October io, 1901] 



NA TURE 



583 



essay by Mr. A. L. Kroeber in the Ameriian Anthropologist 

 (N.S., vol. iii. 1901, p. 308). In all the examples referred to 

 by the author there is, as there is practically everywhere else, a 

 well-developed symbolism and a conventional decoration, which 

 exist not side by side but in each other. Most primitive decora- 

 tion, no matter how geometric or simple, has significance, and 

 thus is, visually or ideographically, realistic. This fusion of two 

 differing tendencies (symbolism and decoration) is a rule practic- 

 ally without exceptions. It is universal, because it is necessary. 

 At times, as in European civilisation, the two tendencies become 

 more separated, but the more primitive a people is, the more 

 intimately fused in its art will these two tendencies be. Other 

 tendencies also are still combined with these two in a sufficiently 

 early and rude condition of society. The symbolism of the 

 Arapalio is as ideographic as it is realistic, and is as much a 

 primitive method of writing as it is of artistic representation. 

 The author argues that it is incorrect to assume that symbolism, 

 or any other single motive, accounts for the origin of a design. 

 Thus we come to the conclusion that all search for origins in 

 anthropology can lead to nothing but wrong results. The ten- 

 dencies referred to are at the root of all anthropological pheno- 

 mena. Therefore it is these general tendencies, more properly 

 than the supposed causes of detached phenomena, that should 

 be the aim of investigation. 



The additions to the Zoological Society's Gardens during the 

 past week include a Black Kite (JMilvii^ ?iiigrans), European, 

 presented by Mr. J. B. ThornKill ; a Diana Monkey (Cerco- 

 pithecus diaiia) from West Africa, a Yellowish Capuchin {Cebus 

 flavescens) from South America, a Fournier's Capromys (Ca- 

 promys pilorides) from Cuba, a Small-clawed Otter [Ltitra 

 leptonyx), two Bungoma River Turtle {Emyda granosa), a Ring- 

 necked Parrakeet (Palaeornis torqtiattis) from India, a Vulpine 

 Phalanger {Tric/iosnrtis vulpecula) from Australia, two Yellow- 

 winged Parrakeets {Brotogerys virescens) from Brazil, a South 

 Albemarle Tortoise ( Testudo vidua) from the Galapagos 

 Islands, eight Wrinkled Terrapins (Chrysemys scripta nigosa) 

 from the West Indies, a Grey Monitor ( Varaniis griseiis) from 

 North Africa, a Razorbill (Alca iordd). British, deposited ; a 

 Grey Squirrel {Scitirus cinereiti) from North America, a 

 Mouflon (Ovis iiiusiinon) from Sardinia, a Common Rhea 

 [Rhea americand)itom South America, purchased ; eight Golden 

 Orfe {Lemisciij idus) from European fresh waters, purchased. 



OUR ASTRONOMICAL COLUMN. 

 Ephemeris of Encke's Comet (iqoi h). — Herr Ch. Thon- 

 berg gives a further ephemeris for following this comet, in 

 Asiroiiomisclie Nachrichteu^ Bd. 156, Nu. 3740- 



Ephemeris for oh. Berlin Mean Time. 

 1901. R.A. Decl. 



New Algol-type Variable, 78 (1901), Cvgni.— Mr. A. 

 Stanley Williams has detected variability in the star, whose 

 approximate position is : — • 



R.A. = 2oh. i8m. 4-03. | ,,o.,> 

 Decl. = -f 42°46'-4 /I'^SS)- 



The measures of brightness were made from photographs 

 obtained with a 4-4-inch portrait lens. Normally the star is 

 about 10th magnitude, falling almost to 12th magnitude at 

 mininum. It appears about a magnitude below normal bright- 



NO. 1667, VOL. 64] 



ness on a photograph taken 1900 October 21, I3h. om. to 

 I3h. 50m. G.M.T. ; and minima have also been visually deter- 

 mined on the following dates : — 



1901 Aug. 24 ... 14 27 G.M.T. 



Sept. 7 ... 9 43 



„ 14 •■■ 7 29 



From these data the elements of the star's variation are : — 



Minima = 1901 Sept. 7d. 9h. 43m. + 3d. loh. 49m. E. 

 For about 3d. 2h. 19m. the star remains constant at lO'O 

 magnitude. It then diminishes in 3h. 30m. to 12 magnitude, 

 at which it remains for 50m. Recovery to 10 magnitude occurs 

 in 4h. lom., the whole change occupying about 8h. 30m. 

 {Astronomische Nachrichten, Bd. 156, No. 3740). 



Photograph of the Spectrum of Lightning. — Prof. 

 Pickering announces that a successful photograph of the spectrum 

 of a lightning flash has been obtained recently at the Harvard 

 College Observatory. The spectrum showed a coniplicated 

 series of bright lines which have as yet not been individually 

 recognised. No information is at present extant as to the 

 instrument with which this interesting photograph has beei> 

 taken, but it is to be hoped that the scale is sufticient to ensure 

 accurate determinations of wave-length. For some years back 

 attempts have been made at the Solar Physics Observatory at 

 South Kensington to record the lightning spectrum, using both 

 prisms and gratings in conjunction with short-focus cameras of 

 varying size. Up to the present time, however, no success has 

 been attained, and it is with the greatest interest that the 

 publication of further details from Prof. Pickering will be 

 awaited. 



THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND 

 THE UNIVERSITY OF LONDON.' 



I AM sorry to have to sound at the outset a note of sadness. 

 We little thought when the end of the session brought release 

 for us all that before we could meet again death would intervene 

 to prevent one of our number from joining his colleagues and 

 friends at the reassembly. It may not be known to every one 

 present that a deplorable accident hasdepris'ed the College of one 

 of the most brilliant and popular of the junior members of the 

 staff. Mr. Martin Woodward, demonstrator of zoology, was the 

 younger son of Dr. Henry Woodward, the eminent keeper of 

 the geological department of the British Museum, who is a 

 personal friend of many of us and respected by everybody. 

 United as fatherland son were, not only by ties of afi'ection but 

 by constant companionship in their scientific pursuits, we can 

 only guess and I cannot express, the severity of the father's 

 loss. All we can do on this sad occasion is to offer to the family 

 of our departed friend our most heartfelt sympathy. Mr. 

 Woodward entered the College as a student in 18S2 and 

 gained the Murchison prize and medal. He was appoiiited 

 demonstrator by Prof. Huxley in 18S5, and has since that time 

 worked under the direction of Prof. Howes. Most of us deplore 

 the loss of a genial, kindly and accomplished friend, but science 

 too is the poorer by this unhappy event, for Woodward was 

 well known as a zoologist, and his extensive knowledge, skill as 

 a manipulator and scientific enthusiasm seemed to promise a 

 high place for him among the biologists of his time. 



The next announcement that I am permitted to make is of a 

 more cheerful character. Dr. Stansfield, of the metallurgical 

 division, has been appointed professor of metallurgy in the 

 McGill University, Montreal. All students who have come 

 under Dr. Stansfield's influence will, I believe, gladly unite with 

 his colleagues in wishing him a long, happy and distinguished 

 career in his new home across the sea. 



By this time it is probably known to most of the students 

 assembled here that the session now gone has seen the last of 

 two of the most eminent members of the staff' as professors in 

 the College. In Sir Norman Lockyer we are losing an investi- 

 gator of the first rank who may be said to have created a branch 

 of science out of the results of his own researches. But apart 

 from his labours in astronomical physics, I feel that the scientific 

 part of the community owes much to Sir Norman Lockyer for 

 the energy with which he has, on so many occasions, defended 

 the cause of science. Whenever a question has arisen of public 

 opinion or public policy involving the position of science, or of 

 scientific men, he has always sounded the right note. Vou will, 

 I am sure, join with us his colleagues on the council of the 



1 Address delivered at the openine of the Royal College of Science, 

 Octotjer 3, by Prof. W. A. Tilden, K.R.S. 



