APRIL 21, 1904| 
NATURE 
585 
200 fathoms of rock not showing organisms other than | 
live in the upper 50 fathoms, and in that case the con- 
clusion can hardly be avoided that subsidence has taken 
place. 
The analysis of the core rock shows that down to 
about 640 feet it is a limestone, between 10 and 35 feet 
containing more than to per cent. of magnesium 
carbonate with two maxima of about 16 per cent., but 
below this averaging about 4 per cent. Still deeper 
it becomes dolomitic, containing upwards of 40 per 
cent of magnesium carbonate, but in one area, 820 to 
870 feet, averaging less than 15 per cent., with further 
falls at 1061 and ro8o feet. The presence of 4 to 5 per 
cent. of magnesium carbonate is explained by the 
leaching out (solution) of the more soluble calcium 
carbonate, while the magnesium carbonate is left to 
enrich the rock. This factor will not serve to explain 
either the large amount near the surface or the 
enormous increases at certain depths, but the reader 
should carefully consider for himself Prof. Judd’s dis- 
cussion of the chemical changes. 
Considered in its entirety, the work has been well 
and carefully done. It adds immensely to our know- 
ledge of the possible means of the formation of coral 
reefs, and shows that subsidence may have at any rate 
played a dominant part in the formation of Funafuti. 
The illustrations are well chosen and all that could 
be desired. The geology is illustrated by an admirable 
series of maps. Indeed, the work reflects immense 
credit on all who have been connected with it, and 
cannot but be of great permanent value. 
THE FORTHCOMING CAMBRIDGE MEETING 
: OF THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION. 
HE fourth meeting of the British Association at 
Cambridge will be held this year from August 
17 to August 24. In 1833, the third year of its exist- 
ence, the association met at Cambridge under the 
presidency of Prof. Adam Sedgwick; Sir J. F. W. 
Herschel presided over the second meeting in 1845, and 
the third Cambridge meeting was held in 1862 under 
the presidency of Prof. Willis. 
The arrangements are already sufficiently advanced 
to admit of a preliminary forecast of the programme 
of the meeting next August. The invitation to the 
association to visit Cambridge in 1904 was presented 
by the university and the town, and by the county 
councils of Cambridgeshire and the Isle of Ely, and 
these bodies are all represented on the various com- 
mittees entrusted with the local arrangements. The 
Mayor and Corporation have kindly consented to the 
use of the Guildhall for the purposes of a reception 
room; the Corn Exchange will be utilised for the 
president’s address on August 17, and the lectures will 
be given in the new theatre. 
The sectional meetings will in most cases be held in 
the buildings of the several science departments. The 
sections are the following :—A, mathematical and 
physical science, president, Prof. Horace Lamb, 
F.R.S. ; B, chemistry, president, Prof. Sydney Young, 
F.R.S.; C, geology, president, Mr. Aubrey Strahan, 
F.R.S. ; D, Zoology, president, Mr. William Bateson, 
F.R.S.; E, geography, president, Mr. Douglas W. 
Freshfield; F, economic science and statistics, presi- 
dent, Prof. William Smart; G, engineering, president, 
Hon. Charles A. Parsons, F.R.S.; H, anthropology, 
president, Mr. Henry Balfour; I, es 
dent, Prof. C. S. Sherrington, F.R.S.; K, botany, 
president, Mr. Francis Darwin, E.R.S.; L, educational 
science, president, the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of 
Hereford. 
A “ Handbook to the Natural History of Cambridge- 
NO. 1799, VOL. 69] 
physiology, presi- | 
for the purpose does not exceed 2000 copies. 
edition of Mr. J. W. Clark’s * 
and University”? will be presented to each member 
of the association, also a series of excursion guides, 
together with a coloured map of East Anglia supplied 
by the Director-General of the Ordnance Surveys. 
Emmanuel College has agreed to entertain the 
secretaries of sections. The majority of the colleges 
have expressed their willingness to entertain free of 
charge a limited number of distinguished guests, and 
some of the colleges have agreed to place rooms at 
the disposal of members of the association, making a 
charge for meals and attendance. Girton and Newn- 
ham Colleges, and the Ladies’ Training College, have 
also agreed to extend hospitality and lodging accom- 
modation to British and foreign visitors. 
A considerable number of favourable replies have 
been received in answer to invitations issued to 
American and foreign men of science; it is expected 
that at least roo visitors from abroad will be present. 
The master and fellows of Trinity College have 
kindly granted the use of the college for a conver- 
sazione and reception to be held on Thursday, August 
18. The Lord-Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire and the 
Mayor of Cambridge will entertain the members and 
associates at a garden-party in the Botanic Garden 
on Monday, August 22. The High Sheriff. of Cam- 
bridgeshire has also expressed his intention of giving 
a garden-party during the meeting. : 
It is hoped that a table d’héte lunch will be served 
on week-days in certain college halls. Light refresh- 
ments will be served each day (including Sunday) in 
the Masonic Hall, adjoining the museums and close 
to the reception room, from 12 to 8 p.m. It has 
also been arranged to have an open-air café and beer- 
garden on ground adjoining the museums, which will 
be open on week-days from 11 to 6. 
The committee has provisionally 
excursions for Saturday, August 20. These include 
Audley End and Saffron Walden, Brandon and 
Didlington Hall (flint-knapping industry and Lord 
Ambherst’s collection of Egyptian antiquities), Cromer 
(geological), the Dykes of Cambridgeshire ; Ely, Hat- 
field and St. Albans, Lincoln, Lynn, Castle Rising and 
Sandringham, Norwich, Wicken Fen, Wisbech and 
Woad Works. 
On Thursday afternoon, August 18, the registrary 
of the university, Mr. J. Willis Clark, will deliver a 
lecture on ‘fhe Origin and Growth of the Uni- 
versity.’ The evening lecture on Friday, August 19, 
will be on “ Ripple-marks and Sand-dunes,”’ by Prof. 
George Darwin, and on Monday, August 22, the second 
evening lecture will be delivered by Prof. Osborne, of 
New York, who will give an account of ‘* Recent Ex- 
plorations and Researches on Extinct Mammalia.”’ 
On Saturday, August 20, Dr. J. E. Marr will lecture 
to the operative classes on ‘‘ The Forms of Moun- 
tains.”’ 
On Friday, August 19, a garden-party will be given 
by the principal of Girton College, and on Tuesday 
afternoon, August 23, members of the association will 
be entertained ‘at Newnham College. 
A classified list of lodgings and hotel accommodation 
is now being prepared for the use of intending visitors. 
Information in regard to lodgings may be. obtained 
from Mr. A. Hutchinson, Pembroke College. General 
inquiries should be addressed either to the local secre- 
arranged eleven 
' taries, British Association, or to Mr. A. C. Seward, 
Emmanuel College, Cambridge. 
