24 S. Mis. 53. 



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

 Texas, Arkansas, 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. 



Farther westward, and more widely separated, the observers at the 

 military posts, and those of surveying and exploring parties, continue 

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

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



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

 furnished with new and reliable instruments at the expense of the 

 State. 



In Massachusetts twelve sattions are furnished in like manner, of 

 which eight have reported. 



In 1852 ninety-seven military posts reported meteorological observa- 

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



The whole number of stations and observers available in making 

 the deductions for 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 dijfferent parts of the 

 country, who have kept records of the weather, in some cases for 

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

 the Institution, requesting 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 thus called forth than was previ- 

 ously known to exist. 



In order that the materials procured from the aforementioned sources 

 may be rendered available for scientific or practical purposes, it is 

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

 publication. This work was commenced at the close of 1851, and 

 has been prosecuted with considerable vigor during the past year. It 

 was given by me in charge to JMr. Lorin Blodget, of western New 

 York, who has engaged in the work with much ardor, has devoted to 

 it his whole time and attention, and evinced an unusual degree of 

 talents for investigations of tliis character. 



The results which have thus far Ijeen obtained are of interest to the 

 science of meteorology, and valuable to the practical arts of life. The 

 following is a descriptive list of the deductions presented in a tabular 

 form : 



Temperature Tables. 



1. Tables of general mean temperature for a series of years, em- 



bracing a summary of the annual means for the years 1849, 

 1850, 1851, and 1852, with a general summary of rehable obser- 

 vations of mean temperature on the North American continent. 



2. Tables of mean temperature for each month, season, and year, hv 



1849, 1850, 1851, and 1852, embracing 273 stations in 1849 ; 284 

 in 1850 : 300 in 1851 ; and 396 in 1852. 



