METEOROLOGY. 379 



The German Goverument lias been requested by many eminent hydrol- 

 ogists to establish a hydrological " Eeiohe-Centralstelle." They con- 

 sider hydrological researches extending over the whole empire neces- 

 sary for the general welfare, with regard to the general utilization of 

 water and for the general protection of arable lands against floods and 

 inundations. As these researches would necessarily often be combined 

 with meteorological observations, it is proposed to connect the Hydro- 

 logical Office with the Meteorological Central Office. The work would 

 have to be done principally by hydrologists and meteorologists, but 

 the staff would have to comprise geologists, agriculturists, and forest- 

 rangers. [Nutiire, July 21, 1881, Vol. xxiv, p. 265.) 



Sir G. B. Airy, in his annual report, June 4, 1881, reviews the rela- 

 tion of Greenwich Observatory to meteorology, navigation, and the sub- 

 jects in which he has taken an interest as bearing on navigation. The 

 self recording apparatus of the observatory has all been altered, so that 

 the time scales are uniform throughout. The earth-current register on 

 ordinary telegraph lines indicates the existence of numerous petty fluctu- 

 ations that almost corajiletely mask the proper feature of earth currents. 

 The photographic records of currents on buried lines continue to be 

 maintained with regularity. A uew pressure plate has been supplied to 

 the Osier anemometer. Campbell's sunshine recorder has continued in 

 action during this its fifth complete year. The discussion of the elec- 

 trometer results for 1879 shows that on da^-s of magnetic disturbance, 

 when aurora is visible, nothing unusual is shown by this instrument. 

 The greatest electric disturbances are observed in showery weather and 

 during thunder-storms. The Greenwich and Deal time-balls are dropped 

 regularly at 1 p. m., and an hourly bell to be established at The Start is 

 urged. {Nature, June 9, 1881, xxiv, p. 128.) 



The first annual report of Mr. Christie, Astronomer Eoyal, June 8, 

 1882, shows that these observations are kept up as usual. {Nature, 

 XXV, p. 140.) 



The voluntary retirement of Sir G. B. Airy, in the eightieth year of 

 his age, and the appointment of Mr. Christie to the directorship of the 

 Royal Observatory will not materially affect the maintenance of the 

 long series of magnetic and meteorological observations conducted at 

 Greenwich. 



The Algerian system of meteorological observations extends to forty- 

 eight stations, of which thirty-six send daily reports by telegraph. Storm 

 warnings are sent from the central station to twelve sea-coast stations. 

 The office is under the control of military engineers, and is independent 

 of the French Bureau at Paris. {Nature, XXY, \^. 492.) 



The London Meteorological Council have taken every practicable stei> 

 to obtain the largest possible number of meteorological observations 

 from the North Atlantic Ocean during the years 1882 and 1883. Their 

 circular inviting these observations states that they propose to prepare 

 daily weather charts similar to (but possibly more elaborate than) those 



