TUANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 68 



ball from the axis, and fastening the spiral wire to it, the top is prepared for another 

 experiment. 



In the former experiment a circle is described if the velocit}' does not change ; 

 but the friction and resistance of the air tend to diminish it ; and so with a decreasing 

 velocity of rotation the angle of inclination of the top's axis becomes changeable, 

 and instead of a circle, a spiral line is described, with ellipses evolving on it, as is 

 shown by pressing the paper against the axis for a longer time, the paper being 

 covered with a thin laver of soot. 



The author tried to "bring a top without the brass arm and ball in contact with a 

 spiral line, constructed by a wire bent into a spiral line. The top then began rapidly 

 to move along the spiral line, and, reaching its end, began to follow again the direc- 

 tion of the spiral wire on its inner side, and so on. 



This spiral and periodical motion is similar to that of a pendulum on a pre- 

 scribed or given trace ; it is very like that of a cycloidal pendulum, where the 

 motion must be performed on a cycloid. 



The disturbing force produces a pressure on the wire, and forces the axis of the 

 top to follow the direction of the spiral curve. 



The spiral may be replaced by a curve of any other description. 



On the Tuiujenticd Balance and a new Saccharometei; 

 By Professor Cn. Y, Zexgee. 



PfioOEEss OF Science. 



On the Duty of the British Association with respect to the Bistrihution of its 

 Funds. By Lieut.-Col. A, Strange, F.B.S. 



The author begins by referring to the Royal Commission on Scientific Instruc- 

 tion and the Advancement of Science, of which the Duke of Devonshire is Chair- 

 man, the appointment of which was obtained by the British Association in 1870. 

 Having been examined himself by the Commission, and having been in communi- 

 cation with many of the witnesses who have appeared before it, he is able to say 

 that the following fundamental points are receiving great attention, viz. : — (1) that 

 the objects of scientific teaching and of scientific investigation are distinct, and 

 require for their respective attainment distinct machinery ; (2) that the State is 

 bound, in the interests of the community, to maintain Institutions, such as Labo- 

 I'atories and Observatories, for scientific research, apart from teaching ; (3) that 

 all State Scientific Institutions and action of every kind should be subject to the 

 direction of a single Minister of State ; and (4) that such Minister of State should 

 have the assistance of a permanent paid Consultative Council, composed of eminent 

 men of science. Of these measures he regards the two last (a Minister and 

 Council) as by far the most important. 



The paper next proceeds to consider how the Association may further advance 

 the great question of State Scientific Organization. The -RTiter considers that one 

 of the greatest obstacles in the way consists in the imperfect conception which 

 statesmen have formed of the duties of the State with respect to science ; and he 

 believes that this is in a great measure due to indiscriminateness in private action 

 and the distribution of private funds. Many great scientific problems have been 

 taken up with the help of such means, only to be laid aside because those means 

 have proved insufficient. The result is a confusion of thought as to what scientific 

 objects should be carried out by the State, and what maj' properly devolve on 

 private bodies and individuals. 



In order to assist in clearing up this confusion, the author proposes that the 

 Association should classify all applications for aid coming before them under two 

 great heads — Public and Private ; that they should grant pecuniary aid to the 

 latter only ; that they should furnish the Government annually with a list of objects 



6* 



