Measuring glasses, for rain gauge evaporator

These are the measuring glasses used to gauge the amount of moisture which had evaporated from the gimballed evaporator rain gauge, designed by W. G. Black (died 1909). This example is of a type used on the 'Scotia' during the Scottish National Antarctic expedition of 1902-4.

The evaporator (not shown here) is filled with between one and two inches of water, covered by a louvre to keep out rain and birds, but free to allow diffusion of water vapour and wind. The amount of water within is measured each day, in these glass measures, and compared with the contents of a rain gauge of similar diameter (not shown here). The temperature of the surrounding water and air is also taken.

Surgeon Major William Galt Black studied at the University of Edinburgh before joining the Army medical service. His frequent voyages all over the Empire turned his attention to meteorology, particularly to making observations at sea, for which he improved a number of specialised instruments. Some of these were used on the 'Scotia' expedition.

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