SELBORNE SOCIETY NOTICES 
17 
for by the aid of photography the sun painted his own portrait. Mr. Maunder 
showed slides bearing upon the sun’s rotation in a period of twenty-five to twenty- 
seven days. The spot region, he explained, was a comparatively small one north 
and south of the Equator, varying from 5° to 30°. A number of interesting 
photographs were thrown upon the screen, and the appearance of spots, their 
dark centre and lighter fringe, was fully gone into. Periodicity of the pheno- 
mena was discussed, as well as the different theories that had obtained, but 
recent opinion seemed to point to spots as due to great uprushes of heated matter 
from below, making a breach in the sun’s bright surface. Mr. Maunder fur- 
nished the estimated area of the greatest spot ever photographed, and then showed 
that rainfall had no connection with such spots, neither had recurring famines in 
India, as some had supposed. He dealt fully with what are known as magnetic 
storms, and on the conclusion of his address was much applauded. 
The Chair was occupied by Mr. VV. II. Maw, F.K.A.S., the .Society’s kind 
host at Nutfield on July 2 last, who was warmly greeted by the numerous 
audience. 
December 12. — It was to a crowded room that Mrs. L. Douglas Wilson 
delivered her lecture on Pompeii, the attractiveness of which was enhanced by 
a splendid series of lantern illustrations, eighty in number. The first historical 
mention of Pompeii is B.C. 310, and Mrs. VVilson explained that the district was 
occupied in succession by different tribes, the last of whom, the Samnites, styling 
themselves Campanians, were conquered by the Romans. At one time, according 
to Strabo, Pompeii was a seaport, whereas it is now a mile from the sea. Reduced 
to ruins by an earthquake in A.n. 63, the city was rebuilt in Roman style by the 
inhabitants, who, under cloudless skies, soon forgot their former misfortune. 
Sixteen years later occurred the memorable eruption of Vesuvius, and Pompeii 
lay buried. Abandoned by the ancients, by the Sliddle Ages its name had been 
forgotten. Excavations were made from time to time, but nothing systematic 
was done till Fiorelli, an Italian antiquary, took up the work in i860, and to him 
a great debt is owing. A plan of Pompeii was thrown on the screen, and after 
this the gales, walls, and streets were described and illustrated. The Forum 
received full attention, and scenes within it were, so to speak, reconstituted. 
Upon the Basilica walls in those far-off days people scribbled even as they scribble 
in other places now. Some of these messages of long ago were read. Then 
followed details of the temples, in which Pompeii was very rich, and in an 
impressive passage Mrs. Wilson related how the catastrophe had suddenly stayed 
the mason’s hand and trowel in their course, though the work still bears the fresh- 
ness of yesterday. The construction of the baths and the uses of their chambers 
were described. On the slope of a hill had stood the great open-air theatre with 
room for 5,000 persons, and curiously enough, under the seats were hung little 
bronze cups to act as voice-carriers, in a way an anticipation of the telephone. The 
amphitheatre could accommodate a crowd of some 12,000, who assembled to wit- 
ness gladiatorial displays. By no means the least interesting part of Mrs. Wilson’s 
address was her description of Pompeian houses. The apartments were con- 
sidered in detail, as well as the mural decorations, while some of the mosaics were 
stated to be remarkable for their beauty. About the Street of Tombs there is 
nothing mournful, for flowers now grow everywhere, and in the sunshine bright 
green lizards dart across the way. On the conclusion of her admirable lecture 
Mrs. Wilson was accorded hearty thanks on the motion of Messrs. James Walker 
and G. H. Cottam, and the usual compliment was passed to the Chairman, 
Mr. H. Plowman, F.S.A. 
On [anuary 16 a lecture will be given at 8.30 p.m. at the Subscription 
Library, Prince Arthur Road, Hampstead, by Mr. Oliver G. Pike, entitled 
“ In Bird-land with a Camera.” The Chair will be taken by Mr. A. Holte 
Macpherson, M.A., B.C.L., F.Z.S. (Vice-President of the Society). 
North Middlesex Junior. — On Friday, November 18, Mr. G. Brooks 
gave a very interesting paper on “English Butterflies and Moths.” It was 
illustrated by a very good collection of specimens, most of which the essayist 
had watched through their life-history. He also exhibited a specimen of the now 
extinct Copper Butterfly. Mr. C. M. Hall, M.M.S., the Hon. Secretary, was 
congratulated upon his recent election as a member of the Malacological Society. 
