ON THE RAINFALL IN THE BRITISH ISLES. 391 



fore to consider how we may best secure for the ensuing period the attainment 

 of the objects for which we were originally appointed. One of these is ex- 

 pressed in the first grant in the following words : — " For the purpose of 

 constructing and transmitting rain-gauges to districts where observations are 

 not at present made." 



Even to those least acquainted with the subject, it will be apparent how 

 much more desirable, as well as easy, it is to compare simultaneous obser- 

 vations than those wherein both the observed values and their times 

 are different. Your Committee have therefore felt it to be their duty to 

 examine how far the existing stations adequately represent the true rainfall 

 of the British Isles. The result shows that their number and distribution, 

 though incomparably superior to that which existed when your Committee 

 were appointed some years since, is still capable of great improvement ; 

 tracts of land the rainfall of which as water-supply for towns is of high im- 

 portance are without adequate observations, while other places are, if pos- 

 sible, too well provided. 



To take Devonshire as an example ; excepting two gauges at the Con^dct 

 Prison, one on the northern edge at Chagford, and one on the south at Lee 

 Moor Clay Works, Dartmoor (that wettest of Devonshire districts) has no re- 

 presentative, Exmoor has none at all, and there is no gauge between Torquay 

 and Plymouth. On the other hand, Sidmouth has four or five observers, and 

 Exeter an equal number. 



Similar cases of imequal representation occur in various parts, and should 

 be removed. The Tj'neside Naturalists' Club are about to establish a series 

 of gauges along the Cheviots, the Cardiff Xaturalists' Society are doing the 

 same iu South Wales, and other instances could be quoted. 



We have already shown that there is a special reason for endeavouring to 

 equalize the representation during the ensuing autumn, so that the new 

 observers whom we hope to obtain may have a few months' practice before 

 the commencement of the decennial period 1870-79. 



We hope that the landed proprietors of Great Britain and Ireland are be- 

 coming sufficiently aware of the importance of rainfall statistics in engineer- 

 ing and draining operations to see their own advantage in helping us by 

 having observations regularly made by careful persons under their own 

 supervision. There are, however, some districts for which your Committee 

 will have not only to provide the instruments but also to pay some small 

 fee to the observers. To meet this special charge we have to ask for a special 

 grant, in addition to the small ordinary one required for current expenses in 

 the examination of gauges and other kindred matters. 



