THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF ENGLAND. 241 



Species " was tlie launching of the evolutionary movement, and, 

 without discussing the validity of the doctrine, it is safe to say 

 that it has given rise to the most forcible and puissant school of 

 philosophy of the present day, and has affected science, in its 

 myriad branches, more profoundly than any other scientific gen- 

 eralization since Newton's conception of the pervading force of 

 gravitation. 



During the early existence of the society the meetings were 

 held in Gresham College, where many of its members were pro- 

 fessors. In 1710 the society removed to Crane Court. In 1780 the 

 president, Sir Joseph Banks, was instrumental in securing from 

 the Government more comfortable accommodations in Somerset 

 House. Their present location is at Burlington House, whither 

 they moved in 1857. The meetings are held every Thursday at 

 4.30 P. M., from November to June ; and of the communications 

 read before the society, a "Committee of Papers" selects the 

 most noteworthy for publication in the " Philosophical Trans- 

 actions " or the " Proceedings of the Royal Society." Since the 

 presidency of Sir Joseph Banks, membership in the society has 

 been much more difficult to attain than formerly, from the great 

 number of applicants for the limited vacancies to be filled each 

 year. Each application for membership must be signed by six 

 Fellows, three of whom must be personally acquainted with the 

 applicant. From a list of such applicants, as it is often a long 

 one, the Council of the society on the first Thursday of June each 

 year selects fifteen by ballot, which selection is usually ratified by 

 the society without change. 



There is a corresponding class of foreign members, fifty in 

 number, which includes the names of the foremost scientists 

 throughout the world. No scientist is so eminent but feels hon- 

 ored by being elected Fellow of this ancient corporation, and to 

 have one's labors crowned by one of its medals is a mark of the 

 highest distinction. 



The luminous night-clouds which have been seen in Europe, at about the time 

 of the summer solstice, since 1885, are mentioned by Ilerr Jesse as important sub- 

 jects for accurate study. The author believes that they are interesting from an 

 astronomical as well as meteorological point of view, because their periodic move- 

 ment, taken in connection with their extraordinary height, suggests that they 

 manifest the activity of cosmical forces. He holds, therefore, that they may 

 throw some light upon the question whether cosmical space is filled with a resist- 

 ing medium. Some other observers believe that the luminosity is a reflection 

 from the very high solstitial sun. Herr Stubenrauch, meteorological observer at 

 Punta Arenas, South America, informs Herr Jesse that he saw the phenomenon 

 twice there in December, 1888 also near the summer solstice of his place of 

 observation. 



VOL. XXXVI. 16 



