1836.] 



Meteorology : variations of the Barometer. 



361 



XII. — Suggestions for the more careful Begistry of Meteorological 

 Observations ; with a comparison of the Barometrical Results in 

 Madras and Calcutta, and considerations regarding the influence 

 of the wind on the Barometer.— By T. G. Taylor, Esq. H. E. 

 I. C. Astronomer. 



The last ten years (it is remarked), have proved rich in the produc- 

 tion of Meteorological Registers — such indeed is the case ; and, but for 

 one or two circumstances, the march of meteorology would have been 

 proportionally rapid. In talking of meteorological registries, it is ne- 

 cessary, however, to be a little particular —we must draw a broad line 

 of distinction between that register which is the mere denoter of wind 

 and weather — which, trusting to the name of Troughton or Doliond, to 

 give weight and accuracy to its results, leaves the rest to be guessed 

 at— I say, we must draw a broad line of distinction between such a 

 register, and one that is kept upon strict and scientific principles., 

 That a great many meteorological registers belong to the former class, 

 is a fact but too well known to those who have paid attention to, 

 and compared the results of, the many, which, from time to time, 

 have been published. In one we find 9 a. m., Noon, and 3 o'clock, 

 prefered as the times of observation ; in others the hours of 10 a. m„ 

 and 4 p. m. have a preference ; at others again, the hour of noon 

 alone is employed. But what is of far greater importance than this, is, 

 the want of evidence that almost every Meteorological Journal carries 

 with it of its character. When it is considered that the Royal Society 

 of Great Britain failed, during two years, to make a perfect barometer, 

 it will not be expected that the ordinary barometers that are supplied 

 to individuals should be always perfect — hence the urgent neces- 

 sity of comparing the barometer, in the first instance, with one of 

 acknowledged merits, and of stating, in every registry, that it 

 was compared on such day, with such a standard, and that the cor- 

 rection (amount to be stated) is necessary to reduce it to the Royal 

 Society's standard : if in addition to this, any further evidence of this 

 difference remaining unchanged can be adduced, so much the better— 

 the Journal will be \aluable to a proportionally greater amount. I am 

 induced to make these remarks in consequence of having lately been 

 occupied in comparing barometrical results : when, in India, I have 

 only met with two registers, which, from their extent as well as accu- 

 racy, are likely to lead to satisfactory conclusions. These are the jour- 

 nal kept at the Assay-Office, Calcutta, and that kept at the Madras 

 Observatory — these registers are made from instruments with which 

 every possible pains has been taken, and the results can with confi- 

 dence be relied upon. I was led to examine the barometrical obser- 

 vations of India, in consequence of certain results which have been 



