Report of the Kew Observatory Committee. 



103 



Marine Chronometers. — During the year, 61 chronometers have been 

 entered for the Kew A and B trials, of which 51 were certificated, 

 and 10 failed to pass. 



The new gas boiler for the watch oven has been very successful, 

 and the difficulty of regularly maintaining the temperature at about 

 90° F. has been greatly reduced, and a considerably higher tempera- 

 ture could be easily obtained. 



The improvements to the refrigerator mentioned in last year's 

 Report have also proved of considerable advantage. 



The mean time standard clock " French " has had new seconds 

 contact pieces, &c, fitted to it by Dent & Co., and has been fixed in 

 a new position in the South Hall, where the daily range of tempera- 

 ture is but small. 



VII. Miscellaneous. 



Paper. — Prepared photographic paper has been supplied to the 

 Observatories at Hong Kong, Lisbon, Mauritius, St. Petersburg, 

 Toronto, Oxford (Badclifte) , and Stonyhurst, and through the Meteo- 

 rological Office to Aberdeen, Batavia, Fort William, and Valencia. 



Anemograph and Sunshine Sheets have also been sent to Hong Kong 

 and Mauritius, b,ti& papier Saxe to Coimbra. 



Exhibition at Glasgow. — A selection of photographic curves from 

 the various self-recording instruments, along with photographs of 

 clouds and of sun spots, was shown during the summer at an exhibi 

 tion promoted by the Corporation of Glasgow. The exhibits have all 

 been safely returned. 



House, Grounds, and Paths. — These have been kept as usual 

 throughout the year. 



Pines' Pressure Tube Anemometer. — A self-recording' tube anemo- 

 meter belonging to the Meteorological Office was erected on the roof 

 early in December. Its vane is approximately at the same level as 

 the cups of the standard " Bobinson " Anemometer. 



Ships' Compasses. — The test applied to ships' compasses has been 

 revised and extended, with the kind assistance of Captain E. W. 

 Creak, B.N"., F.B.S., so as to bring it more into line with that 

 approved by the Admiralty ; and it is intended shortly to put the 

 new regulations into operation. With a view to doing so, an appa- 

 ratus has been obtained from Mr. A. W. Dover, similar to that em- 

 ployed at Deptford, for determining the accuracy of the compass 

 bowl and card and the strength of the magnets. 



Travellers' Azimuth Compasses. —Special experiments, approved by 

 Mr. Francis Galton, Chairman of the Committee, have been applied 

 to a variety of old and new compasses, submitted on behalf of the 



