On Meteorological Observations. 93 



sunset there was a fine display of cirrus cloud moving from 

 some northerly point. 



In both these instances the sun was not sufficiently elevated 

 above the horizon during the day, or for a long enough time, 

 to counteract the cold produced by radiation ; hence the mani- 

 festation of the great differences of temperature within narrow 

 limits which I have described. The question remains, how are 

 we to apply meteorology to field observations in natural 

 history ? Meteorology, or more properly climatology, is itself 

 a branch of natural history. I would not, however, advocate 

 a farther extension of the comprehensive system of meteoro- 

 logical observations undertaken by several of our members. 

 It would occupy more time than can be spared by the majority 

 of persons, and would probably lead to discouragement and 

 want of punctuality in observation ; and as in ever3'thing else, 

 so especially in meteorology, to obtain useful results whatever 

 is undertaken should be carried out carefully and con- 

 scientiously. But it would not, I think, be trespassing too 

 much on your time to ask for a register of the readings of a 

 few instruments once a day, at 9 o'clock in the morning. This 

 record should include readings of the dry and wet bulb ther- 

 mometers, and of the highest and lowest temperature, and the 

 depth of rainfall in the previous 24 hours, with notes of any 

 special occurrences. I feel sure that I may say on behalf of 

 the members of the meteorological committee of the Club, 

 that we would give our aid in seeing to the proper establish- 

 ment of any station for this purpose ; and for my own part, I 

 would gladly undertake to reduce the observations when made. 

 These observations at fixed stations should be supplemented 

 by others that could be easily made on walking expeditions, 

 with a pocket thermometer, and a record entered on the spot 

 in a note-book kept for the purpose ; and if extensively carried 

 out, we should then in a few years get acquainted with the 

 climate of every hill and valley in the district. The great 

 practical utility of information such as this is obvious. Our 

 medical men would know what situation to recommend their 

 patients to live in, and what to avoid. A change of residence 

 from one house to another within half a mile, might obviate 

 the necessity of a delicate patient being obliged to move to the 

 sea coast, or to go abroad for the winter. When the fact of 

 cold local currents of air of limited dimensions, pursuing a 

 definite course in our valleys under certain conditions, came to 

 be recognised, provision could be made against the freezing 

 up of water pipes in houses situated in their path. Gardeners 

 could regulate the planting of their crops in accordance with 

 this knowledge. In Croydon dahlias and scarlet-runners 

 always last longer on the higher ground, and I have known the 



