Fortschritte der naturwissenschaftlichen Forschung

Abstract

THESE further volumes of a valuable work are quite up to the level of the preceding ones. There is, however, a considerable reduction in the number of the separate essays, and while this enables the writers to deal with their subjects at greater length, it somewhat narrows the range. In vol. iii., A. Wegener deals with recent investigations in atmospheric physics, including the stratification of the atmosphere, the isothermal layer, the formation of air-billows, the structure of hail and thunder clouds, and Birkeland and Störmer's electronic theory of the aurora. The article is lavishly illustrated by photographs and diagrams. W. Johansen, of Copenhagen, deals with heredity on the principle of the genotype, i.e. the aggregate of inherited tendencies embodied in the germ. His main thesis is to show that genotypes differ discon-tinuously, and thus recall the discontinuities between chemical species. Dr. Gustav Eichhorn, of Zurich, has an essay on the present position of wireless telegraphy and telephony. The system chiefly dealt with is the Telefunken system. As regards telephony, we find an interesting account of the comparative merits of Duddell, Poulsen, and Goldschmidt's recently invented high-frequency generator.

Fortschritte der naturwissenschaftlichen Forschung.

Herausgegeben von Prof. E. Abderhalden. Dritter Band. Pp. iv + 352. Price 16 marks. Vierter Band. Pp. iii + 300. Price 15 marks. (Berlin and Vienna: Urban and Schwarzenberg, 1911 and 1912.)