48 UNIVERSAL OR COSMIC TIME. 
the adoption universally of one Time would be a valuable advantage 
and might be easily effected. It would save much time and remove 
a number of difficulties. We must, however, own that in other 
scientific questions the usage of a local time in reference to the rising 
and setting of the sun would be preferable. For the present it 
would be well to consider at what point the introduction of Cosmo- 
politan Time in the sciences would be opportune. 
The universal acceptance of another idea set forth by Mr. Fleming 
would probabiv meet with few obstacles, and its general introduction 
is recommended, In the opening pages of his memoir he makes 
the following remarks :— 
“The division of the day into two halves, each containing 12 
‘hours, is a fertile source of error and inconvenience. ‘This 
‘“‘ division has been long in use, but apart from its antiquity 
“‘ there is nothing to recommend it, and its use does not confer 
“any benefit to man.” 
Permit me to say that I partake entirely of his views. For this 
reason I wish particularly to draw the attention of the Academy to 
them. 
The division of the day into two halves seems to have slipped into 
common use without any sufficient reason. In consequence of the 
inconveniences it causes it is desirable that it should be replaced by 
the simple division of the day into 24 hours. The example of the 
Italians and some other nations, where this simple division is adhered 
to until this century, proves that its general adoption would not mect 
with serious dithculties. 
To my idea the Academy would render a great service to the 
world if it supported this proposed change. 
In conclusion, I take the liberty of sending, on the part of the 
Academy, two Russian papers read at the Geographical Society of 
Russia in 1870, which might be of interest to the Canadian Insti- 
taite at Toronto, and to the American Metrological Society at Wash- 
ington. 
OTTO STRUVE. 
-30 September, 1880. 
