May 15, 1913] 



NATURE 



281 



tions, as the volume covers ni^re than 300 pages, and 

 is illustrated with numerous plates. The memoirs 

 deal with Halley's comet during its last return ; ob- 

 servations of the major planets ; Nova Lacertaa ; the 

 earthquake in the Gulf of Corinth on May 30, 1909; 

 and, finally, with the study of seismic disturbances 

 in Greece during the years 1909-11. The second por- 

 tion of the volume deals with observations for the 

 same period, and these include equatorial and meri- 

 dional observations, meteorological observations made 

 at the observatory and at departmental stations, and, 

 lastlv, a catalogue of earthquakes observed in Greei e 

 during the same year. 



Frequency of Prominences on Eastern and 

 Western Limbs of the Sun. — Mr. Evershed has 

 examined statistically a mass of very complete material 

 of prominence observations, both visual and photo- 

 graphic, to inquire into the question as to whether one 

 limb is more prolific than the other (Kodaikanal Ob- 

 servatory Bulletin No. 28). In his examination he has 

 gone thoroughly into the question of the methods of 

 observation for both kinds of records in order to make 

 certain that the results were in no way affected by 

 any kind of systematic bias in favour of one limb over 

 1 he other. 



The result of the inquiry is that there is a distinct 

 predominance of frequency at the eastern limb. Briefly 

 summarised, the different records led him to the fol- 

 lowing conclusions. The Kodaikanal observations for 

 1904-11 displayed as regards numbers for each 

 year a nearlv constant excess of east over west, the 

 average percentage of east being 52-70. The Kenley 

 and Catania series for 1894-1905 exhibited also an 

 eastern excess averaging 508 per cent of the whole 

 number recorded; for the period 1906-11 the Catania 

 observations displayed an eastern excess of 54-26 per 

 cent. At Kodaikanal during 1905-11 the larger pro- 

 minences showed a smaller eastern excess than the 

 smaller prominences, the percentages being 51-16 and 

 5360 respectively. In the case of profile areas of 

 prominences a small average excess of eastern areas 

 is observed. The eastern excess as regards numbers 

 is about the same for prominences in equatorial re- 

 gions up to 36-5° Iat. as for those in higher latitudes. 

 Mr. Evershed directs attention to a slight evidence 

 of planetary action similar in effect to that of the 

 earth in the case of Venus only among: the major 

 planets, and also to an annual periodicity in the 

 eastern predominance with maxima in January and 

 August and minima in April and November. In a 

 supplementary note he points out that metallic pro- 

 minences and those showing displacements of the 

 hydrogen lines show a much greater preponderance 

 of east over west, the percentages in these cases being 

 59-9 and 57 respectively. As all the observations 

 were made visually there is the possibility of bias 

 in favour of the eastern limb. 



EVENING EDUCATIONAL WORK IN 

 LONDON. 1 

 VERY valuable and interesting survey of the 

 progress of technical, scientific, and commercial 

 education in evening classes in the London polvtech- 

 nics, technical institutes, and continuation schools has 

 recently been presented to the Education Committee of 

 the London County Council by Mr. R. Blair, the 

 education officer of the council. 



The provision now made of instruction in evening 

 classes in London is of remarkable range and extent. 



.1 Report on Kijht Years of Technical Education and Continuation 

 Schools (mostly evening 'work). Presented to the Education Committee 

 on December II, 1912, and ordered to be printed. London County Conuci] 

 Education Committee : P. S. King & Sons. Price 25. kd. 



A 



It comprises tuition, at almost nominal fees, in all 

 stages of science, technology, arts and crafts, com- 

 mercial subjects, economics, and literature, in well- 

 equipped institutions from qualified teachers. The 

 London evening student has now far greater educa- 

 tional facilities open to him than are offered in even 

 the most progressive provincial towns, especially in 

 the matter of securing university recognition for his 

 work, if of a sufficiently high standard. 



Some idea of the magnitude, the complexity and the 

 importance of the educational work carried on in 

 evening classes in London is given in the following 

 numbers taken from the report : — 



The approximate number of evening students en- 

 rolled in 1910-11 was as follows (p. 60): — 



(1) In the polytechnics 25,000 



(2) In technical institutes and schools of art 

 maintainedbytheL.C.C 10,000 



(3) In commercial centres 30,000 



(4) In ordinary evening schools 100,000 



(5) In other institutions, settlements, &c. 

 (estimated) 30,000 



195,000 



Deducting one-third of this number as "ineffective" 

 students through irregular attendance, &c, it is clear 

 that a large amount of intellectual and educational 

 work is being steadily carried on, which must of 

 necessity play an important part in the economic and 

 social development of the people of London. 



A curious fact is the increasing proportion of adult 

 students, i.e. above twenty-one years of age, in attend- 

 ance at evening classes. In 1910-11 the probable 

 number of such students was 80,000, "more than twice 

 the number of pupils of all kinds in all the public 

 secondary schools of London." 



The gross annual cost of maintenance of evening 

 teaching in London may be approximately estimated 

 at 400,000!., of which about one-half is expended by 

 the polytechnics and the technical schools. 



Illustrations are given on p. 12 of the 

 report of the direct value of the work of 

 London technical institutions to the local in- 

 dustries, especially the Leathersellers' College 

 at Bermondsey in its relation to tanning, the North- 

 ampton Institute at Clerkenwell to the optical indus- 

 tries, and the L.C.C. School of Photo-engraving and 

 Lithography with respect to the "three-colour" pro- 

 cess. In addition to their industrial and technical 

 work, a considerable amount of purely scientific re- 

 search emanates from the London polytechnics each 

 year, an excellent account of this branch of their 

 activities being given in pages 42 to 47 of the report. 



In a memorandum by Mr. A. E. Briscoe (divisional 

 inspector) upon the " Polytechnics and Technical In- 

 stitutes," it is stated: — "A good deal of very un- 

 informed criticism is directed against instruction in 

 evening classes ; it is often urged that such work 

 cannot'be effective; that attendance must be irregular; 

 that students are frequently too tired physically and 

 mentally to make the best 'use of the time available, 

 and that thev are also ill-prepared by their previous 

 education. There is some truth in these contentions, 

 but those who urge them . . . their- views would_ be 

 materially altered if they would but spend a week in a 

 close inspection of the work that is actually done. . . . 

 The first thing that would strike them would be the 

 eagerness to learn. . . . The evening student has less 

 lime for study, but he makes more effective use of it. 

 He has practical knowledge that forms an excellent 

 basis. ... In many institutions evening students are 

 doing work in their subjects quite equal to that re- 

 quired for a university degree." 



NO. 2272, VOL. 91] 



