comfortable and steady steamer. The permanent staff on A very similar note of alarm is sounded in the April board should consist at least of the director, doctor, photo-issue of the Victorian Naturalist in the course of an account grapher, two stenographers, who should also be typists, and, if possible, an artist. Accommodation should be provided for a number of investigators, but these would not necessarily form part of the permanent staff. They would be conveyed to the district which they were to study and be removed therefrom when it was time to leave. The director would arrange with each investigator when the vessel would return, and the investigator would be left with all the apparatus, food, and trade that he required. The general routine should be as follows:-an anthropological investigator would be expected to work on the general lines laid down by the director. When the vessel returned, all those on board would be required to help the investigator according to their several abilities; the expedition photographer would be placed at his disposal, and dances and ceremonies would also be kinematographed. The investigator would orally amplify his rough notes and dictate them to the stenographers, and, so far as possible, all notes should be typed in duplicate before the departure of the investigator, and a revision made of them before finally leaving the spot. The foregoing remarks apply to anthropological investigators, but suitable arrangements could be made for geological, geographical, botanical, or zoological investigators; equal facilities should be given to American and foreign students; investigators should be of either sex. It is only by an expedition of this kind that the anthropology of Melanesia can be studied as a whole and in detail. It would be an expensive undertaking, but the results obtained would amply justify the expenditure of time, labour, and money, and the data so obtained would constitute a mine of information for the present and future generations of students of man. In the discussion which followed, Sir George Goldie, the president of the society, Dr. Herbertson, Mr. Chisholm, Dr. Seligmann, Mr. J. L. Myres, Mr. S. H. Ray, Mr. N. W. Thomas, Captain Wilson Barker, Major Darwin, Colonel Church, and the chairman, Sir Thomas Holdich, gave their cordial support to the proposed scheme. Several practical difficulties were pointed out, but none of them was insuperable. Some useful suggestions were also made. More than one speaker recognised that an expedition of this kind would serve as a valuable opportunity for increasing geographical, oceanographical, and meteorological knowledge. DESTRUCTION OF ANIMALS IN AUSTRALIA. IN the course of his address to the annual meeting of the Linnean Society of New South Wales, held on March 28, Mr. T. Steel, the president, alluded to a proposed method of destroying rabbits by means of an infectious disease, the precise nature of which is not yet disclosed. The idea, it appears, originated in Paris, and since the necessary funds have been subscribed by stock-owners and agriculturists, it is proposed to commence the experiment on a small island selected for the purpose. After discussing the arguments for and against the proposal, the president considered it highly undesirable that any such disease should be wilfully communicated to any species of animal, by means of which it might be disseminated throughout the country. As to the extermination of the rabbit, that is considered an impossible contingency; but means ought, and can, be found to keep the species in check without recourse to infectious diseases, which may be a danger to the community. In the course of the same address Mr. Steel alluded to the necessity of special efforts if the native Australian fauna and flora are to be saved from destruction. Poison spread for rabbits is responsible for the destruction of a large number of indigenous mammals and birds, while, sad to relate, there are Europeans who will deliberately shoot down such harmless and peaceful creatures as the koala, or native bear, for the sake of so-called sport. Shooting domesticated sheep, it is remarked, would be equally worthy of such sportsmen. of a recent excursion by the members of the Field Naturalists' Club to the reserve for wild animals at Wilson's Promontory. Here the chief destruction is caused by haltwild dogs, which are not true dingoes, but the produce of a cross between the latter and dogs escaped from the fishermen of the district. If these pests are not soon exterminated there will be little hope of preserving an indigenous terrestrial animals in the reserve. With regard to the reserve itself, it is mentioned as a subject for regret that the whole area is cut off from the sea by a narrow strip of land which ought certainly to be added to the protected zone. If this were done, and certain neighbouring sawmills abolished, the reserve would probably flourish, provided it were separated from the mainland by dog-and-rabbit-proof fence, and certain indigenous animals turned in from the adjacent districts. We wish every success to the movement. a ABERDEEN UNIVERSITY QUATER- ACTIVE preparations are being made in connection with the quatercentenary celebrations of the University of Aberdeen, and the new buildings at Marischal College, which His Majesty the King is to open in the last week of September, are approaching completion. The hand some new block-" a dream in granite "-which completes the quadrangle includes new class-rooms and laboratories for physiology, geology, and agriculture; new rooms for education, medicine, modern languages, &c.; a new library for scientific literature, and new offices. Among the distinguished guests who have accepted the University's invitation are:-Lord Avebury, Sir Robert Stawell Ball, Prof. A. H. Becquerel, Prof. Behring Sir William Broadbent, Sir Jas. Crichton Browne, Mr Thomas Bryant, Lord Balfour of Burleigh, Mr. W. S Bruce, of the Scotia, Mr. James Bryce, M.P., Sir William Crookes, Dr. Casimir De Candolle, Prof. Watson Cheyne, Prof. Yves Delage, Dr. Anton Dohrn, Sir Michael Foster, Sir Joseph Fayrer, the Duke of Fife, Sir Edward Fry, Dr R. T. Glazebrook, Prof. A. Giard, Mr. Jonathan Hutchirson, Prof. Stanley Hall, Prof. Harald Höffding, Mr. R. B. Haldane, M.P., Prof. F. Hueppe, Prof. Jensen, Pro". Joseph Larmor, Sir Norman Lockyer, Prof. Lombroso, Sr Alfred Lyall, Dr. Donald Macalister, Major P. A MacMahon, Signor Marconi, Prof. Mendeléeff, Prol. Menschutkin, Prof. Alexander Macalister, Prof. A. B Macallum, Sir Alexander C. Mackenzie, Prof. Hugo Münsterberg, Sir John MacFadyean, Prof. Middleton, Prof. Mahaffy, Sir John Murray, Prof. Wilhelm Ostwald, Sir William Ramsay, Sir Henry Roscoe, Major Ronald Ross, Field-Marshal Earl Roberts, Sir James A. Russell, Dr D. H. Scott, Dr. J. Hutchison Stirling, Dr. William Somerville, Prof. W. R. Sorley, Prof. Stirling, Mr. Thomas Shaw, M.P., Lord Mount-Stephen, Prof. J. J. Thomson Dr. Thomas E. Thorpe, Prof. W. A. Tilden, Prof. G. D. Thane, Prof. Henry Turner, Prof. Giuseppe Veronese, Dr. J. A. Voelcker, Prof. Paul Vinogradoff, Prof. J. W. Wijbe, Prof. Weichselbaum, and Sir John Williams. The following, among other universities, colleges, an! learned societies are to be represented by delegates University College, Bristol, Principal C. Lloyd Morgan. University of Cambridge, Dr. Henry Jackson, Dr. Jam Adam, and Mr. W. L. Mollison; University College Cardiff, Dr. E. H. Griffiths; Trinity College, Dublin Dr. Anthony Traill; Royal Society of Edinburgh, Lord MacLaren; Universities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, and St Andrews; University of Leeds, Dr. Bodington; Royal Society of London, Sir Archibald Geikie; British Academ Dr. J. A. H. Murray; Royal College of Physicians, S R. D. Powell; Royal College of Surgeons, Mr. Edmun Owen; University of Manchester, Dr. A. Hopkinson University of Oxford, Dr. W. M. Merry, Prof. Henry Goudy, and Prof. Arthur Thomson; University of Wales Principal H. R. Reichel; R. Accademia dei Lincei, Reart, Prof. Lanciani. UNIVERSITY AND EDUCATIONAL CAMBRIDGE.-The Harkness scholarship in geology has been gained by B. Smith, of Sidney, and the Wiltshire prize in paleontology by W. A. R. Wilks, of Gonville and Caius. The Cavendish professor announces a course of demonstrations in physics at the laboratory during the long vacation, beginning on July 4. The Victoria medal of honour has been awarded by the Royal Horticultural Society to Mr. R. I. Lynch, curator of the Botanic Garden. A thousand willow-cuttings have been supplied from the garden to the Midlands Re-afforesting Association for the planting of waste-heaps in the "Black Country.' In the Natural Sciences Tripos, part i., thirty-eight men and no women obtain a first class; in part ii., twelve men and three women are in the first class, six being distinguished in physics and four in physiology. MR. H. O. WILLS, of Kelston Knoll, near Bristol, has promised a contribution of 10,000l. towards the foundation uf a university at Bristol. THE annual garden-party will be held at Guy's Hospital on Wednesday, July 4, when Sir W. Cameron Gull, Bart., will distribute the medals and prizes to the successful students. A GEORGE COMBE lectureship in general and experimental psychology has been established in connection with the philosophical department of the University of Edinburgh. The funds for the lecturer's salary will be provided mainly by the Combe trustees, who have also contributed 300l. towards the equipment of a laboratory. THE Senate of the University of Dublin has decided to confer, at the summer commencements on July 31, the honorary degree of Sc.D. on Colonel David Bruce, C.B.; Prof. J. H. Poincaré, professor of mathematics and astronomy at the Sorbonne; Mr. E. T. Whittaker, F.R.S., Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, Astronomer Royal of Ireland; and Dr. A. E. Wright, F.R.S. that Sir THE Daily Chronicle (June 20) announces William Macdonald has presented an agricultural college and an endowment of two million dollars (400,000l.) to the McGill University, Montreal. Sir William founded this agricultural college some time ago, in order to provide the wouth of Canada with facilities for a thorough scientific education in agriculture. AT University College (University of London) on July 3 the dean of the faculty of arts will read a report on the work of the session; the result of the University, scholarship and class examinations will be announced, and prizes and medals will be distributed by Dr. G. Carey Foster, F.R.S. (emeritus professor of physics, and formerly principal of the college). Lord Reay, president of the college, who will preside, will receive for the college from Prof. FT. Trouton, acting on behalf of the subscribers, the portrait of Dr. G. Carey Foster, painted by Mr. Augustus John, and will present a replica thereof to Mrs. Carey Foster. A COURSE of demonstrations and practical work in field and laboratory, on the applications of science to rural life and outdoor industries, will be held at the South-Eastern Agricultural College, Wye, about the last week in July or the first week in August. The course will be designed to meet the needs of science masters in rural secondary schools who have to teach various branches of science to Country children. The work will be mainly practical investigation into the bearing of science on outdoor life, and lectures will be given to indicate the lines on which science teaching in rural secondary schools could be developed usefully. The cost of the fortnight's course will bel., including board and residence in the college. Full particulars may be obtained from the principal, Mr. M. J. R. Dunstan, at the college. FURTHER generous gifts to education by American men of wealth are announced by Science. Mr. David Rankin, of St. Louis, has decided to give 400,000l. to found an NO. 1912, VOL. 74] 189 industrial and manual training school in St. Louis. Mr. Clarence H. Mackay and his mother have together given 10,000l. for the immediate erection of a building for the College of Mines in connection with the University of Nevada. This building is to house the department of mining and metallurgy and that of geology and mineralogy. atory has provided the University with a new ore-treating A recent State appropriation for the metallurgical laborequipment which will be suitable for installing in the new quarters. The building will also contain a geological museum. Furthermore, Mr. F. M. Smith has arranged to provide an income of 200l. a year to be used for the support and encouragement of students in the mining school. This will in general be divided into five annual scholarscholarships open to deserving students irrespective of ships of 40l. each to be known as the F. M. Smith citizenship or residence. It is satisfactory to know that the attempt made at the meeting of the Liverpool City Council to reduce the grant of 10,000l. to the University of Liverpool met with scant support. The grant was renewed by an overwhelming majority. We should like to agree with Sir Charles Petrie, who said at the meeting he could not think the mover and seconder of the amendment were serious, but there is still in this country a widespread want of appreciation of the national value of university teaching and research, and no education to the fullest extent possible. As Chancellor of effort must be spared to bring home to local authorities the duty devolving upon them to assist every grade of the University of Liverpool, Lord Derby has formally accepted from Miss Isabella Gregson, formerly of Liverpool, the gift of the Gregson Memorial Institute and Museum. The gift is to be utilised for university extension purposes, and represents in money value, with an endowment of 5000l. added by the founder, about 300,000l. It was erected some years ago by Miss Gregson at her mother's request for purposes of scientific recreation in memory of her father, mother, brother, and sister. at on Society, delivered IN the foundation oration in connection with the Union University June 13, Sir Arthur Rücker, F.R.S., took for his subject College, London, versity of London. the forthcoming incorporation of the college in the UniHe emphasised the fact that University College is undenominational, and is to be united to an undenominational university. University College was the first great step towards bringing university teaching into the centre of the great masses of population. It may be said that the University of Cambridge owes indirectly its great physiological school to the college, for it was one of its students who developed there the idea. The college with its large resources has offered itself to the new uniobject in view. It is an open secret, Sir Arthur Rücker versity, and has made possible an absolute fusion. A sum continued, that the University is in full negotiation with of about a quarter of a million has been raised with this King's College with the view of that also becoming a college of the University. The University does not intend to injure or destroy University College in any way whatever; the college has a name and a reputation with which none but a madman would attempt to interfere. If the principal educational institutions in London are drawn recognition, appreciation, and loyalty which are required for together, it is hoped that the University will obtain the success. In conclusion, the principal of London University expressed the hope that the members of University College will support all movements for drawing the students of the University more closely together. All wanted to create a great university, and this would be of the very greatest importance to the whole of London. THE Duke of Devonshire, as president of the National Association for the Promotion of Technical and Secondary Education, took the chair at the annual meeting held on June 15. During his opening speech the president said, in consequence of the exertions of the association in past years the position of technical and secondary education has been completely changed, the Government and the local authorities having taken up the question. The work for which the association was established to carry on has been to a great extent accomplished. The association is 190 now no longer necessary for stimulating interest in the question of technical education or for promoting legislation. But, in the course of its existence, the association has done more than this; it has become the centre to which local authorities engaged in the work have been accustomed to look for advice, for information, and, to a certain extent, for guidance. Much of the work of the association is capable of being performed by the Government department. But from some communications which he had with the Board of Education a year or two ago, the Duke of Devonshire found that the department did not consider itself then in a position to undertake the whole of what is done by the association. It is, perhaps, possible that the present Treasury may take a different view, and that the Board of Education may be permitted by the Treasury to undertake a part of the work which has hitherto been exclusively carried on by the association. He therefore suggested that during the next year, in which provision is made for the continuance of the efficient work of the association, the executive committee should ascertain, by communication with the Government, how far the Board of Education is in a position to take up any part of the functions which the association has hitherto assumed; and if it should be found that those functions can be more usefully discharged in the future by a private association than by a department of the Government, practical consideration must be given to the manner in which it may be possible to secure a larger amount of assistance from the public. Lord Avebury and Sir Henry Roscoe also addressed the meeting. SOCIETIES AND ACADEMIES. LONDON. Royal Society, May 3.-The Action of Pituitary Extracts upon the Kidney.' By Prof. E. A. Schäfer, F.R.S., and P. T. Herring. Intravenous injections of saline extract of the infundibular part of the pituitary body produce dilatation of kidney vessels accompanied by increased flow of urine; i.e. the extract has a diuretic action. This With the first injection this result is accompanied by rise of blood-pressure and contraction of systemic arteries. With subsequent injections the diuresis is usually attended, not by a rise of blood-pressure, but by a fall. furnishes evidence that the diuresis is independent of the effects upon blood-pressure, and leads one to suppose that it is produced by a special constituent of the extract. This conjecture is confirmed by the result of treating the extract with certain reagents which tend to abolish the rise of blood-pressure which is produced by a first injection, but leave the diuretic effect of the extract unaltered. The diuretic as well as the pressor and depressor constituents of the extract are not destroyed by boiling. They dialyse through parchment paper. They are insoluble in absolute alcohol and ether. Intravenous injections of extracts from the anterior or epithelial lobe of the pituitary body do not produce diuresis ; these extracts exhibit no physiological activity. It is concluded that the infundibular part of the gland produces an internal secretion which passes into the blood, and which, both indirectly owing to its general action upon the vascular system and directly by its special action on the renal vessels and renal epithelium, assists in promoting and regulating the secretion of urine; in other words, the internal secretion of the gland is ancillary to the renal functions. to May 10." A Variety of Thorianite from Galle, Ceylon." By Wyndham R. Dunstan, F.R.S., and B. Mouat Jones. Specimens of thorianite from the Galle district of Ceylon were found to contain from 58.84 per cent. to 63.36 per cent. of thoria associated with from 32.7 per cent. 27.9 per cent. of oxide of uranium. Ordinary thorianite from the Balangoda district contains 78.98 per cent. of thoria and 13.40 per cent. of oxide of uranium. The authors direct attention to the inter-replacement of thorium and uranium in the mineral, and conclude that the oxides of the two elements are present in isomorphous mixture, and are not chemically combined. seven acet Chemical Society, June 7.-Prof. R. Meldola, F.R.S., president, in the chair.-Ammonium selenate and the question of isodimorphism in the alkali series: A. E. H. Tutton. Normal ammonium selenate crystallises differand ently from the rhombic normal sulphates selenates of the alkalis already investigated, namely, in monoclinic prisms or tables. Rhombic mixed crystals of ammonium selenate and sulphate have been obtained, and it is concluded that ammonium selenate is dimorphous, and that the whole series of sulphates and selenates is probably isodimorphous.-The vapour pressures of binary mixtures. part ., the possible types of vapour-pressure curves: A Marshall. By differentiating the equation of Duhem and Margules, xd log p, + (1−x)d log p,=o, it has been found possible to classify the total pressure curves into twelve types, all of which are known to occur. The vapour pressures of the following pairs of liquids have been inand acetone, vestigated experimentally :-nitroglycerol diethylamine and acetone, ethyl alcohol and methyl ethyl ketone, water and methyl ethyl ketone, water and methyl acetate, water and ether, water and amyl alcohol.-The behaviour of acetylene with electrical discharges of high A semifrequency: H. Jackson and D. N. Laurie. solid brown substance is formed when acetylene is subjected to discharges from an ordinary high-frequency apparatus. which sets to a hard and very insoluble solid on exposure to air. It is apparently a polymeride of acetylene. It absorbs oxygen readily up to about 8 per cent.-The behaviour of the vapours of methyl alcohol and aldehyde with electrical discharges of high frequency : H. Jackson and D. N. Laurie. Working with discharges of very short duration, the first change in the vapour of methyl alcohol is the formation of carbon monoxide and hydrogen; in the case of acetaldehyde the greater part of the vapour breaks up into methane and carbon monoxide, but acetylene and water are also produced in smaller quantities.-Note on 4-bromo-2-nitro-1a-naphthylamine: R. Meldola and H. G. Dale.-Dinitroanisidines and their products of diazotisation (second communication): R. Meldola and F. G. C. Stephens.-The action of sulphur dioxide and aluminium chloride on aromatic compounds S. Smiles and R. Le Rossignol. The authors have previously shown that thionyl chloride reacts with phenetole in the presence of aluminium chloride, giving rise successively to a sulphoxide and a sulphonium base; it has since been found that this reaction may be brought about by sulphur dioxide with the aid of the same condensing agent.-Action of sodium on aa-dichloropropylene : Miss I. Smedley.-Resolution of lactic acid by morphine J. C. Irvine. Fermentation lactic acid may be readily resolved into its active components by the crystallisation of the morphine salts.-Brazilin and hæmatoxylin, part viii. W. H. Perkin, jun., and R. Robinson.-A study of the reaction between hydrogen peroxide and potassium persulphate: J. A. N. Friend. It is shown that solutions of hydrogen peroxide and potassium persulphate interact according to the equation H2O2+K,S,O=2KHSO,+O The reaction, however, is monomolecular, due to the formation of an intermediate and highly unstable compound. -The action of magnesium methyl iodide on dextrolimonene nitrosochlorides : W. A. Tilden and F. G. Shepheard. The same compound is formed from the and B-nitrosochlorides. It is insoluble in aqueous alkalis and in acids, though easily soluble in the usual organic solvents, and has the formula C,,H12ON,CI ̧— Electrolysis of potassium ethyl dipropyl malonate: D. C Crichton. A concentrated aqueous solution of potassium ethyldipropylmalonate yields on electrolysis the ethyl esters of a-propyl-B-ethylacrylic acid, dipropylglycollic acid, tetrapropylsuccinic acid, and probably dipropylacetic acid.--4 new method for the measurement of hydrolysis in aqueous solution based upon the consideration of the motion of ions R. B. Denison and B. D. Steele. The oxidation of hydrocarbons by ozone at low temperatures: J. Drugman. Ozone acts slowly on saturated hydrocarbons, and the process is one of gradual hydroxylation. The reaction with an unsaturated hydrocarbon, such as ethylene, is instantaneous, even at temperatures far below o°. and very explosive addition compound is first formed.-Reactions involving the addition of hydrogen cyanide to carbon cornpounds, part v., cyanodihydrocarvone: A. Lapworth.– a Thiocarbamide as a solvent for gold: J. Moir. Two new complex gold salts have been obtained by dissolving gold in an acid solution of thiocarbamide. Their formulæ are CH.NS,Au,(SO) and C.H2NS,Au, Cl, respectively.— An improved Beckmann apparatus for molecular weight determinations: J. McConnell Sanders. Linnean Society, June 7.-Prof. W. A. Herdman F.R.S., president, in the chair.-Exhibit.-Tubes showing stages in the metamorphosis of a young flat-fish (Pleuronectes platessa), the plaice, leading from the symmetrical larva to the asymmetrical young flat-fish: the President. These fish were hatched and reared in the Port Erin Brological Station. Reference was also made to the operations conducted this year in hatching and liberating some millions of young plaice.-Two new species of Populus from Darjeeling: H. H. Haines. Populus ciliata, Royle, was re-described, and the two new species characterised, namely, P. Gamble, which may or may not be the species described by Dode from imperfect material, and P. glauca, Haines. Two reports dealing with Biscayan plankton collected during a cruise of H.M.S. Research in 1900: Dr. G. H. Fowler. (1) The Cephalopoda: W. E. Hoyle. Among seventeen specimens, five genera and two species were recognised; all but one (750 fathoms to 500 fathoms) apparently belonged to the epiplankton; not a single specimen was captured at the actual surface. (2) The Medusæ : E. T. Browne. As the area investigated was oceanic, the neritic Anthomedusæ were represented by only three species; while the Trachomedusæ and Narcomedusa, which are essentially oceanic, were represented by seven and three species respectively, three species of Trachomedusæ furnishing 85 per cent. of the total specimens captured. Four rarities were recorded; one Narcomedusan was apparently new to science, and of interest as showing medusa-buds (which were not parasitic) developing as outgrowths of the stomach pouches.-The Conifers of China: Dr. M. T. Masters. The paper described the whole coniferous flora now known, including the discoveries of Messrs. E. H. Wilson and B. Hayata; eight new species are fully set out, five of these being of the genus Picea. Royal Astronomical Society, June 8.-Mr. W. H. Maw, president, in the chair.-The ancient eclipses of the sun : E. Nevill. Mr. Cowell's discussion of ancient eclipses of the sun: S. Newcomb. The above papers were discussed by Mr. Cowell in reference to his corrections to the secular acceleration. He concluded that, with the exception of the eclipse of Archilochus, which Mr. Nevill had shown to be entirely uncertain, they agreed with the theory, which was also supported by the Chinese eclipses now brought forward by Mr. Nevill.-Errors in the tabular places of Jupiter from photographs taken with the astrographic refractor at the Royal Observatory: Astronomer Royal.— Notes on polarisation phenomena in the solar corona, 1905 August 30: H. F. Newall.-Photographs of the corona of 1905 August 30, taken at Sfax, Tunis: Astronomer Royal. In an oral communication Prof. H. H. Turner brought forward some results of his polarisation observations during recent solar eclipses, considered in reference to the constitution of the corona. Father Cortie said that we should consider the effect of explosive outbursts on the solar surface, and not regard the coronal phenomena as due only to the pressure of light.-A spherical slide-rule, consisting of two superposed stereographic projections of the sphere, arranged for solving various problems in spherical trigonometry: W. B. Blaikie. CAMBRIDGE. Philosophical Society, May 14.-Dr. Fenton, vice-president, in the chair.-The influence of a very strong magnetic field on the spark spectra of palladium, rhodium, and ruthenium: J. E. Purvis. The strength of the field was 30080 units, and the general results are :-(1) Most of the Imes divide into triplets, and several become quadruplets. (2) The value of dA/A2 was calculated from the measurements of the distances of the constituents, and in several quadruplets the value is the same; the general appearance in intensities and polarisation of the separate constituents is also very similar. This is well seen in the quadruplets from palladium 3460-4 and 3258.7 when compared with the quadruplets from rhodium 3502-7 and 3474-7 In the triplets there are also lines which may be classified in the same way. (3) The displacements of the constituents of some of the divided lines are simple multiples of one another. Experiments on the band spectrum of nitrogen in a magnetic field of 41.000 units: J. E. Purvis. The bands in the red, orange, and yellow become very weak, whilst those in the green, blue, and violet are brighter and stronger. But there was no shift of the bands, nor did there appear to be any widening or division of the lines forming the bands.-The ionisation of gases exposed simultaneously to Röntgen rays and the radiation from radioactive substances: T. Noda. EDINBURGH. Royal Society, May 28.-Sir John Murray, K.C B., vicepresident, in the chair.-Life in reservoirs in relation to water supply in towns: James Murray. The paper was a detailed discussion of the types of life met with in reservoirs, the time needed for new reservoirs to become stocked with animal life, and the conditions under which such life might do harm to the water. Rise of temperature was always followed by a great increase in the number of animals in the water, but so long as the loch or reservoir was large there was little chance of any serious results. The conditions under which animal life might possibly get into the mains were also discussed, and it was pointed out that Nature herself supplied a preventive in the tendency of free-swimming animals to swim against the current. -The Rotifera of the Scottish lochs: James Murray. Of the 177 species which had been discriminated, five were new. Many new observations on the structure and habits of the various species were recorded.-The Tardigrada of the South Orkneys: James Murray. Fourteen forms, obtained from a single tuft of moss, were more or less fragmentary. Two had been known before, but only three could be described as new.-The temperature of fresh-water lochs of Scotland, with special reference to Loch Ness: E. M. Wedderburn. The paper discussed the temperature distribution in the loch at different times and in different months. In addition to the usual type of sounding thermometer, a platinum thermometer was used in conjunction with Callendar's self-recording apparatus. The record showed on certain occasions the very rapid change of temperature which may take place at depths of 150 feet or 200 feet. This was traced to the slight rise or fall of the layer of water in which the temperature is changing most rapidly with depth, the so-called Sprungschicht. Clear evidence was also obtained of the temperature seiche, first noticed by Mr. Watson. The observed period was in fair agreement with that calculated from the theoretical formula. At a depth of 5 feet very rapid changes of temperature were sometimes observed during night time, due clearly to convection currents. A sunshine recorder could, when required, be connected with the self-recording apparatus instead of the thermometer. At a few feet depth the effect of the direct action of the sun was very small. At a depth of only 2 feet it was impossible to detect the passage of a cloud in front of the sun. An estimation of the amount of heat which entered the water of the loch during the day was made, and came out at about a sixth or seventh part of the whole amount of solar heat available, according to Knott's calculation. PARIS. Academy of Sciences, June 5.-M. A. Chauveau in the chair. The utilisation of turf for the intensive production of nitrates: A. Müntz and E. Lainé. The authors, continuing their researches on the artificial production of nitrates, find that if the animal charcoal used in their former work is replaced by turf as the medium for the growth of the nitrifying bacteria the yield is multiplied eight times. Fresh salts of ammonia can be added to the weak nitrate solution resulting from the first nitrification, and this again passed through the turf bed, and this process can be repeated until the percentage of nitrate present in the liquor is sufficient for its economical extraction commercially. The possibility of the turf itself furnishing the necessary ammonia compounds is discussed, and a method of distillation of the turf in superheated steam has been worked out, by means of which the yield of ammonia is greatly increased.-The dry avalanches and mud torrents in the recent eruption of Vesuvius: A. Lacroix.-The occurrence of crystals of sylvite in blocks thrown out by the recent eruption of Vesuvius: A. Lacroix. The crystals of sylvite (potassium chloride) were remarkable for their size, forming cubical crystals of more than 2 cm. in the side. In several specimens the sylvite crystals were covered with large cubical crystals of halite (sodium chloride). A description is also given of a rare mineral consisting of a chloride of sodium, potassium, and manganese.-Researches of the hydroxides of rubidium, cæsium, and lithium; M. de Forcrand. The hydroxides of rubidium and cæsium obtainable commercially both contain one molecule of water of crystallisation; the anhydrous hydroxides can be prepared from the commercial products by heating in a silver crucible, an atmosphere of hydrogen being necessary in the case of the cæsium compound to prevent the formation of higher oxides of cæsium. Anhydrous lithium hydroxide is readily prepared from the hydrate. The heats of dissolution of the three hydroxides were measured.--A theorem on plane algebraic curves of order n G. B. Guccia.An azimuth circle with reading microscopes for technical survey work: Ch. Lallemand. The circles are divided into tenths of degrees, and are read by estimation by bent microscopes carrying a cross-wire. The arrangement has the advantage of rapidity and simplicity, and a comparison with the various types of instrument in common use showed that it is only surpassed in accuracy by instruments furnished with reading microscopes carrying a micrometer screw. The electrical control of synchronised clocks: Jean Mascart. A discussion of the possible accidents to a synchronised clock system, and the various means that have been adopted to inform the public that the electrical control of one of the clocks on the system has failed.An experiment due to Hittorf and the generality of Paschen's law: E. Bouty. The properties of surfaces for which the apparent angle of contact of water is zero: H. Ollivier. The action of silicon chloride on nickel: Em. Vigouroux. By the action of silicon tetrachloride upon heated nickel two substances have been isolated, SiNi, and SiNi, That the former silicide is homogeneous and free from metallic nickel is rendered probable by the fact that it is not magnetic.-The decomposition of copper sulphate by methyl alcohol: V. Auger. A basic copper sulphate is formed, the sulphuric acid removed probably forming methyl-sulphuric acid.-Dibromodimethyl- and dibromodiethyl-amidobenzoylbenzoic acids and their derivatives: E. Séverin. The variations in the size of the particles in colloidal hydrochloric-ferric chloride solutions : G. Malfitano.-A new micro-organism producing acetone : L. Bréaudat. The chromogenic organism described was found in the drinking water of Saigon, Cochin-China, and is capable of producing acetone from proteid material. The name proposed for the new species is Bacillus violarius acetonicus.-Contribution to the study of the soluble albuminoid materials of milk: M. Lindet and L. Ammann. It is shown that the casein of milk is, in part, dissolved by the calcium phosphate present. Experiments are described throwing light upon the causes of clotting of milk.-Contribution to the cytological study of bacteria: S. Guilliermond. The author concludes from his observations that a true nucleus does not exist in bacteria, and considers that the nuclei described by various authors are due to misinterpretation of the facts observed.-A new parasitic copepod of Amphiura squammata: E. Hérouard. -A new type in the family of the Virgularidæ : Ch. Gravier. The excretion of the endogenous purins and uric acid Pierre Fauvel. The quantity of endogenous purins and uric acid is constant even for a subject whose diet is free from purins, and this is still the case whether a milk diet, strictly vegetarian diet, or mixed milk-vegetarian diet be followed. This quantity varies little with the individual, and averages 04 to 0.5 gram of purins and 0 28 to 0.35 uric acid in twenty-four hours.-The state of the adductor muscles during life in the acephalous molluscs: F. Marceau. Pulmonary tuberculosis in the tiger: P. Achalme. A new explanation of glacial erosion: Jean Brunhes. DIARY OF SOCIETIES. THURSDAY, JUNE 21. ROYAL SOCIETY, at 4.30.-The Transition from the Liquid to the Sa FRIDAY, JUNE 22. LINNEAN SOCIETY, at 8.-On the Botany of Southern Rhodesia: Mise ROYAL SOCIETY, at 4.30.--Probable Papers: Sex-determination in |