26 Mr. Hoivard, An Investigation into the Isoharic [April, 



and fell with a north-west wind. This would of course be the case if 

 the atmospheric waves travelled from S.W. to N.E., and as the great 

 European waves travel from N.W. to S.E., I naturally supposed that 

 the reverse would be the case here, and moreover my friend's asser- 

 tion went to prove it. 



But upon actually observing these phenomena myself, I was very 

 much surprised to find the reverse the case. 



Continuing my observations, I further discovered that the barometer 

 very often fell, rose, and then fell again, the wind blowing from 

 some point of south all the time, after which a north wind would 

 set in, and the barometer begin slowly to rise. By this it was evident 

 that the waves passed over us from north to south, and that cyclonic 

 disturbances were passing us from north to east. 



Again, and especially during the winter months, the barometer 

 would fall with a northerly wind, which, chopping to the west, 

 generally brought rain and a rising barometer, the wind ultimately 

 going round to the S.W. These were evidently cyclones passing by 

 the south of the Cape to the eastward. 



It wasEot until the beginning of last year that I began a serious 

 investigation of the storms of South Africa, at which time a daily 

 report began to be issued by the Meteorological Commission from ten 

 stations, principally on the coast, and from these I essayed the for- 

 mation of synoptic charts, with a success beyond my expectations. 



This year, through the kindness of Mr. Fry, the Secretary to the 

 Meteorological Commission, I have obtained access to the up-country 

 registers for January, and having reduced them to an approximate 

 sea level, liave plotted for each day on the series of charts marked A 

 (and which I have lent to illustrate the paper) the differences whether 

 for rise or fall between the reading on that day and that of the day 

 before. Each station I have indicated by a small open circle, and 

 where the barometer was either rising or falling I have shown this 

 by a small red or black dot, the red meaning a rise and the black a 

 fall. When the extreme limit on either side has been reached, the 

 circle is entirely filled in with the indicating colour. Besides this I 

 have plotted on the direction and force of the winds. By glancing at 

 this series of charts it can be seen in a moment where the barometer 

 is lo^\•est and where highest, where rising and where falling. More- 

 over by following the directions of the wind it is possible to define 

 where the areas of low or high pressure are situated. 



The series of charts marked B (also lent to illustrate this paper) 

 shew the utility of synoptic charts, and the fact that it is possible to 

 prepare them if we can secure proper stations properly equipped. I 

 am of opinion that it will be through the medium of synoptic charts, 

 and by them alone, that the true data of South African storms will be 

 arrived at, and the sooner some good stations are founded the better 

 for our meteorology. 



With these preliminary remarks I will proceed with my paper. 



Before devoting my time to the study of South African meteorology, 

 I made myself thoroughly acquainted with that of the Northern 

 Hemisphere, because there are many things which are applicable to all 

 places, such as the formation of cyclones in the permanent areas of low 

 pressure ; and that part of the world (that is, from Europe to America,) 

 is so favourably situated for investigation, and has had such an 

 amount of study devoted to it by the very best men of the day. 



