Report of the Kew Committee. 



Report of the Kew Gommittee for the Year ending 

 October 31, 1878. 



The Kew Committee has had its strength increased during the past 

 year by the accession of two new members, Professor W. G. Adams 

 and Professor Gr. C. Foster, and is now constituted as follows : — 



General Sir E. Sabine, K.C.B., Chairman. 



Mr. De La Rue, Vice-Chairman. 

 Prof. W. G. Adams. 

 Capt. Evans, C.B. 

 Prof. Gl. C. Foster. 

 Mr. F. Gralton. 



Vice-Adm. Sir G. H. Richards, 

 K.C.B. 



The Earl of Rosse. 



Mr. R. H. Scott. 



Lieut. -General W. J. Smythe. 



Lieut. -General R, Strachey, 



C.S.I. 

 Mr. E. Walker. 



Magnetic Work. — The Magnetographs have been in constant operation 

 throughout the year, but only few magnetic disturbances have been 

 registered, the period being one of almost continued magnetic calm. 

 The most notable perturbation was that of May 15th. 



The scale values of all the instruments were re- determined in 

 January, in accordance with the usual practice. 



A slight alteration has been made in the cases enclosing the hori- 

 zontal and vertical force magnets; zinc cylinders with glass covers 

 being substituted for the glass shades lined with gold-leaf previously 

 employed, which were found to be very expensive to replace in case of 

 breakage. 



The tabulation of the magnetic curves has not been continued 

 during the year, the time of the department being very fully occupied 

 with the verification of magnetic instruments. 



The Committee have referred the whole subject of the reduction of 

 the accumulated magnetograph records to a Sub- Committee, with a 

 view of considering what steps shall be taken to utilize them to the 

 best advantage. 



The monthly observations with the absolute instruments have been 



