156 



NATURE 



[Deoemuek 19, 1 90 1 



series with stars of the "Orion" type, which by transi- 

 tional stages were succeeded by the Sirian and solar 

 stars, and then by stars with fluted spectra. An im- 

 poitant advance has now been made in establishing the 

 place of the briglit-line stars of the Wolf-Rayet class as 

 immediately preceding the stars of the Orion type. The 

 spectra themselves do not indicate whether the series 

 begins or ends with the bright-line stars, but that it 

 begins with them is probable from their general spectro- 

 scopic resemblance to nebula'. One piece of evidence 

 on this point does not seem to have been followed up 

 as closely as its importance calls for; on p. 141 it is 

 stated that the green line X 5007, which has hitherto 

 been regarded as specially characteristic of nebul», is 

 sometimes present in the VVolfRayet stars. If this be 

 the case there would seem to be no possible doubt that 

 the bright- line stars are the first results of nebular con- 

 densation ; but we find no further reference to this 

 interesting point in the detailed description of spectra. 



A considerable part of the volume is occupied with 

 detailed accounts of typical spectra which are exceed- 

 ingly valuable, and the descriptions of the various classes 

 of bright-line stars will be especially welcomed by other 

 investigators. The discussion apparently indicates that 

 the forms most closely resembling the planetary nebuhe 

 are those in which there are no dark lines in the spectra, 

 while succeeding stages are represented by stars in which 

 dark lines are gradually introduced, until finally the Orion 

 type of spectra, usually consisting wholly of dark lines, 

 is reached. 



Three catalogues are given. One of them brings 

 together the stars belonging to each of the spectroscopic 

 groups ; another is a general catalogue with the stars in 

 order of right ascension ; and still another is an index 

 to the stars, both northern and southern, which have 

 letters assigned to them. In the last nained, the nomen- 

 clature previously employed for the spectra of the 

 northern stars has been converted into the new system 

 adopted for the present volume. It will thus be seen 

 that no pains have been spared to provide every con- 

 venience for those who may have occasion to use the 

 catalogues for purposes of reference. 



Besides the catalogues there are several tables of the 

 wave-lengths and intensities of the lines in the various 

 sub-groups of the bright-line stars and stars of the Orion 

 type, and in some cases the wave-lengths extend into the 

 visible spectrum as far as D3. It is only in the more 

 obvious cases, however, that an attempt has been made 

 to assign origins to the lines, but the determination of 

 origins is perhaps wisely avoided unless the work of a 

 laboratory goes hand in hand with that of an observa- 

 tory. Still, one cannot help regretting that the tables of 

 enhanced lines published by .Sir Norman Lockyer have 

 not been utilised in this connection, especially as there 

 are distinct indications that some apparent difiiculties 

 might thus have been removed. Thus, on p. 186 it is stated 

 that in the spectrum of a Cygni there are two hnes of 

 greater wave-length than H/s, which are "well marked 

 and agree in position and intensity with the helium lines 

 4922'i and 50157 as present in the spectra of the Orion 

 stars. It appears far more probable, however, that these 

 are solar lines." The probability is that these lines, like 

 so many others in u Cygni, according to Sir Norman 

 Lockyer, are enhanced lines of iron, their wave-lengths 

 being 49241 and 5oi8'6, which are curiously near to two 

 prominent lines of helium. It seems very likely also that 

 a reference to enhanced lines would throw much light 

 upon such spectra as that of r] Cariniv (.\rgus) and 

 possibly upon other "peculiar" spectra. 



Again, the descriptions of typical spectra clearly show 

 that among the first additional lines introduced in pass- 

 ing from the Orion to the Sirian stars are 4233 '6, 4I73'6, 

 41795 and 4385'2, which are doubtless enhanced lines 

 of iron at corresponding wave-lengths ; these lines, how- 



NO. 1677, VOL. 65] 



ever, are simply regarded as " characteristic solar lines " 

 (p. 154), although as the true solar stage is approached 

 they cease to be conspicuous. 



Among many interesting results, it may be mentioned 

 that a lew stars have been found to have spectra 

 resembling that of n Cygni, which hitherto had been 

 practically the only representative of its type. The de- 

 tailed description of the spectrum of -y \'elorum (Argus), 

 the brightest star of the Wolf-Rayet type, is also worthy 

 of special mention. 



The volume is enriched by three fine plates, one of 

 which illustrates six typical spectra ; another shows six 

 examples of "peculiar" spectra, including f I'uppis and 

 y Argils ; while the third exhibits, by direct enlargements 

 of portions of three spectra, the vast amount of fine 

 detail portrayed by the prismatic camera. 



Great praise is due to all who have taken part in this 

 magnificent piece of work. A. KOWLER. 



FOREIGN INDUSTRIAL COMPETITION AND 

 TECHNICAL EDUCATION. 



(~\y- ihe occasion of the prize distribution to the students 

 ^-^ of the Goldsmiths' Institute at New Cross, on 

 December 12, Mr. Balfour made some remarks on tech- 

 nical education and its bearing upon foreign competition 

 which are worthy of comment. With the optimism which 

 characterises this statesman's utterances, he expressed 

 the opinion that although 



"unquestionably there was a time when we ignored the great 

 need for a thorough scientific and artistic training in connection 

 with our great industries," yet he was "not sure whether we are 

 not now verging upon the opposite danger to that which we ran 

 a few years ago," for there was a tendency, in some quarters at 

 all events, to " talk as if the only thing which had to be done to 

 restore British manufactures to their pristine condition in the 

 world's industries was a manipulation of our methods of educa- 

 tion." 



Mr. Balfour then went on to say that he placed no 

 faith whatever in the arguments which he constantly 

 heard indicating the relative decay of British manufac- 

 tures, and deprecated the tendency, which he charac- 

 terised as a " dangerous fallacy," of supposing 



"that every successful and prosperous manufacture started by 

 any other nation but our own was a kind of robbery committed 

 on British trade," for we ought to be satisfied with the refleciion 

 that, " broadly speaking, the prosperity of one nation conduces 

 to the prosperity of all nations, and we are not poorer, but richer, 

 because other nations are rich." 



As was to be expected, these self-satisfying sentiments 

 met with full approval ; but the distinguished speaker 

 proceeded to introduce a little rift into his lute when he 

 said, 



" I look with perfect serenity upon the general incre.ise of the 

 world's wealth as long as I can be assured that in this country 

 we organise our labour in such a manner that the best workman 

 gels the greatest remuneration ; . . . . that there is no lack of 

 well-trained and skilled persons in all branches of manufac- 

 ture ; and last, but not least, that those who lead industry in 

 this country, the capitalists, the manufacturers and the 

 managers, show that tlexibility, that power of adaptation to 

 the ever-changing needs of the world which is, of course, an 

 absolute necessity if we are to make the best of the great 

 advantages by which we have been enabled to meet the 

 demands of the world in the matter of manufacture." 



Mr. Balfour is apparently already assured on these 

 points, but can this attitude be accepted by those who 

 view the future of their country from a higher standpoint 

 than that of an armchair political economy ? ."Vre we to 

 stand calmly by and see the supremacy in industry after 

 industry transferred to foreign shores until at last, 

 like the inhabitants of a Gilbertian island, we are re- 



