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these instruments and organize a grand system of meteorological observa- 

 tions upon this continent, in perfect harmonj' with the views of James 

 Smithson. Mv. Smithson bequeathed his property, in trust; to this coun- 

 try, /or the increase and cHlfusion of knoroledge among men. It is believed 

 that by carrying out the plan now suggested, knowledge would be in- 

 creased and diffused, and it would be that kind of knowledge which 

 would contribute to the comfiirt and happiness of society, as much as 

 perhaps any other which can be named. 



4. Specific plan of operations proposed. 



The following is proposed for the consideration of the Regents of the 

 Smithsonian Institution; as the outline of a grand meteorological cam- 

 paign. 



Let a meteorological department of the institution be organized, under 

 the direction of the Secretary, with a suitable assistant. Let a united effort 

 be made to secure for a limited period, and to the greatest possible extent, 

 the CO operation of the general government, the several State governments, 

 scientific societies, and the friends of science throughout the country. Let 

 the general government be requested to give the greatest possible exten- 

 sion to their system of observations at the military posts, and to authorize 

 similar observations to be made at certain lighthouses, so far as may be 

 necessary to complete a line of stations at intervals of 100 miles along the 

 whole extent of our coast, and the chain of the northern lakes. Let the 

 regents of the University of the State of New York be requested to reor- 

 ganize the system of observations in that State, by furnishing barometers 

 to about 20 of their academies, and directing the observations to be report- 

 ed regularly to Washington. Let tlie committee having charge of the 

 observations in Permsylvania be requested to adopt the same plan of ob- 

 servations which shall be agreed upon for the other States, and report regu- 

 larly to Washington, Let application be made to the legislatures of each 

 of the other States, inviting them to co-operate in this noble ^heme, 

 by emulating the examples of New York and Pennsylvania. Let the 

 scientific societies throughout the United States be appealed to, to assist in 

 organizing an efficient corps of observers, each in its appropriate sphere; 

 and let individual observers throughout the country be requested to unite 

 their eftbrts in one uniform and systematic plan of operations. Let them 

 be requested to report their equipment of instruments, and state whether 

 they will undertake to provide whatever may be wanting, at their own ex- 

 pense. LiCt then the entire country be divided into sections not exceed- 

 ing 100 miles square; and in each section not already provided for, let an 

 observer be sought out, who shall volunteer to make the observations if 

 instruments are furnished him. Let then the Smithsonian Institution 

 assume the burden of furnishing the necessary instruments to those who 

 are unable to do it themselves. It is estimated that the sum required for 

 this purpose would not exceed three thousand dollars. Let a form of ob- 

 servations be provided, and instructions to all the observers, who shall re- 

 port at least quarterly to the Secretary at Washington. Let it be the dut^ 

 of the meteorologist to take charge of the observations, to discuss and ana- 

 lyze them, and endeavor to deduce from them the laws of storms. Let 

 these investigations be published, in as much detail as may be thought de- 

 manded by the claims of science, and let a copy of whatever may be pub- 

 lished be forwarded to each observer, in order that he may be stimulated 

 in his work by finding that his labor is not wholly in vain. 



