226 PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION A. 
Again, too, the question of the relative weights of the azimuth 
and ‘latitude observations are to be considered. It must be ad- 
mitted that the equations to the latitude should have greater 
weight than either those connected with the azimuth or with the 
lon gitude observations, having in view the facts that in the azimuth 
equations are contained any errors occurring in the transfer of 
directions through so many different points, and that from the 
nature of the longitude observations results of like precision to 
those given by the latitude observations cannot be looked for. 
The actual determination of relative weights to be applied to each 
is, however, somewhat difficult of solkidarne and must, to a large 
extent, be a matter of opinion. As judged though by the very 
small errors of closure of the triangles, it would seem that the 
error in carrying on azimuth must be relatively small, and that 
the difference of weight to be assigned to the different classes of 
data should not be so great as would, at first sight, appear to be 
demanded. 
Allowing half weight to the azimuth and latitude observations, 
and omitting those azimuth observations which have been above 
referred toas being influenced by systematic attractions and likely 
to unduly affect the results, it is found that the values of & y, etc., 
become 
€ = — 0-44", y = — 0:93", wu = + 0:395, and v = + 1-147. 
From these are obtained— . 
a = 6974378 yards + 1336; e? = 0072080. 
These elements, it will be seen, more closely approximate to those 
which were assumed for the spheroid of reference, and it is not 
unlikely that even closer agreement will result from the further 
extension of our tr iangulation northward. 
It is necessary to add that all lengths arrived at are in terms of 
the standard bar used in the base measurements, the length of 
which, in comparison with the standards of other countries, as has 
been before mentioned, is well determined by Colonel Clarke’s 
observations. The information respecting such comparisons is of 
great value, for it will enable the triangulation of this Colony, 
which is in a latitude peculiarly favour able for the purpose, to be 
combined with those of Europe, where the subject receives con- 
siderable attention, surveys of high precision being now extended 
over the whole of that continent. While the results given above 
may be expected to indicate with fair precision the shape of the 
surface covered by this survey, combination with those of other 
countries is necessary for obtaining a fair value of the dimensions 
of the earth as a whole. 
No account of this survey would be complete which did not pay 
some tribute to the skill, as an observer, of the late Mr. W. J. 
