| Reference number | RR/5/205 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Referee's report by George Biddell Airy, on a paper 'On the degree of uncertainty which local attraction, if not allowed for, occasions in the map of a country, and in the mean figure of the Earth as determined by geodesy: a method of obtaining the mean figure free from ambiguity, from a comparison of the Anglo-Gallic, Russian, and Indian arcs: and speculations on the constitution of the Earth’s crust' by John Henry Pratt |
| Date | 8 April 1864 |
| Description | Recommended for publication in the 'Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society'. Has spent longer reviewing this paper than any previously, and with less satisfaction. Finds parts of the paper obscure. Thinks that this is a first draft of the manuscript, in which the author has become confused during writing. Wonders whether the methods used in the paper are better than those used by the Ordnance Survey. Sees no value in the paper. Suggests it may be more suited for the Philosophical Magazine, and wishes it had not been offered to the Royal Society. 'This is not the first time that I have entertained that wish, as regards the Archdeacon Pratt's [John Henry Pratt] papers'. Suggests that a second opinion be sought. Sends the manuscript to White [?].
Subject: Physics and Chemistry
[Published in the 'Proceedings of the Royal Society of London', 1864] |
| Extent | 6p |
| Format | Manuscript |
| Physical description | Letter on paper |
| Digital images | View item on Science in the Making |
| Access status | Open |
| Related material | DOI: 10.1098/rspl.1863.0009 Vol.13 1864 |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | Name | Dates |
| NA8035 | Airy; Sir; George Biddell (1801 - 1892); astronomer and mathematician | 1801 - 1892 |
| NA8010 | Pratt; John Henry (1809 - 1871) | 1809 - 1871 |