Terrestrial Magnetism in France

Abstract

A DECREE of July 28, 1921, created an Institute of Geophysics attached to the Faculty of Science of the University of Paris, and the new institute has assigned to it the work in terrestrial magnetism previously entrusted to the Meteorological Service. There was established at the same time a Central Bureau of Terrestrial Magnetism for France and her colonies. The director of both bodies is the editor of the volume under notice, Prof. Ch. Maurain. He contributes an historical account of magnetic observations in France, and a study of disturbances due to electric traction. Recent magnetic history in France, as elsewhere, is mainly a tale of the devastating effects of electric traction. Pare St. Maur, which commenced its career as a magnetic observatory in 1883, had to be replaced in 1901 by Val Joyeux, and fears are now entertained for the future of Val Joyeux. There are already two electric lines in the district, one coming within 4400 metres, the other within 3000 metres of the observatory.