Report of Observatory Committee. hi 



Numerous fixed observatories were established throughout the 

 civilized world, and were not reduced hi number until they had 

 accomplished the objects for which they were immediately intended. 

 One of these was established at Hobart Town, and the observations 

 made there contain all that is to be expected from constant observa- 

 tions in this region of the world, until the instrumental means of 

 observation shall have been made more nearly perfect than is at 

 present the case. 



Contemporaneously with the working of these fixed observatories, 

 magnetic surveys were made by sea and by land. 



As regards the importance of a magnetic survey, and the progress 

 already made in various parts of the world, we cannot better ex- 

 press ourselves than in the words of Major-General Sabine, hi an 

 article on terrestrial magnetism, written by him for the edition of 

 Johnstone's Physical Atlas, published hi 1856. He says: — 



" Originating hi recommendations from the British Association for 

 " the Advancement of Science . . . the observations required 

 "for the delineation of the three magnetic elements corresponding 

 " to the present epoch over the whole accessible surface of the globe, 

 " both on land and on the ocean, have received the assistance of our 

 u own and foreign governments in a measure which is second only 

 " to the aid afforded to Astronomical research." 

 And again : — 



" The first in chronological order of these undertakings was the 

 " Survey of the British Islands executed hi the years 1834-8." 

 " Similar surveys have been executed in the extensive Austrian 

 " States in the years 1846-54, by Mr. Kreil, and in and around Ba- 

 " varia in 1849-53 by Dr. Lamont. . . The Magnetic Survey 

 " of the British' Dominions in India by the MM. Schlagintweit, is 

 " now in progress, as is that of the United States of America by 

 " American observers under the superintendence of Dr. Bache. . . 

 " "We may expect that other States in which the physical sciences 

 " are held in esteem and cultivated will ere long follow these ex- 

 " amples, and that in proportion as the importance of obtaining a 

 " correct knowledge of the phenomena is recognised, provision will 

 " be made for a repetition of the observations from time to time"*. 



* The Committee here stated that they had heard by this mail that, as regards 

 magnetieal observations, instruments had been sent to the Consul at Mozambique, 

 that the Austiian Government had commissioned Dr. Hoohstatter to superintend 

 magnetieal observations during a scientific voyage, and that Dr. Hochstatter had 

 visited the Kew Observatory to receive instructions in the use of his instruments. 



That magnetieal instruments had been furnished to Dr. Baikie and Lieutenant 

 Glover for the expedition to Africa. 



That magnetieal instruments had been supplied to Lieut. Blakiston, R.A., for a 

 magnetic survey of British North America. 



That magnetieal instruments were supplied for the North Polar Expedition just 

 fitted out by Lady Franklin. 



And that a second magnetic survey of England and Scotland was being com- 

 menced by Sir J. C. Ross and Mr. Welsh respectively, a sufficient time having 

 elapsed since the previous survey in 1834-38. 



