H. Skey. — On periodic vertical Oscillations in the Sun's Atmosphere. 91 



sanitary literature of the day, you will see that it is chiefly devoted to the 

 discussion of this special subject. 



Sewer-gas is the modern Frankenstein monster, which has been created 

 and turned loose upon the world by sanitary experts, who are now vainly 

 struggling to control and repair its ravages. 



And I would ask. Whether it is not our solemn duty to ourselves, to 

 our children, and to the rising generation, steadfastly to resist the intro- 

 duction into our midst of this most insidious evil ; and to stamp out, as we 

 would the plague, any system which is likely to conduce to the spreading of 

 infectious disease, and the consequent lowering of the physical standard of 

 the futm-e population of New Zealand. 



In conclusion, I would submit for your consideration three propositions, 

 which embrace the practical deductions to be drawn from my previous 

 remarks : — 



1st. That under a proper system of surface, subsoil, and storm-water 

 drainage, it will be found advantageous to discharge the house-drains into 

 the storm -water channels through the street gutters. 



2nd. That of the systems of closet at present in general use, that with 

 moveable pans is the one best adapted for colonial towns, on the grounds 

 of safety to public health, simplicity, and efficiency, and economy in cost 

 both of construction and maintenance. 



3rd. That it is desirable to prohibit, by legislation, the storage of excreta 

 in sunk cesspools, and the placing of night-soil in any drain, public or 

 private, in any township in New Zealand, 



Art. V. — On periodic vertical Oscillations in the Sun's Atmosphere, and their 

 Connection with the Appeaj'ance and Disappearance of the Solar Spots. 



By H. Skey. 

 [Read before the Otago Institute, 2Wi August, 1880.] 

 In a former paper* I endeavoured to show a tendency to periodicity in the 

 vertical oscillations of the earth's atmosphere, and to connect the pressure 

 of the barometer and the state of the weather therewith. And, in opposi- 

 tion to the generally received opinion, the downward oscillation of the 

 barometer was shown to correspond to the greatest elevation or crest of the 

 atmosphere, while the upward and greatest reading of the barometer would 

 correspond to the lowest elevation or trough of an aerial wave ; the vibration 



* See " Trans, N.Z. Inst.," Vol. Ill, p. 306, 



