1903,] on the Neiu Star in Gemini. 385 



into gas again, but a moderate accession, from a similar cause, does 

 not seem improbable. Geologists bave long been asking for some 

 such breach of continuity to explain the Glacial period and other 

 observed facts. There is geological evidence to support for instance 

 such a view as follows : that the Sun had sensibly cooled, producing 

 a Glacial period which covered our Earth with ice ; that in some way 

 an accession of heat came to the Sun ; the ice was melted and 

 perhaps evaporated, causing a period of mighty torrents ; since when 

 the Sun has been gradually cooling to the present time. Direct 

 evidence of such an occurrence we cannot obtain from astronomy, but 

 neither can astronomy directly declare against it : we must listen to 

 what the geologists have to say. 



Astronomers can, however, throw more light on the possibilities 

 by diligently investigating new and variable stars ; and when issues 

 such as the probable past and the possible future of our solar system 

 are bound up with these researches, their importance must be 

 obvious to everyone. I have little fear that they will be neglected, 

 but as an Englishman I cannot help feeling a grave anxiety lest we 

 should drop out of this important work for want of material resources, 

 — for want of men and money, but especially men. 



[H. H. T.] 



GENERAL MONTHLY MEETING, 



Monday, June 8, 1903. 



Sir James Criohton-Browne, M.A.-LL.D. F.B.S., Treasurer and 

 Vice-President, in the Chair. 



Sir Walter Joseph Sendall, G.C.M.G. 

 was elected a Member of the Eoyal Institution. 



The Presents received since the last Meeting were laid on the 

 table, and the thanks of the Members returned for the same, viz. : — 



FROM 



The Secretary of State for India— Report on the Kodaikanal and Madras Obser- 

 vatories for 1902. 4to. 1903. 



The French Government— (Enures de Lavoisier, Tomes V. and VI. 4to. 1892-3. 



Accademia dei Lincei, Eeale, Roma — Classe di Scienze Fidiche, Matematiche e 

 Naturali. Atti, Serie Quinta : Kendiconti. Vol. XII. 1° Semestre, Fasc. 

 7-9. 1903, 8vo. 

 Classe di Scienze Morali, Storiche, etc. Serie Quinta, Vol. XII. Fasc, 1, 2. 8vo. 

 1903. 



Allegheny Observatory — Miscellaneous Papers, N.S. No. 10. 8vo. 1903. 



American Academy of Arts and Sciences — Proceedings, Vol. XXXVIIT. No. 19. 

 8vo. 1903. 



