From a consideration of geomagnetic and absorptive effects upon the energy spectra of primary cosmic rays, Schremp some years ago inferred the existence of an anomalous directional intensity pattern in the sky, the analysis of which might be expected to yield detailed information concerning the identity of the primary cosmic rays, their energy spectra at infinity, and their interaction with absorbing matter. An east-west directional intensity survey has recently been carried out at Washington University, St. Louis, to test these predictions with apparatus of high angular resolution. In the curve of directional intensity vs. zenith angle $z$, the present results indicate the existence of symmetrical prominences at $z=\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}{20}^{\ensuremath{\circ}}$ and further suggest that other symmetrically disposed prominences may exist in the neighborhood of $z=\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{\circ}}$ and $z=\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}{40}^{\ensuremath{\circ}}$. This symmetry, in the light of the theory, carries implications concerning the character of the primary cosmic rays.

The characteristic temperature for MgO has been directly measured by the x-ray method and a value of $\ensuremath{\Theta}=743\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}$K for the range between room temperature and the temperature of liquid air obtained. A value of $\ensuremath{\Theta}$ was also obtained with the aid of theoretical ${f}_{0}$ values and the result so obtained was found to be in qualitative accord with the above value. In this connection it was noticed that the theoretical ${f}_{0}$ values for MgO are considerably in error. The characteristic temperature determined by the usual method from specific heat data shows a considerable dependence on temperature but the mean of these values over the range under consideration is in good accord with the x-ray value.