614 
NATURE 
[Oct. 22, 1885 
1876, p. 267), it would appear that from 1856 to 1875 the years 
of minimum cyclone activity were 1856 and 1867, and the years 
of maximum activity 1861 and 1872, but that the results for 
each of those years did not differ much from the results for the 
year immediately preceding or following it, the variation near 
the turning-points being small. 
Before giving a brief outline of the results which have been 
obtained since 1875, it may be well to mention that the sources 
of information were the same as in former years. Two clerks 
were constantly occupied in tabulating the meteorological ob- 
servations contained in the log-books of vessels that arrived in 
the harbour of Port Louis from different places. The number 
of days’ observations tabulated in each year—that is, observa- 
tions extending over twenty-four hours and made in different 
parts of the ocean—-was as follows :— 
Years Days’ Observations= Years Days’ Observations 
1876 17,017 1881 16,473 
1877 17,005 1882 15,089 
1878 17,050 1883 16,930 
1879 15,889 1884 16,700 
1880 17,306 
The tables give an average of 46 observations of 24 hours 
each for every day of the nine years over the frequented parts of 
the ocean. 
All details and reports respecting hurricanes, storms, or gales 
were recorded in separate registers. 
For each day on which there was a gale in any part of the 
ocean between the equator and the parallel of 34° S. a chart was 
prepared, ‘showing as nearly as possible the positions of the 
vessels the direction and force of the wind, &c., at a certain 
hour, namely, noon on the meridian of 60° E. 
From these synoptic charts the details given from hour to hour 
in the log-books, and all the information obtained from other 
sources, the position of the centres.of cyclones at noon on each 
day were determined, and the tracks laid down on separate 
charts. 
Nine cyclone-track charts have thus been prepared, namely, 
one for each of the years 1876-84. 
These track-charts, together with the twenty that had pre- 
viously been prepared for the years 1856-75, show, as far as has 
yet been ascertained, the tracks of the cyclones of the Indian 
Ocean south of the equator in each of the years 1856-84, and 
the tracks for the years 1848-55 are nearly ready. 
With respect to the period 1876-84, the aveas of cyclones and 
the distances traversed have not yet been determined, but upo n 
the whole the zzember and duration of the cyclones decreased to 
a minimum in 1880, and then increased till, in 1884, they were 
more than double of what they were in 1880. 
From the accompanying track-charts forthe eleven years 1856, 
1857, 1860, 1861, 1867, 1868, 1871, 1872, 1879, 1880, and 1884, 
it will be seen that the number and duration of the cyclones of 
1856 and 1857 were much less than those of the cyclones of 1860 
and 1861; that thenumber and duration of the cyclones of 1867 
and 1868 were much less than those of 1860 and 1861 on the 
one hand, and also than those of 1871 and 1872 on the other ; 
and that the number and duration of the cyclones of 1879 and 
1880 were much less than those of the cyclones of 1871, 1872, 
and 1884. 
It would appear, however, that in 1884 there was less cyclone 
activity than in 1861 and 1872. 
UNIVERSITY AND EDUCATIONAL 
INTELLIGENCE 
OXxFoRD.—The commencement of Michaelmas Term does 
not witness many changes in the fersonnel of scientific depart- 
ments in Oxford. A lecturer in Human Anatomy has been 
appointed, and commences work this term. The opening of 
the new physiological laboratories at the back of the University 
Museum completes the scheme for physiological education which 
has been so strenuously opposed by the enemies of scientific 
research in the University. 
One of the most noticeable changes in Oxford to outward 
view is the opening of the new buildings in Trinity College. 
The new block of buildings, designed by Mr. Jackson, stretches 
backward from Kettle Hall in Broad Street to the Bathurst 
building and college chapel, making a new quadrangle bounded 
on the south by Broad Street and Trinity Cottages (now thrown 
into the ‘*quad”), on the west by Balliol, on the north by the 
chapel and Bathurst, and to the east by the new buildings. The 
new ‘‘quad” is only second in size to ‘‘ Tom quad” in Christ- 
church. 
With our respect and sorrow for Dr. Bulley, late President of 
Magdalen, who died during the vacation, is mingled a feeling 
of intense satisfaction and not a little surprise at the appoint- 
ment of his successor. 
In Mr. T. H. Warren, the new President, Magdalen has 
gained a man no less distingui hed for his scholarship than for 
his liberal views on education. Under the virile direction of 
her new president, Magdalen, already prominent among our 
Colleges for her recognition of natural science, may well hope 
to extend her usefulness. In the liberal Oxford of to-day—in'the 
teaching as opposed to the voting University—Mr. Warren’s 
election has been received with enthusiasm. 
The following courses of lectures and classes in Natural 
Science will be given during the ensuing term :—In the Physical 
Department of the Museum Prof. B. Price lectures on Hydro- 
Mechanics. Prof. Clifton lectures on Ohm’s Law ; Mr. Selby 
lectures on Electrostatics; and Mr. Walker on Elementary 
Mechanics. The laboratory is open for practical instruction 
daily. 
At the University observatory Prof. Pritchard gives three 
courses. Firstly, on the Application of the Theory of Proba- 
bilities to Astronomical Observation ; secondly, on Spherical 
Astronomy ; thirdly, on the Astronomy referred to by Polybius 
and other classical writers. 
At Christchurch Mr. Baynes lectures on Conduction of Heat, 
and has aclass for practical Instruction in Electrical Measure- 
ments. 
At Balliol Mr. Dixon lectures on Elementary Magnetism and 
Electricity. 
In the Chemical Department Prof. Odling lectures on the 
Phenic Compounds; Dr. Watts gives a course on General 
Organic, and Mr. Fisher gives a course on General Inorganic 
Chemistry. 
The laboratories are open daily for practical instruction. 
At Christchurch Mr. Vernon Harcourt has a class for Quan- 
titative Analysis. 
In the Biological Departments Prof. Moseley lectures on the 
Comparative Anatomy of the Vertebrata; Mr. Spencer lectures 
on Elementary Animal Morphology. 
Prof. Burdon-Sanderson lectures on the Physiology of Motion, 
Mr. Dixey lectures on Histology, and Mr. Thomson on Human 
Anatomy. 
The Morphological and Physiological Laboratories are open 
daily for practical instruction. 
Mr. Jackson lectures on Parthenogenesis, Mr. Thompson on 
Osteology, and Mr. Poulton on the Distribution of Animals. 
Prof. Westwood lectures on the Orders of Winged Arthro- 
poda. Prof. Prestwich lectures on Geology : Physical Questions, 
Volcanic Action, &c. 
At the Botanic Garden Prof. Gilbert lectures on the Results 
of Field Experiments, and Prof. Balfour gives practical instruc- 
tion in Vegetable Morphology and Physiology. 
Dr. Tylor lectures at the Museum on Social and Religious 
Systems. 
SCIENTIFIC SERIALS 
THE only structural paper in the August and September num- 
bers of the ¥ournal of Botany is by Mr. Thomas Hick, on the 
caulotaxis of British Fumariaceze. ‘‘ Throughout the whole of 
this order,” he states, ‘‘as represented in the British Isles, a 
remarkable unity of organisation prevails. In all cases, save 
that of Corydalis solida, the main stem is a sympodium or pseud- 
axis, composed of binodal caulomeres, except in the basal 
region, where they are of a higher order, and often in the apical 
region also, where they become uninodal.” The paper is illus- 
trated by woodcuts. In addition the student of descriptive 
botany will find two papers by Mr. J. G. Baker: a monograph 
of the genus Gethy/lis (with two plates), and a synopsis of the 
Cape species of Anphofia, in addition to a continuation of his 
synopsis of the genus Se/agivella ; and the numbers are not 
wanting in other papers of interest in descriptive, systematic, 
and geographical botany. 
THE number for October is an unusually interesting one. Mr. 
H. N. Ridley gives descriptions and figures of two recent addi- 
tions to the British flora, both belonging to the Cyperacez, and 
both from Scotland: Schaneus ferruginens, L., and Carex 
