188 Proceedings. 



not, as is commonly stated, therefore necessarily not a 

 diamond. Dr. Hodgkinson pointed out that the double 

 refraction is related to the form of the stones. Referring 

 to the theory that the Koh-i-Noor is only a fragment of 

 an enormously large diamond, of which other celebrated 

 Indian diamonds were also originally parts, he suggested 

 that its truth might be tested by ascertaining if a peculiar 

 cross-shaped figure, produced by the absorption of light 

 when examined under the microscope, was completed by 

 bringing the alleged broken pieces together. A discussion 

 ensued, during which Dr. BURGHARDT remarked that 

 the diamonds examined appeared to have been chiefly 

 Cape diamonds, and he suggested that Brazilian diamonds 

 would not exhibit the same phenomenon. He added 

 that a similar investigation had been communicated to 

 the French Mineralogical Society in 1880 by Dr. Jannetaz, 

 and that it was probable that the structure of a diamond 

 was not so simple as appears from its common description 

 as belonging to the regular system. 



Dr. W. G. BLACK, F.R.Met.S., introduced by Mr. R. F. 

 Gwyther, M.A., read a paper on " Meteorology at the 

 seaside," with special reference to the English Channel, in 

 which he gave the results of an investigation of the baro- 

 metrical, thermometrical, evaporation, sea temperature, and 

 ozone conditions at Brighton, Hastings, Havre, and 

 Boulogne during August, September, and October. He 

 pointed out that there was a marked drop in all the curves 

 about the time of the autumnal equinox, which coincides 

 with the time when bathers and other visitors "by a kind of 

 instinct" all leave these health resorts, and the local caterers 

 for their entertainment close up for the season. The dis- 

 appearance of the ozone, for instance, without any decided 

 storm and without recovering itself, is very marked. Dr. Black 

 also gave some interesting measurements of the height of the 

 various forms of waves and the force of the backwash. 



