88 
the result was a deficient monsoon, which, moreover, terminated 
three weeks earlier than usual. 
A similar weakness of the trades was visible, particularly at 
the Seychelles, this year. Hence, though Mr. Eliot was 
obliged to admit that the local conditions were favourable, he 
added a caution that ‘the inferences were to be accepted with 
greater reserve than usual.” 
The arena was ready for the gladiator if he arrived in good 
training, but the fight would depend on his strength. As events 
have shown, the gladiator monsoon was not ‘‘ up to form,” and 
the fight terminated a month earlier than usual all over, Northern 
India and Burmah, with disastrous consequences to the kharif 
crop. It now remains to be seen whether the coming winter 
rains will be in defect or excess. 
Until the end of the present month, when they can be in- 
ferred from the vertical anomalies of pressure, a provisional 
forecast can only be made on the law of sequences. 
Asa rule, ‘‘a light and early departing monsoon is followed 
by light winter rains.” Consequently, so far, the outlook is 
serious. In such a case, however, by a similar law of sequence, 
the rainfall of next year’s summer monsoon should be unusually 
heavy, so that the famine cannot continue for more than 
another six months. 
averted, and that other factors may override the usual sequence 
and allow a good winter fall, which would, at all events, shorten 
the period of distress, and favourably modify, although it could 
not obviate the effects of the mischief done in September. 
It would be impossible here to do more than cursorily advert to 
the moot question as to how far the periods of sunspot activity 
are directly related to the monsoons in a form in which they can 
be of practical utility in forecasting. Pace all that has been 
sun introduces a long-period oscillation, probably of similar 
eleven-year period and small amplitude, into all the elements of 
Indian weather, modifying the epochal dates, and partially alter- 
ing the character of the summer and winter rains ; but year by 
year such a variation is too small, and too masked by others of 
larger amplitude, depending on changes of flow in the atmo- 
spheric currents of a less periodical and more rapid character, to 
admit of its entering as anything but a subordinate factor into 
the seasonal forecast. The attention of the department at present 
is so concentrated on these larger six-monthly and two-yearly 
oscillations, that it is unable to devote itself to the undoubtedly 
important task of determining the precise local value of the sun- 
spot variation. 
That this exists, however, even dominantly over the whole 
area, is plain from the following grouping of the yearly rainfall 
anomalies of the entire Indian area from 1864 to 1894, which 
shows that the total annual rainfall is slightly deficient about the 
epoch of sunspot minimum, and slightly excessive about the 
opposite epoch. 
Rainfall of India during 
the south-west monsoon. 
Anomaly from the mean 
smoothed figures. 
— 0°40 in. 
+ 2°10 5, 
Groups of years. 
Five years round year of minimum sunspot 
Five years round year of maximum sunspot 
The relation to the sunspots is, however, greatly modified 
according to locality, being especially marked during the south- 
west monsoon over the Carnatic and Ceylon, and occurring in 
a reversed phase during the winter rains of North India. 
Symptoms of an early arrival of the monsoon in years of maxi- 
mum, and late in years of minimum, have been noted ; but the 
general statistical examination of the question on a rational basis 
is still a desideratum, and one which, given the necessary addi- 
tional staff, Mr. Eliot considers of sufficient importance to 
claim the attention of the department. 
At present his view of the matter, so far as its value in practical 
forecasting is concerned, may be stated thus. 
After all the other factors have been considered, the position 
of the year in the sunspot cycle may be taken as an index of the 
steadiness or variability of its general characteristics. Thus, in 
years of maximum sunspot the monsoon is distributed more 
evenly, and local anomalies are less exaggerated. The years 
about the epoch of minimum are characterised by greater local 
contrasts and irregularities. A comparison of anomaly ranges 
with sunspots would thus repay investigation, and they might 
yet be shown to possess a value far in excess of that indicated by 
the small fluctuations visible in the combined averages over 
dissimilar areas. DOUGLAS ARCHIBALD. 
NO. 1413, VOL. 55] a 
It isto be hoped that the omen may be | 
NATURE 
| logical department. 
| NOVEMBER 26, 1896 
THE NEW RESEARCH LABORATORY OF THE 
ROVAL COLLEGE OF PHVSICIANS OF 
EDINBURGH. 
[NX 1888 the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh 
determined to establish and equip a laboratory for original 
research. The scheme was regarded by the College as to a 
certain extent experimental, and was proceeded with cautiously. 
Instead of erecting special premises, an old house in Lauriston 
Lane was rented, close to the Royal Infirmary, and this was 
adapted and equipped at an outlay of tooo/ The success of 
the scheme soon became assured, and a large number of 
workers availed themselves of the opportunities afforded by the 
new laboratory for conducting investigations. The chief results 
of their work are set forth in five volumes of Laboratory Reports, 
and a sixth is now in course of preparation. A very important 
function of the Institution, moreover, has been the issuing of 
reports on morbid specimens sent to the Superintendent by 
practitioners. This work has gradually increased. While in 
1890 only fifty reports were sent out, last year no less than 417 
specimens were examined and reported on. In addition to these 
two primary objects of the Institution, the preparation of 
antitoxin serums has lately been undertaken at the instruction of 
the College. 
The original building soon proved inadequate for the growing 
work of the laboratory, and the College being assured that the 
influence of its laboratory tended to the maintenance of the 
scientific spirit in medicine, directed its Committee to seek for a 
site on which to place a permanent institution, After many 
failures the College succeeded in acquiring a site and premises 
adapted to their wants, which has been purchased and equipped 
said to the contrary, there is no doubt that the condition of the | at a cost of about 10,000/. 
The new laboratory, which was opened on November 6, is 
situated in Forrest Road, in the immediate vicinity of the Royal 
Infirmary, the University, and other medical schools. 
In equipping these new premises, the objects kept in view 
were :— 
(1) To provide a research laboratory in which bacteriological, 
histological, and chemical and experimental physiological and 
pathological work might be carried on. 
(2) To make provision for examining and reporting on speci- 
mens sent by medical men. 
(3) To provide a photographic department for macro- and 
micro-photography. 
(4) To make suitable provision for carrying on the preparation 
of curative antitoxins, &c. 
The fitting-up of the laboratory is in every respect most com- 
plete. Those portions of the building intended for laboratory 
work are heated by hot-water pipes, and are lighted by electricity. 
Hot water and steam for heating water baths are supplied 
throughout the building from a high-pressure-boiler ; and in each 
department the supply of gas and water can be shut off without 
interfering with work in the other parts of the laboratory. Com- 
munications between the various rooms is by interchangeable 
telephones. To the right of the entrance is a large, well-lighted 
apartment, which will be used as the general office of the 
laboratory and for the examination of specimens. Opening off 
this apartment are two photographic rooms, the outer of which 
contains the micro-photographic apparatus and an arc lamp in a 
lantern, while the inner is the dark-room. On the left side of 
the entrance hall access is obtained to the Superintendent's 
room and the experimental apartment, the principal room on the 
ground floor, which is fitted up with the most modern apparatus 
and appliances for the carrying on of experimental work. In 
the old laboratory the recording gear was driven by water- 
power ; in the new premises this work is done by two small 
electric motors placed beneath the floor. On the first flat, to 
the left of the landing, is the chemical room and a smaller room 
fitted with fume chambers. Provided with a working bench 
with places for six workers, the general chemical room is 
equipped in the most modern style. A through draught for the 
fume chamber is secured by a small fan driven by an electric 
motor. On the left of the landing, again, are large and small 
histological rooms and several apartments forming the bacterio- 
One of these rooms will be used for the 
production of the media for growing germs, and the production 
of diphtheria antitoxin. This department includes an incubating 
room. 
The new laboratory, like the old, is freely open to those who 
desire to undertake original investigations in the medical 
