48 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [Fxs. 
ment? Iam happy to say that the hypothesis of this question 
does not need to be argued out by me. The Government of this 
country has already satisfied itself that the regular observation of 
meteorological phenomena is work proper to be done at public ex- 
pense. It is, therefore, I assume, desirous that the best available 
results should be arrived at. Now I do not hesitate to say, having 
regard to the peculiar circumstances of situation which I have men- 
tioned, that a carefully prepared system of observations carried on 
throughout this tract, under the direction of one competent head, 
ought to yield results of the highest scientific importance to the 
whole world. Need I point out that in any system which is to be 
efiective, the disposition of the stations must be matter of consider- 
ed arrangement, with a view to combined work. The observations 
should be made in conformity with well devised directions adapted 
to secure results as complete as possible. The instruments upon 
the accuracy and uniformity of which everything depends should 
be issued from one central station after comparison and adjustment 
with standards there kept and maintained in efficiency. They 
should also from time to time be readjusted by reference to these 
same standards. Every station should be furnished with the means 
of keeping correct local time at least. And above all, the results of 
the local observations should be reduced and tabulated for publica- 
tion and reference, under the instruction and superintendence of 
one directing head. Unless this be done, they are useless for com- 
parison with the results of observations made with different instru- 
ments and under difierent circumstances, 7. e. useless for the whole 
body of scientific men. As it is what have we ? . 
British India for administrative and other purposes is divided 
into eight principal districts or provinces, viz., Bengal, Madras, 
Bombay, N. W. Provinces, Oude, Panjab, Central Provinces and 
Burma; and in each of these, excepting Burma, is a separate 
local system of meteorological observation with its own independent 
head, Itis remarkable, too, that the gentlemen who are at the 
head of these different systems, possess as little community of char- 
acter and situation as can well be conceived. They are, in Bengal 
and the N. W. Provinces officers of the Hducational Department, 
in the Panjab a member of the Medical Service, in Madras the 
