A:U dr. C. CIIREE : ANALYSIS OF RESULTS FROM THE KEW MAGNETOC4RAPHS 
I also show side by side in Uahle L. tlie mean seasonal and yearly values obtained 
for sim-spot frequencies from Table 1. and fmm tlie two sets of provisional data made 
use of in Talile XldX. Ilesidts are given for tlie groups of sun-spot maximum and 
minimum years, as well as for tlie wliole period. 
Table L.— Mean Seasonal and Yearly Values of Wolfer’s Sun-Spot Frequencies. 
Winter. 
Equinox. 
Summer. 
Year. i 
! 
11 
years. 
1S92-.0. 
1890, 
Ac. 
i 
1892- 5. 
years. 
1890, 
Ac. 
11 
years. 
1892-5. 
1890, 
Ac. 
11 
j'ears. 
1892-5. 
1890,' 
Ac. j 
1 
Finnl Vtalues 1 
Talile 1. . J 
• 
39 • 4 
71-1 
8 •2 
41-0 68-9 
11-2 
! 
1 
84-8 
9'2 
41-72 
75-0 
1 
j 
9-5 ^ 
1 
Provisional 1 
all daj7s . J 
37-4 
67-1 
6-9 
41-0 1 69-2 
11-3 
45-0 
85-G 
9-2 
41-22 
74-1 
9-1 
Provisional 1 
(ptirl days. J 
40-8 
72*7 
8-7 
39-2 ' G9-0 
10-G 
00 
CO 
81-8 
10-4 
41-28 
74-5 
9-9 
§ 72. The smallness of the differences liefween the means from all and from quiet 
days seems to dis|)ose absolutely of any theory A hich regards sun-spot frequency 
on a given day as any guide whatsoever to the (jiiiet or disturbed character of 
Terrestrial Magnetism on that particular day. For our immediate purpose, however, 
the important thing is the evidence afforded by tlie above Tallies, that the results we 
liave obtained for tlie a and h constants in the sun-spot formula, wmild he but little 
affected if we took fre(|uencies answering to magnetically quiet days only. 
In the methods in which we have employed groups of years, the sun-spot data 
reijuired for calculating seasonal or mean yearly values of h and a are those given in 
Talile L. It is thus olivious, so far at least as mean annual values are concerned, 
tliat the result of substituting quiet day frequencies would be as nearly as possible 
nil. Summer values of b and hia would be slightly raised by the suh.stitution, 
winter and etpiinoctial values very slightly diminished. 
§ 7o. I next investigated whether rises and falls in Wolfer’s frequencies, as given 
in Talile 1., and as deduced from ]irovisional values fir (piiet days proceeded on 
parallel lines. Talile 1. presents a rather singidar feature. If we attach the signs -h 
or — according as there is a rise or fall in the frequency in jiassing from one month 
to the next, we fnd that there are no fewer than DO changes of sign out of a total 
possible of 130. We have long sequences of + and — occurring alternately, e.g., 
from January, 1895, to March, 1896. It looks as if the monthly changes generally 
went beyond the temporary equihhiium position, or else as if the estimate of them 
genei’ally overshot tlie mark. Tlie quiet day provisional frequencies pi-esent the same 
feature, tliough the monthly changes they show differ appreciably in general from 
