302 
SCIENTIFIC SUMMARY. 
ASTRONOMY. 
Browning s Automatic Spectroscope . — The most important astronomical 
event during the past quarter is one which bears altogether on the future of 
astronomy. We are convinced that when ten years hence astronomers look 
back on the discoveries made during the decade then closing, they will find 
the most important of those discoveries associated in a more or less intimate 
manner with the work done by Mr. Browning’s new spectroscope. In the 
hands of a Huggins or a Lockyer (and we doubt not that the instrument 
will soon find its way into all our leading observatories), a spectroscope 
which enables the observer to. study each part of the spectrum as perfectly 
as though the instrument were specially constructed for the examination of 
that particular part alone, cannot but effect most important discoveries. It 
has been remarked that Mr. Browning will not find it easy to surpass him- 
self after this invention : but we are no believers in scientific finality ; so 
that, besides rejoicing at the promise given by the new instrument, we look 
upon it as affording yet more encouraging hopes of what Mr. Browning will 
effect hereafter in the way of instrumental improvements. We are glad to 
see, too, that he can appreciate the inventions of others, and has already 
*begun to supply observers with Mr. Airy’s ingeniously-contrived eyepiece 
for diminishing the effects of atmospheric chromatic dispersion. In observ- 
ing J upiter, when that planet returns to our skies next autumn, this eye- 
piece will be specially useful, since the planet will be low, and the colours — 
to which Mr. Browning first directed the attention of astronomers last year — 
will not be well seen through the denser atmospheric strata' unless Airy’s 
eyepiece be employed. 
The Eclipse of December next . — Very promising accounts reach us re- 
specting tbe expeditions which are to leave our shores next December 
to view the total solar eclipse in Spain and Sicily. Messrs. Huggins and 
Lockyer respectively head the spectroscopical corps ; Messrs. Browning and 
Brothers the photographers ; Professor Pritchard heads the polariscopic 
observers belonging to the Spanish expedition, but as yet no head has been 
appointed to the corresponding corps of the Sicilian party. It is not likely 
that under leaders so skilful anything but unfavourable weather can cause 
the failure of either expedition j so that astronomers may confidently hope 
