PROCEEDINGS, 141 
A discussion followed, in which the following gentlemen took 
part :—Messrs. = 8. Wilkinson, C. Moore, the Hon. J. P. Abbott, 
J. Trevor Jones, H. T. Wilkinson, and the Chairman. 
Mr. S. WILKINSON, rfl G.S., wena an experiment illus- 
trating oe formation of comets. Assu ing the existence of a 
. gaseous cartes (onctatdy of CO., CO, and H), with a 
solid meteoric mass, or aggregation of meteorites, he 
riggested that the unleee of a comet may be the point where the 
sun’s light, on passing through the spheroid, is focussed or concen- 
trated by refraction near the outer surface of the spheroid, and that 
the rays of light proceeding: from this point illuminate the meteoric 
dust in space, and give rise to the appearance of a “tail” of a 
comet, 
The PrestpENT regarded the experiment as interesting. There 
were, however, many difficulties in connection with the tails of 
comets, and he feared Mr. Wilkinson had not gor them all. It 
would be well for astronomers, he thought, if comets had no tails. 
One great difficulty in connection with Mr. Wilkinson’s theory was, 
that it supported the hypothesis that the tails consisted of reflected 
solar light on meteoric matter, whereas the spectroscope proved 
them to 2p principally of incandescent gases. Another fact 
was that the tails of some comets extended themselves towards the 
sun, and in a an instance as that Mr. Wilkinson’s explanation 
would not be feasible. 
Mr. H Russet, B.A., F.R.A.S., exhibited and read some 
notes upon a new self- registering Anemometer. 
Between thirty and thirty-five members were present. 
WEDNESDAY, 17 DECEMBER, 1884. 
SPECIAL MEETING. 
H. C. Russert, B.A., President, in the Chair. 
r. CALDWELL, of Caius College, Cambridge, exhibited specimens 
Dhakreting his researches se the embryology of the Marsupiala, 
Monotremata, and Cerato 
About eighty members were present. 
