1878.] ^j [Chase. 



The constancy of wave-velocity requires that h and t should vary in- 

 versely as g. The law of conservation of areas demands the same ratios of 

 variability in the rotation of any contracting or expanding nebular nucleus; 

 for, the velocity of rotation varying inversely as radius, and the distance 

 traversed varying as radius, the time of rotation (or t, the time of semi - 

 rotation) varies as the square of radius ; but g varies inversely as the square 

 of radius, .\ gt oc — X t 1 , and is constant for all possible stages of nebular 



condensation. The record of rotation is, therefore, invariable, representing 

 the undulatory velocity of the sethereal medium, as well as the constant 

 limiting velocity of gravitating tendency for which Faraday sought. 



The value of// being a maximum, in our system, at Sun's surface, there 

 is where the limiting value of gt is to be found. If we estimate Sun's 

 semi diameter* at W 2", Earth's mean radius vector is 214.41 solar radii. 

 Laugier's mean estimate of t (the time of Sun's semi-rotation) is 12.67 

 days, or 1093872 seconds ; Vgr— (214.41* X 2^r) -s- (3G5.256 x 8(i400)- 

 .-. g — r -5- 2559500. and gt = r h- 2.340. But the velocity of light, ac- 

 cording to Struve's constant of aberration, is 214.41 r -=- 497.825 = r ~ 

 2.322. f This investigation, therefore, leads to the same result as those 

 which I have before undertaken, and gives the velocity of light as the limit- 

 ing constant of gravitation. 



Staled Meeting, November 1, 1878. 



Present, 20 members. 



Vice-President, Mr. Fraley, in the Chair. 



Mr. J. B. Knight, Prof. L. Haupt, and Dr. Morris Long- 

 streth, newly elected members, were introduced to the pre- 

 siding officer and took their seats. 



Letters accepting membership were received from Dr. Al- 

 bert H. Smith, dated 1419 Walnut St., Phila., Oct. 20, 1878 ; 

 Rev. Edward A. Foggo, D. D., 717 Locust St., Phila., 

 Oct. 28, 1878 ; Rev. Samuel Longfellow, Gerinantown, Oct. 

 24; and Dr. A. S. Packard, Jr., Brown University, Prov- 

 idence, R. L, Oct. 18, 1878. 



Letters of acknowledgment were received from the Ob- 

 servatory at Prag, Nov. t>, 1877 (99,100, List) ; the Royal 

 Danish Academy, Sept. 30, 1878 (100, List); the Royal 



* Amer. Nautical Almanac. 



t This is equivalent to Faye's value of ;// for hit. 16° 50', or Carr-ington's for lat. 

 II 16'. 



