1865.] on the Meteorological Department. 307 



the places to which the warnings were sent. The results of these com- 

 parisons for certain periods were tabulated and laid before Parliament in 

 a paper, copy of which is annexed. The data for continuing the return 

 are still kept, and, if it were thought right to incur the expense, it could 

 be continued at any time. 



" My Lords at the same time addressed a further letter, dated 2/th 

 February, 1863, asking the opinion of the Royal Society as to the course 

 then being pursued by Admiral FitzRoy, and were favoured in reply by 

 your letter of the 2/th March, 1863. 



"The vacancy in the Meteorological Department, occasioned by the 

 death of Admiral FitzRoy, has seemed to My Lords to present a fitting 

 opportunity toreview'the past proceedings and present state of the Depart- 

 ment ; and with this view they are desirous of receiving any observations 

 or suggestions, with which the President and Council of the Royal Society 

 may be willing to favour them, on the constitution and objects of the 

 Department, and the mode in which those objects may be most effectually 

 attained. 



" The points on which the Board of Trade especially desire the opinion 

 of the Royal Society are the following : 



" 1. Are the objects specified in the Royal Society's letter of the 22nd 

 February, 1855, still as important for the interests of Science and Naviga- 

 tion as they were then considered ? 



" 2. To what extent have any of these objects been answered by what 

 has already been done by the Meteorological Department ? 



" 3. "What steps should be taken for making use of any observations 

 already collected, or any compilations already made by the Department? 



" 4. Is it desirable to make any, and what, further observations on any, 

 and which of the subjects mentioned in the Royal Society's letter of 22nd 

 February, 1855? 



." 5. What is the nature of the basis on which the system of daily fore- 

 casts and storm warnings established by Admiral FitzRoy rests ? In other 

 words, are they founded on scientific principles, so that they, or either of 

 them, can be carried on satisfactorily notwithstanding Admiral FitzRoy's 

 decease ? 



" 6. If they, or either of them, can be carried on satisfactorily, can 

 the Royal Society suggest any improvement in the form and manner of 

 doing it ? 



" 7. Is it desirable to continue down to the present time the tables of 

 results corresponding to the forecasts and storm warnings which were 

 made out for certain periods in the year 1863, and were presented to Par- 

 liament in April 1864 (Parliamentary Paper, No. 200, Session 1864, in- 

 closed) ? The materials for doing this exist in the Office, and only require 

 clerical labour. 



"8. Assuming it to be desirable to continue the publication of the daily 

 reports of weather received from various stations, can the Royal Society 



