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THE thirteenth yearly report of the Sonnblick Society for the year 1904 contains an interesting account of some of the results obtained at the highest mountain meteorological stations of Europe, with photographic illustrations; the arduous work done in the interest of meteorological and physical science at some of these inhospitable localities has from time to time been referred to in our columns. In the present report A. Edler von Obermayr discusses the frequency of sunshine at the summit of the Sonnblick (3106 metres) with that at other mountain stations. The tables exhibit some peculiarities:-on Ben Nevis the greatest frequency occurs in June, on the Obir and Säntis in July and August, but on the Sonnblick the greatest frequency occurs exclusively in the winter months, from November to February. A useful index is given in a separate paper of the various items and unusual occurrences contained in the Sonnblick reports for the twelve years 1892-1903.

Is his earliest researches on the properties of gaseous fluorine, M. Henri Moissan showed that it reacted vigorously with nitric acid, fluorine and the vapour of the acid producing a violent explosion. In the current number of the Comptes rendus MM. Moissan and Lebeau give an account of a systematic research on the reactions between fluorine and the compounds of nitrogen and oxygen. Nitrogen peroxide and nitrous oxide proved to be perfectly indifferent towards fluorine, but a lively reaction, accompanied by flame, was found to take place between fluorine and nitric oxide. With the nitric oxide in excess, the gaseous products proved to be nitrogen, nitric oxide, and nitrogen peroxide, the fluorine appearing in the form of a solid product of indefinite composition containing platinum (from the tube by which the gas was led in) and nitrous compounds. But with the fluorine in excess, the reaction appeared to be more definite, and a gaseous compound containing fluorine, nitrogen, and oxygen was produced, the substance being solid at the temperature of boiling oxygen. This solid, when allowed to boil off, could be condensed to a colourless liquid at -80° C., and further work is being carried out with the view of establishing its composition and properties.

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A SHORT report has been received upon the present state of the work done in connection with the "Technolexicon " of the Society of German Engineers. In the compilation of this universal technical dictionary for translation purposes (in German, French, and English), which was commenced in 1901, about 2000 firms and collaborators are assisting at present. Up to now 2,700,000 word-cards have been collected; and this number does not include hundreds of thousands of cards that will result from the working out of the original contributions not yet taken in hand. The editor-in-chief of the **Technolexicon" is Dr. Hubert Jansen, Berlin (NW. 7), Dorotheenstrasse 49, and he will be glad to give any information concerning the work.

A KEY to the first part of "A New Trigonometry for Schools," by Mr. W. G. Borchardt and the Rev. A. D. Perrott, has been published by Messrs. Geo. Bell and Sons.

OUR ASTRONOMICAL COLUMN. STARS WITH PECULIAR SPECTRA.-Mrs. Fleming has discovered several more new variable stars and other objects having peculiar spectra whilst examining the Henry Draper memorial plates. The designation, position for 1900, magnitude and spectral peculiarities are given for each of these in No. 98 of the Harvard College Observatory Circulars. Several of the objects mentioned have bright lines in their spectra, and one or two call for special remark. For example, a star in Cepheus at R.A. = oh. 7.6m., dec. +71° 32', was found to have a spectrum containing five bright bands at AA 3869, 4101, 4340, 4688, and 4861. The first of these coincides with the bright band seen in certain gaseous nebulæ, the second, third, and fifth will be recognised as due to hydrogen, whilst the fourth, the brightest of all, corresponds to the characteristic line seen in fifth-type stars. The chief nebula line at A 5000 was not seen. Prof. Pickering suggests that an intermediate stage this object may have arrived at between a nebula and a fifth-type star.

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Another star situated in the position R.A. = 1h. 50.2m., dec. +62° 49', in the constellation Cassiopeia, is now classed as a gaseous nebula, its spectrum consisting of the chief nebula line at A 5000.

A second table in the same Circular describes the spectra of twenty-one known variables, and Prof. Pickering states that in most cases of long-period variables the bright hydrogen lines are not seen during the epochs of minima.

VARIABLE STARS IN THE CLUSTERS MESSIER 3 AND 5.The hundredth Harvard College Circular contains a discussion by Prof. Bailey of the variable stars discovered These two in the clusters Messier 3 and Messier 5. clusters contain a greater proportion of variable stars than any other hitherto examined. Of every seven stars in the former one is a variable, whilst in Messier 5 the ratio is I: II. Periods have been determined for most of the variable stars, and their similarity is remarkable. Only two stars, Nos. 42 and 50 in Messier 5, having periods of 25.74d. and 105.6d. respectively, appear to depart from the rule, all the other variables in both clusters having periods differing but little from 13h. The average deviation from the mean (13h.) in Messier 3 is th. om., and in Messier 5 (mean 12h. 45m.) 1h. 13m. All the variables are of nearly the same magnitude, varying from 13.0m. to 16-om., and there is a slight suggestion that the periods of them undergo a secular variation in length.

1904.

SPECTROHELIOGRAPH RESULTS.-In No. 4, vol. xxi., of the Astrophysical Journal, Mr. Phillip Fox, of the Yerkes Observatory, discusses the observations made with the Rumford spectroheliograph during The plates secured with the H, radiation, i.e. the radiation of the centre of the H calcium line, show a decided increase of activity in the flocculi over that observed during 1903, and are being measured in order to determine the solar rotation period at the height, above the photosphere, of the highlevel flocculi.

Many series of plates, on which the individual exposures were made at intervals of a few minutes, the successive settings of the secondary slit being made in ten or twelve steps from A 3952-4 to λ 3968.6, were secured, and Mr. Fox briefly discusses these in regard to the distinction between faculæ and flocculi in the calcium vapour images. Such a series of photographs, taken on August 25, is reproduced on one of the plates accompanying the paper, and shows that few, if any, flocculi appear in the high levels without their bases appearing, although usually diminished, in the lower levels. Even the bright patches designated eruptions by Messrs. Hale and Ellerman can be traced as such as far down as the photograph taken with the secondary slit set at λ 3967. The photographs secured with the hydrogen radiations HB, Hy, and He generally show flocculi coincident with those seen on the calcium photographs, and in nearly all cases where the eruptions could be traced to the limb associated prominences were discovered above the flocculus.

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No prominences of great height or unusual form were photographed on the limb during 1904, but some of the plates show a fair number, and one or two beautiful examples are reproduced on the second plate of the paper.

VISIBILITY OF D, AS A DARK LINE IN THE SOLAR SPECTRUM.-At a recent meeting of the Royal Astronomical Society, Prof. A. Fowler stated, in a paper on the spectrum of the great sun-spot of February last, that he had, on February 2, observed the helium line D, as a dark and distorted line in the spectrum of the sun in the region about the spot disturbance. This observation was regarded as unusual, but according to a letter written by Mr. A. Buss to the Observatory (No. 358) it is not at all an uncommon phenomenon, and can be seen frequently if the solar spectrum be closely watched. In fact, Mr. Buss states that, according to his observations with a curved slit spectroscope, D, may be seen as a dark line in every really agitated solar disturbance.

WEST HENDON HOUSE OBSERVATORY.-No. 3 of the Publications of the West Hendon House Observatory (Sunderland) is devoted to the observations of variable stars made by Mr. Backhouse during the years 1866-1904. The observations of each of the forty-nine stars discussed are set out in detail in tables showing the times of observation, the comparison stars, and the magnitudes according to other catalogues. For a number of stars the observed magnitudes are plotted on a series of curves placed at the end of the volume, with a diagram showing the various gradations of colour employed in the descriptions.

NATURE AND MAN.

THE annual Romanes lecture was delivered by Prof. E. Ray Lankester, F.R.S., in the Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford, on June 14, on the subject of "Nature and Man.' The complete lecture has been published by the Clarendon Press (London: Henry Frowde), and the following abstract indicates a few of the points considered in it.

Prof. Lankester remarked that the subject of his discourse is one which has largely occupied the attention of biologists during the five-and-forty years in which he has followed the results of scientific discovery. Much misconception prevails as to the signification attached to the word" Nature," but the lecturer used it as indicating the entire cosmos of which this cooling globe with all upon it is a portion. Until the eighteenth century the study of nature-nature-knowledge and nature-control-was the appropriate occupation of the learned men at Oxford, and the present peculiar classical education is a modern innovation.

During the latter half of the nineteenth century, the observations of nature-searchers made it possible to establish the general doctrine of the evolution of the cosmos, with more special detail in regard to the history of the earth and the development of man from a lower animal ancestry. The general process by which the higher and more elaborate forms of life, and eventually man himself, have been produced was shown by Darwin to depend upon heredity and variation. By the process of natural selection, those organisms survive which are most fitted to the special conditions under which they live. Man eventually emerged from the terrestrial animal population strictly controlled and moulded by natural selection. The leading feature in the development and separation of man from other animals is the relatively large size of his brain, which has five or six times the bulk (in proportion to his size and weight) of that of any other surviving Simian. The development of the mental qualities has given rise to attributes which are peculiar to man, and justify the view that man forms a new departure in the gradual unfolding of nature's predestined scheme.

"Civilised man has proceeded so far in his interference with extra-human nature, has produced for himself and the living organisms associated with him such a special state of things by his rebellion against natural selection and his defiance of nature's pre-human dispositions, that he must either go on and acquire firmer control of the conditions or perish miserably by the vengeance certain to fall on the half-hearted meddler in great affairs." It is practically certain that all epidemic disease could be abolished within a period so short as fifty years if the State cared to take the matter in hand and employ the means at the command

of science. If more men were encouraged to study and experiment on this matter, there would soon be an end of all infectious disease.

By the exercise of his will, man has done much to control the order of nature, and it is urgent for him to apply his whole strength and capacity in gaining further control. Little, however, is being done in this direction, but when a knowledge of the situation reaches the masses of the people, "the democracy will demand that those who expend the resources of the community, and as Government officials undertake the organisation of the defence and other great public services for the common good, shall put into practice the power of nature-control which has been gained by mankind, and shall exert every sinew to obtain more. To effect this, the democracy will demand that those who carry on public affairs shall not be persons solely acquainted with the elegant fancies and stories of past ages, but shall be trained in the acquisition of natural knowledge and keenly active in the skilful application of nature-control to the development of the well-being of the community.'

The concluding subject of the lecture was the influence exerted by the University of Oxford upon the welfare of the State and of the human community in general. Oxford by its present action in regard to the choice of subjects of study "is exercising an injurious influence upon the education of the country, and especially upon the education of those who will hereafter occupy positions of influence, and will largely determine both the action of the State and the education and opinions of those who will in turn succeed them.' Is it desirable to continue to make the study of two dead languages the main, if not the exclusive, matter to which the minds of the youth of the well-to-do class are directed by our schools and universities? In view of modern needs it would be more sensible to make the chief subject of education for everybody a knowledge of nature as set forth in the sciences, which are spoken of as physics, chemistry, geology, and biology." The ablest youths of the country should be encouraged to proceed to the extreme limit of present knowledge of one of these branches of science so that they might become makers of new knowledge, and the possible discoverers of enduring improvements in our control of nature. The great prizes of life ought to be given to the young man who pursues natureknowledge successfully rather than to him who takes up less important subjects. In other words, it is desirable that our scheme of education should centre round a knowledge of nature and not continue to be mainly classical and historical.

Though men of science would make natural knowledge the core of education, they would consider it incomplete if a serviceable knowledge of foreign languages, and a real acquaintance with the beauties of English and other literature, were not added. "The studies of the past carried on at Oxford have been charming and full of beauty, whilst England has lain, and lies, in mortal peril for lack of knowledge of nature.

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The suggestion that Oxford should resign herself to the overwhelming predominance given to the study of ancient elegance and historic wisdom within her walls is an insult to her and an impossibility. Only a few decades have passed since Oxford sent out Robert Boyle and Christopher Wren. Moreover, Oxford exerts an immense influence on the schools, and for this reason men of science cannot be content with the maintenance by the university of the compulsory study of Greek and Latin, and the neglect to make the study of nature an integral and predominant part of every man's education. For "the knowledge and control of nature is man's destiny and his greatest need."

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consistently by NATURE, that the surest and best way to secure national efficiency is to educate our manufacturers and merchants liberally along scientific lines, and to enlist the cooperation of distinguished men of science in the work of national administration.

In considering the task that lies before a progressive political party, Mr. Haldane has much of interest to the man of science to say about things the party has to accomplish in the process of winning complete public confidence in its capacity to direct national business. He points out that the importance of each Department of State depends mainly on the personality of the Minister who presides over it. But apart from personality there are other forces such as clear conception and resolute purpose-which profoundly affect administration. To bring into play greater brain power in administration is, Mr. Haldane insists, a task of the first magnitude, and he proceeds to show its importance and how it may be accomplished.

The appointment of the Explosives Committee by Lord Lansdowne in 1900 is the first illustration taken by Mr. Haldane. After the outbreak of the South African war, it came to light that the British military and naval guns were being corroded rapidly by the chemical action at high temperatures of the products of combustion of the nitroglycerin in the cordite. Lord Lansdowne, who summoned outsiders to advise him, was told that an expert committee on the national explosives required the best scientific brains in the country, and, following the earlier example in France, a committee, presided over by Lord Rayleigh and including Sir Andrew Noble and Sir William Crookes, was appointed. The committee has solved the problems presented to it, made further discoveries, and is now a permanent body. But the committee is performing its work under great difficulties, due entirely to our system of administration. As Mr. Haldane says, "the Army gives its rewards to genius on the field, and not to genius in the laboratory." He says later: If the British Government is to have adequate command of scientific talent of the highest order, it must make arrangements which will enable it to reward and honour that talent on an adequate scale, without exciting ill-feeling."

There ought, in fact, Mr. Haldane contends, to be an advisory body with a corps scientifique attached to it, which should include the exceptional talent which the State stands more and more in need of every day. Not only would such a scientific committee provide a new opening for talent, but, more important, prove a source of new strength to the nation. As a further instance of the good results which promptly follow the application of scientific methods to national problems, Mr. Haldane cites the case of the discovery among miners of the disease ankylostomiasis, after the Home Office had obtained the permission of the Treasury to appoint a committee of investigation, and indicates how great would have been the saving of suffering and money had there been a corps scientifique to appeal to as a matter of course.

Referring to the fall in the amount of exports in some branches of industry, Mr. Haldane traces this to the need for more mind in the process of manufacture, that is, for the improvement of higher education in this country, and goes on to remark that comparatively little State aid has been devoted to this important necessity. Exception is taken, too, to the somewhat mechanical methods of distribution of the present grant from the Treasury to university colleges, and it is urged that in this direction also the executive brain ought to be strengthened.

The Centralstelle of Germany, the function of which is to put at the disposal of inquirers, in the solution of problems arising in manufacture, the best scientific knowledge available which cannot otherwise be obtained by the private manufacturer, is an example of Germany's appreciation of men of science. Not only are such central research institutions established in Germany, but also in the United States and in France. The same principle has been conceded among us, for the State gives a small grant -just about a tenth of what the Germans give to their corresponding institution-to the National Physical Laboratory, an invaluable institution which is at present being starved. Well may Mr. Haldane say that "it is time for the State to take the lead in this direction also, if we are to hold our own in the international competition which

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CORAL ANATOMY AND DEVELOPMENT.1 N writing this account of his observations and researches on Siderastræa, Dr. Duerden has added an important contribution to his already extensive publications on the anatomy and development of the Madreporaria. Siderastræa is a common West Indian coral forming colonies of 10 cm. to 60 cm. in diameter, which encrust stones and sometimes the shells of hermit crabs on the coral flats. It appears to be exceedingly hardy, as it will suffer exposure to the hot sun at low tide and partial burying in the mud without injury, and it is often found living under conditions on the reef which very few corals of other species could withstand. This hardiness renders it an admirable type for thorough investigation, as it enables it to live and grow and reproduce itself freely in the unfavourable conditions of an aquarium in the tropics.

Siderastræa, although a colonial ceral having a general superficial resemblance to the Astræidæ, or star corals, is allied to the Fungidæ, or mushroom corals. The tissues of the expanded zooids are so transparent that the white

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skeletal structures can be seen through them. Each zooid has, in the adult state, two rows of capitate tentacles, and several of the members of the inner row are bifurcate. This remarkable and, among corals, unique condition of the tentacle is brought about by the growth of a common peduncle for a pair of neighbouring tentacles of the entocœlic series which are primarily distinct.

In all the zooids that were examined anatomically only ova were found; Dr. Duerden, however, gives reasons for believing that the coral is not strictly dioecious, but protogynous, a point of some interest when compared with the case of Flabellum rubrum, which Mr. Stanley Gardiner has shown to be protandrous.

The early stages of the development of the coral take place within the cavity of the parent zooid, and the ciliated top-shaped larvæ are discharged with four pairs of mesenteries already developed. The larvæ can be kept alive in the aquaria for several weeks, but unless they settle down within the first two or three days from liberation it seems impossible for them to fix themselves, and they ultimately perish. In general the larvæ fix themselves at the same time and in groups. So close do they cluster together that they are often in touch with one another, 1 "The Coral Siderastraea radians and its Pest-larval Development." By Dr. J. E. Duerden. Pp. 130+ plates. (Washington: Carnegie Institution, December, 1904.)

and by mutual pressure produce a distortion of the normally circular base. There can be no doubt that in this coral, as in others investigated by Dr. Duerden, these clusters of larvæ become organically connected, and form aggregated colonies.

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In dealing with the later stages of the development, the author discusses many questions of great interest to those who have made a special study of the anatomy of corals. We may refer especially to the light thrown upon the vexed question of "theca' and epitheca, to the demonstration that the primary ectosepta do not become entosepta as they were supposed to do in some other corals, and to the valuable suggestion as to the scientific method of writing the septal formulæ of corals. These and other matters, which are fully discussed, render the memoir of greater value than a mere record of facts and observations of the natural history of a single species of coral would be. There is a great deal to be said in favour of the old type system, the system of presenting to the reader a plain, unvarnished tale of the natural history of a species and leaving him to draw his own conclusions; but the dangers of the system may be clearly recognised

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in this memoir. The coral under review is a common, and many might think a common-place, coral, and if the author had thought fit to limit himself to a description of facts only, it would probably have been chosen as a type of its order by writers of the conventional text-book. Fortunately, however, we are warned on almost every page that Siderastræa is not a type, but in many respects an exceptional and rather archaic form.

In conclusion, a word of praise must be said for the manner in which the memoir is presented to the public. Like the other scientific treatises that have been recently published by the Carnegie Institution at Washington, the paper, printing, and illustrations are all of first-rate quality. S. J. H.

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measured rate, and the products of combustion are cooled down by a stream of water also flowing at a known rate, the ingoing and outgoing temperatures of which can be accurately measured. In spite of the difficulties of securing accurate measurements of the rate of flow of gas and water, on account of the speed with which consecutive determinations can be carried out instruments of this type are mostly used by gas engineers. Their chief defect is want of portability, and as an alternative a sample of the gas is frequently analysed, and the calorific value deduced from the results of the analysis. Apart from the difficulty of exactly determining the constituents of such a complicated mixture as coal gas, this method implies that the exact calorific value of each substance present is accurately known, and this, unfortunately, is far from being the

case.

Most of the data regarding heats of combustion in actual use are derived either from the experiments of Berthelot and his pupils with the calorimetric bomb, or from the experiments of Julius Thomsen, and in the case of gaseous substances the differences between these two experimenters may amount to as much as 2 per cent. In the current number of the Zeitschrift für physikalische Chemie Julius Thomsen has a critical paper on the causes of these differences, and comes to the conclusion that for gases the explosion with compressed oxygen in a bomb gives quite untrustworthy results. His chief argument is based on the comparison of the values obtained for the heats of combustion of homologous series of hydrocarbons and their halogen derivatives, and it is shown that whereas the method of combustion at ordinary atmospheric pressure gives remarkably constant differences between the consecutive members of such a series, the results obtained by means of the calorimetric bomb lead to differences between consecutive members which are quite irregular. It follows that the values obtained for heats of formation, which lie at the basis of all theoretical speculations in this field, are still more irregular in the case of figures obtained with the bomb, since they are based on the differences between the heats of combustion. The weak point in most physical work on gases is usually on the chemical side, and on account of the extreme practical and theoretical importance of the subject and the great advances made in the last ten years in the methods of preparation of pure gases, there is still room for a re-determination of these constants. In this connection it may be pointed out that the ultimate mode of calibration of gas calorimeters of the Junker type is the combustion of a known quantity of a pure gas the heat of combustion of which is taken as known. G. N. H.

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UNIVERSITY AND EDUCATIONAL
INTELLIGENCE.

OXFORD.-The following is the text of the speech delivered by Prof. Love in presenting Prof. E. Ray Lankester for the degree of D.Sc. honoris causa on June 13

Salutat Academia nostra Edwinum Ray Lankester. alumnum suum. Hic ille est, cuius magna apud nos est memoria Anatomiæ Comparativæ cathedram olim tenentis. quod et discipulis ardorem suum miro modo inspirare potuit, et specimina in usum Musæi nostri diligentissime congesta ita novis rationibus collocavit ut Historia Naturalis principia luce clariore illustraret: qui hanc Academiam ut suos mores emendaret toties hortatus est, quæ ad inauditam perfectionem iamdudum pervenisset si monitori amicissimo in Actis Diurnis contionanti obtem

perare voluisset. Hic est cuius ex repertis laudis aliquid ad suam Almam Matrem redundavit, cum inter insignissimos doctores qui hodie de animalium figuris disputant fere princeps sit et in omnibus virorum doctorum societatibus summo in honore habeatur.

Nihil profecto quod ad Anatomiam Comparativam pertinet non in huius viri scientiam cadere videtur. Neque enim huic satis erat edendi curam suscipere cum Acta illa, quæ summæ auctoritatis in hoc genere apud nos sunt, labore per quinque et triginta annos iam continuato, tum luculentissimorum librorum seriem, e quibus plures jam typis impressi in manibus omnium habentur, quod onus

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pergrave videri plerisque potuit: sed de omnigenum animalium figuris et mutationibus, sive in ipsa mundi iuventa sive hodie exstantium, commentarios fere innumerabiles ipse conscripsit. Nullum est animalium genus de quo aliquid non scripserit, neque quicquam scripsit nisi præclare. In hoc viro admiramur cum summi artificis patientiam nullam rem tenuiorem esse docentis quam ut scientia dignum sit, tum doctrinam latissimam subtilissimam nova inventa cum prioribus colligantis et suo quidque loco reponentis. Sed ulterius etiam progressus est. Quid enim? Incrementum fit scientiæ non solum ex indefessa diligentia et doctrina coacervata summorum veri indagatorum: quin ipsa diligentia et doctrina parum fertilis est nisi conclusiones ita verbis et tabulis expressæ sint ut in memoria nostra hæreant et novissimum quodque repertum suo loco residere patiantur. Veluti hic noster, qui iuvenis adhuc rationes à Ioanne Müllero et Huxleio excogitatas, quo melius omnia ad Historiam Naturalem pertinentia subtilissime litteris mandarent, se optime callere ostenderat, postea novos modos invenit, nova nomina commentatus est, veteres etiam rationes correxit excoluit: quæ omnia iam adeo omnibus comprobata sunt ut nemo inquirat a quo fonte emanarint. Quod si ex hac præclara supellectili unam quasi margaritam potissimum sumere fas sit, eos commentarios singulari laude ornaverim, quibus Limulum illum aquatilem scorpiones et araneas terrestres inter se similes esse ostendit. Nihil profecto in hoc genere perfectius, nihil quod posterorum imitatione sit dignius.

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Following the announcement in the University Gazette, the age limits in the examination to be held on August 29 for the selection of probationers for the Indian Forestry Service were stated in our note on June 8 (p. 139) to be from eighteen to twenty years on January 1, 1905; Prof. Schlich writes to point out that the correct age limits are from eighteen to twenty-one years on that date.

Dr. W. T. Brooks (Christ Church) has been appointed Litchfield clinical lecturer in medicine for two years from June.

A statute has been passed in Convocation establishing a diploma in anthropology, and providing a committee to organise the course of study in that subject, and to make regulations for the diploma examination. The committee will consist of seventeen members, including the professors of anthropology, comparative anatomy, moral and metaphysical philosophy, comparative philology, the reader in mental philosophy, the keeper of the Ashmolean Museum, and the curator of the Pitt Rivers Museum. Candidates who are not already members of the university will be admitted under the same conditions as candidates for the degrees of B.Litt. and B.Sc.

Magdalen College has announced a fellowship in chemistry, election to which will be made next October term after an examination. Further details will be published shortly.

CAMBRIDGE.-The following are the speeches delivered by the Public Orator, Dr. Sandys, on June 14, in presenting the two recipients of the degree of Doctor in Science honoris causa:—

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CAPTAIN ROBERT FALCON SCOTT, R.N., C.V.O. Poli australis e regione salvum sospitemque nobis redditum laetamur virum intrepidum, cui disciplina et gloria navalis ab avo velut hereditate obvenerat. Abhinc annos quinque navis magister designatus est, rerum naturae miraculis prope polum australem explorandis destinatae. Illic, primum terrae Victoriae montes asperos conspicatus, de inde ex transverso oppositum glaciei velut immensum diu praetervectus, tandem nivis aeternae regionem quandam excelsam detexit, detectam Regis Edwardi nomine nuncupavit. Quid commemorem navem illam prope montem Erebum, prope ipsa Volcani spiracula, glaciei solidae in mediis molibus per biennium compressam? Quid geographiae, geologiae, meteorologiae, biologiae denique in studiis, scientiarum fines, talium virorum auxilio, feliciter propagatos? Quid itinera longa glaciei perpetuae inter pericula tolerata? Tot virorum fortium de duce intrepido illud primum dixerim :-omnium mortalium nemo umquam ad ipsum polum australem propius penetravit. Deinde, numquam sociis suis " plus laboris

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imposuit quam sibi sumpsit; ipse cum fortis, tum etiam felix." SIR FRANCIS YOUNGHUSBAND, K.C.I.E. Hodie corona nostra suprema viro destinata est, qui matris suae fratrem, exploratorem indefessum, aemulatus, omnium mortalium solus, oceani Pacifici a litore trans Asiae mediae recessus intimos septem milia passuum milies emensus, montium formidolosorum per ambages prope inextricabiles, Indiae demum ad castra prima pervenit. Idem nuper, Britanniae legatus, cum copiis nostris fortissimis, Indiae per Alpes silvasque, post moras infinitas fortiter et prudenter devictas, per apertam portam, Tibetorum ad loca praecelsa ultra lacum illum caeruleum progressus, tandem, inter nemora late virentia, arcis summae tecta aurea conspicatus, religionis anti

quissimae sedem sacram, tot laborum, tot itinerum metam ultimam, intravit. In legatione vero illa obeunda, viri huiusce potissimum auspicio, terrae spatia immensa accuratissime explorata sunt; fluminum ingentium cursus patefacti; saeculorum denique priorum monumenta plurima aut intacta relicta aut diligenter conservata. luvat autem recordari regionem illam remotissimam cum exercitu nostro legatum nostrum ita peragrasse, ut nullum crudelitatis, nullum inhumanitatis vestigium reliquerit, sed benevolentiae mutuae, etiam foedere ipso potioris, fundamentum iecerit. Mr. E. T. Whittaker, of Trinity College, has been appointed a university lecturer in mathematics.

The Home Secretary has approved the university for the purposes of the Coal Mines Regulation Act (1887) Amendment Act, 1903, in respect of its diploma in mining engineering.

The Harkness scholarship in geology and palæontology has been awarded to Mr. F. A. Potts, of Trinity Hall, and the Wiltshire prize for geology and mineralogy to Mr. A. McDonald, of Emmanuel College.

The treasurer to the Sedgwick memorial fund, which was inaugurated in the Senate House on March 25, 1873, has issued a final balance sheet. The original subscription list amounted to 11,157. 1s. 6d., and this sum increased by investment to 27,4531. 2s. 4d. A thousand guineas were spent on the bronze statue of Sedgwick, and 26,125l. on the Sedgwick Museum; the balance was mainly expended on printing, but a small sum left over has been paid to the financial board.

DR. JAMES Gow will distribute the certificates and prizes The at King's College, London, on Wednesday, July 5. museums and laboratories of the college will be open to visitors upon this occasion.

DR. A. B. W. KENNEDY, F.R.S., will deliver the foundation oration of the Union Society of University College, London, on June 29; his subject will be "The Academic Side of Technical Training.'

AMONG the honorary degrees accepted by the Senate of the University of Dublin on June 17 was the degree of Sc.D. to be conferred on Prof. E. A. Schäfer, F.R.S., and on Prof. Sydney Young, F.R.S.

MR. G. F. CARSON, formerly on the staff of the University College, Sheffield, has been appointed head of the department of mathematics in Battersea Polytechnic, and Miss Lilian J. Clarke has been appointed lecturer in botany.

AT the entrance examination for the day courses in engineering to be held next September, the governing body of the Northampton Institute, Clerkenwell, has decided to offer three scholarships for open competition. These scholarships will give exemption from fees, amounting to 52l., during the whole of the four years' course in mechanical or electrical engineering.

DURING December next, in the department of physics of the Columbia University, New York City, a course of fifteen lectures will be delivered by Prof. V. F. Bjerknes, professor of mechanics and mathematical physics in the University of Stockholm. The subject will be "Fields of Force," including the discussion of hydrodynamic analogies of the electrostatic and electromagnetic fields. A similar

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