xxxli REPORT — 1860. 



Indian Archipelago, requesting that the Committee would assist him in pro- 

 curing a set of self-recording magnetic differential instruments similar to 

 those at Kew, the Dutch Government having resolved to erect such at their 

 Observatory at Java. 



In consequence of this application, and as the instruments which had been 

 completed were not immediately required for a British Observatory, it was 

 resolved that they should be assigned to Dr. Bergsma ; this gentleman has 

 since arrived, and has for the last few weeks been engaged at the Observatory 

 in the examination of his instruments. 



The usual monthly absolute determinations of the magnetic elements con- 

 tinue to be made. 



Application having been made through Padre Secchi, of the Collegio Ro- 

 mano, for a set of magnetic instruments, for both differential and absolute 

 determinations, for the Jesuits' College at Havanna, the whole to cost 600 

 dollars, or about £150, General Sabine obtained, at a reasonable price, the 

 three magnetometers that had formerly been employed at Sir T. Brisbane's 

 Observatory at Makerstoun, and also an altitude and azimuth instrument. 

 With these instruments it is expected that the application from Havanna 

 Observatory can be met within the sum named; the instruments are now in 

 the hands of the workmen, and will be ready early in July. 



Two unifilars, supplied by the late Mr. Jones, for the Dutch Government 

 (one for Dr. Bergsma, and the other for Dr. Buys Ballot), have had their 

 constants determined. Observations have also been made with two 9-inch 

 dip-circles belonging to General Sabine, which have been repaired by Barrow, 

 and with two dip-circles and a Fox's instrument designed for Dr. Bergsma. 



A set of magnetical instruments, consisting of a dip-circle, an azimuth 

 compass, and a unifilar, previously used by Captain Blakiston, have been 

 re-examined, and have been taken by Colonel Sraythe, of the Royal Artillery, 

 to the Feejee Islands. 



As it was feared that the Kew Standard Barometer might have been 

 injured by the workmen who some time since were repairing the Observatory, 

 a new one has been mounted. The mechanical arrangements of this instru- 

 ment have been completed in a very admirable manner by Mr. Beckley ; and 

 the mean of all the observations made shows that the new Barometer reads 

 precisely the same as the old. This result is satisfactory, not only as showing 

 that no change has taken place in the old Barometer, but as confirming the 

 accuracy of the late Mr. Welsh's process of constructing these instruments. 

 The height of the cistern of the new Barometer above the level of the sea is 

 33-74- feet. 



Mr. Valentine Magrath having quitted the Observatory, at his own request, 

 on the 14th of February last, Mr. George Whipple has taken his place as 

 Meteorological Assistant, and has given much satisfaction. 



On the 12th of March, Thomas Baker was engaged at the weekly salary 

 of 8s., to be raised to 105. in six months if he gave satisfaction, which has 

 hitherto been the case. 



Since the last meeting of the Association, 173 Barometers and 222 Ther- 

 mometers have been verified at the Observatory. 



Professor Kupffer, Director of the Russian Magnetical and Meteorological 

 Observatories, visited the Observatory, and was presented with a standard 

 thermometer. 



Mr. J. C. Jackson, Lieutenant Goodall, R.E., and Mr. Francis Galton, 

 F.R.S., have visited the Observatory, and received instructions in the mani- 

 pulation of instruments. 



Mr. Galton has made some experiments at Kew Observatory, to determine 



