On Tuesday the Bill passed through Committee, but the third clause was greatly modified. In its altered form the clause provides for a body or bodies of management in each borough, constituted so as to include one-fourth members nominated by the County Council, and three-fourths by the borough council. The measure, as passed, does not include the clause giving the borough councils the power of appoint ing and dismissing teachers.

SCIENTIFIC SERIALS.

Transactions of the American Mathematical Society, vol. iv. No. 2 (April).-G. H. Darwin, approximate determination of the form of Maclaurin's spheroid.-H. S. White, on twisted cubics that have a directrix.-L. Heffter, lineintegrals in n-dimensional space.-E. Kasner, the generalised Beltrami problem concerning geodesic representation. -G. A. Miller, on the holomorph of a cyclic group.-J. L. Coolidge, quadric surfaces in hyperbolic space. -A. Loewy, on the reducibility of real groups of linear homogeneous substitutions.-W. B. Ford, on the possibility of differentiating term by term the developments of an arbitrary function of one real variable in terms of Bessel functions.-E. J. Wilczynski, on a certain congruence associated with a given ruled surface.-J. Westlund, on the class-number of the cyclotomic field k(e2wt/p").

Bulletin of the American Mathematical Society (2) vol. ix. No. 8 (May). -Е. Н. Moore, presidential address on the foundations of mathematics. C. J. Keyser, concerning the axiom of infinity and mathematical induction.-E. R. Hedrick, review of R. Fricke's treatise on the differential and integral calculus.

SOCIETIES AND ACADEMIES.

LONDON.

Royal Society, May 7.-"Experiments in Hybridisation, with Special Reference to the Effect of Conditions on Dominance." By L. Doncaster, B.A., King's College, Cambridge. Communicated by Dr. S. F. Harmer, F.R.S.

Describes experiments on hybrid Echinoid larvæ, made to determine whether the dominance of a character is influenced by the condition of the genital cells at the time of fertilisation. It is concluded that there is no evidence that this is the case, and that the seasonal changes observed in the larvæ are due to difference in temperature.

May 14.-"A New Class of Organo-Tin Compounds containing Halogens." By William J. Pope, F.R.S., Professor of Chemistry, Municipal School, Manchester, and Stanley J. Peachey.

Chemical Society, May 7.-Prof. H. McLeod, F.R. S., vice-president, in the chair. It was announced that the council at its meeting that day had awarded the Longstaff medal to Prof. W. J. Pope, F.R.S., for his researches on the stereochemistry of compounds of elements other than carbon. The following papers were read: -The action of ammonia and organic bases on ethyl esters of olefinedicarboxylic and olefine-ẞ-ketocarboxylic acids, part ii., by

S.

Ruhemann.-Spontaneous decomposition of nitrocamphor, by T. M. Lowry. A quantity of nitrocamphor, prepared in 1898 and purified by recrystallising once from alcohol, was found to have undergone spontaneous change into a sesquicamphorylhydroxylamine, identical with that prepared from camphoryl chloride and camphoryloxime.B-Bromo-a'-nitrocamphor- and - and -bromocamphoryloximes. The influence of impurities in conditioning isomeric change, by T. M. Lowry. β-Bromo-a'-nitrocamphor exists in two forms; the pseudo-form,

pseudo-form is in stable equilibrium with the liquid mixture. Freshly prepared solutions of B-bromo-a'-nitrocamphor exhibit the phenomenon of mutarotation. A solution in benzene of the pseudo-form is at first almost inactive, but in the course of two or three days the specific rotatory power becomes constant and equal to -80°. The change of rotatory power is not spontaneous, but is conditioned by the presence of traces of impurity. This fact shows that, even when both isomerides are present in solution, equilibrium between them is only established in presence of a trace of a catalytic agent, probably an alkali. These

to

phenomena are closely analogous Baker's observations on the union of hydrogen and oxygen, and are directly opposed to Laar's hypothesis of "tautomerism. "-The electrolytic reduction of pheno- and naphtho-morpholones, by F. H. Lees and F. Shedden. Attempts were made by electrolytically reducing aromatic morpholones in sulphuric acid solution to produce aromatic morpholines possessing physiological properties similar to those of morphine; the morpholone ring, however, usually undergoes secondary decomposition. The coloured constituents of Butea frondosa, by E. G. Hill. The dried and fresh flowers of Butea frondosa, used in India for the preparation of a somewhat fugitive yellow dye, contain fisetin and different anhydrides of a tannic acid. Butein. A preliminary notice by (the late) J. J. Hummel and A. G. Perkin. Butein, the colouring matter of the flowers of B. frondosa, described by Hummel and Cavallo in 1894, probably exists in two modifications which, on fusion with alkali, give resorcinol and protocatechuic acid. The tinctorial properties of butein closely resemble those of benzylideneanhydroglycogallol, to which it is possibly allied. The relative affinities of polybasic acids, by H. M. Dawson. The chemical dynamics of the reactions between chlorine and benzene under the influence of different catalytic agents and of light, by A. Slator. With a large excess of the hydrocarbon, the relative amounts formed of the two chief products chlorobenzene and benzene hexachloride depend on the conditions of the experiment. The velocity of these reactions, especially under the influence of different catalytic agents,

has been measured under various conditions. Under the influence of light without catalysts, the addition reaction alone occurs; under conditions of equal illumination, the velocity of this change is found to be proportional to the square of the chlorine concentration. The diazo-reaction in the diphenyl series. Part i. On dianisidine and 3: 3'dichlorobenzidine, by J. C. Cain. On heating aqueous solutions of the diazonium salts prepared from dianisidine and 3:3/-dichlorobenzidine, dark-coloured, insoluble, infusible compounds which appear to be quinones are obtained instead of the expected dihydroxy-derivatives.

Linnean Society, April 16.-Rev. T. R. R. Stebbing, vicepresident, in the chair. Dr. G. Henderson exhibited a coloured sketch of a withered leaf of Quercus incana, Roxb., and of slugs found amongst the dead leaves. The drawing of the mollusc and leaf was to show their strange resemblance in colour and outline. These slugs are common at Dalhousie in the Punjab, on ground which is always covered with these withered leaves. A few black slugs were to be found with the light-brown specimens, and whilst the latter escaped the notice of birds, the former were taken.On some points in connection with the ordinary development of Vaucheria resting-spores, by Dr. H. C. Bastian, F.R.S. In 1891 the author had some spores of Vaucheria under observation in a bottle loosely covered with a screwcap, and after a few weeks these spores were found to be germinating and emitting filaments. In 1902 the experiments were repeated on Vaucheria racemosa; material was kept in a shallow dish, and a few days later the spores were transferred to a stoppered bottle; another portion was put into a tumbler, loosely covered to exclude dust. Within seven weeks the bottled specimens germinated, a process which did not take place in those in the tumbler for some time later. Special attention was drawn to the pigmentgranules, to be regarded as refuse-products left over during the molecular transformation that the spore has undergone in becoming decolorised; they are heaps of fine granules, without any bounding membrane. These pigment-heaps pass into the filament as spheres with a sharply-defined outline, or else press together in compressed forms. Slight to-andfro movements were detected in them. One pigment sphere

labial.

was seen to be encysted, outside the filament from which it had been liberated. These forms resemble Amæbæ or the simplest form of Actinophrys, but seem to be so heavily charged with indigestible matter as to have but a slender chance of further development. On the labial and maxillary palpi in Diptera, by Mr. Wesche. The author set out to homologise the mouth-parts of Diptera with the typical insect mouth-part, and stated that in the Muscide the mandibles are embedded in the dorsal side of the labium. The maxillary palpi, gale, and laciniæ are aborted, but the cardines and stipes remain; the latter parts bear minute rudiments of the maxillary palpi. The palpi present are In the Syrphidæ and Empidæ the mandibles are similarly placed, but the maxillæ are represented by the lariniæ, the palpi, cardines, stipes, and palpifers. The labial palpi are aborted. The author formulated a rule, that the maxillary palpi when present in Diptera are always in inntact with the upper part of the cardines, the stipites.Observations on fresh-water rhizopods, with some remarks on their classification, by Prof. G. S. West. The author states that whilst examining material from the western districts of the British Islands, interesting rhizopods came under notice, concerning four of which he could find no previous mention. Two of these are species of Hyalosphenia, one is a species of Sphenoderia with a prettily constructed shell, and another is a curious nude form referable to Cienkowski's genus Nuclearia. With regard to the distribution of rhizopods in the west of Scotland, the nutireable feature is the relative scarcity of these animals in the Outer Hebrides as compared with their occurrence on the Scottish mainland. Full reasons are given for the establishment of the Vampyrellidæ as a distinct order of fresh-water rhizopods, to include the genera Vampyrella and Nuclearia.

PARIS.

Academy of Sciences, May 11.-M. Albert Gaudry in the chair. New studies on a law relating to the electromotive forces developed by the reciprocal action of saline solutions, by M. Berthelot. If E is the E.M.F. developed by the action of an acid on a base, and the E.M.F. developed by the action of the corresponding salt on the acid be e, and on the base e2, then the author has established experimentally the law E = 6 + 62. On the traces of the Lutitian sea in the Soudan, by M. de Lapparent. Fossils found by French officers in the Soudan, including new species of Plesiolampas, undoubtedly belong to the Middle Eocene. It may thus be considered as certain that the Lutitian sea, traces of which have been already made ut with certainty in the neighbourhood of Dakar, spread eat into the heart of the Soudan. On the existence of radiations capable of passing through wood and certain metals in the rays from an incandescent mantle, by M. R. Blondiot. The radiations were detected by their action avery small sparks, the arrangement of the apparatus being similar to that previously described by the author in Connection with the radiation of an X-ray focus tube, and als by their photographic action. They resemble in some respects the rays of long wave-length discovered by Rubens, in that both are emitted by an incandescent mantle, and are stopped by water. On the other hand, the Rubens rays are stopped by metals, which are traversed in thin lavers by the radiations now described. On a class of differential equations reducible to Bessel's equation, by M. Alexander S. Chessin. - On the zeros of monodrome functions, or with branches, by M. Edmond Maillet.On thermomagnetic effects in bismuth-lead alloys, by M. Edmond van Aubel. On the modulus of traction and the coefficient of expansion of vulcanised indiarubber, by MM. Bouasse and Carrière. In reasoning from the equation dl.a.dt+edP, dL is usually taken as an exact differential. This, however, is far from being the case; the coefficients • are very variable, since they depend upon the previous history of the specimen under examination. It is shown that the value of these coefficients may be made to Lary between wide limits by varving the cycle of operations, and it is not possible on theoretical grounds to give the preference to any one of these. On the electrolysis of alkaline sulphides, by MM. André Brochet and Georges Ranson. It has been shown in previous work that the tinal product of electrolysis is sulphate, with an intermediate formation of thiosulphate. Working in concentrated solu

It

tion at 50° to 70°, the process is entirely different, sulphur being deposited at the anode and sodium at the kathode, hydrogen and sodium hydroxide appearing in the latter case as the secondary products. The sulphur formed dissolves in the sulphide, giving polysulphides.-On benzeneazo-orthobenzyl alcohol and on its transformation into phenylindazol and azodiphenylmethane, by M. P. Freundler. The alcohol is easily obtained by the condensation of nitrosobenzene with o-aminobenzyl alcohol in presence of alcohol and acetic acid.-Organometallic derivatives of aromatic hydrocarbons containing two halogen atoms in the nucleus, and their interaction with iodine, by M. F. Bodroux. The dihalogen derivative reacts with magnesium to give X.CH.MgX, and this, with iodine, forms the mixed halogen compound CH.XI. The reaction appears to be general, and has been extended to naphthalene compounds. On the methylation of ethyl glutaconate, by M. E. E. Blaise. The migration of the methyl group in the camphor molecule, by MM. G. Blanc and M. Desfontaines. On the successive action of acids and soluble ferments on polysaccharides of high molecular weight, by MM. Em. Bourquelot and H. Hérissey.The diastatic hydrolysis of salol, by M. Emm. Pozzi-Escot. The hydrolysing ferments of plant seeds, which act easily upon the esters of the fatty acids, are nearly without action upon the phenol ethers. On the law of electrical excitation in some invertebrates, by M. and Mme. L. Lapicque. is shown that the law enunciated by Weiss is only an approximate one; the establishment of a more correct formula is reserved for a later communication.-Excretion and phagocytosis in Onychophores, by M. L. Bruntz.On the absorption of the tetanic antitoxin; the immunising action of dry antitetanic serum, by M. A. Calmette.On the reversibility of lipolytic actions, by M. Henri Pottevin. If oleic acid be added to a glycerol extract of the pancreas, partial esterification takes place; starting with mono-olein, a partial hydrolysis occurs, and in both cases there is a final state of equilibrium produced, characterised by the same value for the ratio between the weights of the free and combined acid. The influence of formaldehyde on the growth of white mustard, by MM. Bouilhac and Giustiniani. When, owing to insufficient light, the chlorophyll assimilation of the plant is rendered difficult, formaldehyde may serve as a plant food, but if the intensity of the light is diminished below a certain amount, this assimilation ceases, the formaldehyde exerts a poisonous effect, and all the plants die. How far is it possible to modify the habits of plants by grafting by M. Lucien Daniel. On the spontaneous combustion of balloons, by M. W. de Fonvielle. Certain explosions of balloons would appear to be traceable to electrical effects, which determine a spark at the moment the aeronaut grasps the valve rope. As a precaution, the use of indiarubber gloves is suggested in stormy weather. On the culture of the truffle, by M. Emile Boulanger.

May 18.-M. Albert Gaudry in the chair. The statistics of the minor planets. The distribution of the elements, taking the aphelion longitude as argument. The com parison of the minor planets with short period comets, by M. O. Callandreau.-The measurement of the velocity of ships at sea, by M. E. Guyou. A return to the oldest form of line log is suggested, with certain modifications. The float is replaced by a light calico bag containing a little sand, the resistance of which is sufficient to form a very satisfactory fixed point. The line is looped in coils and not on a reel, and is fitted with a simple electrical indicator. An accuracy of I per cent. is obtainable with this arrangement. On the distribution of matter on the surface of the earth, by M. G. Lippmann. The conductivity and residual ionisation of solid paraffin under the influence of the radium radiation, by M. Henri Becquerel. It is easily shown that solid paraffin becomes a conductor whilst under the action of the radium emanation, and this is not immediately lost on the removal of the radium, but, although diminishing rapidly, is still appreciable during about half an hour. The preparation and properties of cæsium ammonium and rubidium ammonium, by M. Henri Moissan. These substances were obtained by the action of liquid ammonia on the metals, the methods employed being similar to those previously described for sodium, potassium, and lithium. Cæsium ammonium is crystal

The

line, and takes fire at once in the air. Its analysis gave figures corresponding to the formula CsNH3, and the rubidium compound has an analogous composition. The solutions of these substances in liquefied ammonia have been utilised for the production of the carbides of cæsium and rubidium. Secular perturbations of the first degree with respect to the eccentricity, by M. Jean Mascart.On the visibility of the eclipsed lunar disc during the second half of the eclipse of April 11-12, by M. Amann. peculiar and exceptional visibility of the eclipsed portion of the moon's disc was confined to the second part of the eclipse. On the decomposition of a linear substitution, real and orthogonal, and on a product of inversions, by M. Léon Autonne. On the value of averages in meteorology, and on the variability of temperatures in France, by M. Alfred Angot. It is pointed out that the arithmetical mean of a series of experimentally observed numbers is only the most probable result if the causes of error are purely accidental, and that this latter condition does not necessarily hold in meteorological observations. Observations taken in France over a period of fifty years are discussed with the view of determining between what limits this condition is satisfied. On the electrical conductivity of selenium in the presence of bodies treated with ozone, by M. Edmond van Aubel. Substances after treatment with ozone, and which are capable of being attacked by it, increase the electrical conductivity of selenium, the rate of return to the original resistance being extremely slow.On the transmission of photographs by means of a telegraph wire, by M. Korn. The image is produced photographically upon a rotating plate by means of the light from a vacuum tube, and the latter is worked by high frequency Tesla currents, governed by a selenium cell at the transmitting end of the wire. The rate of transmission is slow, owing to the inertia of the selenium. On the theory of coloured indicators, by M. P. Vaillant. From a quantitative study of the colour of solutions of paranitrophenol and its salts, the conclusion is drawn that the definition of an indicator given by Ostwald and Nernst is incomplete.-Electrolysis of the sulphides of the alkaline earths, by MM. André Brochet and Georges Ranson. In concentrated solutions, electrolysed at 60°, sulphur, baryta and hydrogen are produced, indicating that the primary products are sulphur and barium. There is no evidence of the production of any oxidation products. On a new method for the estimation of the halogens in organic compounds, by MM. H. Baubigny and G. Chavanne. The substances are oxidised by chromic acid mixture in presence of a silver salt; chlorine and bromine are set, free, whilst iodine is completely converted into iodic acid. Test analyses of several iodine compounds prove the accuracy and convenience of the method. The action of ethyloxalyl chloride mixed organo-magnesium compounds, by M. V. Grignard. The action of the bases of the alkaline earths upon the salts of pyrogallol-sulphonic acids, by M. Marcel Delage. A new method for the estimation of glycerol, by M. A. Buisine. The process is based upon the production of a mixture of hydrogen and methane by the interaction of glycerol and a mixture of potash-lime and caustic potash at 350°. It has the advantage of requiring a very small quantity of material, and is very rapid. A new test for lead and manganese, by M. R. Trillat. On the comparative physiology of the two kidneys, by M. J. Albarran. In unit time, the two kidneys secrete different quantities of urine of different composition. There is a partial compensation in that the kidney producing the larger quantity of urine secretes a less concentrated liquid. On a point in the anatomy of some Oculininæ and Pæciloporinæ, by M. Arm. Krempf. On a cause of variation in fossil fauna, by M. H. Douvillé.

on

DIARY OF SOCIETIES.

THURSDAY, MAY 28.

ROVAL SOCIETY, at 4.30-On the Bending of Waves round a Spherical Obstacle Lord Rayleigh, O.M., F.R.S.-Sur la Diffraction des Ondes Électriques à propos d'un Article de M. Macdonald: Prof. H. Poincaré, For. Mem. R.S.-On the Theory of Refraction in Gases: G. W. Walker. -An Analysis of the Results from the Kew Magnetographs on Quiet Pays during the Eleven Years 1890 to 1900, with a Discussion of Certain Phenomena in the Absolute Observations: Dr. C. Chree, F.R.S.-On a Remarkable Effect produced by the Momentary Relief of Great Pressure: J. Y. Buchanan, F.R.S.-Evolution of the Colour-Pattern and Ortho

on

genetic Variation in Certain Mexican Species of Lizards with Adaptation to their Surroundings: Dr. H. Gadow. F.R.S.--Researches Tetanus: Prof. Hans Meyer and Dr. F. Ransom.-The Hydrolysis of Fats in vitro by Means of Steapsin: Dr. J. Lewkowitsch and Dr. J. J. R. Macleod. On the Optical Activity of the Nucleic Acid of the Thymus Gland: Prof. A. Gamgee, F.R.S., and Dr. W. Jones.

ROVAL INSTITUTION, at 5.-Electric Resonance and Wireless Telegraphy:
Prof. J. A. Fleming, F.R.S.
INSTITUTION OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS, at 5.-Annual General
Meeting.

FRIDAY, MAY 29
ROYAL INSTITUTION, at 9.-Some Physical Problems of the Ocean: J. Y
Buchanan, F.R.S.

SATURDAY, MAV 30.

ROYAL INSTITUTION, at 3.- The "De Magnete" and its Author: Prof.
S. P. Thompson, F.R.S.
TUESDAY. JUNE 2.

ROYAL INSTITUTION, at 5.-The Work of Ice as a Geological Agent:
Prof. E. J. Garwood.

VICTORIA INSTITUTE, at 4.30.-The Living God of Living Nature: Lionel S. Beale, F.R.S.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3.

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY, at 8. SOCIETY OF PUBLIC ANALYSTS, at 8.

THURSDAY, JUNE 4.

CHEMICAL SOCIETY, at 8.-Imino-ethers corresponding to Ortho-substituted Benzenoid Amines: G. D. Lander and F T. Jewson (1) Formation of an Anhydride of Camphoryloxime; (2) The Mutarotation of Glucose as influenced by Acids. Bases and Salts; (3) The Solubility of Dynamic Isomerides: T. M. Lowry.-(1) Isomeric Partially Racemic Salts containing Quinquevalant Nitrogen. Part X. The Four Isomeric Hydrindamine d-Chlorocamphorsulphonates NR1N9Hg; (2) Isomeric Compounds of the Type NR1R2H3: F. S. Kipping. -The Hydrolysis of Ethyl Mandelate by the Fat Splitting Enzyme, Lipase: H D. Dakin. ROVAL INSTITUTION, at 5.- Electric Resonance and Wireless Tele graphy: Prof. J. A. Fleming, F.R.S.

RÖNTGEN SOCIETY, at 8.30.-On the Electric Field surrounding the X-Ray Tube: Rev. P. Mulholland.

LINNEAN SOCIETY, at 8.-On the Anatomy and Development of Cowyr infelix; Miss Alice L. Embleton.-Scottish Freshwater Plankton Messrs. W. and G. S. West.

Blanchan: "How to Attract the Birds."-R.L.
Owen: "Telephone Lines."-M. S..
Murché: "The Globe Geography Readers. Inter-
mediate. Our Island Home"

Letters to the Editor :

Psychophysical Interaction-Dr. E. W. Hobson,
F.R.S.; J. W. Sharpe: Dr. W. Peddie; C. T.
Preece

Extension of Kelvin's Thermoelectric Theory. -Oliver
Heaviside, F.R.S.

The Farthest North. (Illustrated.)
The Restoration of the Land of Chaldea
The Dalton Celebrations at Manchester. (Illustrated.)
By E. C. E.

The Atomic Theory and the Development of

Modern Chemistry. By P. J. Hartog

Notes

73

74

75

76

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