DISTRIBUTION OF TEMPERATURE ON THE EARTH. 243 
In February 1839 the temperature was high in America, and 
normal in Europe, probably the negative extreme was further to 
the east. 
The mean variability increases in America as well as in 
Europe, in proceeding from the coasts towards the interior ; the 
American stations are not yet sufficient to show whether it is 
greater on the borders of the sea and continental climates, than 
still further in the interior. 
Under the same parallels of latitude the mean variability is 
greater in America than in Europe, probably because in America 
the isothermals are nearer together, and deviate more from the 
direction of the parallels of latitude, so that corresponding changes 
in the direction of the winds produce greater thermal effects. 
The comparison of the mean temperatures of 1828-1834, with 
the much lower ones of 1835-1839, shows plainly that there are 
causes of either a warming or a cooling nature, which often pre- 
vail uninterruptedly for a considerable space of time. 
H. C. 
December 17th, 1841. 
35 Upper Gower Street. 
