To the Editor of the Dean Sin,—By a very reliable source I am informed that the distinguished Director of the Magnetic and Meteorolugical Obsorvatory at Sicawei has good reasons to suppose, after a careful study of the typhoon of the 3ist July, that the Uhinese typhoons, like the cyclones of the Bay of Bengal, do not have their contre eight points to the right from the direction of the wind (the face turned against the latter), as is yen-erally supposed, but 9-10 points.
It is most important for navigators to know whether this suspicion is founded on fact, so as to avoid, if possible, getting near the dangerous vicinity of the storm's centre 5 but to establish firmly and beyond doubt the correctness of the Reverend Father supposition, much material in the shape of reliable observation is required yet; and perhaps this hint only is needed to induce commanders of vessels and others to contribute their share towards such useful investigations.
Send observations of the barometer and thermometer, force and direction of wind, mention where the observations have been taken (latitude and longitude, how much above the level of the sea, ete.), what instruments have been used (Aneroid or Mercurial); whether thermometer is attached to the barometer, and what correct tions, if any, are to be applied, with general description of weather, ete.
The writer of these lines happens to know that the zealous Director of the Sicawei Obserratory has written to several official and private persons, to ask for such necessary information that may enable him to carry'on his laudable studies, which certainly are of the utmost consequence to the careful and prudent navigator; (for careless or indolent people of course they are a mat-for of perfect indifference.) 'The best plan to supply Director Dechevrons with the much wanted observations would be for the Shanghai Shipmasters' Association to kindly take the matter in hand, and ce-operate with an institution in the vicinity of Shanghai, of which the very able President
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.