March 8, 1883] 
in the Circular submitted by the Council with their letter 
of application to the Committee of May 23, with power 
to arrange for a zoological station, and with a recom- 
mendation that an application be made to Govern- 
ment for assistance. The sum granted is upwards of 
1500/, 
The results already obtained by the Scottish Metevro- 
logical Society in connection with the herring fishery 
show a close relation between the fluctuations of the 
catches and changes of temperature, wind, sunshine, 
cloud, thunder, and other weather phenomena. ‘Thus the 
observations show, for the six years ending with 1878, 
that a low temperature is attended with large catches, 
and a high temperature with small catches. Good catches 
are also had when the temperature fluctuates about the 
average, and high temperatures, if short continued, 
scarcely diminish the catches. So far as the discussion 
of the observations has gone, it appears that the maxi- 
mum catches are made when the temperature of the sea 
is about 55°°5, but this point requires further investiga- 
tion. Thunderstorms, if widespread, are followed for 
some days with small catches over the region covered by 
them. 
The Council has hitherto been unable, from want of 
funds, to complete the discussion of the observations 
already made ; to inspect the fishing districts and confer 
with the fishermen, and thereby secure observations of 
the fulness and exactness which are required ; and to carry 
on certain investigations in physics and in natural history 
which are essential to this inquiry. Of the physical 
investigations may be mentioned the heating 'power of 
the sun’s rays at different depths of the sea, which ap- 
pears to have important bearings, directly and indirectly, 
on the depth at which the herrings are caught. The 
inquiries in natural history are mainly those which con- 
cern the food of the herring and also the food of the 
animals on which the herrings prey, together with the 
influence of weather and season on the distribution of 
these animals in the sea. In carrying out the latter 
inquiries, the fishermen would be invited to assist, by 
entering, in schedules prepared for the purpose, observa- 
tions as to the colour and appearances of the sea-water, 
due to the presence of minute organisms. As regards 
the discussion, it will be necessary to make weather maps 
of Scotland for each day of the fishing seasons—say up- 
wards of 500—in which special prominence is given to 
charting the temperature, wind, cloud, thunder, and the 
other elements of weather which affect the fishings,—to- 
gether with the catch of each day entered on the positions 
of the maps where they were severally made round the 
coast. From these maps some of the causes which tend 
to localise the shoals will become apparent. 
The desiderata at present requiring to be supplied in 
carrying on the investigation ot sea and river fishing are 
these :—1. Fuller and more exact observations of the 
temperature of the sea at the surface, and at different 
depths, by the fishermen at the fishing grounds. 2. The 
resumption of continuous maximum and minimum tem- 
perature observations at Peterhead, and the establish- 
ment of similar observations at other points round the 
coast. 3. The observation of maximum and minimum 
temperatures in other of the more important salmon 
rivers. 4. Daily temperature of the sea, by boat at some 
distance from land, at about six selected places. 5. The 
discussion of past observations, particularly of the herring 
fishings as described above. 6. Assistance of specialists 
in Carrying on investigations into the food of the herrings, 
and into the heating power of the sun’s rays at different 
depths. 
We are glad to think that with the surplus funds of 
the Edinburgk Fisheries Exhibition, so wisely disposed 
of, the Scottish Meteorological Society will be able to 
prosecute their researches on these points with some 
hope of a satisfactory result. 
NATURE 
443 
NOTES 
THE mathematical papers and memoirs of the late Prof. Henry 
Smith are, we believe, to be collected, and published in two 
volumes quarto by the Press of his own University. Miss Smith 
will contribute a biographical introduction; and the general 
editorship of the work, which will include a considerable quantity 
of hitherto unpublished material, will be intrusted to Mr, J. W. L. 
Glaisher. 
Tn NAtuRE for February 1 we gave a brief account of the re- 
markable results obtained by Prof. Lemstrém with his network of 
wires arranged up the face of the mountain at his station at Sodan- 
kyla, in North Finland. By this means he succeeded in procuring 
an appearance exactly similar to that of the aurora borealis. In 
connection with these experiments Mr, G, A. Rowell, assistant in 
the Natural History Department at Oxford, has issued a circular 
calling attention to the suggestion made by him forty years ago 
in reference to similar experiments. ‘‘ My views on the cause 
of aurore,” Mr. Rowell states, ‘‘are that they result from elec- 
tricity carried over with vapour by the superior trade-winds, from 
tropical to polar regions, and its occasional accumulation in the 
Jatter to such a degree as to flash back to lower latitudes, through 
the atmosphere at a reduced density, but still within the regions 
at which vapour is flotable although in a frozen condition. The 
directive properties of the magnetic needle I attribute to the 
return current of electricity from polar to tropical regions. The 
following is the concluding paragraph of the report on my paper 
on this subject :—‘ The author supports his opinion by general 
reference to the observations on the aurora, &c., in the appendix 
to Capt. Franklin’s ‘Journey to the Polar Seas, ’ and concludes 
with proposing the experiments of raising electrical conductors to 
the height of the clouds in the frigid regions during the frosts in 
winter, which in his opinion would cause the aurora to be ex- 
hibited and lead to important discoveries in the science of mag- 
netism.’ ”—(efgort of the British Association, 1840, Zransactions 
of the Sections, p. 49.) 
DuRING the past winter, the weather in Shetland and the 
north has been more stormy than for a number of years. In 
evidence of the severity of the weather, the inhabitants of the 
Island of Foula, which lies about eighteen miles to the west of 
Shetland were only able last week for the first time this year to 
cross to the mainland in their boats. The large supplies of food 
laid in, as is usually done, were in many cases exhausted, and 
several families were only saved from starvation by help received 
from neighbours who were better supplied. 
ARRANGEMENTS have been completed for an exhibition, on 
an imporiant scale, of hygienic dress, sanitary appliances, and 
household decoration, under Royal and distinguished patronage, 
and under the direction of the National Health Society, at 
Humphreys’ Hall, Knightsbridge. The exhibition will ve 
opened on June 2 next. The exhibits will be divided into seven 
classes, and besides hygienic, rational, and artistic dress, will 
include food-products, appliances for the sick-room, home 
nursing and home education, industrial dwelling and cottage 
hygiene, the sanitation of the house and hygienic decoration, 
heating, lighting, and cooking apparatus, fuel, &c. The Super- 
intendent is Mr. E. J. Powell, 44, Berners Street, W. 
THE National Smoke Abatement Institution is making 
arrangements for opening a permanent exhibition in a central 
part of London in an extensive range of buildings, for the display 
of apparatus, fuels, and systems of heating, combining economy 
with the prevention of smoke, and the best methods of ventilating 
and lighting. The exhibition will be free to the public, and will 
include examples of all the most recent inventions and improved 
apparatus. A lecture hall for the reading of papers, and in- 
struction classes will be provided ; also testing rooms under the 
