264 Royal Irish Academy. 



is engaged upon an interesting work on Irish High Crosses, which is 

 intended for a monograph to be published by the Academy. It is 

 probable, however, that some time will elapse before it will be 

 ready. 



In the department of Science we may notice the second expedi- 

 tion to Hockall, the cost of which was partly defrayed from the funds 

 at the disposal of the Academy, and which was organized and taken 

 part in by some of its members. They had a vessel placed at their 

 disposal by the Government for the purpose. It is to be regretted 

 that, though the expedition succeeded in collecting a good deal of in- 

 formation relative to the island, the state of the weather did not 

 allow them to effect a landing during the several days that the vessel 

 lay off it. The chances of this being possible on a future occasion do 

 not seem very great. 



Early in this year my attention was called to a probability that the 

 Magnetical Observatory at Valentia, or rather Caherciveen, might have 

 to be closed. The Academy has at various times voted sums towards 

 this Observatory : the temporary building was erected by them, but 

 the instruments were lent for a time by Trinity College, and the obser- 

 vations have been made gratis by the Observer of the Meteorological 

 Council. This arrangement obviously lacks the permanent character 

 which the importance of the geographical situation should command. 

 With the view of placing the Observatory on a more permanent 

 footing, it is proposed to purchase instruments to replace those now 

 on loan — '£100 to £120 will be required for this — and to raise such a 

 sum as will furnish £25 per annum as a salary for the Observer. It 

 is only the fortunate circumstance of there being on the spot a meteoro- 

 logical establishment under an intelligent and competent head that 

 renders such a scheme possible for so moderate an outlay. One would 

 think that the capital sum required to provide a permanent endowment 

 of £25 per annum — say £900 — should be easily raised in Ireland : that 

 Ireland might say. Let us do our share of the world's work in terres- 

 trial magnetism, by keeping so commanding a station as that of the 

 Yalentia Observatory in an efficient state. Though contributions come 

 in but slowly, I feel confident that somehow or other the required 

 funds will be found.^ The Academy, as a body, has already recog- 



^ Subscriptions will be gladly received by Professor Fitz Gerald, f.r.s., or 

 myself, towards tbis object. 



