mmune to anthrax by inoculation with the lymph and blood of ogs which had been subjected to various treatment. Previous bservers had succeeded in conferring immunity with the use of imilar substances. The object of the investigation, however, was to ascertain the changes in the character and relative number f the white cells of the blood after protective vaccination and fter the introduction of virulent anthrax. From four to several ours after the injection of the vaccine a great increase in the umber of the white cells is noticeable; and the most remark. ble feature is the augmentation in number of the coarsely ranular (eosinophile) corpuscles. The relative proportion in he numbers of the different varieties of cells is therefore altered, o that instead of forming only from 2 to 4 per cent. of the total umber of white cells, the eosinophile corpuscles now constitute bout 10 to 25 per cent. This increase persists only a short time, nd on the third day the cells may have returned to a normal ondition; and at this stage hyaline cells ingesting granular cells may be detected in numbers in certain localities. Although the lood has thus apparently returned to the normal condition, it s found that the state of eosinophile leucocytosis is rapidly eproduced on the introduction of virulent anthrax. After noculation with a virulent culture of the microbes, the eosinohile cells appear in great numbers, so that they may form 50 er cent. of the white corpuscles, and in one instance an even igher percentage was found. These cells are not only increased number but are also larger and have larger granules. Similar hanges were observed in guinea pigs rendered immune by Dr. Haffkine to the common bacillus. In non-vaccinated rabbits he introduction of anthrax causes profound leucocytosis, but the ells are all very small and the eosinophile corpuscles are only lightly increased in number. General infection occurs in 36 to 8 hours, rapidly followed by death.-On numerical variation in igits, in illustration of a principle of symmetry, by Mr. W. Bateson. An account was given of cases of variation in number f digits so occurring that the parts are symmetrical about a new xis in the limb. Of these the phenomena seen in the bones of number of polydactyle cats were chiefly important. The noral hind foot of the cat has four toes, each bearing a claw retracted y an elastic ligament to a notch on the external side of the cond phalanx. This circumstance differentiates digits formed s lefts from those formed as rights. As extra digits are added a the internal side of the limb the symmetry changes. The mb being taken as a right, the variations seen are as follows: ) Hallux present, making five digits: index is then intermediate tween right and left. (2) Six digits present, internal having vo phalanges: the three external digits are then normal rights, e next two are formed as lefts; the internal, having a nontractile claw, is indifferent. (3) Six digits present, internal ving three fully-formed phalanges and rectractile claw : e three externals are then normal rights, and the three ternals are formed as left digits, thus forming two groups in lateral symmetry about an axis passing between the digits iving the relations of index and medius. Several cases of double hand" in Man form a similar progressive series, and ialogous facts in other animals were instanced.

PARIS.

Academy of Sciences, March 13.-M. Loewy in the chair. On the true theory of waterspouts and tornadoes, with special ference to that of Lawrence, Massachusetts, by M. H. Faye. be tornado which ravaged the town of Lawrence on July 26, 91, was observed to de-cend to the earth and reascend four nes during its passage over a tract of country seventeen miles ng. After each temporary ascent to the clouds no effect was oduced on the land just below. This fact tends to confirm M. ye's theory, according to which tornadoes, waterspouts, and clones have their origin not in hot convection currents from e soil, but in disturbances in the higher strata of the mosphere. The observed cases of upward suction of heavy jects are explained as effects of the reflection of downward rrents by the soil On an electric furnace, by MM. Henri oissan and Jules Violle (see Notes"). The pancreas d the nervous centres controlling the glycemic funcn; experiments tending to exhibit the parts played by ch of these agents respectively in the formation of glycose the liver, by MM. A. Chauveau and M. Kaufmun.escription of a new species of bilateral Holothuria (Georisia nata), by M. Edmond Perrier.-On the observation of the adows of Jupiter's satellites, by M. J. J. Lauderer.-On the

formulæ for annual aberration, by M. Gaillot.-On the transcendentals defined by the differential equations of the second order, by M. Paul Painlevé.-A theorem of infinitesimal geometry, by M. G. Koenigs.-New semicircular interference fringes, by M. G. Meslin.-Photography of certain phenomena furnished by combinations of gratings, by M. Izarn. On placing a lens with large radius of curvature upon a grating, broad rings, concentric with the Newton's rings observed at the same time, were seen and fixed photographically by means of a layer of sensitised gelatine poured over the lens. On placing one photographic copy of a grating upon another of the same grating, a series of more or less rectilinear fringes was observed, running on the whole transversely to the rulings. A similar phenomenon is described by Brewster in the Philosophical Magazine of 1856.- Photographic properties of cerium salts, by MM. Auguste and Louis Lumière. Cerium gives rise to two principal types of salts, cerous and ceric. The former are very stable, the latter are easily reduced, the organic salts being so easily reduced that they cannot be isolated. The best photographic results were obtained with ceric sulphate and nitrate. Paper was soaked in aqueous solutions of these salts and exposed to light under a transparency obtained from a negative. Where the light penetrated, the ceric salt was reduced and the paper changed colour. The image was developed by treating with some carbon compound of the aromatic series, forming an insoluble pigment with the unreduced ceric salt, and fixed by washing. In an acid solution the prints turned grey with phenol, green with aniline salts and orthotoluidine, brown with amidobenzoic acid, &c. The ceric salts are considerably more sensitive than the corresponding ferric and manganic salts. Intense and rapid heating process by means of the electric current, by MM. Lagrange and Hoho. A bar of steel I cm. thick formed one electrode of a strong current passing through an electrolyte. The other electrode had a large surface. The heating was so rapid that, on breaking the current, the liquid suddenly cooling the bar was found to have imparted a brittle structure only to a superficial layer, the rest not having been heated (see also the Bulletin of the Belgian Academy). -On metallic osmium, by MM. A. Joly and M. Vèzes (see "Notes").-Researches on thallium; redetermination of its atomic weight, by M. Ch. Lepierre.-On the fluorides of zinc and cadmium, by M. Poulenc.-Quantitative determination of mercury in dilute solutions of sublimate, by M. Léɔ Vignon.— Alkaline polyphenolic phenates, by M. de Forcrand.-Isomerism of the amido-benzoic acids, by M. Oechsner de Coninck.Action of carbonic oxide upon reduced hæmatine and upon hæmochromogen, by MM. H. Bertin-Sans and J. Moitessier.The toxic substance which produces tetanus results from the action of a soluble ferment produced by Nicolaïer's bacillus, by MM. J. Courmont and H. Doyon.-Action of cold on visceral circulation, by M. E. Wertheimer.-On the affinities of the genus Oreosoma, Cuvier, by M. Léon Vaillant.-On a new mineral species from Bamle, Norway, by M. Leopold Michel.On a chloritoid schist of the Carpathians, by MM. L. Duparc and L. Mrazec.

BERLIN.

Physical Society, February 10.-Prof. du Bois Reymond, President, in the chair.-Dr. Raps exhibited and explained a photographic registration-apparatus which he had constructed, primarily for the purpose of obtaining a permanent record of the readings of the voltmeter at central electric stations, but which could also be used for meteorological and physical purposes. The principle of the instrument is as follows. Parallel rays from an incandescent lampare made to fall on a narrow slit in front of which is the recording needle of the voltmeter or other instrument. The shadow of this needle then causes a white break in the dark image of the slit as cast on to sensitised paper. The paper is moved forward by clockwork, and the hour intervals are simultaneously printed on it by means of a rotating glass disc. The apparatus is arranged so as not to necessitate any dark chamber for its use, or for the manipulation of the sensitised paper. Prof. Kundt exhibited as lantern pictures two photograph of spectra, of which one showed very marked col urs from the red to the violet end, and a photograph of some green twigs with red berries on them. The three photographs had been taken by Lippmann in Paris, and sent to Prof. von Helmholtz. Prof. Kundt then gave an account of some experiments carried on in his laboratory on the influence of temperature on electromagnetic rotation of light in iron, cobalt, and nickel. Trustworthy results

could only be obtained with nickel owing to the oxidation of the thin films of iron and cobalt at high temperatures (300°). With nickel a rise of temperature produced at first no change in the rotation, but above 300° a sudden diminution was observed which rapidly became progressively greater; the relationship of the diminution of rotation to the increase of temperature was the same as for the magnetic susceptibility of the metal.

February 24.-Prof. Schwalbe, President, in the chair. -Dr. Raps demonstrated his latest and most improved form of automatic gas-pump for blood-gas analysis. Dr. Richarz developed, in accordance with the kinetic theory of gases, and under certain assumptions as to the constitution of solid bodies, the formulæ for the law of Dulong and Petit. The formulæ furnished an explanation of the divergence from this law which is exhibited by certain elements. Dr. Gross spoke on the laws of energy, proceeding with his criticism of Clausius's views, stating that he regarded Clausius's second law as unproved, and finally coming to the conclusion that entropy is

constant.

Physiological Society, February 17.-Prof. Zuntz, President, in the chair.-Dr. von Noorden gave an account of four experiments on nutrition carried out under his direction on men. The first established the fact that nitrogenous waste, as in the case of diabetes, even when excess of proteid is given, can be most definitely lessened by the ingestion of large quantities of carbohydrates. Fats cannot take the place of carbohydrates in the above. The second showed that when carbohydrates are given in increasing quantities over a prolonged period to a person in nitrogenous and calorimetric equilibrium, they lead for the most part to a storage of fat (95 per cent.), and to a less extent of proteid (5 per cent.). The speaker expressed the opinion that this proteid is laid on in the living cell as a sort of non-living reserve proteid. The third set of experiments showed that when the food of a fat person is diminished down to the requirements of a seven- to ten-year-old child, then any increase of its proteid constituents leads to a storage of proteid with a simultaneously considerable loss of fat. Experiments on the respiratory interchange of the person experimented upon showed that the intake of oxygen had been reduced to a minimum and that the respiratory quotient was 0.7. The last set of experiments, made on a gouty patient, showed that with a constant diet, the ratio of intake and output of nitrogen was very variable, at one time a large amount of nitrogen being retained in the body while at another time much more nitrogen was excreted than was given with the food.

AMSTERDAM.

Royal Academy of Sciences, February 25.-Prof. van de Sande Bakhuyzen in the chair.-Mr. Weber read a paper on the origin of the mammalian hair. The author gave a résumé of his earlier researches on the scales of mammals, which led him to the hypothesis that the primitive mammals were covered with true scales. A weak point in this hypothesis was, that except Manis and the Dasypodidæ, generally the tail alone is scaled. The author showed, however, that according to the researches of H. de Meyere, the arrangement of the hairs on scaleless skin of numerous mammals is the same as that in scaled parts. Both are placed in alternating groups. The author believed that primitive mammals were covered with scales, and that few and small hairs were placed behind them. On acquiring a constant temperature the hair coat got denser as a good protection from loss of heat. This was the cause of the reduction of the scales, and also mostly of their final loss.-Mr. Lorentz dealt with the

influence of the motion of the earth on the propagation of light in doubly refracting media. In the September meeting the author communicated a simple form for the equations which determine the pro agation of light in isotropic bodies, moving through the æther with a constant velocity p, the æther itself being supposed to remain at rest. It is now shown how these formulæ are to be modified in the case of a crystallised medium, and to what consequences they lead, as to the motion of light, relatively to the ponderable matter. The velocity of propagation of a ray of light (to be distinguished from that of the waves) is found to be W cos 6, W, being the value for the same direction and for p

=

Wo

Р

n2

= 0, the angle between the ray and

the velocity, V the velocity of light in vacuo, and n =

minimum (ds being a linear element). Owing to the above vare of W, the motion of the earth will neither affect the course the rays nor the interference phenomena. In this way seco experimental results of Ketteler (Astronomische Undulation theorie, pp. 151-173, Pogg. Ann Bd. 147), and Mascart (Am de l'Ecole normale, 2o série, t. i. pp. 191-196) may be explained. -Mr. Kamerlingh Onnes gave the results of measurements c Dr. Zeeman on the dispersion of Sissingh's magneto-optic diffe ence of phase in Kerr's phenomenon. The dispersion is contrar to the theory of Drude.-He described further a new entopal phenomenon found by Dr. Zeeman in sighting a split, and com municated the results of the measurements of Dr. de Vries the variation of the ascension of capillary tubes for æther the temperature from 102°C. to the critical temperature 1931 The surface work plotted in function of temperature gives s curve turning the convex side to the axis of temperature and ending tangentially to it.

BOOKS, PAMPHLETS, and SERIALS RECEIVED BOOKS.-An Elementary Treatise on Pure Geometry: J. W. R (Clarendon Press).-Comité International des Poids et Mesures, Quirzem Rapport (Paris, Gauthier-Villars). The Intellige ce of Animals: G# Purnell (Christchurch, N.Z, Whitcombe and Tombs)-How to Imra the Physique: Medicus" (tock) Handbook of Jamaica, 1893 Stan ford).-Modern Meteorology: Dr. F. Waldo (Scott). -Gesammelte Abas lungen über Pflanzen Physiologie: J. Sachs, Zweiter Band (Leipzig, Er mann)-An Elementary Treatise on Modern Pure Geometry: R. Laca (Macmillan). The Food of Plants: A. P. Laurie (Macmillan)-Elementa Physiography: Dr. H. Dickie (Collins).

PAMPHLETS.-Ueber die Bestimmung der Gengraphischen Länge us Breite und der Drei Elemente des Erdmagnetismus, &c.: Dr. H. Fritt (St Petersburg).-Diseases incident to Workpeople in Chemical and t Industries: W. Smith (Eyre and Spottiswoode).

SERIALS.-Himmel und Erde. Marz (Berlin, Paetel)-Revista Ine nazio ale di Scienze Sociali e Discipline Ausiliarie, February (RomJournal of the Chemical Society, March (Gurney and Jack-on)-A de l'Observatoire de Moscou, deux série, vol 3, liv. 1 (Moscou)—Meta Magazine, March (Southwood).- Botanische Jahrbucher, Fünfze Band, v. Heft (Williams and Norgate).-Transactions of the Wagner Fer Institute of Science of Philadelphia, vol. 3, part 2 (Philadelphia).

V

W

Books, Pamphlets, and Serials Received

DIARY OF SOCIETIES.

LONDON.

THURSDAY, MARCH 23.

ROYAL SOCIETY. at 4.30.-On the Composition of Water by Volume: A. Scott-On the Densities of the Principal Gases: Lord Rayleigh, Sec. R.S. The Variation of Surface-Energy with Temperature: Prof. Ramsay, F.R S., and Dr. Shields.-The Absolute Thermal Conductivities of Iron and Copper: R. W. Stewart.-Preliminary Notice on the Arrow Poison of the Wa Nyika and other Tribes of East Equatorial Africa: Prof. Fraser, F. R.S., and Dr. Tillie.

INSTITUTION OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS, at 8.-On a New Form of Portable Photometer: Sir David Salomons, Bart.-Earth Currents in Jadia: E. O. Walker.-Notes on the Influence of Electricity on Tanning Operations: C. K. Falkenstein.

ROYAL INSTITUTION, at 3.-The Great Revival-A Study in Mediæval History: Rev. Augustus Jessopp.

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