Report of the Kew Committee. 499 



VII. MISCELLANEOUS. 



Plans have been prepared and estimates obtained for the construc- 

 tion of the necessary apparatus to enable the examination of photo- 

 graphic lenses for cameras to be prosecuted at the Observatory, with 

 the view of granting certificates to the owners or purchasers of such 

 articles. It is in contemplation to adopt a system of examination of 

 lenses, which shall provide, first, for a comparatively rough or cursory 

 trial which will enable a person to form a general idea of the capabili- 

 ties of a lens, and, second, for a more lengthy and careful trial, for 

 which a higher fee will be charged, which will give full particulars as 

 to the various qualities an acquaintance with which is necessary to 

 possess a full knowledge of the instrument. Captain Abney and other 

 gentlemen have rendered the Committee much assistance in the 

 practical arrangement of the details of this lens testing. 



Toronto University. An appeal having been received from the 

 librarian of this institution, recently destroyed by fire, for books to 

 replace those lost, the Committee forwarded a parcel of such dupli- 

 cates as they could spare from the Observatory library, which has 

 been duly acknowledged by the President of the College. 



On the occasion of the eleventh annual exhibition of the Royal 

 Meteorological Society, which was devoted to illustrations of the ap- 

 plications of Photography to Meteorology, several instruments and 

 photographs were exhibited, and Mr. Whipple read a paper on the 

 subject, illustrating it by means of the optical lantern. 



Building, fyc. A new window has been fitted to light the staircase 

 leading into the Dome, a new stove fitted to the Library in place of 

 the gas stove, and Fletcher's hot water heaters placed in both East 

 and West Rooms for use in verification operations. 



The West Room, Library, and Superintendent's rooms have been 

 painted and ceilings whitened. 



Prepared photographic paper has been procured and supplied to 

 the Observatories at Aberdeen, Batavia, Colaba, Falmouth, Lisbon, 

 Toronto, Oxford, Mauritius, St. Petersburg, and Stony hurst, as well 

 as to the Meteorological Office for Valencia and Fort William. 



Anemograph sheets have been sent to Mauritius and Madras, and 

 blank forms for entry of observations, &c., distributed to various 

 applicants. 



Library. During the year the library has received as presents the 

 publications of 



25 Scientific Societies and Institutions of Great Britain and Ire- 

 land, and 



118 Foreign and Colonial Scientific Establishments, as well as of 

 numerous private individuals ; 



2 M 2 



