464 Mr. C. Tomlinson on the Ignis Fatuus. 



exhausted bulb will produce as much effect on the discharge in 

 A as the same bulb filled with a solution of an electrolyte 

 containing about a hundred thousand times as many mole- 

 cules of electrolyte. The molecular conductivity of rarefied 

 gases when the electi omotive intensity is very great and when 

 no electrodes are used must be thus enormously greater than 

 that of electrolytes. 



Bulbs filled with rarefied gas used in the way I have 

 described serve as galvanometers, by which we can estimate 

 roughly the relative intensity of the currents flowing through 

 the primary coils which encircle them. Used for this pur- 

 pose, I have found them very useful in some experiments on 

 which I am at present engaged on the distribution of very 

 rapidly alternating currents among a network of conductors. 



I have much pleasure, in conclusion, in thanking my 

 assistant, Mr. E. Everett, who has done the whole of the 

 very large amount of glass-blowing required for these ex- 

 periments, and has rendered very efficient help in other parts 

 of the work. My thanks are also due to Mr. A. T. Bartlett, 

 B.A., for the assistance he has given on several occasions. 



Cambridge, July 1891. 



LV. Some Remarks suggested by a popular Article on the 

 Jqnis Fatuus. By Charles Tomlinson, F.R.S., F.C.S., 



4 : c* 



A 



mittee of the British Association for encouraging the 

 teaching of science in elementary schools. In their Report 

 for 1889 they say : — tl This year has been one of continued 

 depression in regard to the teaching of science in elementary 

 schools, and of disappointment in regard to legislative action."" 

 In their Report for 1890, however, their object is said to be 

 more hopeful of attainment, seeing that the New Code is 

 favourable thereto, although it is a matter of regret that no 

 special arrangement has been made for the instruction of 

 pupil-teachers in some branch of science. 



In our middle-class schools, science and modern languages 

 apparently require to be more systematically studied than 

 they are at present, if we as a nation would maintain our 

 commercial and manufacturing position with respect to other 

 countries. There is hope that the various Polytechnic Institu- 

 tions that are scattered about will supply the want. I have 



* Communicated by the Author. 



