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Notes on Meteorological Observations at Plymouth. 



By 

 H. N. Dicksou, F.R.Si.E. 



The meteorological observations at Plymouth Navigation School, 

 carried on for a period of more than twenty-six years by Dr. J. 

 Merrifield, ceased on his death in June last. It seemed desirable 

 that Plymouth should not be without an observing station, and as 

 the Association was undertaking other work of a similar nature it 

 was decided to begin observations on the scale of a station of the 

 second order. 



Mr. W. V. Merrifield, into whose hands the instruments passed 

 on his father's death, kindly offered to lend a set of thermometers 

 and sunshine recorder. The barometer used by Dr. Merrifield is 

 the property of the Meteorological Council, who have transferred 

 the instrument temporarily to the hands of the Association until 

 another instrument can be acquired. 



The ground behind the Laboratory, being almost enclosed by the 

 walls of the Citadel, was obviously unsuitable for the exposure of 

 meteorological instruments. Application was accordingly made to 

 the municipal authorities of Plymouth for permission to erect a 

 thermometer screen and to expose a rain gauge on the enclosed 

 ground behind the public lavatory on the Hoe. This permission 

 was granted by the Hoe Committee, and an exceptionally good 

 exposure has been obtained close to the Laboratory. 



In order to make the observations as generally useful as possible, 

 copies are regularly supplied to the following : — (1) The Meteoro- 

 logical Office, weekly and monthly Reports. (2) The Royal 

 Meteorological Society, monthly Reports. (3) The Medical 

 Officer of Health, fortnightly Reports. (4) Western Morning 

 News, daily Report and monthly Summary. 



The sheets are issued from the Laboratory with all corrections 

 made, and summed and averaged. The following is a list of the 

 elements observed and calculated : — Atmospheric pressure. Tempe- 

 rature : Dry bulb, Wet bulb. Maximum, Minimum, Dew-point. 

 — Pressure of vapour — Relative humidity. Wind : Direction, Force 



