Ee re 
ge et ee ae ET et RE ett ey Rete a ee 
Chemistry and Physics. 231 
sun—a consequence which M. Faye believes that Dr. Siemens - 
not admit.— Comptes Rendus, Jan. 8, 1883, p. 
12. The Eifect of Oil upon Waves.—In reply to an biG of 
calm sea is covered with a thin layer of oil and is then submitted 
to the action of the wind; in the second, where the waves break. 
In the first case the formation of great waves is rendered impos- 
sible by the presence of the layer of oil. In the second, a simple 
calculation shows that the layer of oil exerts a great resistance at 
the base of the breaker, and thus compels it to extend itself and 
to subside very rapidly without poe severe wave shoc — 
omptes Rendus, Jan. 2, 1883, 
a Rarefied Air as a ‘Gondeor of iiteceridiny Euan par 
presents an obstacle to the passage of the current. Everything is 
in favor of the hypothesis that vacuum opposes a very feeble re 
sistance to the propagation of electricity.” Without the employ- 
ment of electr ne can excite an induction current in a 
Geissler tube, which is sufficient to produce light. This would 
be impossible if the pa rar sre oe or vacuum were an insula- 
tor.— Phil. Mag., Jan., 1883, p. 1 
14, Con ference for as Adegitin ot a Standard Meridian and 
of a Standard Time.—The Minister of Public instruction has in- - 
cr 
et 
° 
Qu 
"oO 
son 
a 
— 
Republic to convoke a conference of all nations, which shall con- 
sider the question ee the establishment of a common initial 
meridian and a common hour. 
us circular states :— 
