INTRODUCTION. xiii 



which should be follo^\^ed on "board the vessels of all friendly na- 

 tions, and especially of those there present in the persons of their 

 representatives. 



XL. Prussia, Spain, the free city of Hamburg, the republics of 

 Bremen and Chili, and the empires of Austria and Brazil, have 

 since offered their co-operation also in the same plan. 



XLI. Thus the sea has been brought regularly within the do- 

 mains of philosophical research, and crowded with observers. 



XL II. In peace and in war these observations are to be carried 

 on ; and, in case any of the vessels on board of which they are con- 

 ducted may be captured, the abstract log — as the journal which 

 contains these observations is called — is to be held sacred. 



XLIIL Baron Humboldt is of opmion that the results already 

 obtained from this system of research are sufficient to give rise to 

 a new department of science, which he has called the Physical 

 G-EOGRAPHY OF THE Sea. If SO much liave already been accom- 

 plished by one nation, what may vre not expect in the course of a 

 few years from the joint co-operation of so many ? 



XLIY. Rarely before has there been such a sublime spectacle 

 presented to the scientific world : all nations agreeing to unite and 

 co-operate in carrying out one system of philosophical research with 

 regard to the sea. Though they may be enemies in all else, here 

 they are to be friends. Every ship that navigates the high seas 

 with these charts and blank abstract logs oh board may henceforth 

 be regarded as a floating observatory, a temple of science. The 

 instruments used by every co-operating vessel are to be compared 

 with standards that are common to all ; so that an observation 

 that is made any where and in any ship, may be referred to and 

 compared with all similar observations by all other ships in all 

 other parts of the world. 



But these meteorological observations which this extensive and 

 admirable system includes will relate only to the sea. It is a pity. 

 The plan should include the land also, and be universal. It is now 

 proposed to have another and general meteorological congress ; and 

 the initiatory steps, by way of counsel, for calling it together, have 

 been taken, both in England and on the Continent. It is to be 

 hoped that this country will not fail to co-operate in such a hu- 

 mane, wise, and noble undertaking as is this. It involves a study 



