MR. T. FISHER UNWIN has published a second edition of "Methods in Plant Histology," by Dr. C. J. Chamberlain, of the University of Chicago. The first edition of the book appeared in 1901, and was reviewed in our issue of November 28, 1901 (vol. lxv., p. 75). It is only necessary to say of the present edition that more attention has been given to the collection of materials. Prof. Kleb's methods for securing various reproductive phases in the algae and fungi have been outlined, and methods for growing other laboratory material are more complete. New chapters dealing with microchemical tests, free-hand sections, special methods, and the use of the microscope are included.

OUR ASTRONOMICAL COLUMN. SPY-SPOT AND CHROMOSPHERIC SPECTRA.-A paper of exceptional interest to workers in solar physics was read by Prof. A. Fowler at the April meeting of the Royal Astronomical Society.

Whilst observing the bright lines in the spectra of metallic prominences on the sun's limb, Prof. Fowler has been able to classify them into "long" and "short" lines, a fact which points to their origin being in the higher and the lower chromosphere respectively; he also states the fact that the lines emitted by the upper chromosphere, the "long" lines, are those which, speaking generally, are enhanced when passing from the arc to the spark in terrestrial spectroscopy.

86

Further, Prof. Fowler found that these long lines are generally weakened in sun-spot spectra, whilst the short lines are generally widened, or strengthened. The evidence for this differential treatment of "enhanced and arc lines in the solar atmosphere is most conclusive for the elements iron, titanium, and chromium (the Observatory, No. 370).

PROPOSED DAILY PHOTOGRAPHS OF CHROMOSPHERIC RADIATIONS-A paper by M. Deslandres, which is published in the Comptes rendus for May 7, discusses in detail the possibility of obtaining daily photographs of the radiations emitted by the solid and liquid particles of the chromosphere, without waiting for the rare occasions afforded by total eclipses of the sun.

In order to do this M. Deslandres proposes to employ an apparatus similar to that used by him for the same purpose during the last eclipse, and to obtain a concentrated image of the chromosphere, without the photosphere, by a special arrangement of mirrors and lenses.

If the coloured screens are insufficient, it is suggested that the spectroheliograph might be employed. By obtaining the ordinary spectroheliograms with K, and K2, and then another in which the bright interspaces, i.e. the conFinuous spectrum, were projected on to the primary slit, it would be possible to separate the parts due to the particles from those parts of the chromospheric radiations due to permanent gases.

M. Deslandres further suggests that the same methods, if successful in this instance, might be employed for the analysis of the structure of other celestial bodies such as nebulæ and comets.

STARS WITH VARIABLE RADIAL VELOCITIES.-A list of four stars the radial velocities of which have been found to be variable is published by Mr. J. H. Moore in No. 3, vol. xx, of the Astrophysical Journal.

The radial velocity of Ursa Majoris has been found to rary between 1 km. and -10 km., that of x Hydræ between +15 km. and +24 km., and that of μ Ursa Majoris between -16 km. and +27.4 km. In the case

of

Ophiuchi, discovered to be a spectroscopic binary by Mr S. Albrecht, the variation of the velocity is found to agree, in point of time, with the light variation, both having the period 17-12 days.

Four other spectroscopic binaries with variable velocities are announced by Prof. Frost in the same journal. The first two, B.D. -11004 and 29 Canis Majoris, are remarkable for the long range of their velocities and their short periods. In the former of these two, the radial velocity changed from +132 km. on February 12 to

-34 km. on February 16, whilst that of the second star changed as follows:-1906 January 26, 164 km.; January 29, -3 km.; February 12, −243 km.; February 16, -92 km. Owing to under-exposure, these results are, however, slightly uncertain.

The stars μ Orionis and T Monocerotis have also been shown to have variable velocities in the line of sight.

OBSERVATIONS OF NOVA PERSEI NO. 2.-No. 96 of the Lick Observatory Bulletins is devoted to the publication of the results obtained by Messrs. Townley and Maddrill from magnitude observations of Nova Persei No. 2.

The observations extended over the period February 24, 1901, to July 5, 1902, the magnitude on the latter date being 9.4.

The table given contains the weighted, mean magnitudes of the Nova on more than one hundred nights, with notes on the observing conditions and the comparison stars and instruments employed.

OBSERVATIONS OF SHADOW BANDS.-In No. 4086 of the Astronomische Nachrichten Dr. M. Roso de Luna, of Madrid, briefly describes a new arrangement of screens for the observation of the shadow bands during total eclipses of the sun. Altogether he proposes to employ six screens, one horizontal, two vertical (N. and S. and E. and W.), one oriented to the azimuth of the sun at the moment of totality and another perpendicular to it, and one placed in the direction of the wind.

Such an arrangement was employed at Soria (Spain) during the last eclipse, and the following results obtained :breadth of bands, 2 cm. ; distance from one band to the next, 6 cm. ; velocity of the movement of the bands, 30 metres per minute.

THE RADIAL MOTION OF B ARIETIS.-In No. 4090 of the Astronomische Nachrichten Herr H. Ludendorff publishes the results obtained from an investigation of the radial velocities of B Arietis during the period October 21, 1902, to December 16, 1904.

Thirty-seven spectrograms were obtained with the spectrograph No. iv. (three prisms) of the Potsdam Observatory attached to the 32-5 cm. refractor, and the range of the velocities determined was from +60 km. (on January 19, 1903) to 17 km. (on December 25, 1903).

From an analysis of the results, Herr Ludendorff concludes that the period of B Arietis is 321/n days, where n is equal to or less than 5.

PUBLICATIONS OF THE NICOLAS OBSERVATORY, ST. PETERSBURG. We have just received vols. iii. and xiv. (series ii.) of the "Publications de l'Observatoire central Nicolas, St. Petersburg.'

The former contains a catalogue of right-ascensions of the principal stars contained in the Pulkowa catalogue for the epoch 1885-0, the results being based on observations made between September, 1880, and November, 1887, with the meridian telescope. The catalogue is published in the same form as those which appeared in 1845 and 1865.

Vol. xiv. contains a part of the results of the observations made with the vertical circle of the observatory between May 1, 1896, and May 19, 1899. The remaining part of the results and the discussion of the whole are reserved for the next volume (xv.) of the publications.

THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY, GREENWICH. THE annual inspection of the Royal Observatory, Green

wich by the Board of Visitors took place on Wednesday, May 30, when the Astronomer Royal submitted a report of the work accomplished during the twelve months May 11, 1905, to May 10, 1906. A brief summary of this report is given below.

The new working catalogue of stars of the ninth magnitude and brighter, situated between declinations +24° and +32°, is now complete, and includes more than 12,000 stars; the star-places have all been accurately brought up to 1910 from the Astronomische Gesellschaft catalogues. A new determination of the pivot errors of the transit instrument, made during November, showed that the errors in the form of the pivots are insensible. The determination of the co-latitude for 1905 has been delayed by the necessity

of applying the corrections to the star-places due to the variation of latitude. The value found for 1904, with Bessel's refractions, is 38° 31' 21"-74.

The second nine-year catalogue, for epoch 1900, which was completed last year, will be divided into two sections, one containing the fundamental and zodiacal stars, the other the astrographic reference stars. For the second section the places (for 1900) of the stars within 10° of the pole have already been determined, and a comparison of these with the places given in Carrington's Redhill catalogue should discover a number of proper motions hitherto undetermined, thereby providing new material for the discussion of the solar motion.

Mr. Cowell has completed the discussion of the Greenwich meridian observations of the moon from 1750 to the present time, and has found the necessity of introducing three empirical terms, of which the third has a period of about 300 years. Because the introduction of this term renders the determination of the secular acceleration of the moon from modern observations impossible, Mr. Cowell has worked up the conditions for six ancient eclipses of which the historical records seem to be fairly authentic. By introducing accelerations of eleven seconds per century for the moon and four seconds for the sun, he found it possible to bring the conditions of every one of these eclipses into agreement with the historical records of the phenomena attending them. By treating ten of the lunar eclipses recorded in the Almagest in the same way, additional evidence for the existence of these accelerations was obtained. At first glance the acceleration for the sun was difficult to account for, and Mr. Cowell hypothecated a resisting medium through which the earth travels; but more recently he has found that a lengthening of the day by the two-hundredth part of a second per century would account for the quantity required for this acceleration. As one of the principal features of Mr. Cowell's discussion was the employment of the day as the unit of time, the lengthening of that unit would produce the apparent acceleration.

was

was

Owing to the re-mounting and re-polishing of the object glass the altazimuth was out of use from July 12 to August 30, but for the remainder of the year it employed for observations of the sun, moon, planets, and fundamental stars. The lunar crater Mösting A observed whenever the conditions were favourable, and, as the same kind of observations are being made at the Cape Observatory, the results will serve to determine anew the parallax of our satellite. The value obtained from the discussion of the two sets of observations should be more

trustworthy than that previously obtained, which depended solely upon observations of the moon's limb, a much more difficult feature to 66 set on than the crater. Mösting A was also observed with the transit circle whenever possible, and the mutual agreement of the two sets of results was very satisfactory.

Eight hundred and twenty-three double and twenty-four single observations of various stars were made with the reflex zenith tube, and the results have been reduced up to March 31.

The weather was not favourable during the year for observations of difficult double stars with the 28-inch refractor, but the time was utilised in completing the measures of neglected doubles in Struve's 66 Mensuræ Micrometrica "; the total number observed was 606, of which 158 have their components separated by less than 1.0, and seventy by less than o"-5. The diameters of Jupiter and his satellites were also measured with this instrument. Both the polar and equatorial diameters of Jupiter were observed, first with the filar micrometer and then with the double-image micrometer, on each night, and it was found that the mean of the results of the two methods produced a very good value for the diameter. The error caused by irradiation in the filar micrometer observation is apparently exactly corrected by the error introduced in the second method by the fact that when the two images are apparently in contact they actually overlap to a slight extent.

The 26-inch refractor was employed on twenty-eight nights in obtaining seventy-two photographs of Neptune and its satellite, using the occulting shutter as in previous These photographs are now being measured.

years.

A number of photographs of Jupiter's newly-discovered satellites vi. and vii. were obtained with the 30-inch reflector. This success is remarkable because it was the expressed opinion of the discoverer of the satellites that vii. was too faint to be photographed through our Briti-p atmosphere. Yet nineteen photographs of this object werk secured at Greenwich on fifteen nights, and eighty-. negatives of satellite vi. were taken on thirty-six night. The 30-inch reflector was also employed for obtaining photographs of twenty-three minor planets, five comer. Nova Aquila, and several nebulæ.

The reduction of the Eros plates is complete, and the results have been communicated to M. Loewy.

At the date of last year's report the measurement the Greenwich plates for the Astrographic Catalogue wa> complete, but a number of the measures have been re peated, and the press copy has been prepared for the seven zones 80° to 86°. The measures of the eight zones to 84° have been printed during the year, and inclu 46,329 separate stars covering an area of 450 square degree of sky. The remaining 78.5 square degrees between 83 and the pole will include about 6000 stars. An interesting table given in the report shows the number of stars which have been measured, and will be contained in the Greenwich section of the catalogue, and compares it with th number shown in each of the corresponding zones of th Bonn Durchmusterung and the Astronomische Gesellschaft catalogues. Thus it is shown that the total in the Greenwich section will be about 178,380, whilst for the same region the B.D. contains only 25,184 stars. A similar table compares the number of stars shown on the Green wich chart plates in several zones with those contained in the corresponding zones of the B.D. In the total ares of 558-3 square degrees the latter contains 2259 stars of magnitude 9.0 and brighter, and 6542 altogether, whilst for the different exposures given for the Greenwich plates the following numbers are shown:

...

20 secs.

3m.

6m.

40m.

Exposure
Number of stars... 12,019 56,921 58,393 170,180

Thus on the plates taken at Greenwich with form minutes' exposure there are 304-8 stars per square degree. and about twenty-six times as many stars as are given in the corresponding region in the B.D. The second Greenwich volume of the Astrographic Catalogue is printed up to the end of 84°, and will soon be ready for publication. Twelve thousand photographic prints, reproducing on double scale 191 plates in zones 65° to 70°, have been made during the year, bringing the total number of plates reproduced since the work began up to 401, or rather more than one-third of those contained in the Greenwich section. During the year under report the astrographic telescope has been used to obtain duplicate plates for the chart to replace previous ones which are not entirely satisfactory for reproduction purposes.

Heliographic observations were carried out as usual, the sun being photographed on 210 days. The solar activity was very pronounced during 1905, the record for that year being about double that for 1904.

The magnetic observations were made as in former years and the principal results for the magnetic elements for 190= were as follow:

16° 9''9 West 40173 (in British units) 18523 (in metric units) 66° 55′ 55′′

Mean declination Mean horizontal force Mean dip (with 3-inch needle)... There were no days of great magnetic disturbance, and only twelve days of lesser disturbance in 1905.

The various meteorological observations were continuous), maintained throughout the year, the mean temperatur being o°2 above, and the rainfall 1-21 inches below, their respective averages for the fifty years 1841-1890.

In the chronometer and time-service department the re port follows the usual lines, but the Astronomer Rox.." remarks on the inferiority of the box chronometers and the superiority of the watches submitted for tests during the period covered by the report. Of fifty-nine chronometers sent in, thirty-three were rejected because they failed to attain the minimum standard of constancy. Thes

is a larger number of rejections than in any previous year, although the number submitted was smaller than usual.

In concluding the report, the Astronomer Royal directs attention to the serious menace to the continued efficiency of the observatory on its present site involved in the stablishment in the immediate neighbourhood of large generating stations for the supply of electric power to distant districts. The most serious danger at present arises from the new power station erected by the London County Council, which is situated directly north of the observatory. Not only will the high chimneys actually prevent stars from being seen when near the northern horizon, but the heated gases arising from the buildings may seriously affect the accuracy of any results obtained. Again, the rew station is but half a mile from the observatory, and the running of the engines, although their number is not vet complete, produces serious tremors on the mercury reflecting surface, on the steadiness of which the accuracy of the astronomical results is critically dependent. present the instruments employed in the magnetic pavilion have shown no disturbance, but it is greatly to be feared that the contemplated increase of the electrical plant will also have a serious effect on the work of this department.

At

THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH AND THE NATIONAL GALLERIES OF SCOTLAND BILL.

ON Friday last, June 1, the Secretary for Scotland re ceived an important deputation of the Royal Society of Edinburgh regarding the claims of science in the readjustment of grants in aid and allocation of national buildings as contemplated in the National Galleries of Scotland Bill recently introduced in Parliament.

The chief point discussed was the position of the society in regard to its present occupancy of part of the Royal Institution, Princes Street. The deputation, which was very representative of science in Scotland, was introduced by Sir J. Batty Tuke, M.P. The claims of the society were presented by Lord M'Laren, vice-president; Mr. J. W. Gulland, M.P.; Principal Sir William Turner, of Edinburgh University; Principal Mackay, Dundee; Prof. Cash, Aberdeen; Prof. Gray, Glasgow; and Prof. Chrystal, secretary of the society. It was pointed out that in the National Galleries Bill, which contemplates devoting the Royal Institution, as well as the present National Gallery building, entirely to art, no provision is made for the Royal Society, which has occupied the west wing of the Royal Institution since that building was constructed seventy rears ago, and for which, indeed, the building was originally designed. The deputation suggested the introduction of a clause safeguarding the position of the society, en that it shall not be dispossessed until equally good and Convenient rooms have been obtained elsewhere out of public money. It will be impossible to carry on the important work of the society, especially as regards the publication of valuable and expensive memoirs, without this guarantee. Not only so, but it was urged that the Royal Society of Edinburgh should be placed on the same footing as the Royal Society of London and the Royal Irish Academy, both of which sit rent free in Government buildings, and receive grants to the extent of 1000l. and 1600l. respectively. The Royal Society of Edinburgh receives a grant of 300l., which, however, is nearly all paid back to the Board of Manufactures in the form of rent. The Royal Society of London and five other scientific societies are accommodated in Burlington House next door to the Royal Academy, and it is hoped that a similar principle will be applied in Edinburgh.

The Secretary for Scotland expressed his hearty sympathy with all that had been said as to the importance of scientifir work and the national character of the work done by the Roval Society. The National Galleries Bill introduced I the present Government is practically the Bill of last Session with some minor alterations. The whole question has been gone into very carefully, and the conclusion is to put the National Gallery into the south building, and give to the Royal Academy the Royal Institution, part of which is at present occupied by the Royal Society. The accommodation for the National Gallery and for the

Academy will thus be doubled, and ample scope will be given for future development. It is not possible to house the Royal Society and the Royal Academy in the same building. The decision has been come to after review of all the circumstances, and it carries with it the obligation to find accommodation consistent with the necessities and prestige of the Royal Society. It is the desire and intention of the Government to meet the reasonable demands of the Royal Society in a liberal spirit; and the Secretary for Scotland suggested that the Royal Society should consider the new situation which has been created, and should formulate some scheme for the consideration of the Government.

THE DISCOVERY OF MAGNETIC DECLINATION.

THE Meteorologische Zeitschrift for April contains an interesting article by Prof. G. Hellmann on the knowledge of the magnetic declination before the time of Christopher Columbus. Some years ago Prof. Hellmann pointed out that, independently of the discovery by Columbus, the variation must have been known on the Continent, from the construction of many pocket sundials provided with magnetic needles for adjusting the instruments to the astronomical meridian, and showing the declination by a line on the floor of the compass-box.

Dr. A. Wolkenhauer recently discovered three such sundials dating from before the time of Columbus. One of these, which is in the Ferdinand Museum at Innsbruck, and

was probably made at Nuremberg, is shown in the accompanying photographs by Hofrath von Wieser. The glass shade and magnetic needle have been removed so that the lines on the bottom of the box might be more plainly shown. The lid or flap, which has also been removed, and which adjusts the gnomon when opened, shows the date of construction, viz. 1451, the figures 4 and 5 being in the old form (see also the hour numbers of the dial).

The rim of the compass-box shows the four cardinal points:-M. (Meridies), Oc. (Occidens), S. (Septentrio), Or. (Oriens). On the floor of the compass-box is cut the northerly-pointing bifurcated line of deviation of the magnet, showing about 11° easterly variation. This line is of the same depth and thickness as the hour lines, and a careful examination of the instrument shows that it must have been originally done by the maker. It can easily be recognised, however, that the three other marks west of the original line (two of which have arrow-heads) were roughly inserted at a later time, when probably the declination had become westerly. The short, thick stroke lying 4-5° west of the N.-S. direction has been scratched the deepest. The magnetic variation was apparently probably known before the beginning of the fifteenth century, but by whom and where it was discovered still remain an open question.

IRISH CAVE EXPLORATIONS.

OUR knowledge of the Irish fauna in Neolithic and

early historic times has been greatly extended by recent researches into the cave remains of Ireland. These have been carried out during the past few years by a committee, under the auspices of the British Association and of the Royal Irish Academy. Two reports on these investigations have been published in the Transactions of the latter. The first dealt with the exploration of the caves of Kesh, in the county Sligo, and the second, which has just been issued, with that of the county Clare caves. The committee is now at work further south, in the county Cork.

The Clare caves, which are situated about thirty miles from the sea coast, among beautiful surroundings, in a district of crags and lakes, lie in the lands of Edenvale and Newhall. Our illustration shows the entrance to two of these caves (marked A and B) in a steep ridge of rock overlooking an ancient track, known as the Pilgrims' Road, which leads from Ennis to Killone Abbey and the Holy Well. The others lie barely a mile to the west of these. All the caves have been formed by the solvent action of water on the limestone in which they occur. Several of them are of great extent, with complicated ramifications. They are mostly about 100 feet above sea-level. They differ from many of the great English caves in the absence

seemed to show signs of having been artificially fracture indicate the possible contemporaneousness of man with these deer, but the evidence in this case is not conclusive The bear, however, was clearly coexistent with man, arprobably lingered on in Ireland long after the Irish .. and the reindeer had become extinct. A knee-cap of large bear, showing the incisions of a knife, was found in one of the caves, and other bear bones were obtained fro the upper layer along with charcoal and the remains domestic animals. Unfortunately all the cave deposits had been greatly disturbed by burrowing animals, such badgers and foxes, which inhabited them chiefly in recent times.

Some of the caves show traces of human occupation long continuance in early times, while others may havbeen used as shelters for short periods. Scrapers and flirt flakes, bone pins, and stone implements occurred, while a gold bracelet, and another, richly decorated, of bronze were found. Of bronze, also, was a buckle engraved with an interlaced pattern and plated with silver. One of th most remarkable of the objects discovered was a lamp, the receptacle being hollowed out of a round stone, not carved in any pattern, but with deep grooves round the sides. Of these and other objects the plates illustrating the re port give a good idea. Together with the implement, numbers of human bones were found, although there is no evidence that the caves had ever been used as places of

burial. The bones revealed nothing which might lead us to suppose that they belonged to a different race from that inhabiting Ireland at the present time; but their study elicited the fact that some of them belonged individuals who habitually

to

assumed the squatting position cormon to all primitive peoples.

R. F. SCHARFF.

Photo.]

NEW PILOT CHARTS. IN these days of perpetual and feverish haste, which is characteristic of life at sea as well as on shore, the desirability has been realised of introducing modifications in the method of conveying practical information for the use of seamen. Formerly, men had more leisure tr wade through the bulky volumes known as sailing directions when they wished to clear up any point in doubt. Now, with less time to spare, the demand is for the concen trated essence rather than the minute details of the facts, and this is one of the objects in view in the production of the several pilot charts originated on both sides of the Atlantic within recent years. Many subjects have to be dealt with, and the space is strictly limited, so that the mariner has before him on his chart-room table all the essential features of the particular subjects.

[R. Welch.

of a well-marked stalagmite floor, and of their early cavefauna, including the rhinoceros, hippopotamus, cave-bear, hyæna, &c. The deposits are composed, as a rule, of two easily distinguishable strata. The upper one, generally consisting of brown earth, contains charcoal associated with the bones of domestic animals, while the second is often of a very tenacious nature, and includes many remains of the bear and reindeer, Irish elk, and Arctic lemming.

Of particular interest is the occurrence of the Arctic fox and of the wild cat. The former of these is exceedingly rare in England, and had not been known to occur in Ireland, while as to the latter, it has been held as doubtful whether it ever inhabited Ireland. Several jaws and teeth were found, however, which agreed, not with the Scottish wild cat, but with that commonly met with throughout the African continent, and popularly known as the Caffer

cat.

More than 2000 bones of birds were obtained, comprising fifty-eight species, the most noteworthy of which is the crane. The Welsh traveller, Giraldus Cambrensis, stated that when he visited Ireland in the twelfth century cranes were to be met with in flocks, and it is of interest that this account of their presence has been verified by the discovery of these remains.

The occurrence of a shed antler of the Irish elk, and of long bones of this species and of the reindeer, which

Two pilot charts are published by the Deutsche Seewarte at Hamburg, one for the North Atlantic and Mediterranean area, issued monthly, the other for the North Sea and Baltic region, issued quarterly. They are elaborately and excellently got up, and in the quality of their varied contents afford further evidence of that thoroughness characteristic of German investigators. The face of each Atlantic chart (36 inches by 27 inches) is covered with information of immediate concern in navigating a ship-the mean direction and force of the prevailing winds in every 5° square: the northern and southern limits of the trade winds; the paths and the intensity of storm systems; the regions of mist and fog; the dust atmosphere off Africa; the tropical rain area; the set and velocity of ocean currents; ice; derelicts; steamship and sailing-ship routes and great circle tracks; copious remarks bearing on all these subjects. variation curves; and illustrations of the storm-warning signals adopted by countries on both sides of the ocean. The whole of the back is devoted to articles, with or without illustrations, discussing subjects of general interest to

he navigator, and not necessarily limited to the North Lantic area. A special investigation of the winds, urents, and air and sea temperatures experienced along he Mediterranean steamship routes is being carried out at ne Seewarte, and the results are now appearing month by month on the pilot chart.

The issue for last February contains a very complete rk on the handling of ships in tropical hurricanesAantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans, the Arabian and China Seas. The April number gives an account of a very vere Atlantic storm, the maximum violence occurring on the rise of the barometer; a still longer article deals with waler-spouts. The May chart gives the true bearing and The compass bearing at about three hundred positions round The coasts of the British Isles. The North Sea-Baltic publication is equally complete, each quarterly issue conning one general chart for the region and others for the several months of the quarter, together with bundance of letterpress dealing with a great variety of ubjects, such as the investigation of the fisheries and the prusical condition of the waters of the region, the surface rrents of the Kattegat and Sound, ice, and tidal streams. With five years' experience in the preparation of the thly North Atlantic pilot charts, our Meteorological ones has now commenced the publication of a similar ries of "Monthly Meteorological Charts of the Indian Ocean North of 15° South Latitude, and Red Sea." in area covered by the map extends from 30

an

S.. between the meridians of 30° and 100° E. The fest number, issued in London on May 9, is for the month May. Presumably future issues will be well in advance the month to which they relate, so as to be in the nds of mariners navigating the Indian Ocean during the month Generally, the chart presents the same features as the North Atlantic one. For each ocean space of 5° of atitude by 5° of longitude the frequency of winds of light, lerate, or gale force is shown for the sixteen even points of the compass, the observations upon which the its are based covering a period of fifty years. Apparthrough inadvertence a pecked line intended to indate the northern limit of the south-east trade has been witted. Tracks of some cyclonic storms are given in red. It is left to the sailor to assume whether the date given at the commencement or end of the tracks, there being no directing arrow heads. The set and velocity of the ean currents are shown in blue, and in a lighter blue the variation curves for 1907. Use is made of the land res for supplying a variety of information by means of herpress and inset charts.

1 small chart of the whole area gives, for the month, the Average distribution of barometric pressure over the sea, and the mean temperature of the air and of the water. In enlarged map of the Guardafui and Ras Hafún district shows the currents, sea temperatures, and misty weather r this dangerous locality, and suitable notes accompany map. Over Arabia appear remarks on the various air and water elements of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. On the back of the sheet are given complete summaries the elaborate storm and weather signals of the Bay of Pengal and of the Húgli River storm signals, which are far more precise than those in use in any other part of he world. A map of the southern Indian Ocean, from the equator to 40° S., and 30° to 120° E., is used for reproducing the late Dr. Meldrum's monthly tracks of lones between 1848 and 1885. There are notices to Captains relating to the collection of meteorological observitions, to the necessity for accurate determination of the rrors of barometers in use, and to the compass adjustment marks at Kalpi anchorage.

Altogether the new publication gives promise of supplyng a much-needed want in a simple and easily accessible orm for a part of the ocean about which there has hitherto been but little information. The monthly variations the circulation of the waters of the Arabian Sea and of the Bay of Bengal will alone well repay careful study, while a more accurate knowledge of the different winds W the region covered by the chart cannot fail to be of the greatest practical benefit to shipmasters and their Wficers

UNIVERSITY AND EDUCATIONAL

INTELLIGENCE.

OXFORD. The electors to the Linacre professorship of comparative anatomy will proceed to an election next month. Candidates are desired to send in their names so as to reach the registrar's office not later than Saturday, July 7. The Linacre professor is by virtue of his office a fellow of Merton College. He is entitled to receive from the college a stipend of 700l. a year in addition to the emoluments of a fellowship, which amount at present to 200l. a year.

CAMBRIDGE.-Mr. E. S. Roberts, Master of Gonville and Caius College, has been elected Vice-Chancellor for the ensuing academical year.

Mr. L. Noon, Trinity College, has been elected to a John Lucas Walker studentship in pathology.

The assessment to be paid by the colleges to the University in the present year has been fixed at 30,0381., or 131. per cent. on the college incomes.

The Chancellor, His Grace the Duke of Devonshire, has made a gift of 500l. to the special fund now being raised on behalf of the University library.

Mr. C. L. Boulenger, King's, has been nominated to the University table at the Naples Zoological Station; and Mr. K. Lucas, Trinity, to the table at the Plymouth Marine Biological Laboratory.

The special board for mathematics has made some minor alterations in the proposals for the re-modelling of the Mathematical Tripos, parts i. and ii., but it is proposed to submit unchanged to the Senate the principles of the original report.

Ten candidates have been successful in the special examination in agricultural science and the first examination for the University's diploma in agriculture.

66

Mr. W. A. Cunnington, Christ's, for a dissertation on Tanganyika," and Mr. C. Shearer, Trinity, for a dissertation on "The Development of Larval Nephridia, have been approved as advanced students for the certificate of research.

Prof. Bradbury, Prof. Osler, Dr. S. West, and Prof. Rose Bradford have been appointed examiners in medicine; Dr. Rivers Pollock and Prof. Spencer, examiners in midwifery; and Dr. Kellock, Prof. Barling, Mr. Stanley Boyd, and Mr. Dunn, examiners in surgery for the ensuing academical year.

A sum of 6oool. from the benefaction fund, raised by the University Association, has, with the approval of the Chancellor, been contributed to the cost of the botany and medical school buildings.

The name of Frederick James Quick, of Trinity Hall," founder of the Quick professorship of biology, has been added to the list of benefactors in the Commemoration Service.

A ROYAL COMMISSION has been appointed for the purpose of holding an inquiry into Trinity College, Dublin, and the University of Dublin. The terms of reference of the commission are as follows:-" To inquire into and report upon the present state of Trinity College, Dublin, and of the University of Dublin, including the revenues of the College and of any of its officers and their application, the method of government of the University and of the College, the system of instruction in the College and the teachers by whom it is conducted, the system of University examinations, and the provision made for post-graduate study and the encouragement of research; and also to inquire and report upon the place which Trinity College, Dublin, and the University of Dublin now hold as organs of the higher education in Ireland, and the steps proper to be taken to increase their usefulness to the country. Among the commissioners are Sir Edward Fry (chairman), Sir A. W. Rücker, F.R.S., and Prof. D. J. Coffey.