a—ia.

40

precedes a large increase in both easterly and horizontal force, which attain a maximum at the same time, and thereafter rapidly diminish. HF, 26th and 27th August : These exhibit, like the December curves for the 3rd and 4th March above, the occurrence of similar large but short disturbances on comparatively calm successive days, at the same hour, and due to solar influence. It would be instructive to compare these periods Avith the same periods on the magnetograms obtained in the hemisphere illuminated at the time. JI V, 27th and 28th October, 29th and 30th October : These comprise a long stormy period, with two portions of remarkably large amplitude. They may be especially valuable for comparison with the corresponding magnetograms obtained at other observatories. Magnetic Survey. Work upon the discussion of the data obtained is proceeding, and all available older observations made in past years by the Admiralty are being considered with a view to determining the variation of secular change in these regions. In this connection it should be mentioned that next November the Carnegie special ocean magnetic surveying-vessel of the Department of Terrestrial Magnetism of the Carnegie Institution of Washington will visit Lyttelton, and afterwards engage in a south complete circumpolar observational cruise. I should especially like to have the Amberley sub-station equipped sufficiently to regularly operate during this cruise, and to enable the necessary observations for the standardization of their instruments to be done there. Their sea instruments are of new types, and capable of much greater accuracy than the older instruments used, and their observations will be of especial value in correcting the magnetic, variation given upon the charts of these southern seas. It certainly would be of considerable advantage for the ship's observers to be able to carry out standardization in a place beyond the influence of stray earth-currents. A small grant of £200 would be well spent in achieving this end, and enable us to co-operate much more successfully with their work. It would bo of great advantage if a free railway pass between Christchurch and Amberley were issued to the Director of this observatory. Antarctic. Permission was kindly given by the Under-Secretary for the use of the integrating curve-measur-ing machine here in the work of measuring up the splendid series of magnetograms obtained by the Australian Antarctic Expedition in Adelic Land. As Mr. Webb, the magnetic observer to the Expedition, could not afford time enough, to do the actual measurement himself, a lady assistant was procured at the expense of the Expedition, and the work of measurement is hoav far advanced. Mr. Webb, it should be stated, is himself spending his spare time in computations necessary in connection with the final evaluation of the results of the measurement. Henry F. Skey, B.Sc, Director, Magnetic Observatory, Christchurch.