The volume falls roughly into two sections:

(i) Experiments in and notes on Thermography, a subject in which Campbell became increasingly interested towards the end of his life.

As a result of his experiments with the sun`s rays, he published several pamphlets, two of which are included in this volume:

‘Time Scales Horizontal and Vertical’ (folio 169) and “Campbell`s Registering Sun-Dial” (folio 152). There are also notes, diagrams and cuttings relating to other subjects, particularly meteorology, geology and Gaelic folklore and a copy of his pamphlet on ‘Glacial Periods’ (folio 22).



(ii) Watercolour sketches and photographs accompanied by meteorological and geological notes made during a trip to Europe from August to November 1879. The Watercolours are of scenes principally in Switzerland and northern Italy, many being studies of cloud formations or of the effects of glaciation on the landscape. Towards the end of the journal a selection of photographs of Italian paintings and Rembrandt etchings which Campbell saw in Bologna and Florence are inserted (folios 275-289). There are also notes and sketches of various Christian monograms he had encountered in Rome and Naples.

A map of Europe is pasted on the flyleaf of the volume with the route Campbell followed outlined in red.