148 report — 18G5. 



was N., and apparently steady in that direction while the balloon was being 

 filled. On its completion the wind had changed to the S., and 4 or 5 hours' 

 observations were looked forward to. 



On reaching the height of 1500 feet, the balloon again fell in with the pre- 

 valent S.W. current, and at 3000 feet was in a nearly W. current, and again 

 passed over the like course, directly towards the sea. It was therefore not 

 deemed prudent to ascend very high. When above the lower clouds they 

 were seen moving at right angles to the balloon's motion. Approaching the 

 sea, it was necessary to descend ; and on again reaching the height of 3000 

 feet the balloon fell in with the S.W. current, at 1500 feet with the S. current, 

 and with this passed somewhat inland ; on again reaching 3000 feet, we 

 turned to move again directly towards the sea, and descended at South Han- 

 ningfield at 4 h 1 M . 



After this I did not succeed in ascending, and since April I have mostly 

 been taking steps towards securing some night ascents. 



It is unfortunate, in one sense, that the wind on these occasions, not- 

 withstanding its direction on the land, was so constantly at certain eleva- 

 tions moving with a W., W.S.W. or S.W. current, because on all occasions 

 it so shortened the time of observation, and limited the elevation to such 

 heights only that we were certain of being able to descend before reaching 

 the sea. 



Yet the fact is important, and very much so, as proving the constancy of 

 the S.W. current during our winter months ; for the evidence of such cur- 

 rent is not merely confined to these three clays only, but a continued watch 

 was kept on the higher regions from the lloyal Observatory, and whenever 

 scud or cloud has been seen at the proper elevation, it has been found to be 

 moving in that direction. The high temperature we experience in winter 

 seems to be very much due to the prevalence of the warm current. 



In these three ascents, Frederick John Evans, Esq., Staff Commander E.N., 

 F.R.S., Superintendent of the Compass Department of Her Majesty's Navy, 

 very kindly furnished me with a very delicate magnet, which he uses on board 

 of iron ships and in the Compass Department. 



This instrument vibrates in a little more than two seconds on the earth. 

 In the ascent on December 1, I was able to take ten sets of vibrations ; and 

 notwithstanding the lower temperature of the higher regions, the time of 

 vibration was lengthened. 



In the ascent on December 30, the balloon was in a constant state of rota- 

 tion, and I was unable to take any magnetic observations. 



In the ascent on February 27, the same needle vibrated in 2-001 seconds 

 on the earth, at the height of one mile vibrated in 2-277 seconds nearly. 

 These results were confirmed by another magnet, somewhat less delicately 

 mounted, its time of vibration being found to be longer at high elevations 

 than on the earth. These results agree with those found at other times of 

 the year. 



The Lines in the Solar Spectrum. 



At every opportunity I directed the spectroscope to the sun, and always 

 saw a very fine spectrum, with veiy many lines, far greater in number than 

 when viewed on the earth, and much better defined. The spectrum usually 

 extended from A to far beyond H, the latter line being plainly made up of 

 fine lines. I have never seen the spectrum of the sun, when viewed on the 



