May 15, 1902] 
NATURE 
of 
Such a difference of weight is therefore excluded, unless, 
indeed, hitherto unsuspected thermal effects accompany 
a rising or falling against or with gravity. It is scarcely 
necessary to say that we are not here concerned with the 
differences ‘of temperature and pressure which may 
actually be met with at different levels over the earth’s 
surface. t - 
There are many chemical transformations which can- 
not easily be supposed to take place reversibly. But 
this, though it might complicate the statement, does not 
affect the essence of the argument ; and the conclusion 
appears to be general. : 
If the reasoning here put forward be accepted, it 
increases the difficulty of admitting the reality of such 
changes of weight as have been suspected, and it justifies 
a severe criticism of experimental arrangements. In 
my former letter I pointed out a possible source of error. 
It is to be hoped that the matter may soon be cleared 
up, for it is scarcely creditable to science that doubt 
should hang over such a fundamental question. But for 
my own part I would wish to say that I fully recognise 
how much easier it is to criticise than to experiment. 
RAYLEIGH. 
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE AND THE 
UNIVERSITY OF LONULON. 
‘A influential meeting was held at the Mansion House 
on Friday last in support of the fund for higher 
University education and research in London, with special 
reference to the incorporation of University College in 
the University. The Lord Mayor presided, and the 
company present included many who have contributed 
to national progress in various ways and are anxious that 
adequate provision shall be established for future 
advance. 
The appeal made by University College was described 
in our issue of May 1 (p. Io), and at the same time a 
brief statement was made of the needs of the University 
and its Colleges. The University can only become a 
living organism when the Colleges connected with it are 
actually part of its being. The incorporation of Uni- 
versity College would be the commencement of this 
desirable development, and the ultimate structure would 
be on a scale worthy of the greatness of our great 
metropolis. 
Weare glad to see that the Duke of Devonshire, in 
his speech at the Mansion House, made special reference 
to some of the points to which attention was directed 
in our article. He explained that though the University 
of London has statutory powers to teach, it has not the 
material means of teaching, and cannot take part in the 
extension and advancement of knowledge until placed in 
possession of buildings and resources fur carrying on the 
work of higher education. The provision of funds for 
University College thus means the strengthening of the 
University itself, for by incorporation the senate would 
acquire complete control over the whole resources of the 
College, and would be able to carry on the work of the 
various departments under better conditions than at 
present are possible. 
The urgent need for liberal endowments for higher 
education in London was stated in our recent article and 
has often been put forward in these columns at other 
times. The educational wants of London are, indeed, 
almost a discredit to the rich citizens, and the inadequate 
provision made for higher education generally shows that 
the State does not realise the importance of such studies 
as factors in national progress. But though the State 
does little or nothing tor those who are making know- 
ledge, the Duke of Devonshire expressed himself as 
aware of the value of extending the resources of education 
and research, and other speakers at the Mansion House 
NO. 1698, VOL. 66] 
(including the Lord Mayor) took the same view. Refer- 
ring to the necessity of giving greater consideration than 
has hitherto been done to the requirements of the country 
in this respect, the Duke of Devonshire said :— 
** Within the last half-century the gigantic strides which have 
been made in the discoveries of science have brought about 
great changes in our requirements as to higher education. It is 
now recognised that in all professions and industries success. 
must be dependent on a knowledge of scientific principles and. 
on the trained capacity to apply those principles. The Univer- 
sities are no lenger a necessity for one class alone, but the 
welfare of the whole nation demands that we should seek 
through all classes men of high intelligence, and, having found 
those men, that we should equip them with the highest training. 
These changes in the requirements of higher education found us 
in this country to a certain extent unprepared. As a nation 
we cannot be said to have been quick to recognise the necessity 
of corresponding changes in our higher University training. The 
older Universities of Oxford and Cambridge have recognised the 
necessity and have made great efforts to equip themselves with, 
the necessary machinery, but they have found themselves 
hampered by a want of the necessary resources. 
“* But, even if complete satisfaction could be given to the 
claims of the older Universities, still that would not suffice for 
our national necessities or meet the requirements of present 
conditions. Our success as a nation depends upon the posses~ 
sion of trained brains, and these we cannot get in sufficient 
number from any one class, and the older Universities cannot 
supply the number of trained men we require for our national 
industries. In all the great towns and industrial centres, Uni- 
versity instituuions properly equipped and properly endowed 
are now a necessity, and this need has already received a consider 
able amount of local expression. I need only give you the 
instance of the University of Birmingham and the movement 
which is now taking place in Liverpool for the establishment of 
aseparate University there. But in London, owing to its size 
and the’ absence of what may be called local patriotism, the 
University movement has up to the present time failed to receive 
that support which might be expected from the wealthiest city 
in the world. But now, to-day, an opportunity is afforded to- 
the citizens to repair any past neglect, and to create for London 
a University which shall be worthy of the capital of the 
Empire and adapted to the special needs of the metropolis of the 
Empire.” 
Resolutions were afterwards «carried in support of the 
scheme of incorporation, and urging citizens of London 
to make a generous response to the appeal for one 
million pounds to endow and equip University College 
with a view to its incorporation. It remains to be seen 
whether London is sufficiently jealous of its honour and 
supremacy to make the University bearing its name rank 
with those of Europe and America. 
THE CULTURE OF GREENHOUSE ORCHIDS.* 
Oke passing judgment on a work of this kind 
it is only fair to the author to attempt to ascertain 
his object in writing it, so that a fair conclusion may be 
arrived at as to how his object has been attained and the: 
use of the resultant work to those who consult it, for that 
is the main consideration. 
In the first few lines of the preface, Mr. Boyle very 
definitely gives his reason for writing the book. He 
says: ‘ The literature of orchidology 1s voluminous. in 
these days. But a book written ‘by an amateur for 
amateurs’ is still needed.” That was a very good 
reason. Every new work on orchids, or on any other 
special subject, tends to increase the knowledge and 
growth of the subject dealt with, and as the devotees to. 
orchid culture are mainly recruited from the amateurs. 
commencing in a small way, a work written by an. 
amateur, and especially by such a pleasant and enter- 
taining writer as Mr. Boyle, who has the art of conveying 
instruction with amusement, must be of the highest value. 
1-*The Culture of Greenhouse Orchids.’ By Wrederick Boyle. Pp. 
xii + 231. (London: Chapman and Hall, Ltd., 1902.) Price 8s. net. 
