ON INVESTIGATION OF THE UPPER ATMOSPHERE. 261 



3. Long-period tides at Newlyn ; 



4. The pei'turbations of harmonic constants. 



Considerable progress has been made, but as the problems are all connected 

 together it is thought desirable to postpone publication. In the case of (4) the 

 ' constants ' of harmonic analyses over many years tor tides in Indian and 

 Canadian waters show variations of period of nineteen years, indicating that the 

 assumed theoretical variation of harmonic constituents in the period of revolution 

 of the moon's nodes is not sufficiently accurate. The results so far show the 

 presence of a harmonic term not present in the astronomical forces, agreeing 

 with previous deductions from Newlyn as to the possibility of such new con- 

 stituents. Hypotheses concerning the physical nature of these variations are 

 being tested. 



Investigation of the Upper Attaosphere,—- Report of Committee 

 (yir Napier Shaw, Chairman; Mr. 0. J. P. Cave, Secretary; 

 Professor S. Chapman, Mr. J. S. Dines, Mr. W. H. Dines, Sir 

 E. T. Glazebeook, Colonel E. Gold, Dr. H. Jeffreys, Sir J. 

 Larmor, Mr. E. G. K. Lempfert, Professor F. A. Lindemann, 

 Dr. W. Makower, Sir J. E. Petavel, Sir A. Schuster, Dr. G. C. 

 Simpson, Mr. F. J. W. Whipple, Professor H. H. Turner). 



The Committee met in December 1921. A memorandum by the Chairman 

 and Secretary was read leading up to four propositions as follows : — 



(1) That a representation of the desirability of inviting the co-operation and 

 inter- co-operation, not only of the Directors of Institutes and Observatories, but 

 also of Scientific Academies and Societies in the study of the upper air, should 

 be put forward to the British National Committee with a view to the meeting 

 of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics at Rome in April 1922. 



(2) That the attention of the authorities in charge of regular observations of 

 the upper air should be drawn to the close correlation between variations of 

 temperature in the middle layers of the atmosphere derived from Mr. W. H. 

 Dines's observations and from Canadian observations, and that an examination 

 of the observations in other localities from the same standpoint should be 

 undertaken. 



(3) That endeavour should be made to provide suitable instructions for 

 observations with pilot-balloons of long carry both on sea and on land. 



(4) That endeavour should be made to enlist the cooperation of competent 

 persons willing to carry out observations in localities of special interest, and 

 particularly to obtain the co-operation of astronomical observatories on sites 

 specially free from cloud. 



In respect of proposition (1) a memorandum for communication to the 

 National Committee was approved. 



In respect of proposition (2) it was agreed that the subject should be raised 

 and the suggestion incorporated in the report to the British Association. 



In respect of (3), that the question be referred to the Secretary and Captain 

 1). Brunt, acting for the Director of the ;Meteorological Office, in order that 

 definite proposals may be formulated. 



In respect of (4) it was suggested that communication should be held with 

 Captain H. Douglas, formerly Head of the Naval Meteorological Service, 

 Assistant Hydrographer, and now commanding a sur^ eying ship at Bermuda, 

 as to whether it is possible to initiate pilot-balloon observations at Bermuda. 

 Dr. Simpson undertook to conduct the communication, as the Meteorological 

 Office was in a position to supply gear if necessary. 



The subjects suggested in propositions (1), (3), and (4) were incorporated in 

 the programme put forward for consideration at Rome by the British Committee. 



The Committee has been informed that the subjects were approved by the 

 Union, and that the Section for Meteorology was authorised to spend a sum of 

 15,000 francs upon providing instruments for duly qualified observers by ballons 



