DEPARTMENT OF TERRESTRIAL MAGNETISM. 291 



In answer to the circular request sent out by the Department, a 

 large number of magnetic observatories cooperated in carrying out the 

 special program of observ^ations proposed. Thus far data, including 

 for most of the stations values of the three elements, have been received 

 from the foUo^ang: Agincourt and Meanook (Canada), Antipolo 

 (Philippines), Apia (Samoa), Buitenzorg (Java), Bulawayo (Rhodesia), 

 Coimbra (Portugal), De Bilt (Holland), Dehra Dun (India), Lukia- 

 pang (China), Pilar (Argentina), Ponta Delgada (Azores), Rude Skov 

 (Denmark), Tortosa (Spain), Valencia (Ireland). 



OBSERVATORY WORK. 



The construction of the observatory buildings near Watheroo, in 

 Western Australia, under charge of Magnetician W. F. Wallis, with 

 the assistance of Observer W. C. Parkinson, was so far completed as to 

 permit installation of the variometers and beginning of photographic 

 registration for declination, horizontal intensity, and vertical intensity, 

 on January 1, 1919. The records have been continuous since that time, 

 save for a short period on account of the failure of the clock operating 

 the registering apparatus. Absolute control observations and scale- 

 value observations, together with meteorological observations, have 

 been made regularly. The water and sewage systems, the construc- 

 tion of four 2,000-gallon rain-water cisterns, and miscellaneous con- 

 struction work were all completed by the end of June. The atmos- 

 pheric-electric instruments ^dth photographic registration will be ready 

 for installation during 1920, and it is expected that some progress in 

 the development of the earth-current work may also be possible. Mr. 

 Wallis, whose excellent and faithful work during a ser\'ice of about 

 three and a half years deserves high commendation, was relieved as 

 magnetician-in-charge in October by Magnetician E. Kidson, formerly 

 captain in the Royal Engineers, and is en route to the office at the 

 close of the year. 



Dr. H. M. W. Edmonds, magnetician, who had been reheved of the 

 conmiand of the Carnegie at the end of December 1918, to take up the 

 important construction work of the Department's observ'atory at 

 Huayao near Huancayo, Peru, sailed from New York City for Peru on 

 February 25. Before his departure various preparations were made for 

 the work, including purchases of observ^atory equipment, non-magnetic 

 hardware, tools, and various construction supplies, and the prepara- 

 tion of detailed instructions and bills of materials. Beginning of the 

 work upon his arrival at Lima was delayed pending the action of a 

 special commission of the Peruvian Government in determining which 

 of two possible routes should be used for a proposed railway, one of 

 which passes \\dthin about a mile of the proposed site tentatively 

 selected in 1917 (see annual report for 1917). Dr. Edmonds in the 

 meantime took up preparations to carry out detailed variometer and 



