44 
are fifty-one out of the 100 whose pressure averages are 
based on fewer than twenty observations ; thirty-five 
averages on fewer than fifteen observations ; and sixteen 
averages, or a sixth of the whole, based on fewer than 
ten observations. Hence the incomparableness of the 
results of the 1° and 2° squares, zfev se, and the general 
unsatisfactoriness of this part of the work. The same 
objections apply with perhaps equal force to the discus- 
sions of the temperatures of the air and those of the sea. 
Range corrections for pressure and temperature 
over the region under discussion are not yet accurately 
enough known to justify the committee in “ correcting” 
' the results on the large chart by hypothetical corrections. 
Since, however, it is most desirable to attempt a discus- 
sion of the results of the squares, so as to arrive at a 
knowledge of the approximate distribution of the tempe- 
rature and pressure of this important part of the ocean ; 
and since such a discussion necessarily calls for a preli- 
minary preparation of the results by the application of 
such approximate corrections for range as we are in pos- 
session of, and which cannot be far from the mark; the 
Meteorological Committee will require to give ‘he mean 
day of the month and the mean hour of the day for each of 
the averages of the squares. Indeed, without this addi- 
tional information the results can scarcely be said to 
possess any strict scientific value. 
With this additional information, some highly interesting 
questions suggested by the chart could be examined, such 
as the relations of the pressure, air and sea temperature, 
and humidity in these 1° squares, viz., Nos. 93, 94; 82, 
83; and 72, 73, to the squares contiguous to them. But, 
so far as the chart informs us, the interesting anomalies 
here indicated may be due to no more than differences 
in the mean hour of the observations of each square. 
We should also wish to see added, as respects each 
square, an enumeration of all the unusually low and un- 
usually high observations of pressure and temperature 
which have been made use of in calculating the averages. 
This will be the more desirable as the discussion proceeds 
into other parts of the ocean where barometric and ther- 
mometric disturbances are of more frequent occurrence, 
and where the number of observations is fewer than in 
this No. 3 square “in which the largest number of ob- 
servations have been collected.” 
The vital importance of a knowledge of pressure and 
temperature range in discussing Ocean Meteorology it is 
unnecessary to insist upon. For this information we must 
look, perhaps we may say exclusively, to the Boards of 
Admiralty of this and other countries, it being only through 
such bodies that systems of hourly or two-hourly observa- 
tions at sea can be organised and carried out. May we hope 
that, among the contributions to science which Prof. 
Wyville Thomson will bring back from his circumnavi- 
gation cruise, one will be data for the determination of 
barometric and thermometric constants which are so indis- 
pensable in the reduction of Ocean Meteorological sta- 
tistics. 
In offering these suggestions to the consideration of the 
Meteorological Committee, we desire to express our deep 
sense of the importance of this department of their work, 
and our hearty thanks for the care they are taking to en- 
sure its efficient execution ; and we may confidently hope 
that the method of discussion finally resolved on will lead 
NATURE 
[Nov. 21, 187 
to results which, taken in connection with similar disc’ 
sions undertaken by the Dutch, French, German, } 
wegian, and other Governments, will place Ocean Meteor 
ology on a broad and sound basis, and thus lead towa1 
the solution of many questions vital, not merely to na 
gation, but to a right understanding "OF the more complex 
problems of the Land Meteorology of the Globe, 
GIEBEL’S THESAURUS ORNITHOLOGIZ 
Thesaurus Ornithologie. Repertorium der gessamm) 
ornithologischen Literatur und Nomenclatur sam 
licher Gattungen und Arten der Vogel nebst Synonymie 
und geographischer Verbreitung. Von Dr. C, 
Giebel. Erster und Zweiter Halbbinder. (Leipzig : 
Brockhaus, 1872.) ‘a 
N this work, we regret to’say, the performance does 
not equal the promise. Nothing would be more ac 
ceptable to the many students of the class of Birds than 
such a “ Repertorium” as Prof. Giebel’s title seems to 
indicate. Nor is there anything objectionable in the 
manner in which he proposes to treat his son 1e- 
what extensive subject, although other plans would be 
equally or more convenient. But when we come to look 
into details and to consider the mode of execution, 
must condemn the work as almost useless to ornitholo- 
gists from its errors and imperfections. 
The first portion of the “ Repertorium” professes to 
give us a complete list of the literature relating to orni- 
thology, arranged under certain heads. But numerous 
volumes and papers of the greatest importance to the 
ornithologist are either altogether omitted, or are insert. 
ed under wrong headings. For example, Cabanis and 
Heine’s “ Museum Heineanum” is not alluded to at all,” 
nor can we find Finsch and Hartlaub’s “ Ornithologie 
Ost-Afrika’s,” Fraser’s “Zoologia Typica,” or Gilliss’s 
* Astronomical Expedition” (Birds by Cassin) entered 
under the proper heads, These are all works which a 
working ornithologist would have occasion to consult fre- 
quently. A long list might easily be made of simi 
omissions. In the section of this part of the “Rep 
torium” which treats of local faunas, many ridiculous 
blunders are made. Memoirs referring to Africa and 
South America are entered under Asia, and a number of 
South American papers are attributed either to America 
Septentrionalis, or America Centralis, 
In the second part of the “ Repertorium,” call d 
“ Nomenclator Ornithologicus,” it is pretended to giv 
list of all the described genera and species of the class 
birds in alphabetical order, with references to authoriti 
synonymy, and other points. Nothing could be of greater 
use to the ornithologist, if such a task were well or even 
fairly well performed. But this, we regret to say, is: 
the case, as anyone with previous knowledge of the sub- 
ject will very quickly discover, on turning over Prof, 
Giebel’s pages. It is, in fact, quite evident that the 
“Repertorium” is a mere compilation, upon which, no 
doubt, long and weary labour has been bestowed, 
which, as is often the case with compilations, will be 
very little value to the student, owing to the com 
having had insufficient previous knowledge of his 
ject. 
