272 SECTIONAL TRANSACTIONS.—A. 
Prof. R. H. Fowter, O.B.E., F.R.S., and Mr. G. B. B. M. SuTHERLAND.— 
The specific heats of simple gases at high temperatures (11.30). 
When, some seven or eight years:ago, analysis of the quantum states of 
simple molecules had advanced sufficiently far to be applied with confidence 
to the calculation of the specific heats of the simple gases, it was found, to 
the surprise of almost everyone concerned, that the accepted values at high 
temperatures were in striking disagreement with the theory. The disagree- 
ment begins to make itself felt, for example, for oxygen and nitrogen just 
above room temperatures. This discrepancy has since then been much 
studied from two points of view—first, to re-examine the specific heats 
by new methods and to see if they could be brought into agreement with 
theory ; and, secondly, to understand the meaning of the older measure- 
ments, which cannot be dismissed as being merely in error. Both these 
studies have now been successful. The discrepancy between theory and 
the older observations has been shown to be due to the very slow inter- 
change of vibrational energy in rather rigid molecules such as oxygen and 
nitrogen with the translational and rotational energy. 
Mr. J. M. Stacc.—The British Polar Year Expedition to Fort Rae, 
N.W. Canada, 1932-33 (11.55). 
Throughout the thirteen months ending August 31, 1933, upwards of 
forty countries co-operated in a world-wide organisation for intensive 
observations in meteorology and such allied fields of investigation as terres- 
trial magnetism, aurora and atmospheric electricity. During this period 
probably over sixty special stations and expeditions, many of them in high 
northern latitudes, participated in the general programme. As part of 
Britain’s share in this International Polar Year an expedition of six men 
was sent to reoccupy the station at Fort Rae on the Great Slave Lake, 
N.W. Canada, held half a century ago by the First Polar Year Party. 
The objects of the expedition included the collection of complete and 
continuous observations of the main meteorological elements both on the 
surface and into the stratosphere, procuring continuous records of the varia- 
tions in the earth’s magnetic field, and gathering as much information as 
possible about auroral phenomena in that part of Canada. Photographs of 
aurora from two base stations, so that its position in space could be deter- 
mined, were specially wanted. Measurements were also to be made of the 
various elements of the atmospheric electrical field near the surface at 
Fort Rae. 
To attain these objects in the somewhat extreme conditions of N.W. 
Canada special methods and safeguards had to be employed. 
The photography of aurora called for a means of continuous communica- 
tion over the 25 km. separating the main base and substation ; 4,700 simul- 
taneous pairs of photographs were taken, of which 75 per cent. are probably 
suitable for measurement. 
The reduction of the data brought home by the expedition is now in 
an advanced stage of preparation. But the work of adequate discussion 
and co-ordination with the data for all the other Polar Year stations will be 
a matter of several years. 
Prof. G. W. O. Howe.—The rotating field of a cylindrical bar magnet—a 
perennial chimera (12.25). 
From time to time the question is raised : Does the magnetic field of a 
cylindrical bar magnet rotate with the magnet ? This question is meaning- 
