592 
Observatory for the study of the hydrogen, oxygen, and other 
substances present in the terrestrial atmosphere. Four tubes, 
one 60 metres long, have already been fitted up in a chamber in 
which solar, electric and other lights can be employed under | 
favourable conditions. —Thermic studies of the aromatic series : 
the phenols of complex function, by M. Berthelot. New 
characters derived from thermo-chemistry have been determined 
for the purpose of distinguishing the various isomerous groups of 
the aromatic series and disclosing the phenolic function belong- 
ing more particularly to some of these groups. In order to 
establish the general character and importance of this new in- 
strument of research, the author continues his experiments with 
the compounds derived from the oxybenzoic acids, to which 
the synthesis of vanilline and the allied substances has 
given so much interest. The results already obtained esta- 
blish a perfect agreement between the thermic indications and the 
chemical theories respecting the complex phenolic functions.— 
The treatment of mildew and rot with a mixture of lime and 
sulphate of copper, by M. A. Millardet. During the present 
season M. Nathaniel Johnston has applied this new process to 
50,000 vines in the Médoc district with complete success. The 
plants so treated are in a perfectly healthy state, while those not 
treated are in a wretched condition. —On the destruction of mil- 
dew by the sulphate of copper, by M. A. Perrey. A solution 
of 5 per cent. of sulphate of crystallised copper has this year 
been successfully and economically applied to vineyards in 
Burgundy hitherto unsuccessfully treated with sulphur. —Ravages 
of mildew in the northern districts of Touraine during the pre- 
sent year, by M. Larreguy de Civrieux. The disease broke out 
suddenly a few days after a violent storm in July, attacking 
several varieties of the vine and the oak trees of the surrounding 
plantations to the exclusion of all other plants.—Note on the 
quadratic forms in the theory of the linear differential equations, 
by M. Halphen.—On the physiologic action of the salts of 
rubidium, by M. Ch. Richet. Subcutaneous and intra-venous 
injections of the chloride of rubidium applied to frogs, fishes, 
rabbits, guinea-pigs, and pigeons, show that this metal 
has the same toxic effect as potassium, but somewhat less 
virulent.—On the internal phenomena of muscular contraction 
in the striated primitive fasces in Corethra plumicornis and the 
frog, by M. F. Laulani¢.—Line of development followed by the 
inoculated virus of tuberculosis in man, the rabbit, and guinea- 
pig: application to the study of inoculation and re-inoculation 
for tuberculosis, by M. S. Arloing.—A remarkable vegetable 
centre in the peninsula of Brittany, by M. L. Crié. Of this 
vegetable zone the characteristic species appear to be Warcissus 
reflexus, Lois.; Eryngium viviparum, Gay; Omphalodes 
Hittoralis, Leh. ; and Linaria arenaria, D, C.—Application of 
thermo-chemistry to the explanation of geological phenomena ; 
general principles ; ores of manganese, by M. Dieulafait. The 
principle is laid down that of all the natural combinations of 
each metal, that which developes the greatest heat in its forma- 
tion occurs most extensively in nature, and must be regarded as 
its principal ore. Applying this principle to the study of man- 
ganese, the author finds that the ores of this metal exist in nature 
in the relative proportions and under the conditions anticipated 
by the laws of thermo-chemistry.—On the whirlwinds observed 
by aéronauts, by M. Diamilla-Miiller. These whirlwinds are 
attributed to the collision of two atmospheric currents coming 
from opposite directions, and are compared with the eddies pro- 
duced in streams by analogous causes.—Note on a meteor 
observed at Saigon, Cochin-China, on August 22, 1885, by M. 
Réveillére —Kinematics of the locomotion of quadrupeds : 
trajectories and comparative velocities of the pastern and hoof 
of the horse at the different phases of its motion. 
STOCKHOLM 
Academy of Sciences, September 16.—The following paper 
was presented and accepted for publication in the Proceedings :— 
‘* Nouvelles Observations sur Jes Traces d’Animaux et d’autres 
Phénoménes, d’Origine purement mécanique, décrits comme 
Algues fossiles,” by Prof. A. G. Nathorst.—Experiments to 
determine with the galvanometer the limits of elasticity and the 
absolute tension of iron wire of different thickness and with 
varying contents of carbon, by Dr. P. Isberg.—Researches on 
the influence of temperature on the electromotoric force of 
certain electric pile combinations, by Dr. F. Kahlmeter, both 
the latter papers being presented and explained by Prof. Edlund. 
—Prof. Wittrock referred to a report left by the late Dr. 
NATORE 
[Oct. 15, 1885 
Lonnroth on his botanical journey to Gothland and Ostergot- 
land, chiefly to study the Hieracia, at the expense of the Academy- 
and to a paper presented at a previous meeting and prepared in 
the Botanical Section of the Natural History Museum by Herr 
Rk. Boldt.—Contributions to our knowledge of the chloro- 
phyllophyceze of Siberia. He further presented and explained 
the two following papers, viz. :—Contributions to our knowledge 
of the development of the physiological tissue of some algze, by 
Herr N. Wille, and contributions to the flora of the American 
Desmidicee, by Herr G. Lagerheim.—Prof. Chr. Aurivillius 
presented a paper, ‘‘ Conspectus Generum et Specierum 
Microceridarum,” and gave a review of the same. He further 
exhibited living specimens of the slave-keeping ant, Polyzrgus 
rufescens, recently found by him near Stockholm.—Prof. Nilsson 
presented a paper prepared by himself and Prof. O. Petterson, 
“Nouvelle méthode pour déterminer la densité de vapeur des 
corps volatisables en méme temps que la température y ap- 
pliquée,” and gave a review of its contents.—The Secretary 
(Prof. Lindhagen) presented the following papers, containing 
the results of researches made at the Upsala Chemical Labora- 
tory:—On the production and nitrification of kumenylacryl 
acid ; on the ortoderivates of kumenylacryl acid and the new in- 
digo and chinolin-derivates obtained from the same ; on the meta- 
derivates of kumenylacryl acid, and on derivates of kumenyl- 
acryl acid formed through substitution in the group of the 
acryl acid: all four by Dr. O, Widman.—Researches on the 
dependence of galvanic resistance in certain alloys of tin and 
bismuth on time, by Dr. G. Backlin.—On capacity of saturation 
and atomic weight, by Dr. J. R. Rydberg.—On Polyarsenite, 
a new mineral from the mine Sjogrufvan, in the province of 
Orebro, by Herr L. J. Igelstrom.—Remarks on the genus Cys- 
teosoma, Guérin-Méneville, by Dr. C. Bovallius.—On the Lake 
erem and the formation of Visings6, an island, by Dr. G. 
olm. 
CONTENTS PAGE 
Comparative Anatomy and Physiology ..... 569 
British Dairy Farming. By Prof. John Wrightson 571 
Our Book Shelf :— 
Traill’s ‘‘Chain Cables and Chains”... . . 572 
“United States Coast and Geodetic Survey” . 572 
Letters to the Editor :— 
The Presence of the Remains of Dicynodon in the 
Triassic Sandstone of Elgin.—Prof. J. W. Judd, 
MEECR Soa aaoodo ob hoe: Sse MTS 
An Earthquake Invention.—Prof. John Milne . . 573 
Tremble-terre du 26 Septembre, 1$85.—Prof, F.-A. 
Forel PME Sots Goo 
Larve of Cerura vinula.—Cyril B. Holman Hunt 574 
Pulsation in the Veins.—J. Hippisley ...... 574 
Stonehenge.—Sand. S. Stanley. ....... 574 
The Forecasting of Barometric Variations.—A,. N. 
Pearson ; 2.2. i 6 oes #3 5 =) oer 
Transmission of Sound.—Prof. W. E. Ayrton, 
F.RIS. 2 oe ae 8 ee 
Are there Rabbits in the Western Islands ?—Herbert 
Ellis 2.6 a el sw ee eee 
The Hell-Gate Explosion 575 
Submarine Disturbance =: :. <_- ieee es 
The Botanical Gardensin Java. By Dr. Sydney J. 
Hickson . we ae fee ote ey ee re 
On Certain New Terms or Terms used in a New 
or Unusual Sense in Elementary Universal 
Geometry. By Prof. J. J. Sylvester, F.R.S. . 576 
Notes! >. <2). PEMA 2. ou PPM Gaiehe cS 
Astronomical Phenomena for the Week, 1885, 
October 18=24 eee os te 6 a ote) ey 
Geographical Notes .-... . - . a Oe Sees 
The Great Ocean Basins, By John Murray. . 581 
New Process of Liquefying Oxygen. By M. L. 
Cailletet. (2i/istrated) ©... «2. 
Notes from the Otago University Museum. By 
Prof. T; Jeffery Parker. . . 5 «9 5 3 2 GROG 
The British Association :— 
Section H—Anthropolopgy ........:.. 580 
SciencelinvgRussiay 0. eee ae a) toa Ee 
Scientific Serials. .... ® e gelves chdet yeu (010 (ee EG 
Societies and Academiesin 3 23 2 6) == - « © = -mSOm 
