XX NOTES BY THE EDITOR 



casion in the magnetic direction and force at the surface of our globe. 

 As a discovery which promises to raise terrestrial magnetism to the dig- 

 nity of a cosmical science, we may feel confident that, although the co- 

 lonial observatories have been brought to a close, the investigations, 

 which they have thus successfully commenced, will be pursued to their 

 proper accomplishment in those national establishments which have a 

 permanency suitable for such undertakings." 



It is evident that the former supposed analogy between magnetical 

 and atmospherical disturbance must now be abandoned, and that we 

 must seek in more distant sources than those of meteorological phe- 

 nomena for the causes of magnetical disturbances. It can only be, 

 however, by the aid of long-continued and patient observations that 

 the philosopher will be enabled to deduce magnetical laws which it is 

 not too much to assert will be found among the most interesting in the 

 whole range of physical science. For, as Bacon remarks, " Physical 

 knowledge daily grows up and new actions of nature are disclosed," 

 and it is quite certain that it is the duty of all civilized nations to 

 take an active part in extending physical science, which enters largely 

 into a country's glory and prosperity. 



We present to our readers for the present year, the portrait of 

 Prof. Henry D. Rogers, LL. D., Professor of Natural Sciences 

 in the University of Glasgow, Scotland, and Geologist to the 

 State of Pennsylvania. 



