418 Scventifie Intelligence. 
and the hope appears to be well-founded that the results obtained 
by this art will exceed those previously obtained. The giving 
back of the color can be termed color adaptation, farbenanpas- 
sung, since it consists in letting free the color material, which 
best resists the breaking-up influence of the illuminating color. 
The author concludes with some references to observations on 
the color of animals, by Darwin, Poulton, Roux and others, 
which illustrate the influence of color particles, according to his 
theory.—Ann. der Physik und Chemie, No. 6, 1895, pp. 226-281. 
Epa 
5. The Electric Aureole: and Stratifications in the Electric 
are and in discharges in rarified gases.—Many observers have 
noticed the peculiar forked flame discharges produced in the dis- 
charge from electrodes of the secondary circuit of a suitable 
transformer. Spottiswode was the first to excite a Ruhmkorf 
coil by an alternating dynamo, and thus to lead the way toa 
study of the relation between this forked flame-like discharge and 
the ordinary voltaic arc. Lramwann has made an exhaustive study 
of this phenomena, both in the air and in various vessels con- 
taining rarified air and gases. He shows that the exchanges of 
heat between the walls of the vessels and the layers of rarified 
air must be considered in studying the phenomena of stratifica- 
tion. His paper contains many illustrations of the aureoles 
formed and of the isothermal surfaces about and between the 
electrodes, and a discussion of the influence of partial discharges 
on the phenomenon of stratification. His investigation has a 
bearing upon certain phases of the aurora borealis.— Ann. der 
Physik und Chemie, No. 6, 1895, pp. 361-388. J.T, 
6. Magnetism of Asbestos.—Faraday placed asbestos in the 
list of weak magnetic bodies, but recent observers have discov- 
ered that certain varieties of this mineral are strongly magnetic. 
Swinton, in the Electrical Review, 34, No. 880, Oct. 5, 1894, has 
called attention to this property of asbestos, and BLEEKRODE 
shows that a gray variety exhibits strong magnetism even in 
comparatively weak magnetic fields. He points out that this 
substance should not be used as an insulating material in mag- 
netic instruments.—Ann. der Physik und Chemie, No. 6, 1895, 
p. 398. J. 0. 
7. Electric refraction of Liquids.—P. Drupe, using a modifica- 
tion of Blondlot’s apparatus for exciting powerful electrie oscilla- 
tions, has obtained for electric waves in water a refractive index 
of 9 and a specific inductive capacity equal to 81.— Ann. der Phy- 
sik und Chemie, No. 8, 1895, p. 633-655. Tre 
8. Double refraction of electric waves in ice.—V. BIERNACKI 
uses one of Lodge’s coherers in connection with parabolic mirrors 
of small size, 45°" in height, aperture 30 and focal length 3™. 
The introduction of a thick slab of ice between the two crossed 
mirrors with its axis 45° to both the focal lines exhibits the 
double refraction of the icea—Ann. der Physik und Chemie, No. 
8, 1895, p. 599-608. J.T. 
