Tokyo Univ. Inst. for Nuclear Study. The time variation of heavy cosmic-ray nuclei is discussed, summarizing the data from 1948 to 1960. In order to compare the data obtained at various altitudes, the absorption process was studied experimentally and analyzed on the basis of the optical model of nuclear reactions. The apparent fluctuation found in the previously published data is explained in terms of the 11-year variation. Energy dependence of absorption was studied at magnetic latitude 61 deg N after a large Forbush decrease. The dependence was found to be rather weak and was in favor of the model of geocentric modulation presented by Parker. (auth)