806 REPORT—1858. 
Description of a Self-recording Anemometer. By R, Becxury, 
Assistant at the Kew Observatory of the British Association, 
In all cases in which the system of hemispherical cups (devised by Dr. 
Robinson as a measurer of the velocity of the wind) has been used, the 
direction-apparatus has required a distinet support on the exterior of the 
building. In my arrangement, a cast-iron tubular support (fig. 1, Plate XIX.) 
carries the whole of the external parts of the instrument, which can be easily 
adapted to any form of building upon which it is desirable to mount it. 
The general arrangement will be better understood by reference to 
fig. 3, Pl. XIX., showing the same in section, 
Upon the wind moving the cups, motion is given to the tubular shaft 
aa a, the lower end of which is provided with an endless screw g, that works 
into the worm-wheel a, fig. 1, Pl. XX.: thence motion is communicated to 
the registering pencil A, 
The fan or windmill governor was first used by Mr. Osler for indicating 
the direction of the wind, owing to its steadiness compared to a vane. I 
have therefore adopted it, but use two, D, D, fig. 2, Pl. XIX., fixed directly 
on to the worm-spindle A, working into the fixed wheel B ; by this arrange- 
ment a countershaft is dispensed with. The bearings of the worm spindle 
A run upon four rollers, 2, 2, 2, 2, fig. 3, Pl. X1X., contained in the boxes ¢, ¢, 
fig. 2, Pl. XIX. A section of the box and rollers is shown at fig. 4, Pl, XIX. 
The action of the fans is to keep their axis at right angles to the direction 
of the wind; any change taking place, they right themselves, carrying with 
them the outer brass tube d 3, fig. 3, Pl. XIX., which is screwed to a long 
tubular fitting of cast iron, ¢ ¢, the top of which is formed to receive the 
friction-balls ¢ ¢, and with a shoulder which bears upon the friction- 
balls u, w. To the lower end of this fitting is fastened the necessary length 
of brass tubing, g g, completing the direction-shaft, on the lower end of 
which is a mitre wheel, ¢, fig 2, Pl. XX. 
The method of registration consists in using De la Rue’s metallic paper, 
this paper having the property of receiving a trace from a brass pencil. 
Pencils can therefore be made of any form desired. 
In the first instrument made by Mr. Adie, of 895 Strand, from my 
drawings, the velocity is registered by motion being given to the segment of 
teeth A, fig. 4, Pl. XX., taking into two racks, B, B, alternately, each traverse 
being equal to fifty miles of horizontal movement of the air, the pencil being 
inserted in the eye C; and the direction of the wind is registered by a spiral, 
of such a figure that equal angles correspond to equal increments of are D, 
fig.4, Pl. XX., which is in fact a screw upon a plane, on the edge of which is 
screwed a thin strip of brass, E. This, being kept against the paper by a 
spring, forms the direction-pencil. 
In the instruments recently made, I have placed the strip of brass or pencil 
round the cylinders A and B, fig. 2, Pl. XX., making a very thin-threaded 
screw,—the advantages of such an alteration being that the point of contact 
of two cylinders is less than in the case of a cylinder and a plane, and 
then requires no spring or appliances to keep them up to their work. 
In reference to the figures 1, 2, and 3, Pl. XX.—The worm-wheel a, fig. 1, 
is moved one tooth by each revolution of the hemispherical cups, and is pro- 
vided with such a number of teeth that one whole turn is equal to one mile 
of movement of the air. On the same axis is a mitre wheel, e, working into 
its fellow, e, fixed on and giving motion to the inclined worm shaft f, 
which works into the worm wheel g, having fifty teeth, one whole turn being 
