508 
NATURE 
[ Océ. 20, 1870 
ford, writes : ‘‘ Observers of solar phenomena have seldom an 
opportunity of witnessing such a fine outbreak of spots as that 
which took place during the last fortnight of August. After 
the disappearance of the large group observed in the S. hemi- 
sphere (about July 31), a comparative lull in solar activity 
ensued, lasting thirteen days; the spots which appeared during 
this interval presented no remarkable features, and were mostly 
confined to the S. hemisphere. On the 17th, in the N. hemi- 
sphere, a large scattered group was observed, which a few days 
before had consisted of a congeries of minute specks; on the 
18th it was 2’ 55" in diameter, and was followed by another 
group, 2’ 26” in Iength; both these groups diminished very 
rapidly after the rgth. On the 20th the two largest groups on 
the disc were nearly central; one of them 36", the other 
54”, in diameter. Cloudy days intervened between the 21st 
and 24th. On the latter date the first indications of the 
approaching outburst were remarked. At 4 30™ there were 
three immense groups in the N. hemisphere, extending from 
the centre of the disc to the E. limb; the preceding group, 
which was made up of very light and ill-defined penumbra, 
enclosing upwards of sixty separate black spots, measured 
3 10" x 1'49". The second group was 1’ 20" in length, the 
third was too near the line to be satisfactorily measured. From 
the 26th to the end of the month the north maculose zone was 
completely crowded with groups and isolated spots, while the 
corresponding S. zone contained only punctures and small 
clusters. The following are the lengths of the three largest 
groups observed on the 29th: 3/ 6”, 2’ 26", and 1'57". The 
spotted zone could be seen with the naked eye, protected by an 
ordinary dark glass at noon on the 28th ; it had the appearance 
of a dusky belt parallel to the sun’s equator. Fresh groups ob- 
served in the sun’s N. hemisphere during August = 11; ditto 
observed in the sun’s S. hempishere = 15. Maximum num- 
ber of groups on disc = 13 (Aug. 29, 215 18™) ; minimum num- 
ber = 4 (Aug. 20, 45 15™). —Mr. William F. Denning, of 
Bristol, observed the sun with his 3in. refractor, on Aug. 28, 
and reports that on this date four large groups of spots were 
visible in the northern hemisphere. In the N.E. quadrant two 
large groups were perceptible lying just above the equator. In 
the N. W. quadrant an irregular scattered group was seen near 
the limb, and another group near the centre of the disc 
was very conspicuous. The S.E. quadrant contained three small 
groups, while the S.W. quadrant was entirely free from visible 
spots. 
Aurora Borealis.—Mr. H. Michell Whitley writes that on 
August 20 he observed a brilliant aurora. From ri} 30™to 12h 
it was very well defined. Straight beams of light shot up 
from the N. horizon to an altitude of about 35°. ‘‘ These 
streamers faded and reappeared in other places.” Mr. Henry 
Ormesher, of Manchester, also witnessed this phenomenon. 
He says, ‘‘I first observed it at 11h 4o™, but from its 
appearance it must have been visible for some time previous. 
I determined the extent of its base to be as far as W. by 
N. to N.E. by N. From between these points streamers shot 
forth in rapid succession, to a very considerable altitude, a great 
many of them reaching to the zenith of my place of obser- 
vation. Some of these streamers were very brilliant, particularly 
one which at 11" 50™ shot forth from a point just beneath the 
Pointers in a direction towards the polar star, and onwards to 
the zenith. I should think this stream of light to have been of 
about five minutes’ duration, during which time its colour changed 
from a dark straw toa yellowish tinge. At 12 1o™ there was 
quite an auroral arch, whose centre was towards the magnetic 
pole, and extending from the before-mentioned points to an 
altitude of at least 40°. The brightness of this arch increased 
until about 12 14™, when it was exceedingly brilliant. During 
the whole of the time the sky was very clear, with the ex- 
ception of a reddish glow, of which the aurora was the cause. 
Meteors.—V ery few meteors appear to have been observed on 
about August 10. Mr. Edmund Heison saw nine on the roth, 
three on the 11th, and two on the 12th. The Rey. S, ye 
Johnson watched the sky from 104 45™ to 11" 46™ on the same 
date, and only detected one. Mr, H, Michell Whitley, of 
Penarth, witnessed the appearance of two meteors on the evening 
of August 29. The first was visible at 10" 25™, and was ac- 
companied with a faint train. It passed downwards below 
Corona Borealis. The second was seen at 10" 30" to the W. 
of Aquatius. Both were equal toa first magnitude star, On 
the 30th the Rev. S. J. Johnson observed the train of a very 
brilliant meteor. From the appearance of this train it was evi- 
dent that the meteor must have become visible a degree or so to 
the W. of & Draconis and have ended a degree or two to the E. 
of a Draconis. 
New ZEALAND 
Wellington Philosophical Society, July 1o.—The value of 
the New Zealand Flax was fully discussed, and Dr. Hector ex- 
hibited the operation of the machine he is employing in testing the 
strength of the various fibres for the Commissioners who have 
been appointed to investigate the subject. The result, as far as 
yet obtained, tends to prove, that while the flax of the Phormium 
zenax dressed in the native manner greatly exceeds in strength 
either Russian hemp or Manilla; yet, when dressed by the 
machines in ordinary use, it is much inferior. The few samples 
of the fibre prepared by retting or carefully applied chemical 
processes, however, gave much better results. 
July 17.—Mr. T. H. Potts described an egg of the Great 
Auk which is in his possession, 
New Zealand Institute, July 23.—Anniversary meeting, 
his Excellency Sir G. F. Bowen, G.C.M.G., in the chair. 
The president, in adverting to the transactions of the Insti- 
tute and affiliated societies during the past year, drew atten- 
tion to the number of contributors on a great variety of 
subjects to the last issued volume, as proving that a large amount 
of intellectual activity and practical zeal exist among the associates, 
although debarred by the geographical circumstances of the 
colony from achieving frequent meetings. The address was 
chiefly directed to the necessity for practical scientific instruc- 
tion ; and he stated that the Board of the Institute, having been 
applied to, the Government had recommended that a course of 
lectures shall be established in connection with the Museum and 
Laboratory, on natural history, geology, chemistry, and miner- 
alogy. In proposing the thanks of the meeting to the president, 
the Hon. Mr. Fox, Premier, stated that the scheme which his 
Excellency had propounded would be favourably entertained by 
the Government, who were very desirous of assisting the diffusion 
of sound scientific instruction, as it was an essential step towards 
developing the resources of the Colony. 
BOOKS RECEIVED 
Enctisu.—The National History of Commerce : John Yeats (Cassellsand 
Co ).—The Trto:e: a Method of Harmony and Modulation: G. Green 
(Novello),—The Forces of the Universe, part I. ; G. terwick (Longmans),— 
‘The Adventures of a Young Naturalist: L. Biart (S. Low, Son, and Co.). 
Foreign —(Through Williams and Norgate)}—Abhandlungen der mathe- 
matisch-physikalischen Classe der k. bayerischen Akademie der Wissenschaf- 
ten 10°" Band.—Flora der preussischen Rheinlinde : Dr. Wirtzen.—Lehr- 
buch der Ingenieur- und Ma ¢hinen-Mechanic : Dr Weisbach—Das Naph- 
thalin und seine Derivate: M. Ballo.—Anleitung zur Ausmittelung der Gifte : 
Dr. R. Otto.—Leopold von Buch’s gesammelte Schriften 2°" Band. 
CONTENTS Pace 
On THE CoLouR OF THE LAKE OF GENEVA AND THE MEDITERRANEAN 
SKA... By Prof. TYNDALE, FERS. ~ 2) =) 255) i) ee 
Nicuotson’s MANuAL oF Zootocy. By E. R. Lankester, F.L.S. . 
490 
LETTERS TO THE EpiTor :— 
The Evolution of Life: Prof. Huxley's Address at Liverpool_—Dr. 
H. (CHARLTON BASTIAN,|EVR:S: 2°. 5S ie) eee 
Aurora Borealis.—Rear-Admiral OMMANNEY, F.R.S.. . = 492 
Natural History Museums.—G, A. Lesour, F.G.S. . . . . ~ 493 
Changes of Level at Pozzuoli referred to in the ‘‘ Apocryphal Acts 
of Peter and’ Paul."—F. F! Tucketr. . 4 . . . < « alseeuags 
Hereditary Deformities § 2 4 fem 5 «oo ciieel ne meemennnaS 
The Stability of Turret Ships.—T. B. LightFoor . . « . « + 404 
The New Postal Act sous, Ja Wim wit es Seheres el wet regen 
Science and the Government.—J. HAMPDEN . . . . + 6 495 
Insects upon a Swallow.—H. LEE. . . . . - «te te 405 
Aurora Borealis.—T. G. ELGER . . . =... oe «495 
INOTES «jay fe. ( 6) e/a edacs ante) pol alay. fol eel bam ne sin epi a ete 
Cocoa. By J. R. Jackson, A.L.S. (With Iilustrations.) . . . + 497 
Tue ReEcENT DEVELOPMENTS OF CosmIcAL Puysics. By Prof. 
BALFOUR STEWART) BURIS. 58 ona) yet ie) tn - 499 
Tue BritisH AssociaTION :-— 
SECTIONAL PROCEEDINGS : 
Section A.—Paper by Mr. F. Galton, F.R.S. Section B.— 
Paper by Mr. Forbes, F.R.S. Section C.—Papers by Mr. J. 
Gwyn Jeffreys, F.R.S., Mr. W. Pengelly, F.R.S., Mr. J. E. Taylor, 
Messrs. Searles V. Wood and F. Harmer, Rev. H. W. Crosskey, 
Mr. F. W. Harmer, Dr, Bryce, Mr. W. S. Mitchell, Mr, W. 
Carruthers. Section D.—Papers by Mr, A. Hancock, Mr. H. 
Woodward, Mr. W. S. Kent, Dr. Conwell, Mr. Boyd Dawkins, 
F.R.S., and Prof. Busk, F.R.S., Mr. H. Woodward, Mr. J. Plant, 
and others. Section E.—Paper by Gen. Heine. Section G. 
—Papers by Mr. P. Westmacott, C.E., Lt.-Col. Clay, and Dr. 
YB Dloydai Sie, Sa 2S ta ede Za) ne ee Oe ree 
REPORTS/OR COMMITTEES) BGs lauie fod NP el end ena 507 
Screnzimic) SERIALS (L) cc.ise, cto uel’ (cWales iia) 9 fe LAS ia: pated ean clan Sama 
Societies AND ACADEMIES: "5. 5 = 6 = © = «© © & aie) (uiMeSO? 
Booxs RECEIVED! 3) ss 6 Ss 3 we 3 2 + « 508 
