362 METEOKOLOGT. 



means of instituting a system of meteorological observation, but simply to eon- 

 eider the steps necessary for rendering complete that about to be instituted by 

 the Board of Education. 'Now it is clear that any organization effected through 

 the influence of the Canadian Institute, and designed to be supplementary to the 

 system alluded to, should be in harmony with it as regards the hours of observa- 

 tion, forms of registration, and other details, and that if the Institute had suc- 

 cessfully attempted to set on foot another system prior to the establishment of 

 that in connection with the Board of Education, there would have been no security 

 for the maintenance of the unity so essential to the success of the undertaking. 

 The simple fact, then, that the proper function of the Committee was to promote 

 the extension of a system which, prior to the present time, was not in existence, 

 will, it is thought, be a sufficient justification of this apparently tardy action. 



The arrangements for setting the Grammar School observations in operation 

 are however, it is believed, now complete, a circular to that efi'ect, to the various 

 Boards of Trustees, having been recently issued from the Education Office. Your 

 Committee, therefore, now feel at liberty to state what steps, in their opinion, 

 should be taken towards the promotion of a knowledge of the meteorology of 

 British North America, and what share especially the Institute ought to take in 

 the matter. 



The Committee, in doing this, confine themselves to recommending that which 

 they believe hkely to issue in practical action, and purposely abstain from suggest- 

 ing any schemes which, however desirable in the abstract, are at present unattain- 

 able. 



Systematic observations three times every day involve, there is no doubt, great 

 personal inconvenience. The avocations of most people would render impossible 

 their attendance at the prescribed hours ; and of those not thus hindered, many 

 would be reluctant to submit to the necessary restraint. But it is probable that 

 among those who, from various causes, might be prevented from undertaking 

 regular observations three times each day, many intelligent persons might be 

 found who would be willing to lend a helping hand if any task less onerous could 

 be proposed to them. 



N'ow the services of such agents might be rendered available in one or more of 

 the following modes : 



1. By observations of temperature with self-registering thermometers, which 

 require attendance but once each day. 



2. By recording the depth of rain and snow, a work in which it is not essential 

 that the measurements be made each day at the same hour. 



3. Bj recording once, or twice, or three times daily, the direction of the wind 

 and the general state of the weather. 



To such regular observations might be added : 



4. The making occasional communications relative to storms and extraordinary 

 phenomena, or to the results of any special investigations which the observer 

 might think fit to undertake. 



The collection of meteorological data then would be carried on by observers 

 whom it may be convenient to divide into three classes. 

 I. Eegular observers of the first class, including all who conform to the 



