566 



NA TURE 



[October 5, 1905 



(2.2 pounds' weight), with the result that many of the 

 instruments were broken in transit. Owing to the intense 

 cold, the clogging of the apparatus by hoar-frost and violent 

 snowstorms, together with the intense electrification of the 

 atmosphere, rendered regular observations almost impossible 

 with the means then available. The shade air-tempera- 

 ture at the summit of Monte Rosa is practically always 

 below freezing point ; the thermometers taken by Dr. 

 Alessandri read to —20° C, but the extreme temperature 

 often fell below that. The mean reading of the barometer 

 during the summer of 1904 was 17-1 inches; w-ater there- 

 fore boiled at about 85° C. The lightning conductors 

 frequently appeared like steadily burning candles, and the 

 observers experienced at times such unpleasant shocks that 

 it became advisable to retire within the observatory. 



About twenty years ago Messrs. Michelson and Morley 

 concluded from the results of their well known experiments 

 that the ether in the neighbourhood of the earth is not at 

 rest in space, but is carried along with the earth in its 

 motion. Prof. Fitzgerald and Prof. Lorentz subsequently 

 suggested that the experimental results of Michelson and 

 Morley might also be explained by the dimensions of the 

 apparatus being modified by its motion through the ether. 

 In order to test this assumption, Messrs. E. W. Morley 

 and D. C. Miller (Proceedings .liner, .lead. ArXs and 

 Sricnccs. xli., N'o. 12) have repeated on a mnre phihnrate 



scale the experinienis nf 1SS7, using two mnditi.'d funiis 

 of apparatus. The sandstone of the earlier experiments 

 was replaced in one form of apparatus by a structure of 

 white pine, whilst in the final and more complete experi- 

 ments a steel framework was used to support a system of 

 pine rods. The figure shows the steel cross-framework 

 adopted, with the trusses supporting the distance pieces 

 and the mirror frames and telescopes in position. The 

 entire apparatus weighed 1900 lb., and floated in mercury. 

 As a result of the experiments, a nearly similar conclusion 

 to that previously formed is arrived at. If the dimensions 

 of the pine are changed, the change is of the same amount 

 as with sandstone; if the ether near the apparatus did 

 not move with it, the difference in velocity is apparently 

 less than 3-5 kilometres per second. 



The Journal of the Royal SanUary Inslitiile for 

 September (xxvi., \o. S) contains an important paper by 

 Prof. Woodhcad on the water supply problem in rural 

 districts, together with the discussion thereon. 



In the Century Illustrated Monthly Magazine for October 

 Prof. Chittenden gives a popular account of his researches 

 on the amount of nitrogenous food required to maintain 

 physiological equilibrium, w-hich, should his results stand 

 the test of time, will mean great economy in the future. 

 NO. 1875, VOL. 72] 



General Horace Porter writes a graphic account of the 

 investigations which led to the search for the body of 

 Paul Jones and its ultimate recovery in the forgotten 

 cemetery of Saint Louis, its identification, and removal to 

 the United States. 



We have received the results of meteorological observ- 

 ations for 1900-2, and of rain, river, and evaporation 

 observations for 1901-2, made in New South Wales. The 

 latter work contains valuable statistics of rainfall for 

 each month for the years in question, and various returns 

 for other periods, e.g. the mean annual rainfall at all 

 stations with three and up to fourteen years' records from 

 1889 to 1902 inclusive, and records for the whole of 

 Australia for individual years since 1840. In the years 

 1901-2 severe and almost unprecedented droughts were 

 experienced. The average fall for the whole colony for 

 thirty-two years (1871-1902) is 24.15 inches, but in 1901 

 the amount was only 18.15 inches, and in 1902 14-09 inches, 

 the lowest average on record with the exception of that 

 for the year 1888, when it was only 1340 inches. The 

 effect on sheep grazing was disastrous ; the number of 

 sheep in the western division during seven years ending 

 with 1901 dwindled from about 16 millions to 5 millions, 

 representing a loss to the State of about 30 millions 

 sterling. 



In the current issue of the Journal of the Franklin 

 htslitute the first instalment is published of an elaborate 

 monograph on mica by Mr. G. W. Colles. The subject is 

 dealt with chiefly from an industrial point of view, the 

 pn/sent, past, and probable future of mica mining being 

 discussed. 



.V SECOND edition of the second volume — dealing with 

 llif chemistry of manufacturing processes — of " Chemistry 

 liir Engineers and Manufacturers," by Messrs. Bertram 

 Hlount and A. G. Bloxam, has been published by Messrs. 

 Charles Griffin and Co., Ltd. 



Mr. Oscar Guttmann, 12 Mark Lane, London, E.C., 

 intimds to publish a facsimile reproduction of all ancient 

 pictures and engravings dispersed in libraries all over the 

 wurld referring to the invention, earlv manufacture and 

 i x.imination, and first use of gunpowder. It is to be a 

 ".irk of art, printed by hand on the finest hand-made 

 paper, with an imitation fifteenth century binding, and 

 limited to about three hundred numbered copies. 



We have received from Messrs. J. J. Griff>n and Sons, 

 Ltd., 20-26 Sardinia Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields, W.C., 

 iheir " T " list of thermometers and pyrometers for 

 measuring temperatures between —200° C. and 4000° C. 

 The list is a fairly complete one, and comprises ordinary, 

 technical, and standard thermometers, as well as the 

 principal forms of electrical resistance, thermoelectric, and 

 optical pyrometers. 



Messrs. Philip Harris and Co., Ltd., of Birmingham, 

 have issued their diary intended for the use of teachers 

 and others during the session 1905-6. A very complete 

 calendar of the examinations to be held by the chief public 

 examining bodies during the coming educational year is 

 provided, and there are spaces for daily notes, general 

 memoranda, addresses, and cash accounts. 



We have received from Messrs. Williams and Norgate a 

 copy of a new work published by Herr H. A. Ltidwig 

 Degener, of Leipzig, entitled " Wer ist's? " The volume 

 is similar in its scope to "Who's Who," and is edited 

 by Herr H. A. L. Degener. In addition to the particulars 

 given of distinguished Germans, the book also includes 



