Matters in Food . . . 102 



Przewalski's Horse at Woburn Abbey. By R. L. . 103 

 Tycho Brahe's Observatory. [Illtistraled.) By 



Dr. J. L. E. Dreyer 104 



Technical Schools for Rural Districts 106 



A Periodical for Statistical Biologists 106 



Anniversary Meeting of the Royal Society .... 107 



Notes 109 



Our Astronomical Column: — 



The New Star in Perseus 112 



Variation of Latitude 113 



Determination of the Elevation of Meteors 113 



Meridian Otwervations at Harvard College Observatory 113 



LenRth of the Terrestrial Day 113 



Physiology at the British Association 113 



University and Educational Intelligence 116 



Scientific Serial 117 



Societies and Acadetries H7 



Diary of Societies 120 



NO. 1675, VOL. 65] 



