LXXVIII ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



A paper on tlic " November Meteors of 1898" was read by Mr. E. 

 A. Meredith, IjL.D. This was the last communication made to the 

 society by this highly accomplished and universally esteemed gentle- 

 man. At the annual meeting, Dr. Meredith was re-elected vice-presi- 

 dent, but almost before the society could communicate to him how much 

 the members appreciated his scholarly attlainments and genial disposi- 

 tion, he had passed away. Altliongh far advanced in years. Dr. Mere- 

 dith's death was not expected. 



In addition to the regular meetings of the society, three open 

 meetings were held, to which the public were invited. Prof. Alfred 

 Baker, M. A., addressed a large meeting on the " Nebular Hypothesis " ; 

 Mr. Napier Denison gave an instructive address on "Meteorology," 

 illustrated by stereopticon views ; Rev. C. A. Shortt, M.A., delivered a 

 popular lecture on " What an amateur may do without tools." It is the 

 purpose of the society to continue these popular lectures. 



The presidential address was delivered in the theatre of the Norinal 

 School by Mr. Arthur H'arvey, F.E.S.C. The Hon. President, Hon. G. 

 W. Ross, LL.D., in the chair. 



After referring in the most affectionate terms to the late Dr. Mere- 

 dith, whose friendship Mr. Harvey had for many years enjoyed, the 

 progress of science during 1898 was reviewed. In the course of the 

 address the President dealt at length with the discovery of the planet 

 DQ (provisionally so named by letters, now known as Eros, and No. 

 433 in the list of minor planets) ; the track of the meteor of July 5th 

 was shown on a map of Ontario, and an exhaustive review given of all 

 the observations. The Leonid meteors, the variation of terrestrial 

 latitude, and the phenomena of earthquakes were in turn discussed, 

 after which the president dealt with solar phenomena very fully and 

 exhaustively. In discussing solar outbursts, it was held and for the 

 first time stated that there is a connection between these phenomena 

 and those exhibited by comets. The theory wa^ tlms briefly announced: 

 " Whenever 'a comet is near the sun, and a solar outburst occurs which 

 causes a magnetic storm, the influence of that storm is felt in the rend- 

 ing apart of the material, whatever it be, of which the comet's tail is 

 composed, in the excitement of the nucleus and the ejection of shining 

 substance." The (address concluded with a review of the special work 

 which the society had accomplished in its endeavour to popularize the 

 study of science in Canada. 



