INTKODUCTION. 



SO that an observation that is made anywhere and in any ship 

 may be referred to and compared with all similar observations by 

 ail other ships in all parts of the w^orid. 



But these meteorological observations which tliis extensive and 

 admirable system includes will relate onhj to the sea. _ This is not 

 enough. The plan should include the land also, and be universal. 

 Other great interests of society are to be benefited by such extension 

 no less than commerce and na^dgation have been. A series of 

 systematic observations, dhected over large districts of country, nay, 

 over continents, to the improvement of agricultural and sanitary 

 meteorology, would, I have no doubt, tend to the development of 

 many interesting, important, and valuable results. 



With proper encouragement, this plan of research is capable 

 of gTeat expansion. With the aid of the magnetic telegTaph, and 

 by estabhshing a properly devised system of daily weather reports by 

 telegram, sentinels upon the weather may be so posted that we may 

 have warning in advance of every storm that traverses the country. 

 Holland, France, and England, have recently established such a 

 plan of daily weather reports from certain stations. xVnd Admiral 

 Fitzroy, at the head of the Meteorological Department of the 

 Board of Trade in London, informs me that akeady, though the plan 

 went into operation only in the month of September, 18G0, yet it is 

 most rich with the promise of a fine harvest of practical results. 



The agricultural societies of many states of America have ad- 

 dressed memorials to the American Congress, asldng for such 

 extension over that continent. 



This plan contemplates the co-operation of all the states of 

 Christendom, at least so far as the form, method, subjects of observa- 

 tions, time of making them, and the interchange of results are 

 concerned. Grreat good is to come of it — shipwi'ecks and disasters 

 are to be prevented by it — the pubhc weal is to be promoted by it, 

 the convenience of society is to be enhanced by it, the bounds of 

 human knowledge are to be enlarged by it, and it is hoped that the 

 friends of meteorology,^, and all who may find interest or pleasm'e in 

 a perusal of these passages, will lend their assistance to the carrying 

 out of this plan, by advocating it among their friends. These re- 

 searches for the land look not only to the advancement of the great 

 interests of sanitary and agricultm-al meteorology, but they involve 

 also a study of the laws which regulate the atmosphere, and call for 

 a careful investigation of all its phenomena. 



Another beautiful feature in this system is, that it costs nothing; 



