OCEAN METEOROLOGY. 179 



common, inferior result may again be raised to a higher level. Thus, 

 if the present higher races could consent to sacrifice their present supe- 

 rior position for several, perhaps many, generations, it is conceivable 

 that the human race may be again raised, and possibly to a still higher 

 plane. From a lower plane but broader base, it may be possible to 

 build up again to a higher point than any yet reached. Or, to put it 

 differently : the effect of true breeding is doubtless excellent in one 

 direction, and for the perfecting of one or a few qualities, but it tends 

 also to specialize, and therefore to petrify, and thus to prevent indefi- 

 nite progress. Mixing, on the other hand, it produces a more plastic 

 nature or better clay, a more generalized and therefore a more pro- 

 gressive form — for the line of true progress has ever been through 

 generalized forms. Therefore it may be that, after the best results of 

 true breeding have been attained in the production of the best varie- 

 ties in several limited directions, then the general mixing of these 

 perfected varieties will produce a generalized hi\man type capable of 

 more universal progress in all directions. 



OCEAN METEOROLOGY. 



By Lieutenant T. A. LYONS, U. S. N. 



THE frequent examination of Maury's charts for the purpose of 

 shortening tedious passages under sail, led to the idea of remod- 

 eling them for greater ease of consultation, and at the same time of 

 adding the vast store of data accumulated since their publication. 



The first conception of the new charts embraced only their salient 

 features : from time to time, during the progress of the work, vai-ious 

 details occurred and were added, so that to-day the undertaking may 

 be said to be systematized, and it is this system which I shall de- 

 scribe. 



The sources whence the information for the charts is derived, are 

 two : log-books of ships of our own navy, and journals of merchant- 

 vessels. 



On board every vessel of the United States Navy it is obligatory 

 to keep an official daily record, called the log-book. The first part 

 contains full and explicit directions for keeping it ; lists of the officers 

 and men composing the ship's company ; plans and sections of the 

 ship ; a description of the armament, boats, and small-arms ; a table of 

 deviations of the compasses ; and a description of the meteorological 

 instruments used, their location, and comparisons with standards. 

 Following this matter are blank pages, suitably ruled, for a six months' 



