18 
NATURE 
[Mov. 2, 1882 
remarked that we had been photographing London 
smoke ; and no doubt had not other localities for photo- 
graphing the spectrum been chosen, the reproach (for 
such it was) might have been just. My visit last June to the 
Riffel, 8,500 feet high, showed that not only was this said 
line present, but that it was more intense even than at the 
level of the sea. There was more unfolding of the 
spectrum at that high altitude, and lines faint indeed, 
which had almost escaped registration below, were well 
marked on the photographs obtained there. The bril- 
liancy of this infra-red spectrum can scarcely be surpassed. 
When examined at an elevation of 10,000 feet, the general 
absorption due to water almost vanishes, and with the 
exception of two congeries of lines which lie beyond 
those given in the diagram, the whole of the lines shown 
are stronger than I have ever had them before. 
Colonel Festing and myself have also shown the pre- 
sence of some alcohol derivative, somewhere between 
ourselves and the sun, and the presence of the absorption 
lines at a high altitude place it outside our atmosphere. 
This I was not wholly prepared for, since lately we have 
been told that alcohol exists in rain water, and rain water 
can only derive it from the air. The fact, however, remains 
that it probably exists beyond the limits of our atmo- 
sphere. The region disclosed by photography has by no 
means been exhausted; beyond the region given in the 
diagram lies one in which we have a breadth of continuous 
spectrum, and beyond that again beautiful groups of lines, 
all of which require and deserve careful study. Of one 
thing we may be fairly certain, that none of them are due 
to metallic vapours, but are probably due to vapours of 
non-metallic compounds in some form or another, and | 
these at a comparatively low temperature. It is not 
unlikely that amongst these will be found oxygen com- 
pounds, and if so it would be interesting in more ways 
than one. 
Asa suggestion in which direction to look, I have annexed 
a diagram of the absorptions (Fig. 2), in the infra-red of 
a few liquids, by which it will be seen, that by a study of 
these we may perhaps throw some light on the solar 
spectrum. The bands in some instances where the liquid 
is vaporized are split up into lines and flutings, whilst the 
radical bands, to which I have already drawn attention, 
seem to remain constant. When it is remembered that 
one-tenth of an inch of a liquid, such as benzene, will 
give a definite absorption, it will be seen that a manage- 
able length of vapour may be placed between the slit and 
the source of light, for its proper investigation. Colonel 
Festing and myself are at work at it at the present, but 
the field of investigation is so large that it requires more 
workers before any general theory can be brought to 
bear on the subject. It is partly to aid such would-be 
workers that I have penned the above, and shall be glad 
if it stirs up some few to aid in this research, which 
not only has a bearing on solar physics, but even still 
more largely on physical chemistry. 
W. DE W. ABNEY 
NOTES 
WE have received a communication from Prof, Hildebrands- 
son, director of the Meteorological Observatory, Upsala, so 
well known for bis researches into the upper currents of the 
atmosphere, in which, with reference to the proposed observa- 
tory on Ben Nevis, he remarks that ‘‘ the erection on Ben Nevis 
of a permanent meteorological observatory is of the utmost im- 
portance for the development of modern meteorology. No better 
situation for a mountain observatory can be imagined. I have for 
a special purpose discussed the few observations published from 
Puy de Dome. They are of great importance, but unfortunately 
this mountain, as well as the station of Gen. Nansouty on the 
Pic-du-Midi, has a bad situation in relation to storm tracks, being 
almost constantly placed on the north-westerly or south-easterly 
slope of a high pressure. On the contrary, Ben Neyis is situ- 
ated almost in the middle track of the depressions or storms of 
north-western Europe. Hence observations made there must be 
of far greater importance in their relation to the theory of 
cyclones than the mountain observations in the south of France. 
I hope the Scottish Meteorological Society will find the means 
of carrying on this work.” With these views of Prof. Hilde- 
brandsson we heartily concur, and hope that the Council of the 
Scottish Meteorological Society will succeed in the patriotic 
effort we understand that they are now making to raise the 
necessary funds, viz. 5000/., for the erection and partial endow- 
ment of this truly national observatory. 
WE are glad to learn that Sir Edward Reed is so far re- 
covered that he may be able in the course of a few days to give’ 
occasional attendance in Parliament. 
Tue International Electrical Conference which has been sitting 
in Paris for the last fortnight, has, after passing several resolu- 
tions, adjourned to the first Monday of October, 1883. In 
regard to electrical units it was resolved that at present there is 
not a sufficient concord of view to enable the numerical value of 
the ‘‘ohm” in the mercurial column to be definitely fixed, and 
that all governments be appealed to by France to encourage 
further research on the subject. The section for “ Earth 
Currents and Lightning Conductors” resolved that Government 
should be requested to favour regular and systematic observations 
of atmospheric electricity upon their telegraphic systems ; that it 
is important for the study of storms to be extended to every 
country ; that wires independent of the telegraphic system 
should be provided for the special study of earth currents ; and 
that, so far as possible, the great subterranean telegraphic lines, 
particularly those running north and west, should be utilised for 
the same purpose, observations being instituted on the same day 
in the various countries. The section for fixing a standard of 
light expressed the opinion that the light emitted by a square 
centimetre of melting platinum would furnish an absolute 
standard. In closing the Conference M. Cochery, the Postal 
Minister, assured the Members that the French Government 
would endeavour to give effect to their Resolutions by repre- 
sentations to the various Governments concerned. It is hoped 
that the twelve months for which the Conference is adjourned 
will be sufficient for the searches in the various departments in 
question to be completed. England is indebted solely to the 
private enterprise and spirit of Sir William Thomson for being 
represented at all. Between the French Government, the Foreign 
Office, and the Science and Ait Department a sad mess has been 
made. The Post Office Telegraph Department was never asked 
to send a representative, nor have any of those who took such an 
active part in the Conference last year been asked to take any 
part in this. A more disgraceful muddle has never previously 
distinguished our ‘‘ how not to do it” system. 
M. MiGNET, Perpetual Secretary of the Academy of Moral 
Sciences, has just resigned the office held by him from the 
reorganisation of the Academy in 1835, up to the present time, 
Having been born at the end of the last century, his plea of old 
age may be said to be fully justified. It is stated on good 
authority that he will be succeeded by M. Jules Simon, who is 
now temporarily filling the office of secrétaire perpetuel. 
THE annual meeting of the five French Academies, sitting 
as one body in the capacity of the French Institute, was 
held on October 25. M. Dumas, as director of the Académie 
Francaise, was in the chair. He opened the proceedings by an 
address, which quite fulfilled the expectations that had been 
raised. M. Dumas gave an elaborate history of the several 
academies of Paris, of their suppression in 1793, and their re- 
opening in 1795 as the five classes of the Institute. The regu- 
