REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 47 



containing columns for such observations only as may be made without 

 any instruments, viz: the amount, kind, and motion of clouds; the 

 time of beginning and ending of rain and snow, the direction and 

 force of wind by estimation, and general remarks on the weather. 

 On the reverse of all the blanks is a place for remarks on casual 

 phenomena, as tornadoes, auroras, meteors, &c. 



The importance of such meteorological records as may be kept with- 

 out instruments seems to be much underrated, and many persons have 

 declined to make or continue observations unless supplied with full 

 •sets of instruments, assigning as a reason that such records can be of 

 no value. But a little reflection will show that these observations 

 may furnish interesting and important information. If kept daily 

 and in all parts of the country and sent to the Institution, they would, 

 without the aid of any other record, enable an investigator to deter- 

 mine the direction and rate of motion of every storm, hurricane, 

 tornado, and thunder shower in the United States, and also the time 

 and place of their origin and termination when these occurred within 

 the limits of the observers. 



They would enable him to mark out with accurate lines the districts 

 most subject to these atmospheric disturbances, and those free from 

 them or only partially visited, and also the portions of the year at 

 which they are most or least frequent. They would enable him to 

 ascertain the number, extent, and principal phenomena of all the 

 auroras, earthquakes, and meteors; the occurrence of the first, last, 

 and severe frosts, the comparative duration of clear and cloudy 

 weather, and the prevailing winds, both surface and upper current. 

 If to ascertain these points in the meteorology of every part of 

 North America is important, then the keeping such records as may be 

 made without instruments ought not to be omitted. While there are 

 persons in every neighborhood in this country who could faith- 

 fully and accurately fill these blanks, the number who can obtain 

 instruments and properly observe them must be comparatively limited. 



Frequent applications are made to the Institution offering to record 

 meteorological observations for a reasonable pecuniary compensation. 

 But the policy originally adopted, on account of the want of means, 

 of declining to pay observers, has been uniformly adhered to. To 

 depart from this policy, while it might here and there secure an addi- 

 tional observer, would involve difficulties of discrimination altogether 

 disproportionate to the advantage gained. While, however, no 



