were first noticed by Mr. Fox Talbot, and were ascribed by Sir Da- vid Brewster to a new property of light, consisting of a peculiar kind of polarity.
The author shows, that on the undulatory theory, in all cases, a difference of retardation between the two halves of each primary pencil throughout the spectrum may give bands within certain limits ; and that it affords a complete explanation of the phenomena in question.
March 19, 1840.
The MARQUIS of NORTHAMPTON, President, in the Chair.
A paper was read, entitled " Contributions to Terrestrial Magnetism." By Major Edward Sabine, R.A., V.P.R.S.
An increased activity has recently been given to researches in terrestrial magnetism, with the definite object of obtaining correct maps of the magnetic phenomena, corresponding to the present epoch, over the whole surface of the globe. To aid these researches, and to facilitate the comparison of the general theory of M. Gauss with the facts of observation, maps have been constructed of the magnetical lines, both as computed by the theory, and as derived from observations already obtained. The theoretical and actual lines of the declination and intensity have thus been represented in maps recently published in Germany and England, as have also the lines of the inclination computed by theory ; but the corresponding map or the latter element derived from observations is yet wanting. The object of the present communication is to supply this desideratum, as far as regards the portion of the globe contained between the parallels of 55° N. and 55° S., and the meridians of 20° E. and 80° W. ; comprising the Atlantic ocean, and the adjacent coasts of the continents on either side.
The observations chiefly employed for this purpose are two series made at sea ; one by Mr. Dunlop of the Paramatta observatory, in a voyage from England to New South Wales, in 1831 ; the other by Lieut. Sulivan of the Royal Navy, in a voyage from England to the Falkland Islands, and back, in 1838 and 1839. The observation of the magnetic dip at sea, which was commonly practised by the distinguished navigators of the last century, was unfortunately not resumed when the interest in such researches was revived on the restoration of peace : but it is by such observations only that the lines of inclination can be independently traced over those large portions of the globe which are covered by the ocean. The difficulties which attend the observation, occasioned by the motion and the iron of a ship, require the adoption of several precautions, which it is particularly desirable at this time to make generally known. The series of Messrs. Dunlop and Sulivan are discussed in this view ; and the
