'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎56] (72/496)

their scheme required simultaneousness of observations,—as the Society could not
have more than two out of the ten observatories proposed to be established in
operation in 1849,—as they had already one year of Aden observations preparing
for publication, and as it would be requisite to have observations at Aden for 1850
at all events,—three years’ continuous observations did not seem requisite,—so that
Mr. Mayes might in 1849 be engaged in the arrangement of other observatories.
The Chairman stated that he did not suppose any difficulty which could not bo
surmounted on the spot would be found in the establishment of local observatories,
and the withdrawal of Mr. Mayes seemed, by breaking up for a time the whole of
his establishment, and interrupting his exertions, likely to occasion more trouble
than advantage. The meeting seemed to concur with the Chairman, and the Se
cretary stated that he had merely brought forward the subject for consideration,
and would now, therefore, beg leave to withdraw the proposition altogether.
Leave granted.
In reference to the Manual proposed to be published by the Society, it was
stated that the cost of printing would be about Rs. 200. The Manual would be
chiefly a compilation from such works as Simms’ treatise on Instruments,—Le la
Beche’s hints to Geologists how to observe,—Jackson’s what to observe,—&c. &c. ;
with the Pressure tables of Calcutta, Madras, and Bombay, to which reference
might be made in measuring altitudes. At present the barometer was assumed to
stand constantly at 30 inches on the seashore, and on this assumption observations
were computed. This was not only wide of fact for the mean of the whole year,
but each particular month had its own range and mean pressure, and each hour of
the day had its peculiar pressure. An observation made in the afternoon at the
minimum of depression, under the impression that the Barometer stood as it did in
the forenoon, would be at least 150 feet out. So uniform were these variations,
however, that on placing the Curves for 1843 and 1844 on the same diagram, they
very nearly coincided ; and had the storms and other irregularities been struck
out, they would most likely have done so altogether. So close were the coinci
dences at all times, that it seemed unlikely the publication of the ob
servations in extenso would be required, and that they would confine their atten
tion to the irregularities and anomalies. The tables of pressure for one year might
thus, therefore, unless in cases of actual tempest, be referred to any other year
with a very close approximation to correctness. These matters being acquiesced
in, and the gross expense of publication for 300 copies having been stated at Rs.
200, of which probably a very considerable number would be sold, the publication
was agreed to.
Captain Del Hoste stated in his letter that his establishment was too limited, and
his own hands too full of work, to allow him to undertake observations at Viziadroog
or Phoonda Ghaut.—A letter from Corporal Leach, of H. M.’s 22d foot, with a
letter from the Astronomer Royal—Mr. Airie,—were laid before the Society. Mr.
Leach had acquired considerable experience in making observations at Aden, and
seemed a steady, intelligent, respectable man: he offered his services to the Society
as an observer, provided leave could be obtained for him. The Secretary was direct
ed to ascertain the terms on which Mr. Leach was willing to serve, with all other
particulars ; if these were found satisfactory, Government were to be addressed