Published online by Cambridge University Press: 17 January 2013
A few years since I was engaged in the performance of some calculations under the direction of Professor W. Thomson of Glasgow, having reference to the observations of underground temperature made at the Royal Edinburgh Observatory. In this paper I propose to describe a modification of Professor Thomson's method, which, while retaining a sufficient degree of accuracy, will be simple enough for general adoption. The objects proposed are—
1st, To express the variations of temperature at a given depth in terms of the time of year.
2d, To deduce the conducting power of the soil.