WEATHER BUREAU. 181 



tricts of the western portion of the country, where the necessity for 

 reliable climatological data is most urgent. 



The routine work of the division, comprising the furnishing of 

 climatic data to several thousand applicants, the preparation of 

 certified data showing weather conditions for use in courts, and the 

 tabulation of data into the permanent record books, has been 

 carried forward as usual. 



During the year a large number of the original records, including 

 all the river reports, and the summaries of climatological data from 

 1906 to 1910, inclusive, have been collected, arranged, and properly 

 bound. In September, 1910, the work of examining the original 

 meteorological records from stations was transferred to this division, 

 due to the discontinuance of the distributing division. 



The large accumulation of original records is rapidly exhausting 

 the available storage room in the vault, which will soon have to be 

 enlarged if these valuable records are to be kept free from danger 

 of destruction by fire. 



INSTRUMENT DIVISION. 



The work and duties of the Instrument Division have remained 

 essentially the same during the past year as heretofore. The equip- 

 ment of instruments at about 200 telegraphic stations and about 

 4,000 cooperative stations has been maintained in the best condition 

 possible. 



Improvements have been made in the equipment of the storm- 

 warning display stations at Delaware Breakwater, Del., Cape Henry, 

 Va., and Sand Key, Fla., through the substitution of acetylene gas 

 for oil in the lanterns, and more particularly through the introduc- 

 tion of separate lanterns, operated by a special signaling key for use 

 in flashing messages from the stations to passing vessels. Credit is 

 due to Mr. J. F. Newsom, in charge of the station at Cape Henry, for 

 the development of this and other useful apparatus for signaling 

 passing vessels. 



Kiosks were installed during the year at Indianapolis, Ind., Salt 

 Lake City, Utah, and Memphis, Tenn. These structures, which are 

 now to be found at 29 stations, have met with universal commenda- 

 tions from commercial bodies and the general public, and requests for 

 others are on file, awaiting consideration at such time as funds may 

 become available for their erection. The kiosk has proved of special 

 value in placing meteorological and climatological data of general 

 interest before the public, as well as in affording a display of the 

 instruments used for indicating and recording temperature, humidity, 

 rainfall, and atmospheric pressure. During the year an improved 

 arrangement of counters was devised by Mr. Maring, of the Instru- 

 ment Division, for showing the accumulated rainfall since January 1, 

 side by side with the normal fall for the same period, so that the data 

 could be compared at a glance and the excess or deficiency for the 

 current year noted. 



Special forms of apparatus promising to give satisfactory results 

 in the accurate measurement or snowfall in the mountain regions are 

 described and illustrated in an Instrument Division circular issued 

 during the year under the title "Measurement of Precipitation." A 

 limited number of sample gauges were installed late in tne season at a 



