1892.] VEEDER— THUNDERSTORMS. 143 



SO great an effect. If such were the case it is impossible that the earth 

 itself should escape consequent disaster. In short so far as existing 

 knowledge extends we are absolutely shut up to the conclusion that 

 the forces chiefly concerned are wholly internal to the sun itself, and that 

 the eleven year periodicity simply represents what may be termed the 

 co-efficient of solar viscosity. Thus the accumulation and bursting 

 forth of the pent up forces must recur at intervals whose equality with 

 each other depends upon the extent to which the mass of the sun is 

 homogeneous and uniformly coherent. The sun itself being hot does 

 not strictly speaking become a magnet in virtue of these recurring 

 activities, but the turmoil of eruption as in the case of the terrestrial 

 volcano generates electrical currents locally, which in the case of the 

 sun occupy the cooler overlaying portions of the photosphere and 

 which are propagated throughout the solar system in strict conformity 

 to the laws governing magnetic induction particularly as exemplified 

 in the case of rotating bodies. Now it is evident that proximity to 

 the source of induction will increase the effect experienced which will 

 be greater also in proportion to the size of the body thus exposed. 

 Thus Jupiter being the largest planet when nearest the sun receives 

 and transmits a proportionately greater effect. Thus when the perihe- 

 lions of Jupiter become coincident with the recurring maxima of solar 

 activity all the effects of such activity both direct and indirect are 

 strengthened, the planet in virtue of consequent increase in its sub- 

 permanent magnetism acting like a great storage battery for their 

 accumulation as well as their transmission. Thus there is increased 

 reaction upon the sun itself in the manner indicated in the last para- 

 graph and sun spots become larger than when the perihelions of 

 Jupiter do not coincide with maxima of solar activity. There is in 

 like manner increased reaction upon other members of the solar system, 

 and magnetic storms and auroras on the earth become stronger at 

 such times. As has already been explained, coincidence of the peri- 

 helions of Jupiter with maxima of solar activity recur in cycles of 

 about one hundred and sixty-six years and the resultant strengthening 

 of such maxima may be traced backward at corPesponding intervals 

 as far as we have any record or for about eighteen hundred years. 

 Evidence of similar action and reaction in respect to the other planets as 

 well as Jupiter has been found, that between the moon and earth being 

 especially well marked in a periodic strengthening of magnetic storms 

 apparently dependant upon the perihelion position of the former in 

 its orbit. 



Thus relations to electrical induction come out distinctly in a 



