373 



1786,* though since the middle of December the season has been 

 unusually mild. 



One of Professor Smyth's periods " corresponds to the sun spot 

 period, 11 -1 years, as deduced by Schwabe from his long observation 

 of the solar phenomena." Professor Smyth thinks this merely a 

 coincidence. Whether it be so or not other observers seem to be 

 taking up the question as to how far our knowledge of the changes 

 constantly taking place in the sun's atmosphere, which knowledge 

 is being added to every year, may not in time lead to a better 

 understanding of the conditions under which our seasons are so 

 variable as regards temperature and rain. The sun is undoubtedly 

 the prime mover of all the atmospheric changes that take place on 

 the earth, though these changes may be often complicated by the 

 influence of local circumstances, so as to necessitate us to take in, 

 with a view to their explanation, other considerations besides the 

 state of the san, at the particular time of observation. 



But I leave' these higher questions, which are not likely to engage 

 the attention of many of our members, and pass on to what more 

 nearly concerns us — the meteorology of the Bath district. On this 

 head I would remark that the meteorological observations made in 

 the Institution Gardens, which commenced in 1865, will have been 

 carried on for seven years this next spring, and when completed 

 for that period, I hope to be able to get some results from them 

 that may prove an addition to our knowledge of the Bath climate. 

 But it must be remembered that Bath has, so to speak, several 

 climates, according as we fix our station near the river, or at a 

 greater or less elevation on the slope of the hills which rise up from 

 it and on which a large part of the town is built. For this reason 

 it will not do to confine ourselves entirely to observations made so 

 low down as in the Institution Gardens, however serviceable these 

 may be in their way. To give completeness to the inquiry, others 

 should be made higher up as well ; and it would be a great boon 

 to science if gentlemen could be found, members of this Club or 

 not, who would take the subject up, and keep a register, com- 

 mencing next month, and running parallel with that kept at the 



* According to Mr. Glaisher. — See Reg. Gen. Quart. Ketums of WeathpT- 

 No. 92, p '^ 



