An instrument for measuring humidity in the atmosphere. The mechanical type uses an organic material, such as human hair, which expands and contracts with changes in atmospheric humidity. The expansion and contraction is used to operate a needle. In the electric type, the change in resistance of a hygroscopic substance is used as an indication of humidity. In dew-point hygrometers a polished surface is reduced in temperature until water vapour from the atmosphere forms on it. The temperature of this dew point enables the relative humidity of the atmosphere to be calculated. In the wet-and-dry bulb hygrometer, two thermometers are mounted side by side, the bulb of one being surrounded by moistened muslin. The thermometer with the wet bulb will register a lower temperature than that with a dry bulb owing to the cooling effect of the evaporating water. The temperature difference enables the relative humidity to be calculated. Only the dew-point hygrometer can be operated as an absolute instrument; all the others must ultimately be calibrated against this.