Septembek 17, 1908J 



A' A TURE 



503 



of Africa, upon which the triangulation hues ure entered. 

 We then see that the British part of the worlc is impera- 

 tively required to extend, and in fact to complete at one 

 end in each case, two important geodetic arcs, viz., the 

 meridional arc along the meridian of Greenwich and the 

 longitudinal arc along the latitude of 52° north. Without 

 the British portions these arcs extend from Ain Sefra in 

 Algeria to Gravelines in France, an amplitude of 18°, and 

 from Orslc in Russia to the same point in France, an 

 amplitude of 57°. With the British section added they 

 would be further extended to Saxavord, the northernmost 

 point of the Shetland Islands, and to Valentia, on the West 

 of Ireland, respectively. The added amplitudes would be 

 10° and 115°, very material additions, which would un- 

 doubtedly prove of substantial scientific value. 



It will thus be seen that it is by no means necessary, 

 or even desirable, to re-observe the whole network of 

 triangles covering our islands. All that is required is to 

 connect geodetically the three extreme points — Saxavord, 

 Valentia, and the stations on the Kent coast just 

 mentioned. 



A knowledge of the exact figure of the earth is of high 

 scientific importance, especially so in reference to recent 

 speculations as t$ its possible deviation from a spheroidal 

 form. It cannot be other than a subject of national 

 shame that so important a link in this research remains 

 unfilled. We may note with gratification the forward 

 position that our nation has in the past taken in the 

 advancement of geodesy. We know the great work done 

 in the triangulation of India, and we have alluded to 

 the magnificent conception of the Cape to North Sea arc 

 due to Sir David Gill. Surely it is not asking too much 

 that we should take steps to set our own house in order, 

 and to ensure that our own triangulation is at least as 

 accurate as that covering the neighbouring portions of the 

 continent of Europe. The subject is one upon which the 

 powerful influence of the British Association might legiti- 

 mately be brought to bear, and any representations from 

 our body would come with a peculiar appropriateness from 

 this the Dublin meeting, seeing that so large a section 

 of the work, the importance of which we wish to urge 

 upon the Government, lies upon Irish soil, the execution 

 of which would therefore devolve naturally on the 

 Ordnance Survey of Ireland. 



In concluding this address I feel constrained to apologise 

 for what may have appeared to some of you the dull and 

 unromantic character of my theme. I am too well aware 

 that to many the idea of geographical advance is confined 

 to the perilous traversing of virgin lands, to the navigation 

 of unknown waters, and to the penetration of forests or 

 deserts never yet trod by white men's feet. I am conscious 

 that the substitution of the surveyor for the explorer has 

 necessarily destroyed much of the old romance, and that 

 the feelings born when any fraction of the earth's surface 

 was for the first time opened to our ken can never be 

 revived. While, however, the romance has gone, the 

 dangers remain, and there is as much call now for un- 

 flinching courage and for unselfish devotion to duty as 

 there was in the days when the search for the sources of 

 the Nile was an impelling cause sending adventurous men 

 into the unknown. Whether occupied in cutting his way 

 through the almost impenetrable forests of the Gold Coas't 

 or struggling with the papyrus swamps of the Nile basin, 

 or whether, standing upon the top of some old volcanic 

 hill, he is engaged in scanning the blue distances of the 

 great Rift valley, the surveyor is not less worthy of your 

 admiration than the earlier traveller whose name is perhaps 

 honourably enshrined in that of river or mountain. 

 Whether pushing his way through the jungles of the 

 Malays or floating upon the muddy stream of an African 

 river, whether he is braving the attacks of savage animals, 

 of treacherous natives, or the far more insidious assaults 

 of the germs of some deadly disease, he is equally deserving 

 of your sympathy and your encouragement. He' is in truth 

 a shining example of the power of'that spirit of adventure 

 and thirst for information which has carried our race so 

 far in the past, and which in the future is, we all trust, 

 destined to lead us ever "upwards and on"; the spirit 

 that esteems no sacrifice too great in the cause of duty, 

 and recognises no duty so high as that of making some 

 contribution towards the increase of natural knowledge. 

 XO. 2029, VOL. 78] 



UNIVERSITY AND EDUCATIONAL 

 INTELLIGENCE. 



London. — A course of nine post-graduate lectures on 

 " The Scientific Principles of Radio-telegraphy and Radio- 

 telephony " will be given by Prof. J. A. Fleming, F.R.S., 

 at University College on Wednesdays, beginning 

 October 14. The introductory lecture will be addressed 

 to a general audience, and no charge for admission is to 

 be made. Cards of admission must, however, be obtained 

 beforehand by those attending. The succeeding lectures 

 will be free to graduates of the University and to under- 

 graduates in their third year who may be qualified to 

 take advantage of them. A fee of two guineas for the 

 course will be charged to all other persons. Those desirous 

 of attending the course should apply to the secretary. 

 University College, Gower Street, W.C. 



The Rev. W. Lower Carter has been appointed lecturer 

 in geology at the East London College. 



Prof. Josef Moellf,r, of Graz, has been appointed to 

 the chair of pharmacognosia at the University of Vienna. 



The foundation-stone of a new college for the training 

 of teachers was laid at Dudley on Thursday last by the 

 Countess of Dudley. -The cost 'of the building (which will 

 accommodate 100) is 19,000/. 



Classes for the Instruction of miners are being started 

 at Hanistead by the Staffordshire County Council, which 

 will, It is hoped, enable many miners who possess sufficient 

 practical knowledge, but who lack the necessary scientific 

 and other training, to fill higher positions In the mmes. 



The new municipal college at Portsmouth was opened 

 on Thursday last by the Mayor of the town. The build- 

 ing, which Is the outcome of a scheme for higher educa- 

 tion organised by the local education authority, Is an 

 adaptation of the best Ideas of the principal technical 

 institutes of the country to the requirements of Ports- 

 mouth, and Is stated to be In its equipment one of the 

 most modern In England. 



The following arrangements have been made for the 

 opening of the winter session of certain of the medical 

 schools. At Guy's Hospital (in connection with the 

 Physical Society), Sir R. Douglas Powell will deliver an 

 address on October S entitled " Just Procedure of 

 .Medicine"; Dr. Charles Slater is to speak on October i 

 at St. George's Hospital on " The Laboratory in Medical 

 Education and Practice " ; on the same date an address 

 will be delivered at the Middlesex Hospital by Dr. A. M. 

 Kellas ; at King's College Hospital Prof. Alexander 

 Mac.'Mister, F.R.S., will deliver an address on October i ; 

 Sir Edward Fry, F.R.S., Is to speak at University College 

 Hospital on October 2. At St. Mary's Hospital, on 

 October i, an address is to be given by Sir John Broad- 

 bent ; Dr. Harrington Sainsbury is to speak on the same 

 day at the London School of' Medicine for Women; at 

 the West London Post-graduate College an address Is to 

 be given on October 13 by Sir R. Douglas Powell ; Dr. 

 R. Jones is to speak on " Insanity, Wit, and Humour " 

 on October i at the Polyclinic ; at the North-East London 

 Post-graduate College Mr. Jonathan Hutchinson, F.R.S., 

 is to speak on October 8; Sir T. Clifford AUbutt, K.C.B., 

 F.R.S., Is to give an address at the University of Man- 

 chester, on October i, on " Hospitals, Medical Science, and 

 Public Health"; and at University College, Bristol, on 

 October i, Sir Rubert Boyce, F.R.S'., is to speak. 



The approaching winter session in our technical colleges 

 and schools is being heralded by the publication of 

 numerous attractive and carefully compiled year-books and 

 prospectuses of the various institutions In London and the 

 provinces. We have received a number of these helpful 

 guides, and, without exception, they provide Intending 

 students with valuable assistance In the choice of classes 

 and hints from experienced teachers as to how to plan 

 courses of work likely to be of service In various indus- 

 tries. Among recent syllabuses published In connection 

 with London institutions we notice those of the North- 

 ampton Polytechnic Institute, the Sir John Cass 

 Technical Institute, and the East Ham Technical 

 College. At the Northampton Institute there are provided 



