372 Proceedings of the British Association. 
to succeed, as I confidently expect it will, a great impediment to 
the advancement of meteorological science will be removed. 
Persons in almost every locality may be found who would not 
object to devote a few minutes per day to prepare such an instru- 
ment for use, but who would find it impossible to give the re- 
quisite attention to make hourly or half-hourly observations them- 
selves.—Col. Sabine said, Mr. Bache, of Philadelphia, has request- 
ed me to explain the reasons which have prevented him from 
completing the Report on the Meteorology of the United States, 
which has been first called for, and which at the Newcastle meet- 
ing, Mr. B., being then present, was requested to prepare. But 
the task of providing funds by private subscription in the U. S. 
for the support of the system of magnetical and meteorological 
observations recommended by the Association, (which is else- 
where provided for as a national work,) has been undertaken by 
Mr. Bache, in addition to that of superintending its establishment 
and progress.. Being thus occupied, Mr. B. has found himself 
unable to devote the necessary time and thought to the Report.. 
» Sir J. Herschel read a Report on the great co-operative system 
of Magnetic and Meteorological Observation, which three or four 
years ago was commenced at the instance of the British Associa- 
tion. After noticing the vast increase of the surveys and obset- 
vations, owing to the number of foreign establishments entering 
into the concerted plan, the Report referred to the Antarctic Ex- 
pedition, taking it up where the Report of last year left it, at-Ho- 
bart Town in 1840. Capt. Ross observed the November term 
(for observations) in 1840, at the Auckland Isles. On leaving 
those isles, his adopted course led him between the two southern 
magnetic foci. It seems probable that he was still to the east- 
ward of the present locality of the greatest: intensity. The full 
import of the observations made in this voyage is not yet know), 
but it is understood that intensities have been observed by Capt. 
Ross 23 times greater than the minimum observed by him neat 
St. Helena, on the outward voyage ; and that. the general aspect 
of the intensity observations would appear to place the centre: of 
1 principal isodynamic oval in a latitude somewhat exceeding 
uth. ‘The nearest approach. to the magnetic pole was in 
it. 70°12, long. 164° East, the dip being 88° 40. The in- 
sé weer to be less than in 47° South. The Ad- | 
‘mialty, (wi red every service to these inquiries, ) had 
Ble 
