378 Reviews. | April, 
It is indeed seldom that we have read the programme of any insti- 
tution with so much gratification as this cne; it is as concise as it 1s 
interesting, and the only objection we have to the Society is its name, 
for it would convey a better idea of its operations if it called itself a 
practical, instead of an “ experimental,” institution. 
The Council awards three prizes annually: a gold and silver 
medal, and a premium varying in amount from 50 to 150 florins,—a 
total therefore of 301. or 40/., which would be no serious outlay for 
any of our leading metropolitan or provincial scientific institutions. 
As to the questions propounded, we shall convey the best idea of 
their character, and at the same time give the most practical effect to 
our suggestion, by translating and inserting a few of them in these 
pages. 
Question 106. (Hvidently intended for sailors.)—“'The Society 
believing that an investigation of the temperature of the water in 
extensive seas, and at considerable depths, would be of great import- 
ance for ascertaining the physical state of our globe; and feeling 
satisfied that on board many vessels this temperature may under 
favourable circumstances be determined; desire to receive accurate 
researches on the subject, undertaken (with the employment of proper 
nautical instruments for ascertaining the latitude and longitude) in 
places where such experiments have not yet been made. The results 
must be stated succinctly, and in a careful detailed manner.” 
Question 114.—“ For many years past scientific men have debated 
the possibility of constructing, on the seaboard, harbours of refuge for 
vessels with a deep draught of water, similar to those found on the 
northern and southern coasts of Holland. It has been asserted that, 
with the progress made in science, the construction of such harbours 
no longer offers any difficulties.” 
The Society therefore requires the complete plan of a harbour upon 
a coast such as, for example, Schevening, which would admit, at low 
tide, vessels drawing 23 feet of water” (7 metres), “and having an 
entrance wide enough to allow such vessels to cast anchor inside, with 
a violent gale blowing from the NE. The cost of construction and 
annual maintenance is also required.” - 
Question 135.—“ It is important that persons engaged in the study 
of electricity should make themselves acquainted with the phenomena 
produced upon telegraph wires by storms and by the Aurora borealis. 
Many of these phenomena are very partially understood, and it is 
desirable that more extended experiments should be communicated, 
from which it would be possible to make deductions.” 
Question 1387.—“ Mr. 'Tyndall believes his experiments have proved 
beyond a doubt that the vapour of water” (a moist atmosphere) 
“ exercises a more powerful absorbent influence upon radiant heat than 
dry atmospheric air. Mr. Magnus, on the other hand, considers 
himself justified in concluding from his experiments that there is no 
difference in the absorbent property of a dry and of a humid atmosphere. 
The Society would wish to see these conflicting views met by con- 
clusive experiments.” . 
Our limited space will not admit of the insertion of more of these 
