Sept. 5, 1889J 



NATURE 



445 



length of 270 miles by parties employed in Beloochistan as a 

 basis for topographical surveys in that region. The work of the 

 geodetic party comprised measurement of seven arcs of longitude 

 in Southern India, and the tidal survey party continued its 

 observations with self-registering tide-gauges at several stations 

 along the coast, where tidal observatories are established, and 

 connected with the operations of spirit levelling. Geographical 

 surveys have been carried out vigorously in Upper Burmah, 

 nearly 21,000 square miles having been surveyed and mapped 

 on a half-inch scale. Reconnaissance along the Nepal boundary 

 has supplied a rough basis for a more accurate and detailed 

 survey of the northern frontier when an opportunity offers. 

 Interesting additional information regarding Bhootan and Tibet 

 has been obtained from the adventurous travels of native 

 explorers trained and sent thither by the Department. Of the 

 new maps 4062 were published during the year, and heavy 

 demands continue for trans-frontier maps, and maps of Upper 

 Burmah. The photographic and lithographic offices show the 

 large out-turn of 1,203,861 copies during the year, including 

 high class illustrations for archoeological and other reports. 



A RECENT mail from New Guinea brings information that the 

 Italian naturalist Signor Lorie had landed in that country, and 

 was proceeding to carry out arrangements for a scheme of 

 scientific investigation which he proposed to himself. His 

 present intention is to remain for several years in New Guinea, 

 where he intends, in addition to following his favourite scientific 

 pursuits, to devote some of his time to exploration work. 

 Signor Lorie is described as a great enthusiast, and a man of 

 determination and courage. 



The American Meteorological yoiirnal for August contains 

 an instructive article, by Prof. W. Ferrel, on decrease of tempera- 

 ture with increase of altitude. The author reviews the cases of 

 rapid decrease which would occur were the atmosphere without 

 aqueous vapour and in a stable state ; of the very low tem- 

 perature that would exist a little above the earth, if there 

 were no atmosphere ; of the low temperature of the upper 

 atmosphere, owing to radiation into space, if the earth were 

 surrounded by a clear atmosphere, not heated by the solar rays. 

 The very rapid decrease of temperature with height is prevented 

 by the ascending currents, caused by unstable equilibrium, and 

 by the heat of condensation given out after the vapour has 

 ascended to the altitude where condensation commences. The 

 average vertical gradient is less in the cloud region than in the 

 lower strata of the atmosphere, and less in the lowsr strata 

 in cloudy than in clear weather, as shown by the results of 

 Glaisher's balloon observations. He also refers to the more 

 frequent unstable state of the atmosphere in spring and early 

 summer, owing to the lower strata at that season being warmed 

 up faster than the upper strata ; in the fall of the year the 

 unstable state is not so readily produced, and more settled 

 weather prevails. Mr. H, H. Clayton has a paper on diurnal 

 and annual oscillations of the barometer. It is pointed out, in 

 the report of the expedition to Lady Franklin Bay, that if the 

 diurnal pressure at five Arctic stations differing largely in longitude 

 be plotted in simultaneous time, the epochs of maxima and 

 minima show a striking coincidence with each other ; the author 

 traces the probable cause of the occurrence of the maxima to 

 the expansion and overflow of air from Asia and America to the 

 Pole ; and of the minima at the Pole to the fact that the outflow 

 from the Pole towards those continents is not replaced by an 

 influx in that direction from the oceans. The retardation of the 

 annual maximum from the Arctic region to the Equator, and of 

 the minimum from the southern parts of the continents to the 

 Arctic region, is also attributed to the relative heating and cooling 

 of the continents and oceans. The remaining articles are : on 

 the mineral waters of Gratiot County, Michigan, by Dr. 



Brainerd, giving an analysis of the waters and the virtues of the 

 substances contained in them ; the State tornado charts of 

 Kansas and Indian Territory, by Lieut. Finley ; a translation of 

 a paper, by Saussure in 1796, on the use of the sling psychro- 

 meter, from which has resulted the modern use of that instrument ; 

 and, on atmospheric economy of solar radiation, by A. Searle, 

 with comments by Prof. Ferrel (the principal point is that the 

 earth is kept at a higher temperature than it would be, owing to 

 the fact that heat is transferred upwards by conduction and 

 convection instead of by direct radiation). 



The syllabus for the year 1889-90 of the Manchester Technical 

 School has been issued. It shows the importance and magni- 

 tude of the work in which this institution is engaged. There 

 are eight departments in the day and ten in the evening school, 

 beginning with a manual training school for boys, which is the 

 beginning of the whole course. This school is not intended to 

 teach boys a trade, but to provide them with a complete educa- 

 tion of both head and hand, in the belief that in this way their 

 powers will best be developed and they themselves be best fitted 

 for after-life. The syllabus this year has some new features. In 

 manual training there is a special course on Saturday mornings 

 for schoolmasters and teachers in the use of wood-working tools, 

 with a view to enable them to introduce manual training among 

 their own pupils. In commercial geography there is to be a 

 special course of lectures of a practical character. Type-writing 

 is another novelty. The chief feature is instruction in the use of 

 the Remington and Caligraph machines. With a view to obtain 

 the necessary skill, each student has three hours' practice per 

 week. There is a special class for women in shorthand, in addi- 

 tion to increased facilities for male students. A special honours 

 class has been formed for evening students in magnetism and 

 electricity, telegraphy, and electric lighting. Especially it should 

 be noted that facilities are offered for a comprehensive study of 

 commercial subjects. There are now great facilities to evening 

 students for the study of science and of art in their application to 

 all the more important industries. The school staff consists of 

 52 teachers. Last session the school was attended by 3328 

 individual students. 



We have received the prospectus of the day classes in arts 

 and science and of the evening lectures for the session 1889-90 

 of the University College, Liverpool. 



The Colonial J^oard of Viticulture in Melbourne recently 

 proposed the establishment at public expense of an experimental 

 vineyard and school of viticulture for the colony. The sugges- 

 tion has now been accepted by the Minister of Lands, and a site 

 has been selected for the purpose at Rutherglen. The area 

 selected is 200 acres, and it will be permanently reserved for the 

 purpose. Instruction will be imparted at the institution by 

 capable teachers in the most approved methods of vine cultiva- 

 tion, and experiments will be conducted with the view of testing 

 the value of new plants said to be suitable for growth in Victoria. 

 Funds for conducting the school will be provided in the present 

 year's estimates, but pending the formal vote the Minister has 

 authorized the expenditure of a sum sufficient to at once plant 

 20 acres of the reserve, and so expedite the work. This will 

 enable the Board of Viticulture to take advantage of the present 

 favourable season. 



In his last Report, the British Vice-Consul at Nisch men- 

 tions the terrible havoc which is being made by disafforestation 

 in Servia since its independence. He says that during the 

 Turkish occupation Servia was covered with magnificent forests 

 of oak, beech, chestnut, and walnut trees, by means of which 

 the country was assured of a regular and plentiful supply of 

 water, and in the recesses of which the natives found shelter and 

 refuge from their foreign conquerors. From the date of her 



