263 



respects the observations are very satisfactory. On the whole, a 

 very complete body of results has been obtained with instruments 

 carefully compared, and according to one uniform system ; and 

 there is every reason to believe that it will prove a valuable contri- 

 bution to the physical geography of Ireland. 



The Committee deeming it desirable that the Meteorological Ob- 

 servations should not be discontinued, an application was recently 

 made, on their suggestion, by the Council to the Ballast Board, re- 

 questing that such observations should be made at certain of the 

 light-houses, in addition to those at which observations were taken 

 since the commencement of 1851. This application has been most 

 favourably received by the Ballast Board ; and there is every reason 

 to hope that arrangements will shortly be made by that body for a 

 permanent system of Meteorological Observations upon the plan 

 laid down by the Academ}'. 



As respects the expenses of the undertaking, the Committee are 

 happy to be able to state that they have not exceeded the sum placed 

 at their disposal by the Academy and by private subscription. The 

 grant of the Academy, for the purchase and erection of the instru- 

 ments, amounted to £225. Of this sum, £224 18s. 8 d. was expended 

 for that purpose ; and the cost of printing, stationery, and other 

 contingencies, amounted to £50 6s. 4d., making a total sum of 

 £275 5s. paid by the Academy. The subscriptions (which were 

 contributed to enable the Committee to offer gratuities to the men 

 engaged in the laborious service of the Tidal Observations, and 

 to defray sundry other incidental expenses) amounted to £126, of 

 which sum £117 10s. 6d. has been expended, leaving a small ba- 

 lance in hand. The total expenditure thus amounts to £392 15s. 6d., 

 a detailed account of which is presented herewith.* 



The Committee cannot close their Report without bearing testi- 

 mony to the care, fidelity, and skill displayed by the men connected 

 with the Coast Guard Service to whom the observations were in- 

 trusted by the inspecting officers. They are reluctant to name in- 

 dividuals where all were deserving. But they cannot refrain from 

 noticing specially the services of Mr. James Davis, chief boatman 



* See Appendix, No. III. 



