306 . Meteorological Tables. 
conducted by it to the same general conclusion, viz., that, 
in order to obtain a sufficient foundation of facts upon which 
to raise a fitting superstructure of inductive reasoning, it 
would be necessary to organize a system of co-operative 
research in which the labours of many might be united, 
agreeably to concerted arrangements; and that as such 
researches would require to be carried on nearly at the 
same epoch at many distant parts of the globe, for which 
private resources were inadequate, public assistance must be 
sought. 
“ That this conclusion was extensively recognized and 
acquiesced in, is sufficiently attested by the readiness so 
generally manifested by governments and individuals, (in all 
countries where mental cultivation is regarded), to take part 
in the general system of magnetic co-operation proposed by 
this country in 1838. In the years which have since elapsed, 
the energy and zeal of those who have engaged in these re- 
searches have accumulated amass of observations which, as 
the fruits of systematic and concerted labour, is, I believe, 
wholly unprecedented. 'The labour of digesting, comparing, 
and co-ordinating the body of facts thus obtained may 
certainly be stated to be mo¢ /ess than that expended in 
obtaining them; and as one process must necessarily be 
in great measure carried on subsequently to the other, 
we are now only beginning to reap the first fruits of this 
great co-operative undertaking in its results upon theory. 
The co-ordination and mutual connexion of so large a 
mass of materials is necessarily a work of time, but is 
progressing steadily towards completion; and, when pre- 
sented in one connected view, will form the ground- 
work on which will securely rest a general theory of ter- 
restrial magnetism corresponding to the present epoch. 
Until these combinations and calculations are performed, 
