JuLy 31, 1902] 
contact processes, so far as the production of acids which are not 
very concentrated is concerned. For the manufacture of the 
strongest acids, however, numbers are given which indicate 
that the contact process is considerably superior to the older 
process from the commercial point of view. The other articles 
on the subject deal with more recent alterations which have 
been made in the lead chamber process, the theory and practice 
of sulphuric acid manufacture and the treatment of platinum 
residues. 
THE additions to the Zoological Society’s Gardens during the 
past week include a Side-striped Jackal (Canes /ateralis), a Young 
Leopard (Fels pardus), a Spotted Hyzena (Ayaena crocuta), 
a Harnessed Antelope (7vage/aphus scriptus), a Nagor Antelope 
(Cervicapra redunca), a Marabou Stork (Leptopte/us crumenz- 
ferus), a White-necked Crow (Corvus scapulatus), a Spur-winged 
Goose (Plectropterus gambensis), two Red-backed Pelicans 
(Pelecanus rufescens) from Gambia, West Africa, presented by 
Captian Sir George C. Denton, K.C.M.G.; a Striped Hyzena 
(Ayaena striata) from Gambia, West Africa, presented by 
Captain MacCarthy Morrogh ; a Black-eared Marmoset (Hafale 
penicillata) from South-east Brazil, presented by Mrs. Armyn 
Thornton; a Yellow-fronted Amazon (Chrysotis ochrocephala) 
from Guiana, presented by Miss Ellen Cull; a Red-winged 
Parrakeet (Pristes erythropterus) from Australia, presented by 
Miss E. P. France; a Pale-headed Parrakeet (Platycercus 
pallidiceps) from Australia, presented by Mr. Thomas Morson ; 
a West African Python (Python sebae) from West Africa, pre- 
sented by the Rev. H. Ross Phillips ; two European Tree Frogs 
(Ayla arborea), European, presented by Mrs.|Sidney Wolton ; a 
Thar (Hemitragus jemlaica), a Yak (Poephagus grunniens) born 
in the Gardens. 
OUR ASTRONOMICAL COLUMN. 
ASTRONOMICAL OCCURRENCES IN AUGUST :— 
August I. 15h. 25m. to 19h. 8m. Transit of Jupiter’s Sat. 
III. 
4. Ith. 34m. to16h. 29m. Transit of Jupiter’s Sat. 
IV. 
5. 5h. Jupiter in opposition to the sun. 
8. 12h. 38m, Minimum of Algol (8 Persei). 
10, Sh. 29m. to gh. 32m. Moon occults 8 Libre 
(mag. 5°3). 
10. Sh. 41m. to gh. 35m. Moon occults a Libre 
(mag. 370). 
II. 9h. 27m. Minimum of Algol (8 Persei). 
11-12. Maximum of the Perseid meteoric shower. 
15. Venus. [Illuminated portion of disc = 0886. 
Mars = 0'965. 
18. 17h. Im. to17h. 22m. Moon occults ¢c! Capricorni 
(mag. 5°2). 
28. Saturn. Outer minor axis of outer ring = 16’’'48. 
30. 4h. 37m. to 8h. 20m. Transit of Jupiter’s Sat. III. 
31. Ith. 10m. Minimum of Algol (6 Persei). 
A New Atco, VARIABLE.—Prof. Pickering announces the 
discovery of a new Algol variable (+43°"4101) by Mrs. Fleming, 
at the Harvard College Observatory. 
Two plates, taken with the 8-inch Draper telescope on March 
7, 1900, and April 3, 1902, respectively, were being examined 
in order to discover, if possible, a trace of the image of Comet 
1902 aon the latter plate. This search was unsuccessful in its 
immediate object, but Mrs. Fleming noticed that the image of a 
faint star, the position of which for 1900 was R.A. = 2th. 55°2m., 
Dec. = + 43° 52’, showed a variation in magnitude during the 
interval between the taking of these two plates, and on examining 
more plates it was found that generally the light was bright 
and constant, thus showing the star to be of the Algol type. 
The period is about 31°4 days, and the star retains its maxi- 
mum brightness (photographic magnitude = 8-9) for twenty- 
eight days and then decreases to minimum by the following 
steps :—9*o m., at 1°05 d. before minimum, 9°5 at 0°94 d., 10’0at 
0°84d., 10°5 ato’71 d., 11°0 at 0758 d., and 11°5 at 0°43 d. 
NO. 1709, VOL. 66] 
NATURE 
gar 
The light then remains constant at 11°6 m. for more than half a 
day. The times of increase are apparently the same as those of 
decrease, but this is not conclusively indicated. (Astrophysical 
Journal, No. 5, vol. xv.) 
SPECTROSCOPY OF THE SOLAR ECLIPSE OF May 38, 1901.— 
In No. 5, vol. xv. of the Astrophysical Journal, Mr. W. J. 
Humphreys gives an account of the United States Naval Obser- 
vatory Eclipse Expedition to Sumatra last year, and a reduction 
of the spectrograms obtained. 
Excellent photographs of the corona were obtained, the 
ccelostat used having a mirror at either end of its heavy polar 
axis, one supplying the light to the coronagraph, the other to 
the spectroscope. 
The concave grating used was of 30 feet focal length and had 
a diffracting surface 8 inches long and 5 inches wide ; the whole” 
of this area was not used, however. To obtain good uniform 
focus heavy celluloid films were used, and these were 2} inches 
wide and 36 inches long. 
Six films were exposed, and the reductions of the spectra are 
set out in tabular form, 330 lines between A 3118 and A 5204 
having been measured. Neglecting those due to hydrogen and 
helium, the lines are chiefly those belonging to the Mendeléeff 
series which terminates with the Fe, Ni, and Co groups. 
Incidentally observing the shadow bands, Mr. Humphreys 
found that they were stationary at first, but another observer 
noted that afterwards they widened out and then attained an 
increasing velocity. 
Mr. Humphreys concludes his report with some useful sug- 
gestions which might be profitably considered by future eclipse 
observers. 
REPORT OF THE CAPE OBSERVATORY FOR 1901.—Sir 
David Gill, in this report, announces the completion and official 
inauguration of the 24-inch ‘* Victoria” telescope presented to 
the observatory by Dr. Frank McClean. 
The transit circle has been completed and effectively mounted, 
the house being of a semi-cylindrical form, of which the two 
halves may be drawn aside at right angles to the axis when ob- 
servations are to be taken. Owing to the loose nature of the 
upper rocks, the standard azimuth marks have had to be placed 
on the surface of the solid rock at the bottom of shafts some 
30 feet deep, from which the marks are reflected to the instru- 
ment. The heliometer has been cleaned and repaired, and 
observations of the oppositions of Mars, Jupiter and Saturn have 
been made. Some thirty observations of the distances and 
position angles of Jupiter’s satellites have also been completed. 
The equatorials have been used for observing the phenomena 
attending ninety-seven separate occultations, to observe Giaco- 
bini’s comet and the great comet of 1901, and to seek, without 
success however, for Encke’s comet. Thirteen previously un- 
recorded double stars have been detected by Mr. Innes, the 
most interesting of them being 7, Lupi, h 4625 (chief star) and 
C.G.A. 2861. The 7-inch equatorial has been used for the 
revision of theC. P. D., and incidentally the unsuspected variability 
of the following stars has been detected :—C. P.D. — 51°°2275, 
anonymous, Cor. D.M.—22°'14789, the ranges of variability 
being from 8°6 m., 9°8m. and 9°4 m. to invisibility respectively. 
The character of the second star is not completely known yet, 
but it is suggested that it may bea Nova, R.A. =1th. 14m, I4s., 
Dec. = 61° 10'S. (1875). 
The geodetic work has been actively prosecuted throughout 
the year, the geodetic arc of meridian having now been carried 
to the Zambesi, and an effective service of time signals has been 
distributed throughout the Colony. 
WORK AT THE ATHENS OBSERVATORY. 
Y EARS ago, under the vigorous direction of the late Prof. 
Schmidt, the Athens Observatory acquired a distinction 
that was denied to some kindred institutions more favoured 
with instrumental equipment and substantial endowment. Since 
that time evil days have fallen on the National Observatory of 
Greece and its record of useful work has been broken ; but it is 
now a pleasant task to record that a period of renewed activity 
appears likely to make itself felt in the future conduct of this 
ancient centre of scientific work. The third volume of the 
1‘ Annales de l'Observatoire National d'’Athénes.” Publiées par 
Démétrius Eginitis, Directeur de l'Observatoire. Tome iii, Pp. 376. 
(Athénes : Imprimerie Royale Raftanis-Papageorgiou, rgor.) 
