Sept. 24, 1885 | 
NATORE 
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The sources of systematic error would seem to be almost wholly 
reduced to those of varying personal equation in the observation 
of transits at all speeds and at all inclinations and directions over 
horizontal wires, and to possible systematic difference in atmo- 
spheric refraction in different azimuths. Mr. Rockwell exhibited 
some results, simply copied from his observing-books, illustrat- 
ing the methods of reduction for time and latitude observations, 
and showing the degree of accuracy that can be attained by the 
instrument in both these directions. They served to show that 
the instrument when duplicated will give equally good results 
with the one first constructed ; and their consideration gave rise 
to a very interesting discussion, participated in by many 
members, as to the character of work the instrument might be 
expected to do, in the course of which Mr. Rockwell answered, 
in a very entertaining way, many questions, put by various 
members, as to the details of observing and reducing, which were 
not before clearly understood on account of the novelty of the 
work. One of the most important problems which the instru- 
ment is specially adapted to investigate, and one which we hope 
Mr, Chandler will soon find time to undertake, is the determina- 
tion of the declination of fundamental stars south of the equator, 
tying them to northern stars at corresponding zenith-distances 
below the pole. This would seem to be by far the best, perhaps 
the only, method of connecting these together in a way that 
shall be free from systematic error. 
In the Physical Section, the first paper read was by Prof. 
Langley, on the spectra of some sources of invisible radiations, 
and on the recognition of hitherto unmeasured wave-lengths. 
This was followed by one by Mr. Brashear on a practical 
method of working rock-salt surfaces for optical purposes. 
Prof. H. S. Carhart presented a paper on surface transmission 
of electrical discharges, which was an ingenious revision of 
work by Prof. Henry. Prof. E. L. Nichols presented some 
further notes on the chemical behaviour of magnetic iran, a 
continuation of work described in a paper at the Philadelphia 
meeting. Major H. E. Alvord of Mountainville, New York, 
presented the results of telemetric observations at Houghton 
Farm. This is a method by which changes in temperature are 
transmitted and recorded electrically; and Major Alvord’s 
results show that, with increasing experience, the records fol- 
lowed more and more satisfactorily the observations made on 
the mercurial thermometer. 
Prof. T. C. Mendenhall called attention to the modifications 
and improvements already made or desired in electrometers, 
especially with reference to their use in observations on atmo- 
spheric electricity. Observations of this kind have been made 
regularly for the last year or two; but, as Prof. Mendenhall 
well said, the meaning of the variations recorded is still a 
mystery. Prof. A. E. Dolbear read three papers: in one he 
described a method of studying contact-theory of electricity by 
means of the telephone. He has found that a click is produced 
in the telephone every time the circuit is broken between two 
heterogeneous materials, as copper and zinc. In another paper 
he referred to his success in employing a Bernstein incandescent 
lamp for projection purposes ; and in the third he described a 
new galvanic element of high electromotive force and great 
constancy, consisting of carbonin a saturated solution of 
bichromate of potash, and sulphuric acid and zinc in a saturated 
solution of ammonic chloride ; nitric acid could be used in place 
of sulphuric. Mr. A. J. Rogers presented a paper on electro- 
lysis of the salts of the alkaline earth. 
Prof. E, D, Nicholls has, by means of a spectro-photometer, 
described at a previous meeting, compared the spectrum of the 
unclouded sky with that of the light reflected by magnesium 
carbonate, illuminated by direct sunlight. 
Prof. Wead exhibited a combined spectro-photometer and 
ophthalmospectrescope. 
In the Chemical Section Prof. Nichols delivered an address 
on chemistry in the service of public health. Amongst the 
papers are :—Prof. Noyes, on para-nitrobenzoic sulphuride ; 
Dr. Wiley, on a method of estimating lactic and acetic acid in 
sour milk or fowmzss; Mr. Young, on the thermo-chemical 
reaction between potassic hydrade and common alum. A gene- 
ral discussion took place on the question of what is the best 
initiatory work for students entering upon laboratory practice, 
and also, To what extent is a knowledge of molecular physics 
necessary to one who would teach th2oretical chemistry ? 
In the Section of Mechanical Science Prof. Webb delivered 
an address on the second law of thermo-dynamics. Mr. Wagner 
presented an elaborate paper on electric light tests, giving an 
! October 2 and 3. 
account of his work in testing the efficiency of two electric-light 
plants. Prof. Cooley explained and illustrated a method of 
testing indicator-springs. Prof. Thurston’s paper on cylinder 
condensation is described as being of great scientific and prac- 
tical value. 
In the Section of Geology and Geography the address was by 
Prof. Edward Orton, and the subject, Problems in the study of 
coal, with a sketch of recent progress in geology. There were, 
in all, twenty-seven papers in this Section, none being geogra- 
phical. Stratigraphy received the lion’s share of attention, the 
most important paper on this subject being one by Prof. Henry 
S. Williams. 
The address to the Biological Section was by Dr, Wilder, on 
Educational Museums of Vertebrates. 
The Section opened with two papers by Prof. L. E. Sturte- 
vant as the result of observations and experiments at the New 
York agricultural experiment station. The first, on the hybrid- 
isation and cross-fertilisation of plants. In the second— 
“* Germination Studies ’—the author gives, as a result of many 
trials with commercial seeds of our common plants, that very 
extended series of trials must be made with each species in order 
to obtain the desired accuracy in results. 
An interesting paper on the biological deductions from a com- 
parative study of the influence of cocaine and atropine on the 
organs of circulation, by Dr. H. G. Beyer, U.S.N., was read 
before the Section. 
“On the Brain and Auditory Organs of a Permian Theomorph 
Saurian” was the title of an interesting paper by Prof. E. D. 
Cope. The author called special attention to the morphology 
of the brain, the character of the cranial walls and the auditory 
apparatus. 
The disputed question of the bisexuality of the pond-scums 
(Zygnemacez) was discussed by Prof. C. E. Bessey, of the 
University of Nebraska, who concluded that these organisms do 
not possess true bisexuality. 
**On the Process of Cross-fertilisation in Campanula amert- 
cana” was the title of a paper presented by C. R. Barnes. 
A paper on aquatic respiration in soft-shelled turtles (Aspido- 
nectes and Amyda) was presented by Profs. Simon H. and S. 
Phelps Gage as a contribution to the physiology of respiration in 
vertebrates. 
Prof. C. E. Bessey read a paper on the inflorescence of 
Cuscuta glomzrata. 
Prof. Gage addressed the Section (G) on Microscopy and 
Histology on the limitations and value of histological investiga- 
tion, and Mr. Dall discoursed to the Anthropological Section 
on the native tribes of Alaska. The papers in this section were 
very numerous, many of great interest, and all naturally devoted 
to anthropological questions connected with the North American 
continent. 
NOTES 
THE National Sanitary Congress commenced its autumn 
meeting at Leicester on Tuesday, when the president, Prof. De 
Chaumont, F.R.S., gave an address on the work of the Sanitary 
Institute. 
THE portrait of the late George Bentham, subscribed for by 
several of his friends, has been presented to the Herbarium, 
Royal Gardens, Kew, on behalf of the subscribers, by Sir John 
Lubbock. The picture is a successful reproduction, by Miss 
Merrick, of the original in the possession of the Linnean 
Society. 
WE regret to notice the death of M. Breton des Champs, one of 
the French Government engineers, a mathematician and scientific 
writer who played a prominent part in connection with the 
Newton forgeries. In combination with his friend Leverrier, 
M. Breton des Champs exploded these frauds, which were so dis- 
graceful to the good name of the French Academy of Sciences. 
He discovered the books from which the so-called ‘‘ forger with 
long ears” had copied the assumed letter sold to M. Chasles. 
THE Essex Field Club will hold its sixth annual cryptogamic 
and botanic meeting in Epping Forest on Friday and Saturday, 
On the Saturday afternoon and evening there 
