DESIDERATA, BTC. XXI 



Pi'of. Johnston was requested to prepare a Report on the 

 present state of Chemistry as bearing upon Geology. 



Mr. J. E. Gray, F.R.S., was requested to prepare a Report 

 on the present state of our knowledge of Molluscous Animals 

 and their Shells. 



Mr. Selby was requested to draw up a Report on the present 

 state of knowledge of Ornithology, for an early meeting. 



Mr. Bryan Donkin (Secretary), Dr. Ure, Dr. Faraday, and 

 Mr. Cooper were requested to Repoi-t as to the state of our 

 knowledge on the Specific Gravity of Steam generated at differ- 

 ent Temperatures ; Mr. Donkin to act as Secretary. 



Mr. E. Forbes was requested to Report on the present state 

 of the knowledge of the Geographical Distribution of Pulmo- 

 niferous MoUusca in Britain, and the circumstances which influ- 

 ence this distribution. 



The Council Avere requested to apply for a Report on the 

 present state and recent discoveries in Geology. 



Specific Researches in Science involving applications to 

 Government or public bodies. 



MAGNETICAL OBSERVATIONS. 



Resolved, — 1. That the British Association views with high in- 

 terest the system of Simultaneous Magnetic Observations which 

 have been for some time carrying on in Germany and in various 

 parts of Europe, and the important results towards which they 

 have already led ; and that they consider it highly desirable 

 that similar series of observations, to be regularly continued in 

 correspondence with and in extension of these, should be insti- 

 tuted in various parts of the British dominions. 



2. That this Association considers the following localities as 

 particularly important : 



Canada, Van Diemen's Land, 



Ceylon, Mauritius, or the 



St. Helena, Cape of Good Hope ; 



and that they are willing to supply Instruments for the purpose 

 of observation. 



3. That in these series of observations, the three elements of 

 horizontal direction, dip, and intensity, or their theoretical 

 equivalents, be insisted on, as also their hourly changes, and on 

 appointed days their momentary fluctuations. 



4. That this Association views it as highly important that the 



