'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎53] (69/496)

liii
The Secretary stated that the whole of the despatches ordered by the Society
at last meeting had been sent off. In the original draft of letter to the Admiral
ty, there were some passages which were directed to be omitted : it having been at
the same time stated that as Dr Buist was in the habit of corresponding with Co
lonel Sabine on these subjects, there was no reason why he should not explain his
wishes unofficially and by private letters. This he had done, and as the letters*
though unauthorized by the Society, referred almost entirely to their affairs, he had
entered them in the letter-book for reference, writing across them in red ink a note
to the effect just stated. The Society intimated their entire approbation of the
proceeding. A letter was read from Mr. Mayes, containing some researches on
the relative force of the wind on Shum Shum and Seerah Island, as indicated by the
wind-gauges, from which it appeared that the gauge indicated a much less degree
of force at the upper point, 1,500 above the level of the sea, than at Seerah, 100 feet
above the level. Capt. Lynch stated that this apparent anomaly would in all likeli
hood be found due to local position,—the lower gauge being exposed to some par
ticular current, from which the upper one was exempt. In reference to enquiries
by Captain Lynch on the subject of the quality and position of the instruments
under Mr Mayes’s charge, it was announced that his barometer was by Adie; that
one of his Tide-Gauges was the same with those formerly examined by the Socie*
ty ; that his barometer was by the same maker. Beyond this the Society know
nothing of the instruments under his charge. He had however been requested to
furnish an exact statement of the number and kind of instruments he possessed—
with a description of the nature of their arrangement and position—the amount
and quality of the material in his possession, with copies of the instruments he had
at first and from time to time received : so that the Society might be able to judge
of the nature and value of their observations. The Wh’nd-Gauges in his possession
were believed to be self-registering, and similar to that by Ostler, in the Colaba
Observatory—so at least it was inferred from the schedules returned by him. The
request contained in his letter for a further supply of schedules had been complied
with immediately.
^ A further set of numbers of the Transactions of the Society was laid on the table
for distribution.
Captain Jenkins stated in the name of Mr Anderson, one of the Directors of the
Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, and who was then present,
that the Company were at all times most anxious to forward Hydrographical
and Geographical researches, and to assist those engaged in them ; and that they
would be most happy to frank any parcel for the service of the Society to any port
where their vessels visited.
The acknowledgments of the Society for so valuable an offer were directed to
be returned ; and the directors were desired to be included amongst the num
bers of those who received free copies of their Transactions. Mr Anderson kindly
offered to take charge personally of anything desired to be transmitted by next
mail, and was entrusted with a large packet accordingly.
The Secretary stated that he had before experienced the liberality of the Com
pany on those points : that he had had lately nearly a ton of specimens taken from