July 27, 1882] 



XA TURE 



297 



II. The Optional Observations 



28. The Conference recommends the following observations 

 and inquiries to the notice of all gentlemen who have either to 

 draw up instructions for an expedition, or themselves to take 

 part in one. 



29. Meteorology. The variation of temperature with height ; 

 the temperature of the soil, the snow, and the ice on the surface 

 and at various depths ; solar radiation ; evaporation at all 

 seasons. The melting of ice in the summer. 



30. Terrestrtal magnetism. Occasional absolutely simul- 

 taneous readings of all three magnetical instruments, so as 

 to determine accurately the relation between the simultaneous 

 variations of horizontal and vertical intensity. 



31. Galvanic earth currents. Observations of earth-currents 

 in close connection with magnetic observations and those of 

 auroral phenomena. 



32. Hydrographical observations. Observations on currents, 

 on the thickness, structure, and motion of ice, soundings and 

 observations on the physical properties of sea-water, e.g. deter- 

 minations of its temperature and specific gravity. Tidal obser- 

 vations if possible by means of automatic apparatus. 



33. Aurora. Measurements of the height of the aurora by 

 two observers stationed about 5 kilometres (3 miles) apart in 

 the line of the magnetic meridian — spectroscopical observations. 



34. Observations on atmospheric electricity ; on astronomical 

 and terrestrial refraction ; on twilight ; on the length of the 

 second's pendulum ; on the growth and structure of floating ice 

 and of glaciers. The collection of samples of air for analysis. — 

 Observations and collections in the departments of zoology, 

 botany, geology, &c. 



III. The Reductions and Calculations at the Place 

 of Observation 



35. The rules adopted by the Congresses of Vienna and 

 Rome are to be followed in all calculations and reductions of 

 meteorological observations. 



36. As regards the discussions of magnetic observations the 

 adoption of the metrical units of Gauss is recommended. From 

 the variation observations, the declination, and the horizontal 

 and vertical components of the intensity are to be deduced. 



IV. — Publication of the Observations 



37. Summaries of the observations are to be sent to the 

 International Polar Commis ion, as soon as possible after the 

 return of the expedition, so as to be published speedily and 

 in a uniform manner. It is desirable, if possible, to send even 

 earlier notices of the fate and general progress of the expedi- 

 tion. 



3S. All observations are to be published in exlemo when 

 their discussion is complete. The International Polar Com- 

 mission will therefore be reassembled for a fresh Conference, to 

 learn the amount of information which has been obtained, and 

 to come to an agreement as to the best mode of its publication. 



39. In this publication the Metric scale will be used, and all 

 temperatures expressed on the centigrade scale. 



Nothing could be more complete and satisfactory than 

 this programme, and from the results when reduced and 

 carefully compared, valuable data may be expected as to 

 the physics of the Arctic regions. We trust nothing 

 will occur to mar the success and continuity of the 

 observations, and that they will be such as to encourage 

 their continuance, for we fear that a single year's 

 observations cannot be regarded as furnishing any- 

 thing like sufficient data to warrant perfectly trustworthy 

 conclusions. The Commission very wisely decided that 

 it would be advisable to obtain series of observations at 

 existing observatories outside the Arctic Area, but as far 

 as possible in the northern hemisphere. To their Circular 

 on this subject they have received favourable answers 

 from the following astronomical and meteorological ob- 

 servatories :— Pola, Munich, Utrecht, Moncalieri, Hel- 

 singfors, Breslau, Cordoba (South America), Potsdam, 

 Naples, Lisbon, and Stonyhurst. 



At the last moment, the English Government, although 

 they sent no delegate to the Congresses, have decided, we 

 are glad to say, to take a share in the great international 

 undertaking. The following then is a list of the stations, 



beginning at Behring Strait, and coming eastwards, with 

 the countries whose parties are to occupy them : — 



Point Barrow, N.W. Coast Alaska. 71 iS' N., 156' 24' W. 



United States. 

 Fort Kae, Great Slave Lake. 62° 30' N., 1 15' 40' W. England 



and Canada. 

 Cumberland Sound, Davis Strait. 66" 30' N., 66° YV. Germany. 

 Lady Franklin Bay, N.E. Coast Grinnell Land. 8l° 20' N., 



64° 5S' W. United States. 

 Godthaab, W. Coast of Greenland. 64° 10' N., 51° 45'. 



Denmark. 

 Jan Mayen Island, between Greenland and Norway. 70' 58' N., 



8° 35' W. Austria. 

 Spitzbergen. 79° 53' N., 16' E. Sweden. 

 Bossekop, N. Coast Norway. 69° 56' N., 23° E. Norway. 

 Sodankyla, N. Finland. 67° 24' N., 26° 36' E. Finland. 

 Novaya Zemlya, Karmakule Bay. 72° 30' N., 53° E. Russia. 

 Dickson's Harbour, Mouth of Jenissei. 73° 30' N., 82° E. 



Holland. 

 Mouth of Lena. 73° N., 124° 40' E. Russia. 



Besides these France will carry on observations at 

 Cape Horn, and Germany at South Georgia, on the 

 borders of the Antarctic area ; while, on behalf of Italy, 

 Lieut. Bove" is co-operating in the Italian Antarctic 

 Expedition. 



THE LAY OF THE LAST VORTEX-ATOM 

 (Vide "The Unseen Universe") 

 Melody — Lorelei 

 The Vortex-Atom was dying 



The last of his shivering race — 

 With lessening energy flying 



Through the vanishing realms of Space. 



No more could he measure his fleeting — 

 No milestones to mark out his way ; 



But he knew by his evident heating 

 His motion was prone to decay. 



So he stayed in his drift rectilinear 

 For Time had nigh ceased to exist, 



And his motion grew ever less spinnier 

 Till he scattered in infinite mist. 



But as his last knot was dissolving 



Into the absolute nought — 

 " No more," so sighed he resolving, 



" Shall I as atom be caught. 



" I've capered and whirled for ages, 

 " I've danced to the music of spheres, 



" I've puzzled the brains of the sages — 

 " Whose lives were but reckoned by years. 



" They thought that my days were unending, 



" But sadly mistaken were they ; 

 " For, alas ! my ' life-force ' is expending 

 " In asymptotic decay !'' 

 Edinburgh University K. 



OUR HEALTH RESORTS l 



The Scottish Highlands 



THE Highlands of Scotland have been rapidly rising 

 in importance during recent years, as affording 

 during the summer and autumn months the most desir- 

 able health resorts to professional and business men, as 

 well as to invalids : the most varied scenery, unique as it 

 is picturesque, to the tourist ; and the most attractive 

 pleasure-grounds to the sportsman. When it is con- 

 sidered how comparatively unknown to the general run of 

 summer tourists and visitors are the climatic and scenic 

 attractions of large portions of the Highlands, and how 



