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sun-spot phenomena. This connection has been traced as yet 

 with success in but a limited number of instances, and the whole 

 subject calls for closer investigation before 'speaking positively 

 about it. But it seems to open up so promising a field for 

 research, that one of our eminent men of science accounts it as 

 the quarter to which we must look for " The Future of Meteor- 

 ology." I can only state very briefly what is fitting to be said 

 here relating to it. 



We know that the energies of the sun are not always constant, 

 as shown by the varying character of the spots which are often 

 seen upon its surface. Sometimes these spots are numerous ; 

 certain of them, also, of such an enormous size as to be visible to 

 the naked eye. At other times no spots whatever can be detected 

 anywhere. "At times again, glowing vapours rush up from its 

 bowels with such persistence that the careful observer is sure to 

 catch a sight of their eruptions whenever he looks for them. At 

 other times they are invisible for months together." In addition 

 to the spots, may be mentioned "the solar prominences or red 

 flames," never seen till of late years, except during an eclipse, 

 Avhich occasionally appear very many at once round the edge of 

 the sun, some of them 100,000 miles high — then settling down 

 again into a quiescent state so that they shall be scarcely visible. 

 Further, it is observable that these spots and prominences vary 

 together, the greatest number of spots being accompanied by the 

 greatest number of prominences, and vice versa. 



Now there being such fluctuations in the condition of the sun's 

 surface and in the energy it displays, it can hardly be thought but 

 that these fluctuations must have some influence on the 

 meteorological phenomena of our earth. The mere existence, 

 however, of such fluctuations is not all that has been established 

 by modern science. It has been ascertained further that they 

 are not of ii'regular occurrence, but that they observe a 

 periodicity, recuning in number and development according to a 

 fixed cycle. 



