DEPARTMENT OF TERRESTRIAL MAGNETISM. 329 



(6) The roofs of the variation and absolute observatories and the auxiUary 

 quarters have been painted with Malthoid Red Coating, which, while pre- 

 serving the felt roofing, has greatly improved the quality of the rain-water 

 obtained thereform. 



(7) An area of 37 acres around the buildings has been completely cleared of 

 native scrub and planted with wheat, oats, and barley. 



(8) A 1,250-watt electric-generator and storage-battery equipment for use 

 in connection with proposed atmospheric-electric work was installed in the 

 auxiliary quarters, one room of that building having been suitably altered and 

 arranged for mounting of the plant. Electric wiring for lighting of buildings 

 was completed and electric fixtures installed in observers' quarters and office ; 

 all electric leads in the office and variation observatory were twisted to elimi- 

 nate any disturbance that might otherwise be caused by them. 



(9) The central atmospheric-electric and earth-current instrument-house 

 was begun in accordance with the plans prepared at Washington. 



Dr. G. R. Wait, assistant physicist, left San Francisco on September 

 6 for Watheroo, where he arrived about October 15. He took with 

 him a large part of the standard atmospheric-electric equipment for 

 installation at the Observatory and the carefully standardized mag- 

 netometer-inductor No. 27. Meanwhile, Mr. Parkinson proceeded 

 with the construction of the special double-wall, concrete atmospheric- 

 electric house for installation of the apparatus. As soon as Dr. 

 Wait has become thoroughly familiar with the observatory work he 

 will relieve Mr. Parkinson, who will return to Washington via Africa, 

 Spain, France, Holland, and England, securing en route secular- 

 variation observations at a few stations in Africa and comparisons of 

 observatory standards at the chief observatories in Europe, using 

 magnetometer-inductor No. 27. Respecting Mr. Parkinson's services, 

 see page 313. 



The crown grants and deeds for the site, some 200 acres, and vesting 

 orders for the two 10-mile earth-current strips, generously donated for 

 the use of the Observatory by the government of Western Australia, 

 were completed and filed during the year. It is a pleasure to record 

 the continued interest shown in the Observatory by the government 

 officials and men of science. 



HUANACAYO MAGNETIC OBSERVATORY. 



The construction of buildings was continued under the charge of 

 Dr. H. M. W. Edmonds, magnetician, until March 31, when he left 

 for San Francisco, California, for a brief vacation before assignment 

 to the Pacific work. His successor at Huancayo, Mr. W. F. Wallis, 

 joined him in Peru on January 24, 1921, and continued in charge from 

 April 1 throughout the year. Mr. W. H. Wood, observer, assisted Mr. 

 Wallis from May 28 to September 5, 1921. Mr. Wood brought to 

 the Observatory the carefully standardized magnetometer-inductor 

 No. 28 for use in comparisons at Huancayo and for possible field work 

 later. Mr. A. Smith, foreman carpenter, returned to duty at Washing- 

 ton February 10. 



