BY PROFESSOR E. G. HOGG, M.A. 83 



tial observations being kept under control by frequent 

 determinations of the absolute values of the magnetic 

 elements, eight such absolute determinations being made, 

 on the average, each year. During the same period Dr. 

 Neumayer made a complete magnetic survey of Victoria, 

 the magnetic elements being measured at no less than 

 235 stations. After the departure of Dr. Neumayer 

 from Australia, absolute measurements of the elements 

 were made from time to time by Mr. Ellery. F.R.S., 

 then Government Astronomer, with Neumayer's instru- 

 ments, until 1865. In the following year a new set of 

 instruments was provided for the magnetic observatory, 

 and since that time the absolute values of the magnetic 

 elements have been determined about ten times each year. 

 This work is now being carried on by Mr. i>aracchi, 

 F.R.A.S., Government Astronomer, to whom I am 

 indebted for this brief sketch of the history of magnetic 

 observations in Victoria. 



Some few years ago the question of the magnetic 

 survey of New Zealand was brought before the Govern- 

 ment of that country, who decided to devote the sum of 

 £500 a year to the purpose. The work was entrusted 

 to Mr. Coleridge Farr, B.Sc , and a complete set of 

 instruments was borrowed for him from the Kew Maef- 

 netic Observatory At the meeting of the Australian 

 Science Association held at iNlelbourne last January, a 

 report was made to the Association by Mr. Farr, on the 

 subject of the survey, from which it appears that up to 

 that date he had succeeded in making absolute deter- 

 minations of the magnetic elements at 69 stations. 



I IT. — The work of the propo.'ied Survey. 



The investigation of magnetic phenomena may be 

 carried on in two ways — either in the magnetic observa- 

 tory, or by survey work in the field. The date seems 

 far distant when Tasmania will possess a magnetic obser- 

 vatory, though, perhaps, when the value of Tasmania as 

 a meteorological station is more fully appreciated, it may 

 be possible to secure a magnetic observatory, to b;; 

 worked in conjunction with a properly equipped meteor- 

 ological observatory. The magnetic survey of a country 

 stands on a somewhat different footing : though its work 

 is of the highest scientific value, it is not without its 



