38 KEPOiiT— 1892. 



duced by the current running from the North Sea to the Atlantic, 

 or from the Atlantic to the North Sea, but the result was nega- 

 tive. The complete list of local societies which had interested them- 

 selves in the work was a very considerable one, and he mentioned only 

 those whose contributions were most valuable. In addition to the Cardiff, 

 East Kent, and Manchester Geological Societies, the Northamptonshire, 

 ]5urton-on-Trent, and Rochdale Societies had all done admirable work. 

 At Kuaresborough one of the members of the Yorkshire Naturalists' 

 Union had made some of the most interesting- observations of all, because 

 ho had taken the readings in conjunction with the air temperature, and 

 also the earth temperature, thereby bringing out in a very interesting 

 way the great activity of the sui'face water in responding to changes in 

 the atmosphere. This observer had also made a number of most admir- 

 able observations under the ice during the severe winter of last year. 

 He found that in tlie first spell of freezing the average temperature under 

 the ice was under 34°. There was a thaw and another frost, and it fell 

 to 83°. Another thaw followed, and then a third frost, and it was only 

 (.luring the third period of freezing that the average temperature of the 

 Avater came down to 32°. It was very fortunate that the work of the 

 Committee had been extended over last year, and that the observers had 

 met with such favourable conditions. He thanked the Delegates, the 

 observers, and the Secretaries for the completeness with which the 

 observations had been carried out. In several cases the observers had 

 carried on the work on their own account, and he trusted that such 

 observations would be continued and extended. Dr. Mill, in conclusion, 

 expressed his willingness to render all possible assistance to such observers. 



The Chairman said that for some reasons he regretted that the work 

 of this Committee had come to an end, but he thought that their efforts 

 had prepared the waj^ for future organisation. He did not see why the 

 Royal Meteorological Society, which dealt with the question of air and 

 earth temperatures, should not deal with water temperature. Neither 

 did he see why the Scottish Meteorological Society should not deal with 

 this subject. He was inclined to hope that these two Societies might 

 make some arrangement for conducting and co-ordinating such observa- 

 tions. 



Meteorological Photography. — Mr. A. W. Clayden, the Secretary of this 

 Committee, stated that although a large number of circulars had been 

 sent to the various local Societies asking for contributions of meteoro- 

 logical photographs very few had as yet responded. The majority of the 

 photographs Avhich had been sent had come from isolated observers. He 

 therefore urged the Delegates to bring the subject before their Societies, 

 with a view to securing organised co-operation. 



Section B. 



Inquiry iiito the Condition of the Atmosphere of Manvfaduring Toivns. — 

 Professor Meldola said that he had received a letter from Mr. J. R. 

 Ashworth, the Secretary of the Rochdale Literary and Scientific Society, 

 asking whether it would be of use for the British Association to appoint 

 a Committee for this subject, which was attracting some attention in 

 Manchester at the present time. 



Mr. Mai'k Stirrup said there was a Committee in Manchester busy 

 collecting information with respect to the exceptional atmo.sphere of that 



