X INTRODUCTION. 



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 on board may henceforth be regarded as a floating 

 observatoiy, 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 anywhere 

 and in any ship may be referred to and compared with all similar 

 observations by all other ships in all parts of the world. 



But these meteorological observations which this extensive and 

 admirable system includes will relate only 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 navigation have 

 been. A series of systematic observations, directed 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 great expansion. With the aid of the magnetic telegraph, and 

 by establishing 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. And Admiral Fitzroy, at the head of the 

 Meteorological Department of the Board of Trade in London, 

 informs me that already, though the plan went into operation 

 only in the month of September, 1860, yet it is most rich with 

 the promise of a fine harvest of practical results. 



The agricultural societies of many states of America have 

 addressed memorials to the American Congress, asking 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 

 observations, time of making them, and the interchange of 

 results are concerned. Great good is to come of it — shipwrecks 

 and disasters are to be prevented by it — the public 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 



