poisons may act are discussed in the paper, and it is suggested that in many cases they enter into chemical combination with the enzyme. Royal Microscopical Society, October 19.-Dr. Dukinfield H. Scott, F.R.S., president, in the chair.-A communication from Mr. W. D. Colver described the antennæ of Pulex irritans, on the terminal joint of which Mr. Wm. Jenkinson, of Sheffield, had discovered a lamellated structure that he believed to have an olfactory function. Mr. Jenkinson had found similar structures in several other members of the family Pulicidæ. A slide showing the entire antenna, and another showing the terminal joint, were exhibited under microscopes, and photographs of the latter slide were exhibited in the room and on the screen. -Part xvii., being the concluding part, of Mr. Millett's report on the recent Foraminifera of the Malay Archipelago was taken as read.-The President then gave a demonstration on the reconstruction of a fossil plant. The plant selected was Lyginodendron Oldhamium. The growth of our knowledge of its construction was illustrated by a number of actual sections and lantern slides shown on the screen. The identification of the stem of a Pinites, the fern-like petiole of Rachiopteris aspera, and the foliage of Sphenopteris Höninghausi as being corresponding parts of Lyginodendron was demonstrated. It was discovered that the stem was frequently branched, and certain fossil seeds are now, on structural evidence and association, considered to be the fruit of this plant. The reconstruction of the plant is, however, still incomplete, for the male organs have not yet been identified with certainty. The position of Lyginodendron as a seed-bearing plant allied at once to cycads and ferns was now established. A picture of the reconstructed plant was shown on the screen, and models of the seed lent by Prof. F. W. Oliver were exhibited. Physical Society, October 28.-Dr. R. T. Glazebrook, F.R.S., president, in the chair.-An interference apparatus for the calibration of extensometers: J. Morrow and E. L. Watkin. The paper describes an apparatus for calibrating extensometers and similar instruments by comparison with the wave-length of sodium light. The apparatus is selfcontained and easily made ready for use. It consists essentially of two metal cylinders of equal diameter, with their axes in the same straight line, but with a small gap between their adjacent ends. The gap is increased or decreased by the movement of a lever actuating a screw, and the alteration in its amount is measured by the interference rings produced in an optical system situated inside the gap. --A sensitive hygrometer: Dr. W. M. Thornton. The instrument is made by enclosing the cooled surface of a Regnault's hygrometer in a glass globe so that only the mass of vapour contained in the vessel is available for condensation. The cooled surface is made much smaller than usual-about 1 sq. cm. The surface-density of the deposited moisture depends on the total quantity of water-vapour present. If this is more than a minimum to be determined later, it will be visible either by the loss of brightness by scattering, or by observing, as in the Dines hygrometer, the scattered light itself. Little is known as to the manner in which moisture is deposited on smooth cold surfaces. Dr. Park has shown that the thickness of the deposit is of the same order as that of the black spot in interference films. The reflection of light from such a clear layer of uniform thickness backed by a bright surface is considered in the paper, and it is shown that the loss of light due to the thinnest possible films can be perceived. The opposite case to that of a smooth layer is that of clear spherical particles resting on the surface. This is also considered, and the surface-density to give a visible deposit is calculated. In connection with this an interesting note was received from Lord Rayleigh in reply to an inquiry, in which he shows that the maximum brightness of a cloud is about 4X 10-5 that of the sun. Comparing all values, it is taken that 10- grams per sq. cm. can be detected by unaided vision with diffused light. The time taken for moisture to diffuse from a state of uniform distribution throughout the globe towards the centre is then calculated, and found to be less than ten minutes for a sphere of 20 cm. diameter. The paper is an attempt to make the somewhat neglected Regnault hygrometer an instrument of precision in the detection of small quantities of moisture.-Note on a property of lenses: Dr. G. E. Allan. A well known method of testing the concavity or convexity of a lens consists in holding the lens at arm's length and, while looking through it, moving it from side to side or up and down, when the image in the convex lens is found to move in the opposite direction to that of the lens, whilst in the case of the concave lens it moves in the same direction. The above facts hold if, instead of the naked eye, we employ a microscope. PARIS. Academy of Sciences, October 31.-M. Mascart in the chair.-Presentation of vol. xi. of the Annales de l'Observatoire de Bordeaux": M. Loewy. Trypanosomiasis in French West Africa: A. Laveran. The sleeping sickness is endemic in several regions of Senegal; an examination of six specimens of biting flies from this district showed that they were all Glossina palpalis, the fly which, according to the researches of Dr. Bruce, propagates human trypanosomiasis. In the blood of horses from French Guinea, in two cases numerous trypanosomes were encountered. In the flies from this region, Glossina palpalis predominated. On the Ivory Coast, sporadic cases of human trypanosomiasis are common; here one specimen of G. palpalis was found, together with several G. morsitans. Round Lake Tchad numerous trypanosomes, having the characteristics of Trypan. Brucei, were found in the blood from infected horses; G. tachinoides here appears to be the characteristic tsetse fly.-On a case of long phosphorescence emitted by the wood of a cherry tree: M. Clos.-The rotation of Venus: P. Lowell. The results of spectroscopic observations show a velocity of about 0.005 kilometre a second, which favours a long period of rotation. For a twenty-four hour period, the velocity would be 0-450 kilometre a second.-The rotation of Mars : P. Lowell. The spectroscopic measurements give a velocity of 0.228 kilometre per second, as against 0-241 kilometre calculated from the previous eye observations.On a new micrometer. History of the question: G. Millochau. An account of previous applications of the use of parallel glass plates as a micrometer.-On a new safety arrangement for electrical mains at high tension: L. Neu. Each line is furnished at its source with an interrupter which works automatically in the case of a wire breaking, of a bad insulation, or in the event of an accidental contact between the high tension wire and a telegraph or telephone wire. On the atomic weight of aluminium: M. KohnAbrest. Aluminium, the impurities in which had been determined by analysis, was treated with acid, and the evolved hydrogen burnt to water. The mean of seven experiments gave 99-15 parts of water from 100 parts of the pure metal, corresponding to an atomic weight for the aluminium of 27.05 (oxygen, 15.88).-The action of halogen derivatives of the metalloids on halogen alkyl compounds: V. Auger. The alkyl iodides, bromides, and chlorides react with phosphorus iodide, giving alkylphosphinic acids. No reaction occurs with the chloride of arsenic; chloride of bismuth simply gives rise to an exchange of halogens, whilst with chloride of antimony the quantity of antimony-alkyl was too small to separate.-The tetrahydride and decahydride of naphthalene: Henri Leroux. These addition products were obtained from naphthalene by means of the Sabatier and Senderens reaction. Their properties and those of some halogen derivatives are described. The action of the chlorides of phosphorus on the organomagnesium compounds of the aromatic series: R. Sauvage. The action of phosphorus oxychloride upon organomagnesium compounds of the aromatic series leads to the production of compounds of the type R, P: O and R,= POCI, the latter, after treatment with water, giving acids R2=PO.OH. The tetraoxycyclohexane-rosanilines: Jules Schmidlin. The author quotes some experiments of Lambrecht and Weil as affording a new confirmation of his views on the quinonic structure of these compounds, and also as showing that the benzene ring of the carbinol passes through the hexahydrobenzene ring before forming the quinone ring.-The density of nitrous oxide and the atomic weight of nitrogen: Philippe A. Guye and Alexandre Pintza. The nitrous oxide used in these experiments was prepared from sodium nitrite and hydroxylamine sulphate. After weighing the flask full of the gas, the latter was condensed by connecting the flask with a side tube, well cooled, and containing charcoal. The effect of some of the impurities in the gas was thus eliminated. The atomic weight deduced for nitrogen from these experiments is 14.013. Previous values obtained in the author's laboratory by different methods are, from the limiting density of nitrogen, 14.004; by weighing nitrous oxide, 14.007; by the volume analysis of the same gas, 14.019. The mean of the four methods gives 14.011.-On the oxidation of ethyl and methyl alcohols at the temperature of their boiling points: René Duchemin and Jacques Dourlen. The rapid deterioration of some alcohol lamps had been attributed to the presence of some acid impurities in the alcohol used. It is now shown that these alcohols are rapidly oxidised at their boiling points in the presence of copper, and the effects noticed are possibly due to this action. On the anatomy of some fishes of the genus Orestias: Jacques Pellegrin. The difference in the pharyngeal apparatus in these fishes is caused by a special adaptation due to the special food, small molluscs with very hard shells.-Contribution to the study of resorption of the vitellus during the embryonic development: H. Dubuisson. On the coincidence between the geosynclinals and the great circles of maximum seismicity: de Montessus de Ballore. On the continuity of the tectonic phenomena between the Ortler and the Hohe Tauern: Pierre Termier. -On the pit of Trou-de-Souci, Côte-d'Or : E. A. Martel. DIARY OF SOCIETIES. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10 INSTITUTION OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS, at 8.-The premiums awarded for papers read or published during the session 1903-4 will be presented. and the president, Mr. Alexander Siemens, will deliver his inaugural address. MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY, at 5.30.-Annual General Meeting.-Presi dential Address on the Theory of Waves on Liquids: Prof. H. Lamb.Note on the Application of the Method of Images to Problems of Vibrations: Prof. V. Volterra.-On the Zeros of Certain Classes of Integral Taylor's Series: G. H. Hardy.-The Linear Difference Equation of the First Order: Rev. E. W. Barnes.-Curves on a Conicoid: H. Hilton.--Remarks on Alternants and Continuous Groups: Dr. H. F. Baker. On the Expansion of the Elliptic and Zeta Functions of K in Powers of q: Dr. J. W. L. Glaisher. -Examples of Perpetuants: J. E. Wright.-Two Simple Results in the Attraction of Uniform Wires obtained by Quaternions, with, for comparison, their Verification by the Geometry of the Complex: Prof. R. W. Genese-On the Reduci bility of Covariants of Binary Quantics of Infinite Order P. W, Wood. On some Properties of Groups of Odd Order: Prof. W. Burn. side. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11. ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, at 5.-Note on the Variation of Auriga : Col. E. E. Markwick.-On a very Sensitive Method of Determining the Irregularities of a Pivot; on the Pivot Errors of the Radcliffe Transit Circle, and their Effects on the Right Ascensions of the Radcliffe Catalogue for 1890: A. A. Rambaut.-The Determination of Selenographic Positions and the Measurement of Lunar Photographs: Third PaperResults of the Measurement of Four Paris Negatives: S. A. Saunder.Discussion of the Long-Period Terms in the Moon's Longitude: P. H. Cowell.-A Determination of the Apex of the Solar Motion and the Constant of Precession from a Comparison of Groombridge's Catalogue (1810) with Modern Greenwich Observations: F. W. Dyson and W. G. Thackeray.-Magnetic Disturbances 1882 to 1893, as Kecorded at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, and their Association with Sun-spots: E. W. Maunder.-Ephemeris for Physical Observations of the Moon, 1905: A. C. D. Crommelin. MALACOLOGICAL SOCIETY, at 8.-Descriptions of Three New Species of Opisthostoma from Borneo: E. A. Smith, I.S.O.-Two Apparently New Species of Planispira from the Islands of Java and Gisser: Rev. R. Ashington Bullen.-The Anatomy of Siliqua patula, Dixon: H. Howard Bloomer. On the Genus Tomigerus, with Descriptions of New Species: H. von Ihering.-Notes on Some New Zealand Pleurotomida: Henry Suter. Notes on Some Species of Chione from New Zealand: Henry Suter. SOCIOLOGICAL SOCIETY, at 4.-Relation between Sociology and Ethics: Prof. Höffding. PHYSICAL SOCIETY, at 8.-Investigation of the Variations of Magnetic Hysteresis with Frequency: Prof. T. R. Lyle. The Determination of the Mean Spherical Candle Power of Incandescent and Arc Lamps: G. B. Dyke.-Exhibition of Physical Apparatus: Robert Paul. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15. INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS, at 8.-Discussion of Papers--Coast Erosion A. E. Carey, and Erosion on the Holderness Coast of Yorkshire : E. R. Matthews.-Succeeding Paper :-Distribution of Electrical Energy: J. F. C. Snell. ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY, at 8. 30.-(1) On Mammals from the Island of Fernando Po, collected by Mr. E. Seimund; (2) On Hylochorus, the Forest-pig of Central Africa: Oldfield Thomas, F. R.S.-On the Species of Crowned Cranes: Dr. P. Chalmers Mitchell.-On the Mouse-hares of the Genus Ochotona: J. Lewis Bonhote. MINERALOGICAL SOCIETY, at 8.-Anniversary Meeting.- New Localities for Gyrolite and Tobermorite: J. Currie.-Occurrence of Brookite with Anatase in the Cleveland Ironstone: C. R. Lindsey.—(1) Some Applica tions of the Gnomonic Projection to Crystallography; (2) The Construc tion of Crystallographic Projections: H. Hilton.-Some New Forms of Quartz-wedge and their Uses: J. W. Evans.-(1) On Three New Minerals from the Binnenthal; (2) On some Curious Crystals of Blende: R. H. Solly. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16. CHEMICAL SOCIETY, at 5.30.- The Isomerism of the Amidines of the Naph. thalene Series: R. Meldola and J. H. Lane.-Theory of the Production of Mercurous Nitrite and of its Conversion into various Mercury Nitrates P. C. Ray.-Amide Chloroiodides: G. D. Lander. -A New Synthesis of Isocaprolactone and some Derivatives: D. T. Jones and G. Tattersall.-The Influence of Substitution in the Nucleus on the Rate of Oxidation of the Side-chain, II. Oxidation of the Halogen Derivatives of Toluene: J. B. Cohen and J. Miller. - The Halogen Derivatives of Naphthacenequinone: S. S. Pickles and C. Weizmann.-Constitution of Pyrazolidone Derivatives: B. Prentice. ROYAL MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY, at 8.-Theories of Microscopic Vision (a Vindication of the Abbe Theory): A. E. Conrady. ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY, at 8. KOYAL METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY, at 7.30.-Meteorological Observing in ROYAL SOCIETY, at 4.30. Forel and Wheeler: "Ants and Some Other Insects. Average Number of Kinsfolk in each Degree.-Dr. Misuse of Words and Phrases.-A. B. Basset, F. R.S. The Definition of Entropy.-Prof. G. H. Bryan, The Direction of the Spiral in the Petals of Seleni- Thinking Cats.-R. Langton Cole. On the Occurrence of Widmannstätten's Figures in Steel Castings. (Illustrated.) By Prof. J. O. Arnold and A. McWilliam . Our Astronomical Column: 28 29 29 29 wwww ww www 333333 Forestry in the United States. (Illustrated.) Technical Education in London. By A. г. S. Notes 32 32 34 35 Apparatus for Measuring the Velocity of the Earth's Rotation. (Illustrated.) The Perseid Shower 39 40 12 CARTERET ST., QUEEN ANNE'S GATE, WESTMINSTER, S.W. WORKS-ELMERS END, KENT (Adjoining S.E.R. 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