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power which binds the moon to the earth, the earth and 
other planets to the sun, and the solar system itself to some 
immeasurably distant star? which may again be but the 
satellite of some yet grander centre, sending out its power 
from some inconceivable distance, which no mortal eye can 
scan, and mortal sense scarce conceive! What are these 
‘Meteor Showers” which we saw so visibly in November, 
1868, and again in 1869, and which, it appears, we are to 
expect at regular intervals? We have advanced so far as to 
know there are, probably, many belts or zones of meteors 
revolving with mathematical regularity within the limits of 
our planetary system; but what are they? What is their 
object ? and what is their composition >—we don’t know. 
That wonderful discovery, Spectrum Analysis, A7ués darkly at 
incandescent Hydrogen Gas, but nothing more! I fear Il am 
straying from the immediate objects of our Society, but it is 
such a tempting subject for speculation. The past year has 
been by no means an eventful one for new discoveries; indeed, 
we seem to have arrived at one of the pauses or halting-places 
of Science, where discovery takes breath for fresh exertions, 
for all scientific progress is very intermittent and fitful. We 
are very apt to talk of the wonderful progress Science has 
made in our time, and to be rather disappointed if each 
recurring year does not produce some fresh marvel; but our 
modern times, especially the last half century have been 
remarkable rather for the elaboration, the perfection, and 
utilisation of ideas than for aught else. Electricity and the 
magnet were known 3,000 years ago to the Greeks, though 
they have but recently resulted in the Electric Telegraph and 
Mariners’ Compass. The extensive powers of steam were 
known to the ancients; and modern Chemistry, with its 
many wonders, is but the Alchemy of the Dark Ages. So we 
must be content to work on, each contributing his mite 
towards the elucidation of existing mysteries. What a vast 
field for speculation and interest is opened up by the pursuit 
of Natural History! How by its aid we find life and interest 
in the most unexpected places, for to the Naturalist all around 
teems with life. At the bottom of the Atlantic, in depths 
varying from 2;000 to 3,000 feet, we still find life, for here 
dwell countless molluscs, corallines, &c., though how organic 
beings can exist while sustaining so enormous a pressure, 
