162 Notes and Memoranda. 



should expect the nebulous vapour to consist of matter in a much simpler form 

 than most of the vapours and gases we are acquainted with, and it would only be 

 as condensation progresses that the chemical compounds which we know would be 

 produced. We agree with Mr. Huggins that it would be an improbable supposi- 

 tion to consider the nebulous spectra of three bright lines indicates matter in its 

 most elementary forms. The supposed ether of space may be still more elemen- 

 tary, but the nebulous matter very elementary, as compared with other matter in 

 a much more condensed state. Mr. Huggins inclines to the opinion that the 

 gaseou3 nebulae " are systems possessing a structure and a purpose in relation to 

 the universe, altogether distinct, and of another order, from the great groiip of 

 cosmical bodies to which our sun and the fixed stars belong." With great admi- 

 ration for Mr. Huggins' brilliant discoveries, and great respect for his scientific 

 knowledge, we should, in the present state of information, reject this hypothesis. 

 It seems to us more likely that we must enlarge our chemical theories to take ac- 

 count of the probable nature and properties of matter in so unterrestrial a condi- 

 tion as that of the nebulae, than that we shall be compelled to assume those nebulas 

 to stand aloof from the general scheme of construction, change, and reconstruction, 

 which apparently enfolds all the bodies in the physical universe. 



Pbofessoe Phiixips ow Maes. — In Proc. Soy. Soc, Ho. 71, Professor 

 Phillips remarks that as the relative solar influence on the Earth and Mars, arising 

 from the different distance of the two bodies, would be as 100 on Mars to 231 on 

 the earth, the surface of the more distant planet might be expected to be in per- 

 petual frost, which is not apparently the case. He considers that its atmosphere 

 may obstruct radiation of dark rays to a greater extent than our own, without 

 differing very materially from ours. He adds : '* It seems, however, requisite to 

 suppose a greater communication of heat from the interior of the planet, for other- 

 wise the additional vapour, to which the warming effect is in the main to be 

 ascribed, could not, probably, be supported in the atmosphere." He likewise 

 mentions a curious result arrived at by Mr. Main. " Computing by the known 

 rotation velocity, and the admitted measures and mass of Mars, its ellipticity 



should be about ^-1 Mr. Main's observations with the splendid Oxford helio- 



meter give as the most probable result ^-J- for 1862." Professor Phillips found 



at the late opposition, that the substances round the south pole appeared less ex- 

 tensive than in 1S52, and were not really observable with distinctness, except on 

 a few eveninss. The axis of Mars being at this opposition nearly at right angles 

 to the line of sight would prevent much snow being seen even if it existed. 



The Stjiz Castal. — M. Lesseps states, that since the 1st of January a daily 

 communication has been established between the Bed Sea and the Mediterranean. 

 A boat, containing twenty or thirty people, was tugged by a steamer through the 

 canal in twentv-four hours. 



