48 UNIVERSAL OR COSMIC TIME. 



the adoption iinivorsally of one Time would be a valuable advantage 

 and might be easily effected. It would save much time and remove 

 a number of difiiculties. We must, however, own that in other 

 scientific questions the usage of a local time in reference to the rising 

 and setting of the sun would be preferable. For the present it 

 would be well to consider at what point the introduction of Cosmo- 

 politan Time in the sciences M^ould be opportune. 



The universal acceptance of another idea set forth by Mr. Fleming 

 would probably meet with few obstacles, and its general introduction 

 is lecommended. In the opening pages of his memoir he makes 

 the following remarks : — 



" The division of the day into two halves, each containing 12 

 " hours, is a fertile source of error and inconvenience. This 

 " division has been long in use, but apart from its antiquity 

 " there is nothing to recommend it, and its use does not confer 

 " any benefit to man." 



Permit me to say that I partake entirely of his views. For this 

 reason I wish particularly to draw the attention of the Academy to 

 them. 



The division of the day into two halves seems to have slipped into 

 common use without any sufficient reason. In consequence of the 

 inconveniences it causes it is desirable that it should be replaced by 

 the simple division of the day into 24 hours. The example of the 

 Italians and some other nations, where this simple division is adhered 

 to until this century, proves that its general adoption would not meet 

 with serious difficulties. 



To my idea the Academy would render a great service to tl.e 

 world if it supported this pi'oposed change. 



In conclusion, I take the liberty of sending, on the part of the 

 Academy, two Russian papers read at the Geographical Society of 

 Russia in 1870, which might be of interest to the Canadian Insti- 

 tute at Toronto, and to the American Metrological Society at Wash- 

 ington. 



OTTO STRUVE. 



30 September, 1880. 



