398 Miscellaneous Intelligence. 
the isolated determinations often differed by 3,4 or even 5 sec- 
onds. Secchi thinks that this difference cannot be attributed to 
accidental errors, for they existed during several consecutive days, 
and passed insensi rom one value to another; also, the com- 
parison of these measures with analogous ones made at Palermo 
show variations sufficiently corresponding to those found at Rome, 
to prove the reality of these variations in the solar diameter. 
n examination of the curves of these variations, Secchi 
deduces that the diameter had minima values when the number of 
accounts for the above relation. e border of the sun is not 
perfectly defined, the want of definition in its contour being, 
probably, due to the light of the chromosphere, which, very bright 
at its base, fuses to some extent withthe photosphere. The ordi- 
times more and so 
diameter, thus augmented, will be found to diminish and to increase 
with the brillianey of the chromosphere.—Wemorie della Societa 
degli Spettroscopisti Italiani, Dispensa 9%, Sept. 1872. A.M. M. 
IV. MiscetLaNneous Screnriric INTELLIGENCE. 
1, The Tyndall Endowment.—Prof. Tynpaut, as is generally 
known, generously devoted the entire avails of the lectures he de- 
livered in the United States to the cause of scientific training and 
or the advantage of scientific students. In his “Lectures on 
Light,” just published by the Appletons, we have a statement (p- 
190) of the money returns by his thirty-five lectures, as follows : 
researches,” 
Prof. Tyndall’s first thought was to provide for the residence of 
such students at some German university, reserving to himself 
the choice of the institution, the candidate being selected by his 
Arustees. But he finally gave the Trustees a discretionary powet 
