IX 



ing; so that nothing remains for printing and giving to the world the most 

 important of the materials contained in our collection of Irish MSS., 

 whilst at this moment there is an urgent demand by philologists in 

 every part of the world for the publication of such materials. We 

 therefore think that a special sum, to be spread over a certain number 

 of years, ought to be added to the Grant of £200 already allocated for 

 work on Irish Manuscripts. With such aid the Academy could print 

 the unique and invaluable vellum MSS., " Leabhar na h-Uidhre," 

 " Leabhar Leacan," "Leabhar Breac," and "Book of Ballymote," 

 &c, with literal English versions, various readings and indexes. The 

 Avork of preparing these publications could now be done in a satisfac- 

 tory manner ; whereas, if not at once proceeded with, in a few years 

 hence it might be impossible to find persons competent for the task, and 

 the MSS. would thus remain altogether sealed to Historians and Philo- 

 logists. 



To render the contents of the Academy's Library available to the 

 Public, it would consequently be requisite to make special allocations 

 for the following works, towards which nothing could be afforded from 

 the proposed £200 per annum under head No. 4 : — 



1. Catalogue of the Academy's Printed Books, Tracts, Broadsides, Miscellanea, En- 



gravings and Maps. 



2. Descriptive Catalogue of the Academy's MSS. in English, Latin, &c, and unpub- 



lished Maps and Drawings. 



3. Descriptive Catalogue of the Academy's MSS. in the Irish language. 



4. For publication of the Irish MSS. above mentioned. 



The printing of these works ought to be done, as in England and Scot- 

 land, through the instrumentality of the Stationery Office. 



SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHES. 



A regular system of Tidal and Meteorological Observations round the 

 entire coast of Ireland was instituted some years since by the Academy, 

 and continued lor more than twelve months. Yaluable results were thus 

 arrived at; but, notwithstanding large assistance from individual 

 Members, it was long impossible, from want of funds, to complete the 

 reduction of the observations, a work of great importance to Navigation, 

 as well as of the highest scientific interest.* A Magnetic Survey of Ire- 

 land was commenced under the auspices of the British Association, but 

 has never been completed ; one half has not been entered upon, and but 

 two elements out of three in the other half have been determined. It is 

 the opinion of the Scientific Members of the Council that it would be ex- 

 tremely desirable to institute a complete set of Meteorological Observa- 

 tions at inland stations. We understand that the Government have at 

 present under consideration some plan for a system of Meteorological 



* See Report on Scientific Institutions, Dublin ; Professor Jellett's Evidence, Ques- 

 tion 5437, &c. 



K. I. A. PROC.-— VOL. X. | 



