ON MAGNETICAL AND METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS. 71 
on an understanding that the general question of continuance should be de- 
ferred till it should appear whether or not the members of the Conference 
were sufficiently agreed on the details of the observations desirable to be pur- 
sued to enable them to come to any affirmative conclusion thereupon :— 
In reference to the daily magnetic observations, after discussing a variety 
of stiggestions as to the hours at which observations might most advantage- 
ously be made, in case the curtailment of the two-hourly system were deemed 
necessary; it was agreed that the Conference was tifiable to suggest a scheme 
less comprehensive than the one- or two-hourly system, which would provide 
with sufficient security for the accomplishment of all the objects of the daily 
observations ; and that therefore, in observatories whose strength will permit, 
it is expedient that the system be carried on henceforth as heretofore, and at 
the Gottingen hours. 
In reference to the. absolute magnetic determinations, it appeared to be the 
general opinion that such determinations of the declination and horizontal 
force should be made at least monthly, in connexion with the differential 
magnetometers, and that observations of inclination should be made weekly, 
and that care should be taken that all absolute determinations should be made 
beyond the influence of the other magnets and with separate instruments. 
In reference to the subjects of term-observations and disturbances, it ap- 
peared to be the opinion of the greater part of the members of the Confer- 
ence, that it is expedient to continue the same yearly number of term-days 
as at present, and with the intervals which are in use, and that it is very de- 
sirable to continue to give the same attention as hitherto to observations of 
unusual disturbances, leaving however the intervals and mode of observation 
during disturbances to the discretion of the directors of observatories. 
In reference to the magnetic instruments most desirable to be used in the 
observatories, it appeared to be the general opinion that the differential in- 
struments had better continue as at present ; that the absolute determinations 
of declination and horizontal force should be made with distinct instruments, 
and that the léngths of the bars of the latter should be left to the discretion 
of the directors. 
The employment of bars of small dimensions; having short times of vibra- 
tion, was strongly recommended for observations during disturbances. 
It appeared to the members desirable that an instrument should be con- 
trived to serve the purposes of an alarm on the occurrence of disturbances 
exceeding a certain limit.’ Such an instrument would be particularly useful 
in observations where the observing staff was smaller, and where therefore the 
daily observatories were not made hourly or two-hourly. 
The importance of obtaining observations of the third element (viz. of 
the vertical force) and the occasional imperfection of the balance magneto- 
meter, appear to render it the opinion of the members that Dr. Lloyd's in- 
duction inclinometer might be advantageously employed in the observatoriés 
in addition to the balance magnetometer. 
In reference to the question, whether atiy and what additional magnetic 
observations should be made in future, it did not appear that any were 
deemed desirable. 
As regards thé system of meteorological observation and instruments, the 
_ recorded opinions of the Conference were as follows :— 
___ That the instruments and times of observation at present in use should be 
continued. 
_ That it is very highly important that self-recording meteorological instru- 
_ ments should be improved to such a degree as to enable a considerable por- 
_ tion of the observing staff of an observatory to be dispensed with; and that 
