16 Mis. No. 48. 



studied by the simultaneous observations of persons widely separated from 

 each ot^er. For example, the several phases presented by a thunder- 

 storm, or by the aurora borealis, may be telegraphed to a distance, and 

 the synchronous appearances compared, and recorded in stations far re- 

 removed from each other. Also, by the same means, a single observatory 

 at which constant observations are made during the whole 24 hours, may 

 give notice to all persons along the telegraphic lines, of the occurrence of 

 interesting meteorological phenomena, and thus simultaneous observations 

 be secured. The advantage to agriculture and commerce to be derived 

 from a knowledge of the approach of a storm by means of the telegraph, 

 has been frequently referred to of la'e in the pablic journals. And this, we 

 think, is a subject deserving the attention of the general government. 



Under the head of researches, I may mention that several papers are in 

 preparation^ under the direction and partly at the expense of the Institu- 

 tion. The first of these relates to a series of valuable observations on the 

 temperature and velocity of the Gulf stream, the author of which the 

 science of our country was called to mourn while he was engaged in an 

 important public service. The observations are now in progress of reduc- 

 tion, and the results will furnish an interesting memoir for the next vol- 

 ume of our Contributions. 



The drawings and engravings of a paper on the botany of Oregon are 

 also in progress, and as a small advance has been made to assist in complet- 

 ing these, the memoir will fall under the head of original researches, m part 

 conducted by the Institution. 



In the last report, it was mentioned that a magnetic survey of the mine- 

 ral regions of the northern lakes had been added to the geological and 

 mineralogical survey, the results of which were to be submitted to the 

 Smithsonian Institution. An appropriation was made by the Secretary of 

 the Treasury during the past summer for a continuation of this survey ; 

 but on account of the lateness of the season at which the arrangement 

 was made, the person to whom the work was entrusted, was not enabled 

 to engage in it this year. Operations, however, will probably be com- 

 menced as soon as practicable, next spring. 



There is in the Land Office a large collection of facts relative to the 

 variation of the compass, which have been derived from the observations 

 of the public surveyors, who are directed in ail cases to give the varia- 

 tion of the needle, from the true meridian, at the several stations of 

 their surveys. The observations are made with an instrument called the 

 solar compass, which probably gives the variation at each place within a 

 quarter of a degree of the truth. The number of these observations, it is 

 believed, will make up in a considerable degree for their want of greater 

 precision, and from the whole, the lines of declination may be detennined 

 with considerable accuracy. The Secretary of the Treasury has liberally 

 directed tliat all the matter relating to this subject in the land office may 

 be placed at my disposal, and Mr. Wilson has undertaken to present the 

 whole in a series of maps, the publication of which in the Contributions, 

 cannot fail to be received as an interestins: addition to terrestial magnetism. 

 Among the objects of research enumerated in the programme, is the 

 analysis of soils and plants; but it is the policy of the Smithsonian Insti- 

 tution, in order to employ its funds most eifectually in the way of in- 

 creasing and diffusing knowledge, not to engage in any operation which 

 could be as well if nut better carried on under the direction and with the 



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