22 TRANSACTIONS OF THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE. [VOL. I. 



Hewlett states that though he has been observing and drawing spots for 

 more than twenty years, he has not seen the spots show evidence of being 

 cavities. Mr. Raynard, F.R.A.S., corroborates this statement, and Mr. 

 Elvins' own observation leads him to the conclusion that the spots may 

 not be cavities after all. He spoke of the spectra of spots as observed 

 by Mr. A. F. Miller, of Toronto, and one observed at Stonyhurst, Eng- 

 land, which gave a spectrum of bright calcium lines. He stated that 

 two theories existed as to the nature of these spots. One regarded spots 

 as openings in the photosphere, the other as existing on its surface and 

 in the sun's atmosphere above the photosphere. In relation to the first 

 he read long extracts from the recent work of J. H. Kedzie. He eulo- 

 gized the work, and stated that if the meteoric theory which he had 

 always supported, should fail (which he did not anticipate), Kedzie's 

 explanation is the best he knows of to fall back on. At the conclusion 

 many views were shown with the lantern by Mr. Howells and explained- 



Mr. Harvey enquired whether any magnetic disturbance had been 

 observed in connection with the sun-spots of last year. 



The President had not been able to trace any connection. There was 

 an intimate connection between magnetic disturbance and the aurora. 

 Whenever there was magnetic disturbance there was an aurora, and vice 

 versa. He referred to a large spot to which his attention had been called 

 by his brother in England. On observing it with the spectroscope he 

 saw bright flames in the neighborhood of the spot. Mr. Lockyer pub- 

 lished a similar observation on the same date. 



Mr. Ridout corroborated the statement of the President regarding the 

 connection between the aurora and magnetic disturbance from his obser- 

 vations in the North- West. 



FIFTEENTH MEETING. 



Fifteenth Meeting, 22nd February, 1890, the President in the chair. 



Donations and Exchanges since last meeting, 39. 



A communication from the Deputy Superintendent General of Indian 

 affairs, declining to recommend a grant by the Dominion Government to 

 the Institute in aid of archaeological research, was referred to the 

 Historical Section. 



The Secretary and Librarian were instructed to offer to the University 

 of Toronto the use of such v/orks in General and Classical Literature, 



