compounds. The normal acid being pentabasic, N(OH),. there are several hydrates of this extending to N(OH),.14H2O. Ordinary nitric acid of 1-42 sp. gr. consists entirely of the octobasic acid (HO) ̧N.O.N(ÓH),, and the crystallisation of this was shown to the meeting by cooling the acid in liquid air. The effect of very low temperature on moist seeds: John Adams. Seven species of moist seeds were submitted to the temperature of liquid air, with the result that they were all killed, while dry seeds were not adversely affected. The physiological processes involved were next considered, as well as the various thecries put forward to account for death by freezing. An attempt was made to bring the results obtained into line with Macfadyen's experiments on bacteria, and the more recent investigations of Edwin J. Smith and Deane B. Swingle.-Injurious insects and other animals observed in Ireland during the year 1904: Prof. G. H. Carpenter. In this paper special attention is paid to Cecidomyiidæ, the pear-midge (Diplosis pyrivora, Riley) being recorded, and an account of Rhabdophaga heterotia, Loew., very destructive to osier beds in the county of Kilkenny, being given. Further instances are mentioned of Collembola injurious to plant roots and a new species of oribatid mite (Lohmannia insignis, Berlese) destructive to bean seedlings is described. The life-history of the well known mangold fly (Pegomyia betae, Curtis) is worked out in some detail.-Prof. McClelland made an addition to the communication he laid before the society at its February meeting. EDINBURGH. The Royal Society, May 1-Prof. Geikie in the chair.The internal structure of Sigillaria elegans of Brongniart's Histoire des Végétaux fossiles": R. Kidston. primary xylon formed a continuous ring as in S. elongata, Bgt., described by Prof. Bertrand, but the protoxylon groups formed rounded projections, not pointed, as in S. elongata. The paper concluded with some general remarks on the development of the primary xylon of the Carboniferous lycopods, and the opinion was expressed that the solid stele was the most primitive type, followed by the confinuous ring with a medulla, the series ending in that type of structure found in S. spinulosa, where the primary xylon assumes the form of a circle of isolated bundles. The rainfall of the drainage area of the Talla reservoir: B. Hall Blyth and W. A. Tait. The observations had been carried out in connection with the new Edinburgh Water Works in order to obtain data for fixing an equitable compensation to the Tweed Salmon Fisheries Commissioners and other proprietors in the district. Seven gauges had been established at various levels, and observations had been taken continuously for seven ears from 1896. The lowest gauge, at a height of 966 feet, gave an annual average of 61-43 inches, and the highest, at a height of 2627 feet, gave 65.53 inches, or only 0.41 per cent. per 100 feet rise. The greatest average was given by the gauge at the height of 1537 feet, the value being 73-92 inches. These facts showed that the rainfall was greatly affected by the exposure to prevailing winds and the character of these winds, quite apart from the effect of height. The extent of the drainage area was 6180 acres, and the average annual rainfall, as estimated from the observations, was nearly 14,600,000 gallons per day, of which one-third had to be given off as compensation. The rainfall records in the Talla drainage area from 1896 to 1902: P. D. Donald. This contained further discussions of the records. The observations of rainfall were being continued by the Water Trust, and it was hoped that the information so gained would be of special value to all interested in water supply. Variant forms of vanishing aggregates of minors of axisymmetric determinants: Prof. Metzler. PARIS. Academy of Sciences, May 29.-M. Troost in the chair.The exact transmission of time by the telephone: E. Guyou (see P. 134). On cyanocampho-acetic, cyanocampho-apropionic, cyanocampho-a-butyric acids and their principal derivatives: A. Haller and A. Couréménos. The sodium derivative of cyanocamphor reacts with the methyl and ethyl esters of the a-monochlor- and monobromo fatty acids similarly to the alkyl iodides and bromides previously studied, the camphor derivative behaving as if it possessed the enolic form. These new compounds can be saponified by alcoholic potash, furnishing the corresponding acids, several esters, salts, and amides being described in detail. -The oscillations of locomotives under the action of various disturbing forces: Georges Marié. A study of the conditions under which the oscillations may accumulate to a dangerous amplitude, and of the means of avoiding these conditions in practice.-On the continued algebraical fractions of Laguerre R. de Montessus de Ballore.On partial differential equations of the elliptic type: S. Bernstein. On the interpolation of continuous functions by polynomials: Martin Krause.-The electrolytic production of very fine wires: Henri Abraham. Starting with a fine drawn wire of a given material, the metal is removed electrolytically in a suitable bath, the resistance of the wire being measured during the experiment, the increase of the resistance giving an exact measure of the reduction of the diameter. For the production of uniform wires it is necessary that the electrolysis be conducted very slowly, and the method proved very successful for the purpose in view.-On tangential irradiation: A. Guébhard. A discussion of the mechanical and electrical theories as to the cause of photographic irradiation.-The examination of phosphorus sulphide for the presence of free white phosphorus: Léo Vignon. The Mitscherlich reaction (distillation with water) is useless for detecting free phosphorus in commercial phosphorus sulphide; the removal of the free phosphorus by heating in a current of hydrogen proved more serviceable.-On a reaction with discontinuous velocities of the green sulphate of chromium: Albert Colson. On some physical properties of propane: Paul Lebeau. Pure propane was obtained from three sources, normal propyl iodide, isopropyl iodide, and isopropyl chloride, the final purification being effected in all three cases by fractional distillation of the liquefied gas. It remained liquid at the temperature of liquid air (-195°), boiled at 44°5 C., and had a critical temperature of 97°-5 C., the critical pressure being 45 atmospheres. Propane is soluble in several reagents, its solubility being much greater than either methane or ethane. It is interesting to note that although propane does not solidify at -195° C., methane, its lower homologue, is crystalline -184° C.-On methyl-acetyl-carbinol: André Kling. This acetol can be obtained by the oxidation of 2: 3-butanediol by the action of the sorbose bacterium and by Mycoderma aceti. The resulting keto-alcohol is dextrorotatory, the oxidation proceeding at the expense of the lævo-form. The semicarbazone is well crystallised and readily isolated, and forms the best means of identifying this substance.-On the oxide of methoethenylbenzene : M. Tiffenau.-Syntheses in the anthracene series. The condensation of derivatives of benzodihydrofurfurane into 7-substituted anthracene derivatives : A. Guyot and J. Catel. On methylnatalemodine and natalemodine : E. Léger. The name natalomodine is given to a trioxymethyl-anthraquinone obtained by the action of sodium peroxide upon the aloin from Cape aloes. Details are given of its properties and the preparation of some of its derivatives. On the acidity of some ethyl alcohols of commerce and on the variations in acidity at the ordinary temperature: René Duchemin and Jacques Dourlen. Alcohol slowly oxidises in the presence of air at the ordinary temperature, acetic acid being formed. The formed depends on the nature of the containing vessel. -The conductivity of colloidal solutions: J. Duclaux. A solution of a colloid can be filtered through a collodion film, crystalline substances passing readily through such a filter, the colloid remaining behind. It was found that the conductivity of the concentrated solution of the colloid was appreciably greater than that of the filtrate. From the results of the measurements it was calculated that the electric charge on each particle of colloidal ferric hydrate was about 1/500th of that corresponding to the gram-valence of an ion.-On the presence of noumeite in the detritic state in the neo-Caledonian Eocene: M. Deprat. The wild coffee trees of French Guinea: A. at amount Chevalier.-On Oidium lactis and the ripening of cream and cheese: J. Arthaud-Berthet.-On Stearophora radicicola, a fungus of the roots of the vine: L. Mangin and P. Viala. The pathogenic action of Stearophora radicicola on animals: MM. Charrin and Le Play. The phenomena of sexuality in the development of the Actinomyxides: M. Caullery and F. Mesnil.-The histological phenomena of asexual reproduction in Salmacina and Filograna: A. Malaquin.-Some variations in the coefficient of demineralisation in animals in a state of acid dyscrasia: A. Desgrez and Mlle. Bl. Guende.-The experimental reproduction of human cancer: M. Mayet.— On distemper in dogs: H. Carré.-On, the geology of the Piedmont zone: Maurice Lugeon and Émile Argand. DIARY OF societIES. THURSDAY, JUNE 8. ROYAL SOCIETY, at 4.30.-Researches on Explosives. Part III.: Sir MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY. at 5.30.-On a Class of Many-valued FRIDAY, JUNE 9. ROYAL INSTITUTION, at 9.-Submarine Navigation: Sir William White, ROVAL. ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, at 5.-The Meteors from Biela's Comet : SATURDAY, JUNE 10. ROYAL INSTITUTION, at 3.-Exploration in the Philippines: A. H. Savage WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14. MINERALOGICAL SOCIETY, at 8.-The Chemical Composition of Lengen. bachite Dr. A. Hutchinson.-The Identity of the Ancient Amiantos of Cyprus with Chrysotile: Dr. J. W. Evans.-The Chemical Composition of Hutchinsonite: G. T. Prior. 1:1-Dimethyl-3-tetrahydrobenzene: A. W. Crossley and Miss N. Renouf.-Bromine in Solutions of Potassium Bromide : F. P. Worley. THURSDAY, JUNE 15. LINNEAN SOCIETY, at 8-Biscayan Plankton. Part VI. Colloid Radiolaria: Dr. R. N. Wolfenden.-Biscayan Plankton. Part VII. Mollusca: Dr. P. Pelsener.-(1) Longitudinal Nerves and Transverse Veins in Bamboos; (2) Some Indian Undershrubs: Sir D. Brandis, K.C.I.E., F.R.S.-Notes on a Skeleton of the Musk-duck, Bizuria lobata: W. P. Pycraft.-Exhibitions: Arum maculatum, in Relation to Insects (with lantern slides): Rev. J. Gerard, S.J. FRIDAY, JUNE 16. PHYSICAL SOCIETY, at 8.-On the Ratio between the Mean Spherical and MALACOLOGICAL SOCIETY, at 8.-Lecture on the Prosobranchiate Mol. The Motion of the Tail of Borrelly's Comet (1903 iv). 135 135 135 137 Agricultural Notes 138 Reports on Sea Fisheries. By Frank Balfour 138 139 141 The Royal Observatory, Greenwich. CHEMICAL SOCIETY, at 5.30.-Influence of Various Sodium Salts on the NEW WAVE-LENGTH SPECTROSCOPE (CONSTANT DEVIATION). The special advantages of this Spectroscope are-the Collimator and Telescope are fixed at right angles, thus the instrument will stand in a corner, and is always ready for use and in adjustment. The Prism is of the now well known CONSTANT DEVIATION type. Reads in Wave-lengths Direct and with Creat Accuracy. "No. 5" SPECTROMETER. Designed with special STANDARD ANGULAR MEASUREMENTS. ILLUSTRATED LIST OF SPECTROSCOPES AND ADAM HILGER, Ltd., 75a Camden Road, London, N.W. GOLD MEDAL AWARDED, ST. LOUIS EXHIBITION, 1904. MACMILLAN & CO.'S NEW BOOKS. TWENTY-SIX GRADUATED EXERCISES IN GRAPHIC STATICS, some in Two Colours, and with Skeleton Data to practise upon, and including the Application to Roofs, Moving Locomotives, Retaining Walls, Lévy's Steel Arches, Girders (Original Constructions), Masonry Arches, Lévy's Weight Tables, with an Essay on Graphical Statics, in the form of a Running Commentary on the Exercises, each of which has full Instructions printed on its face, the whole forming a Supplement to the Authors' Elementary Applied Mechanics. By T. ALEXANDER, M.Inst.C.E.I., Professor of Engineering, Trinity College, Dublin; and A. W. THOMSON, D.Sc., C.E., Professor of Engineering, College of Science, Poona. A MANUAL OF QUATERNIONS. By CHARLES JASPER JOLY, M.A., D.Sc., F.R.S., Sec. R.I.A.; Fellow of Trinity College, Dublin; Andrews' Professor of Astronomy in the University of Dublin, and Royal Astronomer of Ireland. 8vo. 10s. net. SCHOOL WORLD. --" As a sound and workable introduction to quaternions, sufficiently extensive for many of the most important uses of the subject, this manual will at once take the leading place." PROBLEMS OF THE PANAMA CANAL, including Climatology of the Isthmus, THE BAHAMA ISLANDS. Edited by GEORGE BURBANK SHATTUCK, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Physiographic Geology in the Johns Hopkins University. With Maps and Illustrations. Super royal 8vo. 425. net. WOOLWICH MATHEMATICAL PAPERS, for Admission into the Royal Military Academy for the years 1895-1904. Edited by E. J. BROOKSMITH, B.A., LL.M. Crown 8vo. 65. EASY GRAPHS. By H. S. HALL, M.A. By H. S. HALL, M.A. Crown 8vo, Is. 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