Linnean Society, November 7.-Mr. W. Carruthers, !KS, President, in the chair.-Mr. H. Veitch and Rev. 4. Henslow exhibited a beautiful series of East Indian hybrid lodendrons, on which Prof. Henslow made some valuable reparks on the effects of cross-fertilization in regard to colour id alteration of structure, upon which some critical observations made by Mr. Veitch, Prof. Bower, and Captain Elwes. E M. Holmes exhibited and made remarks upon some British marine Algæ, describing their origin and affinities. -D. St. George Mivart, F.R.S., exhibited a drawing by a goon, who had been consulted as to amputation of a tail-like

in the human subject, being a prolongation of the y to the extent of 4 centimetres. Dr. Mivart also sted a photograph, showing a remarkable resemblance Fewer two arm stumps; one the result of an amputation, the ther a congenital defect in the child of a nurse who had attended de babent whose arm was amputated. Both cases were comverted on and explained by Dr. W. O. Priestley, and further Parks were offered by Dr. Murie, and Mr. W. ThiseltonDer - Mr. W. H. Hemsley then read a paper by General let, B., and himself, on a collection of plants made in Lie Shan States, Upper Burmah. An interesting discussion Showed, in which Messrs. J. G. Baker, C. B. Clarke, and Lapin Elwes took part.

Anthropological Institute, November 12.-Dr. J. Beddoe, TRS, President, in the chair.-Dr. Beddoe read a paper on the natural colour of the skin in certain Oriental races. Dr. Idéves observations showed that the parts of the skin covered yoothing were very much lighter than those exposed to the an air; and that those people whose skin was the darkest the covered parts, were not those who tanned to the blackest A paper by the Rev. James Macdonald was read on the manners, customs, superstitions, and religions of South African

ה!

PARIS.

Academy of Sciences, November 25.-M. Hermite in the -On the November number of the American Meteoro

wal, by M. H. Faye. With this number begins the ation of a complete exposition of the author's theory of Cholec toovements, translated into English by Mrs. W. Har The first part deals with storms, the second with Tadoes, while the third is occupied with the relations of tomas and storm phenomena to cyclones properly so called. -On auimal heat, by M. Berthelot. In continuation of his revious paper on this subject, the author here discusses the question of the heat liberated by the action of oxygen on the The quantity thus set free, referred to the molecular Aght of oxygen (0, 32 gr.), is found, by the extremely lica't experiments here described, to average 14 77 calories.On the exhaustion of soils cultivated without manure, and the value of the organic matter in the soil, by M. P. P. A series of experiments carried out at the AgriCal School of Grignon clearly shows that the substance y lost by continuous cultivation without manure is carbon, proportion of phosphoric acid, potash, and nitrogen hated being comparatively slight. It also appears that the pic matter itself is as important a fertilizing element for tool as are the nitrates, phosphates, or potash.-On the beso-secretory fibres, by M. Arloing. Experiments are deded which demonstrate the existence of these fibres in the civical chord of the large sympathetic nerve.-Observations on Swift's new comet November 17) made at the Paris Observatory

the equatorial of the west tower, by M. G. Bigourdan. On November 21 the comet had the appearance of a very faint helesity (about 13-4), nearly round, diameter about 50, with1 marked condensation. Observations made by Mdlle. D. pke with the equatorial of the east tower on November 23 del similar results.-Generalization of Makeham's law of abilities, by M. A. Quiquet. The chief property of Gomformula as generalized by Makeham has been demond in a very simple way by M. J. Bertrand. M. Quiquet This turn now inquires whether this property may not itself be a cular case of a still more general principle, and whether the noon discovered by the two eminent English actuaries may not herefore be capable of further generalization. On the employ

nt of electric conducting mediums in studying the displaceels and distribution of acids with complex nature, by M. Daniel Berthelot. Of the numerous substances ac.ing both as and as alkali one of the simplest is aspartic acid. The

author here studies the equilibria that are produced in the presence of this acid in diluted saline solutions. The measurementshave been made with the Lippmann capillary electrometer, by M. Bouty's electrometric method.-Variations of the electric resistance of nitric peroxide at different temperatures, by M. J. J. Boguski. Measurements obtained by several methods lead to the conclusion that an increase of temperature of nitric peroxide produces an increase of its electric resistance, the most abrupt variations occurring between o° and 17° C. Above 70° this acid forms an almost perfect insulator. During the process of heating two consecutive phenomena were observed which call for special attention. To a rise of temperature up to a given limit generally corresponds a static and definite increase of resistance; but this increase itself is preceded by a dynamic (passing) decrease of resistance, whose momentary value is at times no more than o or of the static and normal resistance.-Preparation and properties of the anhydrous platinous fluoride, by M. H. Moissan. In continuation of his previous researches, the author here shows that platinous fluoride, PtFl, decomposes water at the ordinary temperature, which accounts for the impossibility of preparing it by the wet process. At red heat it is decomposed into crystallized platinum and fluorine.-Contribution to the study of double decompositions between the halogen salts of mercury and zinc, by M. Raoul Varet. The author has studied (1) the action of cyanide of mercury on bromide of zinc; (2) the action of cyanide of zinc on bromide of mercury.—On a new sugar of the aromatic group, by M. Maquenne. To inosite and quercite, the only saccharine substances hitherto obtained from benzene, the author adds a third, provisionally named Binosite, which he obtains from a pinite derived from the resin of Pinus lambertiana, of Nebraska.- Synthesis of metaphenylenc-diamine, by M. Alphonse Seyewitz. The author has succeeded in effecting this synthesis by heating, to 280 or 300° C., a mixture of resorcine and calcium chloride under conditions here described.Papers were submitted by MM. A. Bebal and Choay, on the action of heat on chloral-ammonia; by M. Raphael Dubois, on the mechanism of awakening in hil ernating animals; by M. E. Couvreur, on the pulmonary circulation of the frog, as affected by the excitation of the pneumogastric nerve; by M. R. Moniez, on the larva of the new species Tania Grimaldii, a parasite of the dolphin; by MM. Appert and Henrivaux, on the devitrification of the ordinary glass of commerce; by MM. E. A. Martel and G. Gaupillat, on the formation of springs in the interior of the limestone plateaux of the causses of Languedoc; and by M. J. Thoulet, on the quantitative analysis of the fine sediment held in suspension in natural waters.

BERLIN.

Physiological Society, November 15.-Prof. du BoisReymond, President, in the chair. After the appointment of officers for the year 1889-ço, Dr. Virchow spoke on the spiracle gill of Selachians. With the assistance of drawings and a series of diagrams he discussed the varying arrangements and divisions of the blood-vessels which go to form the gills of Selachians ; he also described the frequent occurrence, confined to certain regions of the head, of blood-vessels which are elaborately convoluted; the physiological significance of these vessels is quite unknown, but their morphological interest is so great that an extended investigation of them in other groups of animals is a matter of great importance. In all probabili y they are rudimentary structures, whose significance would be understood if the above extended investigations were carried out. --Dr. I. Munk spoke on the absorption of fats and fatty acids in the absence of bile in the intestine. The older classical experiments on animals with a biliary fistula had taught that, in the absence of bile, proteids and starch are digested as completely as in a normal animal, whereas, on the other hand, the absorption of fat is largely interfered with. In correspondence with this view, the later observers were of opinion that all fat which is not absorbed does not leave the body as neutral fat, but as fatty acids, and from this the conclusion was drawn that the fats of food are decomposed into fatty acids (and glycerin) before they are normally absorbed. The speaker had carried out a series of experiments on dogs with biliary fistula, during the past summer, with a view to clearing up several obscure points in the whole question of the absorption of fats. After he had confirmed the older views as to the normal digestion of proteids and starch, and the appearance of unabsorbed fat in the form of free fatty acids in the fæces, he proceeded to determine quan

titatively the absorption of fat from the intestine in the absence of bile. He found, first, that in such animals there is a relatively large absorption of fat from the alimentary canal as long as they receive the fat in company with proteids and starch, but that the absorption is much less when the fat is administered-as it was in the experiments of the older observers-mixed only with proteids. It was found that the animals absorbed more than 70 per cent. of such a fat as pig's lard, whose melting-point is low, without the assistance of bile; they also absorbed an almost proportionately large quantity of the free fatty acids of the lard, thus corresponding exactly to the behaviour of normal animals, which can absorb about 94-98 per cent. of any fat whose melting-point is low, whether it be administered in the form of neutral fat or of the fatty acids which it contains. When a fat was administered whose melting-point is high-especially such a fat as only begins to soften at the temperature of the body (e.g. mutton fat)-the amount absorbed was considerably less, and it was still less when the free fatty acids of this fat were given with the food. The speaker pointed out, with regard to the fæces of animals with a biliary fistula, that they may be darkcoloured, or even black, on a proteid diet, and only appear light-gray in colour when carbohydrates are given with the food. This dark colour is not, however, due to any derivative of the bile-pigments, but to hæmatin. The speaker had not been able to detect, with certainty, any further advanced decomposition of the contents of the intestine in animals with a biliary fistula, neither did he observe any increase of putrefactive products, such as indol, skatol, &c., in their urine.

IN our report, last week (p. 95), of the meeting of the Berlin Physical Society on October 25 (first column, fifth line from foot), for "waves in air 21 metres long" read "waves in air 2 kilometres long."

DIARY OF SOCIETIES. LONDON.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5.

ROYAL SOCIETY, at 4.30.-Remarks on Mr. A. W. Ward's Paper on the Magnetic Rotation of the Plane of Plarization of Light in DoublyRefracting Bodies: O. Wiener and W. Wedding - Researches on the Chemistry of the Camphoric Acids: J. E. Marsh.-The Internal Friction of Iron, Nickel, and Cobalt, studied by means of Magnetic Cycles of very Minute Range: H. Tomlinson, F.R S.-A Compound Wedge Photometer: Dr. Spitta.

LINNEAN SOCIETY, at 8.-Life History of a Stipitate Fresh-water Alga: G. Massee. On the Anatomy of the Sand Grouse: G. Sim,

SOCIETY OF ARTS, at 8.-Modern Developments of Bread-making: William Jago.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10. ANTHROPOLOGICAL INSTITUTE, at 8.30.-The Natives of Mowab, Daudai, New Guinea: Edward Beardmore. Communicated by Prof. A. C. Haddon. -Fire-making in North Borneo: S. B. J. Skertchley.-On the Origin of the Eskimo: Dr. H. Rink.

INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS, at 8.-On the Triple-Expansion Engines and Engine Trials at the Owens College, Manchester: Prof. Osborne Reynolds, F.R.S. (Discussion.)

BOOKS, PAMPHLETS, and SERIALS RECEIVED Giornale di Scienze Naturali ed Economiche, 1887 and 123 (Palerm Challenger Report-Zoology, vol. xxxii (Eyre and Spottiswoorde). — type and Photo-lithography: Dr. J. Schnauss; translated by E. C. M ton (Iliffe), -A Text book of Human Anatomy: Dr. A. MacAlister GF -A Naturalist in North Celebes: Dr. S. J. Hickson (Murray). — Az Part 2: G. Chrystal (Edinburgh, Black).-A Hand-book of Moder plosives: M. Eissler (Lockwood).-Contributions to Canadian Palzont vol. i., Part 2: J. F Whiteaves (Montreal, Brown)-Modern. I hovgl. Modern Thinkers: J. F. Charles (Relfe).-The Land of an African Sa WB. Harris (L w)-Index of British Plants: R. Turnbull (Beli).—MA for Beginners and for the London University Matriculation Examinar The Anatomy of the Frog: Dr. A. Ecker; translated by Dr. G. Ha (Oxford, Clarendon Press).-A Narrative of Travels on the AmarRio Negro: A__ R. Wallace (Ward, Lock).—Pawnee Hero Stones and I Tales: G. B. Grinnell (New York).-Palestine: Major Conder (Philip) Tractatus de Globis: R. Hues, edited by C. R. Markham (Hakluyt ciety).-Among Cannibals: C. Lumholtz (Murray).-Im Hochgebara E. Zsigmondy (Leipzig, Duncker and Humblot).-Niels Klein's Wall in die Unterwelt: L. Holberg; edited by E. H. Babbitt (Boston, Heath Practical Observations on Agricultural Papers, &c.. and edition. H W Jun. (Simpkin). -Du Transformisme et de la Generation Spintance: Rohant and Dr. M. Peter (Paris, Bailliere) -Einiges uber die Entstr der Korallenriffe in der Javasee und Branntwunsbar, und uber N Korallenbildung bei Krakatau: Dr. C. Ph. Sluiter (Batavit. Er · Journal of the Royal Microscopical Society, October (Willams and N gate).-The Asclepiad, No. 24. vol. vi.: Dr. Richardson (Longma Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History, vol. xxiv, Pær. and 2 (Boston).-Journal of Morphology, vol. in. No 2 (Boston, Ginza.

Report on the Magnetical Results of the Voyage of H.M.S. Challenger. By Commander E. W. Creak, R. N., F.R. S..

1

On the Supposed Enormous Showers of Meteorites in the Desert of Atacama. By L. F...

103

Early Egyptian Civilization. (Illustrated.) By W. M. Flinders Petrie . .

109

Our Astronomical Column:

The Anniversary Meeting of the Royal Society A New Method of Preparing Fluorine. Societies and Academies

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