60 

tion. Rose states that an atom of water is retained by all the 
hyposulphites, and is essential to their composition. On the 
other hand, Pope and other chemists maintain that most, if not 
all the hyposulphites, can be obtained in the anhydrous condition. 
Mr. Letts undertook some experiments to asceriain whether 
hydrogen was to be regarded as an essential constituent of the 
hyposulph’ tes. The silts submitted to investigation were those 
of solium, barium, lead, strontium, magnesium, nickel, and 
cobilt.. The sodium salt lost all its water by drying in 
vacuo over sulphuric acid. The barium sait gives off its water 
by drying at 100° C. The plumbic hyposulphite, prepared by 
addng a solution of lead acetate to one of sodic hyposulphite, 
crystallises out from the liquid without any waier at all. 
This, then, is a case demonstrating without doubt that hydrogen 
is zot needed to complete the chemical censtitution of a hyposul- 
phite. The strontium salt retained, even afier drying at 200° C., 
half a molecule of water. The magnesium salt crystallising 
with six atoms of water, loses three of them at 100° C. ; but an 
attempt to expel more water causes the decomposition of this 
salt, The nickel hyposulphite, the crystals of which have also 
six H,O, do not part with any of it without undergoing de- 
composition. The cobaltic hyposulphite is even more unstable 
than the former salt. The President observed that the con- 
tents of the last paper set at rest the doubts which hitherto 
existed as to the constitution of the hyposulphites, and showed | 
that the water which they ordinarily contain is not essential to 
their chemical existence, 
BERLIN 
German Chemical Society, October 10.—President, Prof. 
Rammelsberg. The President repoited on the means employed by 
the society to promote disinfection of the battle-flelds and hospi- 
tals. A great number of German and foreign chemical manufac- 
turers had kindly responded to a circular requesting gifts of 
chemical disinfectants. From England, Messrs. Berger, Spence, 
& Co., Ballman and Condy, F. C. Calvert & Co, Crowther and 
Graeson, L. Demuth & Co., C. Kurtz and Sons, C. Lowe and 
Co., G. Lunge, George Miller and Co., T. Storey and Co., had 
sent various disinfecting agents. A table detailing the right use of 
disinfectants had been published and sent to the proper medical 
authorities and members of the society who have undertaken the 
supevintendence of disinfection in various towns. ‘The seat 
of war has been visited for the same purpose by six members 
of the society. The following papers were then read :—A. W. 
Hofmann : ‘ The history of Nitriles,” a reply to M. Mendele- 
jeff, who had published certain views, not knowing the same to 
have been promulgated before by the author.—T. Thomson : 
** On the double chlo ide of Beryllium and Platinum.” This salt is 
isomorphous with the coresponding calcium salt, and not with 
the magnesium salts, ashad been supposed. The same author on 
“The supposed Connection of the law of Avogadro with the 
Mechanical Theory of Heat.” A mathematical deduction lately 
published by Naumann, contains, according to Thomson, an 
error validating its argument.—C. Rammelsberg, ina lecture on 
the relation of mineralogy and chemistry, urges upon mineralo- 
gists to apply the modern formule.—A, Bauer described an alloy 
of Jead and platinum of the formula Pt Pb. 
October 24.—H. Wichelhaus described 8 Nitronaphtol. This 
compound, which cannot be produced in the ordinary way, may 
be obtained by treating alcoholic solution of 8 naphthol with 
nitric acid, as was lately recommended by Bolley. The same 
chemist has obtained Triacetamide by applying a similar method 
to that employed by Kekulé in the preparation of diacetaimide. 
The latter is obtained by acting onacetonitrile with acetic acid ; 
the former by eee the acid by acetic anhydride: CH, 
CN + (C, H, O), O = (CH; C O)3 N. The three amides 
have nearly the same physical properties. Thediamide, according 
to Kekulé, forms salts. The triamide is an anhydride converted 
by P, O; into acetonitrile and acetic anhydride.—Petersen on 
Nitrochlorophenoles. By continuing the researches of Baer- 
Predari, the author has produced five of the six possible isomeric 
bodies of the above constitution—C, Rammelsberg, on 
Yttrocerite, determines the formula of the mineral Ce F,, 
2 Fa 9 Ca Fy, 3 aq. Berzelius had found 1 Y 2Ce. Both 
VY and Ce represent rather groups of meta!s than well-defined 
single elements. In a discuss‘on following this communication, 
G. Rose calied attention to the isomorphism of yttrocerite and 
fluorspar, thinking that most likely the water found in the 
former (24 per cent.) ves not form a constituent part of the 
mineral, 
NATURE ‘ 

| Orthography : 



BOOKS RECEIVED 
Encuisu.—The Science of Building : E. W. Tarn (Lockwoods).--Elemen- 
tary Treatise of Natural Philosophy: A. P. Deschanel (Blackie and Sons).— 
Text books of Science; Mctals: C L Bloxam (Longmans) — Virgils Buco- 
lis in English Verse: R M. Millington (Longmans) —Usteology of the 
Mammalia: Prof. Flower (Macmillan and Co )—Ihe Academy, vol. i 
AmeERiICAN —Kirklos on Experimental Investigations into the Relationshiy 
of certain Lines, pt. 1: J. Harris (J. Lovell, Montreal), 
Foreicn.—{Through Williams and Norgate)—Biologische Studien: E. 
Haeckel.—Untersuchungen iiber den Bau des knéchernen Vogelkopfes : Dr. 
H. Magnus.---Der Schadel des Maskenschweines : Dr. J. C. Lucae.— 
Reityee zur vergleichenden Neurologie der Wirbelthiere : N.von Miklucho- 
aclay. 
PAMPHLETS RECEIVED 
Is a Ship-canal practicable? by S. T. Abert (Cincinnati).—Annual Report 
of the D.reetor of the Cincinnati Observatory —Fossil Sponge Spicules in the 
Greensand of Haldon and Blackdown: E. Parfict —Crustacea Podothalmata, 
and the H.stolozy of their Shells: E. Parfitt —1he Improvement of knglish 
D. P Fry —the Rainfall of the St. Mary Church-road, Tor- 
W. Pengelly ~The 

quay: W. Pengelly —The Rainfall in Devonshire, 1869 : 
suppo-ed Influence of the Moon on the Rainfall’: 
Vessels made of Hovey Lignite and of Kimmeridge Coal Pengelly,— 
The Ash hole and Bent-bone Caves at Brixham: W. Pengelly —The Litera- 
ture of the Caverns near Yealhampton: W. Peugelly.—Geography in relation 
to Physical Science: W Hughes, 



DIARY 
THURSDAY, Novemeer 17. 
Lonpon INSTITUTION, at 7.30.—Acoustics of the Orchestra ; Wind Instru- 
ments: Dr. W. H. Stone. 2 
Cuemicat Society, at §.—Mineralogical Notices: Prof. N. Story Maske- 
lyne and Dr. Walter Flight. 
LINNEAN SOCIETY, 
the White-beaked Bottle-nose: Dr. James Murie. __ . 
Society or ANTIQUARIES, at 8 30.—Egyptian Antiquities, with remarks by 
Dr. Birch: Mr. W. R. Cooper. 
SUNDAY, NovemMser 20. 
Sunpay Lecrure Society, at 3.30.—On the Antiquity of Man; Dr, Cob- 
bold. 
MONDAY, November 21. 
Lonpon INsTITUTION, at 4.—Chemical Action; Prof. Odling. 
TUESDAY, NoveEMBER 22. 
Etunotocicat Society, at 8.—On the Concord, the Origin of Pronouns, 
and the Formation of Clusses or Genders of Nouns: Dr, W. H. J. Bleek.— 
On the Position of the Austra ian Languages: Dr. W. H. J. Bleek. 
WEDNESDAY, NovEMBER 23. 
GEoLociIcAL Society, at 8.—On some Points in South-African Geology : 
Mr. G. W. Stow.—Noteon some Reptilian Fossils from Gozzo: Mr, J. W. 
Hulke.—(n the Discovery of a Bone-bed in the Lowest of the Lynton 
Grey Beds, North Devon: Dr. F. Royston Fairbank. 
Sout KENSINGTON Museum, at 2.30.—Un the Clavecin and the Piano- 
forte: Ernst Pauer. 
Roya Society oF LireraTurE, at 8.30.—On the three Seals of Edward 
the Confessor: Walter De Gray birch. 
THURSDAY, NoveMBER 24. 
Lonpon INSTITUTION, at 7.30.—On the Precious Metals and their Distri- 
bution: Prof. Morris 



CONTENTS Pace 
Tue PRESENT EprtpEmic OF SCARLET Fever. By Dr. E. LANKESTER, 
ScHImper’s VFGETABLE PataionroLtocy. By Dr. J. D. Hooker, ¢ 
COB GIR BIS) (taut eae 5 owe 42 
Tur Yosemite VALLEY AND THE Sierra Nevapa’ oF CALIFORNIA oe 44, 
Our BOOKSHELF _. PCCM Me eyes 
Lerrers To THE Eprtor:— 
The Teachings of ‘ribulation—‘‘ The Captain.”—Lieut.-Col. A. 
STRANGE, F.R.S. 
The Earliest Mention of the Aurora Lorealis.—R. G., sib P. Ear 
WAKER, J. JEREMIAH 60 i 2 © 4 \e 0. <3 iss + le tee a 
Hereditary Deformities.. /. [5 [s00.) sj. es a sel ee Ree 
Fertilisation of Plants». ae 2s + + te es ee te Ge 
Chip Hats —F H. Hooker . 47 
The Electric Telegiaph and Earthquakes. —Dr. iT D. Hooker, 
CB., FRS. - 47 
Ocean Currents. =: iG Jerrreys, E.R. S.; Colne GREENWOOD - 48 
‘The Milky Way.—J. JEREMIAH. «1 0 6 ee ew ww ee 4B 
Colour of Butterflies’ Wings . . Peer ce! 
New Mode cf Ev volving Light.—A PE TEaaas 2 0 a ce Oey Rane 
Philology and Darwinism . Spits) 
NATURAL SELECTION—Mr. Wattace’s Repty To Mr. BENNETT . « 49 
SclENCE IN Paris . . . Ory Ce EOS 
Pror. HELMHOLTZ ON FARADAY. «ows ee ce ew ce + 5t 
EARTHQUAKE OF OcT. 20, 1870 2» « «© « « « 52 
Novemser Mereors OnseRVED AT THE RAvcuirre OnSERVATORY. 
By tie hev. Rosgrt Mary, F.RS. . . « 6 ea - se ss 652 
Notes .. amie et ka Pec) ecw rch eG) Ge ease be. 1S 
THE Microscope. a5 oye ES 
Reroxt or tHe Kew ComMirrEe oF Tue Brirish AsSoctation « + 55 
SGIENTIFIC/SERTALS . he Suhel wa ete ve <* es le) ire 
SocisTIES AND ACADEMIES . « « « 5 se © © © «© © «© © « © 58 
LCN) Sneed oC oof) ce a mec ES) 
Books AND PAMPHLETS RECEIVED . « 6 + + «© «© © + + @ «© « 60 



[Mov. 17, 1890" 
Ww Pen ae on 
at 8.—On the Passifloree: Dr. M. T. Masters.—On ; 

- 
i] 
i 
: 
