180 EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT OF 



Cambridge, editor of the American Astronomical Journal. Copious 

 references lo authorities are given in foot-notes, which will render the 

 work interesting to the professed astronomer as well as to the less 

 advanced student. 



A report has been prepared by Professor Guyot, late of the Univer- 

 sity of Neufchatel, on the construction and use of meteorological instru- 

 ments, more particularly designed for distribution among our meteoro- 

 logical observers. This gentleman is row engaged, at the expense of 

 the Regents of the University of the Slate of New York, in establishing 

 a new system of meteorology, and in instructing the observers in the 

 use of the instruments ; for which service he is well adapted by his 

 experience in a similar undertaking in Switzerland. 



The report on the application of chemistr}^ to agriculture is also 

 nearly ready for the press. This is by Dr. Lewis C. Beck, of Rutgers 

 College, New Jersey. 



Collections. 



Appara(?is. — The plan of organization also contemplates the foima- 

 tion of a museum of physical instruments, which may be used lijr ex- 

 perimental illustration and original research, and may serve as models 

 to workmen as well as to illustrate the general progress of inventions 

 in this line. 



The munificent donation of Dr. Hare has enabled us to commence 

 this collection with very flattering prospects. It now contains, besides 

 the articles of Dr. Hare, instruments for the illustration of the principles 

 of light, heat, and sound, procured from Paris, and a full set of pneu- 

 matic instruments, of superior size and workmanship, constructed ex- 

 pressly for the Institution by Mr. Chamberlain, of Boston ; also, a 

 number of chemical articles purcliased during the last year ; a set of 

 magnetical instruments, already noticed ; "a standard barometer and 

 thermometers, and other meteorological instruments, procured from 

 Europe. It is proper that I mention, in this place, that we are in- 

 debted to Professor Snell, of Amherst, for superintending the construc- 

 tion of a set of very ingenious instruments devised by himself for the 

 illustration of wave motion. It is believed that the collection of instru- 

 ments of research will, in due time, not only form a feature of great 

 interest, but that it wdll surpass in extent similar collections in other 

 countries. 



It is intended to publish a descriptive catalogue of all the instru- 

 ments, for the use of visitors ; and it may be advisable to illustrate this 

 by wood-cuts, particularly as w^e have had presented to us all the wood 

 engravings employed by Dr. Hare in describing his apparatus. 



It is not in accordance with the plan of organization to confine the 

 instruments of observation to the immediate use of the officers of the 

 institution but to suffer them to be employed, under certain restrictions, 

 by others who are possessed of the requisite degree of skill. This 

 practice may be attended in some cases with loss, and the breakage of 

 instruments ; but the expenditure which may be incurred on this account 

 will probably be more than compensated by the advance to knowledge 

 resulting from the adoption of the plan. 



