June 16, 1899.] 



SCIENCE. 



851 



while they are fresh in mind. I observed the 

 cerebral figures for some hours, repeating the 

 observations previously reported. When the 

 dawn faintly illuminated the window frame I 

 was able at one stage of brightness to see both 

 the frame and the figures. Placing the fingers 

 of the two hands against the outer ends of the 

 eyeballs, I displaced them simultaneously in 

 opposite directions ; this was repeated a number 

 of times in rapid succession. As a result there 

 appeared two images of the frame moving in 

 opposite directions. The retinal figures seen 

 in front of the frame still remained single and 

 did not move. Granting that there was no 

 error in my observation, I cannot imagine a 

 more conclusive proof as to the cerebral nature 

 of the light. 



The problem is really one of importance. If 

 this light is cerebral we have a means of 

 distinctly observing some of the phenomena in 

 the brain. The cerebral figures are intimately 

 associated with the contents of dreams. I be- 

 lieve also that the forms of the figures of cerebral 

 light are intimately connected with the phe- 

 nomena of nutrition in the brain. I find at the 

 present time that my figures are quite different 

 from those which I have been accustomed to 

 observing in past years ; this may correspond 

 to a radical change in the condition of the 

 nervous system which I have observed to have 

 taken place during the past six months. I find 

 also that the figures on first awakening from sleep 

 are very difierent from those that are seen when 

 the mind becomes fully awake. Systematic 

 observations by medical men may show that 

 diagnostic conclusions can be obtained by ask- 

 ing patients to describe their cerebral figures. 



The question at the present time concerns the 

 sufBcieney of the observations. If they are cor- 

 rect and reliable there is, I believe, no escape 

 from the conclusion that the figures are cere- 

 bral. I can see no reason to believe that my 

 carefully and repeatedlj' made observations are 

 erroneous, but it is highly desirable to have 

 them confirmed by other observers. 



E. W. Scripture. 

 Psychological Laboratory, 

 Yale University, New Haven, Conn., 

 May 29, 1899. 



PROFESSOR SIMON NEWCOMB. 



The issue of Nature for May 4th contains an 

 admirable portrait in photogravure of Profes- 

 sor Simon Newcomb, together with an article 

 describing his scientific work by M. Loewy, Di- 

 rector of the Paris Observatory. M. Loewy says : 



Newcomb must be considered, without contradic- 

 tion, as one ot the most celebrated astronomers of our 

 time, both on account of the immensity of his work 

 and the unity of view which marks the choice of the 

 subjects treated by him. 



All is linked together in our solar system ; the 

 study of the motion of each one of the celestial bodies 

 forming part of it is based upon the knowledge of a 

 great number of numerical data, and there exists no 

 fundamental element whose influence is not reper- 

 cussed on the entire theory of these bodies. To 

 endeavor to build up the theory of our whole plan- 

 etary world on an absolutely homogeneous basis of 

 constants was an almost superhuman task. 



After giving an extended account of some of 

 Professor New^comb's more important contribu- 

 tions M. Loewy concludes : 



We have only been able to give a short sketch of 

 Newcomb's achievements ; he is gifted with a pro- 

 digious power of work, which is testified by the ex- 

 traordinarily long list of his researches. 



The reception which has been accorded to them by 

 all competent men points to their author as one of the 

 most illustrious representatives of celestial mechanics. 



This activity has embraced the most diverse 

 branches of astronomy. Not only has he given a 

 great scope to the intellectual movement of his coun- 

 try, but he has also contributed, in a very successful 

 manner, to elevate the level of the civilization of our 

 age, enriching the domain ot science with beautiful 

 and durable conquests. 



SCIENTIFIC NOTES AND NEWS. 



Oxford University conferred, on June 8th, 

 the degree of D.C.L. on Professor Simon New- 

 comb. 



The new biological laboratory of Adalbert 

 College, Western Reserve University, was ded- 

 icated on June 13th. An address was delivered 

 by Professor W. K. Brooks. 



Professor W. C. Brogger, of the University 

 of Christiania, the distinguished Norwegian 

 geologist, has accepted an invitation to deliver 

 the second course of the George Huntington Wil- 

 liams memorial lectures at the Johns Hojikins 



