xliv REPORT—1868. 
it to say, that the system of tabulation was arranged at Kew, and that the 
tabulating instruments were all verified there before being sent to their 
respective observatories. 
3. Verification of Records.—It has already been mentioned that the com- 
petency of the observers at the various stations to undertake the charge of 
the self-recording instruments was secured by a course of instruction at 
Kew, where they became acquainted with the principles of construction of 
the various instruments, with the photographic process necessary to obtain 
curves, and with the system of tabulation. In addition to this, the instru- 
ments were erected at the various stations by Mr. Beckley, and each observer 
was thus well started. It is not, however, enough, in a project of this 
nature, to secure a good beginning; it is, moreover, indispensable to see that 
the standard of excellence is maintained. 
For this purpose it is proposed by the Meteorological Committee that Mr. 
Stewart should personally visit all the Observatories every year; in addition 
to which, some one of the Kew assistants might occasionally visit some station, 
with a specific object in view. Mr. Stewart has already visited Stonyhurst, 
Glasgow, and Aberdeen; and, in addition to the preliminary visit to the 
various stations made by Mr. Beckley, Mr. Whipple has visited Falmouth. 
Besides this inspection, it is also necessary to check at Kew the accuracy 
of the tabulated results that arrive there from the various stations. A close 
and constant scrutiny of these results is therefore made at Kew; and when 
any error is detected, it is brought before the notice of the observer who made 
it. All this involves a very considerable amount of labour, more especially 
at the commencement of the undertaking, and until the various observatories 
are in thorough working order. For the purpose of securing accuracy and 
uniformity in the reduction of the records of these instruments, it has been 
proposed that a set of rules should be drawn up under the sanction of this 
Committee. 
4, Work done at Kew as one of the Observatories of the Meteorological 
Committee.—This consists in keeping the Barograph, Thermograph, and 
Anemograph furnished by the Meteorological Committee in constant opera- 
tion. The Barograph is erected in the room which contains the Magneto- 
graphs, and which has a very small daily range of temperature. The outer 
part of the Thermograph is attached to the north side of the Observatory, 
towards the west, while the Anemograph has been erected above the centre 
of the dome, so as not to interfere with the Photoheliograph. 
For the first two of these instruments traces in duplicate are obtained, one 
set being sent to the Meteorological Office, and one retained at Kew; as 
regards the Anemograph, the original records are sent, while a copy of these 
on tracing-paper is retained. 
The tabulations from the curves of the Kew instruments, and the exami- 
nation of the results forwarded to Kew from the outlying Observatories, so 
far as this last is not personally done by Mr. Stewart, are performed in a 
very satisfactory manner by Messrs. Whipple, Baker, and Page. 
Mr. Steventon, a nephew of Captain Toynbee, of the Meteorological Office, 
has been in attendance at the Observatory for instruction for about twelve 
months, and latterly has given much assistance in the meteorological de- 
partment of the Observatory, with the details of which he is now fully con- 
versant. 
; J. P. GASSIOT, Chairman. 
Kew Observatory, 7th August, 1868. 
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