June 12, 1919] 



NATURE 



295 



operating oflf South iGeorgia, I have found it possible 

 to arrive at certain definite results which amplify or 

 correct those of previous observers. These are 

 specially clear in the case of the fin w-hale, which 

 has provided the largest number of records. It is 

 found that in a given month there is a particular 

 length of foetus which has the greatest frequency; that 

 in the next month a greater length is most common ; 

 and so on for several succeeding months, after which 

 the whaling season comes practically to an end, and 

 the number of records is inadequate to give a normal 

 result. Although there are certain irregularities need- 

 ing explanation in the graphs constructed from the 

 statistics, the general result has been arrived at that, 

 in each of the three species principally hunted at South 

 Georgia, pairing takes place with greatest frequency at 

 a certain period of the year, and that a normal curve 

 of pairing can be drawn. This result gives, in the 

 main, a satisfactory explanation of the statistical 

 records. The season when pairing is at its height 

 falls in each case outside the period when whaling is 

 actively carried on in the Far South ; and the im- 

 pMDrtant conclusion is reached that if the whales are 

 to be protected during their breeding season, it must 

 probably be done in regions of the world farther north 

 than South Georgia. The validity of the southern 

 figures, which have, no doubt, been roughly recorded 

 by the whalers, has been confirmed by obtaining corre- 

 sponding results from the examination of the statis- 

 tical foetal records of northern whales. 



It can scarcely be doubted that protective measures 

 of some kind are urgently necessary now, or will at 

 least become so in the near future; although it is by 

 no means certain what form they should take. The 

 British Government is, in some respects, in a specially 

 favourable position with regard to this matter, since 

 all the important whaling grounds of the sub-Antarctic 

 region belong to the Dependencies of the Falkland 

 Islands and lie in its jurisdiction. It Is satisfactory 

 to be able to conclude with the statement that the 

 Government is fully alive to the necessity of taking 

 steps before It is too late, and that an Inter-Depart- 

 mental Committee is at present engaged, under the 

 auspices of the Colonial Office, In framing a scheme 

 for an expedition which is to investigate the whaling 

 problem on the spot, with the view of obtaining in- 

 formation on which legislation may be based. 



UNIVERSITY AND EDUCATIONAL 

 INTELLIGENCE. 



Cambridge. — The governing bodv of Emmanuel 

 College offers two exhibitions, each" of the value of 

 5oi. and tenable for two years, to research students 

 commencing residence at the college in October, 1919. 

 The exhibitions will be awarded at the beginning of 

 October, and applications should be sent so as to 

 reach the Master of Emmanuel (the Master's Lodge, 

 Emmanuel College, Cambridge, England) not later 

 than September 24. 



London. — A war memorial scheme for University 

 College, University College Hospital and Medical 

 School has now been settled, and an appeal for a 

 sum of 30,000/. is being issued to all old students of 

 the colleges whose addresses are known. The com- 

 plete scheme as settled by a representative and in- 

 fluential committee, under the patronage of the Earl 

 of Roseber>-, Chancellor of the University of London, 

 includes the following features : — A war memorial 

 album, containing the records of the academic and 

 Service careers of the 268 men who have fallen ; 

 memorial tablets recording their names; scholarships 

 for the sons and daughters of the fallen ; a great hall 

 for the use of the college and medical school; and 



NO. 2589, VOL. 103] 



the endowment of University College Hall, Ealing. 

 The hon. treasurer is Capt. Wedgwood Benn, who is 

 a fellow of the college; donations sent to him at 

 University College will be gratefully acknowledged. 



Oxford. — On June 10 the question of an applica- 

 tion for a Government grant came before Convocation, 

 and by 126 votes to 88 it was decided to authorise the 

 Vice-Chancellor to apply for a Government grant or 

 grants, and to accept the same on behalf of the Uni- 

 versity on condition that the University should co- 

 operate with the Government in an inquiry to be 

 made into its whole resources and the use which is 

 being made of them. 



It appears to be generally allowed throughout the 

 University that a large accession of funds is necessary 

 for the efiicient working^ of the scientific departments 

 under present-day conditions; nor does there seem 

 to be any widespread objection to such an inquiry 

 as is proposed. In several quarters, however, dis- 

 trust is felt as to the possible effect of control by 

 the Board of Education, which appears to be an un- 

 avoidable consequence of the acceptance of a grant 

 of public money. The independence hitherto enjoyed 

 by the University in educational and administrative 

 matters Is believe'd by a minority to be at stake. The 

 view, however, has prevailed that these apprehensions 

 are groundless, or at least are not sufficient to out- 

 weigh the positive advantages to be gained by ap- 

 proaching the Government, and the division just taken 

 In Convocation shows that the University Is prepared 

 to face the risk. 



Mr. S. O. Rawling has been appointed lecturer in 

 chemistry at Robert Gordon's Technical College, 

 Aberdeen. 



The resignation of Prof. W. M. Gardner of the 

 princlpalship of the Municipal Technical College, 

 Bradford, is announced. 



It is announced that the Most Rev. John Henry 

 Bernard, D.D., Archbishop of Dublin, has been ap- 

 pointed Provost of Trinity College, Dublin, by the 

 Crown In succession to the late Sir J. P. Mahaffy. 



We have received from Mr. H. Valentine Davis, 

 "Noddfa," Wistaston, Crewe, a programme of a 

 course of field-work in Snowdonia for the outdoor 

 study of geographv, botany, and geology, which he 

 has arranged to conduct between July 30 and August 13 

 at Llanberis. Mr. Davis is prepared to receive ap- 

 plications from teachers and others who desire to 

 attend the course. 



The executive committee of the Ramsay Memorial 

 Fund reported to a meeting of subscribers on June 5 

 that a sum of 43,000?. is in hand and 7o,oooL in view, 

 so that the ioo,oooi. aimed at is within realisation. It 

 was resolved that :— (i) A sum of 25,000!. be definitely 

 allotted 'to the Senate of the University of London 

 towards the provision of a laboratory of chemical 

 engineering at University College, London, on the 

 site proposed in close proximity to the existing en- 

 gineering buildings. (2) The executive committee be 

 empowered to emplov the balance of the fund already 

 subscribed, and all future donations to be received, to 

 the foundation of Ramsay memorial fellowships to 

 the number of three or to such smaller number as 

 they mav deem expedient until the fund is sufficient 

 for' founding fellowships. (3) If and when the amount 

 of the fund exceeds the sum required for giving effect 

 to resolutions (i) and (2), the division of such further 

 sum between the augmentation of the sum allotted 

 for the chemical engineering laboratory and the aug- 

 mentation of the number of available fellowships be 

 referred to the executive committee for decision. 



