26 



NATURE 



[Nov. 6, 1879 



is varied by the screw I, which moves the plates M N. Finally, 

 the prism F throws the light into the field of A. The whole is 

 attached to the tube H, which slides into the end of the telescope. 

 This photometer is light, can be easily removed, and by a suitable 

 adapter may be attached to any telescope. As it forms a single 

 piece, the adjustments are little liable to be disturbed. 



In some observations, especially during twilight or moonlight, 

 errors were apprehended from the comparative darkness of that 

 half of the field covered by the prism F. This prism was re- 

 placed in other forms therefore by a piece of parallel glass. They 

 were then called photometers e' and J. The reflected stars they 

 formed were much fainter, and double, one image being pro- 

 duced by each surface of the glass.. Still these instruments had 

 the advantage that the field was unobstructed, and the star to 

 be measured might be placed in any desired position, as regards 

 the standard. 



The latter class of photometers can be used only in the 

 measurement of faint stars. If the image of the object seen in 

 the large telescope is brighter than that formed by the auxiliary 

 telescope, no setting of the Nicols or micrometer screw will 

 render them equal. This difficulty was obviated by using the 

 photometer shown in Fig. 4, removing the Nicols, and replacing 

 its eye-piece by the concentric tubes referred to in an early part 

 of this analysis. The images of the same object, seen in the 

 large and small telescope, were first compared, and the constant 

 thus found was used in reducing the observations of other 

 objects. The advantages of this photometer are that stars of 

 greatly different brightness and in different parts of the sky may 

 be compared ; but the loss of light is great, and the images are 

 seen under different magnifying powers. 



UNIVERSITY AND EDUCATIONAL 

 INTELLIGENCE 



Cambridge. — The Board of Natural Science Studies have 

 recommended a new set of regulations for the Natural Sciences 

 Tripos, to take effect as regards the first part of the examination, 

 in the Easter Term of i8Si,and as regards the second part in Easter 

 Term of 1882. In effect it is intended to provide for a class list 

 in general natural science honours in June each year, founded on 

 aggregate knowledge shown by candidates in the first part of the 

 examination, provided no credit is given in a subject unless the 

 candidate has shown a competent knowledge of that subject. 

 Each of the three classes is to be arranged in alphabetical order. 

 The general Arrangement of subjects and practical work has 

 already been settled, but the details will no doubt invite attention. 

 The working of Regulation 6 is rather curious. " In the first 

 part of the examination there shall be a practical examination, 

 either written or vivA voce, or both, in such subjects as the 

 Board of Natural Science Studies shall from time to time 

 determine, provided that in all those subjects in which there is 

 no such practical examination, one or more of the questions in 

 the printed papers refer to objects exhibited at the examination." 

 Regulation 7 states that there is to be a practical examination 

 either written or -ivA voce, or both, in each of the eight subjects 

 of examination in the second part. Regulation 14 proposes that, 

 in arranging the ckv-s-list for the second part of the examination, 

 the examiners shall have regard to general knowledge and ability 

 as well as to special proficiency in one or more subjects. No 

 candidate shall obtain a first-class for proficiency in one subject 

 unless he show a competent knowledge of some cognate subject. 

 When Human Anatomy is taken as the principal subject, 

 either Zoology and Comparative Anatomy, or Physiology, be 

 taken as a necessary cognate subject. Regulation 15 includes the 

 following: — In each case of giving a first class in the second 

 part of the examination, the examiners shall specify the subjects 

 for which the candidate is so placed, or the reason for specially 

 distinguishing him.- A discussion in the Arts School on the 

 proposed regulations for the Natural Sciences Tripos (on October 

 31), was opened by Mr. Sedley Taylor expressing great doubts 

 about the desirability of giving such a prominent place to human 

 anatomy in an honours examination. He read to those present 

 the opinions of three eminent physiologists and anatomists 

 specially obtained by himself on this point, and they were, on 

 the whole, against the proposed regulation as unnecessary, if 

 human anatomy were to be taught in the only way in which it 

 could fairly enter into the Tripos, for its general and not its pro- 

 fessional value, while usually the memory work involved was 

 enormous, and such as to be of quite technical character. Dr. 

 Humphry strongly supported the regulations and the distribution 



of subjects, as a method of aiding in preserving a scientific study 

 of human anatomy. Dr. Paget dissented strongly from this 

 view, not as a means of discouraging the study of anatomy, but 

 to lessen the strain of constant change by questions which went 

 to the root of the matter. He believed no sufficient settlement 

 could be expected unless or until the Tripos was divided into 

 two — biological and non-biological ; it was unwieldy and un- 

 manageable in its present state. Surely it was not impossible 

 to frame some division of subjects which might secure this ami 

 be found workable. Mr. Balfour did not agree with the way in 

 which human anatomy was regarded as so far apart from the 

 anatomy of all other animals as to gain such distinctive marks, 

 while no such division was made in physiology. Mr. Trotter 

 thought it would be quite impracticable to enter upon the dis- 

 cussion of the Tripos at present, and that it would be impossible 

 t . divide the subjecis into biological and non-biological. The 

 geologists would object. Mr. J. N. Langley testified to the 

 difficulty men often found in choosing or combining their sub- 

 jects. Mr. Bettany strongly supported Dr. Paget's projected 

 division of the Tripos into two, but with this difference, that 

 men who gained a degree in the first part of the Tripos, as now 

 proposed, in the "comparatively elementary " parts of the sub- 

 jects, should be allowed to gain their final class in either bio- 

 logical or non-biologic il subjects, without such complex and often 

 uncertain or vague regulations to puzzle candidates. 



There can be little doubt as to the health 01 Cambridge being 

 good, and the increasing confidence in Cambridge as a place of 

 education, in view of two facts, viz., that the death-rate during 

 the Michaelmas quarter has been only at the rate of thirteen per 

 thousand, per annum ; including only six deaths from the seven 

 principal zymotics ; and that the entry of freshmen at the colleges 

 this year is the largest ever known, having increased by at least 

 one hundred. It is the more incumbent on the university or the 

 colleges, to see that space for exercise, recreation, study, and 

 sleeping are fully provided for every undergraduate, and to take 

 an active part in preventing disorderly men from remaining to 

 vitiate others ; and it is equally the duty of every wise man not 

 to tempt our youth into overstrain of body and mind. 



Mr. Pattison MuiR,Caius Projector in Chemistry, lectures on 

 the Metals this term, and also on Advanced Systematic Chemistry 

 to Tripos candidates. Professors Liveing and Dewar have 

 issued a notice of great importance to those desirous of prose- 

 cuting researches in chemistry. The new rooms added to the 

 Chemical Department will enable them to accommodate a 

 limited number of students who have had the necessary training 

 and are desirous of prosecuting chemical research or of acquiring 

 skill in special branches of chemistry. Applications for per- 

 mission to prosecute researches must be made personally to the 

 Professors, and all investigations must be subject to their 

 approval. Mr. A. Scott, B.A., Prof. Dewar's assistant, will 

 have the general superintendence of this part of the laboratory. 



A course of practical instruction in Experimental Physics 

 will be given in the Cavendish Laboratory during this term. 

 The course will be adapted to the requirements of beginners, 

 and demonstratirns will be given daily at times to be arranged 

 with the members of the class. Thus again one of the most 

 necessary classes is to be provided, but we trust Mr. Garnett's 

 energies in this department will not be overtaxed. 



Oxford. — In a congregation to be held on November 18, 

 the amendments to the proposed statute respecting degrees in 

 Natural Science will be considered. As the proposed statute 

 now stands, scholars in the Faculty of Natural Science may offer 

 for Responsions Greek and Latin, or Greek or Latin with either 

 French or German, and shall also be examintd in arithmetic, 

 the elements of plane geometry and algebra up the binomial 

 theorem. An amendment has been proposed by Prof. Rolleston 

 to substitute the elements of deductive logic for algebra beyond 

 proportion. In moderations (first public examination), Prof. 

 Rolleston proposes to in-ert deductive and inductive logic as an 

 alternative for algebra. Candidates will be obliged to offer 

 either Greek or Latin, with either French or German, and will be 

 examined in the theory of logarithms, Euclid, trigonometry as fat- 

 as the solution of plane triangles, and elementary mechanics. The 

 council have proposed amendments abolishing those clauses 

 granting the rights of Masters of Arts to Masters of Natural 

 Science, since counsel's opinion has given it to be beyond the 

 power of the University to grant such privileges to a new faculty. 

 The council will accordingly propose a decree authorising the 

 Vice- Chancellor to take whsterer Steps rr.ay be necessary to ob'ain 



