PROGRESS OF METEOROLOGY IN 1889. 207 



Tlie third general assembly of the Italian Meteorological Society^ which 

 is held every three years, met iu Venice from 14th to 21st September, 

 1888. 



The subjects of the programme were divided into four classes : 



(I) General meteorology; (2) agricultural meteorology and phenol- 

 ogy ; (3) medical meteorology and hydrology ; (4) geodynamics. 



Among others, papers were presented upon the following topics: 



General meteorology and climatology. — New studies aud experiments 

 of Prof. L. Palraieri on the origin of atmospheric electricity reported 

 by Prof. Del Gaizo, of Naples. Results of the magnetic observations 

 conducted at one hundred and sixty-three stations by P. Denza. Re- 

 sults of the meteorological observations made at the suggestion of the 

 iSociety upon two Italian steamers, the Generate and the Veloce, extend- 

 ing through forty-three voyages in 1887. The helio-photometric observa- 

 tions of Prof. Friedrich Craveri, at the observatory of Bra, conducted 

 since 1874 with a helio-photometer of his own construction. Two papers 

 by Professor Busin, of Rome, upon the distribution of temperature in 

 Italy, ard upon the high and low pressures of the northern hemisphere. 

 Notes by Professor Galli and by Professor Golfarelli upon the hourly 

 velocity of the wind and upon lightning conductors. Professor Roberto 

 described a new hygrometer. 



Agricultural meteorology. — P. Ferrari, of Rome, gave an exposition of 

 the present applications of meteorology to the interests of agriculture. 



Medical meteorology and hydrology. — Discussion arose upon the dis- 

 position and classification of climatic stations. P. Siciliani, of Bologna, 

 presented a paper on the relation between the height of water in wells 

 and the air pressure. P. Bertelli took up the theories that assume 

 electricity as the principal cause of earth tremors, and demonstrated 

 their improbability. P. Denza had a paper on, the more important 

 earthquakes of 1887. 



An Intercolonial Meteorological Congress was held at the Melbourne 

 Observatory September ll-lo, 1888, at which all the Australian colo- 

 nies, New Zealand, aud Tasmania were represented. The question of 

 thermometer exposure was. discussed at length. Mr. Todd considered 

 it impossible tor any one to say positively what is the best form of ex- 

 posure, but bad himself fully tested the Stevenson stand and should 

 adopt it for liis out-stations. Various other (juestions were discussed, 

 including the relation of climatologic observations to hygiene, and the 

 reduction of the barometer to sea-level. 



International Meteorological Tables. — The International Meteorological 

 Committee has published the collection of tables that have been in 

 course of i)reparation for several years. They fill 400 quarto pages and 

 the volume is sold for 35 francs. The tables include the reduction of 

 both temperature and pressure to sea-level, conversion tables, units of 

 measure, geodetic measures, liygrometric tables, and tables for the re- 

 duction of wind, rain, evaporation, nuignetism, and electricity. 



