man upon any matter under their control, more especially when those views are in accordance with systems used in countries of advanced civilization, they are in accordance with systems used in countries of advanced civilization, they are bound to give effect to those views, in preference to any mere expedient, however practical, unless circumstances of a very exceptional character happen to justify its temporary adoption.

Art. XXVII.— On. Anemometry. By Charles Rous Marten, F.R.G.S., F.M.S., M.Sc. M.S. [Read before the Wellington Philosophical Society, February 24th, 1877.] 1. Anemometry— the science of measuring wind-force—is a branch of Meteorology which always has attracted much attention, and engaged much inventive ingenuity. The practical advantage, as well as the scientific interest attaching to a knowledge, first, of the actual dynamical force of the wind in severe gales, as experienced in the past, and therefore likely to be sustained in the future; and, second, of the comparative wind-force in different localities, have produced various methods of estimating and comparing that force. 2. Hence we observe a two-fold aim in Anemometry: first, to gauge the actual pressure of the wind on a given vertical plane area; second, to compare its average force as felt in various places. Thus, it is obvious that both accuracy and uniformity are essential. 3. Unfortunately the result of all the efforts in this direction up to the present time is so unsatisfactory that Anemometry would appear to be wholly indefinite and untrustworthy so far as any approach to scientific exactness is concerned. I regret to say that after many years' careful study and comparison of anemometrical observations, I have been unable to arrive at any other conclusion, than that the instruments and formulæ, now in use, not only fail to give an accurate register either of the pressure or the velocity of the wind, but also utterly lack the essential qualification of comparability. 4. The strength of the wind is measured chiefly by three methods: first, by estimating its relative force, either in words, such as “light,” “fresh,”