Miscellaneous Intelligence. 201 



000, in which large conventions can be held, and which would 

 also be the headquarters of scientific, patriotic, and other organi- 

 zations. It is proposed to have an endowment fund of not less 

 than $500,000 to be administered by the Smithsonian regents. 



With reference to the work of the Astrophysical Observatory 

 under the charge of Dr. C. G. Abbot, the following summary is 

 given : " The year has been notable for expeditions to Algeria 

 and California to test the supposed variability of the sun by 

 making simultaneously at these two widely separated stations 

 spectrobolometric determinations of the solar constant of radia- 

 tion. The measurements in Algeria agree with earlier ones at 

 Washington and Mount Whitney and indicate that Mount 

 Wilson values are systematically a little low. Apart from this 

 systematic error the accidental differences between Algerian and 

 Mount Wilson determinations were only 1*2 per cent, indicating 

 an average accidental error of a single solar constant determina- 

 tion at one station of only 0*9 per cent. So far as yet reduced, 

 high solar constant values obtained in Algeria coincide with high 

 values at Mount Wilson and vice versa. A solar variation of 4 

 per cent was indicated at both stations in the first half of Sep- 

 tember, 1911. Many values remain to be computed, but it can 

 now hardly be doubted that the outcome will prove conclusively 

 the irregular short-period variability of the sun." 



3. Annual Report of the Board of Regents of the Smith- 

 sonian Institution, allowing the Operations, Expenditures, and 



Condition of the Institution for the year ending lane 80, 1911. 

 Pp. xii, 088, with numerous illustrations. Washington, 1912. — 

 This volume contains the report of the Secretary already noticed 

 (see vol. xxxiii, p. 165) similar to the later report above noticed. 

 In addition, the general Appendix, pp. 109-688, contains the 

 usual series of scientific papers and memoirs, admirably selected 

 to present to the intelligent public a summary of progress made 

 during the year in the many branches of science. This plan has 

 been followed out with excellent results for a considerable period 

 of years. 



4. Report of the Librarian of Congress, Herbert Putnam, 

 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1912. Pp. 235, with 6 illus- 

 trations. Washington, 1912.— It is interesting to note that 

 although the Library of Congress is supported by the Govern- 

 ment^ and was originally planned particularly for the benefit of 

 its officers, it has yet grown to have a first place among the great 

 libraries of the country, and is receiving from time to time nota- 

 ble gifts from private individuals. The present volume records 

 the presentation, by Mr. Jacob H. SchirT, of a collection of 

 Hebraica comprising nearly 10,000 volumes and pamphlets, and 

 covering the period from the beginning of Jewish national life to 

 the present date. It was brought together by Mr. Ephraim 

 Deinard of Arlington, New Jersey. Another important addition 

 is the library of Dr. Henry Carrington Bolton, embracing 1631 

 volumes and pamphlets, and particularly rich in the bibliography 



Am. Jour. Sci.— Fourth Series, Vol. XXXV, No. 206.— February, 1913. 



