251 
the words rice-like particles merely to convey a rough impres 
sion of their form ; I consider them like the fig. 
“ I have seen these rice-like particles on two occasions 
since, but not so well as on the first day, when the definition 
was exceedingly good. 
“ Yesterday (Feb. 24) I saw them for a few minutes, but 
with great difficulty. X use the full aperture, inches, 
and a low power. 
“ I am, dear Sir, 
“ Yours very truly, 
Cf E. J. Stone. 
“ J. Nasmyth, Esq. 
“PS. — On the first day I saw them I called Mr. Dunkin’s 
attention to them. He appears to have seen them, and 
considers the fig. above to represent them fairly. He says, 
however, that he should not have noticed them if his 
attention had not been called to them.” 
Mr. Baxendell, F.R.A.S., read a paper “On Periodic 
Changes in the Magnetic Condition of the Earth, and in the 
Distribution of Temperature on its Surface.” 
Considerations arising out of an investigation of the irre- 
gularities which take place in the changes of some of the 
variable stars led the author, some time ago, to regard it as 
highly probable that the light of the sun, and also its mag- 
netic and heating powers, might be subject to changes of a 
more complicated nature than has been hitherto supposed, 
anti* that, besides the changes which are indicated by the 
greater or less frequency of solar spots, other changes of a 
minor character, and occurring in shorter periods, might also 
take place. In the hope of detecting these supposed changes 
