468 



NATURE 



\_Scpt. 1 1, 18S4 



low temperature that the observed rapid movements within 

 the solar envelope could not possibly take place. It 

 scarcely needs demonstration to prove that extreme 

 tenuity can alone account for the extraordinary velocities 

 recorded by observers of solar phenomena. But 

 extreme tenuity is incompatible with low temperature 

 and the pressure produced by an atmospheric column 

 probably exceeding 50,000 miles in height subjected to the 

 sun's powerful attraction, diminished only one-fourth at 

 the stated elevation. These facts warrant the conclusion 

 that the high temperature established by our investigation 

 is requisite to prevent undue density of the solar atmo- 

 sphere. 



It is not intended at present to discuss the necessity of 

 tenuity with reference to the functions of the sun as a 

 radiator ; yet it will be proper to observe that on merely 

 dynamical grounds the enormous density of the solar 

 envelope which would result from low temperature, pre- 

 sents an unanswerable objection to the assumption of 

 Pouillet, Yicaire, Sainte-Claire Deville, and other eminent 

 savants, that the temperature of the solar surface does 

 not reach 3000° C. J. ERICSSON 



THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION 



HOSTS and guests have been abundantly satisfied 

 with the results of the Canadian Meeting of the 

 British Association. The Canadians have done their 

 very utmost for their guests, and the latter appear to have 

 responded heartily. There have been, to judge from the 

 very full reports in the Times, some notable incidents in 

 connection with the meeting, which will no doubt be fully 

 noticed in the reports from our Special Correspondents, 

 which we hope to receive in time for next week's number. 



The General Committee met on Wednesday, with Lord 

 Rayleigh in the chair. The aggregate membership was 

 reported as 1773, of whom 55S were old and 1215 new. 

 The following are the grants of money that have been 

 made : — 



Mathematical Section. — Meteorological observations 

 near Chepstow, 25/. ; synoptic charts of the Indian 

 Ocean, 50/. ; reduction of tidal observations, 10/. ; calcu- 

 lation of mathematical tables, 100/. ; meteorological ob- 

 servations on Ben Nevis, 50/. ; solar radiation, 20/. ; 

 meteoric dust, 70/. 



Chemical Section. — Vapour pressures and refractive 

 indices of salt solutions, 25/. ; chemical nomenclature, 

 5/. ; physical constants of solutions, 20/. 



Geological Section. — Volcanic phenomena of Vesuvius, 

 25/. ; Raygill fissure, 15/. ; earthquake phenomena of 

 Japan, 75/. ; fossil Phyllopoda of the Palaeozoic rocks, 

 25/. ; fossil plants of British Tertiary and Secondary 

 beds, 50/. ; Geological Record, 50/. ; erosion of sea- 

 coasts, 10/. ; circulation of underground waters, 10/. 



Biological Section. — Table at Naples Zoological Sta- 

 tion, 100/. ; Zoological Record, 100/. ; migration of 

 birds, 30/. ; exploring Kilimanjaro and adjoining moun- 

 tains of Equatorial Africa, 25/. ; recent Polyzoa, 10/. ; 

 marine biological station at Granton, 100/. ; biological 

 stations on coast of United Kingdom, 150/. 



Geographical Section. — Exploring New Guinea, 200/. ; 

 exploring Mount Roraima, 100/. 



Mechanical Section. — Patent legislation, 5/. 



Anthropological Section. — Investigating the character- 

 istic physical and other features of north-west tribes of 

 Canada, 50/. ; physical characteristics of the races in the 

 British Isles, 10/. Total, 1525/. 



In the case of the following Committees no money 

 grants were voted : — Committees on practical standards 

 for use in electrical measurements, for promoting tidal 

 observations in Canada, for calculating tables of funda- 

 mental variations of algebraic forms, for securing har- 

 monic analysis in reducing tidal observations, for com- 



paring and reducing magnetic observations, for investi- 

 gating the rate of increase of underground temperatures, 

 for securing an international geological map of Europe, 

 for reporting on erratic blocks oi England, Wales, and 

 Ireland, for examining marine life on coasts and rivers of 

 North America, for survey of Palestine, and for science 

 teaching in elementary schools. A vote was passed that 

 the Council be recommended to request the Admiralty to 

 adopt an harmonic analysis for the reduction of tidal ob- 

 servations. This is already being done in Germany, 

 France, India, and elsewhere. A letter was read on the 

 subject prepared by Sir William Thomson and Prof. G. 

 H. Darwin to send to the Admiralty. The Council was 

 also recommended to request the Canadian Government to 

 adopt measures for investigating the physical character, 

 language;, social and artistic condition of the native 

 tribes of the Dominion. Various American members 

 having suggested that an International Scientific Con- 

 gress be formed, this subject was referred to the 

 Committee by several Sections. 



The General Committee adjourned to meet in London 

 on November 1 1. 



The closing meeting of the Association was held in 

 Queen's Hall the same afternoon. There was a large 

 attendance, Lord Rayleigh being in the chair. Admiral 

 Ommanney, the acting treasurer, announced the member- 

 ship, and also the total receipts, which have been about 

 1800/. The suggestion as to an International Scientific 

 Congress was received with applause. 



The Corporation and Faculty of McGill University 

 were on the platform, and Sir William Dawson, the 

 Principal, after a brief preliminary address, conferred the 

 honorary degree of LL.D. upon the leading members of 

 the Association, whose names have already been given. 

 As the diplomas were delivered, warm applause greeted 

 each recipient. 



Lord Rayleigh thanked the University for the honours 

 conferred and also for the splendid hospitality given to 

 the Association, the recollection of which they would 

 retain during the remainder of their lives. He said that 

 no previous meeting had been so well provided with 

 meeting-rooms as the University furnished. As a slight 

 token of acknowledgment for Montreal's reception, the 

 Association had provided a gold medal and endowment 

 for McGill University, although he felt they could never 

 fully appreciate the generosity of their hosts. 



Sir Richard Temple moved, and Prof. Boyd Dawkins 

 seconded, a resolution expressing cordial sympathy with 

 the popular movement set on foot in Montreal to establish 

 a public library worthy of the great city to properly mark 

 the occasion of the first meeting of the British Association 

 in Canada. Both made brief addresses, urging the mem- 

 bers to aid the project. Sir William Thomson spoke in its 

 advocacy, saying that a good library would be of vast 

 importance to Montreal and to this portion of North 

 America, that it would be an excellent basis for the sub- 

 sequent establishment of a good scientific school. He 

 urged the members to give liberal subscriptions. The 

 resolution was adopted amid applause. 



Sir Lyon Playfair moved, and General Lefroy seconded, 

 a resolution of cordial thanks to the Dominion Govern- 

 ment for the aid, support, and sympathy shown in pro- 

 moting the Montreal meeting of the British Association, 

 and for the warm interest felt in its success, which was 

 adopted. Mr. J. White, a member of the Canadian 

 House of Commons, responded for the Dominion Govern- 

 ment. 



Sir William Thomson moved, and Sir Frederick Bram- 

 well seconded, a resolution of thanks to the McGill 

 University, the Corporation of Montreal and its citizens, 

 with a long list of other bodies who aided in promoting 

 the objects of the meeting. Sir James Ferrier responded, 

 saving, in the course of a felicitous address, that already 

 the projected public library had been fairly started by a 



