98 REPORT 1871. 



riments with thia modification. This has accordingly been done, during the 

 present summer, but it has not yet been possible to perform the large amount 

 of calculation necessarj- to obtain final results. It may be stated, however, 

 that the results as a whole will not differ very considerably from those for- 

 merly obtained, so far, at least, as can be judged from a comparison of the 

 graphic representations of the experiments. 



Report on the Rainfall of the British Isles, by a Committee, consisting 

 of C. Brooke, F.R.S. [Chairman), J. Glaisher, F.R.S., Prof. 

 Phillips, F.R.S., J. F. Batemax, C.E., F.R.S., R. W. Mylne, 

 C.E., F.R.S. , T. Hawksley, C.E., Prof. J. C. Adams, F.R.S. , C. 

 ToMLixsox, F.R.S., Prof. Sylvester, F.R.S., Dr. Pole, F.R.S., 

 Rogers Field, C.E., and G. J. Symoxs, Secretary. 



YorB Committee have much pleasure in reporting that the organization 

 under their supervision is believed to be in a generally efficient state. With 

 a stafi" of observers, numbering nearly two thousand, spread over the whole 

 extent of the British Isles, there can, however, be no question that, to ensure 

 perfect efficiency and uniformity of observation, a systematic inspection of 

 stations is absolutely necessary. In a paper read before the Society of Arts 

 in 185S, M!r. BaUey Denton appears to have considered that there should be 

 one inspector to about each 200 stations ; at that rate we ought to have ten. 

 The ;Meteorological Committee of the Royal Society have made it a rule to 

 have all their stations inspected each year. On the most moderate com- 

 putation it is indisputable that at least one inspector of stations is required 

 for our large body of observers, the whole of whose time should be devoted 

 to travelling. 



Ever since their appointment yoiir Committee have felt and acted upon 

 this conviction ; but want of funds has prevented them from employing a 

 regular iuspector, and obliged them to rely solely upon the unpaid services of 

 their Secretary. Even under these adverse conditions considerable progress 

 has been made with the work, and upwards of 400 gauges had been visited 

 and examined previous to the Liverpool Meeting. At that Meeting, how- 

 ever, the Association only granted half the sum for which we asked, and we 

 have consequently (most reluctantly) been obliged to stop this important 

 and useful work. 



As an interim meastire, and with a view to ascertaining ia what districts 

 inspection is most requisite, it has been suggested that a schedule of ques- 

 tions as to the positions of their rain-gauges should be sent to every observer. 

 The Committee unanimously approved of the suggestion, and annex a copy of 

 the Circular and Schedule they are about to issue. 



British Association Rainfall Committee, 



62 Camden Square, London, ^N.W. 



Sis, — The above Committee feel that it is most important that precise in- 

 formation as to the position of aU the rain-gauges in. the British Isles should 

 be promptly obtained. They are aware that under present circumstances it 

 is impossible that each gauge should be personally inspected, and have there- 

 fore instructed me to ask you to fill up the accompanying form, which I 

 shall be obliged by your returning as soon as possible. 



As an indication of the kind of information which the Committee desire 

 to collect, I have filled up one form for my own gauge ; but there are of 

 course many subjects not touched upon in the specimen which will be ac- 



