228 
cooperation of existing magnetic observatories in Europe 
and other parts of the world. ; f 
As one of the principal desiderata is magnetic curves 
with very open time scale, it may not be out of place to 
explain that it is not necessary for this purpose to have 
a specially constructed magnetograph of the Eschenhagen 
or any similar pattern with ‘small magnets. The 
ordinary Kew pattern magnetograph, with the usual 
damping arrangements, requires only a simple addition 
to the clock to work admirably as a rapid-motion instru- 
ment. Additions of this kind have been made. to the 
Mauritius magnetograph by Mr. Claxton, the Director of 
the Royal Alfred Observatory, and a similar arrangement 
has been made at Kew itself at a trifling cost. The 
objection has, indeed, been raised to the use of ordinary 
magnetographs for this purpose, that the natural period 
of vibration of the magnets may coincide with that of 
the short magnetic waves which it is especially desired 
to investigate. When Eschenhagen described his early 
observations he apparently believed that the earth mag- 
netic waves were restricted to one or two definite short 
periods, notably one of about thirty seconds; and he 
approved a short period of vibration for the magnet 
system so as to avoid possible synchronism. The records 
at Potsdam and Bossekop, however, discussed by Prof. 
Birkeland, and those taken elsewhere, show waves of all 
periods from eight or ten seconds up to several minutes, 
the longer-period waves being identical with those long 
familiar to all concerned with the records of the older 
types of magnetographs run at the ordinary slow rate. 
It would thus appear that synchronism is likely to 
happen very rarely, whatever type of magnetograph is 
employed. In some respects, of course, a very short 
period in the magnet system has its advantages, but it is 
not without its drawbacks. It means small magnets, 
entailing the use of small mirrors, and so necessitating a 
more intense light or more sensitive paper than is 
requisite when heavier magnet systems and larger 
mirrors are used. The greater robustness of the large- 
magnet systems is also a recommendation to those 
responsible for obtaining the records, especially at 
stations which do not possess a skilled mechanic and 
are not situated near large towns, a situation which the 
spread of electric tramways is fast rendering impossible. 
C. CHREE. 
HONOURS TO MEN OF 
SCIENCE. 
S we went to press last week, news of the King’s 
serious illness was published, and national rejoicing 
at the anticipated Coronation ceremonies was suddenly 
changed to sorrow and deep anxiety. Since then, the 
nation has been slowly recovering from the shock, and 
the favourable bulletins which the King’s physicians have 
issued this week encourage the hope that the crisis has 
been successfully passed and that His Majesty’s con- 
valescence is assured. 
The operation for perityphlitis, from which the King 
has been suffering, was decided upon by Lord Lister, 
Sir Thomas Smith, Sir Francis Laking, Sir Thomas 
Barlow and Sir Frederick Treves, who are in attendance 
upon the Sovereign. It is beyond our province to describe 
the medical history of the illness or the nature of the 
operation performed by Sir Frederick Treves ; but we 
are glad to know that scientific knowledge renders it 
possible to give relief to the sufferer without the fear of 
complications which made the surgeon’s work almost 
hopeless before the introduction of antiseptic methods. 
Remembering this, we trust that the dark days have been 
passed and that progress towards recovery will be 
uninterrupted. 
When the illness of the King became known, it was 
scarcely expected that the honours to be conferred in 
NO. 1705, VOL. 66] 
CORONATION 
NATURE 
[JuLy 3, 1902 
connection with the Coronation would be announced. But 
by His Majesty’s express wish the list was published on 
Thursday last, and we give below the names of men of 
science included in it. The new Order of Merit which 
has-been created by the King is of particular interest. 
We have applied to the Lord Chamberlain for a copy of 
the Warrant of the Order, but so far have not received 
one; the general principles upon which the Order is 
founded will, however, be gathered from the following 
information given to and by the 7zmes :— 
The new Order, is clearly founded on the lines of the well- 
known Prussian ‘‘Ordre pour le Mérite.”” It will have the 
same comprehensive range and character, including, besides 
British subjects who have won conspicuous distinction in the 
naval and military services, those who are exceptionally 
eminent as men of letters and in the fields of art and science. 
The number of its members will be, as is right, very restricted. 
It is, of course, primarily and essentially a British Order, but 
provision will be made for taking into its ranks distinguished 
foreign personages as honorary members. The badge of the 
Order, to be worn by its members, will consist of a cross of red 
and blue enamel of eight points, having the words ‘‘ For 
Merit” (the motto of the Order) in gold letters within a laurel 
wreath on a blue enamel centre. The reverse of the badge will 
show the King’s Royal and Imperial cipher in gold (two silver 
swords with gold hilts, placed saltirewise between the angles of 
the cross, being added in the case of members chosen for military 
or naval distinction) also within a laurel wreath, on a blue 
enamel centre; and the whole will be surmounted by the 
Imperial Crown enamelled in colour, and suspended by a 
parti-coloured ribbon of Garter blue and crimson, two inches 
broad. The Sovereign’s insignia, except, of course, for the 
modifications necessary to distinguish the Royal dignity of the 
wearer, will be similar to the insignia worn by the ordinary 
members of the Order. The ceremony of the investiture will 
be from time to time conducted by the Sovereign as in the case 
of any other Order, the members designate being introduced by 
the officer of the Order in attendance. Members of the Order 
will be entitled to attach a facsimile of its badge and ribbon to 
their arms. The Seal of the Order will show a facsimile of the 
badge, impaled with the Royal Arms, on a white ground, with 
the legend ‘‘ The Seal of the Order of Merit.” June 26, as the 
day originally fixed for the Coronation ceremony, will be 
observed as the anniversary of the Order. 
The Order only comprises one class of ordinary mem- 
bers, and of the twelve eminent men chosen as the first 
to be admitted, four are men whose names are familiar 
throughout the world of science. 
Among the new Privy Councillors are Lord Kelvin and 
Lord Lister. 
The new Baronets include Sir Andrew Noble, K.C.B., 
Sir Francis Laking and Sir Frederick Treves. 
The honour of Knighthood has been conferred upon 
Draal. W. Collins, F.R.GS., MrwA. (Cooper, isk G:5., 
Mr. H. Croom, president of the Royal College of Sur- 
geons (Edinburgh) ; Dr. T. Fraser, F.R.S., president of 
the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh; Mr. 
Victor Horsley, F.R.S., Mr. H. G. Howse, president of 
the Royal College of Surgeons ; Principal Oliver Lodge, 
F.R.S., Prof. W. Macewen, F.R.S., Principal Riicker, 
F.R.S., and Mr. J. Thornycroft, F.R.S. 
In the Order of the Bath (Civil Division) Sir William 
Church, Bart., president of the Royal College of 
Physicians, and Prof. W. Ramsay, F.R.S., have been 
appointed Knight Commanders. Major R»nald Ross, 
F.R.S., and Prof. A. M. Worthington, F.R.S., have 
been appointed Companions of the same Order. 
In the Military Division of the Order of the Bath, 
Admiral Sir Erasmus Ommanney, F.R.S., has been 
appointed Knight Commander. 
The Kaisar-I-Hind medal for public service in India 
has been granted to Mr. Edgar Thurston, superintendent, 
Government Central Museum, Madras. 
Finally, the new Order of Merit includes the names of 
four distinguished men of science, namely, Lord Rayleigh, 
Lord Kelvin, Lord Lister and Sir William Huggins. 
