150 
a considerable augmentation of the temperature of the air 
surrounding the bulb of the thermometer takes place 
unless the enclosure, by means of a circulating external 
cold medium, is maintained at a constant temperature. 
Mr. Williams’ assumption that the intensity of a gas 
flame is proportional to the quantity of gas consumed, 
requires some consideration. Persons practically acquain- 
ted with the subject of combustion are well aware of 
the fact that the intensity of a flame depends on its 
form and the manner of applying the oxygen, the quantity 
of combustibles consumed being a subordinate element 
in the determination of intensity. The annexed table ex- 
hibits the result of an experiment just concluded, insti- 
tuted to determine accurately how far the radiant 
intensity transmitted by a single gas flame depends on 
the quantity of gas consumed :— 
ay 
Bs > 
a} S35 4 ci) 
a8 ¢ 3 5 p28 a3 Pi 
3 gre EEE Hee 
Ex 525 2a2 2eS 
24 ags oUs Hh 
2 bo ©. a Aas 5 
° at) a 
& 
Cubic feet, Deg. Fah Deg. Fah. Deg. Fah, 
r'o 60'0 60°63 0°63 
15 60°0 60°90 0'90 
20 60'0 61°12 I'i2 
2°5 60'0 61°30 1°30 
3'0 60°0 61°47 1'47 
35 60'0 61°61 161 
4'0 60'0 61°74 1°74 
4°55 60°0 61°84 1°84 
50 60'0 61'93 1°93 
Bon 60°0 62°01 2'O1 
60 60°0 62°08 2°08 
6°5 60'0 62°14 2°14 
70 60°0 62°19 2°19 
It will be seen at a glance, on examining our table, 
that the radiant intensity transmitted to the thermometer 
(placed at a considerable distance from the flame, in order 
to reduce the subtended angle) is not proportional to the 
quantity of gas consumed. For instance, the differential 
temperature called forth by the consumption of 70 cubic 
feet of gas per hour is 219, while a consumption of 3°5 
cubic feet produces 1°'61, in place of the theoretical tem- 
3:5. X 219 
rei 
pancy of 1°61 —1‘09 = 052, Again, the consumption 
of 1'o cubic feet per hour, instead of developing a tempe- 
tae GOA te 
7 
perature 1°09; thus showing a discre- 
rature of = 031, we find that fully twice that 
degree of heat is imparted to the thermometer. The 
reason is obvious ; but it is not intended on this occasion 
to enter into a discussion of the cause of the stated dis- 
crepancy, the object being simply to show the irrelevancy 
of Mr. Williams’ criticism concerning the absence of a 
record of the quantity of gas consumed, 
J. ERIcsson 
NOTES 
WE are very glad to read the strong and earnest terms in 
which Mr. Gladstone on Saturday, at the distribution of prizes 
at the Liverpool College, spoke of the enormous waste of power 
shown in the administration of our English University endowments, 
the amount of which is probably equal to that of the whole of the 
endowments of continental universities taken together, whereas, 
perhaps, in no other country is there less absolute work to show. 
NATURE 
eee 
[Dee. 26, 1872 
England contrasts most unfavourably in this matter with almost _ - i 
every other country in Europe, including her northern and cer- 
tainly much poorer sister, Scotland. We hope the words of the — 
Prime Minister are an earnest that he will do his best to put an 
end to this humiliating state of things. 
In the Washington daily Nationa Republican newspaper of 
Dec. 4, a report of Prof. Tyndall’s first lecture there is fc 
given. The contrast between the first and last paragraphs is — 
very transatlantic.—‘ Every available inch of room in Lincoln 
Hall was occupied last evening by an audience distinguished for 
its appreciation of learning andits enthusiasm in the presence of 
a great teacher. Conspicuous in the vast assemblage were the — 
faces of citizens eminent for their own advancement in science— _ 
citizens who haye won imperishable laurels in scaling that = 
mountain on whose jeweled and glittering apex the feet of Prof, — 
Tyndall rest. They were there, the guests of a brother, at an 
intellectual feast so rich and rarethat the profoundest learning, 
combined with the highest form of genius, was required to — 
prepare and serve it. Prof. Henry, in a short introductory — 
speech, presented Prof. Tyndall to the audience, The lecture 
throughout was of absorbing interest, and all the experiments 
and teachings were made so clear and simple that a child could 
understand them. However, if the old gentleman who was 
hugging and talking with a young girl all the time, will keep 
away from the next lecture, those who were annoyed by him will 
feel thankful.” The Washington Morning Chronicleof Dec. 6thus * 
refers to the second lecture—‘‘ Another brilliant audience crowded _ 
Lincoln Hall to repletion last evening to listen to the distinguished 
English scientist. Conspicuous in it were President Grant and 
Miss Nellie, who evinced their interest by undivided attention to 
the lecturer and his brilliant experiments, Secretary Robeson, — 
Postmaster-General Creswell, and many other of our chief 
dignitaries. Of course it is useless to protest against the dictates 
of fashion, but we would like to suggest to the ladies that if they - 
must wear the two-story hats now in vogue, they leave out the ~ 
tall feather for the benefit of those who have to sit behind 
them.” rs ; 
Tue Council of the Zoological Society have conferred the 
silver medal of the Socigty on Mr. A. D. Bartlett, superintendent 
of the Society’s gardens, ‘‘in recognition of his valuable services 
to the Society, and in commemoration of the birth and successful _ 
rearing of the young hippopotamus, born on Noy. 5;” and the 
bronze medal on Michael Prescot and Arthur Thompson, the 
two keepers who had had charge of the hippopotamus during the _ 
late eventful period. ; 
THE Chancellor of the Exchequer has declined to accede to a 
representation from British horticulturists to increase the grant 
of 6,000/, in aid of the British contribution to the Vienna Exhi- 
bition of next year. , 
A sum of 5o00/. having [been placed at the disposal of the — 
Council of the Society of Arts, for promoting, by means of 
prizes or otherwise, economy in the use of coal for domestic pur- 
poses, the Council have decided to offer prizes, including the 
Society's gold medal and 50/., for each of the following objects : 
—1. For a new and improved system of grate, suitable to exist- 
ing chimneys as generally constructed, which shall with the least 
amount of coal answer best for warming and ventilating a room. 
2. For a new and improved system of grate suitable to existing 
chimneys as generally constructed, which shall with the least 
amount of coal best answer for cooking food, combined with 
warming and ventilating the room. 3. For the best new and 
improved system of apparatus which shall, by means of gas, most _ 
efficiently and economically warm and ventilate a room. 4, — 
For the best new and improved system of apparatus which shall 
by means of gas, be best adapted for cooking, combined with | y 
warming and ventilating the room. 5. For any new and im-- =I 
. 
<4 
