364 METEOEOLOGT. 



In furtherance of tbis, the co-operation of all members of the Institute, or others 

 who may be able and willing to aid in any of the objects specified, is earnestly 

 inTited. 



Magnetic Observatory, 



Toronto, 12th January, 1858. 

 Sir, — With reference to the Report of the Meteorological Committee, lately 

 adopted by the Canadian Institute, wherein it is recommended that the extension 

 of the system of meteorological observation be promoted by their memorializing 

 public departments, on the requisition of the Director of the Observatory, I 

 request that you will submit to the Council the two following proposals: 



1. That the Chief Superintendent of Education in Lower Canada be invited to 

 use his influence in obtaining the co-operation of the principal seminaries and 

 monastic establishments, and in placing them in communication with the Toronto 

 Observatory. With a view of securing the employment of trustworthy instru- 

 ments, it might be desirable to suggest that a supply be kept at the Education 

 Office, and that the aid of the Director of the Toronto Observatory be sought, for 

 procuring them. 



2. My second proposal relates to the registration of rain, which, if it were 

 carried out on a sufficiently extensive scale, would furnish information very valu- 

 able for engineering purposes, as well as in a meteorological point of view. The 

 observations are of a very simple kind, requiring only the measurement by a 

 graduated glass of the number of cubic inches of rain received in the guage, and 

 its entry in the proper column of the register. The measurement is made but 

 once each day, and not necessarily at the same hour. The cost of furnishing each 

 station, including package and carriage, would not exceed $8 in the first instance, 

 with a subsequent annual cost, for postage and register papers, of $2. 



One class of persons particularly qualified, from the stationary nature of their 

 occupation, for keeping such records, are the light-house keepers on the Lakes 

 and the Upper and Lower St. Lawrence. As the light-houses are under the con- 

 trol of the Board of Works, the co-operation of that Department might be sought 

 for furthering this object. 



With respect to similar records at stations remote from the river, I am not 

 able to name any persons as a class whose services could be reckoned on, but I 

 conceive that many individuals might be found willing to take part in this work, 

 and to purchase the guages, &c., at the moderate cost above named, and that it 

 would be desirable to seek their aid by advertisement. 



The question how to meet the expense of furnishing guages to the light -houses 

 I leave to the consideration of the Institute. 



I have the honor to be, your obedient servant, 



G. T. KINGSTON", 



Director, 



E, A. Meredith, Esq., 



Corresponding Secretary, &Qr, &c., 

 Canadian Institute. 



