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NATURE NOTES 
absorption of light by atmospheric layers of greater pressure 
than are at work in other regions. The area covered by one of 
these largest spots is often of enormous extent, varying from lo 
to 40,000 miles in length. 
That the appearance of sun spots does not appreciably affect 
the amount of rainfall, has been shown by the publication of 
a series of solar observations in chart form by the very able 
observer of solar phenomenon, Mr. E. W. Maunder, of Green- 
wich. This chart presents a record of the maxima and minima 
sun-spot periods, together with a record of the rainfall during 
a period extending over a number of years. A close comparison 
of the sun-spot chart with the weather record, indicates no 
possible alliance between great sun-spot activity and abnormal 
weather ; after having examined such evidence one feels com- 
pelled to accept the dictum of Lord Kelvin, that instances in 
which an agreement is noticed between solar activity and atmos- 
pheric depression, must be placed in the category of accidental 
occurrences. Other reasons must be found for the long-continued 
period of wet weather, which now happily begins to show some 
signs of departure. Many authorities connected it with the 
volcanic eruption of the West Indies, which occurred some time 
since. There seems to be some grounds for their contention ; 
it is not in the province of this article to prove or disprove the 
theory, but the fact that such a considerable number of people 
appear to hold the view that sun-spot appearances and much wet 
weather are in direct relation, one to the other, led to the 
thought that some objection to this opinion might not at the 
present time be entirely inopportune or out of place. 
F. L. Raymond. 
THE BRAIN OF THE LOWER ANIMALS AS 
COMPARED WITH THAT OF MAN. 
S is well known, the largest part of the brain consists of 
two lobes called the cerebral hemispheres, covering a 
third division, the cerebellum or little brain. Flourens 
considered that the principal function of this latter 
organ was to co-ordinate voluntary motion, may it not also be 
the seat of instinct as differentiated from reason ? In man (and 
in most mammals) the surface of the cerebrum is marked by 
numerous convolutions, which are most complex in the most 
intellectual and highly civilised races. As to the weight of the 
brain, those which weigh most are not invariably associated with 
the highest intellectual powers, although as a general rule those 
races which possess (on the average) the heaviest and most 
perfectly convoluted brains are the most civilised. As a proof 
that the cerebrum is the chief seat of reason, it has been certified 
