8 REPORT — 1875. 



variation in cyclonic distuvbauce is very great. We are thus tempted to associate 

 this cyclone-producing- influence of the sun with something diflerent from his light 

 and heat. As far, therefore, as we can judge, our luminary would appear to pro- 

 duce three distinct effects upon our globe : — In the first place, a magnetic and 

 meteorological effect, depending somehow upon his rotation ; secondly, a cyclonic 

 effect, depending somehow upon the disturbed state of his surface ; and lastly, the 

 well-known light-and-heat effect with which we all are familiar. 



If we now turn to the sun, we find that there are three distinct forms of motion 

 which animate his surface-particles. In the first place, each particle is can-ied 

 round by the rotation of our luminary ; secondly, each particle is influenced by the 

 gigantic meteorological disturbances of the surface, in virtue of which it may 

 acquire a velocity ranging as high as 130 or 140 miles a second ; and lastly, each 

 particle, on account of its high temperature, is vibrating with extreme rapidity, 

 and the energy of these vibrations communicated to us by means of the etherial 

 medium produces the well-known light-and-heat effect of the sun. 



Now, is it philosophical to suppose that it is only the last of these three motions 

 that influences our earth, while the other two produce absolutely no effect ? On 

 the contrary, we are, I think, compelled, by considerations connected with the theory 

 of energy, to attribute an influence, whether great or small, to the first two as well 

 as to the last. 



We are thus led to suppose that the sun must influence the earth in three ways, 

 one depending on his rotation, another on his meteorological disturbance, and a 

 third by means of the vibrations of his surface-particles. 



But we have already seen that, as a matter of fact, the sun does ajjpear to 

 influence the earth in three distinct ways^one magnetically and meteorologically, 

 depending apparently on his period of rotation ; a second cyclonically, depending 

 apparently on the meteorological conditions of his surface ; and a third by means 

 of his light and heat. 



Is this merely a coincidence, or has it a meaning of its own ? We cannot tell ; 

 but I may venture to think that in the pursuit of this problem we ought to be pre- 

 pared at least to admit the possibility of a threefold influence of the sun. 



Even from this very meagre sketch of one of the most interesting and important 

 of physical problems, it cannot fail to appear that while a good deal has already 

 been done, its progress in the future will very greatly depend on the completeness 

 of the method and continuity of the observations by which it is pursued. We 

 have here a field which is of importance not merely' to one, or even to two, but 

 almost to every conceivable branch of research. 



Why should we not erect in it a sort of science-exchange into which the physi- 

 cist, the chemist, and the geologist may each carry the fruits of his research, 

 receiving back in return some suggestion, some principle, or some other scientific 

 commodity that will aid him in his own field ? 



But to establish such a mart must be a national undertaking, and already several 

 nations have acknowledged their obligations in this respect. 



Already the German Government have established a Sonneuwarte, the mere 

 building and equipment of which is to cost a large sum. With an appreciation of 

 what the spectroscope has done for this inquiry, the first directorsliip was offered 

 to Kirchhoff, and on his declining it, Ilerr Vogel has been placed in charge. In 

 France also a physical observatoi'y is to be erected at Fontenay, on an equal, if not 

 greater, scale, of which Janssen has already accepted the directorship ; while in 

 Italy there are at least three observatories exclusively devoted to this branch of 

 research. 



Nor must we forget that in this country the new observatory at Oxford has been 

 so arranged that it can be emploj-ed in such inquiries. But what has England as 

 a nation done ? 



Some years since, at the Norwich Meeting of this Association, a movement was 

 set on foot by Colonel .Strange which resulted in the appointment of a Royal Com- 

 mission on the advancement of science, with the Dulce of Devonshire as chairman. 

 This Commission have quite recently reported on the steps that ought, in then- 

 opinion, to be taken for the advancement of scientific research. 



One of their recommendations is expressed in the following words : — 



