ments are concerned, in Meteorology. The class of meteorological observations of most importance which require instrumental aid are essentially of some delicacy, and if not executed with a certain precision and nicety, had much better not be recorded at all. But in both these cases particular care has been taken to make the instructions for the use of the necessary instruments so plain and full, that no difficulty can be experienced by any one in acquiring from them, with a little practice, their perfect management.

The time apparently contemplated in the Memorandum for the completion and appearance of the work has been exceeded. The delay, however, has been inevitable. One only of the contributors was aware, until nearly a month subsequent to the date of that document, of what was required of him; and the various professional and scientific engagements of almost all, precluded the possibility of their complying on the instant with the request. The Editor in particular must plead guilty to having been the latest in the field. The subject of Meteorology, originally intended for a far more able hand, devolved upon him in consequence of the inability from illness, and supervening most pressing engagements, of the party in question to undertake it. His own hands were otherwise full; and he is but too conscious that, although written two or three times over, his contri

bution falls very far short indeed of what would have occupied its place had the original cast of the subject in this respect been carried out.*

One only of the chapters-that on Ethnology-has not received its final touches and corrections from the hand of its author. The eminent and gifted contributor of that chapter survived only to complete the MS. The correction of the press devolved on his son. Previous to his decease the Editor had received his authority for substituting, as an appendix, a somewhat more extended (though still confessedly incomplete) attempt of his own to facilitate the reduction to writing of foreign native languages, for a system which, on maturely weighing it, appeared liable to serious objections. The subject is confessedly difficult; and it would have been peculiarly gratifying to him to have been enabled to submit this attempt to Dr. Prichard for revision, and to have received more than the general sanction above alluded to for its substitution.

In more particular allusion to this chapter the Editor would observe, that though the sympiesometer, and that substitute for the portable barometer to which the name of "aneroid" has been given, are not mentioned among the standard and essential meteorological instruments whose continuous registry is recommended; yet they may be consulted with advantage, and frequent comparisons of the latter with the barometer would be very useful in determining how far its indications at distant times and in different circumstances can be relied on.

With the publication of this work the Editor's connexion with it ceases, beyond a general and earnest interest in its success in forwarding the objects proposed by it. Observations made in any of its departments, in pursuance of the recommendations contained in it, by officers in Her Majesty's service, if officially communicated in the proper quarter, will of course be dealt with officially. But as the work may, and probably will, fall into the hands of voyagers and travellers unconnected with the public service, it may be right to state, for the avoidance of possible misapprehension, that he cannot charge himself with the reception, examination, or discussion of any masses of observations they may accumulate.