XXIV ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 
papers were read with a view to exciting popular interest in the pheno- 
menon. Mr. George E. Lumsden dealt with the subject of eclipses gen- 
erally, reviewing the old ideas prevalent among the ignorant regarding 
these occurrences, and leading up to the physical explanation of an 
eclipse. The phenomena attending totality were described in detail, and 
the hope expressed that as many of our people as could arrange, would 
go to some point on the eclipse track to observe. 
Mr. Lindsay’s paper was a solution'of the problem of determining 
the moment of first contact from the elements as given in the ephemeris. 
Throughout the year, Mr. G. G. Pursey presented regular notes of 
observations of sun-spots, accompanied by drawings taken at a long focus 
telescope. 
Dr. J. J. Wadsworth, of Simcoe, Ont., reported periodically to the 
Society chiefly lunar observations made at his twelve-inch reflector. 
Mr. D. J. Howell during the year was engaged in making lantern- 
slides of the lunar photographs published by the Directors of the Paris 
Observatory. A complete set, as far as issued, is now ready, and it is the 
intention to continue the work, thus adding materially to the Society’s 
cabinet of astronomical slides. 
Mr. W. B. Musson reported at the annual meeting on the present 
state of the Society’s library. This is now in most excellent order, and 
it is gratifying to know that the books, periodicals, etc., are in constant 
use among the members. 
Mr. John A. Paterson read an exhaustive review of Professor G. H. 
Darwin’s work on “ The Tides,” making the subject thoroughly popular, 
and dealing specially .with tidal phenomena as revealed in the genesis of 
worlds. Mr. Paterson’s paper, copiously illustrated, appears as an appen- 
dix to the Society’s Transactions. 
The annual address was delivered on January 23rd, 1900, by the 
retiring President, Mr. Arthur Harvey. The subject chosen was 
“ Astronomy, in infancy, youth and maturity.” | Comparisons were 
drawn between what was formerly known regarding the heavens and 
what is now a matter of common knowledge. A review of Galileo’s work 
was embodied in the paper, with some extracts translated from an edition 
of his works pulished at Bologna in 1656, and which is in the possession 
of the Society. Mr. Harvey dealt also with his researches into phen- 
omena attending solar magnetic outbursts. 
The name of the Society has been changed to that of “ The Toronto 
Astronomical Society.” 
The Astronomical Society of Meaford and the Astronomical Society 
of Orillia are affiliated with the Toronto Society, and report at intervals. 
