66 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE. 
To attain the end propoesd by this society, the papers bearing on 
the question were printed, and a scheme modified on the proceedings. — 
of the Canadian Institute was drawn up, under the title of “ Cos- 
mopolitan scheme for regulating time.” 
I may briefly recall the features of the scheme. 
There should be one standard of absolute time, a Universal Day, 
based on the mean solar passage, at one particular meridian, the 
Prime or initial meridian for computing longitude. This Prime 
Meridian, together with the universal day, to be observed by all 
civilized nations. 
There should be 24 secondary or hour meridians established 
15 degrees of longitude apart, beginning with the Prime Meridian as 
zero. 
To distinguish \the universal day from Kel time, it should bear 
the title of ‘‘ Cosmic Day.” 
[Nore.—I may remark, that the designation ‘‘Cosmic” was first suggested, 
independently, by two Canadian gentlemen widely separated, by Mr. R. G. 
Halliburton, then in Algiers, and by Mr. Thomas Hector, of Ottawa. The 
etymology commends the use of the word. It has been accepted by a number 
of societies and by many individuals as appropriate and applicable. ] 
Cosmic time is intended to be used to promote exactness in chron- 
ology, and to be employed in astronomy, navigation, metrology and 
in synchronous observations throughout the world. To be employed 
in ocean telegraphy and generally in all Cees non-local in 
character. 
The several twenty-four meridian to be used as standards loca] 
time around the globe. Applying the system to North America, the 
effect would be to reduce the standards to four or five, as suggested 
by the metrological society. 
A circular, dated March 15th, 1882, signed by Mr. John Bogart, 
the Secretary of the American Society of Civil Engineers, was for- 
warded to the leading men in railway direction, either as general 
managers, superintendents or engineers, and to men of scientific attain- 
ments throughout the United States and Canada. The papers thus 
circulated contained eleven questions, and catagorical replies were 
invited to them. 
Replies were received and reported on at a convention of the 
society, held in Washington on the 17th May, 1882. The scheme 
submitted was generally and cordially approved. 
