Meteorological Observations at Sea. 89 



be considered as the minimum of what is expected of them. 

 This condition, which it may be as well to state here, requires 

 that at least the position of the vessel and the set of the cur- 

 rent, the height of the barometer, the temperature of the air 

 and water, should each be determined once a-day, the force 

 and direction of the wind three times a-day, and the observed 

 variation of the needle occasionally. 



" Every abstract log kept by a merchant vessel should con- 

 tain at least what is here recommended. Anything more 

 would enhance its value and make it more acceptable. 



" The remaining columns are intended principally for men- 

 of-war to fill up in addition to those above mentioned, but it 

 is believed that there are many officers in the mercantile navy 

 also who are competent to this undertaking, and who will, it 

 is hoped, be found willing to distinguish themselves in this 

 joint action for the mutual benefit of the services. 



" In the compilation of this form the conference has had 

 carefully in view the customs of the service and the addi- 

 tional amount of attention which these duties will require, 

 and it is believed that the labour necessary for the purpose, 

 at least to the extentspecified in the instructions for filling 

 up the columns, is only such as can be well performed under 

 ordinary circumstances, and it has considered it a minimum, 

 and looks w r ith confidence to occasional enlarged contribu- 

 tions from zealous and intelligent labourers in the great cause 

 of science. 



" The directions for filling up the columns, and for making 

 certain observations, it will be seen by the minutes, were 

 limited to such only as seemed necessary to the conference 

 to insure uniformity of observation. This subject received 

 the benefit of much discussion before the meeting, and it was 

 considered most advisable to confine the matter to hints, 

 which it is hoped will be found sufficient, when embodied in 

 the instructions which each nation will probably issue with 

 the forms, to insure that most desirable end — uniformity. 



" The conference, having brought to a close its labours with 

 respect to the facts to be collected and the means to be em- 

 ployed for that purpose, has now only to express a hope that 

 whatever observations may be made, will be turned to useful 



