Philosophical Institute of Canterbury. 53 



lecturer explained that the red and violet rays traversing that atmosphere would suffer 

 different amounts of absorption, for as red and violet rays did not occur simultaneously 

 there would necessarily be a difference in the times of their minima. M. Xordmann's 

 curves in the cases of /i Lyrse and 5 C'ephei were exhibited, showing the variation in the 

 form for the light-curve for red, green, and blue light ; and the lecturer expressed the 

 opinion that tliough M. Nordmann had failed to prove that dis})ersion of light occurred 

 in stellar space, yet he had opened up a new method of studying, from which results 

 of great im])ortance might be confidently expected. 



The lecturer then dealt with various points of interest which have recently come up 

 in connection with the planet Saturn. After desci'ibing the discovery of the ninth satel- 

 lite Phoebe by Pickering, he discussed the possible explanations of its retrograde motion, 

 and gave a brief fummary of Stratton's recent work on Pickering's theory of planetary 

 inversion — an hypothesis which, starting with the assumption that the planets originally 

 rotated in a retrograde direction, seeks to explain their direct rotation by means of solar- 

 tidal friction. In the case of .^aturn, Phoebe had been ev'olved from its primary before 

 solar-tidal friction had succeeded in changing its retrograde direction into direct. The 

 lectm'er then discussed the peculiar condensations seen by Barnard and Lowell on the 

 rings of Saturn when they recently passed through their " end on " position as seen from 

 the earth, and gave a sketch of the different explanations of the phenomenon which 

 had been put forward by Barnard, Lowell, and Russell. He then referred to the alleged 

 discovery of an outer crape ring recently announced from the Geneva Observatory, and 

 showed how the existence of such a ring would confirm the views set forth by Clerk 

 Maxwell in 1856 as to the physical constitution of the rings and their ultimate destruc- 

 tion. He then alluded to Baldwin's research-work on the variability of Saturn's light 

 with change of phase, from which it appears that the earlier views of Miiller and Seeliger 

 on this point are not -confirmed. 



At the conclusion of the address, on the motion of the Right Rev. Bishop C4rimes, 

 seconded by Mr. Hitchings, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the lecturer. 



Second Meeting : 2nd June, 1909. 

 Dnnvin Celebration. 

 Mr. G. W. Russell, M.P., in the chair. 

 There was a very large attendance. 



Lectures. — On the life and work of Charles Darwin, with illnstrations. 



Dr. Chilton showed shdes of Down, in Kent, Darwin's residence ; the 

 last portrait of the great scientist ; Henslow, the famous botanist, Darwin's 

 teacher at Cambridge ; Huxley, Wallace, and other notable contemporaries 

 of the scientist ; and views of his school and college. Among the pictures 

 shown by Mr. Waite were many photographs and drawings illustrating 

 portions of Darwin's work ; while Dr. Cockayne showed characteristic plants, 

 and Mr. Speight showed pictures illustrating geological formation in America, 

 and the making of coral islands. 



Copies of letters from Darwin to Captain Hutton and to Sir Julius von 

 Haast were exhibited on the screen. The first letter acknowledged a favour- 

 able criticism which Captain Hutton had v^Titten in the Geohn/ist on the 

 appearance of the " Origin of Species," while the latter thanked Sir Julius 

 von Haast for interesting observations on the New Zealand ground-parrot 

 and on the plants and animals which had been acclimatised in New Zealand, 

 and further acknowledged his election as a member of the Canterbury 

 Philosophical In.stitute in the year 1861. 



The Chairman briefly introduced the speakers, and touched on the \ast im]iortance 

 to mankind of the work of Daiwin. 



Di-. Chilton said that Darwin, who was born on the 12th Febiuary, 1809. had at 

 first attracted little attention, although he had come of a great family, and his grand- 

 father had won some distinction as a scientist. He was born at Shrewsbury, and went 

 to school there, but was not fortunate in his studies, which were strictly classical and not 

 pleasing to him. He wa.; always considered a very ordinary sort of boy, and Euclid 



