98 



made fast to the solid rock. The zero of the tide-gauge is 31 -88 

 feet below the bench-mark at the foot of the flag-staff. 



The meteorological instruments are placed in the guard-house, 

 close to the tide-gauge. The cistern of the barometer is 7 - feet 

 below the bench-mark. The diameter of the tube is 0*26 of an inch. 

 The time at this station is found by means of a brass gnomon, 

 placed on the sill of the guard-house window, and a dipleidoscope 

 belonging to the officer in command of the station. 



In addition to the foregoing stations organized by the Academy, 

 meteorological observations are also taken, on the plan laid down by 

 the Council, at the Magnetical Observatory, Trinity College, Dublin ; 

 at the Observatory of Armagh, under the direction of Dr. Eobinson ; 

 at the Observatory of Markree, under the direction of Edward J. 

 Cooper, Esq. ; at the Queen's Colleges of Belfast and Galway ; at 

 Portarlington, by Dr. Hanlon ; and at Athy, by Alfred Haughton, 

 Esq. There are thus, in all, eighteen meteorological, and twelve 

 tidal stations, co-operating in the plan of the Academy. 



It remains to say a few words of the financial position of this 

 important undertaking. 



The sum of £225 has been voted by the Academy, in two se- 

 parate grants, for the purchase and erection of the instruments. 

 This sum has been expended ; and a detailed account of the ex- 

 penditure is herewith laid before the Council.* Other sources of 

 expenditure, not originally contemplated, have, however, arisen. 

 The duties of the men employed in the tidal observations being 

 very onerous, the Committee deem it important that they should be 

 enabled to offer a moderate pecuniary reward to those observers 

 who shall discharge them faithfully. In addition to this, other 

 contingent expenses have been incurred, arising from accidental in- 

 juries to the instruments, and other causes. 



To defray these additional expenses, a further sum of about £200 

 will be required ; and, as the financial resources of the Academy 

 are not such as to afford so large an outlay, it is proposed to raise 

 it by subscription. A circular has accordingly been prepared, and 

 is now in course of circulation, inviting the friends of science in 

 he Academy, and in the country generally, to contribute, and thus 



* See Appendix, No. I. 



