New-York tribune., 1905-01-30
CARNEGIE YEAR BOOK.
THE INSTITUTIONS WORK.
DR.. Netccomb Suggests Bureau of
Exact Science IN General" :"

Exact Science IN General" i"
Washington. Jan. 2s-oflcial announcement of re-
searches along various scientific lines is made in the
Year Book of 1904. just issued by the Carnegie In
sttution, of Washington Considerable attention is
devoted in this report 10 the necessity of methods
and organization for promoting research in
exact sciences and Professor Simon Newcomb sug-
gests that while the nineteenth century has been
ndustrially piling up vast mass of astronomical.
meteorological, magnetical and sociological observa
tons and data at great expense the world over, the
working of results from these observations is
defective and lacks system. To correct this he
urges the organization of institute bureau of
exact science in general" the head of which
should be aided by council Of experts picked from
various countries to advise to the various de-
partments at work with a view to reaching results
small expense. which without such organization
never would be reached.
In connection with this the approval of such men
Karl Pearson. of the University College of Lon
don. England; Lord Rayleigb of the Royal Institu-
tion Of Great Britain: G. H. Darwin, of Cambridge,
and others in greater smaller degree of
scheme has been secured Mr.. Pearson adds that at
least per of the scientific observations
and the data collected worthless. and man.
however able could deduce any result from them
at all. u doubt" says he. whether small
proportion Of the biometrc data being accumulated
in Europe and America could be made TO provide
valuable results
Discussing the Southern observatory project the
report says that under the grants from the Car
negie institution the direction and velocity of the
solar motions are being determined from all availa-
bic material. and before the close Of 1906 results
expected for five thousand of the more frequent
ly observed stars. A determination of the posi-
of standard stars distributed from the north
TO the south pole of the heavens will be undertaken
shortly following which the grantee entrusted with
this work says he should like 10 take favorable
station in the south hemisphere, either San
Luis in Argentina Bloemfontein in South
OIos ofa ard star tOF
reach from stations in the northern hemisphere,
The need of special observations of stars that have
been neglected for the last twenty thirty years
also is advocated.
RESEARCH IN TERRESTRIAL MAGNETISM.
The institutions department in international
search in terrestrial magnetism reports that its in
vestigations show that little progress has been
made along that line. that systematic magnetic
surveys of the oceanic entirely lacking,
and that despite the apparently vast accumulation
Of data such important question whether the
earth's magnetic energy is increasing decreasing
and the annual rate of change cannot yet be def
nitey answered. There has been comparatively
little increase in the last half century in the knowl
edge Of the general distribution OF the earth's
magnetic forces The institution has approved the
general scheme Of project for a magnetic survey
Of the North Pacific, although it has not passed on
the details The project presented to the inst-
tuition contemplates the charter Of a wood
built non-magnetic sailing vessel OF approx
mately six hundred-tons displacement TO pur-
sue a ''clockwise spiral course embracing the
entire North Pacific Ocean," about 10000 knots
being marked out The confident eXpe2ta-
ton is expressed that in the neghbor-
hood islands and coasts distortions and irregu-
arties in the distribution of the earhs magnetism
will be revealed by this work. and opportunity
given for investigating the effect of the conf3gura-
ton OF land and water on the distribution of the
ma gnetic forces
Reports have been frequently received from ma
rines regarding unusual behavior Of the compasses
particularly in the region Of the Aleutian Islands
Dafa m }be ceast and Geodec Survey to- obsery
tories over the entire globe and turned the
G1ass srap0 in @ snow That Re time
beginning OF that og agnec t o was
Of producing observed phenomena would have its
seat chiefly outside the earthquake
ARCHAEOLOGICAL WORK
The Transcaspian archaeological expedition. for
which the institution appropriated $4,000 made
cavations at Anu, near Askhabad. in Turkestan,
and several shafts sunk that ancient ctys site
traversed over hundred and seventy feet of the
accumuatons of successive generations Of peoples
and extended from recent times down through the |
iron and bronze civilizations forty-hve feet deep
The report says that these Investigations leave (
little doubt that irrigation was introduced in that
region IN ''the iron stage of culture"
The Bureau OF Historical Research is engaged in |
ernments by the delegates TO the Continental Con
gress and the task Of making full list of
ments are Widely scattered throughout this coun-
try and Europe ana even an approximate list will |
be the work OF some years.
Geological researches have been carried on in |
Eastern Asia A project which has been recon- |
mended and which may be approved by the institu- |
tion next year is the Investigation in the 'Lthona
district in Georgia, of subterranean tempera-
tnres 10 correct the present lack of any trust !
wort nv index OF the normal downward increase of |
tem mneratIre IN the earth For this purpose an |
estit,ate has been submitted and recommendation
made for its adoption. of boring in granite TO the
dsDfb of 5000 feet. at cost OF $4,000. The cost
OF boring 10000 feet, it is added, would be prohibi
tive.
subject OF the solar reasoarcheS, on which pre-
Iininary work already has begun at Mount Wilson.
CsIifornia The project for a solar observatory
here already has been approved. the conclusion be-
ing EXPRESSED that Mount Wilson meets in very
reTnarkabie degree the requirements OF Il site for
! solar observatory. The work at higher attitudes
man that II needed at all 1t is explained could be
eompIeted in two three summers by expeditions
eot,inncd with poTtab BILE outfit erected at an alti-
nd of from 1900 20 l5,000 feet. The report says
mai Or g. 2. Langley. who has been making solar
,Lserva tfons has offered reasons to believe that
~, actual change in the amount OF heat emitted by
1he srlu occurred in March 1898. and that If such
,banee Is actually established by carrying these
1bserva tions a higher altitude the result would
bave an important bearing on many questions re-
ating TO the earth and would be OF vital interest
m It's relationship 10 the solar constitution"