the luminous prominences with a precision impossible of attainment by hand drawings. The measurements which have been made of these prominences by Mr. De la Rue show incontrovertibly that they must belong to the sun, and that they are not produced by the deflection of the sun's light through the valleys of the moon. The same prominences, except those covered over during the moon's progress, correspond exactly when one negative is laid over the other; and by copying these by means of a camera, when so placed, a representation is obtained of the whole of the prominences visible during the eclipse in their true relative position. The photographs of the several phases of the eclipse have served to trace out the path of the moon's centre in reference to the sun's centre during the progress of the phenomenon. Now, Rivabellosa being north of the central line of the moon's shadow, the moon's centre did not pass exactly across the sun's centre, but was depressed a little below it, so that a little more of the prominences situated on the north (the upper) limb of the sun became visible than would have been the case exactly under the central line, while, on the other hand, a little of those on the southern limb was shut off. It has been proved, by measuring the photographs, that the moon during the totality covered and uncovered the prominences to the extent of about 94" of arc in the direction of her path, and that a prominence situated at a right angle to the path shifted its angular position with respect to the moon's centre by lagging behind 5° 55'. On both the photographs is recorded a prominence, not visible optically, showing that photography can render visible phenomena which without its aid would escape observation. Copies of the two totality pictures are being made to illustrate Mr. De la Rue's paper in the Report of the Himalaya' Expedition by the Astronomer Royal.

Positive enlarged copies of the phases of the eclipse, nine inches in diameter, have also been made by means of the camera, and will be exhibited at the Manchester Meeting.

The Heliograph has since been replaced in the Observatory; but few opportunities have occurred for using it, in consequence of the pressure of other work; latterly, however, Mr. Beckley has been requested to carry on some experiments with the view of ascertaining whether any more details are rendered visible when the full aperture of 3 inches of the telescope is used, than when it is reduced to about one inch and a half. Up to the present time no definite conclusion can be drawn from the results obtained; so that, at all events, an increase of aperture does not appear to give a strikingly better result when a picture of the same size is taken with various apertures of the object-glass. More experiments, however, are needed before this point, which is one of some importance in guiding us in the construction of future instruments, can be answered definitely. Mr. Beckley has obtained sun-pictures of great beauty during the course of these experiments.

The work of the Kew Observatory is now so increased that it has become absolutely imperative to make some provision for working the Heliograph in a way that will not interfere with the current work of that establishment; and Mr. De la Rue has been requested by his colleagues of the Kew Committee to take charge of the instrument at his observatory, where celestial photography is continuously carried on. This request Mr. De la Rue has kindly acceded to; and he will for a time undertake to record the sun-spots at Cranford, as long as it is found not to interfere with his other observations. Mr. De la Rue has contrived, and had made by Messrs. Simms at his own expense, an instrument for measuring the photographs, which will much facilitate the reduction of the results. It consists of a fixed frame in which work two slides, moving at right angles to each other. Each is furnished with a

vernier reading toth of an inch. The top slide works on the lower slide, and carries a hollow axis 4 inches diameter, on which rotates horizontally a divided circle reading to 10", and this carries a second circle on the face of which are fixed four centering screws. An image intended to be measured is placed on the upper circle, and is centred by means of the adjusting screws; it is then adjusted by means of the upper circle in any required angular position with respect to the lower divided circle, so as to bring the cross lines of the photograph in position under a fixed microscope, supported on an arm from the fixed frame. By means of this instrument the sun-pictures are measured so as to determine the diameter to th of the radius; the angular position of any part of a sun-spot and its distance from the centre are thus readily ascertained; or the differences of the right ascension and declination with respect to the centre are as easily read off to the same degree of accuracy.

000

- Mr. De la Rue has recently produced by his large Telescope an image of a solar spot, and portion of the sun's disc, far superior to anything before effected, and which leads to the hope that a new era is opened in heliography, and that the resources of this Observatory might be further developed in that direction.

At the last Meeting of the Association the sum of £90 was voted for an additional photographer, and of this sum £50 has been received. The Committee suggest that the balance of £40 be granted again at this Meeting, as the full sum will be required during the ensuing year. A detailed account of this expenditure will be presented in the next Annual Report.

Allusion was made in last Report to an instrument constructed by Prof. William Thomson, of Glasgow, for determining photographically the electric state of the atmosphere. This instrument has been fitted up at Kew, where it has been in constant operation since the beginning of February last. It has been found to answer well in a photographic point of view, and Prof. Thomson has expressed himself much pleased with the results obtained. The mechanical arrangements connected with the fitting up of this instrument were devised and executed with much skill by Mr. Beckley, the Mechanical Assistant, who has also recently made a working drawing of the instrument for Prof. Thomson, who intends to publish a description of it.

The arrangements made by Mr. Francis Galton, in the Observatory Park, for testing sextants, and which were alluded to in last Report, are now almost complete; and six sextants sent by Captain Washington, R.N., Her Majesty's Hydrographer, have been verified.

The Observatory was honoured with a visit from His Imperial Highness Prince Napoleon on the 9th of September last. His Highness expressed much satisfaction at witnessing the efficient state of the Institution.

Application has been made to the Commissioners for the International Exhibition of 1862, for a space of 40 feet by 20, in which to exhibit as many as possible of the instruments in use at the Observatory, including those which are self-recording.

The Committee desire to express their thanks for a valuable addition which has been made to the Library at Kew, consisting of a very large number of the Greenwich publications, presented to them through the kindness of the Astronomer Royal.

It will be observed by the annexed statement that the expenditure of last year has exceeded the income by about £90; but as this year comprised five quarters, it is hoped that the usual annual grant of £500 will cover the expense until the next Meeting of the Association.

JOHN P. GASSIOT,

Kew Observatory,
August 30, 1861.

Chairman.

Accounts of the Kew Committee of the British Association from June 18, 1860, to September 4, 1861.

RECEIPTS.

PAYMENTS.

£

s. d. £ s. d.

To B. Stewart, five quarters, ending
October 1, 1861...........

250

0 0

15 0 0

593 18 0

16th August, 1861.

Report of the Parliamentary Committee to the Meeting of the British Association at Manchester, in September 1861.

The Parliamentary Committee have the honour to report:

That on the 19th of July they met the Steam Performance Committee, by appointment, at the Admiralty, and had, in company with the Members of that Committee, an interview with the Duke of Somerset.

That in the course of that interview the Chairman of your Committee shortly explained the motives which had induced the British Association to appoint the Steam Performance Committee, and called upon Mr. Fairbairn, who thereupon stated and explained the principal suggestions contained in the Report of the Steam Performance Committee, which had been prepared and agreed upon, and will be presented to this Meeting; and urged upon His Grace the expediency of carrying them into effect.

The Duke of Somerset, in reply, stated certain objections which he entertained to some of the suggestions, founded chiefly upon the circumstances that sufficient time could not be allowed for the various experiments consistently with the interests of the service, and that the ships of the Royal Navy only employed steam occasionally, and only as an auxiliary power; but His Grace was understood to agree to supply such information to the scientific public as could be done without improperly interfering with the performance of ordinary duties.

The Dukes of Devonshire and Argyll, the Earls of Enniskillen, Harrowby, Rosse and De Grey, Lord Stanley and Sir John Pakington, must be considered as having vacated their seats in your Committee, in pursuance of the resolution adopted at Liverpool in 1854; but your Committee recommend that they should be re-elected. Your Committee also recommend that the two vacancies in the House of Commons List be filled by the election of Sir Joseph Paxton and Lieut.-Col. Sykes.

WROTTESLEY, Chairman.

RECOMMENDATIONS ADOPTED by the General Committee at the MANCHESTER Meeting in SEPTEMBER 1861.

[When Committees are appointed, the Member first named is regarded as the Secretary of the Committee, except there be a specific nomination.]

Involving Grants of Money.

That the sum of £500 be appropriated, under the sanction of the Council, for maintaining the Establishment at Kew.

That the sum of £40 be placed at the disposal of the Kew Committee for the employment of the Photo-heliometer.

That the cooperation of the Royal Society be requested in obtaining a series of photographic pictures of the Solar Surface; and that the sum of £150 be placed at the disposal of the Kew Committee for the purpose.

That Professor Airy, Lord Wrottesley, Sir D. Brewster, Col. Sykes, Sir J. Herschel, General Sabine, Dr. Lloyd, Admiral FitzRoy, Dr. Lee, Dr. Robinson, Mr. Gassiot, Mr. Glaisher, Dr. Tyndall, and Dr. W. A. Miller be requested to form a Balloon Committee; and that the sum of £200 be placed at their disposal for the purpose.

That Professor Williamson, Professor Wheatstone, Professor W. Thomson, Professor Miller (of Cambridge), Dr. Matthiessen, and Mr. F. Jenkin be a

Committee to report upon Standards of Electrical Resistance; and that the sum of £50 be placed at their disposal for the purpose.

That Mr. J. Glaisher, Mr. R. P. Greg, Mr. E. W. Brayley, and Mr. Alex. Herschel be a Committee to report upon Luminous Meteors and Aërolites; and that the sum of £20 be placed at their disposal for the purpose.

That Mr. Fleeming Jenkin be requested to continue his Experiments for determining the Laws of Permanent Thermo-electric Currents in broken metallic circuits, and to report thereon; and that the sum of £20 be placed at his disposal for the purpose.

That Professor Hennessy, Admiral FitzRoy, and Mr. Glaisher be a Committee to study, by the aid of instruments specially devised for the purpose, the connexion of small vertical disturbances of the atmosphere with storms, and to report thereon; and that the sum of £20 be placed at their disposal for the purpose.

That Mr. Alphonse Gages be requested to continue his Researches on Mechanico-Chemical Analysis of Minerals; and that the sum of £8 remaining undrawn from the grant of last year be again placed at his disposal for the purpose.

That Dr. Hooker, Mr. Binney, and Professor Morris be a Committee to prepare a Report on the connexion between the external form and internal microscopical structure of the Fossil Wood from the Lower Coal-Measures of Lancashire; and that the sum of £40 be placed at their disposal for the purpose.

That Sir C. F. Bunbury, Mr. Binney, and Mr. H. Ormerod be requested to prepare a Report on the Flora of the Lancashire Coal-fields; and that the sum of £40 be placed at their disposal for the purpose.

That Mr. R. H. Scott, Sir Richard Griffith, Bart., and the Rev. Professor Haughton be a Committee to prepare a Report on the Chemical and Mineralogical Composition of the Granites of Donegal and the Rocks associated therewith; and that the sum of £25 be placed at their disposal for the purpose.

That Mr. J. Gwyn Jeffreys, Mr. Alder, and the Rev. Thomas Hincks be a Committee to Dredge the Dogger Bank and portions of the Sea Coast of Durham and Northumberland; and that the sum of £25 be placed at their disposal for the purpose.

That Mr. J. Gwyn Jeffreys, Dr. Dickie, Professor Nicol, Dr. Dyce, and Dr. Ogilvie be a Committee for Dredging on the North and East Coasts of Scotland; and that the sum of £25 be placed at their disposal for the purpose.

That Mr. Gwyn Jeffreys, Dr. Kinahan, Dr. Carter, and Mr. E. Waller be a Committee for conducting the Dredging Report of the Bay of Dublin; and that the sum of £15 be placed at their disposal for the purpose.

That Mr. J. Gwyn Jeffreys, Dr. Collingwood, Mr. Isaac Byerley, Rev. H. H. Higgins, and Dr. Edwards be a Committee to Dredge the River Mersey and Dee; and that the sum of £5 be placed at their disposal for the purpose.

That Mr. J. Gwyn Jeffreys, Dr. Lukis, Mr. C. Spence Bate, Mr. A. Hancock, Dr. Verloren, and Professor Archer be a Committee for the purpose of Reporting on the best mode of preventing the ravages of the different kinds of Teredo and other Animals in our Ships and Harbours; and that the sum of £10 be placed at their disposal for the purpose.

That Dr. P. Lutley Sclater, Mr. R. J. Tomes, and Dr. Günther be a Committee to Report on the Present State of our Knowledge of the West Indian Vertebrata; and that the sum of £10 be placed at their disposal for the purpose.

* Sir C. F. Bunbury has declined to act.