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August 13, 1885] 
NATURE 
359 
on the luminous rays themselves. To elucidate this question 
the author limits his attention to the effect of magnetism in 
presence of the luminous and caloric movement apart from the 
electric spark and through the medium of the ponderable matter 
alone. For this purpose he studies the effect of magnetism on 
the spectra of the flames of sodium, potassium, lithium, and 
thallium raised successively to increased temperatures by the 
introduction of oxygen. From the results of his experiments he 
concludes that magnetism acts directly on the luminous rays, 
but abstains from any theory to explain the identity of the 
effects of magnetism and heat on the rays.—M. A. Swaen, on 
the development of the first blood corpuscles in the blastoderm 
of Torpedo oceliata. The results are given of studies made last 
year at the zoological station of Naples on the evolution of the 
folicules and the formation of the blood-vessels of this organism. 
—Note on the geology of the Tristan da Cunha islands, by 
A. F. Renard. A summary description is given of the typical 
rocks collected by the naturalists of the Challenger expedition. — 
State of the vegetation at Spa and Liége on April 20, and at 
Longchamps (Waremme) on April 21, 1885, with comparative 
tables, by G. Dewalque and Baron E. de Salys Longchamps.— 
Essay on the mechanical theory of the surface-tension of the 
evaporation and ebullition of liquids, by G. Van der Mens- 
brugghe. In this first communication on the subject the author 
restricts his remarks to the question of the probable cause of 
surface-tension.—On the movements of the brain in the dog, by 
Léon Fredericq. Three distinct pulsations, corresponding 
respectively to the beating of the heart, to the respiratory action, 
and to the vaso-motor periods, are determined and illustrated 
with numerous tracings and diagrams. —Note on the carboniferous 
formations of Morvan, by A. Julien. The carboniferous schists, 
in contact with the older quartzose and azoic schists, run mainly 
north and south with a thickness ranging from 150 to 300 metres. 
Fossiliferous beds are rare, and the fossils, a list of which is 
given, generally in a very imperfect state.—A Royal Library in 
Assyria in the seventh century B.c., by M. Lamy. A detailed 
account of the explorations at Nineveh since the discoveries of 
Layard and Botta, including a description of the Royal Library, 
concludes with a history of the successful efforts made by 
Assyriologists to interpret the cuneiform writings. 
Rendiconti del Reale Istituto Lombardo, June 25. — The 
conflict between Julius Czesar and the Senate (B.c. 51-49), by 
Prof. J. Gentile.—The Italian Criminal Code: preventive 
justice and offences against the police, by Dr. Raffaele Nulli.— 
On the conditions of resistance of elastic bodies, by Prof. E. 
Beltrami.—On the floral dimorphism of Fasminum revolutum, 
Sims, by Prof. R. Pirotta.—Integration of the differential equa- 
tion Az = o in any of Riemann’s areas, by Prof. Giulio Ascoli. 
—Meterological observations made at the Brera Observatory, 
Milan, during the month of June. 
Gazetta Chimica Italiana, Palermo, 1885.—Note on diamid- 
oximethyltriphenilmethan, by G. Mazzara and G. Possetto.— 
On the relations existing between the refrangent power and 
chemical constitution of organic compounds, by B. Nasini and 
O. Bernheimer.—Synthesis of phenilcinnamenilacrilic acid and 
of diphenildiethylene, by O. Rebuffet.—Relation between the 
atomic weight and physiological functions of the chemical 
elements, by Fausto Sestinii—On the monobromo- and bibro- 
“mopyromucic acids, by H. B. Hill.—Reply to the foregoing, by 
F. Canzoneri and V. Oliveri. 
Rivista Scientifico-Industriale, Jane 15-30.—The total eclipse 
of the moon, October 4-5, 1884, by Prof. Carlo Marangoni.— 
Experiments on the extraction of the juice of tobacco and of other 
plants, by A. Pezzolato.—On the fossil land Articulata of the 
Paleozoic formations, by P. Bargagli. 
SOCIETIES AND ACADEMIES 
PARIS 
Academy of Sciences, July 27.—M. Daubrée in the chair. 
—Discussion on the great gyratory movements of the atmo- 
sphere (continued), by M. H. Faye. The question whether 
these atmospheric movements are ascending or descending was 
compared by the author to the old astronomical argument 
regarding diurnal motion. Attribute it to the earth, and all 
‘becomes clear ; attribute it to the stars, and you become involved 
‘in the contradictions by which the progress of science was 
retarded for twenty centuries. —A reply to M. Faye’s communi- 
aie 
cation, by M. Mascart. To the objection that the hypothesis of 
an ascending volume of air fails to explain the rotation of 
cyclones and tornadoes the author replies that if the wind in the 
northern hemisphere conyerges towards a centre of attraction it 
must turn to the right in consequence of the known influence of 
the earth’s motion ; hence the mass of air brought into play 
must revolve to the left. Thus the direction of the phenomenon 
is easily explained, and it follows that for a descending column 
of air the rotation must be reversed. —On isomery in the aromatic 
series : the oxybenzoic acids, their heat of formation and trans- 
formation, by MM. Berthelot and Werner.—Note on the 
anatomy and nomenclature of Dental, by M. de Lacaze-Duthiers. 
For the meaningless terms ‘‘Scaphopod”’ and “‘ Cirribranch ” 
the author proposes to substitute that of ‘‘ Solenoconch ”’ for this 
group of mollusks.—Observations of Barnard’s comet made at 
the 14-inch equatorial of the Bordeaux Observatory, by MM. G. 
Rayet.—Elements and ephemerides of Barnard’s comet deduced 
from the observations of July 12, 16, and 20, made at the Ob- 
servatory of Nice, by M. Charlois. On presenting this paper 
M. Faye drew attention to the fact that the axis of the planet’s 
orbit lies nearly in a line with the ecliptic, consequently with 
the planes of the orbits of the large planets. Hence, notwith- 
standing its inclination of 80° this planet may still be periodicaly 
like most of those offering the same peculiarity.—Summary 
of the solar observations made during the second quarter 
of the year 1885, by M. P. Tacchini. From these observations 
it appears that the solar spots and protuberances were more 
numerous in the second than in the first quarter of the year. In 
June protuberances were observed eight times which attained 
or reached a height of two minutes.—Observations regarding 
M. E. Heénard’s note on the sixteen systems of the planes of the 
regular convex icasohedral, by M. Em. Berbier.—Note on 
Riemann’s function ¢(s), by M. Bourguet.—On the equilibrium 
of a fluid mass animated by a rotatory movement, by M. H. 
Poincaré.—Note on the differentials of the functions of several 
independent variables, by M. E. Goursat.—New condensing 
hygrometer ; its use in regulating capillary hygrometers, by M. 
G, Sire.—Note on the reciprocal transformation of the two 
varieties (prismatic and octahedric) of sulphur, by M. D. Gernez. 
—On a new method of volumetric analysis applicable for testing 
the bioxides of manganese, by M. Paul Charpentier. This 
method is based on the use of the alkaline sulphocyanides, and 
avoids certain tedious processes and sources of error presented 
by the methods of analysis hitherto employed. Its chief advant- 
age is the extreme sensibility of the reaction, which enables the 
analyst to detect the presence of I-3,000,000th part of iron.— 
Heat of formation of the alkaline alcoholates, by M. de Forc- 
rand.— Note on the peptonate of iron, by M. Maurice 
Robin.—On three new compounds of rhodium, by M. Ca- 
mille Vincent. These substances are :—(1) chlororhodate 
of mono-methylammonium, which takes the form of long, 
slender prisms grouped around a common centre; (2) 
chlororhodate of dimethylammonium deposited in the form 
of large efflorescent prisms of a deep garnet-red colour ; (3) 
chlororhodate of trimethylammonium precipitated by slow 
evaporation in the form of long garnet-red prisms very soluble 
in water.—Origin and mode of formation of certain ores of man- 
ganese ; their fundamental relations to the baryta associated with 
them, by M. Dieulafait.—On a new phase in the evolution of 
the reticular rhizopods, by M. de Folin. In this new state 
these organisms assume the appearance of small, hard pebbles, 
from which it is often difficult to distinguish them. The circum- 
stance suggests the creation of a new genus, Lithozoa, of which 
there would appear to be several species. —Note on Megaloscopy, 
by M. Larrey. The author explains the optical principle by 
which he has been guided in the construction of a series of 
instruments for the inspection of the stomach, vessica, and other 
internal parts of the system.—Observations of the solar corona 
made on Mount Etna early in the month of July ; reappearance 
of the crepuscular lights, by M. P. Tacchini. The author 
observed in a deep blue sky the sun encircled by a white aureole 
concentric with a magnificent copper-coloured corona, which 
near the horizon was transformed to a larger but less clearly 
defined arc. Since July 2 he noticed the reappearance of the 
red crepuscular phenomena and of the great arc at sunset and 
sunrise, Although less intense than those of 1883-84, he con- 
siders that their reappearance after such a long interruption 
shows they cannot be referred to the Krakatoa explosion.—On 
the cosmic origin of the crepuscular lights, by M. José L. 
Landerer. The author argues that these effects are due more 
