132
2
without any
reference to this Observatory. However I am informed that this was due to an oversight. The fact that the wind in a typhoon blows from a direction 12 points distant from the bearing of the centre was first ascertained and proved here, but it will of course take some time before masters of vessels become familiar with this result, though its practical importance is being appreciated by degrees.
9. During the past typhoon season, in addition to those hitherto supplied, meteorological obser- vations were telegraphed twice a day from Macao through the cable of the Eastern Extension, Austra- lasia and China Telegraph Company and also from Tokio in Japan through the cable of the Great Northern Telegraph Company. An attempt was made to have them forwarded from Canton, Hoihow (Hainan) etc. through the Chinese telegraph lines, but although they were sent by order of the Chinese authorities as often as there was communication, the experiment was not invariably successful. Messages from Saigon and more information from the Philippines would be useful. It is a pity that while other countries in the Far East are being meteorologically explored, the Philippines remain scientifically almost a terra incognita.
10. As stated in the "Instructions for making Meteorological Observations, etc." meteorological instruments forwarded by observers, who regularly send their registers to this Observatory, are verified here free of cost. During the past year, the following number of instruments has been verified and certificates issued. Barometers: 1, Thermometers: 5, Anemometers: 1.
11. The index errors of barometers read off on board ship are determined whenever required by comparing readings made near this port with the barograms.
12. The number of transits observed during the past year was 232, and the inclination of the axis was determined 91 times. The tick of the sidereal standard clock is heard in the transit room through a telephone. A microphone is placed on top of the case and this is connected with the telephone through an induction coil. Telephones are also used for speaking to the Assistant in the ball-tower at Tsim-sha-tsui through the time wire. The wires in the transit instrument were illumi- nated by a small electric light. Electric testing apparatus are being procured from England.
13. The rate of the sidereal standard clock during upwards of two years has been investigated. The rate was represented by the following formula, where t means the number of days elapsed since the 12th September, 1885, and the temperature in degrees Fahrenheit:
T
R-0.56 0.00655t +0. 00000420 t° 0°. 063 (7-70°).
The details are published in Astr. Nachr. No. 2868 and also in 'The Observatory' for Septem- ber, 1888. The mean daily rates during ten day periods in 1888 are exhibited in the following table, where means gaining and + losing rate. The rates are represented by the following formula:
R— + 0.45-0.00261 t + 0.0000120ť - 0o.063 (7-70°)
where t is counted from the 28th June, 1888. It will be remarked that the acceleration of the clock- rate has decreased and should now cease according to the formula. The observed rate minus the computed rate is exhibited under the heading R.-R. The figures show certain fluctuations of rate of rather long period.
TABLE I.
Rate of Sidereal Standard Clock in 1888.
Period.
Temp.
Rate.
R2-Re
Period.
Temp.
Rate.
R.-R..
December 26– 5,......................
64.98
+1.41
January
5-15,.
66, 2
+1.28
-0.*23 July -0.20
3-13,......... 13-23,
83.°1
-0.38
+0.03
84. 0
-0.47
+0.01
>
15-25,..
66. 3
+1, 19
-0.20
"
23-2,
85. 6
-0.56
+0.04
25- 4,
64. 6
+1.41
-0.05
August
2-12,.
84. 6
-0.49
+0.07
February
4-14,
65. 1
+1.46
+0.10
12-22,..
81. 5
-0.45
-0.07
"
14-24,.
65. 7
+1.43
+0.17
כל
"
22- 1,...
83. 2
-0.43
+0.06
29
24-5,..
65. 9
+1.32
+0.12
September 1-11,
84. I
-0.48
+0.09
March
5-15,.
65. 9
+1.24 +0.09
39
11-21,.
82. 1
-0.39
+0.05
"
15-25,.
66. 2
39
25- 4.......
67. 6
April
4-14,..
69. 3
+1.15 +0.08 +0,99 +0.06 +0.84 +0.06
"9
21- 1,.
81. 0
-0.33
+0.04
October
1-11,.
78. 3
-0.22
-0.02
11-21,.
78.8
-0.21
+0.04
14-24,..
73. 8
+0.52
+0.07
21-31,
72. 8
+0.15
"
+0.03
24- 4,..
79. 2
+0.29
+0.21
31-10,.
75. 6
+0.12
+0.16
}
May
4-14,..
79.5
+0.28
+0.27
November 10-20,
73.2
+0.17
+0.05
"
14-24,...
80.2
+0.05 +0.12
19.
20-30,..
72.0
+0.26
+0.06
24- 3,..
80. 4
-0.17
June
3-18,.
80.0
-0.24
"
13-23,.
80. 8
-0.33
99
23- 3,..
82. 3
-0.37
-0.06 -0.11 -0.13 -0.04
30-10,
70.9
""
+0.28
-0.01
December 10-20,.
69. 4
+0.23
-0.16
20-30,.
65. 2
+0.48
-0.19