28 ANNUAL RECORD OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 



By some of the observations, the rule heretofore announced 

 in regard to increase of temperature was corroborated, name- 

 ly, that which fixes it at one degree to about fifty feet, in 

 some instances varying a little in excess or diminution. At- 

 tention was called to the interest which would attach to 

 carefully prepared observations made in the great artesian 

 well near St. Louis, which, as is known, reached the depth of 

 3843 feet, greatly exceeding that of any other well of the 

 kind in the world. Unfortunately^ this well is blocked up at 

 a point comparatively near to the surface ; and it would in- 

 volve great expense to open it out again for the purpose of 

 prosecuting special experiments. Mr. Glaisher, on the same 

 occasion, presented some remarks in regard to the tempera- 

 ture of the air at different altitudes, and explained that, al- 

 though in general the cold increases the higher we ascend in 

 the atmosphere, yet at some seasons, at a certain distance 

 from the earth, the temperature is higher instead of lower 

 than at the surface ; furthermore, it was ascertained that at 

 given elevations the thermometer indicated a higher jDoint at 

 night than by day, and he therefore considers that up to 

 1000 feet the temperature may be occasionally higher instead 

 of lower than at the ground. 8 A, October 1, 1870, 185. 



Everett's self-registering maximum thermometer. 



A new pattern of self-registering maximum thermometer, 

 adapted for use in a vertical position, with a bulb in the top, 

 is presented by Professor Everett in his report on under- 

 ground temperatures. The contraction in the neck prevents 

 mercury from passing into the stem when the instrument re- 

 ceives moderate concussion. Before taking* a reading the 

 instrument must be gently inclined, so as to allow all the 

 mercury in the stem to run together into pne column near 

 the neck. On restoring the thermometer to the erect posi- 

 tion, the united column will flow on the other end of the tube 

 (that is, the end farthest from the bulb), and it is from this 

 end that the graduations begin. It is set for a fresh obser- 

 vation by holding it in the inverted position, and tapping it 

 on the palm of the hand. This instrument, like that hereto- 

 fore used, is protected against pressure by an outer case of 

 glass, hermetically sealed. 15 A, August 19, 237. 



