598 ANNUAL RECORD OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 



to the subject of observations on the solar eclipse of Decern- # 

 ber, 1871, they reported that application to the government 

 for a contribution of 2000 toward the expenses of the ex- 

 pedition, and the assistance of a government steamer to con- 

 vey the parties to the station selected for observation, on the 

 coast of Ceylon, in India, had met with a favorable response ; 

 that the expedition organized had been reasonably success- 

 ful in accomplishing its objects ; and that a report of the re- 

 sults would be published by the Royal Astronomical Society, 

 in connection with the observations of the eclipse of 1860 

 and that of 1870. 



The resolution of the Association directing the president 

 and council to co-operate with the president and council of 

 the Royal Society in securing a circumnavigation expedition, 

 specially fitted out to carry the physical and biological explo- 

 ration of the deep sea into all the great oceanic areas, was 

 acted upon conjointly by the two bodies named, and applica- 

 tion made to the government for aid. The result of this was 

 the detail of the ship Challenger, under Captain Nares, for a 

 three years 1 voyage, which vessel is now fitting out at Sheer- 

 ness. 



By another resolution the council was directed to apply to 

 the government for funds to enable the Tidal Committee to 

 make observations and continue their calculations ; also to 

 urge upon the government the importance, for navigation 

 and for science, of accurate and continued observations on the 

 tides at several points on the coast of India. Application by 

 the council, to the government of India secured its promise 

 of defraying the expense of making detailed observations in 

 India, and causing the experiments to be properly reduced. 

 But an application to the British treasury for the sum of 

 about $900 to secure the continuance of the investigation was 

 met by a positive-refusal, on the ground that, should they ac- 

 cede to this request, it would be impossible to refuse to con- 

 tribute toward the numerous other objects w T hich men of emi- 

 nence may desire to treat scientifically. The British Associ- 

 ation had already expended $3000 on this object, and could 

 not spare the funds necessary to complete it. 



The council had been authorized to take such steps as might 

 be most expedient in support of a proposition made to estab- 

 lish a telegraphic meteorological station at the Azores ; but, 



