80 REPORT—1849. 
Report concerning the Observatory of the British Association at Kew, 
Srom Aug. 9, 1848 to Sept. 12, 1849. By Francis RoNALDs, 
£.R.S., Honorary Superintendent. 
NotTwITHSTANDING the resolution which was adopted at the last meeting of 
the British Association for discontinuing observations at Kew (a resolution 
partly founded upon an opinion that the establishment could not be carried 
on in a manner satisfactory to the Association “on so low a scale of expendi- 
ture” as that which had hitherto been found practicable), it was deemed 
expedient to furnish a fund for defraying the cost of prosecuting experiments 
then in progress, together with a few necessary expenses of the establishment ; 
and another sum for the reduction and discussion of the series of electric ob- 
servations which commenced in August 1843 and terminated in August 1848. 
The last year’s work has therefore been principally devoted to reduction 
and discussion by Mr. Birt of the electric observations recorded in the five 
annual volumes preceding this year’s volume, and to the due prosecution of 
the magnetic experiments which were contemplated. 
I much regret that it has not been in my power to do more, as regards 
the discussion of the observations, than confer with Mr. Birt upon the course 
which was to be adopted*. ‘The other objects became latterly so pressing, 
and in my humble opinion so important, that it has been quite out of my 
power to devote the time and attention to the subject which it eminently 
deserves. The observations have furnished means of computing results, which, — 
combined with the successful prosecution of experiments on a general pho- 
tographic system of registration, will, I trust, be deemed ample justification — 
of the opinions expressed by the last Kew Committee, presided over by Sir — 
John Herschel, and participated in by the Council, as to the utility of the 
Kew establishmentt. i 
Mr. Birt’s reductions, &c. will appear in a separate Report; and I now 
proceed to devote a few lines (as usual), first to the state of affairs at Kew, — 
so far as regards the Building, Instruments, &c., and secondly, to an account 
of the experiments and operations which have been conducted here during the 
_ last (Association) year; and a few other matters connected with experimental — 
inquiry. 
ee ee 
I. Tue Bui.pine, &c. 
The premises having been repaired (outwardly) at the expense of Her ~ 
Majesty’s Government in the previous year, nothing additional has been 
required to be done in that respect ; but I am sorry to add that some parts 
of the interior are sadly afflicted with dry-rot. 
The Quadrant Room has, in consequence of the extraordinary solidity of — 
the foundation, contributed largely to the success of experiments on, and to : 
testing the efficiency of, the self-registering magnetic. apparatus, which has — 
been sent by the Superintendent of Magnetic Colonial Observatories, our 
excellent General Secretary, to Toronto. For the immediate support of that — 
apparatus, two solid stone slabs were attached at the base of the wall tem- 
porarily. a 
The principal Electric Conductor has maintained its original vertical 
position (with the exception of a slight bending towards the north-east, 
owing to the prevalence of south-west winds) amid the attacks of six years’ 
tempests ; and the insulating power of its only support is improved, rather 
than otherwise, since its erection by constant heat and age. A little is 
* It was agreed that the Greenwich methods of reducing meteorological observations should — 
(so far as was consistent with the different circumstances) be adopted, with modifications. 
T Vide Report of 18th Meeting, p. xvii. 




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