ON ATMOSPHERIC WAVES. 165 
portunity of testifying to the care and fidelity with which the observations 
are made daily by the lighthouse keepers. The situation of the lighthouses 
at which observations have been made especially to assist in this inquiry, will 
be found in Table I. ; and I am greatly indebted to the Corporation for certain 
- modifications in the observations at these lighthouses, which have been made at 
my suggestion in order that the subject should receive the fullest investigation. 
To tHe Roya Socrery I am indebted for several sets of observations 
extracted from records preserved in its archives. In connection with the 
Society, I may mention the kind assistance I received from the late Pro- 
FEssoR DaAnrELL; and IJ take this opportunity of recording the kindness 
and urbanity which he ever manifested, when applied to in reference to this 
or any other scientific inquiry. 
To Sir Joun F. W. Herscuet, Bart., I am under peculiar and 
especial obligation: the kindness I experienced from that gentleman while 
engaged in discussing the quarterly observations, called for and collected by 
himself, demands the most lively gratitude ; and I take this opportunity of ac- 
knowledging this kindness, and particularly the publication, in the report 
drawn up by Sir John, of the remarks which had been suggested in the course 
of my labours, and which I had communicated at intervals. I need scarcely 
mention that this report forms the foundation of all my subsequent labours, 
and that we must ever regard Sir John as the first individual who has given 
an impetus to this inquiry, and who has first trodden the field to which Prof. 
Forbes some years since directed the attention of meteorologists. It has been 
well-said by Col. Sabine, “that Sir John Herschel is the father of all our 
modern researches in meteorology ; to him we owe all our hourly observations, 
and to him we are indebted for those systematic arrangements by which 
meteorology will take its due place among the sciences.” The observation 
of the great symmetrical wave in November 1842, was an immediate con- 
sequence of the discussion of Sir John’s hourly observations. It resulted in 
fact from a continuance (at such intervals as I could command) of the 
observations until a complete rise and fall of the barometer had been observed, 
and projected in a curve on a similar but reduced scale to that used in the 
projections of the quarterly observations. My former reports carry on the 
history ; in them I have mentioned the further assistance I have received from 
Sir John, which I have now great pleasure in acknowledging. 
To Cart. I.arcom, R.E., I am indebted for a valuable series of observa- 
tions, accompanied with curves during October, November, and December 
1845. I have already alluded to these in the body of the report. 
To Proressor Puitiies and Dr. Stevetty I am indebted for some 
valuable series from the north of England and Ireland. I am also indebted 
to Dr. Luoyp for several extracts from the records of the Dublin observatory : 
also to Str THomAs BrisBaAneg, Proressor Nicuor and Sirvanus THoMp- 
son, for observations made at their respective observatories. 
To Proressor QueETELET I am indebted for a valuable series from the 
observatory at Brussels, and for several series of the quarterly observations 
collected by himself, which may be most advantageously used in such inquiries 
__as the present. 
To E. W. Bray ey, Jun., Es@., of the Lonpon Instirurion, I am greatly 
indebted for the valuable assistance which he has on several occasions in con- 
nection with this inquiry most readily afforded me; especially the great in- 
terest which he manifested at the commencement of the discussion of Sir 
John Herschel’s quarterly observations which materially contributed to the 
_ reductions being entrusted to my hands; and I take this opportunity of acknow- 
_ ledging, not only such assistance, but also the direction which that gentleman 
_has given to my earlier studies, and the advice he has offered me in prosecuting 
