Researches on the Spectra of Meteorites. 



117 



November 17, 1887. 



Professor G. G. STOKES, D.C.L., President, in the Chair. 



An Address to the Queen upon the completion of the fiftieth year 

 of her reign, which on June 27th, during the recess of the Society, 

 had been graciously received by Her Majesty from the hands of the 

 President, was read from the Chair. 



„ In pursuance of the Statutes, notice of the ensuing Anniversary 

 Meeting was given from the Chair. 



Sir James Cockle, Dr. Huggins, Dr. Rae, Mr. Stainton, and 

 Mr. Symons were by ballot elected Auditors of the Treasurer's 

 accounts on the part of the Society. 



The Presents received were laid on the table, and thanks ordered 

 for them. 



The following Papers were read : — 



I. "Researches on the Spectra of Meteorites. A Report to 

 the Solar Physics Committee." Communicated to the 

 Royal Society at the request of the Committee. By 

 J. Norman Lockyer, F.R.S. 



Preliminary Note. Received October 4, 1887. 



• Some years ago I commenced a research on the spectra of carbon 

 in connexion with certain lines I had detected in my early photo- 

 graphs of the solar spectrum. I have been going on with this work 

 at intervals ever since, and certain conclusions to which it leads, 

 emphasising the vast difference between the chemical constitution of 

 the sun and of some stars, recently suggested the desirability of 

 obtaining observations of the spectra of meteorites and of the metallic 

 elements at as low a temperature as possible. 



I have latterly, therefore, been engaged on the last-named inquiries. 

 The work already done, read in conjunction with that on carbon, 

 seems to afford evidence which amounts to demonstration on several 

 important points. 



I think, therefore, that it may be of use to state some of the con- 

 clusions at once, though the researches are still very far from com- 

 plete, and though they must be given with great reserve, as the 

 astronomical observations with which I have had to compare my 

 laboratory work have been frequently made under conditions of very 

 great difficulty. The evidence before me suggests the following 

 conclusions : — 



