were now known from the Caucasus.-Mr. F. E. Beddard, F. R.S., read the second of his contributions to the anatomy of Picarian birds. The present communication related to the pterylosis of the Capitonida.-Mr. M. F. Woodward read a paper on the dentition of certain Insectivores, and pointed out that there was strong evidence to show that the milk-dentition was undergoing reduction in this group as a whole, some of the milk-teeth in Erinaceus and Gymnura being present as small calcified tooth-vestiges only, while in Sorex there were ap parently no calcified milk-teeth, but only vestigial milk-enamel organs.-A communication from Mr. A. D. Bartlett contained some notes on the breeding of the Surinam Toad (Pipa americana), as recently observed in the Society's Gardens. had been observed that the eggs when issued from the cloaca of the female, which was protruded into a bladder-like process during their production, were arranged on the back of the female by the action of the male.

It

Anthropological Institute, May 12.-Mr. E. W. Brabrook, President, in the chair.-Mr. H. W. Seton-Karr exhibited and made remarks on a collection of stone implements discovered by him in Somaliland. Sir John Evans, Prof. Rupert Jones, and Mr. C. H. Read spoke and complimented Mr. Seton-Karr upon his discovery.-Dr. J. G. Garson read a paper on recent observations on the Andamanese by Mr. M. V. Portman. A discussion followed, during which remarks were made by Sir William Flower, Prof. Keane, Mr. C. H. Read, and Prof. Brigham of Honolulu. Dr. Garson read another paper on photographic apparatus for travellers, and exhibited a number of cameras of various designs.

EDINBURGH.

Royal Society, May 4.-Prof. M'Kendrick in the chair.Dr. John Macintyre made a further communication describing new results with the X-rays. Some of these have already appeared in NATURE (vol. liii. p. 614). He found that his coil gave better results when a mercury interrupter was used, and, on regulating this to give one flash in the tube, he was struck by the peculiar colour of the discharge. He exhibited a photo of the hand taken with one flash, which was quite distinct. With ten flashes it was excellent. What the exposure would be in the case of one flash, he could not say. He had tried the effect of the rays on tourmaline, but could find no trace of polarisation. Prof. M'Kendrick said he had satisfied himself that the rays had no effect on the electric phenomena of the pulsating heart, nor on the motor nerves, but that they had an influence on the currents referable to the retina.-Dr. J. C. Dunlop read a paper on the action of acids on the metabolism. He showed them to have a marked diuretic action, to affect the acidity of the urine only slightly, the acidity being to a great extent neutralised by an increased alkali excretion, and to produce an increased excretion of nitrogen as pre-formed ammonia and extractives, but not as urea. His results did not agree with those of Dr. Haig in the same field. The Secretary read a paper on clouds, by Mr. John Aitken.-Dr. C. G. Knott read a paper by Prof. J. M. Dixon, on a graphical representation of emotion as expressed in rhythm. The author plotted a graph of the number of syllables in each stanza of Browning's "Abt Vogler," and endeavoured to deduce from the graph the variations in Browning's feelings. Other specimens were treated similarly.

PARIS.

Academy of Sciences, May 11.-On the rôle of the induction ring of iron in dynamo-electric machines, by M. MarcelDeprez. A discussion as to the cause of the effect produced by the ring of iron in dynamos of the Pacinotti type. Some experiments are cited which tend to show that the explanations usually given in text-books are insufficient. The complete theory will be given in a future paper.-Nitrates in potable waters, by M. Th. Schloesing. The results are given of a large number of determinations of nitrates and of calcium in potable waters from various sources. Curves are given showing the variations of these with the season.On the crepuscular phenomena, and the appearance of the dark face of Venus, by M. Perrotin.--On regular nonlinear substitutions, by M. Antoine.-An elementary demonstration of a theorem of M. Picard on complete functions, by M. E. Borel.-Remarks on the preceding communication, by M. Picard. —On the periodic solutions of the problem of the movement of a body suspended by one of its points, by M. G. Koenigs. --On the rotation of solids and Maxwell's principle, by M. R. Liouville. An examination of a case for which Maxwell's prin

ciple does not hold good.—Observations concerning the note of M. Dongier on a method of measuring double refraction, by M. G. Friedel. It is pointed out that the method of M. Dongier was anticipated by the author in 1893.-On the lowering of the explosive dynamic potential by ultra-violet light, and the interpretation of certain experiments of M. Jaumann, by M. R. Swyngedauw. The study of the influence of the rate of variation of potential upon the explosive potential must be made in the absence of ultra-violet light. The neglect of this precaution vitiates the results obtained by M. Jaumann. -On the condensation of dark light, by M. G. Le Bon. Two plates of metal (copper and lead), after exposure to an electric arc for an hour, were made to enclose a negative and a sensitive plate, the faces that had not been exposed to the light being inwards. Precautions were taken to eliminate the possible effects of heat and of contact. That the resulting image must have been caused by something stored on the surface of the metal plates during the exposure to the arc lamp, was definitely proved by the negative results of parallel experiments with plates not exposed to the arc lamp. The action of hydrogen bromide upon thiophosphoryl chloride, by M. A. Besson (see Notes, p. 63).-The action of air and of peroxide of nitrogen upon some halogen compounds of bismuth, by M. V. Thomas. The halogen compounds studied included the tribromide, triiodide, and the dichloride, which yielded as ultimate products bismuth oxybromide, bismuthic oxide, and bismuth oxychloride respectively.-Action of ethyloxalyl chloride upon the aromatic hydrocarbons in presence of aluminium chloride, by M. L. Bouveault. Under suitable conditions this reaction readily results in the production of ethyl phenyl-glyoxylate, or its derivatives.—On a new method of separating the methylamines, by M. Marcel-Delépine. The mixture of amine hydrochlorides is boiled with caustic soda, and the gases passed into commercial formaldehyde. This distillate is now heated with caustic soda, and, after drying, submitted to fractional distillation. Three principal fractions are obtained, at 15°-20°, 67°-68 ̊, and 166° C. The first is trimethylamine, and the two latter, on heating with alcoholic hydrochloric acid, yield the pure hydrochlorides of dimethylamine and methylamine. The separation is more perfect than in the classical method with ethyl oxalate. On the Synascidia of the genus Colella, and the polymorphism of their buds, by M. Maurice Caullery.-On the nephridia of Branchiobdella varians (var. Astaci), by M. D. N. Voinov.-Formation of an anti-coagulating substance by the liver in presence of peptone, by M. C. Delezenne.-On the effects produced on certain animals by the toxins and anti-toxins of diphtheria and tetanus injected into the rectum, by M. P. Gibier. Toxins and anti-toxins injected per rectum are without any effect, and appear to be destroyed or retained by the rectal mucus. For the animals used in the experiments (rabbit, dog, and guineapig), the toxins did not poison, and the anti-toxins conferred no immunity. Hydrographical researches of M. Spindler in Lake Peypous, by M. Venukoff.

PHILADELPHIA.

Academy of Natural Sciences, March 31.-Prof. Henry A. Pilsby called attention to a fine collection of barnacles obtained from the bottom of a vessel recently returned from a voyage to Hong Kong from San Francisco and back, by way of Java and India. Balanus tintinabulum was the commonest of the species represented, the varieties zebra and spinosus, although growing under identical conditions, retained their individuality perfectly. The question of the constancy of varietal characters was debated by Messrs. Sharp, Pilsby, and Heilprin.-Mr. Pilsby also described a specimen of Pugnus parvus, a ringiculate mollusc. The species is involute, a unique character, none of the fossil forms of the family possessing it. He also described a Central American Melanian, under the name Pachycheilus Dalli. It is distinguished by a remarkable double sinuation of the outer lip, which has a deep and wide pleurotonoid sinus above, and a rounded projecting lobe in the middle, below which it is again retracted. On the nomination of the Entomological Section, Dr. Henry Skinner was elected Professor in the Department of Insecta. In response to an invitation from the Committee having charge of the celebration of the fiftieth year of Lord Kelvin's tenure of office as Professor of Natural Philosophy in the University of Glasgow, General Isaac Jones Wistar was appointed to represent the Academy on the occasion.

March 25.-Dr. George H. Horn made a communication regarding the synonymy of the Elaterida. He specially described the prosternum of Ludius. A Lower California form had the pro

In

sternum of different shape from that of other members of the genus, the mesosternum being more protuberant. It will probably be referred to Probothrium.-Mr. Chas. S. Welles exhibited specimens of the larva of Harrisimemna trisignata. When fullgrown they bore into wood preparatory to changing into chrysalids. A paper was read entitled "The breeding habits of Periplaneta orientalis," by C. Few Seiss. Three females deposited twenty-five egg-cases. Each of these contains sixteen eggs, so that a new generation of 400 cockroaches was represented by the deposit. The first of these egg-cases were dropped May 5 and May 14, 1895, and were hatched November 9. most cases the deposits were dropped with no attempt at concealment, although in a few instances they were placed in little trenches made by the insect, and then covered up. The development of the capsules was described. The young, probably, receive no maternal care or protection. -Mr. Lancaster Thomas exhibited an improved form of insect net-frame made from a continuous piece of rounded aluminium wire.-Mr. Westcott suggested linoleum as a substitute for cork in the arrangement of insects. Dr. Henry Skinner called attention to a fungus, Polyporus betulinus, which might be used for the same purpose with advantage.-Mr. William J. Fox stated that about ninety species of Hymenoptera, six of which were perhaps new to science, were included in the collections of insects brought by Dr. A. Donaldson Smith from Western Somaliland, Africa.

BOOKS, PAMPHLETS, and SERIALS RECEIved. BOOKS.-The Evolution of Bird-Song: C. A. Witchell (Black).—Meteorological Results of the Observations taken at the Bangalore, &c., Observatories, 1893-94: J. Cook (Bangalore).-Earth Knowledge: W. J. Harrison and H. R. Wakefield, Part 2 (Blackie).-The Flora of the Alps: A. W. Bennett, 2 Vols. (Nimmo).-Attaque des Places Lieut.-Colonel E. Hennebert (Paris, Gauthier-Villars).--La Spectroscopie: Prof. J. Lefevre (Paris, Gauthier-Villars).-Grundriss der Entwicklungsgeschichte des Menschen und der Sängethiere: Dr. O. Schultze, Erste Hälfte (Leipzig, Engelmann). -Southall's Organic Materia Medica: J. Barclay, 5th edition (Churchill).— Schlich's Manual of Forestry. Vol. v. Forest Utilization: Prof. Fisher (Bradbury).-Water Supply: Prof. W. P. Mason (Chapman).-A Dictionary of the Names of Minerals: Prof. A. H. Chester (Chapman).-Leerboek der Organische Chemie: Dr. A. F. Holleman (Groningen, Wolters).-The Elements of Physics: E. L. Nichols and W. S. Franklin. Vol. 1. Mechanics and Heat (Macmillan).-Memoirs of Frederick A. P. Barnard J. Fulton (Macmillan). Nature's Byepaths: Dr. J. E. Taylor. 6th edition (W. H. Allen).-The Aquarium: Dr. J. E. Taylor, 6th edition (W. H. Allen). Mathematical Papers read at the International Mathematical Congress held in connection with the World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago, 1893 (New York, Macmillan).—Stanford's Compendium of Geography and Travel, new issue. Asia, Vol. 1: A. H. Keane (Stanford).-Gehirn und Seele : Dr. P. Flechsig (Leipzig, Veit).

PAMPHLETS.Remarkable Eclipses: W. T. Lynn (Stanford).- The Old Light and the New: W. Ackroyd (Chapman).-Nineteenth Report of the State Entomologist on the Noxious and Beneficial Insects of the State of Illinois (Springfield, Ill.).

SERIALS.-Engineering Magazine, May (Tucker).-Science Progress, May (Scientific Press).-Strand Magazine, May (Newnes).-American Naturalist, May (Philadelphia).-Bulletin of the American Mathematical Society, April (New York, Macmillan)-Journal of the Chemical Society, May (Gurney).-Journal of the Royal Microscopical Society, April (Williams).-Astrophysical Journal, May (Chicago).-Royal Natural History, Part 31 (Warne).

DIARY OF SOCIETIES.

LONDON.

THURSDAY, MAY 21

ROYAL SOCIETY, at 4.30.-On the Changes produced in Magnetised Iron and Steels by cooling to the Temperature of Liquid Air: Prof. J. Dewar, F.R.S., and Dr. J. A. Fleming, F.R.S.-Note on the Larva and of the Post-Larval Development of Leucosolenia variabilis, H. Sp., with remarks on the Development of other Asconidæ : E. A. Minchin.-Helium and Argon. Part III. Experiments which have yielded Negative Results: Prof. Ramsay, F.R.S., and Dr. Collie.-On the Amount of Argon and Helium contained in the Gas from the Bath Springs: Lord Rayleigh, Sec.R.S.

ROYAL INSTITUTION, at 3.-The Art of Working Metals in Japan: W. Gowland.

CHEMICAL SOCIETY, at 8.-The Diphenylbenzenes. I. Metadiphenylbenzene: F. D. Chattaway and R. C. T. Evans.-Derivatives of Camphoric Acid Dr. F. S. Kipping.-Some Substances exhibiting Rotatory Power, both in the Liquid and Crystalline states: W. J. Pope.

Colour Variations in Ducks and Pigeons.
Dyck
Dependence of the Colour of Solutions on the Nature of
the Solvent.-F. G. Donnan.

Hatching Lizards' Eggs.-Mrs. H. A. Ross

The Diffusion of Metals. (Illustrated.) By Prof. W. C. Roberts-Austen, C. B., F.R.S.

Books on Birds

Notes

Our Astronomical Column:

The System of Castor

53

53

53

333

54

W. T.

Van

54

A Theory of the X-Rays. By Prof. Albert A. Michelson ..

66

Efficiency of Photographic Telescopes Solar Photography at Meudon . University Observatories in America International Catalogue of Science.

The French Universities . . .

National Academy of Sciences-Washington Meeting. By Dr. Wm. H. Hale

The Manufacture of Artificial Silk

Diary of Societies