656 The Spectra of Hydrogen and Helium [March 31, 



appear in the spectra of bodies which are generally believed to be at 

 an early stage of evolution. By similar experimental methods, 

 Dr. Merton has, in fact, already shown that some of the most charac- 

 teristic lines of the Wolf-Rayet stars are probably due to a form of 

 carbon. The surprising thing, to my mind, is that the resources of 

 our laboratories have already proved sufficient for the reproduction of 

 some of the spectral lines which appear to require the most extreme 

 conditions for their development in celestial bodies. 



Anyone looking at our extensive maps and catalogues of spectral 

 lines might well form the opinion that we already have quite enough 

 to occupy our attention, but I hope I have conveyed the impression 

 . that lines are of varying degrees of interest, and that we may still 

 hope to profit from further attempts to imitate the experiments which 

 are continually in progress in the laboratories of the stars. 



[A.F.] 



GENERAL MONTHLY MEETING, 



Monday, April 3, 1916. 



Sir James Crichton-Browne, J.P. M.D. LL.D. D.Sc. F.R.S., 



Treasurer and Yice-President, in the Chair. 



John Dewrance, 

 Samuel Nivison, 

 Arthur Edward Parsons, 

 Samuel Smiles, D.Sc, 



were elected Members of the Royal Institution. 



The Presents received since the last Meeting were laid on the 

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



FROM 



The Secretary of State for India — Palseontologia Indica : New Series, Vol. VI. 



No. 1. 4to. 1915. 

 Accademix del Lmcei, Reale, Roma — Atti, Serie Quinta : Rendiconti, Classe 



di Scienze Fisiche, Mathematiche e Natural!, Vol. XXV. 1° Semestre, 



Fasc. 3. 

 Accountants, Aasociation of — Journal, Vol. IX. March 1916. 

 American Chemical Society— Zonxnal for March 1916. 8vo. 



Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry for March 1916. 8vo. 

 American Geographical Socie^?/— Geographical Review, March 1916. 8vo. 

 American Journal of Physiology — Vol. XXXIX. No. 4 ; Vol. XL. No. 1. Svo. 



1916. J y jy 



