xxxii REPORT — 1856. 



A convenient apparatus has been constructed at the Observatory for the 

 determination of the effect of temperature on magnets : with this apparatus 

 the temperature coefficients of the magnets employed at the Toronto Obser- 

 vatory have been obtained. The scale of the unifilar, and the dimensions 

 and weights of the inertia rings employed at the same Observatory, have 

 been determined with reference to the Kew standards of length and weight. 



Two dip circles, one for M. Hansteen of Christiania, and the other for 

 Dr. Pegado of the Meteorological Observatory of Lisbon, have been ex- 

 amined and compared with the Kew instrument before being sent to those 

 gentlemen. A 30-inch transit inslrument, lent by General Sabine's depart- 

 ment, has been erected in the south window of the old transit room. A 

 clock by Shelton, the property of the Royal Society, is used with it. 



Owing to alterations required in the dome in order to adapt it to the use 

 of the solar photographic telescope, it has been necessary to remove the large 

 electrical apparatus of Mr. Ronalds. An apparatus of smaller size, but on 

 the same plan, has been erected on the side of the dome, by which atmo- 

 spheric electrical phfenomena can be determined in the same manner as 

 heretofore. A new vane has also been constructed, having an indicating dial 

 within the dome. 



Dr. Halleur, who had for about six months assisted Mr. Welsh in the 

 Observatory, having been appointed to a professorship in the New College 

 of Engineering at Calcutta, left the Observatory in September last. 



In February, the Committee, on the recommendation of Professor J. D. 

 Forbes, engaged Mr. Balfour Stewart of the Edinburgh University, as 

 Assistant Observer, at a yearly salary of £80, with residence in the Obser- 

 vatory. Mr. Stewart commenced his duties on March 1. The Committee 

 regret having to report that the Observatory will shortly lose the services 

 of this gentleman, who has recently been appointed an assistant to Pro- 

 fessor Forbes : he will leave the Observatory on October 1, previous to 

 which the Committee hope to be able to appoint a successor. 



The Committee refer with pleasure to an ingenious thermometer devised 

 by Mr. Stewart, in which advantage has been taken of the difference of ca- 

 pillary force and friction in two tubes of different capacity connected with the 

 same bulb, to measure the sum of the fluctuations of temperature. The in- 

 strument has been made at the expense of the Committee ; a description of it 

 has been communicated by Mr. Stewart to the Royal Society, and is printed 

 in its " Proceedings." 



Mr. Welsh reports most favourably as to the general attention evinced by 

 Mr. Beckley and Mr. Macgrath in the discharge of their respective duties. 

 Mr. Beckley 's talent as a mechanical engineer renders his services of great 

 value in an establishment where instances constantly occur of work requiring 

 the highest skill being promptly and correctly executed : the assiduity of 

 Mr. Macgrath has been such as to merit the entire approbation of Mr. Welsh. 



Your Committee cannot close this Report without again recording their 

 high opinion of the unremitting care and attention, as well as of the ability 

 which has ever been displayed by Mr. Welsh, as the Superintendent of the 

 Observatory ; during the past year he was compelled for upwards of six weeks 

 to be in Paris, in order to arrange the delivery of the valuable scientific appa- 

 ratus forwarded at the request of Her Majesty's Government by the Committee 

 to the Paris Exhibition ; but his arrangements were such, that the general 

 business of the Observatory was not in any way suspended during his absence. 



Your Committee have finally to report, that the total expenses of the Ob- 

 servatory during the past year amount to £557 : \s. 9d. In consequence of 

 the Committee having received during the year the sum of £221 : 7*. 8d. for 



