liv REPORT—1862. 
Tam the more induced to direct attention to this’great work at present because 
I hold in my hand the first printed sheets of a general Index to the series 
from 1831 to 1860, by which the titles and authors of the innumerable 
Memoirs upon eyery possible scientific subject, which are so profusely but 
promiscuously scattered through its eighteen thousand pages, are reduced to 
order, and reference to them rendered easy. This assistance is the more 
necessary because so many inyestigations have been continued with inter- 
missions through many years, and the labour of tracing any given one of them 
from its origin to its termination through the series of volumes is extremely 
perplexing. 
For this invaluable key to the recorded labours of the Association we are 
indebted to Professor Phillips, and the prospect of its speedy publication may 
be hailed as a great subject of congratulation to every member of our body. 
In eyery annual yolume there is a table of the sums which have been paid 
from the beginning on account of grants for scientific purposes. The amount 
of these sums has now reached £20,000; and an analysis of the objects to 
which this expenditure is directed will show that if we divide this into eighteen 
parts, it will appear, speaking roughly, that the Section of Mathematics and 
Physics has received twelve of these parts, namely two-thirds of the whole 
sum, the Sections of Geology and Mechanical Science two parts each, while 
one part has been given to the Section of Botany and Zoology, and one divided 
among the Sections of Chemistry, Geography, and Statistics. 
The greater share assigned to the first Section is sufficiently accounted for 
by the number and nature of the subjects included in it, which require innu- 
merable and expensive instruments of research, observatories, and expeditions 
to all parts of the globe. 
If we examine the principal subjects of expenditure, we find, in the first 
place, that more than £1800 was expended upon the three Catalogues of Stars, 
namely, the noble Star Catalogue, which bears the name of the British Asso- 
ciation, commenced in 1837, and completed in eight years, and the Star 
Catalogues from the observations of Lalande and Lacaille, commenced in 1835 
and 1838, and reduced at the expense of the British Association, but printed 
at the expense of Her Majesty’s Government. £150 was applied principally 
to the determination of the Constant of Lunar Nutation, under the direction 
of Dr. Robinson, in 1857, and to several other minor Astronomical objects. 
At the very first Meeting at York, the perfection of Tide Tables, Hourly 
Meteorological Observations, the Temperature of the atmosphere at increasing 
heights, of Springs at different depths, and observations on the Intensity of 
Terrestrial Magnetism, were suggested as objects to which the nascent organi- 
zation of the Association might be directed. 
Its steady perseverance, increasing power and influence as successive years 
rolled on, is marked by the gradual carrying out of these observations, so as 
to embrace nearly the whole surface of the globe. 
Thus, under the direction of Dr. Whewell, a laborious system of observations, 
obtained by the influence and reduced at the expense of the Association, who 
aided this work with a sum of about £1300, has determined the course of the 
Tide-wave in regard to the coasts of Europe, of the Atlantic coast of the 
United States, of New Zealand, and of the east coast of Australia, Much 
additional information has been since collected by the Admiralty through 
various surveying expeditions; but it appears that much is still wanting to 
complete our knowledge of the subject, which can only be obtained by a vessel 
specially employed for the purpose. 
More than £2000 haye been allotted to Meteorology and Magnetism, for 
the construction of instruments, and the carrying out of series of observations 
