Page:The journal of the Royal Geographic Society of London. Volume 34, 1864. (IA s572id13663720).pdf/21

Rh Since the last Anniversary, with a view to make the Instruments more accessible to travellers, a room has been set apart and the Instruments properly arranged, upon the recommendation of the Vice-President, Admiral R. Collinson. The list is on the table, and will be published with the Catalogues. Further arrangements are in contemplation for making the Collection more generally available and useful to all classes.

The Collection has been made by the donations of Members, and those articles that require repair will first be put into an efficient state, then being available for beginners to learn their use. The Instruments purchased by the Society are mostly lent to travellers, who still retain possession of them. (See page cv.)

Several of the London makers of Instruments are understood to be quite willing to deposit specimens of Instruments, after they have been verified at Kew Observatory as to completeness, thereby enabling the Council to carry out the 3rd Article of Regulations, as proposed at the formation of the Society, viz.—“To procure specimens of such Instruments as experience has shown to be most useful, and best adapted to the compendious stock of a traveller, by consulting which he may make himself familiar with their use.” (See Vol. 1, page vi.)

In the Instrument-Room the additional supplies may be arranged in three or four sets to suit the requirements of the traveller (the prices being attached), and in cases with slings, ready for field use: a great convenience to those about to travel, and who, being limited as to time, would thereby save expense, and ensure for themselves good instruments instead of the indifferent ones they have now hurriedly to pick up where best they can.

Travellers, after using these instruments, may also be called upon to report on them and suggest improvements.

The preparation and completion of diagrams illustrating the use of Instruments and the laws of reflection, will be kept in view and the diagrams when constructed will be hung round the room.

Grants to Travellers.—The sum of 50l. was sent to M. Rohlfs Gerard on the 10th February, 1864, to assist him in his projected journey from Morocco towards Timbuctoo; and the Council have at present a proposal under the consideration of Government for the exploration of the Nile from Egypt, for which a sum of 1000l. will be made available.