Abstract
THE British Association has recently received on loan from the Royal Society the barometer used by Charles Darwin during the voyage of the Beagle, and it is now exhibited among the other relics of Darwin in Down House, his home in Kent, now in the custody pf the Association. The barometer, made originally by the firm of Newton, has been restored by Messrs. Negretti and Zambra with the advice of the Meteorological Office, the scales have been re-engraved, and it is now in working order as Darwin had it. The instrument is of the straight type, contained in a wooden case three feet long, with a thermometer near the base. The barometer scale reads down to 18.2 in., so it was suitable for use up to fairly high altitudes, and Darwin is known to have carried it when ashore during the voyage. A double mercury cistern and locking arrangement is provided to allow of carrying the instrument without disturbance.
Article PDF
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Darwin's Barometer. Nature 131, 464 (1933). https://doi.org/10.1038/131464b0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/131464b0