MaRrTEN.—Ón Anemometry. 293 
man upon any matter under their control, more especially when those views 
are in accordance with systems used in countries of advanced civilization, 
they are bound to give effect to those views, in preference to any mere 
expedient, however practical, unless circumstances of a very exceptional 
character happen to justify its temporary adoption. 
Art. XXVII.—On Anemometry. By Cartes Rous Marten, F.R.G.S., 
F.M.S., M.Se.M.S. 
[Read before the Wellington Philosophical Society, February 24th, 1877.] 
1. Anemometry—the science of measuring wind-force—is a branch of 
Meteorology which always has attracted much attention, and engaged much 
inventive ingenuity. The practical advantage, as well as the scientific 
interest attaching to a knowledge, first, of the actual dynamical force of the 
wind in severe gales, as experienced in the past, and therefore likely to be 
sustained in the future; and, second, of the comparative wind-force in 
different localities, have produced various methods of estimating and com- 
paring that force. 4 
2. Hence we observe a two-fold aim in Anemometry : first, to gauge the 
áctual pressure of the wind on a given vertical plane area; second, to com- 
pare its average force as felt in various places. Thus, it is obvious that 
both accuracy and uniformity are essential. 
8. Unfortunately the result of all the efforts in this direction up to the 
present time is so unsatisfactory that Anemometry would appear to be 
wholly indefinite and untrustworthy so far as any approach to scientific 
exactness is concerned. I regret to say that after many years’ careful study 
and comparison of anemometrical observations, I have been unable to 
arrive at any other conclusion, than that the instruments and formule, now 
in use, not only fail to give an accurate register either of the pressure or the 
velocity of the wind, but also utterly lack the essential qualification of com- 
parability. 
4, The strength of the wind is measured chiefly by three methods: first, 
by estimating its relative force, either in words, such as “light,” ** fresh," 
