Nov. 24, 1881] 
NATURE 
79 
through a deep trough, or hoilow of a wave, in the surface of 
the atmospheric ocean ; in which the dinsinution of the friction 
might occasion a loss of incandescence ; a suggestion rather 
favoured by the repetition of the phenomenon. Perhaps the 
meteor was only making ducks and drakes. 
Rainhill, November 17 Henry H. Hiccins 
Integrating Anemometer 
Jat lu avec beaucoup d’inteérét la controverse suscitée dans les 
colonnes de votre estimable journal, 4 propos de ‘‘]’Anémomeétre 
Intégrateur” présenté par M. Hele Shaw et le Dr. Wilson a 
Ia derniére réunion de ‘‘]’Association Britannique.” II arrive 
souvent, dans Vhistoire des inventions, qu’une néme ideée, 
quoique diversement modifi¢ée, vient presque simultanément 
a Vesprit de plusieurs individus travaillant dans des directions 
indépendentes, et il en résulte ainsi des questions de priorité 
difficiles 4 décider. 
Ce n’est pas pour uné question de ce genre que j’ose vous écrire 
aujourd’hui; mais Vidée de ’anémométre intégrateur m/’était 
venue aussi il y a quelques années, et la description de celui 
inventé par M. A. von Oettingen, que j’ai lu dans le ‘‘ Reper- 
torium ” de M. Wild en juillet, 1878, me conduisit, si je n’ai pas 
mal compris, 4 la forme méme de l’appareil de MM. Shaw et 
Wilson, et quelques jours plus tard a une autre, plus parfaite a 
mon avis, et que je n’ai pas encore eu l’occasion de mettre en 
pratique. C’est celle dont les organes les plus essentiels ont été 
représentés dans les figures ci-jointes. 
Un disque (roller) vertical A peut, comme dans l’instrument 
de MM. Shaw et Wilson, prendre la méme orientation que la 
girouette et au méme temps tourner sur son axe horizontal avec 
une vitesse proportionelle a celle duvent. Sur ce disque s’appuit 
une sphére B, de poids et dimensions convenables, qui est aussi 
soutenu lateralement par quatre disques verticaux N., E., 
S., W., situés 4 angle droit entre eux. Le disque a fait mou- 
voir la sphére B dans le n.éme plan vertical, et celle-ci les quatre 
disques lateraux; de sorte que, si les points de contact de ces 
disques avec la sphére ont lieu sur l’équateur dont le pole est le 
point de contact du disque moteur, la vitesse totale de celui-ci 
s’y trouvera decomposée dans les directions fondamentales N., 
S., E., W. Deés lors il suffira de munir chaque disque N., E., 
Projection verticale. 
Projection horizontale. 
S., W., ou bien deux disques quelconques adjacents, d’un 
compteur special, pour obtenir les composantes cardinales du 
vent. 
Cet anémométre intégrateur sera, comme ceux de MM. Shaw 
et Wilson et de M. Furton, plus simple que celui de M. von 
Oettingen, et en outre son action deviendra, pour ainsi dire, 
indéfinie, la transmission du mouvement s’y effectuant au moyen 
dune sphére, Cette transmission se fait ici par roulement sans 
glissement, ce qui n’a pas lieu dans le systéme de M. von 
Oettingen, out cette circonstance constitue un grave défaut. 
Pour ne pas prolonger trop cette lettre, je n’insisterai plus sur 
mon anémométre, dont les indications peuvent étre obtenues de 
diverses maniéres, et dont le mécanisme est susceptible de recer- 
voir plusieurs applications, 
Si vous croyez que les lignes précédentes contiennent quel- 
qwidée nouvelle et utile, je vous prie de vouloir bien les insérer 
dans votre estimable journal. En attendant je vous remercie 
d’avance, et veuillez aussi, Mon:ieur, agréer l’assurance de ma 
plus haute estimation. V. VENTOSA 
Madrid, Je 5 novembre 
Geological Results of the Late Gales 
THE late gales have had a very powerful effect in redistri- 
buting the beach-deposits along our coasts, and though many 
well-known geological sections have no doubt been covered up 
in consequence, many new ones have at the same time been 
brought to light. In this neighbourhood, for instance, at 
Whitley-by-the-Sea, near Tynemouth, a section of the highest 
interest to local geologists has been uncovered within the last 
few weeks, showing a well-marked uncomformity within the 
Coal-measures, which I, for one, although familiar with the place 
for years, was totally unaware of, and which, if ever observed 
before, has certainly never been recorded. For some time to 
come the section will probebly remain exposed at low tides, as 
the sand which formerly concealed it has been entirely swept 
away. I will not weary your readers with a detailed description 
of the section, which will, in due time, be more appropriately 
published elsewhere, but merely beg to record the observation 
as an example of the kind of new matter that many geologists 
resident on or near our coasts will probably come across by 
searching along the cliff-bases just now. G, A. LEBOUR 
November 15 
The Recent Weather 
AT II o'clock last night two thermometers outside stood at 
66°°75. It was pitch dark, and blowing fresh from south-south- 
west. When last tested, these thermometers were not "25 of a 
degree in error. Was such a temperature ever registered at 
such an hour on the 13th November before in Great Britain or 
Treland ? RICHARD M, BARRINGTON 
Bray, Co. Wicklow, Ireland, November 14 
Dipladenia amabilis 
IF it is not already well known, it may intere-t some of your 
readers to hear that flowers of the Dip/adenia amadilis last for a 
much longer time when placed in water if their tubes be also 
filled. Even when ‘‘ too utterly weary ” they can be revived in 
the manner I have mentioned, This may have reference to the 
fact that these flowers, unlike many creepers, generally turn 
upwards, and would therefore be likely to catch rainwater. 
AMY MULHOLLAND 
High Elms, Hayes, Kent, November 13 
“‘The Lepidoptera of Ceylon” 
WITrH reference to the remarks of Dr. H. Trimen (vol. xxv, 
p. 32) to this work, now in course of publication under the 
patronage of the Ceylon Government, of which Parts I. and 1, 
only had then reached him, and especially to the ‘* protest” 
which he ‘‘ feels bound to enter” against the name of the artist 
as there printed at the foot of the several plates, I may be 
allowed to state that the original drawings made by the native 
artist, Mr. W. de Alwis (representing about 350 species, or one- 
third only of the number of Ceylon Lepidoptera known to the 
author, and that will eventually be figured in this work), which 
Dr. Trimen states are in the Colombo Museum, were copied by 
his brother, Mr, George de Alwis, for Sir William H. Gregory, 
whilst Governor of the Island. ‘These copies are in the author’s 
hands, and it is from them, wherever a suitable figure is avail- 
able, as well as from specimens of the actual species there repre- 
sented, that the drawings, and afterwards the lithographing the 
figures on the stone, were made, The artist’s name, as there 
printed on the several plates of the work, is consequently per- 
fectly correct. In due course, Part 1V.—completing vol. i. of 
this work—will reach Ceylon, wherein the preface is printed, 
aud Dr, Trimen will there see that the native artist to whom he 
so specially refers, receives the necessary acknowleligment of 
his labours from the author. F. Moore 
Penge, S.E. 
A GLIMPSE THROUGH THE CORRIDORS OF 
TIME 
I. 
By AOUs Conunitice has done me much honour by inviting 
me to deliver the first lecture in this large and very 
beautiful hall. In accepting the task I was aware that it 
involved a great responsibility, but I had various grounds 
of encouragement. I remembered that I was not coming 
among you as a stranger, and I knew that I had a sub- 
ject worthy of a memorable occasion. I would I were 
I Lecture delivered at the Midland Institute, Birmingham, on Octeb: 
24, 1881, by Prof. Robert S. Ball, LL.D., F.R.S., Andrews Bearcats of 
Astronomy in the University of Dublin, and Royal A:tronomer of Ireland. 
Contributed by the Author. 
