PBOCEEDIiSrGS OF EEGENTS. 131 



Large collections were also made from the famous Burgess Pass 

 fossil localit3^ 



Algerian expedition. — In 1911 the attention of the board was 

 called to the work of Director Abbot, of the Astrophysical Observa- 

 tory, in connection with studies of the sun as a variable star. He was 

 sent to Bassour, Algeria, to observe the so-called " solar constant of 

 radiation," while similar observations were made at the Mount 

 Wilson (Cal.) station by Assistant L. B. Aldrich. These measure- 

 ments had been reduced and strongly confirm the supposed variability 

 of the sun. 



In May, 1912, Mr. Abbot returned to Algeria, while Aid F. E. 

 Fowle made observations in California. The results were not yet 

 reduced, but little doubt Avas felt that they would be quite sufficient 

 to fully prove the supposed variability of the sun. 



A most interesting observation was made by Messrs. Abbot and 

 Fowle in connection with this work. It will be recalled that on 

 June 6, 1912, a volcanic eruption took place in Alaska. Mr. Abbot 

 noted on June 19 (only 13 days after the eruption) a smoky appear- 

 ance in the sky, which rapidly increased. Throughout the remainder 

 of his stay in Algeria the sky assumed a whitish hazy appearance 

 and the quantity of the direct radiation from the sun was reduced 

 about 25 per cent below that he had observed in the preceding year. 

 Similarly, Mr. Fowle observed the same appearances beginning with 

 June 21, but owing to the greater elevation of his station on Mount 

 Wilson the decrease in the intensity of the direct solar radiation 

 was not quite so great as had been found in Algeria. Similar effects 

 were noted in Washington, beginning June 11, and have lasted ever 

 since. 



' Mr. Abbot made in Algeria some measurements of the radiation 

 diffused from the sky, and he drew the conclusion that the total 

 radiation of tlie sky and the sun combined was less during the sum- 

 mer of 1912 by about 7 or 8 per cent than generally during the same 

 months. This defect in the quantity of the radiation available to 

 warm the earth would naturally have produced a decrease in the 

 earth's temperature. Hence the pronounced coolness of the past 

 summer seems to be explained as due to the world-wide dissemina- 

 tion of a blanket of volcanic dust from the Alaska eruption. 



Lake Baikal region.^ Siberia. — Mr. George Mixter, of Boston, Mass., 

 an experienced big-game hunter, volunteered to get material for the 

 Museum at and near Lake Baikal during the summer of 1912 and was 

 appointed a collaborator for two years. He reports the capture of 

 two bear, several Baikal seal, various small mammals, and a collec- 

 tion of fish from the lake, but no specimens have been received. He 

 has not yet returned. 



