May 6, 1915| 
NATURE 
277 
a 
of the plates, and the retention of four pairs of tail- 
spines. Stegosaurus, which attained a length of 
about 20 ft., had relatively small and feeble teeth, 
which appear to indicate that it fed on succulent 
plants. The structure of the feet suggests that these 
reptiles inhabited low, swampy tracts rather than up- 
lands; and there is good reason to believe that the 
members of the genus are descended from bipedal 
dinosaurs specially adapted for locomotion on land. 
Until quite recently remains of man-like apes were 
almost unknown from the Indian Siwaliks, the only 
specimens being a canine collected by Falconer and 
Cautley, and a palate from the Punjab described in 
1879 by Mr. Lydekker as Palzopithecus. During the 
past few years the collectors employed by the Geo- 
logical Survey have, however, brought together a 
considerable series of teeth and fragmentary jaws of 
these and other Primates. These form the subject of 
an illustrated article contributed by Dr. G. E. Pilgrim 
to the February number of the Records of the Geo- 
logical Survey of India (vol. xlv., pp. 1-74). Among 
the remains of man-like apes, a considerable number 
are referred to the European genus. Dryopithecus, of 
which the author recognises three Siwalik species. 
These specimens include one exhibiting two of the 
upper molars in situ, which were previously unknown. 
A separate tooth, characterised by the roughness of 
its enamel, is described as a new genus, under the 
name of Palaeosimia rugosidens. 
The greatest interest attaches, however, to speci- 
mens described as Sivapithecus indicus, and referred 
to the family Hominide. This genus and species 
were originally described on the evidence of a single 
tooth, but the author now proposes to take as the type 
part of a lower jaw with several teeth; this, of course, 
being totally unjustifiable. The author gives an ideal 
restoration of the whole mandible, but it is somewhat 
difficult to realise all the evidence on which it is 
based. A special feature of the restoration is the 
extreme shortness of the symphysis, which is found 
elsewhere (save in the Hominidz) only in gibbons. 
The author is at great pains to show that Siva- 
pithecus is generically distinct from Palaeopithecus, 
but as the latter is definitely known only by the 
palate, his arguments do not appear absolutely con- 
clusive, especially when it is borne in mind that the 
occurrence of a number of types of ape-likke creatures 
in the Siwaliks is unlikely. 
The author concludes his article with observations 
on the evolution of the Anthropoidea, in the course 
of which it is suggested that Sivapithecus should take 
its place as a side-branch from the main stem which 
gave rise to man himself. On the other hand, the 
Piltdown Eoanthropus, which Dr. Smith Woodward 
considers to be a direct ancestor of man, is thrown 
altogether out of the line of human ancestry. While 
the article is full of interest, further consideration is 
advisable before the author’s views are accepted in 
their entirety. 
In an earlier paper in the same serial (vol. xliv., 
pp- 265-79) Dr. Pilgrim describes and figures a num- 
ber of Siwalik teeth referable to the creodont genus 
Dissopsalis, named by himself in 1910. The genus 
is regarded as forming the summit of a branch of 
the Hyznodontide, running nearly parallel to the 
one culminating in Hyanodon and Pterodon. It is 
also shown that a Siwalik tooth described by the 
present writer as Hyaenodon indicus is really insepar- 
able from Hyotherium sindiense, named by him at 
an earlier date. Later on in the same issue Dr. 
Pilgrim points out that the name Progiraffa pro- 
posed by himself for a Siwalik giraffe-like ruminant, 
has to give place to Propalaomeryx of the present 
writer. Rees 
NO. 2375, VOL. 95] 


THE UNITED STATES BUREAU OF 
STANDARDS. 
in his report for 1913-14, Dr. Stratton, the director 
of the U.S. Bureau-of Standards, shows how very 
extensive and varied is the work carried on at the 
Bureau. During the past few years its growth has 
been exceptionally rapid, and increased accommodation 
is still asked for. Much of the worl: carried on is 
strictly technical and includes tests on paper, paints, 
and varnishes, the shrinkage of wools, the properties 
of lime and cements, and the study of ceramic glazes. 
In the electrical division an important electrolysis survey 
was conducted in Springfield, Massachusetts, and use- 
ful- information obtained with regard to the bonding 
of tracks, etc. 
The unfortunate accident to the Titanic centred 
attention on possible methods of detecting. the near 
presence of icebergs, and assistants of the’ bureau 
conducted experiments on two naval vessels. The 
general conclusions reached are that the temperature 
variations in parts of the ocean far removed from ice 
are often as great and as sudden as in the immediate 
neighbourhood of icebergs, and that it is not possible 
to draw positive conclusions as to the absence or 
presence of icebergs from the temperature variation of 
sea-water. An attempt was also made to detect by 
means of submarine telephones, the submarine echoes 
from the submerged portion of a large iceberg. Sound 
waves were produced by striking the ship’s bell under 
water. The experiments were not completed owing to 
lack of time and facilities, but the results obtained 
merit further trials. 
Researches of a strictly scientific nature are nume- 
rous. One of considerable interest is the determina- 
tion of standard wave-lengths throughout. the entire 
spectrum. This is being carried out in accordance 
with the recommendations of the International Solar 
Union, and the results, while needed mainly by men 
of science, will also be of value in the industries. For 
example, the spectroscopic analysis of steel and other 
substances cannot be successfully undertaken until the 
characteristics of the spectra of the constituents are 
more accurately observed. 
Another optical research deals with the transmission 
of glass for the ultra-violet rays, mainly with a view 
of determining their fitness for spectacle-making. 
An interesting innovation is the establishment of 
standards of radiation in the form of incandescent 
lamps. In these standards the intensity of the radiant 
energy per unit area at unit distance from the lamp, 
has been established in absolute value. A long-felt 
want has thus been supplied. 
In the chemical department work is in progress on 
the methods and standards employed in volumetric 
analysis. The final scheme for this research was pre- 
pared after criticisms-and suggestions had been re- 
ceived from about 150 experienced chemists. A be- 
ginning has been made with the study of acidimetry 
and the subject of indicators. The quality of chemical 
reagents on the market is also being investigated. It 
has become the practice of many well-known dealers 
to attach labels to the bottles containing reagents, 
setting forth the nature and amount-of the impurities. 
In many cases it has been found that the labels do not 
state the truth, and as a consequence some action 
will probably be taken. One suggestion is that the 
bureau shall purchase material and assume all the 
duties of bottling and sale. 
In the division of metallurgy, among other interest- 
ing results are included the melting points of various 
metals. The results given are :—Nickel, 1452° C.; 
cobalt, 1478°; iron, 1530°, manganese, 1260°; 
chromium, 1520°; vanadium, 1720°; and titanium, 
