114 
Mr. G. ScoTT thought that the nebulous condition of a comet, 
added to its gradual absorption, would lead to the conclusion that heat 
was given off. 
In reply to Mr. Pankhurst, Mr. PRATT said the real diameter of 
the nucleus of the comet was 3,700 miles. 
Mr. PANKHURST thought, then, that the comet being 430 times 
further distant from the earth than the sun, it could hardly affect the 
earth’s atmosphere. 
Mr. SHELTON said, as it had been calculated that, before some 
comets returned to our system, 102,000 years must elapse, it showed 
that the ellipse must be a very eccentric one indeed. He thought 
comets’ motions were greatly influenced by the planetary system. © 
Mr. PAYNE believed that the increased heat of a summer when a 
comet appeared was only supposititious, the recollection of a warn 
summer being impressed upon persons by the fact of a comet being 
visible in such year. 
Mr. B. LomAx thought that almost everything was put down to 
comets. He had seen a severe frost attributed to one. (A laugh.) 
Mr. PRATT quoted instances to show that the actinic influence of 
a comet was small, for it made scarcely any impression on a 
photographer’s plate. 
AUGUST 27TH. 
MICROSCOPICAL MEETING.—“GNATS OR MOS- 
QUITOS?” AN ENTOMOLOGICAL DISCUSSION. 
An abstract of the previous meeting having been read, Mr. G. D. 
SAWYER related a circumstance which he noticed about forty years 
ago, viz., a wall in the Ditchling Road nearly covered with chrysalides. 
Mr. T. W. WoNFOR explained that it was familiar to entomolo- 
gists that some caterpillars did select certain places in which to pass 
into the chrysalis state; and sometimes when they did so they were 
not in their natural condition, but were very often ichneumoned. 
Mr. C, F, DENNET took occasion to pass a very high compliment 
