606 REPORT— 1895. 



practically untouched, and a rich field is open for mathematical investigation in 

 this portion only of the subject. In all cases, whether a fluid ether is an actual 

 fact or not, the results obtained will be of special interest as types of fluid motion. 

 It LS at present a subject in which the mathematicians must lead the attack. I 

 shall have attained my object in choosing this subject for my address, if by it I 

 can induce some of our younger mathematicians to take it up, and work out its 

 details. 



The following Papers and Report were read : — 



1. On the Reichsanstalt, CharlottenMirf/, Berlin. 

 By Sir Douglas Galton, K.C.B. 



The original idea of this establishment emanated from von Helmholtz and 

 Werner von Siemens. The site at Charlottenburg, about 11 acres, was given by 

 Dr. Werner von Siemens, and he contributed 250,000 marks (12,000/.) in aid of 

 the building. Thereupon the German Government undertook the construction of 

 the building and its endowment. 



The design of the buildings and the working arrangements were planned by 

 von Helmholtz, who was appointed its first director. One portion of the estabhsh- 

 ment is complete and in operation. The buildings for the other portion are still 

 in course of erection. 



The scientific work of the second portion is meanwhile being partially carried 

 on in the Royal Technical High School, situated at Charlottenburg. 



As the establishment is thus still far from complete, the cost of the building 

 and equipment, and of the annual expenditure for maintenance, cannot be given. 



The object of the establishment may be defined to be ' the development of 

 pure scientific research, and the promotion of new applications of science for 

 industrial jmrposesJ 



The establishment consists of two divisions. The first is charged with pure 

 research, and is at the present time engaged in various thermal, optical, and 

 electrical and other physical investigations. 



The reports on many branches of work which have been done in this estab- 

 lishment are appended to the paper. 



The second branch is employed in delicate operations of standardising and 

 testing to assist the wants of outside research students, and to facilitate applica- 

 tions of science to industries. As, for instance, comparison with standards of the 

 dilatation of metals, of electrical resistances, of electric and other forms of light, 

 of lenses, of pressure g auges, of recording instruments, thermometers, pyrometers, 

 and tuning-forks, experiments on the qualities of glass, examination of oil-testing 

 apparatus, viscosity of glycerine, &c. 



The plans exhibited give a general idea of the size of the establishment, 

 which stands in its own grounds, of which the space not covered by buildings is 

 laid out in gardens. 



The principal building is occupied by the first division ; it faces the north- 

 west, and stands at some distance back from the road. This building is about 

 100 feet long and 85 feet deep. It has three floors of laboratories, and a basement 

 which stands on a mass of cement concrete 2 metres thick, so as to protect 

 the apparatus from vibration ; but notwithstanding every precaution, the 

 passing of heavy waggons in the road occasions some movement. An electric 

 tramway is talked of. If this be constructed, serious injury will result to the 

 institution. 



In this building there are thirty separate apartments devoted to laboratories, 

 in addition to the several official rooms required for the director and staff", and 

 there is also in the building a large and excellent library of works on pure and 

 applied science. 



To the south of this, and parallel to it, is the building for the second division. 

 This building is nearly 200 feet long, and there are tM'o wings, each of which 



