1869.] Meteorology. 129 



of stations, principally lightliouses, lying along the extended coast- 

 line of that country, with instruments. Six of these possess tele- 

 graphic communication with Christiania. The organization of this 

 system was commenced with the year 1867, and it is in connection 

 with the Meteorological Institute of Norway, which, in itself, is 

 affiliated to the University of Christiania. In addition to land 

 observations, the Norwegian Marine has been solicited to take part 

 in the work, and many of the sea-going captains have most cordially 

 agreed to keep Meteorological Eegisters. 



In Eussia, and indeed in the world at large, Meteorology has 

 sustained a most serious loss in the death of Professor Ludwig 

 Kaemtz at the end of the year 1867. He had been only for two 

 years Director of the Central Physical Observatory, having been 

 appointed to that post on the death of KupfFer. The vacant position 

 has since been filled by the appomtment of Professor PI. Wild, 

 formerly at the head of the Observatory at Berne. 



In Austria the K : K : Anstalt fiir Meteorologie und Erdmag- 

 netismus has j)ublished the thhd volume of the new series of its 

 Jahrbuch, being the results for 1866. Dr. Carl Jelinek, the 

 Director of the Institution, tells us that the number of stations in 

 connection with it has increased to 141. The volume is enriched 

 by a most valuable paper by Professor Karhnski on the mean tem- 

 perature of Cracow as deduced from forty years' observations. 



Austria is also lending a hand to the work of Marine IMeteoro- 

 logy, and has invited the co-operation of its own Navy and Merchant 

 service. 



In Italy the death of Matteucci has been a most unfortunate 

 check to the development of meteorological organization, for 

 although Secchi and others continue to issue theh several publica- 

 tions, individually of great importance, there is as yet no central body 

 under whose auspices these separate labours might be combined into 

 a harmonious whole. This most desirable consummation seems 

 sufficiently distant, but we may venture to express the hope that it 

 will sooner or later be realized. 



The result just aUuded to was brought about in Switzerland 

 in the year 1863, by means of a Meteorological Committee 

 appointed by the Swiss Natiu-al History Society. The system now 

 comprises eighty-two stations, mthin a small area, but varying in 

 theh elevation above the sea, between 700 and 7600 feet. The 

 Meteorology of Switzerland, and more particularly the question of 

 the origin of the " Fohn," or south wind, whose action often causes 

 such serious damage by floods, has been of late the theme of a warm 

 controversy, and it may be hoped that the efforts now being made 

 will help to elucidate this problem. 



Our space will not allow of more than a passing reference to 

 other countries, but we hear of meteorological organization in Den- 



VOL. VI. K 



