Oct. 2 5> l88 3 ] 



NA TURE 



617 



added two others. The first, inserted between numbers 

 one and two of those referred to, reads thus : — 



" That, notwithstanding the great advantages which 

 the general introduction of the decimal division of the 

 quadrant for geographic and geodetic co-ordination, and 

 the corresponding expressions for time, is destined to 

 realise, scientifically and practically, reasons eminently 

 sound appear to justify the passing by the consideration 

 thereof in the great measure of unification proposed in 

 the first resolution. Meanwhile, to satisfy at the same 

 time important scientific considerations the Conference 

 recommends on this occasion the extension, in multiply- 

 ing and perfecting the necessary tables, of the application 

 of the decimal division of the quadrant, at least for the 

 great numerical calculations for which it presents incon- 

 testable advantages, even if it be desired to preserve the 

 old sexagesimal division for observations, mips, naviga- 

 tion, &c." 



The other, inserted between resolutions six and seven, 

 is as follows : — 



" The Conference hopes that, if the whole world is 

 agreed upon the unification of longitudes and hours in 

 accepting the Greenwich meridian as the point of de- 

 parture, Great Britain will find in this fact an additional 

 motive to take on her side new steps in favour of the 

 unification of weights and measures, by joining the 

 Metrical Convention of May 20, 1875." 



The resolution as to the choice of the initial meridian 

 was carried by 22 votes to 4 ; while Mr. Christie, sup- 

 ported by the French delegates, moved the substitution 

 of Greenwich midnight for noon as the point of depar- 

 ture ; this amendment was negatived by 20 votes to 8. 

 Finally, Dr. Hirsch made a motion, unanimously carried, 

 to the effect that the Conference should request the Go- 

 vernment of His Majesty the King of Italy to officially 

 communicate the resolutions voted by the assembly to all 

 the Governments, including those not represented at the 

 Conference. 



Among other reports read was one by Dr. Hirsch, on 

 the works of precise spirit levelling carried out in dif- 

 ferent States during the last three years. Col. Perrier, 

 one of the French delegates, recommended that those 

 works should be continued, so as to connect the Atlantic 

 with the Pacific, and to ascertain the difference of level 

 between those two oceans. General Ibanez read a report 

 on tidal studies with the mareograph. An interesting 

 discussion followed as to the best means for obtaining 

 the most exact results, and a proposal made by General 

 Ibanez to exclude observations taken at times when the 

 sea is agitated was accepted. 



Col. Ferrero proposed to close the network of triangles 

 around that basin of the Mediterranean of which Italy 

 forms the eastern side, and invited France to connect the 

 Algerian network with the Italian at Tunis as quickly as 

 possible. Col. Perrier replied, giving assurances that 

 France would commence the work next year, and then 

 read his report upon the measure of bases and the instru- 

 ments employed, which concluded with a request that the 

 Geodetic Association would invite Germany to prevent 

 the destruction of geodetic signal;. 



A Committee, composed of Col. Clarke on the part of 

 England for Malta, Capt. Kalmar for Austria, Col. Perrier 

 for France, and Capt. Magnaghi, Col. de Stefanis, and 

 Prof. Pergoal for Italy, were charged with the establish- 

 ing of an accord for the trigonometrical junction of Italy 

 with Frame, and Austria and Sicily with Malta, and in- 

 structed to invite the co-operation of England in commu- 

 nicating differences of longitudes to be determined tele- 

 graphically between Malta and Bona, between Malta and 

 Naples, between Naples and Corfu, &c. 



The honorary president of the Conference was General 

 Baeyer, and the acting president Col. Ferrero, President 

 of the Italian Geodetic Commission. Mr. Christie, the 

 Astrono:ner-Royal, and Col. Clarke, RE., represented 



England at the Conference. The United States was 

 represented officially by General Cutts of the Coast Sur- 

 vey, though Messrs. Hilgard and Peirce seem also to 

 have been present. 



LARGE AND RUDE PALAEOLITHIC 

 IMPLEMENT 



TN November, 1881, Miss Eleanor A. Ormerod, F.M.S., 

 ■*■ of Isleworth, found the remarkable instrument here 

 illustrated, and kindly added it to my collection. It was 

 found in the gravel and brick-earth thrown out of an ex- 

 cavation male for the new Hounslow and London Rail- 

 way, immediately south of Oster.ey Park, near Isleworth. 

 The excavation at this spot showed about three feet of 

 brick-earth resting on eight feet of gravel, and at this 

 depth the London clay was reached, a foot or two of 

 which was exposed. The gravel showed horizontal seams 



of fine sand, and agreed well with the well- known 1 names 

 gravel at Acton and Ealing. 



The implement is engraved one-sixth actual size, and a 

 front and side view are shown. It is exactly two feet in 

 length, and weighs thirty-two pounds. It belongs to the 

 gravel and sand, and is Palaeolithic, as is proved by the 

 ferruginous stains. Miss Ormerod, who saw that the flint 

 had been trimmed to shape by human hands, took the 

 instrument to be a huge club, the more attenuated end 

 being possibly, she thought, designed for grasping in the 

 hands ; she also noticed that the more massive end was 

 battered as if by use as a club. The more pointed end of 

 this tool has been rudely but skilfully trimmed to a wedge- 

 like point, and any one acquainted with flaking can see at 

 a glance by referring to the illustration that the point is 

 artificial. Towards the base at a (seen more distinctly 

 on the right of left figure at same point) the battering is 

 remarkably distinct. I do not think this battering has 



