XXXVI REPORT—1862. 
we shall then also be prepared to reply to you with respect to remuneration 
for the additional work which the Observatory would thus undertake. 
«JT have the honour to be, 
“e Sir, 
“ Your obedient Servant, 
(Signed) “J. P. Gassror.” 
“ Rear-Admiral FitzRoy, F.R.S., §¢.” 
The Mechanical Assistant being engaged at the Exhibition, it was found 
impossible to complete the alterations alluded to quite so soon as anticipated ; 
but a curve was procured about the middle of August, which was sent to 
Admiral FitzRoy, and approved of by him. 
The Barograph has since received some further alterations, with a view to 
increase its stability and general efficiency. These are now completed, and 
the instrument will be henceforth kept in constant operation. One of the 
curves from this instrument is presented to the Association. 
Arrangements were made for recording photographically, by means of the 
Heliograph, the transit of Mercury which took place on the 12th of Novem- 
ber last, but the weather proved unfavourable. This instrument was also 
in readiness for the partial eclipse of the sun which took place on the 31st 
of December last; but, owing to the unfavourable state of the sky, only two 
imperfect pictures were obtained. A very good series of sun-pictures was 
~ obtained by Mr. Beckley during the months of November and December. 
The Heliograph was sent from Kew at the beginning of January to Mr. De 
la Rue’s Observatory, and Mr. Beckley attended at Cranford to assist in 
erecting and adjusting it to focus; but the weather was so unfavourable 
during the remainder of that month that no pictures of the sun could be 
obtained. It had somewhat improved about the 7th of February, when the 
first photograph was taken, and since then others have been obtained by 
Mr. Reynolds (Mr. De la Rue’s assistant) on every day on which this has 
been possible. Altogether, up to the 12th of September inclusive, 177 pho- 
tographs have been taken on 124 days, namely :— 
Number of Number of pho- 
In the Month of working days. tographs procured. 
Bebra Ary? or. h akais ' 40 ee 13 
IMPAT CHE ae 5 ccsles-nehs\os),- | ee anes Se a yi 
PARE ae Sactttes stone 5, 0 6 AT eteatdx: scars 31 
Utes sib scsca? Neus e126 it <1 Mie otcoass crete 26 
RIEEO s Ftai'dca rh ab giss)'si nt eet | rere ae 28 
ERT er ieee, sche Oy oi als haul 27 
AMI EUS res ner kis Se OS at ae nae 26 
Up to September 12 . es ae ie 9 
124 177 
from February 7th to September 12th inclusive there are 218 days ; so that 
on the average one photograph was procured for 1-77 day. Nearly half of 
the pictures have been obtained by taking advantage of breaks in the clouds, 
and many have been taken through haze. In several of the photographs, 
owing to the unpropitious state of the atmosphere, there is a want of that 
beauty and perfection which the Heliograph is capable of affording; but all 
the pictures are sufficiently perfect for measurement by means of Mr. De la 
Rue’s Micrometer. Many of these are extremely perfect, and all would have 
been so had the state of the atmosphere permitted. 
