FITZ-ROY WEATHER FORECASTS. 
265 
( = N. by E. to E. by S.) to keep the figures in their places. 
The scale for force of wind (F) is 1 to 12. The character of 
the weather is represented by a scale of figures from 1 to 9 as 
follows : — 
Thus, if we suppose the extreme direction of the wind 
since the last report to be S. the extreme force to be 8, and the 
general character of the weather gloomy and overcast, the tele- 
graphic group will be 16086. 
In the fifth group the first two figures show the reading of the 
exposed thermometer, (E) the third figure is difference above 
the damp one (wet bulb ; D) and the two last figures the true 
direction of the wind. Thus, if the dry bulb be 58° and the 
wet one 52° . (difference = 5°) and the wind W., the group of 
figures for telegraphing will be 58524. 
In the sixth and last group the first two figures belong to the 
estimated fforce of the wind (F) from 1 to 12, 1 standing for a 
faint breeze, and 12 for a hurricane, a cypher preceding one-figure 
quantities ; the third figure is devoted to the amount of cloud 
(C) from 1 to 9, 1 standing for a few clouds, and 9 for sky wholly 
overcast. The fourth figure gives the character of the weather 
according to the notation above, and the fifth figure the condition 
of the sea (S), also from 1 to 9. Thus, if the wind is blowing 
moderately, and the sky be very cloudy, the weather fine and 
the sea rough, the telegraph word will be 04217. 
*This system of reporting by telegraph the state of the weather 
at various widely separated stations, first set afoot by Admiral 
Fitz-Roy, has been maintained up to the present time, but its 
auxiliary, the digesting of this telegraphic news, and evolving 
from it some general conclusions as to the w T eather probably 
imminent, was summarily stopped by superior authority on the 
Admiral’s death : a triumph which I trust is only temporary 
was given to the party, who looked upon him as a meteorological 
poacher, and who unceasingly sought to run him down ; but all 
practical men who had watched with pleasure the progressively 
improving value of the forecasts, and especially those whose 
interests were most connected with the mercantile marine, 
learnt with great regret the decision of the (late) government, 
and increasing efforts have been made to procure its re- 
versal, but hitherto (May 1867) without success. The govern- 
ment it must be admitted did not give the Forecast system an 
unqualified quietus: they appointed a committee of scientific 
men to enquire into the whole administration of the meteoro- 
1. Fine, clear. 
2. Cloudy. 
3. Fog. 
4. Lighting. 
5. Misty, hazy, obscure. 
6. Gloomy, dart, overcast. 
7. Rain. 
8. Snow. 
9. Thunder. 
