Societies and Academies

Abstract

PARIS Academy of Sciences, September 22.—M. Daubrée in the chair.—The following papers were read:—On evolution in medicine, by M. Sedillot. The sagacious character of the Hippocratic ideas is demonstrated by the evolution of modern medicine.—Influence of atmospheric electricity on the growth, flowering, and fructification of plants, by M. Naudin. M. Grandeau, from experiments with tobacco and maize, affirmed florescence and fructification to be retarded and impoverished by withdrawal of plants from atmospheric electricity (by means of iron for wooden cages placed over them, the proximity of trees, or other bodies attracting atmospheric electricity). M. Naudin, from an extension of such experiments, thinks the influence of atmospheric electricity on plants is complex and far from being understood as yet. It is probably modified first by the nature of the plant species, then by climate, season, temperature, degree of light, dry or wet weather, perhaps, too, by the geological structure or mineralogical composition of the soil, whose layers clo not equally conduct electricity. Possibly, too, tree species dc not all withdraw the electric influence in the same degree.—Theoretical essay on the law of Dulong and Petit; case of perfect gases, by M. Willotte.—A work by MM. Franchet and Savatier, on the plants of Japan, was presented. It gives nearly 3,000 species, about one-fourth of which have not before been indicated in that country, and more than 200 of which are absolutely new. The work is made available for naturalists of the country by means of a table of Japanese synonyms.—On the organisation and classification of the Ortho-nectida, by M. Giard.—Meteorological observations at Montsouris Observatory in August (table).