432 



NA TURE 



[February i i, 190Q 



the sun-spot theory suggested by him. This latter 

 theory recent solar work would seem to support. 



While a transference of luminescence might be held 

 as sufficient to account for the direct observations of 

 apparently high velocities in prominences, it would not 

 adequatel'v account for the actual line displacements 

 observed,' which are so consistently dealt with by 

 Doppler's principle. It is difficult to see why even a 

 velocity of 300 miles per second in the outer regions 

 of the solar atmosphere is held to be impossible. At 

 the lower levels of the photosphere and reversing 

 layer such enormous velocities are hardly to be ex- 

 pected, though even here the invariability of the spec- 

 trum is more apparent than real. Larger solar 

 images and greater dispersion show local movements 

 of the solar lines unobserved under less favourable 

 conditions. 



The independent rotation of some of the outermost 

 solar layers is not vital to any theory, and indeed the 

 outermost considered has the highest velocity apart 

 from the lack of polar retardation. The existence of 

 extensive magnetic fields in the sun due to the rotation 

 of ions indicates velocities in excess of that which the 

 author's theory would allow. The theory, however, 

 seems a flexibic one, and may provide even for these 

 observations. The essay should be found both in- 

 teresting and suggestive, though it can hardly carry 

 conviction. 



For his painstaking compilation of evidence, for his 

 careful discussion of it, and for his daring unortho- 

 doxv and consistency, the author deserves full credit. 

 In the region of solar theory, during this age of sub- 

 atomic physics, many of the grosser explanations and 

 less subtle analogies, hitherto sufficient, may have to 

 pass. The necessity for an alert and open mind is 

 especially great. 



THE IXTERNATfONAL CONGRESS OF 

 CHEMISTRY. 



THE seventh International Congress of Chemistry 

 will be held in London at the end of May. The 

 congress meets every third year, the last meeting 

 having been in Rome, and the one previous in Berlin. 

 This "is the first ■time that the congress, which is 

 under the patronage of the King and the Prince of 

 Wales, has been held in this country. Some two 

 years ago an organising committee was formed of 

 delegates from twenty societies which have interests 

 in connection with chemistry, and also from the 

 Chambers of Commerce of London and Manchester. 



There are very few of the important industries which 

 are not directly or indirectly indebted to technical 

 chemistry for their development and success. Con- 

 tinental nations have long recognised this, and the 

 congresses which have been held in the various 

 cities of Europe have been well attended. It has 

 been felt, also, that the holding of the congresses has 

 materially contributed to the progress of the various 

 countries by bringing the heads of the firms into 

 personal contact with scientific men from all parts of 

 the world. 



The congress covers the whole domain of chemistry, 

 and is divided up into eleven sections : — (i) analytical 

 chemistry, (2) inorganic chemistry and allied indus- 

 tries, (3) metallurgy and mining, (4) organic products, 

 (40) colouring substances and their uses, (5) industry 

 and chemistry of sugar, (6) starch industry, (6a) fer- 

 mentation, ('7) agricultural chemistry, (8) medical 

 chemistry, (8a) pharmaceutical chemistry, (86) bromat- 

 ology, (9) photochemistry, (10) electrochemistry and 

 physical chemistry, (ii) law, political economics, and 

 legislation with reference to chemical industries. 

 . British delegates who have attended these con- 



NO, 



2050, VOL. 79] 



gresses have alwavs been well received and entertained 

 in a most hospitable manner. It is hoped and expected 

 that we in this country will not be behindhand in 

 the welcome which will be extended to our foreign 

 confreres. 



The congress will be opened at the Albert Hall, and 

 the business part of the proceedings will be held in 

 the buildings of the University of London, the Im- 

 perial Institute, and the Imperial College of Science 

 and Technologv at South Kensington. The chief aim 

 of the congress is the advancement of scientific know- 

 ledge, but beside this, arrangements are being made 

 for various gatherings of a social nature, such as a 

 banquet at the Crystal Palace, a conversazione at the 

 Natural History Museum, and a visit to Windsor 

 Castle by special permission of the King. 



In view of the fact that more than 3000 visitors are 

 expected to attend the congress, and that it will last 

 a w'hole week, the expenses will necessarily be heavy. 

 Substantial sums have already been received, but in 

 order that we may in no way be behind other nations 

 in our hospitality, the committee has appealed for 

 further help. 



THE BUTTON MEMORIAL MEDAL AND 

 RESEARCH FUND. 



SHORTLY after the death of the late Captain 

 F. W. Hutton in 1905, steps were taken by ,the 

 Philosophical Institute of Canterbury to establish a 

 research fund as a memorial of his many services to 

 New Zealand science. The New Zealand Government 

 recognised the value of Captain Hutton 's work by 



subsidising the fund tu the amount of 300/., and a 

 total sum of about 660/. was ultimately handed over 

 to the New Zealand Institute. 



Of this amount, 100/. was set aside for the expenses 

 of striking a bronze medal to be known as the Hutton 

 memorial medal. This medal, a photograph of which 

 is here reproduced, has been designed by Prof. 

 Lanteri, and bears an excellent portrait of the late 

 Captain Hutton, and on the obverse a design 

 emblematical of the fauna and flora of New Zealand, 

 viz. a tuatara [Splenodon piinctatus. Gray), prominent 

 in the foreground ; a kiwi (Apteryx) ; a cabbage tree 

 (Cordyline aiistralis); New Zealand flax bush 

 {Phormiiim teriax), and other New Zealand plants, 



