may be spectroscopically determined.—­A new pressure-plate with springs has been applied by Mr Browning to Osler’s Anemometer, and it is proposed to make such modification as will give a scale extending to 50 lbs. pressure on the square foot.  Other parts of the instrument have also been renewed.—­As regards the reduction of the magnetical results since 1863:  In the study of the forms of the individual curves; their relations to the hour, the month, the year; their connection with solar or meteorological facts; the conjectural physico-mechanical causes by which they are produced; there is much to occupy the mind.  I regret that, though in contemplation of these curves I have remarked some singular (but imperfect) laws, I have not been able to pursue them.—­The mean temperature of the year 1879 was 46.1 deg., being 3.3 deg. below the average of the preceding 38 years.  The highest temperature was 80.6 deg. on July 30, and the lowest 13.7 deg. on Dec. 7.  The mean temperature was below the average in every month of the year; the months of greatest deviation being January and December, respectively 6.8 deg. and 7.6 deg. below the average; the months of April, May, July, and November were each between 4 deg. and 5 deg. below the average.  The number of hours of bright sunshine, recorded with Campbell’s Sunshine Instrument, during 1879, was only 983.—­In the summer of 1879 Commander Green, U.S.N., came over to this country for the purpose of determining telegraphically the longitude of Lisbon, as part of a chain of longitudes extending from South America to Greenwich.  A successful interchange of signals was made with Commander Green between Greenwich and Porthcurno on four nights, 1879, June 25 to 29.  The results communicated by Commander Green shew that the longitude of Lisbon Observatory, as adopted in the Nautical Almanac, requires the large correction of +8.54".—­With regard to the coming Transit of Venus in 1882:  From the facility with which the requirements for geographical position are satisfied, and from the rapid and accurate communication of time now given by electric telegraph, the observation of this Transit will be comparatively easy and inexpensive.  I have attached greater importance than I did formerly to the elevation of the Sun....  I remark that it is highly desirable that steps be taken now for determining by telegraph the longitude of some point of Australia.  I have stated as the general opinion that it will be useless to repeat photographic observations.  —­In April Mr Barlow called, in reference to the Enquiry on the Tay Bridge Disaster. (The Bridge had been blown down on Dec. 28th, 1879.) I prepared a memorandum on the subject for the Tay Bridge Commission, and gave evidence in a Committee Room of the House of Lords on Apr. 29th.” (Much of the Astronomer Royal’s evidence on this occasion had reference to the opinions which he had expressed concerning the wind-pressure which might be expected on the projected Forth Bridge, in 1873.)—­In May Airy was