246 EIGHTH ANNUAL REPOIIT OF 



1. The Smithsonian system proper, made uj) of voluntary observers 

 in different pnrts of the United States, who report immediately to the 

 Institution. 



2. The system of observations ot" the University of the State of 

 New York, re-established under the direction of this Institution, and 

 supported by the State of New York. 



3. The system of observations established under the dire<^tion of this 

 Institution, by the State of Massachusetts. 



4 The extended system of observations made at the several military 

 posts of the United States, under the direction of the Surgeon General 

 of the army. 



5. Separate series of observations by exploring and surveying pai*- 

 ties, in some cases directed, and in part furnished with instruments, by 

 this Institution. 



6. Meteorological records from British America, consisting of obser- 

 vations made at the various posts of the Hudson's Bay Company, and 

 at the residence of private individuals in Canada. 



In the first three of these classes there are about two hiuidred ob- 

 servers distributed t)ver the entire continent. In the older States they 

 are very thickly distributed, and they are entirely wanting in none. 

 Texas, Arkansas, the Indian Territory, Missouri, Iowa, and Minnesota,, 

 have each competent and reliable observers reporting directly to the 

 Smithsonian Institution, in addition to those at the military posts, 

 which are in the same regions. 



Further westward, and more widely sepnrated, the observers at the 

 mihtary ])osts, and those of surveying and exploring parties, continue 

 the connexion of the system to the Pacific coast, where the number 

 of military posts is greater, and private observers are again found. 



The New York system embraces twenty-five academies as stations, 

 all furnished with new and reliable instruments at the expense of the 

 State. 



In Massachusetts twelve stations are furnished in like maimer, of 

 which eight have reported. 



In 1852 ninety-seven military posts reported meteorological observa- 

 tions, and for 1853 tlie number will be greater rather than less. 



The wliole number of stations and observers available in making 

 the deductions tor 1852 was three hundred and fifty ; and this number, 

 either reporting directly to the Institution or furnishing their observa- 

 tions for its use, may" be relied upon for the current year. 



Besides the observations derived from this general system, a large 

 collection has been procured from individuals in different parts of the 

 country, who have kept recortls ot" the weather, in some cases for 

 many years. This collection was obtained by issuing a circular from 

 the Institution, re(juesting copies of any records which might have been 

 kept relative to the climate of this country. The amount of information 

 received in answer to this circular was far greater than was expected, 

 and much more valuable matter was tluis called forth than was previ- 

 ously known to exist. 



In order that the materials procured ti-om the atbrementioned sources 

 may be rendered available lor scientific or practical purposes, it *is 

 necessary thnt they should be reduced, discussed, and arranged for 



