The Barometer in South Africa. 



119 



(c) Durban, Natal Observatory, 1873-1905. 



The monthly means given in the table are derived from two sets 

 of observations. From 1873-1883 the readings were taken in the 

 Botanical Gardens, Durban, which are close to the Observatory, 

 (Govt. Astronomer's Report for 1903). Observations were made at 9 

 a.m. and 3 p.m. It has been assumed from the observations 

 themselves, that in the mean the difference of the reading 9 a.m. -3 

 p.m. is as follows : — 



further assumed that in the mean of 11 years, these readings 

 reduced to sea-level should agree with the mean of all the reduced 

 readings taken at the Durban Observatory. To force this agreement 

 - o.o38in. has been applied to all the readings taken at the Botanical 

 Gardens. The observations since 1884 have been made at the Natal 

 Observatory. In deriving the 9 a.m. means, we have in general 

 three sets of figures, viz., the 8 a.m. readings published by the Cape 

 Meteorological Commission, and the 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. readings 

 published by the Government Astronomer. It has been assumed that 

 in the mean the difference between the 9 a.m. reading and the 8 a.m. 

 and 3 p.m. readings are as follows : — 



The mean 9 a.m. reading is the mean of the three reduced readings, 

 but discordant readings have been rejected. The heights of the 

 Durban barometers have been 



261 feet to Nov., 1884. 



250 ,, to 31st Dec, 1896. 



262 ,, from ist Jan., 1897. 



The reduction from mean of year at 9 a.m. to mean of day is about 

 - 0.033 inches. 



I have to thank Mr. Nevill and Mr. Fermor Rendell for their 

 assistance in clearing up some doubtful printings and readings. 



