curve might correspond witli and be dependent upon eitlier the 

 sun-spot periodicity or the position of Jupiter in his orbit. 

 But we are not at liberty to couple the two phenomena of 

 Jupiter and sun-spots, inasumch as the periods, although very 

 nearly equal, are not quite so. The accepted average sun-spot 

 period is 11-11 years, whilst the period of Jupiter is ll'SG, 

 There is, therefore, a difference of three-quarters of a year. It 

 follows then, that, starting from an epoch of coincidence, the 

 sun-spot period will gain three-quarters of a year on every 

 reYolution of Jupiter, passing all through Jupiter's period in 

 about 166 years. In half that time then, or 83 years, the 

 sun-spot maximum, from being coincident with Jupiter's peri- 

 Tielion, will come to coincide with his aphelion. It must, there- 

 fore, be evident that the sun-spot period has no relation to 

 Jupiter's movements. I am aware that some eminent authori- 

 ties have favoured the notion that the periods are connected, 

 but it could only have been on the assumption of a different 

 sun-spot period from that which more extended observation has 

 established. 



The sun-spot maximum and Jupiter's perihelion are now ap- 

 proaching coincidence, which will probably occin^ at Jupiter's 

 next perihelion in 1892. Their present near coincidence may 

 very likely have suggested the idea of their being mutually 

 concerned in affecting our death-rate. 



There seems to be a disposition in many quarters to attribute 

 some special influence to the planetary positions, es- 

 pecially their perihelia. Jupiter, in particular, being tiie 

 nearest of the giant planets, as well as by far the largest, 

 would, on both accounts, have immensely more influence than 

 all the others put together ; that is, on the supposition that any 

 influence at all could be exercised by any of them on account 

 of orbital position. The idea implies, of course, not a direct 

 influence upon the earth itself, but an indirect one, exerted 

 through the planet's influence primarily upon the sun. JN'ow, 

 notwithstanding Jupiter's vast bulk, relatively to the other 

 planets, his mass is less than one-thousandth part of that of 

 the sun, and his mean distance 480 millions of miles. At 

 this vast distance it is difficult to conceive of any particular 

 influence that he could exert upon the sun under any cir- 

 cumstances. His relative distances at perihelion and aphelion 

 are as 10 to 11 (very nearly), surely not sufficient difference 

 for the sun to trouble himself about. ^ 



Now, why should so much importance be attached to the 

 perihelion position, as if it were some critical point, perfectly 

 distinct from every other part of the orbit ? The planet is ap- 

 proaching it from the time it leaves its aphelion, and as gradu- 

 ally recedes from it until it reaches aphelion again. 



If any influence could be supposed to be exerted by Jupiter 



