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NAT ORE 
127 
that of the director in reference to the heredity of 
epileptics. Another investigation continued during the 
year, which involves prime utilitarian application, is 
that of Dr. Shull on the effects of self-fertilisation in 
maize, or Indian corn. His earlier conclusions, pub- 
lished in 1908, have been confirmed by the later 
studies. A striking result from the latter is that, 
other conditions being the same, the yield of cross- 
fertilised plants proved 50 per cent. greater than that 
of the self-fertilised plants. Observational and ex- 
perimental work has been carried on also along many 
other lines. The total number of zoological in- 
dividuals under study exceeded 2000, while the range 
of plants observed included nearly 500 species and 
upwards of 40,000 individuals. 
Among the papers issuing from the Geophysical 
Laboratory is a noteworthy contribution to general 
physics, in which the scale of precise thermometry is 
extended by 1250° C. This extension was an essential 
incident to the studies of mineral fusion, crystallisa- 
tion, &c., carried on in the laboratory, but it is of 
equal importance to other branches of physical re- 
search. Another noteworthy paper is a preliminary 
contribution to the long-standing question of the con- 
stitution of Portland cement. The complexity of this 
substance proves to be far greater than hitherto sup- 
posed, but its general characteristics have been deter- 
mined, and the resources of the laboratory are 
adequate to complete the remaining quantitative de- 
tails of the investigation. Of numerous investiga- 
tions under way at the laboratory, attention may be 
directed to some preliminary studies of an active 
volcano, which indicate that the phenomena of 
vulcanism are within range of practicable determina- 
tion, and that progress in this direction is only a ques- 
tion of time and adequate effort. 
In the Department of Meridian Astronomy, the 
deductions of stellar positions and motions are pro- 
ceeding expeditiously in the computing section of the 
department at the Dudley Observatory, so that the 
final catalogue, giving precise positions of all stars 
up to the seventh magnitude inclusive, may be ex- 
pected to appear in due time. As often happens in 
such extensive scientific investigations, many  by- 
products are arising of hardly less importance than 
the primary ends in view. One of these, deduced from 
the preliminary Star Catalogue, published by the 
institution about two years ago, shows the mean 
velocities relative to the solar system of stars of 
different spectral types. The values derived from the 
‘proper motions”? of the catalogue are in striking 
agreement with those derived for the same stars by 
Prof. W. W. Campbell from direct measurements of 
the motions of these stars in the line of sight. The 
remarkable result which is thus brought out from 
independent investigations is that the speed of a star 
through space increases with its age. 
Although the construction and equipment of the 
Solar Observatory are still incomplete, the members 
of the staff are making rapid progress with their pro- 
grammes of solar, stellar, and physical observation 
and of computation and deduction. Thus the attain- 
ment of tangible results proceeds along with the 
development and installation of equipment. The 
observatory has now, nearly fully equipped and 
in use, four highly effective telescopes: the Snow, 
horizontal, 30-in. reflector; the two tower-telescope 
refractors; and the 60-inch reflector mounted equa- 
torially. The 150-ft. tower telescope, together with its 
auxiliary apparatus, constitutes the most important 
addition of the year in the way of equipment. Varied 
use of the 60-in. equatorial proves it to be alike 
effective in visual, photographic, and spectroscopic 
work. 
NO. 2214, VOL. 89] 
reveal the characteristics of globular star clusters and 
spiral nebule. 
The magnetic survey of the globe undertaken by 
the Department of Terrestrial Magnetism is proceed- 
ing effectively on both land and sea. Observations of 
the magnetic elements of declination, dip, and in- 
tensity have been made at numerous points on the 
continents of Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, South 
America, and on the Polynesian Islands; while the 
non-magnetic ship Carnegie has secured a_ large 
quantity of data of immediate practical utility to 
navigation, and of still greater importance, doubtless, 
in their relations to the general problem of terrestrial 
physics. During the year the Carnegie traversed up- 
wards of 23,000 nautical miles, measuring magnetic 
declinations at 252 different points, and dip and 
intensity at 172 different points at sea. In addition to 
this work, corresponding complete determinations 
were made on land at seven ports, and intercompari- 
sons of magnetic instruments were made at three 
ports. 
Unexpectedly large errors have been found almost 
everywhere, except in the South Atlantic Ocean, in 
the best compass sailing charts now in use. This is 
especially the case in the Indian Ocean, for which 
some recently issued charts are in error as much as 
4° to 6° in the “‘compass variations” assigned. To 
meet the pressing needs of mariners for more trust- 
worthy charts, the data obtained by the Carnegie are 
promptly furnished to the hydrographic establish- 
ments of the world engaged in the publication of 
magnetic charts. It appears from the investigations 
of the department that the chief source of the errors 
in existing charts lies in a lack of knowledge of the 
secular variation of the magnetic elements. It is 
worthy of note, also, in this connection, that observa- 
tions of atmospheric electricity and atmospheric re- 
fraction have been carried on during this voyage of 
the Carnegie. The importance of precise navigation 
in recent times gives special interest to the outstand- 
ing uncertainties due to atmospheric refraction. 
THE ROAD: PAST, PRESENT AND 
FUTURE.’ 
THE PRESENT. 
GREAT improvement took place when Mac- 
adam and Telford brought the results of, their 
studv and their inventive powers to bear, giving a 
road well laid below and a crust of small angular 
stones, which when pressed down close produced an 
infinitely better road than had been known before. 
But it must be admitted that while they provided 
| better materials for a good highway, their mode of 
completing it entailed upon the road user and his 
horse and vehicle a great deal of unpleasant road- 
making work, involving much temporary discomfort, 
and much wear and tear to animal and carriage. 
The road user had to apply his vehicle to roller work, 
to force the stones into a closely packed surface. 
Wher completed it was a good road for the 
traffic of the day, but oh! it was trying work when 
the road user’s vehicle not only conveyed his pas- 
_sengers or his goods, but was compelled to act the 
part of a road roller. 
A great change took place when the heavy steam 
roller was introduced, which in one operation pushed 
the stones down into position. It afforded a blessed 
relief to those who used the roads with horses. But 
though advantageous in saving the road user and 
It is especially penetrating in its capacity to | 
1 From a discourse delivered at the Royal Institution on. Friday, Feb- 
ruary 16, by the Right Hon. Sir John H. A. Macdonald, K.C.B., F.R.S. 
Exigencies of space prevent what was said on the Past being given.—Eb. 
