Jax. 6, 1882.] 



• KNOWLEDGE * 



199 



Muybridge, of San Francisco. Next week, or the week 

 after, we shall give a series showing a galloping horse. 



The above views are from the Sciendjic American ; but, 

 as mentioned in our last, the series showing a trotting 

 horse had to be modilied before it could be used for the 

 purpose of the magic wheel 



It is hardly necessary to say that the wheel can be 

 readUy made to turn uniformly by being put on a small 

 axle, round which a string may be twined. But twirling 

 with the hand will suffice to show how well worth while it 

 is to pro\'ide for a more satisfactory method. 



THE PLANETS AND SOLAR SPOTS. 



MDUPONCHEL considers that the maximum of solar spot 

 . frequency will not occur " as all the world, and JI. Fagcin 

 particular," predict, in 1882, but not earlier than 1890. It may 

 possibly occur as early as 1888, but far more probably will be as 

 late as 1892. He bases this on the supposed relation between the 

 sun spots and planetary movements, a relation which has not 

 been established, but on the contrary, seems more and more un- 

 likely the more the evidence is examined. Those who fondly 

 imagine that the world is to come to an end in 1882 (the prediction 

 of Mother Shipton — of fully equal value in our opinion — having failed 



for 1881) because of planetary perihelion passages, and resulting sun 

 disturbances (also because the pyramid grand gallery is 1881"59 

 inches long, or ought to be), may breathe freely again, that is if they 

 are disposed to prefer M. Dnponchel as an authority to Professor 

 Grimmer. For our own part we believe the world is quite as likely 

 to come to an end in 1888, or 1890, or 1892, as in 1882. It has 

 been coming to an end, at intervals of two or three years, for the 

 last century, and probably, though we have no evidence as to 

 details, ever since it seemed so certain to every one that the year 

 1,000 was to see the end of all things mundane. And so far as can 

 be seen, one prediction in the past and for future dates has been as 

 good as another — in other words, not one has been worth a straw. 



