34 REPORT—1845. 
From J. A. Broun, Esq., First Assistant in the Magnetical and Meteorologi- 
cal Observatory at Makerstoun. 
( Extract.) 
Query 1. “ Whether in your judgement there are any, and if so, what 
important objects to be accomplished by a continuance of the existing esta- 
blishments for a longer period, executing as at present both systematic and 
simultaneous observations, or either class to the exclusion of the others.” 
The declination, the easiest ascertained of all the magnetic elements, be- 
cause unconnected with the varying magnetic moment of the needle, is still 
mixed up with many errors which we are only discovering. This remark 
holds much more strongly for the components of intensity. The imperfections 
of our instruments and methods are only beginning to be ascertained. What 
shall we say of magnetic disturbances ? Have we found out the laws which 
connect these wonderful irregularities? Have we ascertained their connexion 
with other terrestrial phenomena, aurora for example? . 
I am afraid that to these and many other questions of a like nature, the 
answer would be unsatisfactory. A sifting investigation of the observations 
already made may do much. Dr. Lamont’s deductions of the law which seems 
to connect the excursions of the declination needle at different places during 
disturbances, while they show what may be done, likewise show how much 
there is to do. 
But are accurate and complete results to be obtained by the allotment of 
any short period for their determination? No. It is only gradually that we 
discoyer error, gradually remove it; time alone can show us what we ought 
and we need not observe. 
I am inclined to believe that it is from a thorough and careful investigation — 
of magnetic disturbances and their collateral phenomena, that we shall first 
arrive at a solution of the great questions of terrestrial magnetism. To observe 
disturbances well requires a continuous watch upon the magnetical instru- 
ments, and no watch is better than that which hourly or two-hourly observa- 
tions impose, besides their utility in determining the regular variations. 
It has long been my opinion that regular term observations are, at least at — 
present, unnecessary. There is little doubt that magnetic disturbances occur 
for the most part simultaneously over the whole world ; what use then of pre- 
arranged periods of observations, when the earth itself telegraphs the time, 
and the magnets point to the zealous observer, when he should and when he 
need not observe ? 
I have spoken chiefly of magnetism, but my remarks will apply equally to 
meteorology ; with it also much has to be done. The work of a few well- 
placed observatories in a few years will do more for science than all the 
scattered observations made loosely and irregularly for the last century. 
One great use of these observatories should be to co-ordinate the seattered 
observations made by travellers or others around them ; for this purpose there 
should be some provision for publishing these along with the observations of © 
the observatory, especially when the instruments have been compared and are — 
trustworthy. 
To the second query I cannot give any general answer. It may not be - 
amiss, however, to mention this, the Makerstoun Observatory, as a consequence 
of the foundation of the government observatories, nor to state that hourly 
magnetical and meteorological observations have been made here throughout 
1844, and are being continued in 1845, while a large mass of extra observa- 
tions have been obtained. 
Query 3, “In case of the continuance of the observatories beyond 1845, 
