496 
NATURE 
[Sep¢. 17, 1835 
and vertical axis, varying in size from almost imperceptible 
pores to abysses large enough to engulph the earth. The me- 
chanical identity of the two phenomena is thus established, 
while the absence of this special disposition in the penumbra of 
certain spots proves nothing against the author’s theory, which 
accounts both for the development and occasional disappearance 
of the cyclonic form.—Note respecting M. Bochefontaine’s ex- 
periment on the origin of cholera, by M. Trécul. A pill con- 
taining the comma bacillus having been swallowed by M. 
Bochefontaine with impunity, the author infers that Koch’s 
germ may not after all be the active principle of cholera. In 
any case he protests against the ridicule cast upon the experi- 
menter, whose courageous act*is worthy rather of admiration 
and reward.—On the part played by the bacilli in the ravages 
of the vine attributed to Phylloxera vastatrix, by M. Luiz de 
Andrade Corvo. From his experiments the author concludes 
that the disease, to which he gives the name of ‘‘ tuberculosis,” 
is quite distinct from, and independent of, Phylloxera, that it is 
constitutional and hereditary, and may also be transmitted by 
contagion, the insect merely playing a secondary part in its 
propagation.—Octahedrons of sulphur with square base, which 
is physically a rhombus, by M. Ch. Brame.—On certain points in 
the physiological action of tanguin, the poison used at ordeals in 
Madagascar, by M. Ch. E. Quinquand.—Influence of the sun 
on the vegetation, the vegetable functions and virulence of the 
cultivated virus of Bacillus anthracis, by M.S. Arloing.—A 
letter was read by the Perpetual Secretary from King Oscar of 
Sweden, to the effect that on attaining his sixtieth year, in 1889, 
he proposes offering a prize of 2500 francs, with a gold medal 
valued at 1000 franes, to the author of the most important con- 
tribution to mathematical science. The already nominated 
judges are a German, a Swiss, and M. Hermite of the Academy. 
—Experiments with various kinds of wheat, with a view to ascer- 
tain the most productive variety under normal conditions, by M. 
P. P. Dehérain. Five varieties yielded the following returns 
per hectare (24 acres) :— 
Corn Straw 
Quintals Hectolitres (Tons) 
Scholey ... 40°7 bo 49'8 7°323 
Scotch red 40°2 48°7 7687 
Berwick 37°7 44°8 6°281 
Bordeaux 32°3 cor) 39°'8 5°630 
Noé Blue 29°6 356 5491 
—Account of a meteor observed at Fontainebleau, by M. E. P. 
Mounier. This meteor was noticed at 7.20 a.m. in a clear sky, 
describing a parabolic curve from north to south at a velocity 
much inferior to that of a shooting star. It emitted an intensely 
white light like that produced by a magnesium wire in combus- 
tion. Before disappearing it broke into three fragments, which 
for an instant flared with a still more vivid light, and then 
suddenly became extinguished. 
BERLIN 
Physiological Society, July 3.—Prof. Waldeyer reported 
on an investigation carried out in his institute by Herr Pischelis 
into the development of the thyroid gland. The oldest ob- 
servers, Remak, Kolliker, and, quite recently, His, had found that 
the thyroid gland was developed medianly from the stomodzerum, 
a thickening of the wall and then a buttonlike eminence arising 
thereon, which afterwards became hollow and got transformed 
into the gland. Seeing the gland was composed of two lateral 
lobes united by an intermediate piece, Herr His assumed that 
two protrusions arose from the anterior wall of the stomoderum, 
coalescing towards the middle. Herren Stieda and Wolfler had 
afterwards given an entirely different description of the develop- 
ment of this organ. According to them the thyroid gland 
was developed from two lateral buds emanating from the 
branchial cleft, probably from the fourth fissure. In view of this 
contradiction of authors Herr Born had quite recently resumed 
this investigation, and had come to the highly surprising con- 
clusion that the thyroid gland originated both medianly and 
laterally, the middle part of the gland originating from the 
uppermost part of the stomodzrum, the lateral portions from the 
branchial clefts. This fact having no analogy in embryology, Herr 
Pischelis had scrutinisingly traced the development of the 
thyroid gland, not only in swine, which had been examined by 
Herr Born, but also in rabbits and birds. The result was the 
complete confirmation of Herr Born’s conclusions. Thus was 
all the ground taken from under the feet of phylogenetic specu- 
lators regarding the derivation of the thyroid gland. This organ, 
which was a complete riddle both physiologically and histiolozi- 
cally, remained inexplicable phylogenetically as well. In the 
discussion which followed, the effects of the excision of the 
thyroid glandin men and animals were copiously enlarged on.— 
Prof. Eulenburg spoke on a communication concerning the 
influence of the cortex of the cerebrum on the temperature 
of the body, which had been lately laid before the Society 
by Dr. Raudnitz, and sought to refute the arguments which had 
been brought forward by the latter in opposition to the conclusions 
at which, in conjunction with Herr Landois, he (Prof. Eulenburg) 
had arrived. The speaker maintained both the exactness of his 
thermo-electric measurements and the accuracy of his statements 
in reference to phenomena he had observed regarding the influ- 
ence of certain parts of the cortex cerebri on the temperature of 
the part of the body lying opposite. His statements were supported 
not only by experiments on animals by means of stimulation and 
cutting, but likewise by a large number of clinical experiences. 
—Dr. Miillenhoff spoke of the different methods of inyestigat- 
ing the locomotion of animals, and discussed the advyant- 
ages afforded in this study by the photographic representation 
of a large number of individual moments on the part of animals 
in the act of movement. A rather large series of photographs 
prepared by Herr Anschiitz in Lissa were shown. They repro- 
duced the movements of men and horses, of storks dropping 
into-their nests, lying there, and issuing from them, and of 
pigeons.—Dr. Salomon next exhibited some beautiful prepara- 
tions of paraxanthine crystals which he had obtained from urine, 
and set forth some further qualities and reactions of this xanthine 
body discovered by him a year ago in the urine. Paraxanthine 
occurred very sparely ; one thousand litres of urine contained 
but one grain of paraxanthine. In just as small quantity was 
another xanthine body present in urine, a body which he had 
now discoyered and had called provisionally ‘‘ heteroxanthine.” 
This body was precipitated amorphously in the form of powder 
or in the shape of poppy-seeds, and with soda formed beautiful 
crystals. Certain reactions [served to discriminate it from para- 
xanthine and to range it under the head of xanthine bodies. Of 
quite peculiar interest was its chemical composition. So far as 
the elementary analysis had yet gone, heteroxanthine was a 
methylxanthine, while paraxanthine was a dimethylxanthine, 
isomeric with theobromine. Seeing, as was known, that coffeine 
was a trimethylxanthine, by the discovery of the simply methyl- 
ated xanthine the gap in the series of methylxanthines was 
filled up. We had now xanthine, methylxanthine = hetero- 
xanthine, dimethylxanthine = paraxanthine and theobromine, 
trimethylxanthine = coffeine. 
CONTENTS PAGE 
The New Star in Andromeda. By Lord Rosse, 
F.R.S.; Dr. William Huggins, F.R.S.; W. F. 
Denning. (Zustrated) . . 5 2. . ~ mo eeel seeiay 
Letters to the Editor :— 
Red Rays after Sunset.—George F. Burder . . . 466 
Fireball’ —W. F. Denning ~ == (5). eieenenne 
Pulsation in the Veins.—Dr. J. W. Williams. . . 466 
“*Furculum” or ‘‘Furcula.”—Dr. P. L. Sclater . 466 
The British Association . 2 Sno) ok ers 466 
Section B—Chemical Science—Opening Address by 
Prof. Henry E. Armstrong, Ph.D., hg 
Sec.C.S., President of the Section ...... 467 
Section C—Geology—Opening Address by Prof. 
J. W. Judd, F.R.S., Sec.G.S., President of the 
Section DPOWCES JOMOMSN OES: oc 0 «ele ole Aye 
Section D—Biology—Opening Address by Prof. 
W.C. McIntosh, M.D., LL.D., F.R.SS.L. 
and E., F.L.S., Cor. M.Z.S., President of the 
Section SeCE ERO fe or sas. o reo 5) 2G {5 
Section E—Geography—Opening Address by Gen. 
J. T. Walker, C.B., LL.D., F.R.S., F.R.G.S., 
President of the Section ....... 2 elke Reo 
Section G—Mechanical Science—Opening Address 
by B. Baker, M.Inst.C.E., President of the 
Section® 7.) ciscaemeyae Perce a oc a le 
Notes eG lier hed mete me aieias Pee teerer Grae > ) oe tt) 
Astronomical Phenomena for the Week 1885, 
September'20-26). 7 See) = +) ee 
Scientific Serials. ..... Se fol oo sy aie. ek to OES 
Societiesiand/Academiesieg. em. 2s) =) nee » 495 
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