46 
na 
NATURE 
[Juny 25; 19n2 
some valuable information as to the width of gusts, 
i.e. as to the lateral variation in the velocity of the 
wind. From observations taken at two points 4o ft. 
apart in a line approximately at right angles to the 
direction of the wind, the conclusion is drawn that 
the pressures due to the wind velocities at the same 
instant at two points 4o ft. apart may differ by as 
much as 50 per cent., and will frequently differ by 
25 per cent. Differences of corresponding amount 
must, therefore, occur in the velocities of the natural 
wind striking the two wing tips of an aéroplane; 
thus, in a wind of 10 miles an hour, for an aéroplane 
travelling at 50 miles an hour, the difference between 
the pressures at the wing tips might amount to ro 
per cent. The observations were, for the most part, 
taken in strong winds of the order of 30 miles an 
hour, but the same proportionate variation has been 
found in lighter winds, though with diminution in 
the mean velocity of the wind the gusts become of 
less peat ok’ 
UNIVERSITY AND EDUCATIONAL 
INTELLIGENCE. 
CampripGe.—At Emmanuel College a grant of 5ol. 
a year for three years has been made to Mr. C. E. 
Moss, in aid of his researches in connection with his 
forthcoming worl on the British flora. From the 
Studentship Fund the following award has been 
made for research by graduates of the 
studentship of r2ol. in stratigraphical geology to Mr. 
R. D. Vernon. 
The summer meeting is to be held from July 27 to 
August 20, and the principal subject of study will be 
“The British Empire ’’; other subjects will, however, 
also be dealt with. Among the lectures announced we 
notice the following :—‘‘Tke Early Exploration of 
the Empire,” H. Yule Oldham; ‘‘The Races of the 
Empire,” Dr. E. A. Parkyn; “Australian Resources 
and Prospects,” Sir George Reid; ** New Zealand—its 
Historical, Scientific, and Educational Aspects,’’ Prof. 
C. Chilton; ‘‘Our Frontier Neighbours in India,’ 
Col. Sir T. H. Holdich; ‘‘ Nigeria, British Central 
Africa, and British East Africa and Uganda,” Sir 
H. H.. Johnston; ‘‘ Universities of the Empire,” Dr. 
A. Hill; ‘‘ Eugenics and Genetics,’’ Prof. R. C, Pun- 
nett, F.R.S.; ‘Principles of Aérial Flight,’ G. P. 
Bailey. 
tical course on 
by R. H. Adie. 
EpinspurGH.—Prof. Greenfield has resigned the 
holding of the chair of pathology. His resignation is 
to take effect from September 30 next. 
Lonpon.—At an extraordinary meeting of the 
Senate held on July 17, resolutions were adopted 
approving of the Foundling Hospital site in Blooms- 
bury for the proposed new headquarters for the Uni- 
versity, in accordance with the recommendations con- 
tained in a report of the Special Sites Committee, 
over which Sir Philip Magnus, M.P., presides. 
‘“Elementary Experimental Science,” 
the view of obtaining support for the scheme, and 
the Drapers’ Company are to be asked whether they 
consider the site suitable for the proposed Senate 
House which they have offered to provide at an esti- 
mated cost of 60,0001. Lord Haldane is also to be 
asked to use his influence so that offers of financial 
support already made to him may be available for 
the Foundling Hospital site. A motion to refer bacls 
the report for further consideration was negatived by 
a small majority. 
Mr.. Otto Beit has been appointed a member of the 
governing body of the Imperial College of Science and 
NO. 2230, VOL. 89] 
In the education section there will be a prac- | 
Re- | 
presentations are to be made to the Government with | 
library 
Technology, in succession to the late Sir Julius Wern- 
her, for the remainder. of Sir J. Wernher’s unexpired 
term of office, viz., four years from June 1, r1grt. 
Oxrorp.—A director of the Agricultural Economics 
Institute, which is being established by the University 
in conjunction with the Board of Agriculture and the 
Development Commission, is to be appointed by the 
Committee for Rural Economy in October next. Ap- 
plications must reach the secretary, the School of 
Rural Economy, by September 30. 
Pror. W. M. Davis has resigned the professorship 
of geology in Harvard University. The chair will in 
future’ be filled by Prof. R. A. Daly, of the Massa: 
chusetts Institute of Technology. 
Science announces that by the bequest of the late 
Dr. F. Bacon, Yale University will benefit by, prob- 
ably, 500,000 dollars, of which 300,000 will go to the 
and 200,000 to the Sheffield Scientific School, 
for the assistance of students. 
Tie sum of 30001. has been left to the University 
of Belfast by Mrs. F. Magrath for the foundation of 
a ‘Magrath clinical scholarship,” to be~ given for 
proficiency in reports of bedside cases open to fourth- 
year medical students. The Vice-Chancellor, in 
announcing the legacy, said that it was certain to be 
of the utmost value in the medical school of the 
University. A further gift to the University is that of 
an equatorial telescope, the donor of which is Mr. 
W. H. S. Monck. 
SOCIETIES AND ACADEMIES. 
LONDON. 
Physical Society, June 28.—Mr. A. Campbell, vice- 
president, in the chair.—Prof. E. Wilson, B. C. Clayton, 
and A. E. Power: Hysteresis loss as affected by. pre- 
vious magnetic history. Hysteresis loss in iron at 
atmospheric and liquid air temperatures under three 
different conditions: (1) after the iron has been care- 
fully demagnetised; (2) after it has been subjected to 
a large force (previous history) of about 26 C.G.S. 
units; and (3) whilst it is under the influence of an 
external constant magnetising force after demagnetisa- 
tion.—Prof. W. M. Thornton; Dielectric hysteresis at 
low frequencies. An attempt to determine from di- 
electric hysteresis loops the nature of the change of 
polarisation which gives rise to the absorption of 
energy.—Prof. G. W. GC. Howe and J. D. Peattie ; The 
efficiency of generation of high-frequency oscillations 
by means of an induction coil and ordinary sparl-gap. 
The apparatus used was similar to that employed in 
small radio-telegraph stations. A to in. induction 
coil, operated from cells through a mercury inter- 
rupter, supplied power to an oscillatory circuit con- 
taining a spark-gap between spherical electrodes. 
Coupled to this circuit was another oscillatory circuit 
representing the aérial, and containing a_ variable 
resistance which constituted the high-frequency load. 
The input, output, and efficiency were determined for 
various degrees of coupling, various aérial decre- 
ments, different lengths of spark-gap and with various 
primary voltages, the object being to determine the 
effect of these various factors on the working of a 
small radio-telegraph station.—Dr. A. _ Griffiths 
and Miss C. H. Knowles: The resistance to the flow 
of water along a capillary soda-glass-tube at low rates 
of.shear.—S. W. J. Smith and J. Guild; The -self- 
demagnetisation of steel. -The constituents, iron and 
iron carbide, are easily traceable in annealed steel, 
owing to the differences between their magnetic pro- 
perties. The ferro-magnetic transition point of. the 
carbide is about 500° C. lower than.that of the iron: 
