130 REPORT — 1891, 



First Report of the Committee, consisting of Mr. G-. J. Stmons 

 (Chairman), Professor K. Meldola, Mr. J, Hopkinson, and Mr. 

 A. W. Clatden {Secretary), appointed to consider the applica- 

 tion of Photography to the Ehicidation of Meteorological 

 Phenomena. [Drawn up by the Secretary.) 



In commencing operations in the autumn of last year your Committee 

 considered that the first step was to make their existence and aim as 

 ■widely known as possible. Hence the chief work of the year has been 

 the issue of circulars inviting the co-operation of others, and the taking 

 of such other steps as seemed likely to help in that main object. 



The following circular was first drawn up and issued to the secre- 

 taries of a large number of photographic societies, field clubs, and other 

 associations throughout the world. Letters to a similar effect were 

 widely distributed through the medium of the press, and personal efforts 

 were made to solicit aid wherever it seemed obtainable. 



ClECULAK A.] 



'Waeleigh,' Palace Road, Tulse Hill Park, 

 London, S.W. : Novemher, 1890. 



SiK, — At the Leeds Meeting of the British Association in September last the 

 above-named committee was formed in order to ' report upon the application of 

 photography to the elucidation of meteorological phenomena, and to collect and 

 register photographs of such phenomena.' 



The success with which these instructions can be carried out necessarily depends 

 in a gi'eat measure upon the voluntary co-operation of others. 



Will you therefore lend us your valuable aid by making the matter known 

 among the members of the society you represent, and by giving us the names of any 

 persons resident in your neighbourhood who might be willing to further the work in 

 hand ? 



We shall be glad to receive copies of any photographs illustrating meteoro- 

 logical phenomena, or their eifects, but we should especially welcome offers of future 

 assistance in the shape of photographs taken in accordance with simple instructions 

 which will be supplied on application. 



Photographs received will be numbered and registered and exliibited at the nest 

 meeting of the British Association. 



The Committee wish it to be understood that, hi tlte absence of any intimation to 

 the contraT]!, contributions to their collection will be regarded as their own propertjv 

 with liberty of reproduction at their discretion. 



Hoping that you will co-operate in the work, 



I am, your obedient Servant, 



Aethur W. Clayden, Secretary. 



It was, however, felt that a photograph of a meteorological pheno- 

 menon possessed comparatively little value for scientific purposes unless 

 some infoi'mation could be gained as to the circumstances under which it 

 was taken. Again, photographers generally, and amateurs in particular, 

 seem to find great difficulty in securing good photographs of such things 

 as clouds ; therefore it seemed desirable to endeavour to ascertain whether 

 any brand of plate, make of lens, or special device deserved particular 

 recommendation. The following form was therefore printed and issued, 

 with a modified version of Circular A, and distributed wherever there 

 seemed any probability of active co-operation. 



