CHAPTER VI 

 SOME BRITISH ASSOCIATION RESEARCHES 1 



Astronomy Seismology : Subterranean temperatures Tides and waves 

 Meteorology and Climatology Terrestrial magnetism The sea-level 

 Electrical standards Chemical researches Geology in the Association 

 Zoology and Botany: Exploration Anthropology Physiology 

 Economics Educational problems Engineering and allied researches. 



ASTRONOMY 



THE outstanding work of the Association in the 

 department of astronomy is the preparation of the 

 British Association Catalogue of Stars. This was the 

 principal of a series of collateral undertakings set on 

 foot in 1839, and including the reduction of Lacaille's 

 stars and that in the Histoire Celeste, and for the 

 revision of the nomenclature of the stars. Baily, Airy, 

 Robinson, Herschel, Henderson, and Whewell were the 

 prime movers in the matter, the first three having 

 charge of the catalogue at the outset. It aimed at 

 being a complete compendium of all star places of 

 any accuracy down to the date of its issue, and its 

 value is demonstrated by the fact that though it is 



1 In selecting for remark a few of the investigations which have 

 been carried out under the auspices of the Association, the compiler 

 gratefully acknowledges the advice and assistance of Prof. H. E. Arm- 

 strong, Sir Edward Brabrook, Sir Horace Darwin, Mr. W. F. Denning, 

 Mr. W. H. Dines, Dr. A. R. Dwerryhouse, Sir Archibald Geikie, Sir 

 Richard Glazebrook, Sir William Herdman, Prof. H. Lamb, Dr. H. R. 

 Mill, Hon. Sir Charles Parsons, Prof. E. B. Poulton, Dr. J. Proudman, 

 Sir Edward Schafer, Prof. A. Smithells, Mr. A. G. Tansley, Prof. H. H. 

 Turner. 



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