xvi President's Address 



astronomers to make the requisite determi rations on a scale 

 as nearly commensurate with the present demands of science 

 as the means at command will admit of. In many branches 

 of science there are subjects for investigation, and large 

 fields of research, concerning which further knowledge 

 would be to the advantage of the whole world, and which 

 can only be properly grappled with by the co-operation of 

 observers or workers spread over the whole globe ; such 

 undertakings therefore concern all nations alike, and in 

 which all civilized communities should, as in honour bound, 

 and in proportion to their status and means, do their share. 

 This is notably one of these instances, and it is a matter for 

 congratulation that the foremost nations and colonies have 

 cheerfully and promptly set about the business in a manner 

 worthy of the age in which we live. Let us hope that the 

 efforts of every nationality may be crowned with success. 



I had the honour of addressing this Society on a former 

 occasion concerning this phenomenon somewhat in detail, 

 it only remains therefore to inform you of the present stage 

 of the preparations. There will be altogether about 70 

 observing parties — 23 or 24 British (including India, Cape, 

 Victoria, New South Wales, as well as Lord Lindsay's 

 Mauritius party), 5 or 6 German, 26 Russian, 8 American, 

 and 6 French. 



The British observing stations will be Alexandria, Cairo, 

 Rodriguez, Kerguelen's Land (2 stations), Christen urch 

 (New Zealand). British-Colonial stations — India (3 stations), 

 the Cape of Good Hope, Victoria (4 stations), New South 

 Wales (4 stations), Mauritius (Lord Lindsay's Expedition). 

 The German stations will be Mauritius, Cheefoo (China), 

 Macdonald Island, Auckland Islands, and Ispahan. The 

 Russians will occupy 26 stations, all in Siberia, Japan, and 

 China. The Americans will be stationed at Hobart Town, 

 New Zealand, Chatham Islands, Kerguelen's Land, Crozet's 



