PROCEEDINGS FOR 1895. TT 
A meteorological paper on the * Development and Progress of Areas 
of Depression,” was read by Mr. R. F. Stupart, discussing chiefly the 
climatic conditions of the Northwest Territories. 
Mr. Arthur Harvey, F. R.S.C., presented a paper on the “South 
Polar Regions in Mars” reviewing at some length the literature on our 
own Antarctic regions and pointing out a line of study which might prove 
profitable in the endeavour to trace the causes leading to the conditions 
prevailing on both planets. Mr. Harvey, at the various meetings 
throughout the year, also read, by request, short notes upon work being 
done at several leading scientific institutions in Europe and America, 
thus keeping the society in touch with current scientific thought and 
experimentation, 
A paper on * Fallacies in Mathematics and Astronomy ? 
by Mr. Thos. Lindsay. 
The * Nebular Hypothesis of La Place” was reviewed at some length 
by Mr. J. Philiips. A translation of that part of the * Mécanique Céleste ? 
dealing with the subject was presented for the purpose of removing 
7 was read 
several popular fallacies as to La Place’s theory. 
A paper on the “Transit of Mercury” was read by Mr. Thos. 
Lindsay, who had made the calculations to determine the instant of 
ingress and egress for Toronto. On the occasion of the transit, November 
10th, all the telescopes available by the members were successfully used 
in observing the phenomenon, the most important astronomical event of 
the year. Several telescopes were also placed at the service of the pupils 
of the various publie schools to enable as many as possible to have at 
least a glimpse of the planet on the sun’s disc. Preparations had been 
made at the Toronto observatory and at several private residences for the 
accurate observing of the ingress, but for some minutes before and after 
the predicied time the sky was overcast, and it was a matter of regret 
that no observer in Toronto was able to report the moment of first 
external or internal contact. 
Mr. A. F. Miller, at his 4-inch refractor, made micrometric measures. 
A bright halo around the planet was observed by Mr. G. E. Lumsden 
with his 10-in. reflector, and also by several members who observed with 
the Wilson telescope. Correspondents of the society were most successful 
in observing the contact ; reports were received from Dr. J.C. Donaldson, 
of Fergus, Ont., and from Mr. J. Connon, of Elora, who presented severa 
photographs taken during the transit. Mr. F. L. Blake, chief observer 
at the observatory, noted the meridian transit of the planet while upon 
the dise of the sun. His result was a correction to the tabulated place in 
R. A. of + 0:174 sec., the mean of 9 wires on each limb being taken. The 
very generai popular interest taken on this occasion was exceedingly 
gratifying to the society, as it showed to what extent its objects were 
being attained. 
