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know the physical conditions of the earth's surface, including the elements of 

 motion of those portions which are moveable is surely a study of very great 

 interest and importance, and while the former branch may be considered an 

 application of physiology, this latter branch belongs more properly to physical 

 research. 



We have thus two great branches connected with our subject, namely : — 



(1) Tlic effect of climate upon organized beings. 



(2) The physics of the earth's surface, and more particularly of tlie earth's 

 atmosphere. 



And the complete and frequent meteorological observations now made in 

 many places may tend to throw a good deal of light on both of the above 

 questions, but the system of reduction necessary to give an answer to the one 

 question is not the same as that calculated to answer the other. 



The two points of view are perfectly distinct, and it is a gi-eat misfortune 

 that in meteorological reductions this distinction has not been projierly recog- 

 nised. This confusion of two separate objects in the minds of meteorologists 

 has in my opinion undoubtedly hindered the progress of knowledge, for what 

 as a matter of fact do we really know of the effect of climate upon organiz.d 

 beings, and how little do we know of tho motions of the earth's atmosphere. 



Dismissing, therefore the physiological effect of climate as one regarding 

 which we are all profoundly ignorant, and which at the same time belongs 

 more to the physiologist than to the physicist, permit me to make a few re- 

 marks on the present state and prospects of IVIeteorology, regarded as that science 

 which investigates the physical condition of the earth's surface. These remarks 

 will naturally divide themselves into three heads, namely : — 1. The progress 

 already made in the construction of instruments. 2. The progress in the 

 accumulation of facts of importance. 3. Suggestions and remarks regarding the 

 future. . 



THE PE0GBES3 ALREADY MADE IN THE CONSTBUCTION OF INSTRUMENTS. 



Meteorological instruments are now in a very fonvard state. In the first 

 place the velocity of the wind's motion, as well as the dii-ection in which it 

 moves, may be continuously recorded by means of an instrument called the 

 Anemograph. Mr. Crossley and others have made an electrical arrangement 

 by which that part of the instrument which receives the wind may be placed 

 at a distance from that which records the results. Thus, for instance, the one 

 part may be placed on the 'summit of »a" mountain aad the other in an ob- 

 server's study. 



The temperature, 'the pressure, and the vaporous condition of the atmosphere 

 may all be recorded continuously by photography, and Sir Charles Wheatstone has 

 invented an ingenious electrical an-angement by which the temperature or the 

 pressure may be recorded at a distance. 



Thus we may read oS in our chamber, at any moment, the temperature 

 or the barometer pressure at the top of a mountain, or, if we choose so to arrange 

 it, we can have the values of these elements as they are at sea. 



