400 SCIENTIFIC RECORD FOR 1883. 



The first, inserted between numbers 1 and 2 of those referred to, reads 

 thus : 



"That notwithstanding the great advantages which the general in- 

 troduction of the decimal division of the quadrant for geographic and 

 geodetic co- ordination and the corresponding expressions for time 

 is destined to realize scientifically and practically, reasons eminently 

 sound appear to justify the passing by the consideration thereof in the 

 great measure of unification proposed in the first resolution. Mean- 

 while, to satisfy at the same time important scientific considerations, the 

 conference recommends on this occasion the extension, in multiplying 

 and perfecting the necessary tables, of the application of the decimal 

 divisions of the quadrant, at least for the great numerical calculations 

 for which it presents incontestable advantages, even if it be desired to 

 preserve the old sexagesimal division for observations, maps, naviga- 

 tion, etc." 



The other, inserted between numbers 6 and 7, is as follows: 



" The conference hopes that if the whole world is agreed upon the 

 unification of longitudes and hours in accepting the Greenwich merid- 

 ian as the point of departure, Great Britain will find in this fact an 

 additional motive to take on her side new steps in favor of the unifica- 

 tion of weights and measures by joining the metrical convention of 

 May 20, 1875." 



The resolution as to the choice of the initial meridian was carried by 

 22 votes to 4; while Mr. Christie, supported by the French delegates, 

 moved the substitution of Greenwich midnight for noon as the point 

 of departure. This amendment was negatived by 20 votes to 8. — {Na- 

 ture, October 25, 1883.) 



Telegraphic longitudes. — The Keport of the United States Coast and 

 Geodetic Survey for 1882 contains a very interesting sketch-map, which 

 gives graphically the index to 105 determinations of telegraphic longi- 

 tudes by the officers of the Coast Survey between 1846 and 1882.. 



It would add to the interest of this map if the telegraphic longitudes 

 determined by various observatories (as the Naval Observatory, Cam- 

 bridge, Clinton, Princeton, Albany, &c), were to be separately indi- 

 cated. 



Telegraphic determinations of longitude in Asia. — The work of Lieu- 

 tenant-Commanders Green and Davis and Lieutenant Norris, U. S. K., 

 in determining telegraphic longitude has been previously noticed here. 

 In 1877, 1878, and 1879 a chain of longitudes (telegraphic) was carried 

 from Key West through the Windward Islands and to Panama, as well 

 as from England to Lisbon, Cape de Yerde, Rio, and Montevideo. 

 The last station has been connected overland with Santiago de Chile, 

 and Panama is now being connected with Santiago down the west 

 coast. During 1881 and 1882 this important work was extended to the 

 China seas, and the positions of Madras, Shanghai, Hong-Kong, Sin- 

 gapore, Nagasaki, Vladivostok, etc., were fixed. The prime importance 



