METEOROLOGY. 371 



tablislied for the purposes of meteorological researches and not polar 

 .ueographic explorations. 



In regard to tbe subject of i:>olar researches, the English journal, 

 ^'«ti/re, November 18, 1880, says: "To squander £30,000 in one huge at- 

 tempt to reach the pole would be as mad as for a merchant to embark all 

 his capital in one hazardous undertaking. Polar research and polar 

 expeditions are not incomi>atible, but as Dr. Neumayer showed, in an ad- 

 mirable address at the Dantzic meeting of the German Association, the 

 former must be subordinated to and guided by the results of the latter. 

 The days of Arctic campaigns are past. We have reached the precincts 

 of the citadel itself, and now the sappers and miners begin their slow but 

 sure work, to be capped at the proper time by a grand assault. Ger- 

 many, Austria, Russia, Sweden, ISTorway, Denmark, the United States, 

 and, we believe, Canada are all to take part in this great work by estab- 

 lishing observing stations at suitable points all around the polar area, 

 while Italy is to send out next year a scientifically equipped expedition 

 to the Antarctic regions, our knowledge of which is meager and uncer- 

 tain. This last will be an observing as well as an exploring expedition, 

 preparatory to the establishment of an Antarctic station. 



"As Dr. iSTeumayer said, in the address alluded to, men of science do not 

 demand practical or so-called utilitarian reasons before giving their ad- 

 hesion to any new work ; it is enough if it can be shown that such work 

 will conduce to the advancement of knowledge. And that Weyprecht's 

 scheme of polar observatories, of which so many Governments approve, 

 will lead to vast additions being made to scientific knowledge, no man 

 of science needs be told. In meteorology, terrestrial magnetism, biology, 

 geology, and glacial physics the gains would be immense, and the his- 

 tory of science has taught us over and over again that the surest path 

 to practical and beneficent results is through the gate of pure scientific 

 research. Everyday is the science of meteorology becoming more and 

 more important." {N'atiire, November, 1880, xxiii. p. 50.) 



In connection with the Panama Canal, De Lesseps B:as established a 

 meteorological station at Colon. Stations on both sides of the isthmus 

 have lopg been desirable, and it is to be hoped that such will be well 

 maintained. 



The Scottish Meteorological Society has, since the spring of 1S81, main- 

 tained a series of daily observations on the summit and sides of Ben 

 Nevis. The summit is 4,40G feet above sea-level and is the highest spot 

 in the British Isles. The importance of building a residence for the 

 observer, and maintaining at the summit more frequent if not more 

 continuous observations, is strongly urged. The society accepted a 

 handsome offer by Mr. C. Li Wragge, who has had experience of such 

 work, to climb to the top of Ben Nevis every morning in time to make 

 observations there at 9 a. m. A complete set of the best instruments 

 has been procured. The barometer (a Fortin) is an excellent Instru- 

 ment, and is constructed to read as low as 23.000 inches, in the procur- 



