44 REPORT — 1841. 



once or twice, who might not wish to continue such observations at stated 

 periods. Our universities and academies, and most of, if not all, our pro- 

 vincial institutions, would probably join in this object, and by appointing a 

 day sufficiently remote, many gentlemen who would thus engage in the work 

 Mould have an opportunity of communicating with their friends, and thus a 

 sufficient number of stations well scattered in different and suitable parts of 

 the country might be obtained. It appears, however, that in order effectually 

 to obtain the object in view, it would be desirable to modify in some degree 

 the observations as they have hitherto been conducted ; for, in order to obtain 

 the whole extent of oscillation at any station, it would be necessary to obtain 

 a complete depression and elevation of the barometric curve. Thus a time 

 would be iixed on for a simultaneous commencement of the observations at 

 all the stations, say 6 a.m. ; but the termination of the observations would 

 depend on the attainment of the elevation or depression of the curve, as the 

 case might be ; so that if the barometer was falling at the commencement of 

 the observations, they would terminate when the greatest altitude had been 

 obtained ; three or four hours' observation after this point had been observed, 

 would probably be sufficient to indicate the change in the character of the 

 curve. By thus conducting the observations the extent of oscillation at each 

 station would be distinctly obtained, as the lowest and highest points of the 

 barometer would have been observed. Perhaps you will have the kindness 

 to give this subject your consideration, and should it appear to you worth the 

 trouble, I shall be most happy to undertake the management of a correspond- 

 ence relative to it. " I have the honour to be, dear Sir, 



" Yours very respectfully, 



«W. R. BiRT." 



" Metropolitan Literaiy and Scientific Institution, July 14, 1841. 



" Dear Sir, — 1 have very carefully examined the curves obtained in the 

 British Isles, also those in Europe, and have embodied the results of this 

 examination in the accompanying notes and tables. 



" The striking difference between the atmospheric affections in the British 

 Isles and those of Europe, is highly interesting ; also the difference in the 

 lengths of the undulations observed at the European stations, the western 

 stations exhibiting the longest. On this point, however, I apprehend the ob- 

 servations are not sufficiently numerous to allow of the slightest conjecture 

 being entertained, with the exception that there might have existed several 

 centres of oscillation, the entire systems extending over comparatively small 

 areas, similar to those indicated by the American observations, I believe, of 

 September 1837. " 1 remain, dear Sir, yours very respectfully, 



"W. R. BiRT." 



Report of a Committee, consisting of Sir J. Herschel, Mr. Whe- 

 WELL, and Mr. Baii^y, for revising the Nomenclature of the Stars. 



As regards the collection of synonyms, the detection of errors originating in 

 mistakes of entry, copying, printing, or calculation, and their rectification, 

 and the restriction within their just boundaries of the existing constellations, 

 the work of your Committee has been progressive. Owing, however, to the 

 unfortunate accident which has recently befallen one of its members, by 

 whom this department of the work had been especially taken in hand, no 

 precise report at this time can be made of the progress made. 



As regards the revision and redistribution of the southern constellations, a 

 catalogue has in the first place been prepared of all stars within the circle of 



