422 Proposed Society of Meteorologists. 



The species of Ophiura represented in p. 237. is not, as it 

 is there doubtingly stated to be, O. granulata : the figure is a 

 magnified one of O. rpsula, represented by a figure in p. 231.; 

 but, as the figure in the latter page is not a very accurate copy 

 of the drawing, the figure in p. 237. supplies its deficiencies 

 exceedingly well. — G. Johnston. Berwick upon Tweedy 

 May 28. 1836. 



Art. VI. Remarks in Furtherance of the proposed Institution of 

 a Society of Meteorologists in Britain. By J. G. Tat em, Esq. 



Meteorology is a science in which I feel too much inter- 

 ested not to have rejoiced at the proposal for establishing a 

 society to promote its study [p. 251. 305.]. I therefore re- 

 quest a space in your pages to express my anxious wish to be 

 permitted to join any association having for its object the 

 collecting together and reporting observations made at dif- 

 ferent stations. To prove that I have long wished for such 

 an institution, I might refer to the Monthly Magazine, April, 

 1823 (vol. 55. p. 207.); where, in a letter addressed to the 

 editor, I have endeavoured to show the utility of a meteoro- 

 logical society, and suggested the propriety of the observa- 

 tions being "made with instruments of the same construction, 

 and under circumstances as nearly similar as possible." Your 

 correspondent Mr. W. H. White has recommended this 

 practice [p. 251. 305.], in which every meteorologist will agree. 

 The chief difficulty, as appeared to me, was the finding some 

 medium through which the observations might be made 

 known ; and the sanction and authority of a society seemed 

 the most likely to obtain notice, and receive support ; but 

 many obstacles will always arise to the formation of such a 

 society ; perhaps I should now say, such new society : not to 

 enumerate others, it may be sufficient here to state, that the 

 persons most inclined to become members, and best qualified 

 to conduct proceedings, are widely separated by residence, 

 most probably unknown to each other; and their meeting to- 

 gether, to devise means to effect their object, would be at- 

 tended by inconvenience, fatigue, and expense. Under these 

 circumstances, you, beingthe conductor of this Magazine, might 

 render the most essential services, by permitting the persons 

 desirous of uniting with such a society to communicate their 

 intentions to you, and by announcing in your pages their 

 names to your readers. I have said, above, new society, be- 

 cause it should be knowu that, in October, 1823, a society was 



