80 Address. [Feb., 



human life. This storm is remarkable as Laving furnished a lower 

 reading of the barometer than has been recorded previously in any part 

 of the world at the sea-level. An important contribution to the meteoro- 

 logy of the Indian seas has recently issued, in the shape of a set of 

 monthly weather charts of the Bay of Bengal, drawn up by Mr. Dallas 

 from the data furnished by the London Meteorological Office. These 

 charts represent the wind directions and force prevailing on the Bay of 

 Bengal and the equatorial sea, also the average readings of the baro- 

 meter, the frequency of gales and the recorded marine currents, and 

 will, it is believed, be of much use to ship commanders, more especially 

 of sailing vessels, in shaping their course between Bengal and 

 the equator. Similar charts are under preparation for the Arabian 

 sea. 



In connection with these seas and their navigation, I would say a 

 word or two on a matter of much practical importance in regard to the 

 useful application of the knowledge that we possess. As your representa- 

 tive I am far too deeply impressed with the great merits of our former 

 member Mr. Piddington, distinguished not only as a botanist, but more 

 especially as a worker in this field, to appear to say anything that might 

 seem to depreciate his work. Its value and merit have gained universal 

 recognition, and in its main features it is unassailable. But science is 

 progressive, and it would be very strange did the work of a generation 

 of labourers add nothing to our knowledge. It was the idea of Mr. 

 Piddington that the movement of the wind in storms is in circles or 

 locally and apparently tangential to a circle, and on this idea was based 

 his practical rules for the guidance of shipmasters. This idea is now 

 shown by universal experience to be incorrect, and to be at least only a 

 rough approximation to the fact. The wind it is now amply proved 

 always moves in spirals. But Piddington's rules are still the accepted 

 guides of seamen and are still taught authoritatively notwithstanding 

 that, as Mr. Meldrum has shewn, their observance not infrequently 

 leads to disaster. It is much to be desired that steps should be taken 

 by some recognized authority to prepare a simple and popular manual 

 on the subject, based on the sounder knowledge which modern science 

 has acquired. And, indeed, such a work is also needed for the meteoro- 

 logy of the land to enable the lay public to understand and intelligently 

 appreciate the mass of meteorological literature which the Government 

 Gazettes and the entire press, weekly or daily, so lavishly place before 

 us. We want something more popular than the very valuable ' Vade- 

 mecum ' of Mr. Blanford, not a scientific investigation of principles, but 

 a brief, clear, and comprehensive explanation of the observations ordi- 

 narily made, their objects, uses, and mode of application. 



