Societies and Academies

Abstract

PARIS Academy of Sciences, August 13.—M. Blanchard, president, in the chair.—On Kekulé's β-butylglycol CH3—CH.—OH—CH2—CH2. OH, obtained as an accessory product of the hydrogenation of aldehyde, by M. Ad. Wurtz.—On the laws of reflection as applied to the displacements of elastic bodies of definite form acted on by external force?, by M. X. Kretz.—A comparison of the hypotheses of magnetic fluids and molecular current, by M. P. Le Cordier.—Experimental researches on the action of a liquid introduced by a special process into the tissues of the vine for the purpose of destroying phylloxera (continued), by M. P. Lafitte.—Note on a composition employed by Mr. Hatch of San José, California, for the destruction of phylloxera, by M. J. Caire. The constituents of this compound are equal oweights of sulphuret of carbon, potash, oxide of iron, and sulphur, mixed with eight times the same amount of mercury.— On copper as a preventative and curative of cholera, by M. V. Burg. After a study of thirty years the author concludes that copper absorbed in various ways into the system acts as an almost perfect prophylactic, the exceptions not being more numerous than in the case of vaccination as a preventative of small-pox. Amongst other precautions he recommends the external application of copper under the metallic form of armatures, plates, or even ordinary coins; the burning of dichloride of copper in alcoholic lamps; wine mixed with the natural mineral water of Saint-Christau; and the use of vegetables rendered green by sulphate of copper. The question of the treatment of cholera patients by copper is reserved for a future communication.—In connection with this subject, M. P. Davin recalls a memoir addressed by him to the Academy in July, 1873, on the bronze dust used in gilding as a specific against cholera.—Observations relative to a previous communication of M. A. Gaillot on the changes produced in the length of the Julian year, by Mr. E. J. Stone of the Radcliffe Observatory, Oxford.—On the determination of the right ascensions of circuinpolar stars, by MM. Ch. André and Gounessiat.—On the critical point of oxygen, by M. E. Sarrau.—On the distribution of the caloric liberated or absorbed by oxygen and carbon respectively when combining to form oxide of carbon and carbonic acid, by M. A. Boillot.—On the composition of the asphalt or bitumen of the Dead Sea, by M. B. Delachanal. The presence of sulphur in considerable quantities is determined, implying a mineral origin, and distinguishing this bitumen from all others, which are of organic origin.—On the danger of contagion from the use of cracked stoneware in infectious diseases, by M. E. Peyrusson. It is shown that the germs of cholera, typhoid fever, and similar disorders may be preserved even in the slight fissures on the glazed surface to which all crockery and faience are liable.—Memoir on wheaten flours (part ii.), by M. Ballard. The author shows that variable quantities of gluten may be obtained from the same flour, according to the different treatments to which it is subjected—On the origin of individuality in the higher animals, by M. de Lacaze-Duthiers.—On the evaporation of marine and fresh water in the Rhone delta and at Constantine in Algeria, by M. Dieulafait.—On the means employed to determine by continuous registration the slight movements in the crust of the earth, by M. B. de Chancourtois.—On the cultivation of the date-palm in soils charged with marine salt, by M. A. Richard. The present flourishing condition of the palm-groves at Elche and Alicante, on the south-east coast of Spain, shows that this plant thrives well in land saturated with salt water.