ON THE RAINFALL OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 77 
were in charge of others, concerning which personal instruction was desirable. 
‘Thereupon he was directed to proceed to the district and take such steps as 
he thought most expedient for securing accurate observations at a moderate 
cost. The following is an abstract of his reports :— 
The returns from Wet Sleddale have at all times been sent with great 
irregularity, and for two years none have been received. As a new station 
had been organized at Shap, that at Wet Sleddale was abandoned. If, how- 
ever, a good position and a good observer could be obtained in the Sleddale 
valley, it would be very advantageous. 
At Mardale Green the gauge was found to be in perfect order, but the 
measuring-rod had been broken and clumsily mended; a new one was 
supplied. 
At Measandbecks, Haweswater, the observer had been obliged to move the 
gauge, and had placed it on ground sloping too precipitously ; it was removed 
a few feet, so as to place it on a level plateau. 
The Matterdale Common and Gowbarrow gauges were not visited, as they 
were repaired some time previously, and the observer reported them to be in 
perfect order. 
Owing to the removal and subsequent death of the observer at the Green- 
side Mines in Patterdale, the series of observations instituted there, which 
embraced gauges at 500 feet, 1000 feet, 1550 feet, and 2000 feet, were 
stopped. Aware of the great importance of accurate observations from that 
locality, our Secretary visited it, and had the pleasure of finding that the 
manager of the mines had resumed observations at 1000 feet, the gauge (a 
very accurate one) being well placed. 
The gauges at Wythburn, Easedale Tarn, and Watendlath were in perfect 
order, and the observations made by the observers originally appointed. 
The observer of the gauge at Berkside, Helvellyn, died a few years back, 
and the gauge had become out of order; the gauge was sent to Keswick for 
repair, and a new observer instructed in the duties. 
The gauges at Seathwaite were in good order, except the large float one, 
which was repaired at Keswick. 
A new observer had been appointed to Kirkstone Pass, who consequently 
had not received personal instruction ; neither of his gauges was in perfect 
order, but both were put so, and the subsequent records are very satisfactory. 
The returns from Skiddaw, though carefully kept, have always been ex- 
cessively small for the altitude (1677 feet) of the gauge. This is probably 
due to its very exposed position on the §.W. flank of the mountain. In 
accordance with a suggestion by the observer (who is on the mountain in all 
weathers) a second gauge has been placed on Skiddaw, the new site being at 
the head of Whitbeck. 
Map of Stations in operation.—In consequence of the intimation conveyed 
to your Committee last year, they have discontinued entirely the issue of 
rain-gauges on loan, and have endeavoured to induce gentlemen to purchase 
gauges for themselves. With a view to determining the districts in which 
additional gauges are most needed, a map was prepared, showing the site of 
every rain-gauge known to be in operation. It will be seen from it, that 
large as is now our field of operations, there are many districts in which all 
our efforts to obtain observers have been futile; this is especially the case in 
the West of Ireland. 
Gauges along the Highland Railway.—Your Committee are happy to be 
able to report that the observations by the station-agents of this Company 
appear to be carefully and correctly made; but this is another matter which 
