1898-99.] | MAGNETIC INFLUENCE OF SUN ON THE EARTH AND ON COMETS. 347 
turbed at that particular time, and it then began to be recognized that 
solar outbursts and magnetic storms had some connection. But many 
a spot breaks out and passes over the sun’s disc without noticeably dis- 
turbing the magnets, and just what the relation is has been the subject 
of constant enquiry and controversy. Prof. F. H. Bigelow, of the 
Weather Bureau, Washington, thinks the sun is itself a huge spherical 
magnet, with of course a spherical field, which embraces the earth ; 
through which pulsations shoot. 
If this be so, which Prof. Hazen, of the same bureau, declares “unthink- 
able,” the position of the spots with respect to the earth is irrelevant to 
the discussion, and, mztat’s mutandis, if the position of the spots is 
important, Prof. Bigelow’s theory must be at fault. Dr. M. A. Veeder, 
of Lyons, N.Y., has strenuously endeavoured to prove that the magnetic 
disturbance occurs when the spot first appears on the eastern limb ; 
others say it takes place when the spot is central. The latter is the 
generally received opinion, though by no means justified as a universal 
rule. 
The magnets had been very quiet all last year, as usual near a sun- 
spot minimum ; but in September a great sun-spot appeared, and a vio- 
lent magnetic storm occurred. The curve of Horizontal Magnetic Force, 
from July 1st to September 25th, is shown on the annexed diagram. 
I 5 10 1D 20 25 Boje! i 5 10 
July August 
1898 
BS bi t9 24 2 5 +e) 15 20 25 
9 I 
August Sept 
