History of the Kew Observatory. 



59 



used in India. The observations were made by Mr. Loewy, and the 

 results communicated to the Royal Society. 



In the same year it is reported that — (1) the solar spectrum was being 

 mapped by the spectroscope belonging to the Chairman (Mr. Gassiot), 

 and at his expense. All the measurements between D and E had been 

 made and completely verified, and a map of this region in accordance 

 with these constructed ; the investigation was continued until 1866, at 

 which time about three-fourths of the region between E and E had 

 been mapped. And (2) that Hofrath Schwabe, of Dessau, had very 

 generously placed his valuable and extensive series of sun-pictures 

 at the disposal of the Royal Astronomical Society for the immediate 

 use of the Kew Observatory. The enumeration of spots on the 

 principle followed by Herr Schwabe was then commenced and has 

 been continued up to the present time. 



1865 also witnessed the commencement of an investigation, which 

 was continued at intervals for several years, but which cannot be said 

 to have led to definite results as yet. It is thus introduced : — 



"At the joint suggestion of Professor Tait, of Edinburgh, and the 

 Superintendent, an ingenious apparatus has been constructed by Mr. 

 Beckley, by means of which a disk can be made to revolve in vacuo 

 with great velocity ; and a short description of some experiments 

 performed by means of this instrument, with a view of ascertaining 

 whether visible as well as molecular motion is dissipated by a medium 

 pervading space, has been communicated to the Royal Society by the 

 Superintendent in conjunction with Professor Tait." 



In 1866 the completion of the Kew Photographic thermograph by 

 Mr. Beckley is announced, and in the same year the General Com- 

 mittee of the British Association adopted the followiug resolution : — 



" That the Kew Committee be authorized to discuss and make 

 the necessary arrangements with the Board of Trade, should 

 any proposal be made respecting the superintendence, reduction, 

 and publication of meteorological observations, in accordance 

 with the recommendations of the Report of the Committee 

 appointed to consider certain questions relating to the Meteoro- 

 logical Department of the Board of Trade." 



This resolution initiated the close relationship between the Kew 

 Observatory and the Meteorological Office, of which the reorganiza- 

 tion was then in contemplation : a relationship which has materially 

 modified the course of operations at Kew Observatory in subsequent 

 years. 



In 1866 the first set of results obtained from the heliograph were 

 published at the expense of Mr. de la Rue under the following title, 

 " Researches on Solar Physics," by Messrs. Warren de la Rue, B. 

 Stewart, and B. Loewy; first series, " On the Nature of Sun-spots." 



