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comparison between Aristotle’s statements about falling bodies and 
Galileo’s experimental results. Certain present-day popular fallacies 
were referred to. 
The modern inductive method was illustrated by Tycho Brahe’s 
observations on the motion of the planets, Kepler’s calculations on these 
observations and the formulation of his “laws,’’ and Newton’s binding 
together of these laws by the theory of gravitation. 
In illustration of the meaning and nature of theories and hypotheses, 
the wave theory of light and the doctrine of the ether were briefly 
explained, while the value of mathematical speculation, its subsequent 
verification and practical application, were illustrated by the researches 
leading up to the invention of wireless telegraphy. 
An important part of the Lecture dealt with the special value of 
scientific study, in the training which it affords in the sifting of facts, and 
the elimination of prejudice in the formation of an opinion on debatable 
questions. Everything that is knowable comes within the sphere of 
scientific method, and it was suggested that a great blow would be dealt 
to the political parties (to the great good of the nation) if the franchise 
could be confined to those who are able and willing to apply scientific 
method to the questions on which their spinions are asked. 
Lights and Illumination. 
By Joun H, AspELL, M.Sc. 
The lecturer first explained the construction of the human eye, and 
the effect upon it of excessive light, showing thereby that the best 
illumination was not necessarily that of the greatest candle power, but 
that which illuminated the object to be viewed without throwing a glare 
into the eye. This is obtained by reflecting the horizontal rays of 
electric light downwards by means of reflectors designed and spaced to 
give a plane of maximum and even illumination where most needed, 
which is most often about three feet from the ground. 
Several examples of reflectors were shown with slides illustrating 
the results obtained by scientific illumination. 
Polar Research and Its Uses. 
By Herpert Harcu, M.Sc. 
Commencing by quoting such great explorers as Capt. Scott, 
Sir Clements Markham, Admiral Markham, and Sir John Murray, men 
well fitted to express an opinion, who considered that Polar Research 
might be of great benefit to mankind, the lecturer explained how the 
knowledge of the climate of the polar regions and the temperature of 
the polar seas might be used to predict climatic changes in the temperate 
regions and the course of icebergs, while navigation was made safer by 
the study of terrestrial magnetism in the neighbourhood of the magnetic 
poles, 
Tnvestigation of the rocks and marine organisms of those regions 
was of scientific value. The moral benefits to the human race included 
inventive capacity, forethought, and above all, conrage; the need fer the 
last being demonstrated by a series of slides showing the hardships and 
perils of Polar Research. 
MICROSCOPICAL SECTION. 
Two practical working meetings of this section have been held this 
Session, viz., on February 13th and November 14th, the attendance 
shewing an increasing interest amongst the members of the Section, 
which it is hoped will bear fruit at the next Conversazione. ‘The exhibits 
at the last Conversazione were well up to the average. 
