188 BULLETIN OF THE 



138TII Meeting. March 2, 18t8. 



Vice-President Hilgard in the Chair. 

 Fifty-one members and visitors present, 

 Mr. M. H. DooLiTTLE made a communication on 



THE NEBULAR HYPOTHESIS AND THE INNER MOON OF MARS. 

 {See page 190.) 



Mr, W. B. Taylor remarked that the suggestion of meteoric 

 matter was worthy of consideration ; yet, although a vera causa, 

 it was an insufficient one to produce any sensible effect on the 

 motions of any of the planets, except perhaps on Mercury. He 

 also spoke of the inner ring of Saturn as revolving more rapidly 

 than the planet ; also as approaching the planet ; and the dusky 

 ring as also approaching and becoming brighter. 



Mr. Hall questioned this statement, and remarked that micro- 

 meter measurements of these rings were somewhat unsatisfactory; 

 but his own accorded with those of Herschel. Drawings are not 

 trustworthy for determining changes. He contended that the 

 motion of the inner satellite of Mars was not in accordance with 

 La Place's nebular hypothesis. He also remarked that the mo- 

 tions of Encke's comet in some periods indicated a resisting me- 

 dium ; in others not. 



The discussion of Mr. Gilbert's communication on the recent 

 history of Great Salt Lake, presented at the last meeting, was 

 resumed : Mr. Alvorb read a letter on the increase of rain-fall 

 in that region, and further remarks were made by Messrs. Gil- 

 bert, White, and Dutton. 



139th Meeting. March 16, 1SY8. 



Vice-President Taylor in the Chair. 



Thirty-eight members and visitors present. 



The election of Dr. Alexander Y. P. Garnett as a member 

 of the Society was announced. 



