208 



NATURE 



[May 4, 19 1 6 



of the apparent discs of the component stars. In 

 addition to this important work, some measures of 

 the light of the spectroscopic binaries, and thus "sus- 

 pect " eclipse variable stars 6* Aquilae and o- Scorpii 

 are given. In spite of the very short period of the 

 latter star, 02468 day according to Father M. Selga, 

 the evidence points to a slight variation. 



The Motion of the Sidereal Universe. — The view 

 that the galactic system is but a model of many has 

 been supported by additional evidence since the 

 "white" nebulae were identified with remote galaxies. 

 Such evidence is found in the very high line-of-sight 

 motions, and the dark-line spectra of the spiral nebulae, 

 the probable finite dimensions, spiral structure, and 

 integrated spectrum of the Milky Way itself. Quite 

 lately this idea has inspired some researches neces- 

 sarily of a tentative character. Messrs. R. K. Young and 

 W. E. Harper have, in fact, made a determination 

 from the data at present available concerning the 

 radial velocities of some sixteen nebulae, of 

 the direction and magnitude of the trans- 

 lational motion of the solar subuniverse (Journal 

 of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, No. 3). 

 The deduced velocity is 598 km. /sec. (a^xp.e.) towards 

 R.A. 2oh. 24m., and declination —12°. Very nearly 

 the same results have been obtained independently. 

 According to the Observatory (March) Mr. Truman 

 finds that our nebula is moving towards R.A. 2oh., 

 declination —20°, with a speed of 670 kilometres per 

 second. 



The Wave-lengths of the Chief Nebular Lines. — 

 An extensive series of measures of the two chief 

 nebular lines has been made at the Lick Observatory 

 (Bulletin 279). Nineteen spiectrograms of the three 

 nebulae, N.G.C. 6572, 7027, and Orion, were measured 

 by each of three observers, the resulting wave- 

 lengths being 5006847 and 4958902 LA. The method 

 of reduction is not fully described, but the use of a 

 reduction curve connecting micrometer measures and 

 wave-lengths showed that Runge and Paschen's wave- 

 length 5015-73 A. for this helium line is 0-12 A. too 

 small. Corrections for radial velocity were calculated 

 from the displacements of Hp. Combined with 

 Keeler's, Hartmann's, and Wright's (recalculated) 

 the rounded, weighted means are : — 



5007-02 495909 A. (Rowland). 



5006-84 4958-91 LA. 



ENGINEERING AND SCIENTIFIC 

 RESEARCH. 

 T N a paper before the Society of Engineers on May i 

 ■*■ Prof. J. A. Fleming emphasised the necessity of 

 bringing scientific discovery and research to bear upon 

 our national industries. It is estimated, he said, that 

 not less than i, 000,000, oooZ. is invested in material 

 and plant used in the mechanical and electrical en- 

 gineering industries in this country. 



Progress is hampered by want of co-ordination be- 

 tween the various learned and technical societies and 

 by the conservative element in our universities and 

 public schools. We have to consider (i) improvements 

 in training men who will become engineers ; (2) the 

 best means by which science can be brought to bear 

 on engineering problems ; and (3) scientific methods 

 in relation to the business side of engineering. 



In our present educational system. Prof. Fleming 

 added, too much attention is devoted to the cultivation 

 of memory and words, and too little study is devoted 

 to the facts of nature and the power to draw correct 

 inferences from observation. One barrier in the way 

 of industrial progress has been the imperfect scientific 

 training of foremen, managers, and young heads of 



NO. 2427, VOL. 97] 



departments in engineering works. A much-needed 

 educational reform is the compulsory attendance of 

 lads after leaving the elementary school at a technical 

 continuation school. Certificates issued by such schools 

 should have an important determining influence on 

 a boy's future, and should be valued accordingly. 



Students at technical colleges should avoid undue 

 specialisation and should be encouraged to acquire a 

 broad knowledge of the principles of chemistry, 

 mechanics, physics, mathematics, and metallurgy. 



Research work may be divided into three depart- 

 ments : — (i) Those which aim at determining physical 

 constants; (2) those providing new methods of exam- 

 ination and tests of material and structures; and (3) 

 those leading to the discovery of some new process, 

 material, or machine. In the first two departments 

 there is great scope for further work. As instances of 

 recent valuable work of this character, Prof. Fleming 

 mentioned metallography, the development of high- 

 temperature thermometry, and the recent application 

 by Prof. E. G. Coker of polarised light in studying 

 the stresses in celluloid models of beams, struts, 

 riveted plates, etc. 



A good instance of the third branch of research work 

 was the simultaneous discovery in France and the 

 United States of the electrical treatment of fused 

 cryolite to produce aluminium in bulk. This third 

 section of research work calls for special gifts, and 

 it is important to study the conditions which give rise 

 to this originative power. While natural ability plays 

 a great part, effort should be made to utilise the power 

 of inspiration possessed by some great investigators 

 like Lord Kelvin and Clerk Maxwell. The existing 

 centres of research, such as the Cavendish Laboratory 

 at Cambridge, the Royal Institution, and the National 

 Physical Laboratory, should be more fully supported. 

 An important step has been the establishment of the 

 Advisory Council on the Development of Scientific and 

 Industrial Research, and it is satisfactory to find that 

 its aid is being given largely through the intermedia- 

 tion of established professional and technical institu- 

 tions and societies. In dealing with new problems it 

 is highly desirable to utilise, so far as possible, exist- 

 ing channels of information and inquiry. 



Abroad much technical research work is carried out 

 on behalf of private associations of manufacturers in 

 particular industries, and it is to be hoped that British 

 firms will develop this co-operative method of stimu- 

 lating and utilising research. The same applies to 

 the collection and dissemination of information of 

 industrial value, and to the general scientific organisa- 

 tion of the business side of engineering. The sub- 

 sidisation of private or national research work by 

 Government funds is but a small part of the whole 

 problem. 



In the ensuing discussion Col. R. E. Crompton con- 

 tended that the British mind possesses the originative 

 powers in a high degree. He recalled that much of the 

 pioneering work in electrical matters w-as done in this 

 country, and the later advance in Germany was due 

 to better organisation, more general appreciation of 

 the benefits of applied science, and the support of the 

 industrial banks. Scientific and technical education 

 on a far greater scale is needed. Other speakers 

 agreed in advocating more systematic education in 

 scientific matters, and fuller co-operation between the 

 manufacturers and those engaged in scientific work, 

 and a number of instances of valuable research work, 

 initiated since the outbreak of war, were mentioned. 



The view was expressed that the co-operation of 

 scientific and technical societies and journals should 

 be more fully utilised with a view of bringing the 

 benefits of scientific method and research to the notice 

 of manufacturers in this countrv. 



