JuLy 29, 1915] 
NATURE 
601 

four. pages, and are chiefly devoted to physics. 
Amongst the most important are Prof. Tommasina’s 
contributions to theoretical physics, mainly criticising 
the theory of-relativity, and the measurements of the: 
electronic charge by MM. Schidlof and Karpowicz. 
Using drops of mercury of radii between 10~-* and 
ro-* centimetre produced by an atomiser, they find 
that the light falling on the drops causes an appre- 
ciable amount of evaporation, and in consequence a 
variable speed of fall in a constant electric field. They 
also find that Cunningham’s expression for the speed 
of fall of drops is not applicable to drops of the size 
used. The experiments, which are not yet complete, 
lend no support to the contention of Ehrenhaft that 
electrical charges exist, not integral multiples of the 
electron. 
An important paper on the preparation and digestive 
properties of papain is communicated from the labora- 
tory of organic chemistry, Bureau of Science, Manila, 
by Mr. David S. Pratt; it is published in the Philippine 
Journal of Science (vol. x., p. 1). Papain is the name 
given to the proteoclastic enzyme elaborated by Carica 
papaya, L., and is secreted in the milly latex that 
forms a prominent characteristic of the plant. The 
methods in use for preparing and drying the latex are 
described in some detail, and its digestive activity 
studied; suggestions are made for standardising the 
methods of evaluation. Although the market is in a 
way a limited one, the possibility of establishing a 
papain industry in the Philippine Islands should receive 
attention, as it does not necessitate a large investment 
of capital, and the time required is short before 
returns may be expected. 
Science Progress for July contains papers on the 
structure of the universe by Mr. H. Spencer Jones (see 
Nature, July 15, p. 548), on the molecular structure 
and mode of oxidation of carbon, by Mr. Maurice 
Copisarow; on the réle of reductase in tissue respira- 
tion, by Profs. D. F. Harris and H. J. M. Creighton; 
on some eugenic aspects of the war, by Mr. A. G. 
Thacker; and on the spinning properties of cotton, 
by Mr. W. Lawrence Balls. A short paper by Mr. 
S. C. Bradford gives the history of adrenalin, the 
active principle of the suprarenal capsules; the story 
of the discovery of their function, followed by the 
isolation of the active principle, the determination of 
‘its structure, and its subsequent synthesis, is one of 
the most fascinating chapters in the history of bio- 
chemistry and in the application of modern organic 
chemistry to therapeutics. The present number of 
Science Progress contains a novel feature in the form 
of short reports by various specialists on recent ad- 
vances in science. These reports are to be continued 
every quarter, and should prove not one of the least 
valuable features of our contemporary. 

OUR ASTRONOMICAL COLUMN. 
ASTROGRAPHIC CATALOGUE, PERTH SeEction.—The 
Perth Observatory of Western Australia was assigned 
a region of the sky for the construction of the great 
Astrographie Catalogue distributed among observa- 
NO. 2387, VOL. 95] 

tories situated all over the world. The section which 
was undertaken was that lying between 31° and 41° 
of south declination. The publication of the volumes 
containing the measures will be issued in thirty-six 
volumes, each containing six hours of right ascension 
for one degree of declination, but the volumes will not 
necessarily be published in numerical rotation. Under 
the direction of the Acting Government Astronomer, 
Mr. H. B. Curlewis, four volumes of measures have 
recently been issued, and these cover the regions sum- 
marised in the following table :— 
Vol Right Dec. of centre Number of 
; Ascension of plate stars 
h. h. 2 
XG gap 0-0 — 34 6,262 
CR O12) — 34 22,475 
DE sope sees — 34 20,498 
XII. 18-24 — 34 14,793 
Issued with these volumes is vol vi. of the meridian 
observations containing a catalogue of 2025 stars be- 
tween 37° and 39° south declination. These stars 
were selected as reference points for the Astrographic 
Catalogue, and are distributed approximately at the 
rate of three per square degree. Another volume con- 
sists of tables prepared for use in connection with 
zones 32° to 4o° south declination. These tables are 
published in order that they may be readily accessible 
to those who are working in these zones. They are 
for the conversion of R.A. and declination, into 
standard conductors and of standard co-ordinates into 
R.A. and declination for plates having their centres in 
each of the above-mentioned degrees. 
THE SCINTILLATION OF STARS.—A valuable article on 
the scintillation of stars and the unsteadiness (‘‘ boil- 
ing”) of the instrumental image is contributed by 
M. G. Bigourdan, of the Paris Observatory, to the 
Bulletin of the French Astronomical Society (June). 
M. Bigourdan attempts to demonstrate their identity. 
In comparing the two phenomena the effect of stellar 
type, aurora borealis, and magnetic perturbations, 
barometric pressure, proximity of clouds, influence of 
azimuth, and of twilight, are separately considered. 
There are no data regarding effect of azimuth on tremor 
of image, and the effect of twilight appears to be to 
increase scintillation and decrease boiling, otherwise 
the two phenomena, it is concluded, present a true 
parallelism. Double-star observers are recommended 
to keep records of the degree of scintillation. 
Tue UNIveERSITY OBSERVATORY, OxFrorD.—The 
fortieth annual report of the Savilian professor of 
astronomy shows that the activity of this institution 
has been well maintained during the period 1914~15. 
The analysis of meteorological statistics in pursuit of 
periodicities has been continued, and a cycle of 41-2 
years has been traced in rainfall, etc.; in this direc- 
tion there has been opened up an unlimited vista of 
work. The director has continued to control the 
earthquake station at Shide, and very pertinently 
suggests that the work of the Oxford University 
might well be extended in the direction of geophysics. 
In connection with the International Chart several 
Belgians resident in Oxford have rendered assistance 
in the measurement of star photographs. The dis- 
tribution of stars according to magnitude has been 
determined for the Oxford, Bordeaux, Algiers, Cape, 
and Perth zones. Regional differences in the ratio of 
faint to bright stars thus revealed suggest the local 
presence of obscuring matter, and, when due allow- 
ance is made for this phenomenon the ratio seems to 
vary to a slight extent with galactic latitude. 
