8 



the results were issued as a separate quarterly publication 

 known as the Meteorological Record, which had a sequence of 

 31 annual volumes, the last being issued in 1911. By this 

 time the Meteorological Office also had a large network of 

 observing stations, the results from which were published in 

 the Monthly Weather Report, so that there was a good deal 

 of overlapping and duplication of work, and the Society felt 

 that, if they handed over their stations to the Meteorological 

 Office, they could devote their funds and energies to other 

 branches of work to better advantage. 



The number of observing stations maintained during this 

 long period had been about 100, including a few in Ireland 

 and the Channel Islands, and although there had necessarily 

 been changes from time to time in the individual stations, 

 the same scheme of tabulation had been adhered to through- 

 out, and the volumes contain a remarkably homogeneous 

 and reliable series of data for the study of the Climatology of 

 England and Wales. 



It has long been recognised that, however complete the 

 instructions which are issued to observers may be, satis- 

 factory uniformity can only be attained by regular inspection 

 of the stations by a competent officer, and this inspection 

 formed an important part of Mr. Marriott's work, each 

 station being visited as a rule every third year. In this 

 way instrumental errors were kept in check and the proper 

 exposure and maintenance of the instruments was assured, 

 while the personal contact between the observer and the 

 inspector did much to ensure the high standard of accuracy 

 which it was the object of the Society to maintain. 



Mr. Marriott retained his office for nearly four years after 

 the discontinuance of the stations, and retired from the 

 service of the Society on the ist October, 1915, after the long 

 period of 43 years' assiduous and successful work. He did 

 not long survive to enjoy his well-earned retirement, and 

 died suddenly on the a8th December, 1916. 



It has been the practice of the Society for its Presidents 

 to hold office for two years, so that the roll of those who 

 have passed the chair is becoming a long one, but to none of 

 them is it more indebted than to Mr. G. J. Symons, F.R.S., 

 the founder of the British Rainfall Organisation. He held 

 office as President in 1880 and 1881 and also served as 

 Honorary Secretary for a long period of years after the 

 retirement of Mr. Glaisher, and placed his great organising 

 abilities fully at the disposal of the Society. He had been 

 an assiduous collector of rare meteorological books, many of 



