74 ANNUAL KECORD OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 



after such gauges will constitute a part of the equipment of 

 every vessel fitted out for scientific purposes. 12 A^ January 

 16, 1873, 202. 



DEEANGEMENT OF THERMOMETERS IN CARRYING. 



It often happens in the transportation of thermometers, 

 esj^ecially if the boxes are jarred, that a portion of the mer- 

 curial column separates and moves toward the end of the 

 tube. This may generally be reunited with that in the bulb 

 by allowing the thermometer to drop from two to three 

 inches in a vertical position upon a card held in the left hand ; 

 or by holding the thermometer in the right hand, and strik- 

 ing the arm {iiot the thermometer) against the palm of the 

 left hand ; or, finally, by whirling the thermometer with care, 

 and not too rapidly, by a cord attached to the end. In many 

 cases, however, the detached column of mercury may be very 

 small, perhaps a degree, or even only half a degree, so that 

 the error it occasions may be referred to inaccuracy in fixing 

 the zero point, and in such cases its weight is not sufficient 

 to enable it to overcome the adhesion to the glass. The fol- 

 lowing method will also meet such cases : Incline the ther- 

 mometer, with the bulb highest, at an angle of 20 to 40, 

 and strike the bulb end gently Avith a flat piece of wood in 

 the direction of the tube. Some of tlie mercury will pass 

 out, fill the whole tube, and unite w^ith the detached portion. 

 Then slowly and carefully change the inclination of the ther- 

 mometer imtil the bulb is so much depressed that the mer- 

 cury barely begins to move toward it, and, as a rule, the 

 whole united column of mercury will flow toward the bulb. 

 A small bubble of air will generally be present at the point 

 where the separation previously took place, but if the incli- 

 nation be carefully changed, as above directed, and jarring 

 entirely avoided, it will remain upon the glass, and the pre- 

 viously detached column will readily pass it. 14 (7, 1872, 

 ccvL, 240. 



SIGNAL-SERVICE WEATHER BUREAU. 



We notice in the French journals several statements rela- 

 tive to the Army Signal-office that are quite erroneous. They 

 are to the effect that " the Signal-office was created by the 

 late Commander M. F. Maurv," and that " the United States 



