692 KANSAS CITY REVIEW OF SCIENCE, 
5. Polarization of the Light of the Atmosphere. 
6. Spectroscopical observations of the Aurora and Shooting Stars. 
7. Soundings to determine depths of Sea and Channel. 
8. Temperature of the Sea Water. 
g. Density of the Sea Water. 
1o. Thickness of the Sea Ice, the Ice Floes and the Icebergs. 
11. The preservation of specimens of air in hermetically sealed flasks for 
future analysis at home. 
12. The melting of large quantities of freshly fallen snow, and preservation 
of the resulting atmospheric and meteoric dust for future microscopical exam- 
ination. 
13. Triangulation and charting of coast lines in the immediate vicinity of 
the station, the location of mountains, etc., for which a simple plane table might 
be provided, and a tape line for measuring base lines. 
CoMPLEMENT OF MEN.—It is recommended that a chief observer and four 
assistant observers be detailed to carry out the astronomical and meteorological 
and magnetic observations herein provided for, and such miscellaneous work as. 
they are able to attend to. 
The chief should be especially familiar with the astronomical and magnetic 
work, and be able to instruct observers in their duties. 
ASTRONOMY. 
ASTRONOMICAL NOTES FOR MARCH, 188r. 
BY W. W. ALEXANDER, KANSAS CITY, MO. 
The sun during this month will appear to be moving north at a very fast 
rate, the daily rate being about 0.7 of its own diameter. On the 2oth, at 5 h. 
a. m., its center passes the equator and also enters the first sign of the zodiac, and 
spring commences. Mercury, for the first and second days, will show in the 
west for a few minutes after sunset. On the 11th it will be in conjunction with 
the sun, after which it will rise before the sun and cannot be seen before the end 
of the month. 
Venus, during this month, shines with great brilliancy in the western sky for 
about three hours after sunset. It attains its maximum brilliancy on the 27th, 
after which it will gradually approach the sun, still increasing in apparent size, 
but decreasing in brilliancy. Its apparent diameter on the rst is 26”, on the 31st 
