by Mr. J. A. G. Rehn on the brown grasshoppers The chief feature of the July issue of the Emu is (Acridiidæ) of Costa Rica, in the course of which a formed by the plates, one of which gives a full-sized number of new species are described. The collections figure, from a photograph, of the New Calendonian kagu examined included nearly three hundred specimens. (Rhinochaetus jubatus), to which allusion has been made

It may be remembered that the remains of James previously in these columns; while others (also from photoSmithson, the founder of the Smithsonian Institution,

graphs) are devoted to the illustration of the parasitic who died in 1829 and was buried in the English cemetery

habits of Australian cuckoos, which appear to be very on the heights of San Benigno, Italy, were removed to

similar to those of our own species. Of these three plates, Washington last year and formally handed over to the

one represents a young bronze-cuckoo (Chalcococcyx) oustRegents of the institution. The body, upon its arrival in

ing a blue wren (Malurus) from its rightful nest, the Washington in January, 1904, was placed temporarily in a tit's (Acanthiza) nest, while the third shows a young

second a young fan-tailed cuckoo (Cacomantis) in a brown room in the Smithsonian building containing the relics of Smithson. While resting there, the remains were examined

bronze-cuckoo in the nest of a brown tit. by medical experts and found to be in a remarkable state of preservation. Meanwhile a small mortuary chapel was

In the Zoologist for August the editor commences a

series of articles on the factors conducive to extermination prepared for them on the immediate left of the north entrance of the Smithsonian building, and on March 6,

of species, dealing in this instance with natural as dis

tinguished from human 1905, the remains were brought to this chapel and, in

agencies. Unfortunately the

article is marred by several serious mistakes. We are told, the presence of the Regents, replaced in the original tomb,

for instance, that “the opossum " is the only nonAustralian mammal, the cuscuses of Celebes and Cænolestes of Brazil being ignored; while in the same sentence we are informed that monotremes are confined to New Zealand ! Again, we are unaware what ground there is for the statement that fossil marsupials are known from Asia. Minor errors, such as nummulitids for nummulites, are also noticeable. In the same issue is a very interesting article by Mr. H. H. Patterson on the heronry at Reedham, Norfolk. In the case of a note on the occurrence of the lesser horse-shoe bat in Shropshire, the editor might have pointed out that Noctilio is not the generic title for these bats.

to

The fourth volume of “The Museums Journal ” (Dulau and Co.), edited by Mr. E. Howarth, covers the period from July 1, 1904, until June 30 of the present year, and contains the report of the council submitted at the Norwich Conference of 1904.

Although now somewhat ancient history, that report records continued progress on the

part of the association, both as regards membership and Fig. 1.- Interior of Smithson Mortuary Chapel, Smithsonian Institution.

funds for permanent investment. It is also satisfactory shown in the illustration, which has been reproduced from

to learn that the journal itself is becoming more and the Smithsonian Quarterly (vol. xlviii.), where they will rest

more widely appreciated, and consequently shows a con

stant tendency increase in bulk. The museums until Congress makes adequate provision for their fitting interment.

directory, or list of the museums in the United Kingdom,

is likewise proving larger than was anticipated, the volume IN La Nature July 29 Prof. E. T. Hamy, the well just received continuing the list from London to Stalyknown professor of anthropology at Paris, gives an bridge inclusive, together with supplements. One of the account, illustrated by reproductions from photographs of difficulties which the editors experience is in getting local the animal shortly after death, of a gigantic gorilla recently curators to send in the names and objects of the institushot on the Sangha River, Congoland. It is said to have tions under their charge. The attendance of delegates measured no less than 2 metres 30 cm. (7 feet 67 inches), from foreign museums at the last two conferences is and the height of the carcase in a sitting posture reached, another satisfactory feature in connection with the progress as shown in the photograph, to the waist of a full-grown of the association. Among features connected with native. Prof. Hamy believes the specimen to indicate a progress in regard to museum work, attention may be new race, if not a new species, of gorilla.

directed to the adoption by the Museum of the Federated

Malay States of the card-system for the registration of From the report on the museums of the Brooklyn

specimens. Institute of Arts and Sciences for 1904 we learn that special attention is being devoted to improving the in- Much interesting information with regard to animals stallation of the children's museum. As first arranged, in menageries and the evolution of museums on the other this part of the exhibition series was found to overlap side of the Atlantic is conveyed in a pleasant style in the in a considerable degree the ordinary collection, and steps course of an illustrated article by Mr. E. S. Hallock pubwere accordingly taken to do away with this duplication. lished in the August number of the Century Ilustrated Elimination, both from the museum and the illustrative Monthly Magazine. “ The menagerie," writes the author, lectures, of material not likely to interest children has “ developed along with the circus, but differed from the also been undertaken, with the result that the collection latter in being an animal-show pure and simple. ... has been entirely re-modelled, and is now as suitable for Some menageries were stationary, while others travelled its present purpose as it can be made.

from place to place in large vans." The "dime

rare

some

exhibition " and the curiosity-house" were devoted more central idea, the intention being to throw back the to the exhibition of and interesting animals, evil influence emanating from the eye, by some countermonstrosities, &c., and from these, by the elimination of charm. This is usually done by stretching out the five the “ freak” element, are derived the modern American fingers of the right hand, and Dr. Westermarck shows scientific museums. Reference is made to the camel how all these various designs can be traced to exhibited in London in 1650, the Indian rhinoceros (de- elaboration of fives, originally representing the five fingers, scribed by Dr. Parsons) in 1685, and to Wombwell's un- or of eyes, for if baneful energy can be transferred by recognised gorilla. Less well known is the case of the the eye, it can obviously also be thrown back by the eye. first great ant-eater exhibited in the London " Zoo," which Sixty-two illustrations of these counter-charms accompany was purchased about 1850 from two sailors, by whom it the article. had been brought from Rio, for 300l. ; and also that of a full-grown mandrill captured on board a slaver, and

In the course of a note on the supply of water to leaves exhibited in Bristol in 1828, and later on in London.

on a dead branch, printed as part ji. of vol. xi. of the The most interesting record in the article is, however,

Scientific. Proceedings of the Royal Dublin Society, Prof.

H. H. Dixon adduces evidence, based on experiment, to the reference to a pair of South African giraffes imported into America in 1836, the same year in which the London

show that when a portion of a stem is killed by heat, the gardens received their first representatives (of the northern

cells give off poisonous or plasmolysing substances; for race) of the species. In stating that the London establish

some such reason it appears that leaves attached to a ment received its first representative of the southern form

dead branch wither much more rapidly than leaves on a in 1895 the author makes a pardonable error, the fact

living twig. In the first part of the same volume Mr. J. being that the true southern race never has, so far as we

Adams discusses the effect of very low temperatures on

moist seeds. know, been exhibited alive in this country.

MR. D. HOOPER has a historical and explanatory note The most generally interesting feature in the report of the Indian Museum, Calcutta, for 1903-4 is the reference to a suggestion made by the director of the natural history (vol. lxxiii., part ii., No. 4). The identity of rusot with

rusot in the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal branch of the British Museum that all the Indian type

the Indian lycium of the ancients was first pointed out specimens might be transferred to the institution under his charge. The suggestion—which Major Alcock refers by Dr. J. F. Royle, who found out that it is an inspissated to in his section of the report as

extract prepared from the wood and roots of several species most reasonable"

of Berberis. Mr. Hooper's analyses of four specimens was largely based on the fact that the climate of Calcutta

indicate an amount of berberine varying from 3 per cent. renders types ” as objects of reference almost useless,

to nearly 8 per cent. The dried stem of Berberis aristata and that the interests of science would accordingly be

is officinal in India, and a tincture is often recommended advanced by their transference to the chief natural history

in the treatment of fever. centre of the British Empire. By the terms of their trust the trustees found themselves, however, unable to hand In the island of St. Vincent the Imperial Department over the “

types " formerly belonging to the Asiatic Society of Agriculture for the West Indies controls an agricultural of Bengal, while they were disinclined to accede to the school and a land settlement scheme in addition to the request as regards other " types " for fear of handicapping botanic gardens.' In the report for 1904-5 Mr. W. N. workers in India. Commenting upon this decision and its Sands, the agricultural superintendent, registers a disconsequences, Major Alcock directs the attention of the tribution of nearly 30,000 plants, of which more than Government of India to the administration of the museum, two-thirds were cacao, and, besides, smaller numbers of stating that the zoological staff is altogether inadequate. sisal bulblets, coffee, lime, and other economic plants. “ An imperial museum of natural history," he writes, Many of these were distributed to allottees on the land "such as the zoological section of the Indian Museum was settlement estates who cultivate cacao, canes, cassava, designed to be, should be at once a complete and modern yams, and sweet potatoes. Mr. Sands, reviewing the index of the fauna of the country, an object lesson in the progress of the cotton industry, has the satisfaction of more important general principles of zoology, an unfailing recording that much of the sea-island cotton was the best magazine of well-preserved material for research and dis- | produced under the auspices of the British Cotton Growing tribution, and a centre where natural science is advanced Association, and had realised seventeen pence per pound. by the discovery and publication of new facts. The facts that the Museum receives a grant for teaching-preparations

MR. W. E. Cooke, Government astronomer for Western from the local Government, and has decided that its

Australia, has sent us a communication explaining a novel types' must be kept on the spot for reference, indicate plan that he has adopted for giving more definiteness to that this is the standard the Trustees wish realised. But

the weather forecasts issued in that colony. Each foregrants of money and the possession of historic types'

cast for a definite district is subdivided into specific items, are not enough; equally essential are well-qualified paid

to each of which a figure is attached, “1” representing assistants and reliable machinery for collecting

that the occurrence prognosticated has only the barest material and replenishing old."

possibility of being successful, and so on, up to " 5."

which indicates that the prediction may be relied upon A VERY interesting paper is contributed on the magic with almost absolute certainty. Each item of the forecast origin of Moorish designs to the Journal of the Anthropo

has therefore a weight " attached to it; on the whole, logical Institute (July-December, 1904) by Dr. Wester- Mr. Cooke states that the new method has proved a dismarck. The magic consists entirely in the methods tinct success, and that while people find that whenever the employed to ward off the evil eye, the fear of which is figure 5 appears the forecast is fulfilled in 99 cases so potent in countries bordering the Mediterranean. The out of 100, they do not feel so disappointed in case of designs consist of hands, crosses, eyes, rosettes, squares,

failure when the lower numbers are attached, or as when, octagons, triangles, and innumerable conventional em- under the usual method, equal weight is attached to the broidery patterns; but they are all grouped round one whole forecast.

new

.II رو

.14 ܝܕ

», 20. », 21.

not

We have received the report of the Falmouth Observ

OUR ASTRONOMICAL COLUMN. atory for the year 1904, reprinted from the seventy-second

ASTRONOMICAL OCCURRENCES IN SEPTEMBER :annual report of the Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society: Sept. 4. Ceres in opposition to the Sun (Ceres mag. 7-4); This observatory has for many years done excellent work

7h. 33m. to Sh. 37m. Moon occults Libræ in connection with meteorology and magnetism, as well as

(mag. 4'I). 8.

Ioh. 20m. by the collection of sea-temperature observations at various

Minimum of Algol (B Persei).

12h. places off the coast of Falmouth. The station has for

Moon in conjunction with Saturn (Saturn

1° 56' S.). many years been adopted by the Meteorological Office as

12h. 42m. to 14h, iim. Transit of Jupiter's Sat. III. one of its first-class observatories, and hourly observations

(Ganymede). or means have been regularly published in the official re- », 14. 23h. Mercury at greatest elongation, 17° 54' W. ports of that office. With regard to magnetism, the

15. Venus.

Illuminated portion of disc = 0-787, 0. Falmouth Observatory has become additionally important,

Mars =0.851. in consequence of the recording magnets at Kew and

„ 17. Ioh. 35m. to ih. 36ın. Moon occults u Ceti (mag.

4'4). Greenwich being somewhat affected by the electric trams

„18. gh. 54m. to 10h. 55m. Moon occults f Tauri in those neighbourhoods.

(mag. 4'3).

», 19. oh. 36m. to 10h. 59m. Moon occults q Tauri DR. ALBERTO AGGAZZOTTI, writing in the Atti dei Lincei,

(mag. 39). xiv., (1), 12, describes some experiments conducted in the „, 19. 13h. 56m. to 14h. 37m. Moon occults 71 Tauri physiological laboratory at Turin on the effects of rare

(mag. 4'6).

», 19. 156. 13m. to 16h. 36m. Moon occults al Tauri faction on the respiration of the orang-utan. The animal

(mag. 39). on which the observations were made was brought from

,, 19. 15h. 18m. to 16h. 31m. Moon occults ? Tauri Borneo by Count Mario Peracca, who handed it over

(mag. 36). to Prof. Angelo Mosso for the investigation. It is de- ,, 19. 20h. 24m. to 21b. Im. Moon occults a Tauri scribed as being of good disposition and intelligent ; at

(mag. 1'1). first it resisted the attempts to place it in the receiver,

14h. Ceres 9' N. of 89 Aquarii (mag. 4'9).

Saturn. Major axis of ring = 43" 30, Minor axis and tried to destroy the apparatus, but when it realised

= 8":36. what was being done, it not only offered no further resist- „, 19. 14h. Moon in conjunction with Jupiter (Jupiter ance, but even helped the experimenter in attaching the

4° 16' N.). pneumograph and other necessary apparatus to it. A 28. 12h. 3m. Minimum of Algol (8 Persei). moderate rarefaction produced no injurious effects pro- OBSERVATIONS OF PLANETS.–The results of a number of vided that the restoration of normal pressure was recent observations of Saturn and Jupiter are recorded by effected too rapidly; at 450 millimetres of pressure the

Mr. Denning in the Observatory for August. Using the animal became more tranquil, at 300 millimetres it fell

121-inch Calver reflector, some excellent observations of asleep, while at 270 millimetres it became seriously ill and July. The region north of the multiple belt in the

Saturn were obtained during the morning twilight in June and fell down insensible. The respiration altered in northern hemisphere was seen to be the brightest part of character between 450 millimetres and 470 millimetres with the planet—not the equatorial zone, as previously. an increase of frequency and a decrease of intensity, while small white spot was detected on the N. edge of the at 300 millimetres it became irregular and spasmodic. great belt on July 6, and estimated to be central at

13h. 4om. A small white spot was seen in the N. These changes fairly well agree with those observed in other animals, particularly man.

temperate zone on the following dates in the positions and at the times stated :

Transit time Long. System II. MR. C. MOSLEY has arranged an edition of White's Selborne" for students, in which the whole of the letters

July 13

13 20

72 7

16 are classified under subjects, giving the reader all that

15 35

67*3

6995 Gilbert White wrote on one topic under one head. As the subjects will be arranged alphabetically, the work will

Observing the Great Red Spot on Jupiter on June 24 be one of reference as well as for reading consecutively.

and July 6, Mr. Denning found it to be central at Mr. Elliot Stock is to publish the book during the coming

15h. 43m. and 15h. 4om. respectively, the corresponding longitudes being 25°. 1 and 24°.8. Comparing these longitudes with those published in the April Observatory, it

is seen that during the period that Jupiter has been too We have received a copy of the first fasciculus of vol. near to the sun to be observable, the motion has conxxxv. of the Mémoires de la Société de Physique et formed precisely with system ii. of the ephemerides based d'Histoire naturelle de Genève. This part of the trans

on a rotation period of gh. 55m. 40-63s. An observation actions contains, with other interesting papers, the observation of July 0.

made by the Rev. T. E. R. Phillips confirms the above president's report for 1904. Dr. Auguste WartmannPerrot successively passes in review the administrative

PROPER Motions OF THE Hyades.-A discussion of the events of the year, refers in eulogistic terms to the work of No. 14 of the Publications of the Astronomical Labor

proper motions of the Hyades group is the raison d'stre of eminent members of the society deceased during the atory at Groningen. The plates from which the proper previous year, and recapitulates briefly the scientific motions were derived were obtained by Prof. Donnes at subjects discussed in the meetings of the society during Helsingfors and discussed by Profs. Kapteyn and W. 1904. The biographical notices contained in the presi

de Sitter. dent's report include those of Charles Soret, renowned

In the introduction to the volume Prof. Kapten gives for his work in crystallography; of Albert Rilliet, the his method of determining proper motions, the methand

a most interesting discussion of the results obtained by chemist; and of Wilhelm His, the anatomist. The employed in the present case, in which a plate is etposed scientific activity of the society is summarised concisely on a certain area and then packed away for a number under subjects, and this part of the report will serve of years, exposed again on the same area, and then de men of science as a full index of the work done by

veloped and measured. One of the gravest objections to members of the Geneva Society during 1904. The presi

this method was the fear that the plates would deteriorate

during the interval between the two exposures, but Prof. dent's statement is a useful account of a good year's work. Kapteyn disposes of this objection by stating that not a

h.

21

12 35

season.

a

single plate of the present series, for which the interval The new transit circle has been thoroughly examined was between four and five years, has had to be rejected. and its observers trained during the past twelve months, These plates were by Schleussner, on plate glass, and the and it is now ready for routine work. It was found that method of preservation employed by Prof. Donner is ex- by using the Repsold-Struve apparatus, in which plained.

travelling wire actuated by clockwork is employed, the As regards the length of exposure, Prof. Kapteyn states magnitude equation in right ascension observations might that, whilst it must be chosen in accordance with the be almost, if not entirely, eliminated. particular work contemplated, it must be such as to give Preliminary trials of the new sidereal clock showed that at least one hundred easily measured stars on each plate. the daily rate never varied more than $ 0.03s. ; but even Another objection raised against this method was that of this is to be improved by a new arrangement by which accuracy as compared with the older method, but from the top and bottom of the pendulum will be kept at the a comparison of the probable errors now obtained with

same temperature. In order to preserve a more equable those obtained at Paris and Potsdam in the carte du ciel

temperature inside the case, an enclosing chamber 8 feet work, Prof. Kapteyn shows that the advantage is with square and 13 feet high has been erected about it. the new method. He further concludes that to attain a Owing to an unfortunate accident, the driving worm given degree of accuracy the labour involved in the present and sector of the Victoria telescope were damaged, and method is at the very least seven times smaller than it have had to be sent to Sir Howard Grubb for repair. would be by employing the older method.

In consequence, the new objective prism has not yet been The value for the proper motion of the Hyades group tested. adopted by Prof. Donner' is

A number of observations were made with the transit In R.A. +0":0900 = +0'006245.

and equatorial instruments during the year, and 185 plates ,, Decl. -0":0250

(containing 117,073 stars) for the Astrographic Catalogue Reduced to the system given in Publication No. 9, this

were measured. The total number of plates measured is becomes

now 760, containing more than 440,000 star images, corre

sponding to about 200,000 different stars. In R. A. +0":1107 = +0.007675.

In the astrophysical department 74 star-spectra were ,, Decl. – 0":0259

photographed, and of these 30 have been measured, and which is equivalent to a total proper motion of

a number of radial velocities deduced. 0":1137 in position angle 1030-17. The general catalogue contains 395 stars, and of these 42 are considered as very probably belonging to the group,

RECENT ADVANCES IN THE CHEMISTRY

OF ALBUMIN, 19 are given as probable, and 16 are regarded as “ doubtful."

UNTIL recently, one of the main objects in studying the Variations of LATITUDE.-In Nos. 4040-4041 of the

proteids was to classify them into characteristic Astronomische Nachrichten Mr. Kimura, of the Inter

groups by the aid of certain reactions. This has now national Latitude Observatory at Mizusawa, gives the

given place to problems of a different nature—the investiresults of a series of latitude observations made by Mr.

gation of the quantitative decomposition of the albumin Nakano and himself during the year March 28, 1903, to

molecule, the progressive degradation and study of the conMarch 31, 1904. Simultaneous observations of four groups

stituent parts, and the determination of the nature of were made each night, their principal aims being (1) to

what may be termed the stones of the molecular edifice; examine whether there exists any regular diurnal change finally, the arrangement of these materials in the conof latitude of a measurable quantity ; (2) to see how large

struction of the albumin molecule. are the systematic differences between the variation of

The task of separating the constituents of the latitude from this (four groups) series of observations and

albumin molecule is still far from complete. The that from the two groups observations for the international

reason for this lies in the difficulty connected with service. The mean declinations and proper motions of

their isolation, for they are particularly troublesome to the stars observed were taken from the international purify. An important advance was made when Emil service work, and the value of the “ aberration constant

Fischer discovered the ester method of separating the employed was 20".512. Great care was taken during the

amino-acids by distilling them in

The reductions to eliminate accidental errors, and it was found

method bore immediate fruit in the discovery of phenylthat the personal equation between the two observers was

alanine and a-proline (pyrrolidinecarboxylic acid). Fischer practically negligible. The measures and their reductions

has shown, moreover, that certain amino-acids, like alanine, are given in detail, and lead to the conclusion that “ Any phenyl-alanine, and serine (hydroxyaminopropionic acid) systematic diurnal change of latitude of a measurable

are invariable constituents of the albumin molecule, whilst quantity cannot exist at all.” The subsequent com

hydroxy-a-proline, discovered by Fischer, is another widely parison of the results of these observations with those

distributed constituent. Ehrlich has found that the leucine obtained for the international service shows that

from albumin, long considered a simple substance, is a systematic differences exist between the four groups

mixture of at least two bodies. Hopkins and Cole have observations and the two groups observations made for

succeeded in separating. tryptophane in a pure state, a the international service.

substance which had long eluded the attempts of physioA PROPOSED New METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE SOLAR

logists to isolate, and which they have pronounced to RADIATION.-In No. 4037 of the Astronomische Nachrichten

be skatolaminoacetic acid. Skraup has obtained from Prof. Ceraski proposes a new method whereby the absorp

casein a whole series of new products belonging to the tion of our atmosphere might be eliminated from observ.

group of diamino- and hydroxyamino-acids -diaminoations of the changes in the solar radiation. His proposi- | acid, and caseanic and caseinic acids of unknown structure.

glutaric acid, diaminoadipic acid, hydroxyaminosebacic tion is that the light of the telescopic planets should be regularly observed photometrically. If the variation of the

New substances are constantly being added to the list solar radiation is great enough, it should be shown in the

of what may be termed molecular fragments, which now amount of light reflected by the planets, and a long period

amount to about twenty individuals. of photometric observations of these, such as he proposes,

There still remains the carbohydrate group of albumins. would show the sympathetic variations, whilst, if suitable

F. Müller has shown that glucosamine from mucine and comparison stars were employed, the differential effect of

egg-albumin forms an interesting link between the sugar the carth's atmosphere would not affect the results.

group and the amino-acids. We are still ignorant of the THE Care OBSERVATORY.-The opening paragraphs of

part played by the carbohydrate in its connection with

albumin. We cannot say whether it is a loose combination Sir David Gill's report for the year 1904 deeply lament or a mechanical admixture. the loss sustained by the Cape Observatory, and science The enormous number of products gives some indicain general, by the death of Mr. Frank McClean, F.R.S., tion of the complexity of the problem which the study to whose generosity the observatory owes an important part of its equipment.

1 Abstract of an article by Emil Abderhalden contributed to "Medizinische

Klinik," 1905, Nos. 1 and 2.

a

vacuum.

no

numerous

no

of albumin affords. Furthermore, before a synthesis ON THE ORIGIN OF EOLITHS.' can be successfully attempted, it is necessary to know whether these substances are primary or secondary pro- FOR some time past the question of the existence of ducts formed directly or indirectly by the action of the

man in different countries during the Tertiary period, reagent, and here again the field is still untraversed.

based upon Aints bearing traces of intentional work, has

prehistorians in Whilst great similarity exists among the constituent parts occupied the lively attention of of the molecule, there is a wide difference in the propor

parts of the globe-in France, England, tions of each present. The protamines, which are obtained

Germany, Russia, Egypt, India, &c. from the milt (testicles) of fishes, and represent some of

According to the eminent Belgian geologist, M. Rutot, the simplest proteids, contain a large proportion of diamino

who has placed himself at the head of this new moveacids and a small quantity of monoamino-acids; the

ment, we must add to the Palæolithic and Neolithic periods kindred histones, on the other hand, contain a much

a period more ancient still, which has received the name smaller proportion of diamino-acids, but the whole group

of Eolithic. This does not comprise any type of instruof monoamino-acids. Through a series of gradations we

ment chipped into an intentional form, but only natural

forms utilised at once. arrive finally at substances like the proteids of silk and

These primitive and rough tools

have received the name of eoliths. It is believed that elastin, which are exceptionally rich in monoamino-acids. A comparison of the composition of the individual

they may be recognised by the presence of secondary albumins of food and of the living body leads to the con

work (retouches), that is to say, the removal of small clusion that in digestion deep-seated changes must occur.

Aakes in apparently a systematic manner, in accordance Moreover, the view is steadily growing that the albumin

with the needs of the case, or resulting from the wear molecule forms the basis of the two other important groups

of the flint by use. of food-stuffs, fats and carbohydrates. The decomposition

An enormous quantity of eoliths are found in the which certain albumin fragments undergo promises to Quaternary gravels mixed with instruments of determinate throw new light on the changes which occur in the

and classic forms. In the gravels of the north of France organism and on the formation of pathological products.

! and of Belgium, M. Rutot has described several industries Granted that the whole series of albumin products

of this kind, the Reutelian, the Mafflian, the Mestinian,

&c. were known, their relative arrangement in the molecule

But such objects are equally met with in beds of would still remain to be discovered. Attempts have been

far greater antiquity; the chipped stones of the Oligocene made by using milder reagents to arrest the process of

of Thenay, of the Miocene of Otta and Aurillac, of the

Pliocene of England, &c., degradation at an earlier stage, and so obtain larger mole

are eoliths; and here the cular fragments; but great practical difficulties attend the question becomes far more grave, inasmuch as the adepts method. Nevertheless, by the labours of Fischer and

in the new theories rely on these facts to admit the Bergell a series of less than four intermediate

existence of man or his immediate precursor during the products between silk and its lowest degradation product

Tertiary period. have been isolated. First, sericoine; secondly, a sub

For twenty years I have not ceased to combat these stance containing tyrosine ; thirdly, one free from tyrosine ; to admit the existence of Tertiary man in the absence

theories ; first, because it appeared to me to be imprudent and lastly, a compound which probably belongs to the dipeptides mentioned below. This study of partial de

of all direct, that is to say, in the absence of osteological gradation of the albumin molecule derives' increased

evidence, and secondly, because I have always been coninterest from the behaviour of food albumin in the intes- indeed, had occasion to meet with them in all the ancient

vinced that the eoliths are due to natural causes. I had, tine, which, as Fischer and Abderhalden have shown by alluvia of torrential character in which flints were present. their experiments on dogs, probably undergo neither slight In Auvergne, and in the Velay, in the course of my explor: nor yet complete decomposition, but partial hydrolysis. It will be an attractive problem to determine how far

ations in connection with the geological map, I had found

them at numerous points in the midst of Oligocene or food albumin may be degraded and yet afford nutriment for the organism.

Miocene beds occupying thousands of square kilometres

in extent. I asked myself how experiments could be If the process of decomposition cannot furnish the undertaken to solve the problem of the eoliths, when M. necessary information about the structure of the albumin Laville, of the École des Mines, brought before M. molecule, the reverse process of synthesis may effect the Cartailhac, correspondent of the institute, Dr. Obermaier, desired object. E. Fischer has with wonderful experi- and myself some experiments carried on daily, but unmental ingenuity and skill successfully followed this path intentionally, in an industrial establishment. of research. The classical memoirs on the polypeptides There are in the Commune of Guerville, near Mantes, have already been referred to in the pages of NATURE. some works in which cement is made from a mixture of By combining two molecules of amino-acids, the dipeptides, chalk and plastic clay. The chalk, as usual, contains glycyl-glycine, alanyl-alanine, and leucyl-leucine have been

blocks of Aint which are rejected by the diggers. Trucks obtained, as well as mixed dipeptides, e.g. glycyl-alanine, convey the chalk from the quarry to the neighbouring alanyl-glycine, &c. By uniting three and more molecules, works, and deliver it with a certain quantity of clay into tri- and tetra-peptides, &c., are formed. The longest chain circular vats called délayeurs. These are about 5 metres of this character is pentaglycine, consisting of a group of in diameter and 1.40 metres in depth. The water which five linked glycine molecules.

serves them arrives by pipes, and is discharged through But, as we have seen, the degradation products of lateral sieves, carrying with it the finest particles of the albumin are not all monoamino-acids, but include hydroxy- mixture of chalk and clay. The water is set in motion and diamino-compounds, and peptides of these substances by a horizontal wheel, above the level of the water, but have also been prepared. These products show an mistakable likeness to the natural peptones. They give

from its spokes are suspended harrows (herses) of castthe usual reactions—the biuret reaction, precipitation by

iron dipping into the water ; the speed of rotation of the

wheel is about 4 metres at its circumference. phosphotungstic acid, and hydrolysis by trypsin. A The water is thus driven into a tumultuous movement, peculiar interest centres round the different behaviour of which carries away not only the particles of chalk and the peptides towards the pancreatic ferment. Whereas clay, but also a certain number of flints which have glycyl-l-tyrosine and glycyl-l-leucine are easily hydrolysed, escaped the attention of the workmen, and have been glycyl-glycine and glycyl-alanine are unattacked by the thrown into the vats together with the chalk. These ferment.

Aints are therefore subjected to blows one against the These experiments, as Fischer has pointed out, are not other which during a period of twenty-nine hours must be only useful in indicating the physiologically important com- extremely numerous. When the machinery is stopped, the pounds among the numerous synthetic materials obtained Aints remain at the bottom of the vat, where they are by him, but show, by the experience so gained, the possi- covered by a coating of chalk. They are taken out of the bility of discovering the different kinds of linking which vats to be washed and placed in heaps, as they are useful exist among the amino-acids of the albumin molecule. for making concrete.

We may anticipate from these investigations some know- Now these bits of flint that while in the vats have ledge of the cause whereby different parts of the molecule resist or retard the action of the ferment.

1 Translation of a paper by M. Marcellin Boule in the Compte reds of

J. B. C. the Paris Academy of Sciences (June 26).

un