xliv 
given a tabular view of the various results, without, however, insti- 
tuting the comparison between theory and observation, which it would 
be desirable to extend further than has yet beendone. It would be 
important also to elucidate the disturbing effect of temperature, which 
prevents even existing observations from being rigorously com- 
parable. 
The calculations respecting the tides, which have been prosecuted 
by the aid of the Association ever since its institution, have been con- 
tinued this year by Mr. Bunt, under the directions of Mr. Whewell. 
These calculations have now reached such a point, that the mathemati- 
cian, instead of being, as at the beginning of this period, content with 
the first rude approximations, is now struggling to obtain the last de- 
gree of accuracy. 
The country in which we are now assembled, has always been con- 
spicuous for attention to meteorology, a branch of physical science, in 
which the British Association, with its power of combining the efforts 
of many observers in distant quarters of the globe, may hope to be 
especially useful. 
In Scotland, Leslie opened a new train of inquiry, by examining the 
earth’s temperature at different depths; and his successor in the Uni- 
versity of Edinburgh, is now directing, at the request of the Associa- 
tion, a large and complete course of experiments on that interesting 
subject. Framed in conformity with the plans adopted for similar ob- 
jects by Arago and Quetelet, these researches of Professor Forbes 
contain also the means of determining the power of conducting heat, 
which different sorts of rock possess; and may thus throw light on 
some of those peculiarities in the distribution of temperature at greater 
depths below the surface, which have become known by experience, 
but are not explained by theory. 
In Scotland, Sir David Brewster was the first to obtain an hourly 
meteorological journal for a series of years, and to draw from that fer- 
tile source new and important deductions, which have had a powerful 
influence on the progress of scientific meteorology. How gratifying 
to receive, through the same hands, after the lapse of nearly 15 years 
anadditional contribution of the same kind, and from the same country ; 
but embracing new conditions, on a new line of operations, in order to 
obtain new results! By the observations now in progress at Inverness 
and at Kingussie, the influence of elevation in modifying the laws, 
which have been found to govern the hourly distribution of heat near 
the level of the sea, may be discovered, and thus a great addition be 
made to the experimental results, for which science has long been 
grateful to the distinguished philosopher we have named, and which 
