JOSEPH LOVERING. 877 



Wolf had decided, though from data afterwards acknowledged to be 

 insufficient, that years rich in sun-spots corresponded to years rich in 

 earthquakes, Kluge, from a more searching examination and the use 

 of larger materials, finds a periodicity for earthquakes as long as 

 that which governs the sun-spots and magnetic disturbances, but with 

 maxima and minima reversed." We quote this as an indication of 

 our colleague's judgment and caution in the discussion of observations, 

 and although the investigation did not lead to the discovery of unsus- 

 pected relations, yet the negative results reached were of the greatest 

 importance, and the memoir just quoted may be referred to in our 

 transactions with pride, as an example of great thoroughness in 

 the collection of materials, and of remarkable freedom from bias in 

 the discussion of results. 



Between 1867 and 1876 Professor Lovering was connected with the 

 United States Coast Survey, and had charge of the computations for 

 determining differences of longitude in the United States, and across 

 the Atlantic Ocean, by means of the land and cable lines of telegraph. 

 The most important and interesting portion of the work which he did 

 in this connection is discussed in a paper " On the Determination of 

 Transatlantic Longitudes by Means of the Telegraphic Cables com- 

 municated to the Academy, January 29th, 1873," by permission of the 

 Superintendent of the Survey, and published in the Memoirs, New 

 Series, Vol. IX. page 437. 



As might be expected from the character and direction of his 

 scientific work, Professor Lovering had marked executive ability, and 

 in all such relations he was in the highest degree methodical, accurate, 

 and just. During 1853-54 and from 1857 till 1870 he was Regent, 

 then the second executive officer of Harvard College. During this 

 period he kept with his own hands such full and accurate accounts of 

 the merits and demerits of each undergraduate that the Faculty could 

 make his reports the basis of action with entire confidence, while at 

 the same time in dealing with the students he showed such just dis- 

 crimination and kindly appreciation that he gained their universal 

 confidence and esteem. 



When the Jefferson Physical Laboratory was opened, in 1884, 

 Professor Lovering was appointed its " Director," and during the four 

 years of his administration made " Annual Reports " of its activities. 

 To this laboratory he carried the very large and valuable collection of 

 philosophical apparatus which he had gradually accumulated during 

 his long period of service as Hollis Professor. Mr. Lovering took 

 great pleasure and a just pride in this collection. When he entered 



