28 



the size of a bullet and a cricket ball. 

 That was mere theory, but it would ^ive them 

 some idea of the extreme smallness of an atom. 

 The most refined of modern inst ruments were a very 

 long way from reaching a separate atom and no one 

 ever expected to see one apart from anything' 

 else. Matter was always in a state of 

 vibration, and if they took a mass of steel or 

 a gaseous body like air, it was certain that the 

 molecules or atoms of which it was composed were 

 in rapid motion. And when they considered that 

 perhaps these atoms never touched one another, 

 but were farther apart than their own diameters, 

 the marvel was that matter was so stable as it 

 was. If they could see for an instant 

 the component parts of Canterbury Cathe- 

 dral they would find them all in rapid 

 quivering motion, moving in their orbits and in 

 short vibrations, but always moving. The very 

 stability of the Cathedral depended upon that 

 very mobility of those atoms. They moved under 

 strict laws and regulations, and if they ceased to 

 move it would mean destruction. And however 

 ready they were to resist and set back the finger 

 of time on their buildings, they could readily 

 understand that by atmospheric action these 

 atoms gradually took to themselves wings and flew 

 away, and so they got surface decay, and restor- 

 ation had to be resorted to. Here again they 

 saw the relation of the infinitely small and the 

 infinitely great. Mr. Harvey then went on to 

 speak of the invention of the Spectroscope, 

 and how by its means and by burning 

 certain metals they were able to detect the 

 presence in the sun of a large number of metals 

 in a state of fusion corresponding to those on earth. 

 That was one of the grandest discoveries the 

 world had ever seen. Astronomers had also 

 turned their attention to the stars and they were 

 able to descern, by means of the rays of light seen 

 through the spectroscope, between a solid body 

 and a gaseous body in a state of ignition. The 

 lecturer then spoke of the state of the earth before 



it was inhabited, and of its gradual cooling au<I 

 the condensation of water upon it, dwelling on 

 the formation of rock and strata, such as 

 Dover cliffs, the Tyrol, the coral reefs, etc.. 

 by means of billions and billions of skeletons and 

 shells of minute organisms, which, although almost 

 invisible to the naked eye. yet went to make up 

 gigantic hills. In conclusion, Mr. Harvey. 

 expressed his belief that the science of the future 

 would be an extended application of chemistry^ 

 acd they were proud to think that the le iding 

 men in chemistry had come from our own little 

 island. When they thr>ught of Cavendish, 

 Woollaston, Priestley, Dalton, Davy, and 

 Faraday, and of what these men had done, and 

 contrasted it "ith the accomplishments of their 

 German friends, they had no reason to be- 

 H,shamed ot their heritage in the matter. The 

 future of chemistry was verj momentous. Before 

 long they would have to re-consider their faod 

 supply, and would have to provide it artificially, 

 the same remark applied to their fuel, which 

 would have to be sought in another direction 

 than at present. But, with the memory of the 

 men he had named, and with the spirit of enquiry 

 in their midst, they need have no reason to fear 

 for the future (loud cheers). 



A large number of magnificent slides, kindly 

 lent by Mr. Lander, Mr. Fiddian, and others, and 

 illustrative of the lecture, were then thrown on 

 the screen by Mr. Fiddian, and were much appreci- 

 ated by the audience. 



In proposing a vote of thanks to Mr. Harvey, 

 Mr. Mann remarked, while regretting the absence 

 of Mr. Gdlpin, yet he thought they would agee 

 with him that they had had a very interesting 

 and delightful lecture. He had been deeply 

 interested, and could not but admire the wonder- 

 ful simplicity with which Mr. H^.rvey had put 

 those facts before them. He asked the audience 

 to accord Mr. Harvey a hearty vote of thanks. 



This was done and Mr, Harvey briefly replied, 

 after which the meeting termiaited. 



ELEVENTH WIXTEK MEETING, 



TUESDAY, MARCH 1-2th, 1901. " 



'CLOUDS AND CLOUD PHOTOGRAPHY.'— LECTURE BY MR. F. C. SNELL. 



An interesting lecture on "Clouds and Cloud 

 Photography " was given by Mr. F. C. Snell in the 

 Reierenoe Library cf the Beaney Institute on 

 Tuesday, March 12, 1901. Capt. McDakin presided 

 over a large attendance, which included Mr. Sidney 

 Harvey, Miss Nora Harvey, Mr. A. B. Harvey, Mr. 

 J. McClemens, Mr. Henry Fielding. Mr. \V. P. 

 iMann, Mr. A. Kennedy. Mr. W. H. Fiddi.in, Mr. 

 H. Joad, Mrs. Bowler, Mr. W. Surrey, Mr. F. 

 M. Argrave, Mr. C. Buckingham, Mr. J. G. John- 



son, Mr. W. G. Austen, Mrs. F. C. Snell, Mr. A. 

 Lauder, Hon. Sec , asd many others. 



The Chairman, in opening the meeting, said he 

 rejoiced to find that the Society had a^vakened to 

 new life, which was due to the energy of botli its 

 Committee and President, whom he sincerely 

 regretted was unable to take part in that 

 meeting. He saw Mr. Horsley that afternoon, and 

 he was glad to tell them that he was nearly 

 well. He hoped that before long he would be 



