164 



NA rURE 



\^j7inc i;, iSSo 



On a law of the stimulation of terminal nerve-subslances, by 



Prof. Mayer.— Contributions to the photochemistry of bromide 

 of silver, by Dr. Eder. — Notices on the formation of free 

 sulphuric acid, and some other chemical relations of gasteropoda, 

 especially of Doliiim gaUa, by Prof. Maly. — On the theory of 

 normal surfaces, by Prof. Peschka. — On cinchoraeronic acid, by 

 Dr. Skraup. — On aldehyde resin, by Ilerr Ciamician. — On an 

 extension of the limits of validity of some general propositions 

 of mechanics, by Prof. Simony. — On oxycuminic acid and on 

 the action of nitrous oxide on organic compounds, by Prof. 

 Lippmann and Herr Lange. 



March 11. — The orthogonal-axonometric contraction circle, 

 by Prof. Pesar. — Electrolysis of organic substances in aqueous 

 solution, by Prof. Habermann. — Action of oxaUc and sulphuric 

 acid on naphthol, by Herr Hcinig. — On dipropylore'sorcin and 

 some of its derivatives, by Herr Kariof. — On idryl, by Dr. Gold- 

 schmiedt. — On direct introduction of carbonyl groups into 

 phenols and aromatic acids, by Herr Senhofer and Herr 

 Brunnen. — Remarks on Cauchy's theory of double refraction, by 

 Prof. V. Lang. — Determination of path of comets discovered at 

 Pola in 1S79, by Herr Palisa. 



March 18. — Heliotropic phenomena in the plant kingdom 

 (second part), by Prof. Wiesner. — On the projective construction 

 of curves of the second order, by Prof. Binder. — On Sturm's 

 series, by Prof. Gegenbaner. — A hydraulic motor, by Ilerr 

 Kauer. — Tlie alteration of molecular weight and molecular 

 refractive pover, by Prof. Janovsky. — On the tannic acid 

 of oak-barl;, by Herr Etti. — On some tertiary echinida from 

 Persia, by Ilerr Fuchs. — Sulphur compoiuids of chromium, 

 by Prof. Lieben. — Behaviour of bone gelatine in dry distillation, 

 by Dr. Weidel and Herr Ciamician. — On the determination 

 of the halogens in chlorates, bromates, and iodates, by Herr 

 Fleissner. 



April S. — The following among other papers were read : — 

 Theory of motion on developable surfaces, by Herr Wittenbauer. 

 — The inflorescences of Marchantiacea, by Prof. Leitgeb. — On 

 the magnetic action on fluorecence light excited by the negative 

 discharge in a vacuous space, by Prof. Domalip. — On discrete 

 vortex lines, by Dr. Marguess. — Contributions to the photo- 

 chemistry of bromide of silver, by Dr. Eder. 



P.VRIS 



Academy of Sciences, Juiie 7.— M. Edm. Becquerel in the 

 chair. — The following papers were read : — On a bromised 

 derivative of nicotine, by MM. Cahours and Etard. The 

 formula is CjoIIj^NoBrj. — Geological history of the English 

 Channel (first part), by M. Ilebert. — M. Daubree gave a rhiime 

 of a study entitled "Descartes, one of the creators of cosmology 

 and geology." Descartes considered all celestial phenomena as 

 simple deductions from laws of mechanics, affirmed the unity of 

 composition of the physical universe, perceived the capital rMc 

 of heat in formation of our globe, &c. — M. du Moncel presented 

 a third edition of his work on the telephone, microphone, and 

 phonograpli. — M. Chancel was elected correspondent in chemistry 

 in place of the late M. Favre. — Theorems on the decomposition 

 of polynomes, by M. Carrere. — Result of treatments of vines 

 attacked with phylloxera, by M. Boiteau. The vines treated 

 for three years past (with sulphide of carbon) are thriving beauti- 

 fully. Infected vines over fifteen to twenty years old, which can- 

 not renew their radicular system, should be replaced by young 

 plants. The best method of application is that in parallel lines, 

 with doses of 20 gr. per square metre applied in two or three 

 holes. The sulphide even seems to stimulate the vine. — New 

 generation of the surface of the wave and various constructions, 

 by M. Mannheim — On ternary cubic forms, by M. Poincare. — 

 On irreducible functions according to a prime modulus, by M. 

 Pellet. — Remark relative to two integrals obtained by Lame in 

 the analytical theoiy of heat, by M. Escary. — On the partition of 

 numbers, by M. David. — Direct measurement of the interior resist- 

 ance of magneto-electric machines in motion, by M. Carnellas. 

 The induction of the electro-magnets and the metallic cheeks 

 is obviated by rotating the (Gramme) ring mounted carefully 

 with its brushes on wooden supports, and the effects of terres- 

 trial induction are avoided by opposing to each other these effects 

 in tuo similar Gramme rings, mobile under the same conditions, 

 with axes parallel. The ring (at rest or rotating) is made the 

 fourth side of a Wheatstone bridge formed by Siemens' universal 

 galvanometer. The resistance of the ring in motion (450 turns 

 per minute) shows an increase of 25 per cent, on that of the 

 ring at rest. — Transformation of gunpowder in the metallic ca'cs 



of infantry cartridges, by M. Pothier. A diminished velocity of 

 balls of cartridges that have been long charged, and diminished 

 accuracy of fire, are accounted for by a proved chemical de- 

 composition of the powder in contact with the metallic case, the 

 quantity altered varying according to atmospheric influences, 

 especially moisture, at the time of manufacture or during storage. 

 Experiment proved zinc to have most action, then followed cop- 

 per. Lead, tin, and iron affect the powder less. High tempera- 

 ture accelerates the transformation if the powder is moist. — 

 Optical arrangement for firing within covered batteries, by M. 

 de Fraysseix. By means of a lens and screen the artilleryman 

 is enabled to take better aim. M. Ed. Becquerel called atten- 

 tion to previous devices of the same kind. — On colloidal oxide 

 of iron, by M. Magnier de la Source. The composition of the 

 s'jluble ferric hydrate is that of the normal hydrate. — On a new 

 sulphate of alumina (sesquibasic sulphate of alumina), by M. 

 Marguerite. One method of preparation is decomposition of 

 alum of ammonia by heat. Three others are indicated. — Action 

 of chlorine on sesquioxide of chromium, by M. Moissan. — On a 

 combination of allylic alcohol with anhydrous baryta, by MM. 

 Vincent and Delachanal. — On the fixity of composition of plants ; 

 ratio between the fecula, phosphoric acid, and mineral substances 

 in potato, by M. Pellet. While these show constant ratios 

 there are great differences in the proportions of the chief alkalis, 

 lime and potash ; but there is equivalent substitution of these 

 alkalis, so that the quantity of sulphuric acid necessary to saturate 

 all the bases is sensibly the same. Silica and nitrogen vary 

 pretty largely. — Analysis of the seeds of beet, by MM. Pellet 

 and Liebschutz. — Disinfection and conservation, from an agri- 

 cultural point of view, of animal matters, and notably blood, by 

 use of bisulphate of alumina and nitric acid, by M. Vautelei. 

 They act by coagulation, &c. — On the physiological effects of 

 erythrophleine, by MM. Lee and Bochfontaine. It acts both on 

 the heart and the respiratory apparatus, and may prove a itseful 

 clinical agent. — -On some anatomical characters of Chiroptera of 

 the genus Cynonyctiyh, by M. Robin. — On the metamorphosis 

 of Pcrosopcstona, by M. Vayssiere.— On a peculiar modification 

 of a parasitic Acarian, by M. Megnin. The eggs of a CJtevIcltis, 

 on an American Grosbeak, were found protected by fine tissue, 

 like that furnished by certain Arachnides. — Helminthological 

 observations and experimental researches on the disease of work 

 men in the St. Gothard, by M. Perroncito. The numerous 

 workers who have become ancemic have been preyed upon by 

 certain small worms, and this quite explains the anremia. A 

 similar malady was observed in making the Mont Cenis tunnel. — 

 M. d'Abbadie presented a work by Mr. Knipping on the cyclones 

 of 1878 in the China Sea=. 



CONTENTS Pagb 



Two Darwinian Essays. By Alfred R. Wallace 141 



Natitee's Hygiene 142 



Our Book Shelf : — 



Holmes' " Science of Voice Production .-ind Voice Preserv.ilion 



for the Use of Speakers and Singers" 143 



Hughes' " Ceylon Coffee Soils and Manures: a Report to the 



Ceylon Coffee Planters' Association " 144 



Letters to the Editor: — 



Cloud Classification. — Rev. \V. Clement Ley 144 



The Motion of Fluids. — Horace Lamb 145 



On the Physical Aspects of the Vortex Atom Theory. — W. L. . . 145 



The Aurora Borealls and its Colours. — T. W. Backhouse . . . 145 



A New Audiphone. — Thos. Fletcher 145 



Crystal-Ice.— R. H 145 



The Stone in the Swallow. — John Locke 146 



Stags' Horns. — E. W. Claypole 146 



On so.me Points connected with Terrestrial Magnetis.m. By 



Prof. B. Stewart, F.R.S 146 



0:< a New Jellv-Fish of the Order Trachamedus.c. Living in 



Fresh Water. By Prof. E. Ray Lankester, F.R.S 147 



Notes fro.m Java 143 



On>he Fertilisation of Cob^ea Penduliflora (Hook. Fil.). By 



Dr. A. Ernst 14S 



Experi.mental Researches in Electricity. Ey Warren De La 

 Rue, M.A., D.C.L., F.R.S., andHuGoW. Mullbk Ph.D.,F.R.S. 



{Witli Illustrations) 149 



A Fourth State OF Matter. By W. Crookes, F.R.S 153 



Notes 154 



Our Astronomical Column : — 



Faye's Comet 156 



The Gr;at Southern Comet of iSSo 15S 



Minima of Algdl i;6 



Physical Notes isi'> 



Geographical Notes 157 



The Royal Observatory 15S 



Intercolonial Meteorological Conference .\t Sydney . . . i£o 



University AND Educational Lntelligence 160 



Scientific Serials 160 



Societies and AcADE.'.ilES «... 161 



