176 jo Langley—Atmospherio Absorption. 
think we can now begin to see somewhat of what it is in 
kind, and may be prepared to agree that the data in the 
Mcrae table (table IT) may represent numerically the pro- 
portions of nature, with a certain approximation. In this 
table (II) we have certain numerical results consequent on the 
approximative hypothesis that the total heat in sun or star is 
‘divided into a certain finite — of parts, each one of which 
has its own rate of absorptio 
Here the radiant energy blond absorption is supposed to be 
divided into ten parts, A, B,C,.......... J, each hay- 
ing its separate coefficient of transmission a, 6, etc., an arrange- 
ment which may be taken to represent some sort of adumbra- 
tion of the complexity of nature’s problem, and the method of 
her work. It is given here only in illustration of the kind 
and degree of the errors induced by use of the usual formulas, 
— however, be incidentally observed that these values 
do typify the facts, with a certain approximation to the real 
values of nature, for. “pe fae are obtained by approximate sae 
on of equations of the fo 
Aa + Bd en +Dd +Ee etec.=M 
Ad + BO’ + Ce? + Dd* + Ee’ ete.=N 
Aa’ + Bb’? + Ce*® + Dd* + Ee® ete. =O 
The first column is the inal intensity before absorption. 
{We have in this baits sso for simplicity, suppo 
