may prove of great service in tracing the changes of weather over 

 large districts of country ; for example, a knowledge of the exact 

 time at which a violent wind commences at a particular place may 

 enable us, with similar observations at other localities, to trace 

 the progress of the disturbance through its whole course from its 

 beginning to its ending. 



For more detailed instructions reference should be made to the 

 accompanying blanks and pamphlets. 



Of the blank registers two diiTerent classes are sent. Those 

 marked No. 1 are intended to record observations with all the 

 instruments, with spaces to include the reductions for "Force of 

 Vapor" and " Relative Humidity," which need not be filled up 

 unless the observer himself prefers to make the calculations, which 

 will otherwise be made at the Institution. 



Blanks No. 2 are intended for observers who have no instru- 

 ments, excepting a thermometer; and if this instrument be broken, 

 or the observer have none, valuable materials may still be furnished 

 by filling up the other columns, and simply noting the beginning 

 and ending of warm and cold spells. 



In the accompanying package will also be found blanks for 

 recording periodical phenomena of animal and vegetable life. 

 Such records will be of especial interest, as showing the progress 

 and development of the seasons, and the geographical distribution 

 of species. 



In the package will also be found detailed instructions in regard 

 to the collecting and preparing objects of natural history. Speci- 

 mens of the different animals will be particularly interesting, espe- 

 cially of the small mammals, as mice, moles, shrews, gophers, 

 weasels, rabbits, ground squirrels, marmots, etc. Good skins and 

 skulls of the barren ground bear, the musk ox, and the reindeer, 

 are much wanted. 



Attention is especiaHy invited to the collecting of eggs of any 

 and all kinds of the birds which may be met with. The species 

 of most interest are the different eagles, hawks, and owls, snipes, 

 sandpipers, plover, gulls, ducks, loons, grebes, etc. Care should 

 be taken, as far as possible, to secure a parent bird of each set 

 of eggs, for the purpose of identifying the species ; either the 

 entire skin being preserved, or at least the head, wing, and tail. 

 If a [)arent cannot be obtained, the eggs should nevertheless be 



