CLOUD OBSERVATIONS IN VICTORIA. 259 
No. 10.—CLOUD OBSERVATIONS IN VICTORIA. 
By P. Baraccut, F.R.A.S8., Government Astronomer, Melbourne. 
(Read January 11, 1898.) 
Tu year 1897 has been called by some writers on Meteorological 
subjects “The Cloud Year,” on account of the systematic obser- 
vations of clouds which were carried on in nearly all the civilised 
countries during that period, under a scheme laid out and finally 
agreed upon, in all its detail, by the International Meteorological 
Committee at its Upsala meeting in 1894. The object of the 
scheme was to obtain more uniform and comprehensive data, to 
serve as the basis for the furthur study of atmospheric conditions, 
as indicated by the forms and movements of clouds. 
All the Central Meteorological Institutions were asked to co 
operate, and some of the Australian colonies promised to con- 
tribute their share. The operations contemplated in the scheme 
were of two distinct classes :— 
Ist. Observations of form, direction of motion, and apparent 
velocity of clouds, to be made three times daily, when 
possible, by as many observers as could be recruited by 
each institution ; the observations to be made without 
instruments, or with the simple nephoscope. 
2nd. Observations for the determination of the absolute 
height and velocity of clouds, made with instruments of 
precision, either visual or photographic. 
It was further intimated that the operations were to commence 
on May 1, 1896, and to be continued for twelve months; but the 
period was afterwards altered from January 1 to December 31, 
1897, owing to various countries being unable to commence at 
the earlier date. 
The fixed period was more particularly intended for the obser- 
vations of the Ist class, and more latitude was given for the 
absolute measurements. 
In Victoria we have just concluded the first part of the work, 
and the second part is still going on, and will probably be con- 
tinued for some time longer, as the past experience has taught us 
that it can be further improved. 
It is not my purpose to discuss the complex problems for the 
treatment of which the cloud scheme was initiated, nor to specu- 
late on the possible advantages which many authorities expect to 
derive from it for the advancement of meteorology, practical and 
theoretical. I shall merely give a brief sketch of what has been 
done in Victoria. 
