536 Correspondence on Magnetism of Ships, [Nov. 30, 



ncxion with the Meteorological Department, had reference to Terrestrial 

 Magnetism, not to the deviations of Iron Ships ; and they would observe, 

 as regards any observations of such deviations, that the whole scientific 

 value of such observations depends on their being made in strict con- 

 formity with corresponding observations made in the same vessel, and 

 under the same precise conditions at home. No such conformity can be 

 expected or ensured unless with some system of supervision. It may 

 be further observed that the value of such observations depends on the 

 compass by which the observations are made being one fulfilling the 

 conditions recommended with reference to the navigating-compass. For 

 the Meteorological Department to obtain and deal with such observations 

 it would be necessary that it should possess an Officer qualified to dis- 

 charge, and discharging, many of the duties of such a Superintendent 

 as is recommended by the Council. Finally it may be observed that 

 Shipmasters cannot be expected to make or transmit such observations, 

 unless encouraged so to do, by knowing that the observations when made 

 have a real value, and that they will be appreciated, made use of, and 

 publicly acknowledged." 



Letter No. 2, from tJie President to Mr. Farrer. 



"Burlington House, Nov. 2, 1865. 



" SIR, I have laid before the Council of the Royal Society your Letter 

 of the 24th of October, in reference to the Meteorological Department, 

 and am authorized to make the following reply : 



" The President and Council fully concur with the Board of Trade re- 

 garding the importance of inquiries being made into the value of the 

 observations obtained at sea under the direction and guidance of the Me- 

 teorological Department of the Board of Trade, and into the steps which 

 should be taken to utilize the results, as well as the importance of the 

 further question, whether any, and, if any, what future observations 

 .of the same or of a similar kind bearing on Ocean Statistics should be 

 collected. They will be quite ready to assist in this inquiry in the 

 manner proposed, viz. by nominating one of their Fellows conversant with 

 such subjects, as a member of the proposed Committee *. 



" In reference to the last paragraph of your letter of the 24th]0ctober, 

 they are of opinion that systematic meteorological observations at a few 

 selected land stations in the British Islands are desirable, in addition to 

 the meteorological observations at sea, in order to complete a suitable 

 contribution from this country to the meteorological investigations now 

 in progress in the principal States of Europe and America, under the au- 

 thority of their respective Governments. 



" If, in the communication from the Royal Society to the Board of 

 Trade of February 22, 1855, which preceded the establishment of Admira 



* [The Council nominated Mr. Francis Galton, F.E.S., to serve on the Committee 

 referred to 



