92 



NATURE 



[Dec. 3, 1874 



in 1869 it was seen on a bare sky. The further drawings 

 by Mr. Ellery and Mr. Le Sueur are scarcely recognisable 

 as being made from the same nebula, so vast appears 

 the changes ; in one instance the difference between 

 two drawings shows a motion of tlie gas, if motion it 

 be, of 6,000,000,000 miles a month. We have known 

 comets' tails or jets to have a motion comparable 

 to this — so perhaps some similar cause is acting here. 

 Mr. L. Sueur appears to have carefully examined the 

 spectrum of Jupiter with the Melbourne reflector, but 

 with no very decisive results, the absorption-hnes ap- 

 pearing constant across the slits, which leads him to 

 infer that the light from the different parts of the visible 

 surfaces had passed through not widely unequal thick- 

 nesses of atmosphere, or that the least thickness was 

 sufficient to produce a maximum absorption. Mr. Ellcry 

 has been trying paper paraffined, instead of waxed, for 

 photographing the contmuous records of magnetic and 

 other phenomena, thereby shortening the sensitising and 

 developing by more than an hour ; but he has found that 

 by using plain paper some four hours are saved. The 

 process he uses is a slight modification of Crooke's. A 

 large number of enhydros or water-stones were found at 

 Beechworth in 1 S64. On the granite rock near Beech worth 



is a Silurian outlier of sandstone, intersected with veins 

 of blue quartz, and in the widening of these veins the 

 stones appear. They lie in nests lined with scales of 

 chalcedony and fine clay. Mr, Dunn describes the 

 enhydros as consisting of chalcedony, irregular in form, 

 bounded by true planes varying in colour, from yellow 

 and opaque to quite colourless and transparent, and 

 their size from 5 in. diameter to the size of a split 

 pea. The contents of the stones appear from analysis 

 by Mr. Foord to consist of water slightly mineralised with 

 chloride and sulphate of sodium, magnesium, calcium, and 

 a soluble form of silicic acid. Mr. Macgeorge has been 

 at work obser\'ing the small stars near Sirius. We copy 

 his diagram of these stars, all of which require large 

 optical means to render them visible : the position of 

 Alvan Clarke's comet in January 1S65 is given as 77^63', 

 and that of Lassell's companion 163° 89'. Wearegladto 

 see papers on the colonial timber trees, discussing the 

 suitability of certain trees to the climate. Amongst our 

 English trees that thrive there, are the oak, elm, ash, 

 walnut, willow ; the larch, pines, and poplars, however, 

 seem unsuited. The red and blue gums and the black- 

 wood seem to be amongst the most useful indigenous 

 trees. The poisoning of water and air in jSIelbourne has 

 also been occupying the attention of the Society, and Mr. 

 Gibbons furnishes the report with several well-executed 

 micro-photographs of the water from sewage, and drinking 

 water from the Yan-Zean reservoir, in which forms of 

 life appear in abimdance. Numerous other papers of 

 interest appear in the report, and we must congratulate 

 the Society on so good a show of research. 



G. M, S. 



NOTES 



The Anniversaiy Meeting of the Rojal Society was held on 

 Monday last ; the list of the new Council we have already 

 given. Owing to the absence of the President from domestic 

 afHiction, the chair was occupied by the Secretary, Mr. Spottis- 

 woode. At the dmner in the evening three members of the 

 Government were present — Lords Carnarvon and Salisbury, and 

 Mr. W. Hunt. Lord Carnarvon in his speech gave out "no 

 uncertain sound" as to what he deemed the duty of Government 

 in the matter of endowment of scientific research ; he virtually 

 agreed to all the principles which we have so long and so strenu- 

 ously advocated. We may therefore hope that the money to be 

 devoted to the new Arctic Expedition is only a first instalment of 

 what the Government think is due by the country to the pro- 

 motion of directly unremuneiative research. 



The command of the Arctic Expedition will be oifered to one 

 of those officers who acquired a thorough knowledge, in former 

 expeditions, of sledge travelling, and of the true system of bringing 

 men healthy and cheerful through an arctic winter. Thus it is 

 intended that the present undertaking should start with the advan- 

 tage of all the practical knowledge and all the experience which 

 was accumulated in the searches for Franklin. It will also be 

 composed of the pick of our educated young officers, and will 

 so combine matured experience with dash and vigour. An 

 important position will, we have no doubt, be offered to Com- 

 mander A. H, Markham, whose qualifications for the jjost have 

 already been well tested. 



The Oxford Professor of Geology, Mr. Prestwich, will deliver 

 his inaugural lecture at the Museum on Friday, December 11, at 

 2 P.M. 



The Cambridge Board of Medical Studies have reported to 

 the Vice-Chanceilor that they have been engaged during the 

 present term in revising the regulations for proceedings in medi- 

 cine, and are desirous of recommending some changes. The 

 Board are of opinion that it is expedient for the University to 

 establish examinations and grant certificAtes of competency in so 

 much of state medicine as is comprised in the functions of 

 the officers of health. The certificate given to successful candi- 

 dates should testify only to their competent knowledge of what 

 is required for the duties of an officer of health. The Board 

 recommend the following for the subjects of examination : — 



1. Physics and Chemistry. The principles of chemistry and 

 methods of analysis, with especial reference to analyses (microsco- 

 pical as well as chemical) of air and water ; the Laws of Heat, 

 and the principles of Pneumatics, Hydrostatics, and Hydraulics, 

 with special reference to ventilation, water supply, drainage, 

 construction of dwellings, and sanitary engineering in general. 



2. Laws relating to Public Plealth. 3. Sanitary Statistics. 

 4. Origm, Propagation, Pathology, and Prevention of Epidemic 

 and Infectious Diseases ; effects of overcrowding, vitiated air, 

 impure water, and bad or insufiicient food ; unhealthy occu- 

 pations, and the diseases to which they give rise ; water supply, 

 and disposal of sewage and refuse ; nuisances injurious to 

 health ; distribution of diseases within |the United Kingdom, 

 and effects of soil, season, and climate. The Vice- Chancellor 

 has convened a meeting of general members of the Senate for 

 to-day, in the Arts School, for the discussion of the report. 



It will be proposed in a Convocation to be held at Oxford on 

 the 9th of December, that a sum not exceeding loo/. be placed 

 at the disposal of Dr. RoUeston, Prof. H. J. S. Smith, and the 

 Rev. Hereford B. George, M. A., of New College, tor the pur- 

 pose of purchasing archasological objects relating to Prehistoric 

 periods, to be placed in the University Museum. 



The following telegram is dated Aden, Nov. 28 : — "Letters 

 have been received from Lieut. Cameron to the l6th of May. 



