TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 27 
meter, and an achromatic telescope of 3} inches aperture. It may be 
remarked that the horizontal-force instrument differs from the bifilar 
magnetometer, the force that holds the bar in a direction perpendicular 
to the magnetic meridian being a spiral spring. Besides the instru- 
ments fixed in the observatory, there are portable instruments for 
making experiments with bars of 3lb., 1lb., 41bs., 10lbs. and 25lbs. 
The munificence with which the king of Bavaria has been always 
known to support the cause of science, and the liberality of the Crown 
Prince, who takes peculiar interest in physical researches, have contri- 
buted to render the magnetic observatory of Munich the most complete 
establishment of this kind on the continent. 
A general statement of the System of Meteorological Observations carried 
on in Bavaria. By Dr. LAMont. 
The Royal Observatory of Munich constitutes the central establish- 
ment, and has the superintendence of all meteorological observations 
made under public authority. There are meteorological observatories 
at Ratisbon, Augsburg, and Hohen-Peissenberg, the latter being si- 
tuated on the summit of a mountain 3000 feet above the level of the 
sea. Besides, meteorological observations are registered partly by 
members of the Royal Meteorological Society, partly by persons ap- 
pointed by Government, at 260 towns and villages in Bavaria. The 
observations thus obtained, though not equally complete, some of them 
being registered only once, some twice, and but a comparatively small 
number three times a day, will be found extremely valuable for the 
purposes of meteorology. Hourly observations of the barometer and 
thermometer have been made at the Royal Observatory of Munich since 
May 1838, by means of accurate registering instruments, constructed 
on a new principle. Dr. Lamont, in mentioning this extensive system 
of observations, referred for the results and further particulars to the 
annual publications of the Royal Observatory of Munich. He con- 
cluded by remarking, that the great object of meteorology was to find 
the causes from which the changes in the atmosphere arise ; to trace the 
propagation of these changes from one place to another, and the mo- 
difications they undergo on their way; and to show what relation exists 
between the states of the atmosphere at different parts of the globe, and 
how the changes at one place depend upon, or are connected with, 
simultaneous or preceding changes at another. This, he said, can 
only be attained by combining observations made in different coun- 
tries after a general and uniform system; and in mentioning at that 
meeting the extensive observations carried on in Bavaria, it was his 
intention to show how far a general system, such as had been just 
alluded to, was likely to be supported in that part of Germany, and 
to express the hope that such a general system will be introduced at 
no distant period, perhaps, by the same Association by whose exertions 
a similar system of magnetic observations has now so successfully been 
carried into effect. 
