208 REPORTS ON THE STATE OF SCIENCE, ETC. 



International. 



There is little to report under this head, except that the publication of the Inter 

 national Scientific Summary has been continued as below. 



The serious fall in the value of the franc, in which international subscriptions are 

 paid, has had a disastrous effect on the funds available for such work as the printing of 

 the International Summary, which has onlj' been relieved by the intervention of the 

 Roj-al Society. 



The Geodetic and Geophysical Union is to meet at Prague next year (1927), 

 though as yet nothing has been said about the date ; it seems imperative to reconsider 

 the whole question of finance. 



Instrumental. 



(Chiefly from notes by Mr. J. J. Shaw.) 



The attempt to get seismological observations made at Christmas Island (Indian 



Ocean) has unfortunately proved a complete fiasco. It seems desirable to record 



the circumstances briefly. First we give the Report of Mr. H. S. Jones, now 



H.M. Astronomer at the Cape Observatory, who kindly took charge of the instrument. 



Christmas Island Eclipse Expedition. 

 Report on Seismograph, June 9, 1923, by H. S. Jones. 



' The expedition from the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, to Cliristmas Island for 

 the observation of the Total Solar Eclipse of September 21, 1922, took with it, at the 

 suggestion of Prof. H. H. Turner, a Mihie-Shaw seismograph, lent by Mr. J. J. Shaw. 

 It was hoped that it would be possible to arrange for the seismograph to be left on the 

 island, and for continuous observations to be carried on by employees of the Christmas 

 Island Phosphate Company. 



' The seismograph was unpacked after the erection of the astrographic telescope, 

 and it was found that, owing to faulty packing, the clock dial had come adrift and had 

 smashed up the timing contacts, besides domg other damage. Mr. Shaw was at once 

 written to for information as to the manner in which the timing gear was intended to 

 function, but owing to the infrequent mails to Christmas Island it was some months 

 before a reply was received. With the assistance of one of the Phosphate Company's 

 engineers the damage was then repaired and the clock put into going order. 



' Careful investigation was made as to the most suitable site for the seismograph. 

 The eclipse camp was at the south-east end of the island, the settlement being on the 

 north-west side. A site near the settlement was necessary if the seismograph were to 

 be left on the island. The settlement is on a narrow flat shelf facing the sea, with steep 

 cUfis behind, and does not provide very suitable sites for the purpose. An attempt 

 was made in several places to find a place where the pier for the instrument could 

 be built up from the solid rock, but the depth of soil was in all cases too great. 



' Ultimately a site was chosen near the thermometer screen, somewhat sheltered 

 by a large rock and by coconut palms, so as to reduce as much as possible the tempera- 

 ture variations. A concrete pier was constructed, extending 2 ft. 6 in. below the surface. 

 Owing to the shortage of carpenters on the island and the pressure of work for them, 

 including the erection of a new hospital and two new bungalows, it was not possible 

 to get a hut erected for the seismograph until earl}' in September. This consisted of a 

 wooden framework, covered with corrugated iron, with shuttered window and door. 

 The seismograph was erected and adjusted, a few minor alterations which were found 

 to be necessary being carried out. The clock was fixed to the side of the pier. Several 

 trial sheets were secured before the observers left the island, which showed that the 

 adjustments were satisfactory, although owing to the diurnal variation of temperature 

 there was a tendency for the traces to run into one another. 



'The two chemists in the employ of the Phosphate Company, who are responsible 

 for the meteorological observations, undertook to carry on the records, changing the 

 sheets daily and developing them once per week. The construction and adjustment of 

 the seismograph was explained to both these gentlemen. Written instructions were 

 left that the sheets should be sent monthly to Prof. Turner, who would be responsible 

 for the supply of photographic paper after the stock taken with the instrument was 

 exhausted. 



' It may be added that the erection of the seismograph pier and hut is included in 

 the work done for the Expedition by the Christmas Island Phosphate Company, the 

 cost of which has been generously given by them as a contribution towards the 

 expenses of the Expedition. As also the Blue Funnel S.S. Company conveyed the 



