343 



be made at sea in all parts of the globe, in conformity with the re- 

 commendation of a conference held at Brussels in 1853 ; and that 

 they were about to construct a set of forms for the use of that 

 Office, in which they proposed to publish from time to time and to 

 circulate such statistical results obtained by means of the observa- 

 tions referred to, as might be considered most desirable by men 

 learned in the science of Meteorology, in addition to such other in- 

 formation as might be required for the purposes of Navigation. 



Before doing so, however, their Lordships were desirous of having 

 the opinion of the Royal Society, as to what were the great desi- 

 derata in Meteorological science ; and as to the forms which may 

 be best calculated to exhibit the great atmospheric laws which it 

 may be most desirable to develope. 



Their Lordships further state, that as it may possibly happen that 

 observations on land upon an extended scale may hereafter be made 

 and discussed in the same Office, it is desirable that the reply of 

 the Royal Society should keep in view, and provide for such a con- 

 tingency. 



Deeply impressed with a sense of the magnitude and importance 

 of the work which has been thus undertaken by Her Majesty's 

 Government and confided to the Board of Trade, and fully appre- 

 ciating the honour of being consulted, and the responsibility of the 

 reply which they are called upon to make; considering also that 

 by including the contingency of land observations, the inquiry is, in 

 fact, co- extensive with the requirements of Meteorology over all 

 accessible parts of the earth's surface, the President and Council 

 of the Royal Society deemed it advisable, before making their reply, 

 to obtain the opinion of those amongst their foreign members who 

 are known as distinguished cultivators of Meteorological science, as 

 well as of others in foreign countries, who either hold offices con- 

 nected with the advancement of Meteorology, or have otherwise 

 devoted themselves to this branch of science. 



A circular was accordingly addressed to several gentlemen whose 

 names were transmitted to the Board of Trade in June last, con- 

 taining a copy of the communication from the Board of Trade, and 

 a request to be favoured with any suggestions which might aid Her 

 Majesty's Government in an undertaking which was obviously one of 

 general concernment. 



