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other contributions, the most important are those contributed by the society's botanist, Mr. W. L. Balls, on the physiology of a simple parasite, and the sexuality of cotton. The first paper gives an account of a damping-off fungus which produces a disease among seedlings known to the American cotton grower as sore-shin.' Mr. Balls attributes the failure of seedling cottons in Egypt chiefly to the attacks of this fungus. The actual damage done varies greatly in different seasons. Weather which is too cold for the young cotton plant is favourable to the parasite, and sore-shin" is largely a question of temperature. Remedies are now being sought for, and it is suggested that careful attention to the seed-bed might prevent, or at least mitigate, the disease. Mr. Balls's second paper describes some cytological work undertaken as a preliminary to investigations on questions of heredity. The descriptions and drawings of the sex cells, of fertilisation, and of the seed should prove of interest and value to economic botanists engaged upon the improvement of the cotton plant.

66

UNIVERSITY AND EDUCATIONAL

INTELLIGENCE.

CAMBRIDGE.-Combined examinations for sixty-six entrance scholarships and various exhibitions at Pembroke, Gonville and Caius, King's, Jesus, Christ's, St. John's, and Emmanuel Colleges will be held on Tuesday, December 4, and following days. Mathematics, classics, and natural sciences will be the subjects of examination at all these colleges. Forms of application for admission to the examination at the respective colleges may be obtained as follows-Pembroke College, W. S. Hadley; Gonville and Caius College, the Master; King's College, W. H. Macaulay; Jesus College, A. Gray; Christ's College, Rev. J. W. Cartmell; St. John's College, Dr. J. R. Tanner; Emmanuel College, the Master, from any of whom further information respecting the scholarships and other matters connected with the several colleges may be obtained.

At a meeting of the master and fellows of Pembroke College, held on October 10, Mr. C. F. Russell, formerly scholar of the college, was elected to a fellowship. Mr. Russell

was Bell scholar in 1902, and was bracketed fourteenth wrangler in the mathematical tripos, part i., 1904; he was placed in the second division of the first class in the mathematical tripos, part ii., 1905, and was Smith's prizeman in 1906.

The Gedge prize has been awarded to P. P. Laidlaw, of St. John's College, for his essay entitled Some Observations on Blood Pigments."

Dr. Hobson, Prof. Larmor, Prof. H. Lamb, Trinity College, professor of mathematics at Victoria University, Manchester, and E. W. Barnes, Trinity College, have been nominated examiners for part ii. of the mathematical tripos in 1907, and Prof. Hopkinson and W. H. Macaulay, of King's College, examiners for the qualifying examination for the mechanical sciences tripos in the current academical year.

W. E. Dixon, of Downing College, and R. Stockman (Edinburgh), professor of materia medica and therapeutics in the University of Glasgow, have been nominated examiners in pharmacology, and T. S. P. Strangeways, St. John's College, and T. Ritchie (Edinburgh), examiners in general pathology for the first part of the third examination for the degree of M.B. in the current academical

THE annual general meeting of the Association of Teachers in Technical Institutes will be held at the Birkbeck College, London, on Saturday, October 27, commencing at 3 p.m. The chair will be taken by Mr. W. J. Lineham, president of the association.

of October 21, announces the abolition of the old system THE Peking correspondent of the Times, in a telegram of examinations in China. In partial substitution there will be held an annual examination in Peking of Chinese graduates educated abroad. This year all Chinese holding foreign diplomas were invited by the Board of Education to submit themselves for examination in the subjects they studied abroad. About fifty responded, of whom forty-two were admitted, twenty-three with Japanese degrees, seventeen with American, and one each with German and English. At the examinations nine were granted the Chinese doctorate, twenty-three the degree of Master of Arts, and ten were rejected.

THE Bristol Education Committee has placed the Castle Council Schools, embracing large buildings which accommodated more than a thousand children, at the disposal of the governors and principal of the Merchant Venturers' Technical College, Bristol, which was recently damaged seriously by fire. These schools are being fitted with the necessary lecture theatres, laboratories, and workshops with all possible speed, and, meanwhile, other institutions in Bristol are lending their lecture theatres and laboratories. Fortunately a large part of the newest machinery of the engineering department of the college, especially the experimental engines and dynamos, which cost more than 2500l., have been saved, as they were placed in a separate building containing many of the college workshops, and situated at some distance from the one injured by the fire; moreover, the basement of the main building has suffered comparatively little, and in this are the mechanical and electrical engineering laboratories and the engineering workshop.

new

THE new agricultural college and research institute for Madras is now in course of erection. In 1905 a grant to the Presidency by the Government of India of 10,000l. per annum, which was subsequently increased to 20,000l. added to the allotments made by the Government of Madras, removed all financial difficulty experienced by the Madras Agricultural Department, and will in time provide the necessary staff. The result of this improved financial position was the decision of Government to close the agricultural college at Saidapet, and establish a college and research institute adequately equipped with laboratories and class-rooms with a suitable farm near Coimbatore. The staff will consist of an expert agr.culturist as the principal of the college, a superintenden: of the central farm, a Government botanist, and an agricultural chemist. Ultimately an entomologist and myc logist may be added to the staff, which will combine teaching with research work. The institution is to fulfil two-fold purpose. Problems connected with the agricultur of the presidency will be studied in the laboratory and the field, while students will be given a general education in all branches of agricultural science. The farm will afford a field for experience and for a test of laboratory research. as well as a training ground for students, in the practical application of science to agriculture.

AN addition to the University of Edinburgh Union 2 opened on October 19 by Mr. Haldane, the Lord Rector. Mr. Balfour, the Chancellor of the University, presided at the ceremony, and in the course of a speech delivered in calling upon the Lord Rector, directed attention to the true functions of a university. No university, he said, cas be described as properly equipped which merely consiste of an adequate professoriate, adequate lecture-rooms adequate scientific apparatus, which only satisfies the needs exacting though they are, of modern science and monet education. Something more than that is required if . university is to do all that it is capable of doing for th education of the young men of this country. A univers life which consists only of the relation between the teache and the taught, between the professor and the student, is but half a university life. The other half consists of t

intercourse between the students themselves in the day to day common life, the day to day interchange of ideas and friendships, of commentary on men and things, and on all the great problems which an opening world naturally suggests to the young. A university which is deficient in that is but half a university, and no mere scholastic equipment can satisfy the void which is thus left. Mr. Haldane delivered an address before opening the new Union buildings, and spoke of the value of the corporate life at the University. No university, he remarked, does its work adequately if it does it only by training in the paths of learning. What is wanted is the moulding influence of the spirit of the place-a universitas which is a universitas, not of the arts, not of the sciences merely, but one which, like the State, moulds the individualities of those who belong to it. It is the spirit of the university as much as the abstract theories that are discoursed of there that tell in the composition of character; and what a significance the university has for the moulding of character. Leaders, he continued, are wanted in the great struggle of the nations to-day, and there is no school for training in leadership so fruitful, so complete, as that training of the university which bases science and art alike on the foundation of the widest culture. It is science and learning that form the true function of the professor; and it is the spirit of the men who are penetrated with the desire to absorb science and learning as things in themselves that communicates itself to those who come in contact and who live with them. That is why it always will be that the spirit of a university, the contact of its fellow-students, the influences which the corporate whole of university life exercises, will be the dominating influence in moulding the character and the quality of the students.

Academy of Sciences, October 8.-M. H. Poincaré in the chair. The synthesis of amethyst quartz: researches on the natural or artificial colouring of some precious stones under radio-active influences: M. Berthelot. Natural amethyst was decolorised by heating to a temperature of 300° C., and then exposed to the action of radium chloride, the experiment being arranged so that the specimen was not in actual contact with the radium salt, and was not exposed to its emanations. The violet colour slowly returned. Similar results were obtained with violet fluor-spar, and the effects produced are attributed by the author to the reduction and oxidation of manganese compounds. Ordinary fused quartz tubes are also slowly coloured violet by the radium radiations. The bearing of these experiments on the coloration of minerals in nature is discussed.-The work done at the observatory at the summit of Mt. Blanc: M. Janssen. The season of 1906 was an exceptionally favourable one, and the work done included biological researches on rabbits and guinea-pigs by MM. Moog and Guillemard, heliometric researches by MM. Millochau and Féry, magnetic studies at different altitudes by M. Senonque, and studies of the surfaces of Venus and Jupiter by MM. Hansky and Stefanik. The results of these various researches will be communicated later to the academy.-The red colour of certain leaves and the colour of autumn leaves: Armand Gautier. The red colour developed in leaves which have been wounded, or in the autumn foliage, is not one and the same in all plants, as has been too hastily assumed. Anthocyanine has been regarded by botanists as the cause of the autumnal red in foliage, and as a uniform product derived from chlorophyll; in the case of the vine this is certainly not the case, since the colouring matter contains neither nitrogen nor phosphorus, two essential constituents of chlorophyll.-The. principle of correspondence for algebraic surface: H. G. Zeuthen.-Succinic pinacone: Louis Henry. This bi-tertiary alcohol is obtained in good vield by the action of methylbromide of magnesium on ethyl levulate. Both hydrochloric acid and acetyl chloride give the dichlorhydrin (CH ̧),C.C1—(CH ̧),—CCI(CH ̧)2,

an

and dilute sulphuric acid, even in the cold, gives the internal anhydride tetramethyl-tetramethylene oxide, the physical and chemical properties of which are given. Dry distillation gives an unsaturated tertiary alcohol.-The nature of the virtual sugar of the blood: R. Lépine and M. Boulud. The perpetual secretary announced the death of M. Etienne Georges Sire, correspondant of the academy for the section of mechanics.-Contribution to the study of the calorific emission of the sun : Ch. Féry and G. Millochau. A thermocouple of the same type as those used in the commercial Féry pyrometers is placed at the focus of a silvered mirror, a total reflection prism and eye-piece being added so that readings can be made as in a Newtonian reflecting telescope. Observations carried out in two ways: placing the centre of the sun in coincidence with the cross wires of the telescope at different hours of the day, and observations of the effects produced at different points of the solar disc. Measure

were

ments were carried out at four stations at different altitudes, Meudon (150 metres), Chamonix (1030 metres), Grands-Mulets (3050 metres), and the Janssen Observatory at the summit of Mt. Blanc (4810 metres). Details regarding the standardisation of the apparatus and discussion of the results will be given in a later communication. Observations of the sun made at the Lyons Observatory during the first quarter of 1906: J. Guillaume. Observations were possible during forty-three days in this quarter, the results of which are summed up in three tables showing the number of sun-spots, their distribution in latitude, and the distribution of the faculæ in latitude.-Observation of the total eclipse of the moon on August 4, 1906, and remarks on the subject of a squall at Phu-Lien, IndoChina G. Le Cadet.-The liquefaction of wheat starch and seeds A. Boidin.-The detection of adulteration of butter with cocoa-butter and oleo-margarine: Lucien Robin. Details of a method of analysis based on the difference in the solubilities of the fatty acids of butter and cocoa-fat in dilute alcohol.-The complexes of pure albumen André Mayer.-The direct action of light on the transformation of the sugars absorbed by the young plants of Pinus pinea: W. Lubimenko.-Some new views, morphological and biological, on the stinging Diptera: E. Roubaud. A hitherto undescribed organ in the thorax of flying ants: Charles Janet. An account, with a diagram, of a mesonotal diaphragm and metanotal diaphragm in ants after the nuptial flight.-The distribution of the Trias in Greece: Fritz Frech and Carl Renz.-The earthquake in Chili of August 16, 1906: A. Obrecht. The amount of carbonic acid in sea air: R. Legendre. The average result from thirteen localities was 3.35 parts of carbonic acid per 10,000 of air.

October 15.-M. H. Poincaré in the chair.-A new and rapid method for the determination of the errors of division of a meridian circle: M. Loewy. The author gives an outline of a method, fuller details of which will be communicated later, for increasing the accuracy of calibration of a meridian circle. The method has the great additional advantage of much reducing the time necessary for the work. Fixing a probable error for the position of each graduation at 10" 02, the time required to fix the position of each degree is about 100 hours, for half degrees 170 hours, and for quarter degrees 330 hours.-The principle of correspondence for an algebraic surface: H. G. Zeuthen. The dialysis of the sugar of the blood: R. Lepine and M. Boulud. Under the conditions of the experiments described, the sugar in normal blood serum is not dialysable, but in abnormal cases dialysis takes place, notably when the contains newly-formed

serum

These facts are in favour of the idea that in the sugar. normal state the sugar is not free in the blood.-The transformation of M. Darboux and the fundamental equation of isothermal surfaces: Rudolf Rothe. The uniform solutions of certain functional equations: M. Fatou.The mechanism of ionisation by solution: Gustave D. Hinrichs. The chemical functions of textiles : Léo Vignon. Quite apart from their fibrous structure and resulting development of surface, textiles behave as specifically active chemical molecules. The animal textiles (silk, wool) possess both basic and acid functions; the vegetable

textiles are deprived of basic functions, and possess feebly acid functions comparable to those of the alcohols. Porous substances, such as animal charcoal, are inert from the chemical point of view.-The condensation of acetylenic nitriles with the amines. A general method of synthesis of B-substituted B-amino-acrylic nitriles: Ch. Moureu and I. Lazennec. Acetylenic nitriles of the type R-C=C-CN unite directly with primary and secondary amines, giving substituted acrylic nitriles of the type

R-C(NX,X,)=CH-CN.

These are neutral bodies, easily hydrolysable by acids, regenerating the amines, and forming ketones of the general formula R-CO-CH-CN. Examples are given showing the generality of the reaction.-Helicoidal arrangement in crystallised bodies: Fred. Wallerant.-A third mandibular canal in the infant: R. Robinson. This third dental duct, which has not hitherto been noted, is always found in young children. From about eight years of age it appears to atrophy, and leaves as the only trace of its existence a more or less marked depression, corresponding to its outlet. This depression has been noted by other anatomists, and has been regarded as a rudimentary alveole. The penetration of Treponema pallidum in the ovule: MM. Levaditi and Sauvage. A contribution to the study of the hereditary transmission of syphilis.

NEW SOUTH WALES.

Mast

Linnean Society, August 29.-Mr. Thos. Steel, president, in the chair.-Notes on the native flora of New South Wales, part v., Bowral to the Wombeyan Caves: R. H. Cambage. This paper deals with the vegetation over a distance of about fifty miles westerly from Bowral, special reference being made to the changes which take place on the different geological formations. The flora of the basaltic area is shown to differ from that of the sandstone, while that of the syenite hill known as The Gib comprises species common to both. The Mollusca of Masthead Reef, Capricorn Group, Queensland, part i.: C. Hedley. On the east coast of Australia the bestknown points, from the view of a marine zoologist, are Torres Strait and the neighbourhood of Sydney. To investigate an intermediate station, the author organised an expedition to the south end of the Barrier Reef. head Island, just outside the tropic of Capricorn, was selected for examination. The island and surrounding reef are described and compared with the coral islands of the Central Pacific. The zonal distribution of coral-haunting mollusca is reviewed.-New Australian species of the family Libellulidæ (Neuroptera: Odonata): R. J. Tillyard. In this paper eleven new species are added to the list of Australian Libellulidæ, bringing the total up from fifty to sixty-one. All the new species were taken in the Cairns district of North Queensland during the summer of 1904-5. Of these, three only are new to science. The remainder are species already known in other parts of the world, but so far unobserved in Australia.-Note on the cerebral localisation in the bandicoot (Perameles): H. G. Chapman. The positions of the cortical motor centres in the brains of marsupials have been described in the opossum (Didelphys virginiana) by Ziehen, and by R. Cunningham, and in the native cat (Dasyurus viverrinus) by Flashman. The results of an investigation of the motor areas observed in Perameles nasuta and P. obesula are communicated in the present paper. The centres described have been found regularly in each animal and on both sides of the brain.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER I.

ROYAL SOCIETY, at 4.30.-Probable Papers: Nitrification of Sewage: Dr. G. Reid.-A General Consideration of the Subaerial and Freshwater Algal Flora of Ceylon: Dr. F. E. Fritsch.-The Anæsthetic and Lethal Quantity of Chloroform in the Blood of Animals: Dr. G. A. Buckmaster and Dr. J. A. Gardner.

CHEMICAL SOCIETY, at 8.30.-A Development of the Atomic Theory which correlates Chemical and Crystalline Structure and leads to a Demon. stration of the Nature of Valency: W. Barlow and W. J. Pope -The Explosive Combustion of Hydrocarbons, ii. W. A. Bone, J. Drugman and G. W. Andrew.-Contributions to the Theory of Solutions (1) The Nature of the Molecular Arrangement in Aqueous Mixtures of the Lower Alcohols and Acids of the Paraffin Series; (2) Molecular Complexity in the Liquid State; (3) Theory of the Intermiscibility of Liquids: J. Holmes.-The Hydrolysis of Nitro-cellulose and Nitro-glycerol: Silberrad and R. C. Farmer.-The Determination of the Rate of Chemical Change by Measurement of Gases Evolved: F. E. E. LamphughExperiments on the Synthesis of the Terpenes Part IX., The Preparation of 8-Ketohexahydrobenzoic Acid (8-Ketocyclohexanecarboxylic Acu!) and of y-Ketocyclopentanecarboxylic Acid F. W. Kay and W. H Perkin, jun.-Experiments on the Synthesis of the Terpenes, Part X, Synthesis of '--Menthenol (8) and of Carvestrene: W. H. Perkin, jun. and G. Tattersall. Some Derivatives of Catechol, Pyrogallol, Benso phenone and of Other Substances allied to the Natural Colouring Matters: W. H. Perkin, jun., and C. Weizmann. LINNEAN SOCIETY, at 8.-The Structure of Bamboo Leaves: Sir Dietrich Brandis, K.C.I.E., F.R.S.-On a Collection of Crustacea Decapoda and Stomatopoda, chiefly from the Inland Sea of Japan, with Descriptions of New Species: Dr. J. G. de Man.-On Hectorella caespitosa, Hook. f. with Remarks on its Systematic Position: Prof. A J. Ewart —ErAsh tions: Young Plaice Hatched and Reared in Captivity: the President. Abnormal Specimens of Equisetum Telmateia, Ehrh.: George Talbot CIVIL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERS' SOCIETY, at 8.-Bridge Work Design: P. J. Waldram.

DIARY OF SOCIETIES.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26.

PHYSICAL SOCIETY, at 5.-The Strength and Behaviour of Ductile Materials under Combined Stress: W. A. Scoble.-The Behaviour of Iron under Small Periodic Magnetising Forces: J. M. Baldwin.-Fluorescence and Magnetic Rotation Spectra of Sodium Vapour, and their Analysis: Prof. R. W. Wood.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27.

ESSEX FIELD CLUB (at the Essex Museum of Natural History, Stratford), at 6.30.-On the Salinity of the Sea-water along the Coast of Essex: Dr. H. C. Sorby, F.R.S.-Sponges: their Life-history and Development: M. Y. Wolfe.

The Oxford University Observatory

The Ponca Sun Dance.

Geological Studies in South Africa. By Prof. Grenville A. J. Cole Aëronautics and Meteorology

647