c. PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. 



between concave glass ends, which are said to give good results. 

 A fine aurora was seen in many parts of the kingdom between six 

 and twelve on the evening of February pth last, showing beautiful 

 undulatory streamers of white, red, green, and yellow, whilst a 

 series of sunspots, some visible to the naked eye, were also seen 

 during the same month. A graphic description of the fall of a 

 meteorite into the sea is worth recording on account of the 

 rarity of such an observation. The observer says that suddenly 

 on October iyth, 1906, an immense meteor made the dark night 

 as light as day, and, falling almost perpendicularly, produced a 

 broad electric-coloured band, gradually turning to orange and 

 then to the colour of molten metal. When it came near it 

 appeared like a molten mass of metal being poured out, and 

 entered the water with a hissing noise close to the ship. The 

 planet Mercury is an object which is not often seen without the 

 aid of a telescope, but it is stated by an observer who has seen 

 it 130 times since 1868 that it may be seen about 15 times 

 in a year. Doubtless an accurate knowledge of its position is 

 first essential. Interesting changes have been taking place in 

 Jupiter. The north equatorial band, which has been diminish- 

 ing since 1903, and was almost invisible on April loth, 1906, 

 was on July lyth, of the same year, seen to be completely 

 re-formed, being broader and at some points darker than the 

 south equatorial band. Also a great increase of velocity in the 

 rotation, as deduced from the great red spot, was observed, 

 between May 4th and August 8th last, the period of rotation 

 being only 9 hours 55 min. 33 i-8th sees. a greater increase 

 than any previously observed in the past 75 years, the time 

 during which these points have been specially noted. A serious 

 trouble has lately been threatening the Greenwich Observatory 

 in the vibration caused by the lately erected electric-power 

 station of the London County Council within half-a-mile. The 

 tall chimneys obscure part of the heavens, and the hot gases 

 which they emit cause a flickering and uncertainty of vision. 

 A committee of the Admiralty appointed to inquire into the 

 matter has suggested certain modifications and restrictions 



